Stuff I Swear By: Newborn Essentials

I’ve done the newborn-mom phase three times, so I want to start this Stuff I Swear By series off with my top newborn essentials before I completely forget what it’s like..because these little humans are growing up fast.

That newborn stage, especially when it’s your first time, and even when it’s your second and third time, is so fleeting. But when you’re in it, it feels like you’ll literally be stuck there forever.

Then one day you blink and you’re planning your baby’s first (or fifth) birthday.

Newborn Essentials You’ve Gotta Have

Stuff I Swear By are things I have personally used/use and love(d). It’s literally stuff I swear by from experience.

I know baby stuff is always changing, but hopefully these things will stick around, because I can’t imagine doing those newborn days without them.

First things first:

I swear by a really comfy chair.

Yes, you can get yourself an inexpensive glider or a rocking chair (been there, done that), but if you plan on having more than one kid, do yourself a favor and invest something amazing.

You’re going to be sitting in this thing A LOT, so make sure it’s one you love. This is similar to the one we have (same brand, same features; the name changed), and I’m obsessed with it.

We got ours from Buy Buy Baby (and I’m pretty sure we used a coupon, because it was not cheap), but they also have them at specialty kids’ stores.

Sleepers without snaps or buttons.

Let’s be real here: newborns eat, sleep, and poop, and sometimes they do all three at once.

Repeat this with me: Just say NO to snaps.

Yes, they’re cute, but put zipper sleepers on your registry. Zippers are awesome because they’re no fuss. Check out these awesome weighted zippered footie pj’s (excellent for a registry item!)

Messing with stupid snaps or buttons in the middle of the night is literally the last thing you’ll want to deal with.

Even when they’re older and wiggly; ain’t nobody got time to mess with buttoning 25 snaps when they just want to jump off the changing table.

Nipple Cream, Diaper Rash, and Thrush Stuff.

I looooooove me some motherlove . It was my go-to whenever I needed something slathered somewhere.

Yes, the popular “purple” brand is good, but once you try motherlove’s nipple cream you’ll never want anything else.

For really bad diaper rash (like when the skin totally breaks), I like Triple Paste.

Freezer Meals.

Freezer meals are LIFE.

Either make some yourself, or find some awesome friends to make some for you. I promise a little extra work before the baby arrives will pay off BIG time on the frazzled nights where you want a home-cooked meal, but don’t want to cook.

Read more about how to have a freezer meal workshop here , and join my Facebook group to see when I’m having my next workshop.

Diaper Genies.

Apparently having a diaper genie is a love/hate item, which baffles me.

I literally can’t fathom how someone would put it in the hate category. In fact, we own two: one for downstairs and one for upstairs. 

It doesn’t take up much room, and it just sits there in the corner keeping horrible diapers from stinking up the place. What’s not to love?

There are enough odors in a house as it is with young kids without poop to deal with, so sign me up for the Diaper Genie.

Dockatot.

This was new for me this last time around, but oh how I LOVED the Dockatot, and wished I knew about it for my other two kids.

I scoffed at the price (then found one on sale at Target), and fell in love with it.

We never did the co-sleeping thing, but my husband was away in the early weeks of our baby’s life, and this literally came in handy in the middle of the night. I slept, the baby slept, and I didn’t have to put myself in an awkward position to get him out of his bassinet.

I loved it so much and recommend it to all the new moms I know.

Wearing Your Baby

I wore all of my kids, and oh my word, it was the best thing ever, and I can’t imagine not doing this, especially if you have more than one.

I started wearing them when they were newborns in the Solly Baby Wrap, and I loved my Solly’s because they were super soft, lightweight, breathable, and I loved their colors.

Since I had big babies (nine and 10-pounders), I transitioned fairly early to a harder carrier. My husband rocked the Ergo Carrier for three straight kids, and then I moved to a Tula carrier for my last baby (I loved how many fabric choices there were).

Whatever you get, just make sure it’s comfortable on you, and if it’s not the first few times, adjust it and try again!

Car seat/nursing cover.

This was another new one for me, and I wished they had it for my first two kids. Get at least one of these covers, because they’re perfect for: covering the car seat, a nursing cover, a burp rag, a blanket, a top when they have a blowout and you forgot to pack a spare change of clothes, etc.

The sky’s the limit.

Your Newborn Essentials

Okay, now it’s your turn to share your TOP newborn essentials…what could you not live without during those first few months?

Click here for more ideas to get for a baby.