If you’re a new mom or mom-to-be creating your registry, you may be wondering, “what in the world do I really need?” I remember this feeling throughout my first pregnancy. As I prepare to welcome my second baby boy, I have spent much time reflecting on that experience and compiled a list of newborn baby must-haves that I hope you will find helpful to get you started. Please remember that these are my personal opinions as a result of my personal experience or extensive research. Now, let’s get into it!
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Clothing/Accessories
Onesies, as I’m sure we all know, are a classic staple for newborns. Old Navy has some of the best quality onesies I have ever come across. I highly recommend this kimono style for the newborn stage because they make the changing process so much less stressful for mom and baby, in my opinion. When I say the quality of the material and softness is exceptional, I am not exaggerating! Babies deserve quality too!
Whether lounging or sleeping, zipper onesies like this or these are an absolute must-have. On my first go-round, I discovered these velcro mittens for my baby and couldn’t have been happier to release the struggle of the disappearing mittens. Most slide off or become overstretched so quickly to the point that eventually, it seemed pointless even to put them on, but these changed the game for us then and are essential for us now.
There is no way around babies and their spit-up or little dribbles, so these muslin burp cloths are some of my favorite classics to keep nearby at all times. Not only is muslin material natural and breathable, but it is ultra-absorbent, extra thick, and incredibly soft.
Feeding
Whether breastfeeding, using a formula, or even both, please remember that fed is best, mama, so let no one make you feel indifferent about whatever route you decide to take.
My favorite bottles ever are the Comotomo bottles. They have so many different accessories to grow with baby, and I am all for working smarter, not harder, which made these an instant repeat for us. I also like these as well.
The Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are my go-to for storing all of my liquid gold.
Diapering
There are tons of brands on the market, and if you’re anything like me when I first became a mom, you did your fair share of taking polls on which diapers to use. Pampers Pure were especially significant in the newborn phase for us. They hold everything in so well, and I barely ever had blowout issues, and that is major! As time progressed, I found Huggies to work best for my little guy and plan to continue with them for my second.
Let me be the first to say, all wipes, like pampers, are not created equal. I tried several different brands. Some may even be yours or your mommy friend’s favorites, so they shall remain nameless. But I will recommend and scream Water Wipes until the end! Lol Seriously, they are incredible, and once I tried them, I was upset that I waited so long.
A&D Ointment, Aquafor, and Boudreaux Butt Paste are essentials to keep the terrible diaper rashes away. I typically keep one of each somewhere around the house and in the diaper bag to apply after every change. Oh, and I can’t forget this ointment applicator to keep your hands clean and the process less messy. Definitely a must-have!
Sleep and Lounge
The Halo Bassinest will be a repeat for us as well. It provides safe and close sleep for you and your baby while making recovery, plus accessing the baby so much easier! The swivel and drop-down side feature make it so easy for you to get your baby in and out without having to get entirely out of bed or strain your body.
Sleepsacks are essential because they give babies a sense of security while sleeping, freedom to move around, and decrease the chance of suffocation. I found them much more manageable than stressing about wrapping the swaddle perfectly every time I put the baby down. The Nested Bean Zen Swaddle is my absolute favorite sleep sack. I have them for literally every stage. The Halo SleepSack is one that I’ll have on hand to alternate between as well. I will still have these muslin swaddles on hand to use for so many other things in addition to swaddling, so I still recommend having a few.
With my first son, I used the Dockatot and loved it. I did find that I had to add extra stuffing to make him feel a little snugger, but it was perfect for his long body. This time, I have decided to give the SnuggleMe Organics Organic Lounger a try. I’d love to hear your experience below if you have tried it. Either way, having a portable lounger comes in handy throughout the day for the many naps your newborn will take. It’s also nice to have when your arms or back need a rest from carrying them after a while.
Development
As a Speech Therapist by education and educator turned stay-at-home mom, I highly recommend the Lovevery Mat for your one-stop-shop of developmental needs all the way through one year old. It is perfectly designed with everything you and your baby need to promote proper development from birth to year one. We used it every day, and I can attest that what they promote is true. It is worth the investment.
On The Go
Anyone that knows me or asks me anything about strollers, car seats, or on-the-go items knows that I swear by the Nuna Brand for everything! I recommend a travel system for your on-the-go needs because it just makes everything more accessible and smooth. After extensively researching car seats, travel systems, and brands, I not only fell in love with this one but highly recommend it. It is a bit on the pricier side, but well worth the investment, in my opinion, considering the style, modern technology, safety, and more.
Now, I am not much of a baby carrier. The Tuck and Bundle carrier is lightweight, breathable, and so soft, and I can’t wait to tuck my little one into it. However, I anticipate exploring this option more now with a toddler to chase around in addition to general activities.
I loved having this LILLIEbaby carrier for heavy-duty outings like the mall or football games. We will undoubtedly be pulling it out again for baby number two. Carrying a baby for nine months is already a lot on our bodies, so imagine how more stressful it is to continue that carrying after birth? If you’re looking for something with both back support and baby support, this is your carrier. Be sure to check it out!
Health & Safety
The Frida Baby Basics Kit has everything you need to help you to relieve your baby of everything from a snotty nose to trapped gas or even a full-blown cold.
This Little Remedy’s Baby Essentials kit is perfect for relieving your baby’s most common symptoms safely and effectively. They are safe for newborns and don’t contain any artificial dyes, flavors and are paraben-free.
Of course, a thermometer like this, or this is of utmost importance in those early months and even years as our littles cannot communicate their needs or ailments.
The Hushh white noise machine is the best white noise sound machine ever! It washes out all the sounds and has a great variety of sounds and volume level options. We found it to be the best for everyday use in our home and still use it with my toddler at nap and bedtime. It’s incredible, and I’m planning to order another one. Maybe even two. *wink
I hope you found this post insightful and helpful enough to get you started confidently with your baby’s essentials. Every baby is different, just like our preferences and processes, so be sure to research and build products that best suit your needs.
Are there anything other items that you would add? Or was this helpful? If so, please take a moment to comment below and let me know, as well as if there are other areas you would like to see featured here on the blog. Thanks for stopping by, and don’t forget to subscribe!
