13 Newborn Essentials Every New Mom Needs
Adjusting to this new world outside of your belly is a huge change for your baby, but that doesn’t mean they will need a huge amount of things. The following list of newborn essentials will tell you the most important items you will need for the first couple of months.
This post contains affiliate links to products I have used and enjoyed. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To find out more, you can read my disclaimer here.
1. Sound Machine
Your baby hears a lot of sounds in the womb. That’s why a sound machine is the first on this list of newborn essentials.
Hearing white noise will be calming to your baby, and it will remind them of similar sounds they were used to hearing for the last nine months.
Whenever your baby is going to sleep, turn the white noise on and let it play until they wake up. The soothing noise will also help cancel out more abrupt noises, like loud cars driving by the house, or other children playing.
We love this sound machine and have used it for the last 15 months and counting. It has so many different sounds, and it’s also a night light that has multiple different colors of light to choose from. It is totally customizable to you and your baby and can be controlled with an app on your phone.
2. Swaddles
Swaddles are another one of the newborn essentials that will help comfort your baby while they sleep.
Being wrapped up all snug will help your baby sleep more soundly, as they will not be able to startle themselves awake by moving their arms. It will also help your baby stay warm.
These traditional swaddles are great (and they come in so many cute patterns!), but we also used these swaddles, and they are so easy! What makes those swaddles so easy is that they use velcro.
You don’t have to learn how to wrap the blanket, and if your baby is good at breaking out of a traditional swaddle, the velcro will be more secure.
You’ll also love:
3. Bassinet
Even if you plan on co-sleeping, it’s a good idea to have a bassinet in the house! This is because you will want a safe place for your baby to be if you need to step away.
We chose not to co-sleep, so we had this Pack n’ Play with the attached bassinet next to our bed. It also has a place to change your baby which was super helpful to have all in one spot.
We also had this bassinet in our living room for daytime naps. This bassinet was great because it didn’t take up too much room, and I could always have my baby near me while I caught up on chores.
You’ll also love: Important Pros and Cons of Pack ‘N Plays vs Cribs
4. Gentle Bath Soap
Your baby’s skin is delicate, so you will want to choose products that are not harmful or harsh.
We love this baby soap because it’s gentle. It suds up well and doesn’t have a perfumy smell.
5. Lotion
As I said above, you don’t want to use harsh products on your baby’s sensitive skin.
I LOVE this lotion. We live in such a dry climate, and I had tried so many baby lotions on my son’s dry skin.
This lotion goes to work immediately, and it keeps my baby’s skin so soft. It’s fragrance-free, which I prefer if I am going to use it on my baby’s face.
6. Diaper Cream
There will come a time when your baby gets a diaper rash. It’s pretty much inevitable. The go-to product for diaper rash used to be baby powder, but don’t bother getting any!
The best diaper rash product that I have used is this cream. It helps to lock out moisture so the skin can heal.
Related Articles:
7. Nail Clippers
There is the possibility that your newborn might be born with razor-sharp nails. It’s surprising, but it happens. 😉
I found that if I clipped my baby’s nails after a bath when they are super soft, it was the easiest. We never used baby mittens, and my son hardly ever scratched himself.
I prefer these nail clippers because they are comfortable to hold, and they have a magnifier so you can focus easier on the tiny nails.
8. Diapers – Sizes Newborn and 1
Obviously, you know you’ll need the best brand of diapers for your baby. So here’s the thing, make sure you have newborn size and size 1.
When I was pregnant, I was told by so many different people that I wouldn’t need newborn sized diapers. Well, my baby was born, and guess what, he needed newborn-sized diapers!
I was not prepared and didn’t have any newborn diapers at home. Even if you only buy one pack of newborn diapers, at least you will have some to hold you over, so you don’t have to go to the store right away.
9. Footed Sleepers – Size Newborn and 0-3
As I said above, I was convinced that I wouldn’t need a newborn size anything. So make sure you have at least a few outfits that are newborn size.
In my opinion, the best clothing option for new babies is footed sleepers WITH ZIPPERS! These are great because they are once piece, your baby will stay warm, and you won’t have to worry about losing socks.
I’m sure you will get some cute outfits, especially if you have a baby shower. But having mostly sleepers will be so easy for you, particularly when you need to change your baby because of spit-up or a blowout.
10. Humidifier
Humidifiers are a great item not only for your baby but for you too. When you run a humidifier, it adds moisture to the air, which helps dry skin and breathing easier.
We use this one, and what’s great about it is that it has a cool mist. Cool mist humidifiers are best because there isn’t a chance of the steam burning your child if they were to get too close.
11. Saline Drops
Saline drops are a must-have newborn item. If you live in a dry climate, or if your baby is struggling with congestion, a couple of saline drops in their nose will help them tremendously.
I used this brand with my son because his nose was getting so dry in the winter. After a couple of uses, his nose was doing much better.
12. Large Burp Cloths
Spit-up is another inevitable thing. Some babies spit up more than others, so you will want to have plenty of burp cloths ready. But don’t get just any burp cloths.
As a mom to a baby who spit up ALL THE TIME, I love these burp cloths. They aren’t like those skinny ones that barely cover your shoulder; they are wide and super absorbent.
If you’re unsure of how many burp cloths you’ll need for your baby, check out this helpful article!
13. Carseat
To leave the hospital, you have to have a car seat. A car seat is one of the most crucial newborn essentials.
When I was pregnant and researching the best car seat, I wanted one that would fit in my budget and give me peace of mind that my baby was always safe.
I decided to purchase this car seat, and I wasn’t disappointed. My son was able to use it for his whole first year, and the quality of the seat itself was excellent.
If you are looking for a stroller, we bought the travel system, and the stroller’s quality is surpassing too. I liked the stroller because you can use it with the car seat and then without it once your child is older.
Items that are not necessarily newborn essentials, but are nice to have:
14. Baby Carrier
Baby carriers are a convenient item. You can keep your baby close and your hands-free. But, if you are trying to save money, you can skip a carrier, and it will be fine.
If having a baby carrier is essential to you, I loved this one for my newborn! Once you get the hang of wrapping it, it’s comfortable and easy to wear.
Related Articles:
- 20 Essential Rules for Visiting a Newborn
- The Ultimate Second Trimester Checklist
- Do I Need a Baby Monitor? The Ultimate Guide
- What To Put On Your Second Baby Registry
- When to Take Newborn Photos: The Ultimate Guide
15. Baby Bathtub
There are plenty of people who forgo the baby bathtub and bathe their baby in the sink. That’s a great option if you don’t want to spend extra money.
If you don’t want to bathe your baby in the sink, this baby bathtub is a fantastic option at a great price! Our son used this tub until he was about ten months old, so it got a lot of use!
16. Hooded Towels
Hooded towels aren’t 100% necessary, but they are nice to have to help keep your baby warm when they get out of the bath.
Newborn babies have a more challenging time regulating their body temperature, so it’s crucial to keep them as covered up as possible.
We used these super cute ones for 12+ months, and they are so soft and absorbent!
17. Waterproof Pads
Diaper changes can get messy! Having these waterproof pads to lay under your baby for a diaper change can help keep the mess to a minimum.
You can use these pads on top of your changing pad so you won’t have to keep washing your changing pad cover frequently.
Or, if you don’t have a changing pad, you can lay them on your bed or floor, and it will save your surfaces from accidents.
18. Diaper Genie
If you are trying to save money, then a Diaper Genie is not one of the newborn essentials. But, if you want a designated spot for dirty diapers that will help contain the smell, a Diaper Genie is great!
When we got our Diaper Genie, we also bought this year’s worth of refills, and it’s so nice to not worry about running out. Not to mention, buying this pack makes them a little bit cheaper in the long run.
19. Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are a wonderful thing to have, especially when it gets light outside at five in the morning. Even though they are great, you don’t have to have them.
If you choose to get some, they will be beneficial when trying to help your baby understand day and night.
Babies aren’t the only ones who need special items. Moms also have things that are important for after delivery. Check out this post to find out all of the essential postpartum items for moms!
Also, if you are breastfeeding, check out this post! It has all of the items you need to start your breastfeeding journey right. 🙂
Before you go, check out these related articles:
- The Ultimate Checklist Of Nursery Must-Haves
- The Best Toys For Babies 0-6 Months Old
- Developmental Activities For 3-Month-Olds
- Non-Baby Items To Stock Up On Before Baby Arrives
- The Best Items To Keep In Your Diaper Caddy
Are there any newborn essentials that you love? I would love to know in the comments below!
This is a great list of essentials! I also love the butt paste that you linked
A great list. We never used swaddles, but each baby is different, and some cannot sleep without it
100% agree mama! Our Hatch sound machine has been a lifesaver! And those first few weeks would’ve been miserable without swaddles!