Favorite Items for Newborn Baby.

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These are my favorite items for home with a new born. Many of the moms in my life have expressed the desire for a comprehensive list of great products without the fluff. So here’s my list (with just a smidge of why):

• Pampers Pure diapers. These are similar to the Pampers Swaddlers but thicker, softer and with a bit better fit without fragrances or parabens. Bonus points for us, they are made from plant-based materials. Huggies Special Delivery diapers are also very nice but come at a higher price point.
  Pro tip: Diapers sizes are by weight. There is some overlap between sizes. You will use likely around 10-12 diapers a day initially so be ready for that. Poppy was 7 lbs when she was born and we used NB/Size 0 diapers for about a month, much longer that I thought we would .
• Pampers Pure wipes
• Wipe dispenser box. Wipes packages come in two varieties – refill wipes and ones with plastic dispensing pop-tops. Whenever possible, we try to use the refills to reduce our environmental impact. This wipe container makes that possible and makes the wipes easier to get out. We really like it and it fits in the top drawer of our dresser where the diapers and changing pad are.
• Baby Bum Brush, or as we prefer to call it, The Butt Spatula. Say what? A spatula for butt paste application. This seems totally unnecessary but it’s not. It’s awesome and really eases a step of the day.
• A&D preventative diaper ointment. We apply this at bedtime and in the am daily for prevention and have had minimal skin issues.
  • Pro tip: Buy it in the tub – its much easier to use the spatula with and to use one handed
• Halo Bassinet and Extra Sheet(s). A bassinet is one of those items that you only use for a few months but having a nice one is really worth it. I didn’t use the vibrate or music feature on this at all but did use the light. The swivel capabilities on this are amazing and the single post base makes it great for small spaces.
  • Pro tip: Get two extra sheets. You will appreciate not having to stress about not having another spare when you have to put the first spare on
• Gerber kimono shirt. Loved these! So easy to get on and off. We used these for many of the first months.
• Carters footed 2-way zip pajamas. Get the zippers – the 2-way zippers! I will never understand the people on “Team Snaps”, zippers are the way to go.
  • Pro tip: These often come in fleece and cotton. The fleece is quite warm so make sure it’s appropriate for the weather and time of year
• Gerber newborn pants. We used these for several months as well and bought the next size up too!
• Halo Sleepsack Swaddle. We tried numerous swaddles and I read endless reviews. These were the winner and have a reasonable price compared to some other brands. The velcro is secure and provides a great swaddle for baby. These also come in fleece and cotton. I strongly recommend the cotton as the fleece is quite warm.
  1. Pro tip: Buy at least two, three is probably better. You want extras for blow out situations, especially when they are really young
  2. Extra Pro tip: Buy 2-way zippers. Unfortunately Halo’s quality control and product description isn’t great so the only way I have found to determine this is via the photos. If you look at photo, the two way zippers have a small triangular tab at the top closure; the one way zippers do not. I find that the solid colors typically are 2-way and the solids have the best material (some of the patterns had too much stretch too them making the swaddle less effective)
  3. Extra Extra Pro tip: Read the size chart. Make sure that you are using the appropriate size for safety and most effectiveness. There are swaddle options without swaddle arms that are an option as they get older. When transitioning out of the swaddle you can also just swaddle one arm or place the arms snuggly around the belly with arms out which are all great options and makes these versatile.
• Pack n Play with changing pad if you have a living space on a different floor than the nursery/baby’s main area
  • Consider a mini diaper pail for beside this as well. Life changing for us (keeps the smell down and minimizes extra trips upstairs).
• BABY BJÖRN Bouncer. The best place to set baby down. No need for a plug or fancy electronic swing, this baby is compact, light, easy to move and baby loves it. This is probably my most favorite newborn item.
  • Pro tip: If you really like this, buy an extra cover for when the inevitable poop situations happen.
• Solly wrap. Loved this wrap. It was so great for the newborn phase, especially before babe has great head control.
• Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack. This item is continuously helpful throughout all stages of the kiddo’s life. In the newborn phase it is a place to put pacifiers, bottles, nipples, pump parts and more. As they grow the bottles, straw cup parts, pacifiers, snack cups, all of it. It can easily fit a full dishwasher load of baby items – Basically anything that you have cleaned or sterilized needs a place to go and this dries so effectively and has many accessories to allow for vertical use of space as well. There are many colors and sizes/shapes to choose from to fit each space perfectly. Here are my favorites accessories:”Flat flower” (Great for smaller pump parts (membranes, duckbill valves) and straw cup parts especially.
  • “High petal” flower (Great for straws from cups and pump parts)
  • Twig Tree (Great for pacifiers and teethers)
  • Here are my *My favorite of the favorites* bundled (drying rack, twig and flat flower stem)
  • Pro tip: Make sure you clean this (or any drying rack) regularly
• Phillips Avent Pacifiers
• Muslim style burp cloths
• Fisher price bathtub with newborn sling insert and seat. This is great for use on the countertop (which we did for several weeks) and in the tub. It’s not huge (unfortunately not collapsible) but I think the sling and seat options trump that feature, and it has so many options to grow with baby’s current size and sitting abilities.
  • Pro tip: Continue to use the tub until baby truly will not fit any longer – it saves water (ie: the planet and money) and time in filling up the whole tub each night
• Aden and Anais Washcloths (You cannot have enough washcloths. We use them for bath time but also for after meal clean up when babe starts solids. Start slow but a total number near 16-20 may be useful in the future)
  • Pro tip: We have enough items (ie: towels, washcloths, onesies) to make it 4-5 days without doing laundry. Once the poop messes slow down (approximately around 6 months), a twice a week laundry schedule for baby items was totally feasible for us. This saves water and time for the big people of the household)
• Hooded towels. We have 4, to be able stick with our twice a week laundry schedule
• Boppy pillow. Be sure to get one with a removable, washable cover.
• Skip Hop Activity Mat. This mat is great. Reasonably priced, great features like a removable mirror and a nice base that can be used as a blanket when baby is larger)If you want to splurge, the Lovevery Play Gym looks amazing and has spectacular reviews.
• Whoozit Toy
• Nail Dremmel. This type of tool is awesome and makes nail care so much easier and less stressful. There are so many available and all have about 4.5 stars. The link is the one we use and liked so much.
• Black and White Farm Animals Book
• Kinsa Digital Thermometer. I love this thermometer because it is just reliable easy to read. And that is what you need when your little one isn’t feeling well.
• Puracy Laundry Stain Remover Spray. This laundry spray is magic. The best tip to getting stains out is honestly washing them as soon as possible, but this spray is so helpful even if that doesn’t happen. It’s made from plant-based ingredients which is a plus!

There you have it! My go to items for the newborn phase/first month of life. What was your favorite item? One of these or something else we should know about? Let us know in the comments below.

Let’s talk soon,
Al

All the items in this post we purchased and have used in our household, without incentives.