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New Parent Survival Kit: 16 Baby Essentials That Make the First Months Easier
16
items Baby registries are full of gadgets you'll use twice. This list sticks to the everyday workhorses: the things that help with night feeds and settling, diaper changes and bath time, and getting out of the house without forgetting half of it. Great for...
Sections
3
Sleep, Feeding & Night Shifts
Diapering & Bath Time
Getting Out of the House
Sleep, Feeding & Night Shifts
A sound machine and dim night light in one, controlled from your phone, so you can adjust it without walking into the nursery. The soft light is handy for 3 a.m. feeds and diaper changes. Later on it doubles as a "time to rise" light for toddlers.
Hatch Rest 2nd Gen Baby Sound Machine & Light
One of the most widely used bottle systems, with a vent insert designed to reduce air bubbles while feeding. Slow-flow nipples come standard for newborns. Babies can be picky about bottles, so it's worth starting with one pack before stocking up.
Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Anti-Colic 8oz 4pk
Bottles, nipples and pump parts take up a lot of counter space while they dry. The grass-blade rack holds them upright so they drain properly, and the tray underneath catches the water. A registry classic for a reason.
Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack, Green
Regular sponges don't reach the bottom of a bottle. This silicone bristle brush does, and it has a small nipple brush tucked into the handle. Silicone dries fast and doesn't hold onto smells like foam sponges do.
Munchkin® Bristle™ Bottle Brush, Grey
Large, breathable muslin squares that parents end up using for everything: swaddling, a stroller sun shade, a nursing cover, a clean surface to lay baby on. They get softer with every wash. For sleep, follow safe-sleep guidance on swaddling and loose...
aden + anais Classic 4-Pack Cotton Swaddle
You can't own too many burp cloths. These are soft organic cotton, large enough to cover a shoulder properly, and absorbent. Keep one in every room, the car and the diaper bag.
Burt's Bees Baby Organic Cotton Burp Cloths 5-Pack
Diapering & Bath Time
Bathing a slippery newborn is nerve-racking. This mesh seat sits in a regular tub or sink and keeps baby reclined, leaving your hands free to wash. The soft mesh drains and dries quickly. It's a support, not a babysitter: always keep a hand on and ne...
Angelcare Baby Bath Support Grey Birth-6M
Babies don't only get changed in the nursery. A carry-around caddy keeps diapers, wipes and cream together, so you can set up a changing spot on the couch or bed in seconds. Also handy for keeping a second station downstairs.
Munchkin® Portable Diaper Caddy Organizer, Grey
Very simple wipes: mostly water, plus a drop of fruit extract and no fragrance. Many parents choose them for the newborn weeks. The bulk pack lasts a while, and they're handy for sticky hands and faces later on too.
WaterWipes Sensitive+ Baby Wipes, 540 Ct
A steel diaper pail that works with regular kitchen trash bags, so you're not locked into buying pricey proprietary refills. Steel holds onto smells far less than plastic pails, and the sliding lid keeps odors in between changes.
Ubbi Stainless Steel Diaper Pail, White
The hood keeps a damp head covered while you dry the rest of baby, and the organic cotton terry is soft on new skin. Big enough to wrap a toddler later on, so they won't be outgrown in a few months.
Burts Bees Baby Hooded Towel Set 29x29
Getting Out of the House
A palm-sized, rechargeable white noise machine with a clip for the stroller or car seat handle. Useful for naps on the go, at grandparents' houses and in hotel rooms. Keep the volume low and the machine a reasonable distance from baby's ears.
Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
A good carrier lets you get things done while a fussy baby stays close. This one works from newborn (no insert needed) to toddler, in every carry position, with a lumbar belt that spreads the weight onto your hips. Check the fit guide and practice th...
Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier, Midnight Blue
Public changing tables are not always clean, and sometimes there isn't one at all. This waterproof pad folds small, wipes clean, and gives you a clean surface anywhere: a car trunk, a park bench, a friend's bed.
Munchkin Portable Waterproof Changing Pad
A backpack-style diaper bag keeps both hands free for the baby. This one has a wide-opening main compartment, an included changing pad and stroller straps. It also looks like a normal backpack, which a lot of dads appreciate.
Skip Hop Forma Diaper Bag Backpack, Jet Black
Most strollers have nowhere to put your coffee, phone or keys. This organizer straps onto the handlebar and adds two insulated cup holders plus zip pockets. It fits most strollers and is cheap, but it makes every walk easier.
Momcozy Universal Stroller Organizer with Cup Holder