There are so many websites and lists that tell you what you’ll need for your newborn. It can be overwhelming trying to decide what you need and what you can go without. The best way to get everything you need for baby is to create a baby registry. I prefer to use Amazon Baby Registry as they keep track of all the names and addresses of those who bought gifts for you so you can easily send thank you notes!
I thought long and hard and created a list of items that I couldn’t have lived without in those first months (Some of the links are crazy long because they are affiliate links):
Baby Mittens
Those little nails are so sharp and so hard to keep clipped or filed. My daughter was always scratching her face until I got a pack of baby mittens. They were a total lifesaver! I was relieved to not have to worry about her scratching herself in her sleep anymore and I didn’t have to nervously cut her nails constantly. My favorite are these Gerber Unisex Baby 4 Pack Mittens because they stayed on all night and fit comfortably.
Burp Cloths That Can Double as Blankets
Burp cloths are obviously super important with all the spit-up and drool to wipe but diaper bags can only hold so much. That’s why it’s great when something has a dual purpose. Look for small blankets that are made out of flannel so they are warm but also super absorbent – These Gerber receiving blankets are my favorite.
Baby Washcloths
Baby washcloths are soft enough for baby’s delicate skin and have a million uses. I love that they are easy to keep separate from the other washcloths in my house so they don’t get used for cleaning or other tasks. I use these to freeze for teething purposes, to dry her bottom to ward off diaper rash, to wash/rinse her in the bath, and pretty much anytime I need a cloth for her. Since Best Bamboo Baby Washcloths Soft & Hypoallergenic Sensitive Skin Baby Wipes by Bamboo Organics are color-coated, I can easily keep the ones for her bottom and her face separate too.
Fragrance-Free Gentle Baby Lotion
Baby’s skin is so delicate so it’s imperative that you moisturize. My absolute favorite is this Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion, For Delicate Skin, Fragrance Free, 18 Oz. It has worked wonders to keep her skin soft and helped immensely when she had eczema.
Baby Bath Tub
Some people don’t use one of these and I have no idea what they do instead! The one I use can either fit in the sink or on the counter and has a hammock insert for when she was a newborn. It’s also great to put in the tub when baby is not quite stable enough to sit without the tub but is splashing up a storm. The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn To Toddler Tub, Blue is the one I swear by.
A Diaper Caddy/Organizer
The diaper caddy is a basket that you can keep all of baby’s diaper changing needs and easily grab it when you’re going to another room. I highly recommend this Munchkin SaraBear Diapering Organizer, Brown for diaper changes on your bed in the middle of the night – it takes up very little space and has so many compartments. I also recommend this Munchkin Sarabear Portable Diaper Caddy, White Waffle for the rest of the rooms in your house – it is very attractive and has plenty of compartments for all of baby’s things.
A Versatile Diaper Bag
This is a given but there are so many diaper bags to choose from, how do you decide? My favorite is this PacaPod Mirano Black Designer Baby Diaper Bag – Luxury Black Tote 3 in 1 Organising System. It has separate pods for bottles/food and diapering needs so you can just grab the pod and go, if needed. I love to use the pods for our morning walks or for a quick run out when we won’t be gone long.
A Nursing Pillow
Nursing or bottle feeding a newborn is basically all you do for the first few weeks so it’s so important to be comfortable while doing so. My nursing pillow did just that! In addition, it allowed me to do other things while nursing like reading a book or surfing the internet on my phone. The Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner, Luxe Chevron Whales/Gray is the one I used and I would seriously recommend it!
Gripe Water
Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water, Liquid, 4-ounce bottle is amazing! Whether it’s the hiccups, a tummy ache, or just general fussiness, this stuff really does the trick. Moms far and wide will tell you about this stuff and normally follow it up with a whole bunch of exclamation points (GRIPE WATER!!!!). It’s natural and can be given multiple times a day. Do yourself a favor and stock up because you will be using this stuff like crazy!
I could definitely add more to this list but I feel like this particular list of items can be used by any mom or dad in any living situation.
Free Stuff Tip:
After you’ve created your registry at Amazon, go ahead and create registries at Target, Babies R Us, and anywhere else. They will all have free welcome goodie bags for you but you’ll have to go to the store to get it. You don’t have to add many items and you will love having all the extra baby items for free!
Disclaimer: These statements are the opinion of the author. The information provided in this post is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal, or other professional advice. Read and/or use any of the information from this post at your own risk. Some or all of the links displayed on this site may be affiliate links.
