New baby must haves
As you may be building your baby registry I hope that you consider the most important preparation you can do is prepare for your postpartum, both emotionally and by setting up practical support. Of course babies do need a few things as well. This is a list of my most recommended baby and postpartum items to add to your registry. The following is not a complete list of everything you’ll need, some things are obvious like a crib, diapers, diaper bag, etc. This is a list of thing you may not have thought of or to help you decide when there are too many options. Remember though, with delivery services like Amazon you don’t need to stock up on everything all at once. Every baby is different and what works for one does not mean it will work for all, so it is also practical to wait and see what your baby’s particular needs are and order it to be delivered, sometimes next day, is totally an option.
A note about Amazon: I highly recommend putting everything you may need or want on an Amazon Baby Registry (even if you add things after your shower) because you will receive a 15% completion discount on most items purchased from your registry, as well as an extended one year return window so whatever you don’t open and end up using you can return within a year. Plus, you’ll get a box of freebies! You’ll also save money on frequently purchased items, like diapers, wipes, cream, etc., through subscribe & save. Also, grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh is life changing! (No, I do not work for Amazon, but yes, I do give them all my money).
Baby clothes
Babies are so tiny when they come out but they grow so fast! Within a couple weeks they’ll likely be outgrowing the newborn size so don’t stock up too much on that size. Though you may want a few cute (yet practical) things as they are likely to be swimming in size 0-3 months in the beginning.
Footed zipper pajamas with mitten cuffs- Please please don’t complicated things for yourself, forget the buttons! No matter how often you clip your baby’s fingernails they will still manage to scratch themselves. Mitts can easily fall off or squeeze on the wrist, opt for built-in mitts instead. Same goes for socks, they are guaranteed to slip off, I repeat, opt for built-in. Extra bonus if you stock up on ones with a double zipper so you can keep baby’s upper body covered for all those diaper changes you’ll be doing.
Organic cotton white onsies - For baby’s comfort you’ll want to dress them in however many layers you are comfortable in, plus one layer. This is where your white onsies come in, and as it is the layer closest to your baby’s sensitive skin, I like to go organic.
Feeding
Bottles with a sloped cone shaped nipple - Some brands include Lansinoh, Pigeon, Evenflo Balance, and Joovy Boob. This nipple shape is best for breastfed baby’s and also best for your baby’s oral development. Also, an acceptable nipple shape are narrow nipples, like Dr. Brown narrow. Always choose a slow flow nipple like P or newborn.
Burp rags - More than you think you’ll need. You’ll want to stash these things everywhere, bedroom, livingroom, stroller, diaper bag…
Easy pour and self standing breastmilk storage bags - Like Motif - There is such a thing as crying over spilled milk, minimizes your chances.
Diapering
Wipe clean changing pad - Skip the kind that uses fabric covers, it’s likely to get messy at every change. I like the Peanut or Skip hop.
Disposable changing pads - These are great for throwing in the diaper bag, stocking in a diaper caddy, and middle of the night changes so you don’t have to leave the bed. Also handy to line the stroller and carseat to protect against leaks and blow-outs.
Weighted wipes dispenser - Easily grab a wipe with one hand as you hold your squirming baby with the other. I like OXO or any similar product.
Diaper caddy - I’m a big fan of having a portable changing station so you can have all the necessities at arms reach no matter which room you are in. Keep it stocked with diapers, wipes, creams, disposable pads, burp rags, a change of clothing, and a few snack bars for you. Convenient in the livingroom during the day and move to bedside for middle of the night changes so you don’t have to leave your bed.
Consider a wipes alternative - Wipes are convenient but they are also often loaded with chemicals, you may consider an alternative of using a cream cleanser like Le Petite Creme. Add a squirt to a reusable or disposable cloth and wipe as usual. The benefit is that it is made of all natural ingredients that leaves a protective layer over your baby’s bottom, eliminating the need for Aquaphor or other cream. The price is comparable with that of using Water Wipes and Aquaphor.
Sleep
Bedside bassinet - SIDS prevention recommendations are for your baby to sleep in the same room as you for the first 6 months, on a firm separate sleep surface. For easy nighttime feeds and peace of mind you’ll likely want your baby right next to you as you sleep. I like to recommend using a bedside bassinet with mesh sides for easy airflow and to minimize suffocation risk if your baby moves around at night. I also like to recommend, if it works for you, trying to stay in bed during those nighttime wakes. If your baby, diaper caddy, glass of water, everything you need, are right there next to you, you can more easily wake, feed, change, and get back to sleep.
Dimmable nightlight/lamp with red light and white noise - In order to keep baby sleepy so they go back to sleep after their nighttime feeds you’ll want to keep the lighting low and using red light is minimally stimulating. I’m also a fan of condensing products into as few as possible so getting a light with built-in white noise reduces your bedside clutter and number of outlets needed. There are a billion options to choose from but one parent favorite is Hatch, which also has features that grow with your child.
Blackout curtains - Keep that nighttime sleep environment dark. The least stimulating the enviroment the better.
A quality sleep mask for you to grab all the daytime winks you can - I love this one from Amazon ( https://a.co/d/eayGhke )
Canopy Humidifier - I have always hated how humidifiers get moldy so quickly and are often hard to clean, which is why I am a big fan of the Canopy humidifier. It uses anti mold technology, a serious filter to clean the air, and has dishwasher safe parts for easy cleaning. It also has a feature to defuse essential oils.
Miscellaneous
Muslin swaddle blankets - I love the versatility of these lightweight and breathable blankets. Use them to swaddle your baby, I like that you can wrap your baby many different ways so you can find what is just right for their preferences. Lay a blaket on the floor or sofa for tummy time, drape over the stroller or carseat for extra sunshade, use as a nursing cover, at hand burp rag, roll up and place under baby’s chest during tummy time…the uses are endless.
One or two “baby parking spots” - DockATot, Snuggle Me Organic, Moses basket, bouncer seat, somewhere to safely put your baby down where they won’t roll away. Yes, even newborns can surprise you with an unexpected flop, so always putting baby down in a safe place when you need your hand free is a good idea. Remember thought, that it is not recommended to let baby sleep while unsupervised in any of these products.
Swing with a big sway - One such “parking spot” may be a swing, like the Graco Simple Sway. I mention this separately because, for some parents, this is a life saver that they may have tried to avoid due to the larger footprint. It may be a good idea to wait for this purchase until you see what your baby’s personality is like, some baby’s don’t like the swing and some love it. Personally, I was one such parent who tried to avoid the swing but it ended up absolutely essential!
Round shaped, one piece pacifiers - To be clear, the round part I’m referring to is the part the baby sucks on. Ones that allows baby’s tongue to wrap around it are best for their oral development. Also, ones that are made from a single mold are most sanitary as they don’t have cracks for bacteria to hide. Tommee Tippee ultra-light, Nanobebe, and Phylips Avent are a few examples.
Baby wraps and carriers - There are so many options for carriers out there. You many want to have both a multi-position structured carrier for carrying while out and about, like Ergo Baby 360, and a fabric wrap style for kangaroo carrying while home, like Boba, Moby, etc. I love to recommend promoting both skin to skin and baby wearing with a newborn, as both have such great benefits for both you and baby. However you carry, please be sure you are wearing the carrier properly using the T.I.C.K.S. check. Making sure baby’s body it snuggly Touching yours, their face is In-sight at all times, their head is Close enough to kiss, Keep their chin off chest to be sure their airway is clear, and they have a Supported back in it’s natural rounded position.
