Newborn Essentials- Baby Products You’ll Want For Those First Four Months
My hope is that this will be a helpful list to first time mamas or anyone about to have a baby! Below are the items that were must haves for me and my friends! Since I’m writing this when my first born is 10+ months old, I figured I reach out to my other mama friends to get their input so I could put together the most helpful list possible! So thanks to all my friends who helped me with this post 🙂
Before Mackenzie arrived I had reached out to my cousins and friend who already had babies to ask what were the MUST HAVES before baby arrived. I’ll list things by category to help you since this is going to be a long, thorough list. If I leave anything out, let me know in the comments below! There is also a PDF at the end of this post for you to use as a checklist!
Sleep:
This was VITAL those first few months. We used this along with our Hatch Sound Machine during naps and at night. But it was also useful when we were in the car or out and about and needed Mackenzie to sleep. I recommend this to all my friends with newborns. There is an actual baby shusher you can purchase online or in store, but there’s also an app which you I found better because you can set it to go for 12 hours (overnight) instead of the actual baby shusher which will turn off after 15 or 30 minutes. We just used an old iPhone we had lying around as our baby shusher!
We have been using the Nanit Baby monitor since practically day 1. We would use it for naps during the day, but once Mackenzie was in her own room overnight and for naps this baby monitor was vital. I love this monitor because it tracks the time she fell asleep and woke up so I don’t have to keep track and those first four months are a BLUR and mom brain is real so for me it was so hard to keep track of the littlest things! We have the breathing bands and sleep sacks, but in all honestly they just never worked for us since she was always in a swaddle then merlin and then a sleep sack so it just never quite worked for us!
We used the Halo Bassinest Luxe Swivel Sleeper but there are many different halo bassinests at different price points. What I loved about this bassinet is it fit perfectly next to my side of the bed. One of the sides, when unlocked, bends down so it’s easy to pick your baby up out of the bassinet while you’re still in bed, which makes for easy night feedings. The model we have also has a nightlight, floor light, soothing vibration, and soothing sounds. We used this bassinet with peace of mind each night until she started moving and then we moved her to her crib, which was around 3 months.
Some of my friends highly recommended the SNOO. This is a very expensive bassinet, but you can rent it. I can’t speak from experience, but I have read reviews where people either love it or don’t find it useful. I would definitely look into renting as it’s a cheaper option and I’ve read that people sometimes only use it for 8 weeks or so.
There should be NOTHING in the bassinet or crib until your little one is at least 12 months old. The only thing you’ll need for safe sleep is a fitted sheet for your kids bassinet and/or crib. Our bassinet came with a fitted sheet, but i purchased a backup because there WILL be accidents and you’ll want an extra sheet to have on hand!
These swaddles were key for us. They made swaddling so EASY!
We love our Hatch Sound Machine. It’s so easy to control from your phone as long as you’re on the same network. There are tons of different sounds and you control the volume. It also works as a nightlight, which was key for me during those late night wake ups and feedings.
I definitely recommend not buying a ton of the same pacifier before you know which one your little one will take! This didn’t exist when I was pregnant, but I bought the Babylist Bottle Box and it was fantastic so I can imagine this pacifier box will be just as good! This way you’ll get a ton of different pacifiers to try out.
I actually brought this sound machine with us to the hospital and we used it every night we were there (until it died since we stayed longer than expected!) It’s a great on-the-go sound machine!
Feeding/Nursing
This has been used daily since Mackenzie arrived. I used this in the beginning for breast pump parts, but it then turned into how I wash Mackenzie’s bottles. It’s so easy to just load all her bottles and part in and set it and then in an hour they are clean and DRY. I think the important thing is, if you’re going to get one, make sure it has a drying function!
This is another bottle sterilizer/dryer that a friend of my has been using daily for almost an entire year!
This cover is so helpful when your little one’s is small and you’re out and about and want to provide some coverage while they are in their car seat. It can also be used as a nursing cover and grocery cart cover.
Boppy or Be My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow
This was so useful when holding your little one while they slept in your arms or for nursing! This boppy pillow provided a lot of support and it’s also good to use for when family and friends want to hold your little one.
I wish I had known about this nursing pillow before I owned 2 boppy pillows! I can’t speak from personal experience, but just the look of it seems to provide some extra support than the original boppy pillow. I have also seen lots of people on instagram rave about this one, so it’s definitely worth checking out!
Formula
I didn’t link any formula here because there are so many different types out there and it’s really all your preference. I do suggest having some formula in the house for when baby arrives because you just never know when your milk will come in or how breast feeding is truly going to go.
We got this bottle box and I highly recommend it. I read a lot before Mackenzie came about how some babies won’t take just any bottle so I didn’t want to invest in multiple bottles of one kind. This bottle box helped us to figure out which bottles we liked best and then I was able to purchase a number of bottles of the one or two brands she took best!
I’ve been using this oxo bottle brush since the beginning, but just recently purchased this boon bottle brush set and I love how there are all different size brushes for different parts! Whether your pumping or bottle feeding, you’ll want some bottle brush to clean everything!
I loved these burp cloths because they were thick and absorbed any spit up or milk. They also work as bibs since they have a curved side (love items that are multi-use)!
We have accumulated SOOOO many bibs in the last 10+ months, but I love these bandana style bibs. They are super absorbent and come in super cute prints.
Breast Pump & Accessories
If you are planning to breast feed and pump you should be able to get a breast pump through your insurance. Your doctor’s office should have the paperwork for you. A haakaa or breast milk collector is also super useful when nursing. Also, a nursing bra and nursing pads are very useful during those first few months.
These were the bags I used while pumping and storing breastmilk. Make sure you freeze them flat and then they’ll store nicely in your freezer!
If you plan to nurse, you’ll want to have some nipple cream at home. I’ve tried the Lansinoh Lanolin Cream and that bothered me so I switched to this Earth Mama Organics and I liked it much better. My recommendation is to have at least something at home.
Clothing
2 Way Zipper Onesies with Fold Over Mitts for Hands and Feet
I wish I had bought these Little Sleepie zippy pajamas when Mackenzie was a newborn. These bamboo pajamas are simply the most comfortable thing you can put your little one in. I love the 2 way zip for easy diaper changes and the hand and foot mitts, which are KEY for your little newborn.
We’ve been using these since Mackenzie was in the hospital. I love how EASY they make getting your little one dressed and undressed. The smaller sizes come with hand mitts and they are so much better than using the newborn mittens that never stay on.
The jury is still out for me on newborn gowns since I never really found them convenient. When buying gowns, make sure they are super stretchy because that really does make a difference. I also found them to be different to use when swaddling Mackenzie, but I know people love dressing their newborns in them so it may be something you might find useful.
When your little one is born, you want to keep their heads warm, so even though Mackenzie was born in the summer we tried to put a hat on her as much as possible those first few months. I found these copper pearl hats to be super stretchy and comfortable for her.
Bath, Diapers, & Creams
Another baby product we’ve been using since the beginning. I like how this tub can be used at many different stages. The sling was great when she was a newborn and before she could sit up on her own. Then she was able to sit up more in the sling, and lastly she now just sits in the whale tub all on her own without the sling. It’s worked out great for us.
I’ve only ever used this Burt’s Bees Baby shampoo and wash and Babyganics Foaming shampoo and body wash. I liked both, but prefer the Burt’s Bees over Babyganics.
This was something I had heard many people talk about before Mackenzie was even here so I purchased one and I’ve definitely used it when I notice she’s a little stuffy. It’s definitely something handy to have around.
You could definitely also just take on of these from the hospital! (take ANYTHING they’ll give you, we took home almost a whole suitcase full of stuff!)
I like this brand specifically because they are super thick and soft!
You heard it here first, but SKIP the baby sized towels because you’ll only be using them for a short while before needing to buy bigger towels. Start with the toddler towels which will keep your little one super cozy and then a couple of months later you won’t need to purchase bigger ones! Other companies that have great toddler sized towels are pottery barn kids and copper pearl.
I have gone through a LOT of different diapers before landing on these. It’s completely personal preference and what fits your baby best. Take as many as they’ll let you from the hospital!
Another area which I have tested many brands and types, but this is the number one recommended diaper cream from my pediatrician and I really do think it works best!
I also loved having this on hand for when her skin was dry, but those first few weeks and months your baby’s skin will be the softest and your doctor will tell you the peeling is normal and to leave it alone and I definitely would listen to them!
I have been using these wipes since day one and I’ve never had any issues with them!
Play
I love how well made this play mat is and the design of it is so great and really grows with your child. As they get older there’s more for them to interact and engage with.
This play mat is another highly recommended play mat that some of my friends have used and loved.
A swing can be a great place to put baby down in for a little, especially if they like the motion. I feel like it was hit or miss with Mackenzie in this swing, but I know some people swear by having a swing. I liked that the Mamaroo swing had a sound machine in it and you could also hook up your phone as well. There are many options for swings at all different price points.
High Contrast Black and White Cards
You really don’t need much to entertain your newborn during wake time. These are great cards for your newborn to look at and engage with during floor and tummy time!
We used this bouncer often until Mackenzie was able to sit up on her own and then didn’t like being strapped in so that’s when we stopped using it. But this was a great place to engage with Mackenzie while she was awake! She enjoyed bouncing in it and there are toy bars you can attach for your little one to play with while in the bouncer.
Like I said before, you really don’t need much to engage your newborn except for a few toys during tummy time. This type of easy to grasp toy is great for newborns. They can reach for it and play with it easily in their hands.
Miscellaneous
Snuggle Me Organic Lounger or Dock a Tot
Besides our Doona stroller, this may have been our next most used baby product! We would have Mackenzie nap in this daily and she would sleep so well! Since these types of loungers aren’t approved for sleep, we would always supervise when she was napping in it! I think Mackenzie just liked how it hugged her and made her feel snug.
I know many of my friends used this and while I can’t speak from personal experience, it’s definitely another good option for a baby lounger!
This is probably my husband’s favorite newborn product. It’s so innovative and I love that it’s a car seat and stroller in one. It is so easy to use and great for trips to the doctor’s office or a quick errand. Now that Mackenzie is over 20 lbs this car seat is too heavy for every day use, but we will use it for our upcoming trip because it’s so easy to travel with and we won’t need to bring a car seat and stroller separately. I have raved about this stroller for months and will continue to tell everyone how great it is!
This is the other car seat that we own and used when we didn’t use our Doona! It is SO light and made lifting Mackenzie while in the car seat so easy. We went with the RX because it doesn’t require a base for travel so we knew we could put it in our parent’s cars with no issues. I also loved the dream drape which in the canopy and just pulls down to cover the entire car seat which was so helpful and convenient.
Since we used our Doona stroller so much in the beginning and we live in the suburbs, I didn’t really use this stroller much in the beginning. We do have the infant insert which we used occasionally. Now that she’s getting bigger and it’s getting nice out we use this stroller often and I think it handles pretty well on different terrain. The under basket is big enough for my diaper bag and other things I throw down there. Overall, we are very happy with this stroller and all the accessories that came with it for the price!
This baby carrier was so easy to use and comfortable to wear during the newborn stage! I liked that I could put it on myself easily.
This diaper bag backpack I bought so my husband would have a diaper bag he could feel comfortable carrying around. My favorite feature is the back folds out as a changing pad which is so convenient.
This is the other diaper bag I purchased from Dagne and Dover. It’s a tote and I love the way it looks, but carrying around a tote just isn’t as functional as a backpack. I am a severe over packer and even with the large I felt like I was stuff everything in and the bag was just so full. I have slowly transitioned to using my MZ Wallace backpack as my everyday diaper bag and it’s been working out great!
I tried to do a lot of research on diaper pails before purchasing one because I definitely wanted one with a foot pedal. This one kept coming up as holding in the small well and I have to say I really like it. The foot pedal works great and the smell of dirty diapers isn’t too bad!
Below you’ll find the PDF to use as a checklist!