Hey girl, today let's chat about the most essential things a newborn baby needs.
Trying to figure out what are the most essential things a newborn baby needs can be so daunting, and if you are anything like me you are scouring the internet to find out. But look no further!
As a mom of 4 myself and a home daycare provider for the last 8 years, I know exactly what are the most essential things a newborn baby needs.
You are going to learn about all the newborn essentials you need from baby clothes, nursery items, newborn feeding bottles, baby travel items, and more.
After hearing about all of these top baby must-haves, you will be extra prepared to welcome your new baby home.
Let's jump into the most essential things a newborn baby needs.
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Most Essential Things A Newborn Baby Needs
Congratulations Mama, on your new bundle of joy. This is such an exciting time.
If you have any questions or just need another mom friend to chat with, shoot me a message in the comments below. I will get back to you asap!
1. Car Seat
You can’t leave the hospital without properly buckling your newborn into a car seat.
I used the Graco brand for all the car seats, and later booster seats, that we needed.
They are a rockstar brand that concentrates on safety for your baby!
This one clicks into a stroller that I recommend a little further down.
2. Clothes and Booties
Keep your baby warm and cozy with some great clothes.
There was 1 brand that I could always count on to be true to size and that is Carters.
For little bootie slippers, I would recommend Zutano Booties.
They are machine washable and they have snaps.
Snaps last way longer than Velcro closures when you will be washing multiple times.
That took me a bit to figure out.
3. Diapers
You are going to want to choose diapers that you can trust to do their job even though the biggest poop explosions.
Huggies diapers are the best for this.
I have experienced many different kinds of diapers being a daycare provider and no other brand has come close to working as great for me as Huggies does.
4. Wipes
When choosing wipes, you are going to want to go for ones that are gentle, fragrance-free, and get the job done.
Best for your baby's tushie and your wallet!
Huggies Natural Care wipes do just that.
They are mostly a use one wipe and your baby is clean unless your baby has that poop explosion.
5. Diaper Rash Cream
I am hoping you can escape diaper rash with your baby, but I wouldn’t bank on it.
All my kids and daycare kids had it at some point.
The best diaper rash cream is Desitin. Gets baby butts back to soft and smooth in no time.
6. Baby Blankets
Your baby just came from 9 months of being snuggled up and warm. They still want this so have some blankets on hand.
Don’t go crazy with buying these. With all 4 of my babies, I got blankets as a baby gift.
We had so many blankets that I was able to share with my neighbor and one of my sisters.
7. Swaddle Blanket
Not only is your baby going to love these swaddle blankets, but you will too when you realize they will help your baby sleep better!
These will wash up well for you also.
I loved using these swaddle blankets so much that I give them as baby gifts now.
8. Crib
This crib is close to the one that my kiddos used. It is holding up so well that my sister is using it now too.
I didn’t have a bassinet and I didn’t miss it.
We have a smaller house and thought our money could be better spent on other baby items, like diapers and wipes.
There are other items you will need to complete the crib such as waterproof mattress pads (2 of them), and crib sheets (2 of them).
9. Diaper Bag
Whether you are running errands or visiting family and friends, you are going to need to bring things along for your newborn.
Carry it all in a diaper bag. This backpack-style bag works so great and it frees up both of your hands to help your baby.
Just a tip for making things easier for you, slide your wallet and any other of your essential items into the diaper bag to save on you carrying more bags than you have to.
Or worse yet, forgetting a bag somewhere!
10. Baby Bottles
At some point, you will need bottles for your newborn. I love NUK bottles.
They have different-sized nipples for you to choose from (I would choose the smooth flow ones), a temperature indicator right on the bottles now, and anti-colic air vents to help reduce colic, gas, and spit-up.
11. Formula
If you plan to formula feed your newborn, you are going to want the best formula you can get.
We used Similac and it worked so well.
I did both breastfeeding and used formula, so whichever way you choose to go, I 100% support you!
12. Burp Cloths
Stock up on a package or 2 of burp cloths, you never know how much your baby will spit-up.
These burp cloths are absorbent and last.
I have used them with my own 4 kids and 6 other daycare babies and they still look great.
13. Bibs
When looking for bibs, look for ones with snap closures.
Velcro wears out after multiple washing.
And the ones with strings always seem to come undone quickly.
14. Bath Time
When it comes time to give your newborn a bath you are going to want a few items on hand - washcloths, bath soap, lotion, and a health and grooming kit.
15. Thermometer
Unfortunately, your baby will become sick sometime and you will need to take his temperature.
You don’t have to try and hold your baby still and take his temp at the same time.
16. Stroller
Get out and about with your baby with this stroller.
You can buy the infant car seat I talked about above and this stroller as a combo.
It is the Graco FastAction Stroller and Snugride Car Seat.
The mega tires help for a smooth ride for your baby and easy pushing for you.
It folds up nice to fit in your car too.
If you are in the market for pushing 2 kiddos around, this double stroller is the one you need!
I tell everyone about this stroller and would buy it again if I had to.
You can walk with it, run with it, and it is like pushing a cloud even on grass.
17. Sound Machine
To help your baby get better sleep, and so you don't have to tiptoe through your home while he is sleeping, grab this sound machine.
I used it mostly for my daycare babies and wow, what a difference it made.
18. Newborn Carrier
Free up your hand and snuggle your baby at the same time with a newborn carrier.
Seriously, I got so much more done using a carrier.
This newborn carrier has great back support for you, which you will need as your baby grows.
19. Pacifier
Not all babies will take a pacifier, nor do all parents want their newborns to use one.
But if you do, your baby will better accept it if it matches the bottles you plan to use.
3 of my 4 kiddos used NUK pacifiers. That 4th little nugget was content without one.
20. Dresser
Besides a closet, a dresser is a great place to store your newborn’s clothes and blankets.
I love ours because it was just a tad shorter so it doubled as a nightstand.
So helpful when we got up in the middle of the night with our babies.
21. Hangers
Before having kids, I had no idea there were smaller hangers for kids’ clothes.
But girl, there are and they are worth it!
22. Night Light
You are going to want multiple night lights around your house.
Bright enough ones so you can see what you are doing but not so bright that they are like a lamp.
They are so helpful during night feedings.
23. Breast Pump
Do you plan to breastfeed? Then, mama, you will need a breast pump!
Preferably before you have your baby.
When my milk came in, I was so full that my boobs were rock-hard. Which made it so my babies couldn’t even latch on.
It was so helpful to use the pump to relieve enough pressure so they were able to nurse.
24. Milk Storage Bags
And if you are going to pump, you will need these milk storage bags.
I loved these. I never had 1 leak, they could be laid flat to freeze, and then they were easy to stack and save space in your freezer.
Helpful tip: keep a list of how much milk you have in the freezer.
It will make it easier for you to reach your breastfeeding goal, and to know when you can stop.
25. Laundry Soap
You will be doing a lot more laundry with a newborn in the house.
This is the best fragrance-free laundry soap for the price.
26. Baby Toys
As your baby grows, she is going to want to explore the world around her. Help her out by having a few books and toys on hand.
These crinkle books, board book series, and rattles have been fan favorites over the rest of the newborn toys I have at my house.
I know your baby will love them too.
27. Pack and Play
Planning to travel with your newborn? You will need a pack and play for your newborn to sleep in.
I have 2 of them, since I do daycare, and they are both the same brand – Graco.
They have been put up and taken down every weekday for years and are still going strong.
This post was all about the most essential things a newborn baby needs.
Leave me a comment below if you have any questions about your baby or if you just want to chat.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.