You’re a new parent and have no clue on what items to get to welcome your new bundle of joy. You obviously want your newborn to be safe and comfortable but you also want items that will make things easier and help you navigate through this new role in life so you read just about every single blog about must have items for newborns you will need. Since you’re brand spanking new at this whole parenting thing, you decide to buy as many products as possible. I felt like that too!
As a new parent I didn’t know what to buy for Leo so I resorted to spending endless hours on the internet researching for what items I should have by the time baby Leo was going to arrive. The amount of products marketed for new parents is insane! I felt overwhelmed. I figured it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it and have an angry, crying newborn.
Reality is, all babies are different and some will like some items more while others will hate them. The best advice I have for you is to be patient and be ready to experiment with different items. These are the must have items I’ve used since baby Leo was a newborn.
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Nursery items
Forget the changing table
Instead of buying a changing table that you will end up using for a little while and then replacing it for a dresser, buy a nice dresser and a changing pad so when it comes time to make the transition where you no longer need the changing pad, you can easily remove it and keep the dresser for your little one.
Crib / Bassinet
As a first time parent, I felt more at ease having Leo next to so me during bed time so I got a bassinet and placed it next to my bed. It was also nice being able to just reach for Leo without having to get out bed when he woke up in the middle of the night to feed, specially during those first two weeks where he was waking up every 2 hours.
We only used the bassinet for 4.5 months because Leo wanted to transition to the crib. I would’ve kept him sleeping next to me in his bassinet longer but he got a little too big for it and needed more room so we got the Babyletto Hudson crib which converts to a toddler bed.
Get a baby mobile that will stimulate your newborn. This other baby mobile is perfect for neutral decor.
TIP: Buy two sets of waterproof mattress pads for your crib or waterproof mattress pads for your bassinet two sets of crib fitted sheets and bassinet sheets. Layer the crib or bassinet with waterproof mattress pad + sheet + waterproof mattress pad + sheet. When your baby has a blow out or spits up a little too much in the middle of the night, you can just take off the first layer and place your little one back to bed in no time.
Other items
- Nursing chair that swivels, glides, and reclines
- Cool mist Humidifier
- White noise sound machine. This worked wonders during the the witching hour.
- If you have dogs a diaper pail is a must! It uses universal large trash bags
- Get a baby monitor that doesn’t connect to the wifi so no one can tap into it but you.
- DECORATIONS:
Clothing
Newborns outgrow newborn clothing in days so don’t go crazy buying newborn clothing! get a week worth or newborn size clothing. Keep in minds that majority of the time you will have your babe swaddled up since they sleep so often. Buy more 0-3 months size clothing than newborn and don’t forget to buy unscented laundry detergent.
- Short sleeve onesies
- Long sleeve onesies
- Pants preferably with footies
- Cute outfits
- Hats
- A few pair of socks
- Two way zipper sleeper with hand sleeves
- Swaddles:
- Muslin swaddle blankets were great for swaddling, here is a guide on how to swaddle your baby in case you need it. Leo also loved the Dreamland swaddle and Love to Dream swaddle.
- Blanket for stroller rides when its cold
Swings/rockers
Swings/Rockers are amazing if your baby ends up loving them! The Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy swing can rock back and forth AND side to side. Having one allows you to set your baby down and get some things done around the house or just enjoy some “me time.”
nursing
- Breast Pump (If breastfeeding [BF]):
- Wireless: I love the Elvie pump! It’s perfect for the working mamas.
- Hospital strength pump: Spectra S2 pump is also great since it has a closed system design and allows you to control the speed and rhythm.
- Nursing pads (If BF)
- Nursing bras or these adorable nursing bralettes. (If BF)
- Nipple cream (If BF)
- Milk storage bags (If BF)
- Formula (If you dont plan on Exclusively BF)
- A classic C shaped nursing pillow & an extra cover
- Burp cloths
- Pacifier & Clips:
- Leo loved these soothing pacifiers and AVENT pacifiers
- Pacifier clips
- Cleaning brush
- 4oz Bottles: We prefer Dr Brown’s & AVENT Anti-colic bottles.
- Bottle drying rack
- Bottle sanitizer
Baby Care Essentials
You will need some bathing and wellness essentials for your newborn such as:
- Baby shampoo & body soap
- Hooded baby towels
- Lotion: Avoid products that have any fragrances, parabenes, and sulfates. I have sporadic eczema so I got Leo a baby lotion that would be best if he ends up with the same issue I have.
- Baby bathtub: Even though you might not bathe your newborn right away because you will be terrified of how fragile he is and how crazy slippery they they can get when you bathe them, this bath support tub will make bath time a breeze.
TIP: Place a hand towel on the support tub so your newborn doesn’t slide down and cover them with a thin blanket and keep pouring warm water to keep them warm while you bathe your babe.
- Bath thermometer
- Medicine dispenser with a pacifier
- Baby Tylenol: Talk to your pediatrician about the amount and frequency of administration
- Cotton balls
- Electric nail trimmer
- Forehead thermometer
- Baby finger brush for that gummy smile
- Nose aspirator
- Diaper rash cream
- Soft brush
Diapers + Baby Wipes
I know! This one is obvious it shouldn’t even be in a list but hear me out…There are so many brands out there it’s hard to pick the right one for your baby’s bum so try to keep at least two small newborn size packets of diapers that are different brands in case your babe’s skin reacts negatively to one brand or you notice your baby has more blow outs in one specific brand. We had Huggies, Pampers Swaddles, Honest diapers, and a few sample diapers from Coterie, and Millie Moon. Baby L had a diaper rash the first week and I noticed that while Huggies felt softer than Pampers, my babe’s rash didn’t improve and it got worse with the Huggies brand so we kept using Pampers Swaddlers. Millie Moon was another brand of diapers baby L’s bum and I loved but since we had a ton of Pampers Swaddlers diapers we just kept using those.
Baby wipes are by far the most used item you’re going to use. You’re going to go through tons of baby wipes and it’s insane how quick you go through those boxes! For something that is in constant contact with your baby’s bum, you want to make sure to get baby wipes that have plenty of moisture to get rid of those sticky messes and doesn’t have a bunch of irritants such as fragrance added to it. I use two kinds of baby wipes, Pampers Aqua Pure wipes for every diaper change, and Water Wipes for those sticky poops but mainly to clean his face and hands since they are made with 99.9 percent purified water.
A baby wipe warmer is not necessary and they actually dehydrate the baby wipes more but in cold nights is nice to have a warm baby wipe for your little one.
Baby Gear & Travel Essentials
- Infant Car seat / Stroller combo such as the Greco Modes 3 Lite DLX Tavel System
- Back seat camera with night vision! Life changer!
- Diaper bag such as 8-in-1 diaper bag. I’m definitely eyeing this diaper bag from Itzy Ritzy diaper bag as well!
- Portable fan
- Portable white noise machine
- Activity mat or car seat toys
- This sound machine is designed to be placed on the crib but I hang it on the backseat when I have to run multiple errands and it works wonders! Going on a road trip? Take this!
- A baby lounger so they feel nice and snug when they are not on your arms.
- A diaper caddy is useful when you have a multi level home or to have in the car as a spare in case you forget the diaper bag
- Baby carrier
- Structural carrier for long periods of baby wearing
- Soft carrier for home or quick baby wearing.
- Swings/Rockers are amazing if your baby ends up loving them! The Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy swing can rock back and forth AND side to side.
- Activity gym
- Baby bouncer with vibration
Play Essentials
Newborns need to get adjusted to their new world outside the womb so they don’t really need toys just yet. When it comes to newborns, simple is best. They need interactions with you! so cuddles, singing, reading to him, chatting, and face to face interactions are best, but you can help their development with these toys as well.
- High contrast flash cards
- High contrast baby book
- Rattles
- Expose him to different sounds and faces
- Tummy time on your chest or on a activity mat
Remember that they are only newborns for such a short time so enjoy that newborn bubble.