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Newborn Non-Negotiables
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items My first baby? Give me all the things. My second baby (who arrived just shy of a year later)? Nipple cream and burp cloths galore! I've curated a non-negotiable list I share with all my family & friends that are bringing little ones into their li...
Sections
6
For the moms
General baby needs
sleep (or lack thereof)
milk drunk
baths, butts, boogers and more
Travels
For the moms
As someone who has given birth and been through postpartum twice, we need all the resources and tools to make it easier for us to function and care for our babies. This is just the beginning of a long list of things for moms. Does anyone know if you ...
Your nipples deserve some love too! And trust me, they're going to need it.
Organic Nipple Butter Breastfeeding Cream
My tried and true breastmilk bags that never let me down! Don't need to have this brands bottles or pump to use.
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags, 100 Count
If I weren't already married, I would've married these for how much they relieved my engorgement and any clogged ducts I had. And no, I'm not kidding.
Lansinoh Breast Therapy Packs, Hot & Cold, 2 Pack
I was very blessed and never leaked so I wasn't a user of these but my mom friend with two kids, one very recent, swears by these!
Organic Bamboo Nursing Pads - 14 Washable Reusable
I had no idea these existed until visiting a friend who was a couple days postpartum and when she pulled these from the fridge and put them on, the sigh of relief and look on her face told me, “That'll do Donkey, that'll do.” (To be clear, if you're ...
Hydrogel Nipple Gel Pads for Breastfeeding - 6 Packs
I think these saved my nipples from physically falling off my body when I was breastfeeding (kidding…). I suggest to place them in the fridge or freezer for some extra relief.
Silverette Nursing Cups
Love the blue one that can be charged and cord free from the wall. Check with your insurance as well - I was able to get a free breast pump through a company called Milk Moms that worked directly with my insurance!
Spectra Breast Pumps
I wouldn't technically classify this as a “need” but when I had my second, I used it far more so I had the freedom to get up and grab my toddler from climbing the dining room table.
Best Electric Breast Pumps | Portable & Efficient
I went back to the office part-time after having my first and this one is quick and effective (although shouldn't have to be because you're making milk for your child and shouldn't feel guilty for stepping away to do that and… I'll stop).
Medela Manual Breast Pump with Flex Shields
General baby needs
Honestly, didn't know what category to put these in but they're still great!
These blankets are perfect for everything. Great for swaddling but also versatile for all your baby needs. My toddlers still use these to snuggle up with and we always keep a couple in the car in case they get cold!
Muslin Swaddle Baby Blanket - Bird Stripes - 3 pk - Cloud Island
These are so worth it and last longer than you think!
The Play Gym | Baby Activity & Tummy Time Mat
It’s a splurge but I’ve had mine for three years and hasn’t broken down at all. There’s plenty of space in this diaper bag to hold diapers, wipes, toys, snacks, diaper cream, extra clothes and more!
Béis Baby - Travel Bags & Accessories
Not even a recommendation, just the pacifier my kids ended up taking to! Meanwhile, I have at least 8 other kinds in a bin to test for the next baby - totally preference for your kiddo!
Avent Philips Ultra Air Pacifier
I had three of these - one that traveled between my living room and bedroom; one that stayed next to the changing pad in their room; and one at my parents house!
Parker Baby Diaper Caddy - Oatmeal, Reg
This saved my sanity and will to live with my second. He screamed and cried during every single car ride until he was four months old UNTIL, we attached this on to the headrest and quiet car rides from there on out!
Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother Musical Crib Toy and Sound Machine - Blue
Still able to get all the baby snuggles without being trapped on the couch!
Moby Wrap: Award-winning Baby Wraps & MORE
Great for those kids born in the summer months but also great for moms with the postpartum sweats! The bendy legs make this usable and attachable just about anywhere.
AMACOOL Battery Operated Stroller Fan Clip
The way my kids, and myself, loved this. Both my kids hated the traditional swing and this was the only thing the bounced, besides me, that they enjoyed. One of the best parts it you can adjust the incline so the tallest incline combined with post-fe...
Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer
sleep (or lack thereof)
It's true, you will sleep again!!!
Besides the keep-my-kid-alive essentials every parent needs for their baby, this one is top of the list for what I recommend the most. My postpartum depression/anxiety was ROUGH and the breathing band that pairs with this monitor gave me such piece o...
Nanit Pro Baby Monitor with Camera
Not going to lie, this one deserves the hype it gets. The night light feature is perfect for my toddlers and I love that you can set schedules so I never have to worry about turning it on or off.
Hatch Rest 2nd Gen All-in-one Sleep Machine, Nightlight & Sound Machine
My oldest, from the first ultrasound to the last, his hands were always covering his face. The regular swaddle that resembles a straight jacket? How DARE I when we tried to put him in that. This? Perfection. Also, a lot easier to transition out of wh...
Love To Dream Swaddle UP
My youngest? Apparently loves a straight jacket. But also, the biggest non-negotiable in the land of swaddles? It MUST have two zippers to avoid having to fully remove them from it at night.
HALO Cotton Sleepsack Swaddle, 3-Way, TOG 1.5
I've purchased this for each of my boys and have zero regrets. A crib doesn't need to be fancy or even aesthetically pleasing, it needs to be safe and reliable and that's exactly what this is.
Delta Children Essex 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib
You don't want a mattress that's too soft for your baby and, after a lot of research, I couldn't afford the Newton and this was the next best one. My kids have never had a problem and having bought one in 2022 and the other in 2023, they've held up n...
Stork Craft Graco Premium Foam Crib Mattress
These are ridiculously soft and still are after a billion washes.
Organic Cotton Muslin Fitted Crib Sheet
Double these bad boys up. Mattress protector, crib sheet, mattress protector, crib sheet - thank me later.
Crib Mattress Protector 2 Pack Waterproof
Both my kids were born in October in Minnesota so the dry air that accompanies winter was fast approaching. We ran this every night in their rooms and it did make a big difference!
Humidifier
milk drunk
the only bottle that both of my kids took without fuss, while simultaneously breast feeding!
Glass Baby Bottles & Bottle Nipples | Philips Avent
Honestly, I thought these were so overrated when I had my first. And after my second? This small but mighty machine erased roughly 90% of the fights with my husband.
Bottle Washer Pro
burp cloths!!!! you think have enough burp cloths? you don't. i promise you, you can never have too many burp cloths.
Bibs & Burp Cloths
This is great for breast feeding & bottle feeding for anyone that wants to help with baby. Also get plenty of use out of this for my toddlers because they just think it's a funky pillow now!
Boppy Nursing Pillow
The guilt I felt for not producing enough milk for my kids was heavy but I know, in my soul, that fed is best and that's what I was going to do for my kids. I did EXTENSIVE research and I have nothing but beautiful and great things to say about Bobbi...
Bobbie Formula
Again, fed is best, and my littlest one tried SEVERAL different formulas but we were still burning through roughly 10 burp cloths between bottles. This Hypoallergenic formula was truly a savior for our family; no more projectile spit-ups or three loa...
Non-GMO Hypoallergenic Powder Infant Formula - 19.8oz - up&up
If I were to warn parents about one thing they aren't prepared for, it's the cleaning of bottles. Hate isn't a strong enough word. Get this basket for the dishwasher. Get the bottle washer/sterilizer.
Munchkin Deluxe Dishwasher Basket, Colors May Vary
baths, butts, boogers and more
The title is pretty self-explanatory, no?
Baby nails are so small and scary to cut, in my opinion. This nail trimmer is quick, causes no pain if you bump their skin, and can be used well past the newborn months!
Baby Electric Nail Trimmer Kit with Light
This is one I never thought I’d use but was absolutely necessary with my second who had a dairy allergy we didn’t know about for the first couple of months!
Frida Baby Windi the Gaspasser and Colic Reliever for Babies - 10pc
It’s… gross, not going to lie. But, more effective than any other booger remover!
Frida Baby NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator
My kids’ cradle cap was minimal to none and we used this every night during bath time!
Frida Baby DermaFrida The FlakeFixer 3-Step Cradle Cap System
Another item I thought was unnecessary until, viola, no more diaper cream under my nails that I'm sitting at the sink scrubbing to get out. Also, for my parents with fake nails… just get the spatula.
Bumco Baby Bum Brush
I have one in the diaper bag, laundry room and in the kitchen… need I say more?
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray 4oz
My favorite shampoo/body wash. Both my kids have eczema and very sensitive skin and after a lot of trial and error, Honest has consistently been the best!
Shampoo + Body Wash, Sensitive
Pairs perfect with the shampoo on this list. Mindful ingredients also take this a step above the rest.
Conditioner, Sensitive
Great for when my kids moved to the bigger tub. I'm the type that loves a shower/bath that melts my skin so this has come in handy for me to chill-out on the temp when getting baths ready.
Angelcare Bath Thermometer - Seal
I'm one of those people that could watch ear wax cleaning and neti pot rinses on tiktok ALL.DAY.LONG. So did I find a little bit of joy in cleaning their nails, nose and ears? Yes, yes I did. But, now you can too… you're welcome!
Frida Baby 3-in-1 Picker
I always try to be on the lookout for the cleanest products possible when it comes to my kids, especially something I'll be putting on their skin but diaper cream is a different beast. A lot of them didn't work for my boys no matter how often I chang...
Diaper Creams: Target
This is perfect for when they’re just a little too small.
Baby Patent Aqua Scale 3-in-1 Digital Scale Water Thermometer and Infant Tub
This one is great for when they outgrow the smaller one that doesn’t require a tub!
Angelcare Baby Bath Support - Turquoise
Not only great for kids, but has an adult option as well!
Frida Baby 3-in-1 Ear and Forehead Infrared Thermometer
It's perfect. Didn't want to buy an actual changing table so attached this with 3M strips to the top of my kids' dresser!
Skip Hop Oat Changing Pad
HEAR ME OUT! We had these in every single diaper caddy, the diaper bag, the car, next to the rocking chair - you name it. Anywhere I'm changing them, if we're using the Frida Gas Relievers, if they've been extra pukey - these were heaven sent in our ...
Amazon Basics Dog Pee Pads, 22x22, 50 Ct
Travels
This is far superior to the little mirror that goes on the headrest to see them. Being able to use it day or night is a plus as well!
Itomoro Baby Car Mirror, View Infant in Rear Facing Seat with Wide Crystal ...
This one is perfect for car rides & overnights not at home!
Hatch Babies and Kids' Rest Go Portable Sound Machine - Putty
I loved this system as a whole, especially the stroller and that both the bassinet attachment and infant carrier could be attached to the stroller! I've had friends who have had the nuna, graco, chicco and I will always come back to my evenflo.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Travel System with LiteMax Infant Car Seat
Not only perfect for traveling but also great if you want to skip the bassinet route but still want them to sleep on your room during those early days!
Graco Pack n Play Dome LX Playard & Bassinet
Doesn't slow you down or stop you from continuing to get out and enjoy life!
Mancro Breastmilk Cooler Bag with Ice Pack
Did exactly what it was supposed to - who could ask for more?
Munchkin Formula Dispenser, BPA Free, 3x9oz, Blue, 2 Pack