Truth be told, there are SO many baby things out there. I made jokes this time around that in the first few weeks, baby only need diapers and a boob, ha! (or bottle if that’s your thing!) But really, what is actually needed for baby?? As a second-time mom, I’ve definitely learned a thing or two about what newborn essentials are truly essential.
Also, the majority of what I share below has lasted through TWO babies! We are saving all of it for if we have a third, too!
Whether you’re a first-time parent seeking guidance or a fellow second-time mom looking to streamline your baby gear and cut-through the overwhelm and declutter, I’m here to help! Here are my top recommendations for must-have items, based on real-life experience, that you and your little one will benefit from in their first couple of months! Let’s get started!
Soothing Newborn Essentials:
Snuggle Me Organic lounger: The MVP. We used this in our girl’s bassinet, on the couch, on the bed, on the floor. Whenever we needed to set them down for a second. So cozy for them to nestle up in. I love that they can’t roll in it, especially as newborns! Add it to your newborn essentials list FOR SURE!
Pacifiers: Do you say binky or pacifier? I’m a ‘binky’ girly. Anyways, our second daughter LOVES a good bink. These were her favorites! Another option are these cute ‘Daisy’ paci’s, too!
Paci clip – Because babies like to spit their binks out.. this helps them not travel too far ha!
Gentle Baby essential oil + diffuser: We diffused this around both of our girl’s the second they were born! A beautiful, light, gentle blend created from plants to help babe’s relax and rest.
Diapering Newborn Essentials:
See my post here on my must-have clean, non-tox baby products!
Changing pad – We went with aesthetically beautiful rattan one, and while it worked for us, if I could go back, I’d get one like this. Practical and easy to clean!
Coterie diapers – Babies are in diapers 24/7, rubbing against their gentle and vulnerable precious skin. Finding a very clean brand was so important for me, and I didn’t mind paying a little more to accommodate that. Coterie diapers are at the top of our newborn essentials list because they are SO soft, made without 200+ ingredients found in other diaper brands, and are majority plant-based. The absorption is also fantastic vs other brands we tried.
Use code DIXON for 20% off of your order of $40+! (Subscription program also available for savings!)
Seedlings wipes – Our favorite wipes ever! Clean, gentle, and powerful. They also double as wipes for faces and dirty hands as baby grows! Plant-based, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and formulated without chlorine, alcohol, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic dyes!
Seedlings diaper rash cream – The diaper rash cream of my dreams. Over the counter certified, helps to relieve, treat, and prevent diaper rash while being made with 100% naturally derived ingredients. Formulated without lanolin, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic colorants!
(For ALL Seedlings products there is a subscription program available for savings, free products, + free product credits! Use code SHAREYL for 10% off of your first 50+ PV order.)
Sleeping Newborn Essentials:
Newton bassinet/bedside sleeper – An item I wish we had on our first newborn essentials list! We love this because it’s 100% BREATHABLE! Giving me SO much peace of mind. It is also washable, has a very large surface for a growing baby, and comfortable! Use code B950 for $50 off!
Bamboo zipper footies – Zipper everythinggg for the in! Especially 2-way zippers! It’s the easiest access for changing. We LOVE this bamboo brand, the thicker quality material – they have also lasted through both girls for us! Another plus is they have a built-in flap for easy diaper checks, and optional built-in footies and mittens!
Bamboo baby gowns – The ONLY time I don’t mind button-down is for newborns aka when they’re like little potatoes that don’t roll for diaper changes. We love these ones because again, super functional, so soft, quality is top tier!
Bamboo swaddles – Super thin, incredibly soft, and stretchy swaddles, my husband – the swaddle king – loves!
Owlet – Okay another item that we wish we had with our first! It truly put my mom mind at ease. I swear I was checking on my first daughter every hour, and using this sock I have SO much peace of mind! Truly a fave on our newborn essentials checklist!
Use code CHELSEADIXONSCHWABLOWLET25 for $25 off!
Sound machine – It has lasted, it has a cute little projector on top and several different mode options. There are much cooler, more expensive ones, but we have enjoyed this one and it has worked well for what we need!
Traveling Newborn Essentials:
Baby car camera – This should be at the top of your newborn essentials list! You’ll never want to use another baby mirror again in the car! Instead of having to look in your rearview, you can literally just look to the right and bam, see your baby on the camera! It sticks right to your windshield! So simple, so convenient! We have loved this item for both of our girls.
Nuna carseat – I researched carseats a TON when pregnant. Ultimately we chose this one for the safety ratings AND how light it is (the car seat itself is only 6lbs!). It doesn’t hurt that it’s also so aesthetically beautiful with different colors to choose from! The inserts are all washable, and are so soft and comfortable for baby. We have been SO beyond pleased with how well this has held up with both of our girls, too.
Uppababy stroller with bassinet feature – Another essential that I did a TON of research on. The details are everything – a bassinet feature for baby. We loved this and even used the bassinet it in the house when needed. It rides so smooth, has a 5-point harness on the seat, an extendable canopy, a HUGE storage space underneath, and we LOVE that it is able to grow with your family. It can accommodate up to THREE kids! SO worth the splurge. (Oh, and it’s aesthetically beautiful, too!)
Stroller organizer – If you’re like me and carry 1-3 beverages with you at all times, you’ll love this. You just strap it around the top handle, and it has space for your drinks, bottles, keys, phone, everything! It’s like a purse for your stroller.
Portable changing pad – We use this everywhere. Too lazy to walk upstairs to change baby? Throw down the portable changing pad! Then we toss it into the diaper bag when we head out. Super easy to wipe clean, or throw in the washer.
Sound machine – This stays HOOKED onto our baby’s carseat. A must have, especially if baby needs help settling into car rides.
If you’re looking for more in-depth travel tips for an older baby, check this blog post out!
Nursing Newborn Essentials:
*note – I exclusively breastfeed! So I don’t dive into the best bottles, warmers, etc. We borrowed a couple from our sister-in-law for when I need to be away from baby for more than a few hours at a time!
Breastfeeding Boppy pillow – Just, yes. Fits perfectly around you so that baby can be propped up. Alleviates the strain on your arm, helps protect your back, and makes nursing overall more comfortable!
Burp cloths – You just never know if you’re going to have a reflux baby! Our first daughter NEVER spit up and I honestly questioned whey we even had burp cloths. Then with our second, we couldn’t grab them fast enough.. helps to wipe up milk dribbles too!
See my breastfeeding essentials here!
Also, my clogged milk duct remedies!
Clothing Newborn Essentials:
Onesies with mittens – NEEDED! Baby’s nails are SO sharp. Our poor daughter gave herself a BIG scratch on her face when she was 2 days old. They just love to have their sweet little hands by their face!
No scratch velcro mittens – In case you have onesies or cute outfits without mittens!
Velcro booties – Baby’s little toes get so cold, and a lot of socks just fall on off – get the velcro booties!
Activity Newborn Essentials:
Bouncer – Super practical! It has 2 automatic bounce speeds that mimic your natural movements, has white noise, nature sounds, 11 melodies, noise volume control, and a little toy bar! Also machine washable. Here is another option by the same brand that people also love!
Baby carrier – I loved the EASE of putting baby in this carrier. The material is SO soft, it has adjustable seat and head support, and I loved how it gently cradled my girls. It’s also easy to travel with, and machine washable!
Bathing Newborn Essentials:
See my post here on my must-have clean, non-tox baby products!
Baby bath seat – This was so cozy! Only downside is you have to hang it up to dry – we just hung it in the shower!
Baby bath tub – We used this one for our second and we loved it! Securely keeps your baby seated, has a nice soft cushion, washes and dries easily!
Seedlings baby shampoo & wash – Non-toxic products are SO important to me. We LOVE the Seedlings line. Clean, tear-free formula, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic – allll of the things! Free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic dyes! And it smells SO good!
Seedlings baby lotion – I told ya, we love this baby line sooo much! Gentle, plant based, non-greasy, with a calming scent for baby. I love how hydrated this leaves my babe’s skin! Dermatologist tested, and formulated without silicones, formaldehyde carriers, PEGs, mineral oil, most common allergens, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or artificial dyes/colorants. Hallelujahhh!
Baby wash cloths – We love these organic cotton option – muslin on one side, soft terry cloth on the other!
Baby towel – THE softest. Also very good sized so it grows with baby – and look how cute the bear hood is!
Seedlings baby oil – The best for cradle cap! Non-greasy, very nourishing, has a light, calm scent with lavender, geranium, coriander, bergamot, and ylang ylang essential oils. Formulated without alcohol, parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or synthetic dyes.
(For ALL Seedlings products there is a subscription program available for savings, free products, + free product credits! Use code SHAREYL for 10% off of your first 50+ PV order.)
Wellness Newborn Essentials:
Baby basics kit – The best all-in-one kit! For baby snot, gas relief, nail clipping, and a brush for dry skin/cradle cap! We used each one – and still use the baby snot sucker CONSTANTLY! A newborn essential, to toddler and beyond!
Tummygize – Our favorite oil to help soothe our babies tummies. A gentle blend of ginger, tangerine, fennel, and other essential oils – pre-diluted with coconut oil. We used this on our girls when they were days old, one drop on their feet (acupressure point for digestion) to help get them moving! After their little cord stump fell off, we put one drop on their tummies, massaged around their belly button!
ALL YL baby faves – A shortcut link to alllll of my baby faves by one of our most loved brands! Remember – Subscription program also available for savings, free products, + free product credits! Use code SHAREYL for 10% off of your first 50+ PV order.
MORE Newborn Essentials:
ALL AMAZON baby faves – A shortcut link to alllllll of my Amazon baby faves/newborn essentials, in one spot!
Then if you need help prepping postpartum essentials, this one is for you!
There you have it, mama! I hope this helps! With these must-have newborn essentials, you’re equipped to embrace every precious moment and cherish the journey ahead. Here’s to many cuddles, giggles, and milestones as you navigate (or continue to navigate) the beautiful adventure of parenthood!
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