Keep Your Baby Clean and Healthy With Best Baby Toiletries

Last Updated on February 18, 2022

There are so many things to think about when expecting a new baby. From decorating the nursery to picking out a name, selecting which baby care items you are going to use is an important task on your list. But where should you start and which items are considered “must-haves” by other parents? Read on for a list of best baby toiletries that should be making their way onto your own registry!

I’ll start with the basics, but you can also use the table of contents to skip to sections that interest you more.

But if you’re in a hurry, then here’s a list of things to buy (all links take you to Amazon): Johnson’s Tiny Traveler Set (includes baby shampoo, lotion, diaper rash cream, etc.); Safety 1st gift set (includes a comb, thermometer, scissors, etc.); infant diapers; and wipes by Pampers; Swabs; Eyelid Cleanser

What are Baby Toiletries?

I’ll start with the basics as I’m also writing to new dads here:) What exactly are toiletries for infants?

In general, toiletries for infants are considered to be all items that are essential for bathing your new baby or caring for their skin, hair, or nails. This can include things such as baby shampoo, baby soap, lotions, powder, diapers, diaper rash cream, wet wipes, cotton balls, a hairbrush, and nail clips.

When Should you buy Baby Toiletries? 

As a new parent, you may be excited to make these purchases as soon as the line comes up on the pregnancy test. Or you may decide to wait and take your time.

It’s a good idea to have a small collection of items on hand for your first month at home though. This little basket of toiletries could include things such as baby shampoo, diaper rash cream, and a small container of lotion. One of my personal favorites is the Johnson’s & Johnson’s Baby Traveler Kit (sold also on Amazon).

I must admit that my wife ordered all the newborn toiletries because I didn’t have a clue what would be needed. At the moment of writing, our boy is a curious toddler, and so I’ve acquired some knowledge. 

Blond smiling woman on a meadow in summer
She approves this post

That said, my wife helped me to write this article and has approved it:)

You can buy Everything in Bulk, Maybe not Baby Lotion

You can buy most of the stuff on the list (read the next chapter) beforehand. As these are simple products, you can easily buy them online and look for exclusive offers.

You can also set up a baby registry on Amazon. They have a great selection of different items available and you’ll get them at a discount.

Shop Amazon – Create an Amazon Baby Registry

When it comes to lotions, I’d suggest waiting until you know what you will be needing. Or at least don’t buy a big bottle right away.

Just as adults have toiletries to help aid in various skincare needs, infants do as well. So it is essential to have an understanding of what care items would genuinely benefit your baby’s skin.

Which Baby Toiletries do you Need for a Newborn? 

Not all baby care items are considered must-haves by all parents. That said, there are some that you’ll want to have on hand as soon as you are home from the hospital with your tiny bundle of joy.

While all the listed items are probably familiar to you, I added a small comment (keep on reading) about some of them. 

All the items on this list are also sold on Amazon. This site is sponsored by readers and earns a small fee (without any extra cost for you) if you buy them by clicking these links.

The List of 10 Essential Baby Toiletries

Why buy Unscented Baby Wipes?

There’s less risk to irritate the sensitive skin of your new baby if a product doesn’t contain synthetic fragrances. 

You shouldn’t use the wipes all the time though. I know they are very easy and well-working solution and so all fathers love them. The problem is, even unscented ones can dry your baby’s skin if used too often.

For example, we used them only when traveling or at night when speed was paramount.

Go for a  Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash if Possible

When looking for the best baby shampoo and body wash, try to find products made of organic ingredients. This ensures that they don’t contain harsh chemicals like excess formaldehyde, parabens, and phthalates. And don’t forget to read the small print of the label/ingredient list😊

Additionally, organic products should be made without added fragrance. Some manufacturers may hide potential irritants under this name, so it’s best to go fragrance-free.

And don’t forget that the best baby shampoo should be tear-free and not irritate the baby’s eyes. You want the bath time to be calming and not hear your little one crying when washing the hair and body.

Baby in a bathtub and a hand washes the hair
Washing a newborn with tear free baby shampoo

Huh…I covered a lot of information in this short paragraph😊 If you wish to learn more, click on the link “Best organic baby shampoo.”  Otherwise, feel free to scroll down to the next paragraph.

Baby Soap

As you may have noticed, I didn’t include baby soap in my list of ten essential items. While you can, of course, use them, you don’t have to. We only used bar soap when our baby was older. By that time, he managed to make his hands so dirty that just water wasn’t enough.

Best baby soap is usually made of organic ingredients and is preferably cruelty-free. The reasoning behind it is pretty much the same as for shampoos (look for the previous paragraph if needed😊 Although the most common unwanted chemicals in soaps are triclosan/triclocarban, propylene glycol, alcohol, and (again) added fragrance.

And if your little one has eczema-prone skin, then it’s best to use soap-free cleansing gel. You can read more about the best baby soaps by clicking the link.

Where Should you Store Your Newborn Toiletries? 

1. Choose a Suitable Storage Space

The storage space should be dry or at least not too humid because you need a place for diapers and swabs. 

It’s always a good idea to store stuff out of direct sunlight because UV rays damage and alter different materials. This said, you don’t need to worry about warmth “per se.” Skincare products like lotions and creams are usually tested for months in temperatures up to 113F to make sure that they stay stable.

2. Diaper Caddy is a Perfect Solution to Keep Best Baby Toiletries in Order

A diaper caddy is a great way to keep all your supplies organized. You also have all the necessities within reach during diaper changes. 

If you live in a house with several levels, you can buy many caddies so you can have one on each level. A friend of mine even keeps one in the car for those on-the-go explosion emergencies.

I love the sturdiness of the diaper caddy by putska (also sold on Amazon). It comes with many durable pockets great for organizing diaper creams and lotions.

3. Keep Best Baby Toiletries out of Reach of Small Hands

It is always a good idea to keep your toiletries out of reach of small hands. These items should not be ingested, so I suggest keeping them on a high shelf. 

It is a good idea to get in the habit of keeping them out of reach right away. So you do not run into any surprises down the road when your child begins to become mobile.

For example, we have a baby dresser in our nursery. It’s quite high, so even our one-year-old can’t reach the baby toiletries on it.

What is the Average Cost of Baby Toiletries per Month?

List of baby toiletries that all new dads and moms need. You can also see the cost. Read the article if you wish to know more about storage, gift baskets, and different products.
List of best baby bath products and other toiletries and their cost per year

As you can see from the infographic, the first month is quite expensive (around $220) as you have to buy many one-time items.

We estimated that new parents should normally budget around $60 a month for infant toiletry purchases (diapers cost a lot).

It means that a new parent can expect to spend approximately $880 on baby care items on the first year.

This is only an estimation of course and based on our experience. 

For example, we couldn’t use many baby wipes because they irritated the skin of our infant. Every morning my wife cleaned the skin folds of our baby with eye wipes, so we had to buy a lot of baby towelettes. I also hunted for discounts so the cost for diapers was less than $60 a month.

This amount could also be higher if you want to use a cloth diaper cleaning service or buy more expensive products.

Shop Amazon – Create an Amazon Baby Registry

Best Baby Grooming Kits 

As I’ve already explained (sorry for repeating myself), it’s a good idea to have a healthcare kit ready for your new member of the family.

Most baby care kits come with a variety of newborn essentials. You usually get a convenient carry case that can be zipped and stored right in your diaper caddy.

You can expect to get a nail clipper, a brush or a comb, and a thermometer among other things.

While there are many options available for these care kits, a grooming kit by Safety 1st (also sold on Amazon) has all that is needed.

Baby Toiletries Gift Sets

Are you looking for a great set to add to your registry, or for a gift for someone else? Let’s talk about toiletries gift sets for a minute.

With so many gift sets out there, how do you know which one to choose?

Begin by looking at what is included (didn’t see this one coming, right?). My point is, you may want to buy a grooming kit, or you may wish for a basket with shampoos, ointments, etc.

I Don’t Want to Waste Your Time too Much, and I’ll Give you the top Three Gift Sets for DadProgress

1. Aveeno Baby Essential Daily Care Baby & Mommy Gift Set (also sold on Amazon) 

It is one that includes items for your little one and the mommy as well, all in a neat small basket that can be utilized later on as well.

You’ll get six items designed to nourish babies and pamper moms. At least the shampoo and lotion are essential for the little one.

It is a set some of my friends continue to ask for each year, even though they no longer have newborns in the house. 

2. Johnson’s Tiny Traveler Baby Gift set (also sold on Amazon)

With one gift set you’ll get almost half the baby toiletries that I’ve recommended. A baby shampoo, baby lotion, diaper cream, and hand wipes are on every parent’s list.

This said, the package is relatively small as it’s intended for traveling, so the items will not last for months.

3. Safety 1st Deluxe Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit (also sold on Amazon)

If you are looking for a gift set that has most of the items required to deal with mini-emergencies, then this package is for you. You get the last three items from my list of ten essentials and much more.

Hope to see You Around & Links to More Information

I hope this article helps you to be more ready for the arrival of your little one. In case you need some encouragement, check out my guides on how to change a diaper and bathe a baby.

I’ve written more extensively about some of the topis, so click on the following links if you wish to learn more.

If you wish to read more about baby soap, then click here. You can also click here to learn more about organic baby shampoos or take a look at the comparison of different Pampers diapers.

Thanks for reading!