New parents are bombarded with lists of baby gear. From internet lists to suggestions from friends to must-haves from our own parents, the amount of things you “need” seems to be never-ending. I am here to tell you that you don’t need to buy one of everything.
Below are the items I’ve personally found to be necessary during my daughter’s newborn months. But please remember that all babies are different. Some moms will wish they never registered for the same items another mom swears by. There is no way of knowing what your baby will favor when it comes to sleeping, drinking, or playing. Just like we as adults have preferences, so do our babies! So, please take these suggestions for what they are; suggestions. I do hope this list gives you some sense of what you’ll need during your first few months as a new parent.
Daytime Newborn Essentials
Bouncer or lounger
One thing many parents will need during those first few months is a place for their baby to safely relax. There are two main options: a bouncer or a lounger. Bouncers are handy for when your baby is awake and wants to play while you’re folding laundry or, let’s face it, just trying to get a break. Many offer attached toys or vibration options, which will require a power source or batteries.
Things to look for in a bouncer:
- Safety – Be sure it has a harness or buckle to keep your baby safe. Only use bouncers for daytime play and not for sleeping. Even if your baby looks and feels secure, never leave them out of your sight in a bouncer.
- Portability – If you plan on traveling, there are bouncers that fold up nearly flat, like the Baby Bjorn! My brother has this for his daughters and they bring it everywhere with them.
- Ease of cleaning – Check to see if your favorite options have a removable fabric seat that can be thrown in the washer.
Loungers are nice to have when your little one needs a nap, but you can’t get them to their crib or bassinet. Dock-A-Tot and Boppy are two very popular and well-rated brands. Please always make sure you are awake and alert and watching your baby if they fall asleep in one of these baby loungers.
What to look for in a lounger:
- Functional – Look for options that double as a lounger and a tummy time helper.
- Contoured sides – This will prevent babies from rolling out of the lounger. That being said, always be sure your lounger is on a flat, low surface (the floor is ideal).
- Ease of cleaning – Much like the bouncer, try to find a lounger with a removable cover that you can throw in the washing machine. Some, like the Boppy, also have waterproof covers available to purchase separately.
What we used: Fisher Price’s Baby Bouncer, $29.99 on Amazon
Sling/wrap
A theme in newborn parenting is trying anything and everything to keep your arms free. You’ll be multitasking through most of your days and wearing your baby, with your arms free, is one of the best ways to get in some snuggle time while still getting things done.
There are several different styles of wraps and carriers.
- Wrap – A wrap seems to be the most popular carrier currently. It’s generally a long piece of sturdy, stretchy fabric that you wrap around your body and your baby to keep them snug against you. Look for wraps that have different carrying positions for newborns, toddlers, and back-wearing. YouTube videos are helpful in learning how to tie your wraps properly. I recommend watching several before making your purchase to be sure the wrap style and instructions fit your lifestyle.
- Sling – Like wraps, slings are made of strong fabric but these are not stretchy. These may be easier to tie than wraps and are great for beginners or those who want an adjustable fit, but they may not be comfortable for anyone with back issues. As with wraps, I recommend watching video tutorials before making your purchase.
- Soft carriers – Probably the most comfortable and easiest to use, soft carriers are a very popular way to wear your baby. Most offer carrying options for the newborn through toddler years and have easy to use buckle systems. They are pricier than wraps or slings but are very comfortable and easy to use. Be sure to check for recalls before purchasing as some popular brands have models that have been recalled in recent years.
- Backpack carriers – These are great for active parents or if you plan on wearing your baby for a long period of time (outdoor concerts, BBQs). These are recommended for older babies who do not have trouble holding their heads up without assistance. If you have a newborn, I would suggest trying one of the other carrier styles before researching a backpack style.
- Mei Tai carriers – This is best explained as a combination sling and soft structure carrier. It has a wrap style with buckles and is usually for older babies, but you can find some that adapt for newborns. This is another style that would likely need a few YouTube tutorials before purchasing.
We used: Baby K’Tan Original Wrap*, $40-$50 on Amazon
*One thing to note about this particular wrap is that it’s sized for the wearer, not the baby. So my husband and I could not share the wrap. But I’m relatively petite, so I liked that it actually fit me and Willa felt snug. Make sure you refer to the size chart before ordering.
Anti Colic Bottles & Gas Drops
Babies are gassy. There’s really no other way to put it. And when they’re gassy, they’re usually uncomfortable and this can lead to crying and spitting up or vomiting. While you can’t avoid gas completely, there are a few things you can do to make your little one more comfortable. Anti-colic bottles are designed to release the air inside the bottle so that it doesn’t end up in your baby’s tummy. They can help with gas pains and also help you have less spit-up episodes.
Some anti-colic bottles with great reviews on Amazon:
- Dr. Browns – 4.5 stars from over 2,500 shoppers
- MAM Easy Start – 5 stars from over 1,300 shoppers
- Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-colic – 4.5 stars from over 1,200 shoppers
- Munchkin Latch – 4 stars from 1,500 shoppers
We used: Dr. Browns Original Bottles, $19-$25 on Amazon
Nighttime Newborn Essentials
A Bottle Warmer (& Cooler)
If you happen to live in a house with stairs, this is a must-have. You’ll be beyond exhausted and every second you can shave off your middle-of-the-night waking is a blessing. Bottle warmers use steam to heat up your baby’s bottle within a few minutes. No more boiling water and waiting for the milk to heat through. Instead, you measure out the water based on your bottle volume and steam it warm. You can also pre-fill your water for the steam before bed to save even more time.
Some of the bottle warmers, like this one we used, also come with coolers to keep your milk chilled all night without having to keep it in the fridge. Yes, that means no running up and down the stairs to the kitchen multiple times per night. It is life-changing.
Another option, if you don’t need a cooler, is a hot water bottle warmer like this one. You pour hot water into the insulated thermos and then you have hot water to warm your bottles on demand. We used this style warmer when we went out to eat or shopping.
We used: The First Years Bottle Cooler & Warmer, $35 on Amazon
Bathtub
When shopping for a baby tub, think about what your nightly routine will look like. Will you be giving them a bath in your kitchen sink, or in a bathtub? If that is the case, you can find bathtub and sink inserts. Look for something non-skid for safety and something they can grow into.
Or will you do baths, like we did, on your kitchen table for a while? If this is the case, try looking for tubs that can be filled with water and have a sling for your baby to sit in. These options are also nice because, with the removable slings, your child can use them well into their toddler years.
We used: The First Years Sure Comfort Tub, $21.98 on Amazon
Swaddle
Before heading home from the hospital, you may watch your nurse deftly swaddle your newborn and lay them down to sleep. No matter how much you practice, you’ll likely never be as good as a seasoned nurse at swaddling your baby. But swaddling is a great way to keep your baby calm through the night and to keep them safely on their backs while sleeping. There are a few easy-to-use swaddles on the market that make this as easy as your nurse made it look in the hospital.
What to look for in a swaddle:
- Seasonally appropriate fabric – There are fleece swaddles that are better for cold temperatures and cotton swaddles much better suited for warm weather. Cotton can be used in the winter, just be sure to dress your baby accordingly making sure they’re not over- or underdressed with the added layer of the swaddle.
- Fit – A swaddle should be snug around a baby’s shoulders and arms, but loose around their hips and legs. Their face and neck should be completely free to move and breathe.
- Secure closures – Many swaddle products have velcro or zip-up closures to keep your child cozy and safe.
- Zipper function – If you can find a swaddle that zips or opens from the bottom, this will make those middle of the night diaper changes much smoother.
We used: HALO SleepSack Swaddle, $22 on Amazon
White Noise Machine
Another note you may have made in the hospital was your nurse’s use of shushing. Babies love shushing sounds and the sound of white noise. If you’ve read Happiest Baby (if you haven’t, I recommend it) you’ll remember that Dr. Karp says that it reminds them of being in the womb.
When shopping for a noise machine, keep your primary use in mind. Will you be using it to muffle noises through the night so your baby stays asleep? Try the Marpack Dohm. Very few bells and whistles, but two speeds to adjust the volume and sound of the white noise.
Do you need a calming toy to help your baby get ready for bed? Try the Bubzi Co. Owl or Cloud b Sleep Sheep. Both have great reviews on Amazon and both provide different sounds like white noise, lullabies, heartbeat, and more.
We used: Marpac Dohm White Noise Machine, $45 on Amazon
When going through searches online for what to include on your registry, don’t be afraid to cross things off or hold off on purchasing them until you get to know your baby. Not all babies are going to need the same gear and you will save yourself hours of research and some cash if you wait until you know you need something before you go out and get it.
Do you have a couldn’t-live-without-it baby item to suggest? Share it with me in the comments!
Related: Our Current Parenting Tips While Social Distancing
