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Newborn Must-Haves From a First-Time Mom: Sleep Sacks, Feeding, Nursery & Baby Gift Ideas
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items Every newborn essential I chose as a first-time mom (and travel advisor!), organized by category so you can shop exactly what you need. Shopping for a new mom? These make thoughtful baby shower gifts. My favorite sleep sacks are the Love to Dream Swa...
Sections
8
SLEEP
NURSERY & MONITOR
FEEDING
DIAPERING
BATH & SKIN
GEAR & TRAVEL
SLEEP
My #1 favorite sleep sack! Newborns sleep better with their arms up by their face so they can self-soothe, it zips on in seconds for middle-of-the-night changes, and there's no loud velcro. Stage 1 is for newborns until baby shows signs of rolling.
Stage 1: Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original
When baby starts showing signs of rolling, the wings zip off one at a time so you can transition out of the swaddle gradually. Made the switch so much easier.
Stage 2: Love to Dream Swaddle UP Transition Bag
The final stage once baby is rolling and fully out of the swaddle. A wearable blanket that keeps them cozy without loose bedding in the crib.
Stage 3: Love to Dream Sleep Bag (Arms Free)
Honest review: these are my backup for when my other sleep sacks are dirty. The velcro is loud (hello, waking baby!) and the sizing doesn't adjust in between sizes. My favorites are the Love to Dream Swaddle UP and Burt's Bees sleep sacks above.
HALO SleepSack Swaddle (Cotton)
One of my absolute favorites! Soft, breathable organic cotton that's so easy to zip on, with no loud velcro. Lightweight for warmer nights, and the prints are adorable.
Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
The most versatile baby item: swaddle, burp cloth, stroller shade, nursing cover. You can never have too many.
aden + anais Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets (4-Pack)
A splurge-worthy pick! A smart bassinet with gentle motion and sound to help soothe baby back to sleep right next to your bed.
UPPAbaby Soma Smart Bassinet with MotionSync
Always have a spare! Soft, breathable organic cotton for middle-of-the-night sheet changes.
Burt's Bees Baby Organic Bassinet Sheet
NURSERY & MONITOR
Overhead HD camera that tracks sleep and breathing motion (with the Breathing Wear). The floor stand means no drilling into nursery walls.
Nanit Smart Baby Monitor with Floor Stand
A portable stand for the Nanit so you can use the monitor in a second room, at Grandma's, or while traveling.
Nanit Flex Stand
Travel-advisor approved! Keeps the Nanit camera and Flex Stand protected so baby's sleep setup comes on every trip.
Nanit Travel Case
White noise + a soft night light controlled from your phone, so you never have to walk in and wake baby to adjust it.
Hatch Rest Sound Machine + Night Light
Quiet enough to run all night in the nursery and keeps the air fresh. Doubles as gentle white noise.
Momcozy Nursery Air Purifier
A glider that reclines and swivels for all those feeds and rocking sessions, and the boucle looks chic enough for the living room.
Soho Baby Coventry Swivel Glider Recliner (Boucle White)
A lifesaver for stuffy newborn noses and dry air. Humidifier, diffuser and soft nightlight all in one.
Frida Baby 3-in-1 Cool Mist Humidifier
Front-facing book storage so little ones can see the covers and pick their own bedtime story.
3 Sprouts Double-Sided Baby Bookshelf Beige
FEEDING
Glass bottles with a wide, natural-feeling nipple that's easy to switch to from breastfeeding. Easy to clean, no plastic.
Philips Avent Glass Natural Bottle Set
Warms bottles evenly and sends a notification to your phone when it's ready. Clutch for 3am feeds.
Baby Brezza Smart Bluetooth Bottle Warmer
A cordless bottle warmer for on the go. Perfect for flights, road trips and outings, from a mom who travels a lot!
Momcozy Portable Water & Milk Warmer
Keeps pumped milk and bottles cold for hours. A must for pumping at work, on outings or while traveling.
Momcozy Breast Milk Cooler Bag
Drying rack, brushes and bottle-cleaning basics in one set, so you're not scrambling to buy them one at a time.
Sprucely Bottle Accessories Starter Set
The classic hospital pacifier. One-piece medical-grade silicone, easy to clean and loved by newborns.
Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier (0-3M)
Super soft, flexible shield that's gentle on baby's delicate skin. Great next step after the Soothie.
Philips Avent Ultra Soft Pacifier (0-6M)
Clips right onto the table and folds flat. Perfect for restaurants, small spaces and travel, so baby can join the family at the table anywhere.
Lalo Hook-On High Chair
Pop it in the fridge for instant relief on sore gums. Easy for little hands to hold.
Sprucely Cooling Teether
DIAPERING
Soft, absorbent and the wetness indicator line is a lifesaver in the sleepy newborn days. Stock up, babies size out fast!
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Size 1
The prettiest gift for a new mom! Clean, super-absorbent diapers and wipes that are gentle on sensitive newborn skin.
Coterie Newborn Gift Set
Locks in odors so the nursery stays fresh. Hands-free, foot-pedal opening is clutch when you're holding a wiggly baby.
Diaper Genie Signature Pail Gift Set
No more cold-wipe shock at 3am! Warm wipes keep middle-of-the-night changes calm.
Jool Baby TinyBums Wipe Warmer
A pretty woven changing basket that sits on any dresser. Looks like decor and keeps the nursery feeling calm.
J&JOO Changing Basket
Folds up tiny for the diaper bag. Wipeable, cushioned and so much nicer than public changing tables when traveling.
Toddlekind Mini Maven Portable Changing Mat
A diaper bag that doesn't look like one! Neoprene, tons of pockets and chic enough to carry as a work or travel tote.
Dagne Dover Wade Diaper Tote
From a BÉIS luggage loyalist: this backpack has a pocket for everything, a changing pad and insulated bottle pockets. Hands-free for airports!
BÉIS The Ultimate Diaper Backpack
Thick, 99% water and fragrance-free. Gentle enough for sensitive skin and they don't tear mid-change.
Coterie Baby Wipes for Sensitive Skin (8-Pack)
A clean diaper balm to soothe and protect little bums. Keep one at every changing station.
Coterie Bun Balm Diaper + Dry Skin Balm
Soft and sweet for a classic Pooh nursery. Grab two so one is always clean!
Lambs & Ivy Storytime Pooh Changing Pad Cover
BATH & SKIN
Soft silicone mitt that gently lifts cradle cap and dry flakes. Makes bath time feel like a mini massage.
Frida Baby DermaFrida Bath Mitt
Soft organic cotton that keeps baby's head warm after bath. Burt's Bees is one of my favorite baby brands for a reason!
Burt's Bees Baby Organic Hooded Towels
The cult-favorite for dry patches, chapped cheeks and eczema-prone baby skin. A little goes a long way.
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
Filters chlorine out of bath water, which matters for sensitive baby (and mama!) skin. Easy to swap cartridges.
Canopy Bath Tub Filter
Holds baby securely so you have both hands free. Quick-drying, so no soggy, mildewy foam.
Angelcare Baby Bath Support
Folds flat to store in a closet or pack for trips. Great for small bathrooms and grandma's house.
Collapsible Baby Bathtub
Baby grooming and care basics in one organized case, so everything is in one spot at 2am. Makes a great shower gift too.
Momcozy All-in-1 Elite Baby Care Kit
A gentle, tear-free hair and body wash plus a rich moisturizer for after bath. Clean ingredients for brand-new skin.
Coterie Bath Set: The First Wash + The Soft Cream
GEAR & TRAVEL
Stroller + infant car seat that click together, so you can move a sleeping baby from car to stroller without waking them.
Evenflo Shyft Intuiti Travel System
Travel-advisor pick! A lightweight play yard that folds compact, so baby has a familiar, safe place to sleep at hotels and grandma's.
Maxi-Cosi Calao Travel Play Yard
A structured buckle carrier for when baby gets bigger. Supportive, hip-healthy and great for walks and exploring new cities.
Mabē Monarch Buckle Carrier
A cozy, portable bouncer that folds flat. Easy to move from room to room so baby can hang out wherever you are.
Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer
A beach-vacation must-have! A shaded pop-up play space that keeps baby out of the sun and sand.
Portable Baby Beach Tent & Playpen
Germ barrier for grocery carts and restaurant high chairs. Folds into its own pouch for the diaper bag.
Boppy Shopping Cart & High Chair Cover
Clips onto the stroller or car seat to keep baby cool on hot days and warm-weather trips.
Momcozy Portable Stroller Fan
A soft, cozy spot for supervised awake time and cuddles on the couch. Not for sleep, always keep an eye on baby!
Aila + Aiden Baby Lounger
Stretchy-wrap comfort without the wrapping! Soft and snuggly for the newborn stage, and easy to pop on and off.
Boba Bliss Pre-Wrapped Hybrid Carrier
A modern-looking swing with gentle motion to soothe fussy moments, and buy you a few minutes for a hot coffee.
Maxi-Cosi Cassia Smart Baby Swing
PLAY & SOOTHE
A dreamy moon-and-stars play mat for tummy time and batting at toys. Pretty enough to leave out in the living room.
Skip Hop Celestial Dreams Activity Gym
A classic for a reason! Baby kicks the piano to make music, which keeps little legs busy and happy.
Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym
An under-the-sea activity center for when baby is ready to bounce. Lots of toys to spin, squeeze and explore.
Bright Starts Finding Nemo Activity Jumper
A soft, sweet rattle that's easy for tiny hands to grab. Makes an adorable small gift or basket add-on.
Itzy Ritzy Sweetie Rattle
Babies love looking at themselves! Makes tummy time way less fussy.
Itzy Ritzy Tummy Time Mirror
The sweetest little organic cotton bee lovey. A perfect add-on gift from one of my favorite baby brands.
Burt's Bees Baby Hold Me Bee Lovey
Clips onto the stroller or car seat handle to keep baby entertained on walks and road trips.
Fisher-Price Slow Much Fun Stroller Sloth
Teethers, rattles and links in one cute Winnie the Pooh set. Perfect for a Pooh-themed nursery and an easy gift!
Bright Starts Winnie the Pooh Toy Bundle
A soft, soothing plush bunny buddy for playtime and fussy moments. So cute!
Ingenuity Sylvi Daytime Soother
EXTRA MUST-HAVES
Sounds gross, works like magic. Every parent says this is the one thing you need for stuffy newborn noses.
Frida Baby NoseFrida SnotSucker
Tiny baby nails are terrifying to trim! The peek-through design makes it so much less nerve-wracking.
Frida Baby NailFrida SnipperClipper
Magnets instead of snaps or zippers = the fastest 3am diaper changes ever. The best baby shower gift!
Magnetic Me Modal Footie Pajamas