The newborn stage is all consuming for me and extra chaotic as a mom of two. I swear most days it’s pure survival mode and sometimes what works one day is the complete opposite of what works the next. As a second time mom I’ve really paired down what works for us and what doesn’t. Below I’ve linked my must have baby items and newborn essentials to get through those crazy few months of the fourth trimester.
Most items are purely practical. Newborns don’t need a ton of stuff. It’s all about keeping them, fed, clean, and getting whatever little bit of sleep you can.
Bonus — most of these newborn essentials can be ordered through Amazon Prime so if you needed them like yesterday you’re in luck!
Newborn Essentials: Sleep
I swear I would do anything in these first few months that would get me just a little more sleep. Here are the things we used is the first few months that helped our babies (and mom and dad) get some well needed rest.
Dockatot
This is one of my top newborn essentials. The snugness of the Dockatot lounger recreates the feeling of the womb and makes the baby feel safe and secure. Both of my babies slept in their Dockatot in our bed as newborns, then inside their bassinet in our room the first few months, and finally right in their crib. It made the transition to the crib so easy since they were still snug in their Dockatot.
We have the pristine white, but they come in so many fun patterns to match any nursery. I highly recommend getting two covers. The cover will definitely get dirty from spit up, blow outs, and just general use and need to be hung dried. Plus you never know when you’ll have a middle of the night disaster when you’ll need an extra cover on hand ASAP.
Velcro Swaddles
Those labor and delivery nurses in the hospital are swaddling experts but me not so much. The only way for me to get a good snug swaddle is with the velcro ones. We used the fleece Halo Sleep Sack Swaddles with Arabella because she was born in the fall/winter and the house was colder. We went with light cotton ones for Hudson since he was in a swaddle during the spring/summer.
Newborn Essentials: Everyday Care
Bath Time
I’ve using Pleni Naturals Hair and Body Wash for both my kids. (Even my husband and I use their products.) They are made with only non toxic, clean ingredients and come with a Made Safe certification. You can get 15% off with code MEGASHWORTH15. We used this Fisher-Price 4 in 1 Sling and Seat Tub for both of our babies. I love that it could be used from the day we brought them home until they started taking full baths.
Diaper Changes
Diapers themselves are hugely personal and depend on fit for each baby, but I do swear by our Ubbi Diaper Pail. I love that it traps in the smell, locks to keep toddlers out, and can use regular kitchen bags to save money. If we ever have a diaper rash I apply a small amount of Pleni Berry + Olive Barrrier Balm and it’s usually corrected by the next change.
Zip Up Sleep and Play Pajamas
I know there are so many cute outfits out there to dress your baby in, but both of my babies spent 100% of their time the first few months in the zip up sleep and plays. You want to make sure you get the ones with the two way zipper or reversible zipper for the ultimate convenience when it comes to those middle of the night diaper changes. The faster you can get in and out the faster you can get back to sleep!
Burp Clothes
All babies spit up and mine spit up A LOT! Both of my babies had a milk protein allergy and terrible reflux. We went through a ton of burp cloths each day. With my first baby I bought an expensive 3 pack of tiny burp clothes with a pretty pattern. I learned fast what you need is something large, absorbent, and affordable. We use these cheap cotton burp clothes or these cloth diapers. Both come in large packs. I recommend buying two sets.
Newborn Essentials: Play and Lounging
You can honestly get away with a little or as much as you’d like in this category. As a first time mom I went wild and purchased a swing, bouncer, and play mats galore. If it’s in your budget it’s definitely nice to have a playmat and somewhere to set the baby and give your self a break but it’s not a necessity.
Play Mats
We have three different play mats that I love for different reasons. The first is the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym. Both of my kids loved this the first few months, plus it’s super affordable. The second is our Tiny Loves Play Mat. I love the large size and interactive pieces that are great once baby starts rolling and crawling. It also transports really well for packing up and taking to Grandma and Grandpa’s. Our last play mat is our Lovevery Play Gym. The quality of this one is amazing. It looks beautiful in our home and I love that it can be used for the whole first year and grow with your baby as they learn new things.
Baby Wearing
This is probably my most used item as a new mom. My baby carriers are what get me through the first few months and let me get things done. I have a wrap, a carrier, and a ring sling and love them all for different reasons. I used my Solly baby wrap the most during the first month. It keeps the baby so snug and close similar to being in the womb. The Infantino Carrier is an amazing deal. I used this the most with my daughter. It’s super easy to put on and wear. I used a ring sling for the first time with my son. They’re so easy to get baby in and out of even when they’re asleep and look beautiful.
SHOP NEWBORN ESSENTIALS
*Affiliate links used. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
