“Need Anything From Target?” 17 Things to Run Out and Buy Before the Baby Comes

While it’s fun to focus on the big baby gear, the real MVDs (most valuable dads) know that in those early weeks, it’s the unsung household items that make the biggest difference.

Think: the everyday essentials that, when readily available, can help maintain your family’s sanity and keep the household running. All while navigating the beautiful chaos of integrating a newborn into your life.

And since there’s a lot you can’t do (like, y’know, breastfeeding), as a dad, running errands is where you’ll shine in the early days.

Below, a dad-centric rundown of those crucial “little things” you’ll want to have stocked and ready well before the due date:

All the baby stuff to buy now:

1. Parent Fuel

• Your Partner’s Go-To Caffeine Source (and Plenty of It): Let’s be real, sleep deprivation is a rite of passage. Whether it’s coffee pods for your machine, your family’s favorite ground beans, tea, or canned cold brews, ensure those preferred pick-me-ups are at arm’s reach. Running out at 3 AM is a rookie mistake.
• Easy Grab-and-Go Snacks: Forget elaborate meals for a while. Think protein bars, nuts, granola, fruit, or anything you can eat with one hand while holding a baby. Keep a stash in various spots around the house.
• A Stocked Hydration Station: Fill water bottles and strategically place them everywhere. Staying hydrated is crucial for energy levels, specifically for breastfeeding moms. Don’t limit choices just to flat water, though. Get fun drinks, too, like ginger ale, probiotic sodas, and more.

2. Organize the Chaos

• Laundry Detergent (Free & Gentle): Prepare for an unprecedented amount of laundry. Baby clothes, burp cloths, your clothes… it all gets messy. Do everyone in the home a favor and switch to a gentle, baby-friendly option you can use for everyone’s clothes.
• Plenty of Batteries (All Sizes): From baby swings and monitors to vibrating chairs and even some toys, many baby essentials run on batteries. Do a quick inventory of your expected gear and stock up on AA, AAA, C, and D batteries. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Paper Towels & Cleaning Wipes: Messes are inevitable. Having a good supply of paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and a reliable all-purpose cleaner within easy reach will make life less sticky.
• Hand Soap & Sanitizer Dispensers: You know that frequent hand washing is key to protecting your newborn’s delicate immune system. So, place hand soap at every sink, and distribute hand sanitizer dispensers around the house for quick clean-ups.
• Extra Trash Bags: Not just a diaper pail. Baby-related waste adds up quickly, so ensure you have a good supply of trash bags and maybe even consider a new garbage can in a high-traffic area.

3. Create Comfort

• Soft Blankets: While your baby needs their swaddles and blankets, you two do, too. You can never have enough cozy blankets around the house. They’ll come in clutch for late-night feeding sessions, tummy time, and exhausted, sprawled on the couch, can’t-do-anything-but-scroll-TikTok time.
• Night Lights: Soft, dim night lights in the nursery, hallway, and bathroom will make nighttime navigation much easier without fully waking the baby (or you).

4. …and Convenience

• Phone Chargers, Everywhere: Between taking endless photos and videos and staying connected, your phone battery will likely take a beating. Have chargers in multiple locations – by the bed, in the living room, even in the diaper bag.
• Changing Table Reinforcements: Diapers, baby wipes, and more.

5. Health & Safety Basics

• Prescription Refills: If either parent takes regular medication, make sure you have refills secured before the baby arrives. Doctor’s appointments become a whole new logistical challenge.
• Infant Pain Reliever & Thermometer: Hopefully, you won’t need them right away, but having infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen and a reliable thermometer on hand are crucial for peace of mind (consult your pediatrician before use, of course).
• First-Aid Kit Basics: Ensure your first-aid kit is well-stocked with things like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, and gauze pads.

6. “Just in Case” Items

• Gift Cards for Takeout: Let’s be honest, cooking might take a backseat for a while. Stash a few gift cards for your favorite takeout spots before the baby comes. They’ll be a lifesaver on those extra-tired evenings.
• Subscription Services Set Up: Consider setting up subscriptions for things like diapers, wipes, and other household essentials from places like Target, Amazon or Walmart+ to save yourself last-minute runs to the store.

These “little things” might seem insignificant on their own, but collectively, this list of baby stuff to buy now all ads up to a smoother, less stressful transition into parenthood.

By having these basics covered, you can focus on what truly matters: bonding with your new baby and supporting your partner. Happy prepping, Dad!