As a new mom, giving my baby the best of everything was my top priority. I read tons of articles for all things baby. What were the right baby registry essentials? What do I need for a newborn? I was on a baby overload trying to find the ‘right’ items for newborn babies. Now that I’ve had a few months of being a mom, I’ve rounded up 12 must-have baby essentials that have helped me with my newborn for the first three months.
What are baby essentials?
Baby essentials are items mom and baby couldn’t have lived without. The items that have helped mom solve a problem or ease her worry. Items the baby is both comfortable in and using every day — a baby necessity.
What baby essentials do I need?
Before we start, please know, every baby is different. Part of finding the right essentials is determining which one your baby likes best. Let’s start with the round up of the 12 must-have baby essentials for newborns.
Oogiebear
This little tool is a lifesaver.
Babies have very small nasal passages. Any obstruction to their nostrils means you have an uncomfortable baby. The Oogiebear makes taking boogies out easy. The tool has two rubber ends with a curbed rubber scoop for a gentle baby experience. Designed not go in too far up your little one’s nose. I also read up on the Baby Frida Nasal Aspirator but felt the Oogiebear was easier and more sanitary to use, it’s very easy to clean. The hospital syringe wasn’t the ideal tool for booger duty; I actually felt I was pushing it further up her nose which defeats the purpose for me.
Jersey Knit Swaddle
Let me start by reassuring you, it is easy to swaddle a baby. All you need is a jersey knit swaddle. The stretchy jersey knit fabric makes it easy to swaddle a baby unlike traditional non-stretch blankets. Watch a how to swaddle tutorial for a quick lesson and be a pro in no time! Swaddling your baby has many benefits. It keeps them cozy and warm and prevents them from startling themselves awake with their arm jerks known as the moro reflex.
When my baby was a bit fussy, swaddling her soothed her right to sleep. I also tried the Happiest Baby Swaddle and the Love to Dream Swaddle for the first few weeks. Both worked for some time but I stopped because I found it hard to put her to sleep while wearing it. She did favor the Love to Dream where her arms are up, since it was less restrictive. She looked like a little starfish when wearing it.
Graco Simple Sway Swing
The Graco Simple Sway Swing has been a game changer. With six swing speeds to soothe and comfort baby, the swing has become a daily staple in my home. Equip with a deep seat with head support, the 2-speed vibration is like a goodnight lullaby. As a new mom, finding time to do tasks can be difficult but with this swing, I have managed to take five minute mommy showers, whip up a quick lunch and even chug back a glass of water. Yes, it’s the little things! The Graco Simple Sway Swing is my little helper and I am forever grateful. I rate this a 10 out of 10!
Sleep N’ Play
Perfect for everyday wearing and sleeping. The 2-way zipper sleep n’ play is a clothing baby essential. The ankle-to-chin zippers makes clumsy diaper changes a thing of the past. Simply unzip from the bottom up for easy diaper access. Ideal for nighttime feedings when half asleep while trying not to disturb a sleeping baby. It keeps baby cozy with its footed design and fold-over cuffs to keep your newborns hands warm. No need for hand mittens!
Bassinet
Now I’m sure this was on many baby essentials lists you’ve read and with good reason. A bassinet is the single most important thing for parents who choose to keep the baby in their bedroom, rather than the crib in another room. As a new mom, knowing my newborn was just a leap away brought so much comfort. Taking care of a human being is worrisome enough.
I selected the Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet in white and gray. It has six different height options to best match the height of your bed. A front zipper for easy access to pick up baby while sitting in bed — great for C-section mamas.
Dock A Tot
A top of the line multi-functional lounger for a baby aged 0 to 36 months. I know what you are thinking. A lounger for my newborn? Do I really need a Dock a Tot? I would argue that you do. It is so much more than just a lounger. Created to mimic the womb, babies feel safe and snuggled when in the Dock A Tot, giving them a great sense of security. The Dock A Tot Deluxe is stage 1 for little ones until 8 months of age. It can be used for resting, tummy time, play time and diaper changes. A jack of all trades!
A good alternative is the Boppy Lounger.
Burp Clothes
Be prepared for the frequent spit ups with textured Muslim burp cloths. Made of six layers of 100% cotton, these things absorb up a storm without breaking a sweat. My little one has been quite the drooler since the first month. Having these burp cloths on hand have helped with the drool and burping sessions after feedings. And they are gentle on the newborn skin. Available in pink, white and blue.
Aveeno Skin Products
Moisturizing your baby’s skin after birth is important to help the natural flaking of their skin. The Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo has a natural oat extract for a rich lathering wash designed for tear-free cleansing of both skin and hair. Aveeno’s formula nourishes and helps protect baby’s delicate skin. After 48 hours I noticed her skin was softer and her mild eczema improved by 80%. It absorbs quickly and moisturizes your babies skin for 24 hours.
Recently I’ve added the Aveeno Baby Calming Lotion to her nighttime routine. With notes of lavender the scent calms baby for optimal sleeping. So far it’s been working great.
White Noise Sound Machine
Did you know babies don’t like quiet? When they were in the womb, they were surrounded by constant noise. The heartbeat, swishing of the amniotic fluid, your voice along with all the conversations you had — silence is actually the opposite of what they are used to. A white noise sound machine soothes the baby. Something about the sound of frequencies like a vacuum, hair dryer and for some the sound of a shower, it quickly soothes them. It also calms babies with colic helping them get a better night sleep.
I opted for an on-the-go mobile white noise machine, the Marpac Hushh Portable White Noise Sound Machine for Baby. It drowns out other noises that may startle your baby keeping them asleep longer. I’ve even started to use this at night as part of our nighttime routine to let her know it is time to sleep. Just the other night she slept 6 hours straight with it on. It was definitely a win win. Rested parents means we can be the best we can be with our little ones.
Mustela Products
This is something I never knew I needed. A last minute gift from old family friends that I’ve used since we could bathe her. Mustela Products are top-rated for babies, awarded “Best of Baby” by The Bump 2017, all their products are plant-based and free of parabens. With close to 2,000 reviews on Amazon this is a mom favorite and definite baby essential. Mustela’s Newborn Arrival Gift set contains: diaper rash cream, foam shampoo for Newborns, body lotion, no rinse cleansing micellar water and a gentle cleansing gel.
My favorite is the no rinse cleansing micellar water for a clean baby face. It was an easy way to clean her face without having to bring out a small towel.
Baby Wrap
I can’t rave about this baby essential enough. The Boba baby wrap is my daughter’s second favorite place to be. During the fourth trimesters, our littles are still adapting to life outside of the womb. The baby wrap provides them a warm snuggly cocoon against your body that makes them feel safe. After nine months in your tummy, feeling your warmth, smelling your scent and listening to the familiar heartbeat is like a dream to them.
I wore this after my daughter’s first set of vaccines and I’m so happy I did. Wearing her calmed her crying and gave her a sense of security that everything that was going to be okay.
It’s also makes you a bit more mobile than usual. I’ve caught up on some reading or snuck in a few blog writing sessions while she sleeps.
Go ahead and add it to your registry as a new baby essential.
Dr. Browns Anti-Colic Bottles
With a ton of baby bottles to choose from selecting the right one can be nerve wracking. Though colic is something that just happens with no control, I was interested in preventing it if at all possible. The Dr. Browns Anti-Colic bottles are clinically proven to reduce colic while decreasing burping, gas and spit-up. The bottle insert allows the milk to flow slowly to avoid drinking the milk too fast for newborns.
Day one after arriving from the hospital, my little one got really fussy. Non-stop crying for thirty straight minutes. As new parents, we didn’t know what to do and I knew she was experiencing the pain of colic. Once I started using the Dr.Brown’s bottles, her fussiness stopped within 24 hours. Prior to that, I was using the formula bottles the hospital provided and simply adding the nipple. I suspect the milk was flowing too quickly which irritated my developing babies digestive system. I highly recommend the Dr. Brown’s Anti Colic starter set. It comes with two 4 ounce bottles, two 8 ounce bottles, a cleaning wand, rubber pacifier and stage 1 through 3 bottle nipples.
I hope you enjoyed the newborn baby must-haves. Consider this your baby essentials registry.
Good luck momma! You are doing a great job!
P.S. Now is the time to get some self-care and declutter your home before the babies arrival.
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