Newborn List of Essentials

Want to rock postpartum life and actually enjoy your newborn? This newborn list of essentials includes everything you need to care for baby and make her transition into the world more comfortable. That means less crying, a peaceful baby and more sleep for you both! Item #1 is a game changer.

The Postpartum Period

The postpartum period is hard on mom. But it’s just as hard on baby! Imagine going from your warm, comfortable world, the only world you know, and being squeezed into a new, bright, cold space.

Breathing changes. The way baby eats and gets nutrition changes. Her world changes. It’s a lot to understand. Not to mention, the actual labor process is just as much work for baby as it is for mom. Baby plays a huge role in turning, contorting and moving down into the birth canal so she can fit through and be birthed.

Being birthed is hard work! That’s why baby sleeps for the first several hours of life outside the womb.

Baby doesn’t even ”wake up“ or realize she isn’t in mom’s belly for a few months. That’s why a lot of people refer to this time period as the fourth trimester. Baby is born but you’re still very much connected. This newborn list of essentials will make life so much easier for baby and you. But number one is the biggest game changer.

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1. Skin-to-skin

One of the best things you can do for baby in the postpartum period is something you don’t even need to buy. It’s skin-to-skin.

Since baby thinks she’s still in the womb, yet confused by her cold, new world, mom’s comfort is the best thing you can give her. There’s a list of health advantages to skin-to-skin. It stabilizes breathing and blood sugar, regulates body temperature and increases bonding and breastfeeding. This is especially true if you do at least an hour of skin-to-skin after birth.

Once baby’s home, skin-to-skin provides amazing comfort. Baby recognizes mom’s smell and familiar heartbeat. She smells your milk and knows you’re her mom and provider. It promotes instant peace and lessens crying.

At the very least, keep baby skin-to-skin when nursing to promote bonding, latching and less fussiness.

2. Swaddles

When baby isn’t skin-to-skin, she loves being swaddled. Studies show that babies love being swaddled in those first few months. The closeness of the blanket and having her arms and legs tucked reminds her of being in the womb.

Swaddles also prevent the startle reflex. Baby’s are born with the Moro reflex. When baby’s are startled or jolted awake, they suddenly extend their arms and legs out in front of them.

This jolting will wake them up, often. For snugness and comfort and the startle reflex, swaddles are a must to include on your newborn list of essentials.

The trouble with swaddles is there are TONS of different options. It may take some trial and error to see which swaddle you and baby like best.

Register for a few different options to try once baby is born. You can always return them later!

Types of swaddles

Traditional Swaddle

Lots of moms turn to traditional swaddles. Some moms master the tight swaddle right away.

The Aiden and Anais muslim swaddles are so great. They have tons of cute prints! The material is light weight and comfortable and stretches to swaddle baby. Plus, when baby doesn’t need them anymore, use them as blankets, burp clothes and so on!

A Sleep Sack

The Halo sleep sack is super popular. It’s just like a wearable blanket that keeps baby warm and her arms and torso snug.

It’s super easy to swaddle baby with this!

It also grows with baby because you can release one arm at a time to transition baby out of the swaddle. Or use it as a blanket by keeping baby’s arms free and torso wrapped. (Blankets aren’t recommended until at least 1.)

A Weighted Sleep Sack

The Nested Bean Swaddle is amazing for babies who sleep better being held or in your arms. The Zen Swaddle has lightly-weighted pads on the sides and chest to mimic baby being held.

SwaddleMe

The SwaddleMe has an adjustable velcro swaddle is so easy to use! Even baby escape artists can’t get out.

You can easily slip baby’s legs out for diaper changes.

Love to Dream Swaddle

The Love to Dream Swaddle is great for two reasons. It’s easy to zipper and keep baby swaddled from the startle reflex. It also allows baby to keep her hands up by her face and self sooth by sucking on her fingers and hands. It’s the only swaddle that both swaddles and allows for this!

3. White noise machine

White noise has two amazing benefits. The first is it soothes baby. It reminds them of being in the womb. In fact, a lot of babies have trouble sleeping when it’s TOO quiet! With digestion, your heartbeat, body and outside noises, womb life is really loud. Copy that noise and allow baby to sleep better with white noise.

Secondly, white noise is great for keeping other noise out. Once baby’s more alert, the last thing you want is your dog, doorbell ringing, or older children to wake her up.

A white noise machine is a must! Most families use them well into toddler years.

4. Newborn and size 1 diapers

The hospital gives you diapers in their hospital postpartum essentials kit for mom. But you need lots of them!

It’s great to have both options ready at home because you never know how big baby actually is until she’s born.

Amazon Prime is a GREAT item to have on your newborn list of essentials. Not only can you get quick delivery on most newborn items and food, but you can put things like diapers on a subscription. Never run out and never think about ordering or buying them again! Use this link to get 20% off your diaper subscription.

Click here to get a free 30 day trial.

5. Night light

Having a small night light is so nice for middle of the night tasks. You don’t want to turn on your blinding ceiling lights or try to fumble around in the dark.

Grab a small night light to use for nighttime feedings and changes.

6. Gripe water

Gripe water is a all-natural supplement you can give to baby if you think she has tummy troubles. The herbs relieve gas, colic, fussiness and hiccups.

Use them instead of gas medication for a natural remedy.

7. Baby clothes

What you choose to put baby in as a newborn is totally up you. Some mamas dress their baby in a cute outfit everyday. Some mamas stick to just a sleeper. No matter what you do, you have to have clothes to dress baby.

Depending on the time of year baby’s born will change how many layers you dress her. Baby isn’t good at regulating her own temperature for a while, so you have to make sure she stays warm.

Grab lots of hats, socks, onesies, and sleepers. The more you grab, the less laundry you’ll have to do. So add lots to your registry!

Pssst – the ultimate mom hack is to only get sleeper with zippers!!

8. Nail clippers

Baby’s nails grow surprisingly fast! In fact, you may notice that baby’s born with long nails, so you might want to pack clippers or a nail file in your hospital bag.

It’s nice to have newborn-specific nail clippers because they’re less sharp and more gentle.

If you’re worried about cutting baby’s nails, you can grab this nifty tool. Or most newborn grooming kits come with clippers.

9. Diaper rash cream

As a newborn, baby’s skin is so sensitive and prone to diaper rash. It’s always good to have a tube or two on hand so you don’t run out.

Bourdeaux’s butt paste is the best. It has a higher zinc oxide to heal diaper rash quickly. It’s also free from dyes, preservatives, parabens and talc.

10. Clean laundry soap

Baby’s need their own laundry soap.

Again! Baby’s skin is SO sensitive. Chemicals and other irritants can really bother baby’s skin. Harsh soaps also impact baby’s health. Her immune system is still learning and toxic chemical aren’t great for overall health. (They aren’t great for ours either.)

Related: The Best Registry for New Moms

So many mamas automatically turn to Dreft for their newborn laundry. It’s out of baby’s best interest. Turns out, Dreft actually contains so many harmful ingredients that can effect baby’s health in a big way. You can read more about it here.

The safest and cleanest alternatives include:

11. Baby Soap

Just like you need clean laundry soap for baby, clean baby soap is a must!

You won’t bathe baby too much those first few weeks or even months. Baby doesn’t get too dirty unless he has a blowout. Plus, any vernix left on baby is really moisturized.

When baby does need washed, use clean, safe ingredients to avoid toxicity, chemicals, and endocrine disrupters:

12. Baby ointment/Aquaphor

As you know, baby’s skin is super sensitive. Baby acne, dryness and cradle cap happen to most newborns. This ointment solves for all of these troubles. It’s also all natural and safe for baby’s fresh skin.

A lot of mamas like Aquaphor to keep on baby’s bottom to prevent diaper rash AND to make poop clean up faster. Especially when baby’s pooping dry, sticky meconium.

Aquaphor or Neosporin is needed if you’re having a boy and planning to circumcise. The ointment keeps the cut from drying out and aid in healing.

13. Nose sucker

Your child will be 4 before he learns to blow his nose, so a nose sucker will go a long way! This sucker is nicer than the hospital one because you can take it apart to clean.

Typically, the hospital gives you a blue bulb syringe for snot, and it works really well.

A lot of moms like this snot sucker. It seems super weird but works really well!

14. Crib or Bassinet

Decorating a nursery is really fun but typically, baby will sleep in your room for the first few months. Having baby room in makes nursing so much easier and is recommended up to 12 months by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Following sleep-safe guidelines for babies lessens the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There are a lot of different options for where baby can sleep: a bassinet, crib, cosleeper, or pack-n-play. During pregnancy, decide on where baby will sleep when you come home from the hospital.

15. Bottles

If you plan on breastfeeding, bottles aren’t something you’ll need for several months. You want your milk supply and breastfeeding to be well established before introducing anything like a paci or bottle. It can cause nipple confusion and interfere with nursing.

That doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared with bottles and register for them! Breastfed babies have more of a preference when it comes to bottles. Many nursing moms have success with the Comotomo bottles. You can see a review of the 8 best bottles for breastfed babies and the pros and cons here.

16. Car Seat

A car seat is one of the very few things you actually need for baby. You can get by without bottles or swaddles, but you NEED a car seat.

The hospital will double check you have one and some even make sure it’s properly installed. This is pretty much a must on your newborn list of essentials.

When it comes to choosing a car seat, there are tons of different options. Anywhere from a newborn seat to a seat that grows and changes with baby. What stroller you want may also impact your car seat choice.

Here’s a review of the best infant car seats to get you started.

Conclusion

When it comes to bringing baby home from the hospital, you don’t need much!

As long as you have milk, some clothes, a crib and somewhere for baby to sleep, you’re pretty much set! Although, there are some things that make newborn life a little bit easier. This newborn list of essentials covers all of your basics to make the first few weeks of newborn life easy.

Hello! I'm Miranda.

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