Raising Kids Adoption & Foster Care Adoption Facts Adoptive and Foster Parent Shopping List for Babies and Toddlers Whether you are adopting or fostering, consider this your preparation checklist when it comes to what to get for your family's newest arrival. By Laura Broadwell Updated on April 1, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Iulian Valentin / Shutterstock Families are made in many beautiful ways, including adoption or fostering. Adopting or fostering a child is an exciting milestone. Once it appears certain that a baby or toddler will be joining your family, you'll want to prepare your home for their arrival. Here's a suggested list of things you may need to buy (or borrow) for children under 2. Note that this list includes some items you may not need or even want. For example, if you don't have a large living space, you might not need a baby monitor. Or if you live in a warm climate, you may not use cold weather items. Also, remember that babies and toddlers come in many different sizes and grow and develop at different rates. So, don't invest heavily in clothing, toys, or other age or size-specific items until you get a sense of what will fit and what they really need. 27 Ways to Save Money When You Have a Baby Shopping List for Babies Under 1 Year The following are the key items to stock up on when adopting or fostering a baby under 1 year old. Remember, if cost is an issue, there are many resources out there that can help you get free or low-cost items for your baby. Your chosen pediatrician, local charities, and local county and city government offices can help connect you with these resources. Many items can be bought secondhand. Also, many people are happy to pass on gently used children's clothing and other reusable items, so ask around! For the nursery Baby monitorBlankets (lightweight, medium weight, or fleece, depending on the season)Changing pad or tableChest of drawers (for storing baby's clothes, if needed)CribCrib mattressDiaper pailDiaper rash ointmentDiapers (either disposable or cloth)Fitted crib sheets (in flannel or cotton, depending on the season)NightlightRocking chair or gliderQuilted crib mattress padWaterproof padWipes Bathing and grooming Baby brush and combBaby oil and/or lotionBaby nail clippers or nail fileBaby tubBaby soap or bath liquidBaby shampooSoft towelsSoft washclothsSterile cotton ballsTub seat and bath toys (for when baby graduates to the big tub) How to Care for Your Baby's Skin Feeding Accessories basket for dishwasher Baby spoons and forks (for feeding older babies) Bottles Burp cloths Drying rack for bottles Formula High chair Plastic or washable bibs Wire brush bottle washer An Age-by-Age Feeding Chart for Babies and Newborns Medicine chest Activated charcoal (if recommended by your local Poison Control Center) Antiseptic cream Baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) Baby decongestant Baby ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) Cool mist humidifier Gas drops Heating pad and/or hot water bottle (for soothing a colicky tummy) Hydrocortisone cream Hydrogen peroxide Medicine dropper/measuring spoon (these often come with liquid baby medicines) Nasal aspirator & saline nose drops Rehydration fluid (such as Pedialyte) Sunscreen Sterile bandages and gauze pads Thermometer (ear and/or rectal) How to Get Babies to Take Medicine Travel gear Baby carrier (wrap, sling, or structured carrier) Car seat Diaper bag Portable playpen/crib Rain shield Stroller Travel changing pad Should You Buy Used or New Baby Gear? A Guide to Expiration Dates Safety Cord shorteners (for blind or drapery cords)Corner guards (for sharp edges of furniture)Outlet plugsSafety gatesSafety latches (for drawers, cabinets, closets, toilet seats, etc.)Window guards Nursery Safety Clothing The following is a basic wardrobe shopping list for newborns and very young babies. When shopping for your baby, you'll need to take into account their age, size, and the season. Then, adapt this list accordingly. (An older baby, for instance, wouldn't need a hooded bunting, but could wear a hooded sweatshirt or jacket.) 1 to 3 sweaters or sweatshirts2 to 4 pairs of booties/socks3 bodysuits3 pullovers3 to 5 side-snap undershirts4 to 6 footed coveralls4 to 6 rompers Fun and games Activity gym Baby swing (for babies older than 6 weeks) Books Mobile (for young babies) Musical toys Stuffed animals Stacking cups Soothing baby music Teething toys Shopping List for Babies 1 to 2 Years Old Use this shopping list for 1- to 2-year-olds as a starting point for what you'll need to get for your toddler. Again, you may not need all of these items. Many of them can be purchased used or borrowed. Focus on stocking up on the basics and then adding optional items, like swimsuits, toys, or special occasion clothing, if the need arises. For baby's bedroom Baby monitor Blankets (lightweight, medium weight, or fleece, depending on the season) Changing pad or table Chest of drawers Crib or crib that converts into a toddler bed Crib mattress Diaper pail Diaper rash ointment Diaper wipes Diapers (either disposable or cloth) Fitted crib sheets (in flannel or cotton, depending on the season) Nightlight Rocking chair or glider Waterproof mattress pad Bathing and grooming Baby brush and comb Baby lotion Baby nail clippers or nail file Baby shampoo Baby soap or bath liquid Baby toothbrush and toothpaste Bath toys Hooded terry robe Soft towels Soft washcloths Tub seat Cotton balls How to Take Care of Your Baby's Hair Feeding High chair or booster seat Plastic bowls and plates Plastic or washable bibs Sippy cups Toddler spoons and forks (for self-feeding) A Guide to Planning Your Toddler's Meals Medicine chest Antiseptic cream and/or antibiotic ointment Activated charcoal (if recommended by your local Poison Control Center) Baby acetaminophen (Tylenol) Baby cold medicine Baby ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) Cool mist humidifier Hydrocortisone cream Hydrogen peroxide Medicine dropper/measuring spoon Nasal aspirator & saline nose drops Rehydration fluid (such as Pedialyte) Sterile bandages and gauze pads Sunscreen Thermometer Travel gear Car seat Diaper bag Portable playpen/crib (for younger children) Rain shield Stroller Travel changing pad Safety Cord shorteners (for blind or drapery cords)Corner guards (for sharp edges of furniture)Outlet plugsSafety gatesSafety latches (for drawers, cabinets, closets, toilet seats, etc.)Window guards Clothing This is a basic list of items that an older baby or toddler will need. You may want to adapt this list to your child's gender and the season. Another option is to buy gender-neutral clothing. In general, primarily buy clothing at least one size ahead of what you'll need. For instance, if you're adopting a 12-month-old, buy 18-month sizes. Babies outgrow their clothing more quickly than you'd expect! Don't guess about shoe sizes, though. Wait until your child arrives and can have their feet measured correctly. Bathing suitDressesFooted pajamasHooded sweatshirts or fleece jacketsLightweight sleepwearPantsOverallsRain jacketShoes/sandalsSnow bootsSnowsuitSocks/tightsSun hatShortsT-shirts/long-sleeve shirtsUndershirtsWinter coat Fun and games Here is a partial list of items that are developmentally appropriate for 1- to 2-year-olds. You may want to buy a few toys and books before your child arrives, and then purchase others once you have a sense of your child's tastes, developmental readiness, and personality. Balls Books Building blocks Children's music and videos Crayons and finger paints Dolls Musical toys Nesting and stacking toys Pull toys, push toys, and riding toys Shape-sorters Simple wooden jigsaw puzzles Stuffed animals Toy cars, trucks, and planes Water and sand toys Shopping List for Children 2 Years Old and Up Here's what you'll need to buy or borrow for kids 2 years old and up. For the bedroom Blankets (lightweight, medium weight, or fleece, depending on the season) Changing pad Chest of drawers Diaper pail Diaper rash ointment Diapers or training pants (for older toddlers ready to be toilet trained) Fitted sheets (in flannel or cotton, depending on the season) Guardrail (for junior bed) Nightlight Toddler bed or junior bed, with mattress (depending on child's age) Waterproof mattress pad Wipes Bathing and grooming Baby soap or bath liquid Baby shampoo Baby lotion Bath toys Children's nail clippers or nail file Children's potty seat (for those who are toilet training) Children's toothbrush and toothpaste Haircare supplies, such as brush and comb Soft towels Soft washcloths Cotton balls Tub seat (for younger children) Feeding Booster seat Plastic bowls and plates Plastic or washable bibs (for younger children) Sippy cups or plastic cups (for older children) Toddler spoons and forks Medicine chest Activated charcoal (if recommended by your local Poison Control Center)Antiseptic creamChildren's acetaminophen (Tylenol)Children's decongestantChildren's ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)Cool mist humidifierHydrocortisone creamHydrogen peroxideMeasuring spoon for medicineNasal aspirator & saline nose dropsRehydration fluid (such as Pedialyte)SunscreenSterile bandages and gauze padsThermometer Is Miralax Safe for Kids? Travel gear Diaper bag Car seat Rain shield Stroller (for younger children) Travel changing pad Safety Cord shorteners (for blind or drapery cords)Corner guards (for sharp edges of furniture)Safety gates (for younger children)Safety latches (for drawers, cabinets, closets, toilet seats, etc.)Outlet plugsWindow guards Clothing This is a basic list of items that a toddler or preschool child will need. Feel free to adapt this list to the particular needs of your child and the climate in your local area. Aim to mostly buy clothes one size ahead of what you'll need, as kids this age tend to outgrow their clothes pretty quickly. Wait on buying shoes until your child arrives, so that you can ensure proper fit. Bathing suitsDresses or skirtsFooted pajamasLeggingsLightweight sleepwearHooded sweatshirts or fleece jacketsOverallsPantsShoes/sandalsShortsSnow bootsSnowsuitSocks/tightsSun hatT-shirts/long-sleeve shirtsUnderpants (for kids who are toilet trained)UndershirtsWinter coat Fun and games Here is a partial list of items that are developmentally appropriate for 2- to 3-year-olds. Remember, little kids can turn just about anything into something to play with from wooden spoons to cardboard boxes. So, there's no need to buy everything on the list. You may want to buy a few toys (especially a stuffed animal) and books before your child arrives, and then purchase others once you have a sense of what your child enjoys. Alphabet blocks or magnetic letters Arts-and-craft materials, such as crayons and paints Books Building blocks Character figures or plush toys (from storybooks, TV shows, etc.) Children's music Dolls Hand and finger puppets Musical toys Toy trucks, cars, and planes Toy typewriters, cash registers, shopping carts, tool chests, etc. Simple wooden puzzles Shape-sorters and pegboards Water and sand toys Best Toys Awards 2022 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit