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Newborn Essentials from a Child Development Specialist
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items New Parents ultimate guide to newborn must haves with lots of great tips. Here you will find essentials for bath, play, feedings, and so much more.
Sections
4
Newborn Must Haves
Developmental Stimulation | AKA Toys
Breastfeeding
Not Essential but Helpful
Newborn Must Haves
Basic necessities for parents and newborns.
For best safe sleep practices, newborns and infants should not sleep with anything in their cribs. A sleep sack is a great way to ensure your newborn is covered and sleeping safely.
Safe and Snug Baby Sleep Sacks - WildBird
Even if you are breastfeeding, bottles are a newborn essential if you want other people to help you feed baby. I strongly recommend testing out different bottles with your infant because some bottles work well for your baby while others don't.
Baby Bottles : Target
Diaper rash is not fun so it's great to be prepared for your little one.
Boudreaux's Butt Paste® - Treat & Prevent Diaper Rash
If your baby is sick, this is one of best tools to have in your cabinet to help clear up congestion for your little one.
NoseFrida the SnotSucker – Frida | The fuss stops here.
The best car seat you can get for your infant is the one that you are able to install correctly. This is simply a popular brand of car seat but if you find that it is too difficult to install, PLEASE find a different one to use.
Infant Car Seats
This is another suggestion that you should shop around and find one that works best for you and your lifestyle. What works for one family will not always work for another.
Diaper Bag Backpacks - Men Women and Children - JuJuBe
Yet another thing to test out and find what works best for you and your family.
Strollers
Finding a stroller car seat combo is great because the car seats conveniently clip onto the stroller.
Safe, Convertible, Stylish Travel Systems - Nuna
Car seats are expensive and your infants grow out of the infant car seats quickly. They either reach the weight limit or height within the first year. One of my top suggestions for new parents when it comes to shopping for car seats is splurging on a...
All-in-One Car Seats
This is an obvious one but I wanted to add it to the list. Test out diapers and see which ones work best for your infant. In my experience working with babies, popular name brands, such as Huggies, typically are the best ones. Less leaks and explosiv...
Baby Diapers | Huggies® US
Hands down my favorite wipes I have ever used and I've had the opportunity of testing out quite a few different wipes.
WaterWipes Plastic-Free Baby Wipes, 99.9% Water
Babies drool and spit up a bit so having a small towel helps to clean up the mess or keep the mess off you.
Premium Burp Cloths for Newborns - Copper Pearl
Find whatever products you love for bath time. I would strongly suggest against using Johnson and Johnson baby products as they typically have fragrance and other ingredients that are not so great for baby's skin.
Shampoo & Bodywashes - California Baby
Simple seat that makes it easy to bathe your newborn.
Angelcare® Soft Touch Baby Bath Support
There are so many options out there. Find some cute ones you love.
Baby Washcloths & Towels
For parents that are a little nervous when trimming their newborns nails, this is a great alternative.
Electric Baby Nail Trimmer & File Clippers
Whether you have one for the house and or one to be on the go, these are a must have for changing baby’s diaper.
Baby Changing Mat
Baby carriers aren’t just for being out and about with baby, they are essential for wanting to have your hands free to be productive around the house.
Baby Carrier Wraps
One of my favorite carriers that is simple to use but definitely watch a video to learn how to use it.
Baby Ring Slings | WildBird Baby Carriers and Essentials
Find bottle brushes that you like because you will need something that can scrub the bottom of the brush.
Amazon Best Sellers: Best Baby Bottle Brushes
Hopefully baby doesn’t get sick as a newborn but it’s best to have one of these on hand. I strongly recommend a forehead one vs the ones you have to either stick in their mouth or ear. Babies are squirmy little things so it can be difficult to take t...
Infant Baby Thermometers - Target
I’ve been trying to find a diaper pail that is actually helpful without needing specific bags for it.
So this is one of the best options I’ve found and you can use regular trash bags with it.
Some families have questions whether or not diaper pai...
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail, Odor Locking, White
Developmental Stimulation | AKA Toys
Life of a newborn mainly involves eating, sleeping, and pooping BUT here is a list of some toys worth having for your newborn and as they grow.
If there is a toy to splurge on for your infant, it would be this one. This is one of the best play gyms out there. It is simple and not over stimulating, allowing your newborn to fully explore tummy time. Your newborn likely won't be spending a lot ... will grow with them as they enter toddlerhood.
The Play Gym | Baby Activity & Tummy Time Mat | Lovevery
Your newborn isn't moving around yet but these are great books to have in the house. You won't have to stress about baby ripping pages out because they are hard to destroy.
Indestructible Books - Hopscotch Children's Store
Soft books are great for not just reading with your little one but lightweight for them to play with. This one also has a teether in the corner.
Let's Count Soft Book - Eric Carle Caterpillar
Newborns aren’t going to be doing a lot of playing in the first month but sometimes it’s nice to have something to rattle and practice their grip with.
Rattles & Teethers - Manhattan Toy Company
Because your newborn isn't doing much playing, you do not need a ton of toys. Simple and minimalist toys are best. Books are always essential.
0 - 3 Month Baby Toys - Target
Lovevery makes it easy to shop high quality toys that support your infants growth during specific developmental stages.
The Play Kits by Lovevery | Montessori Toy Subscription Ages 0-5
Breastfeeding
Before shopping for a breast pump machine, I strongly suggest seeing if your insurance covers a machine.
Double Electric & Manual Breast Pumps - Lansinoh
Great lightweight eco friendly way to pump.
haakaa Manual Breast Pump, Silicone, 4oz
Breastfeeding means leaky boobs. Find nursing pads that you want to use. There are so many options out there from disposable to washable. I always suggest washable nursing pads because you buy them once and they last you awhile.
Organic Nursing Pads - 14 Washable Bamboo
If you’re breastfeeding, this is a must have to keep your breasts happy and healthy. Find one that you really love. I strongly suggest finding one with natural ingredients because baby is likely to be ingesting some when they nurse.
Amazon.com: Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter™
This is not a necessity but extremely helpful when you’re nursing and even bottle feeding. Great for having a comfortable place to feed your little one.
Nursing Pillow
Building up a supply of breast milk makes it so that others can feed your little nugget when you need a break or if you’re not around.
Breast Milk Storage - Target
Not Essential but Helpful
This is a list of things that are not necessary but can make your life as a newborn parent a little easier.
If you are formula feeding, this is hands down a great investment for those late night feedings. Have a bottle made and ready to go with just a press of a button.
Formula Pro Advanced: Baby Formula Dispenser | Baby Brezza
Once you have your car seat selected, consider having a base for whoever will be driving with your baby. A base is not necessary to safely secure the car seat into your cars BUT they are extremely convenient and easy to use.
Explore Infant Car Seat Bases | Shop Now | Graco Baby
Can you just use your own drying rack for bottles?! Yes! But when you’re sleep deprived and need a bottle quickly, sometimes it’s just easier to have a designated spot for the bottles and other baby items for easy access. There are so many options fo...
Bottle Drying Racks: Baby Products
You can also sanitize baby bottles in your dishwasher but if you don't have a dishwasher and you want to quickly sanitize and dry bottles, this is a great option.
One Step™ Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer Advanced - Baby Brezza
Luxury for baby
Diaper Wipe Warmer with Changing Light : Baby
Families typically have these but I've worked with families who don't have them. Yes, pooped diapers stink but these diaper pails aren't a necessity.
Diaper Pails: Baby Products
Favorite baby monitor that I've seen parents use. The video is great quality and it does more than just watch your infant. Has the ability to connect to an app so you can monitor your little one from afar.
Nanit Pro Baby Monitor
Favorite app for logging baby's daily activities. Log sleep, bottles, and diaper changes. You may think this isn't necessary at first but logging sleep helps you to understand your baby's sleep schedule and how you can support healthy sleeping habits...
Huckleberry: Expert sleep help for all families | Sleep Improvement For ...
I’ve worked with families that have a rocking chair and some that don’t have one…. Splurge on a rocking chair! You don’t even specifically need a rocking chair. A recliner that rocks is also a great option. There are going to be moments when baby jus...
Modern Nursing Chairs - Gliders, Recliners & Rockers - Babyletto