My Most Used Newborn Essentials Every Mom Needs
Preparing for a newborn can feel overwhelming, but with the right newborn essentials, you can simplify those first weeks and focus on bonding with your baby. In this guide, I share my tried-and-true newborn must-haves (as a 5th time mom), from cozy swaddles to practical gear that every mom will appreciate. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your family, these essentials will make your baby’s arrival smoother and more comfortable.
Whether you’re a first-time mom or expecting your fifth like me, preparing for a newborn can feel overwhelming.
With countless articles and books claiming to list the “must-haves,” it can be challenging to separate genuine necessities from clever marketing.
When I was a first-time mom, I dove headfirst into every list I found, adding everything to my baby registry.
Who was I to say what I didn’t need?
I had no idea what I was doing and trusted almost everything I read online.
Now, as a seasoned mom who’s done this four times before, I’ve learned a lot.
There are items all four of my kids loved, others that only worked for one or two of them, and some things we didn’t even use.
My goal with this post is to help you navigate the overwhelm and figure out what will work best for you and your little one by sharing some of our most-used and loved products for a newborn.
Newborn Essentials
1. Diapers & Wipes
Let’s start with the most obvious one because, trust me, you’ll need a lot of diapers and wipes.
But it’s not as simple as just grabbing a pack. You’ll need to decide between store-bought or cloth diapers, and then choose from the countless brands available. I used cloth diapers with my first but switched to store-bought with my second.
For newborns, I love Pampers Swaddlers, and as they grow, I tend to switch to Honest Company diapers since they’ve worked best for us, especially with skin sensitivities and allergies.
You’ll want a variety of diapers in Newborn and Size 1, you’ll be surprised at how quickly baby grows the first month.
And as for wipes, I have tried a lot over the years but keeping going back to Pampers Sensitive wipes, again, mainly because newborn skin can be so sensitive.
2. Zipper Sleeper
Skip the button-up sleepers—trust me, no one wants to fumble with tiny buttons at 2 a.m. while your baby is screaming for a diaper change. Zippers make life so much easier!
It’s even better if it has the double zipper, where you can zip from the top or bottom!
I tried two-piece sets and button-up sleepers, and while they’re undeniably adorable, zipper onesies are a total lifesaver during that first month.
You’ll be stuck in a cycle of sleeping, feeding, and endless diaper changes, so convenience is key.
After the first month, you might feel ready to try those cute outfits, but honestly, my kids lived in onesies for a while. It was all about simplicity and not having to worry about matching outfits during those sleepless days.
You have find some really great onesies at your local thrift store, I love checking out ours for cute sleeper that aren’t in stores.
3. Swaddles
Along with sleepers, you’ll definitely want to stock up on swaddles for your baby. Trust me, they’re a game-changer. After being curled up warm and snug in your womb for so long, a swaddle helps mimic that comfort and makes baby feel secure.
I prefer this type of tighter fitting swaddle for newborns, as they grow you can opt for a swaddle that is more like a blanket and has more room for their legs to move around.
4. Bassinet
You’ll also need a dedicated spot for your baby to sleep. It’s recommended that babies sleep in the same room as you for at least the first six months, and honestly, I’d do this anyway—it makes those middle-of-the-night feedings so much easier.
You’ll still want a crib for baby eventually but for the first few months I like having the bassinet in my room.
There are so many types of bassinets! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed.
With my first three I used a bedside type sleeper.
When my four came around, he was such an awful sleeper and I was desperate to get sleep. I couldn’t afford the Snoo that I heard great things about but the 4Mom MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet had been released and I was so excited to try it. I remember I had saved my Target gift registry discount and used to buy it at the time.
I have to say, my 4-day-old went from waking every hour to sleeping in 3-hour stretches, and to me, that was absolutely worth it!
This pregnancy I was able to find a Snoo on FB Marketplace with swaddles and mattress covers for cheaper than a MamaRoo in our area and I jumped on the deal.
**DO NOT be afraid to thrift items for your baby, you can save so much money this way.
5. Baby Carrier
Just like bassinets, baby carriers come in a wide range of options to fit every budget.
During the first few months, your baby will want to stay as close to you as possible, and a baby carrier makes it easy to keep them snug and close.
By my fourth pregnancy, I had tested plenty of baby carriers and found a few favorites along the way. In the image above, my youngest was just a few days old and I frequently use my ring sling with him for walks around the neighborhood.
For the newborn stage, my favorite carriers are ring slings and wraps, as they keep your baby snug and close to you. As they grow older, I prefer buckle carriers, but for those early days, slings and wraps are my go-to choice.
Stretchy Wrap Carrier
The boba wrap carrier is a budget friendly option for carrying your newborn. I used this with my kids but it does have a learning curve to learn how to use it properly with baby. It’s a long piece of fabric that you wrap around your body and baby to create supportive seat for your baby.
I will say that if you have chunky babies like I do, I felt like we outgrew these carriers within the first few months and I felt more comfortable with buckle carriers but I loved a good stretchy wrap for the newborn stage. Although these carriers can be used for longer periods of time, I just felt more comfortable with other carriers once baby reached a certain weight.
Ring Sling
The world of baby carriers offers endless possibilities for fabric types, patterns, and colors, especially when it comes to ring slings (and wraps too).
A ring sling is a long piece of fabric with two rings sewn into one end. It’s worn over one shoulder and adjusted through the rings, creating a snug, secure pouch to hold your baby close while keeping your hands free.
I had a WildBird Ring Sling carrier at one point, they’re easy to find, like the one I’ve listed above you can purchase on Amazon and they’re relatively budget friendly in terms of baby carriers.
You can also search facebook marketplace because you can frequently find larger variety of baby carriers if you live in a highly populated area but be prepared some of the carriers will be priced at high prices due to their “exclusive drops” while others will be budget friendly options.
Buckle Carrier
I still have my first buckle carrier—a Lillebaby—that has lasted over 8 years and through 4 babies (soon to be 5).
A buckle carrier is a more structured baby carrier that has padded straps and buckles that secure around your shoulders and waist.
This is the carrier I purchased with my first and it’s lasted us through all the kids. I love the buckle carriers because I can easily use these throughout the toddler years.
6. Bouncer/Swing
I’ve grouped bouncers and swings together because I see them as similar, though they serve different purposes. I like to have both for my newborn, as each has its own benefits.
A swing is great because it provides soothing motion for the baby on its own, which can be a lifesaver during fussy moments or nap time. However, swings tend to be heavier and less portable, making it harder to move them from room to room.
On the other hand, a bouncer is a lightweight, portable chair that’s easy to carry around the house—or even outside, if you’re like me. It’s perfect for keeping your baby close while you go about your day. Many bouncers also allow you to gently bounce them manually, which can be soothing for your baby.
Having both a swing and a bouncer gives you flexibility depending on your baby’s needs and your activities throughout the day.
When choosing either, it’s important to look for features like machine-washable covers and adjustable recline positions for added convenience and comfort.
I’m sharing our favorite swing and bouncer, but there are so many great options out there to choose from. These are the ones we’ve personally used and loved, so I wanted to highlight our experience with them.
Swings
We have used the 4Moms MamaRoo swing with the last 3 kids and plan to use it again with our 5th baby. I love the style of this chair, it doesn’t take up must space, it has Bluetooth capabilities, so you can turn the swing on and off without having to be near it, or add your own white noise.
The swing has several sounds to choose from to help soothe your baby that are programmed with the swing.
Bouncer
I had never used a bouncer until our fourth baby, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer.
You better believe I’ll be getting one for this baby too!
Having a bouncer made it so easy to keep baby close while still getting things done. Whether I needed to shower or cook in the kitchen, I could simply move the bouncer with me and have baby right there. So convenient!
7. NoseFrida SnotSucker
You read that correctly, a snot snucker.
The hospital sends you home with the blue bulb to suck the mucus from baby but I found it awkward and didn’t like it. The NoseFrida is a great option.
Babies tend to be really snotty and you’re always needing to clean their nose. This has been my favorite item for helping get those pesky boogers out of their nose easily.
8. Nail Clippers
I was honestly shocked at how sharp babies nails can be. It’s not something that really crossed my mind until I had one of my own.
I love having a special pair of newborn clippers at home, that have the little window, this way I can make sure I’m only cutting the nail and not their little finger.
And to keep those sharp little nails covered, you’ll want some newborn mittens so baby doesn’t scratch up their face or yours!
Skip the mittens that use elastic, babies can easily get those off of their hands. I prefer the Velcro mittens so they stay on and don’t fall off.
9. Baby Bathtub
This may be one that you haven’t really thought about but those little baby bathtubs really are an essential.
These bathtubs help keep baby safe and comfortable while getting a bath.
I preferred the baby bathtub that has a sling so that you can fill the little tub up with water to keep baby warm and submerged while bathing them.
Don’t forget a baby soap to keep them nice and clean. I’ve used a variety of soaps for baby but tend to prefer something fragrance free.
10. Baby Monitor
A baby monitor might not be on your radar, but it’s definitely worth considering.
I’ve done my research, and based on personal experience, this one is my favorite for a few reasons. It has no WiFi, impressive range, crystal-clear video quality, and the ability to track room temperature.
We started with an infant optics DXR-8 for my firstborn and then when my third was born I bought the DXR-8 Pro on Amazon Prime Day during their April deals.
11. Car Seat
One of the things you’ll need to even leave the hospital is a car seat that appropriately fits your baby.
Our hospital does a newborn fit check before letting you leave the unit, I’m assuming this is standard for most hospitals.
I’ve used the same brand of car seat for all four of my children so far—a Graco SnugRide.
I love using newborn car seats when they’re little because they make life so much easier. You can let the baby continue sleeping while carrying the seat into stores or appointments. Once they outgrow it, I transition them to a convertible car seat, which works perfectly as they get bigger.
I haven’t decided yet for this baby if I’ll be using a Graco again or if I’ll switch to a different car seat.
I’ve loved our Graco seats but I’ve also heard great things about Dona Car Seat that transitions into a stroller but it does have a larger price tag.
12. Pacifiers
I feel like this one is sometimes a taboo topic, some people swear by pacifiers others hate them.
With my first and second, I avoided pacifiers until we had a solid nursing routine because I was concerned about nipple confusion.
However, with my third and fourth, they used pacifiers within the first couple of days, and I didn’t experience any issues with nursing or nipple confusion. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice!
This baby will be getting a pacifier similarly to my 3rd and 4th, sometime within those first few days.
Each baby has their own preference to pacifiers. I can’t tell you how much money I spent on pacifiers for my 2nd until we found one she liked. We landed on the Ryan & Rose flat tip pacifiers and ended up using them with baby 3 and 4 without a problem.
While browsing pacifiers for baby #5, I noticed they now offer a variety pack, allowing you to try different styles to see which tip your baby prefers. I’ve linked them below! Just keep in mind, you might need to test a few before finding the one that truly soothes your little one.
13. Nursing Pillow
If you plan to nurse, have a c-section, or both, a good nursing pillow is an absolute lifesaver.
It provides essential support, helps with positioning for a comfortable latch, and can ease strain on your back and arms—especially during those long feeding sessions.
Plus, for c-section recovery, it can keep pressure off your incision while holding your baby. It’s definitely a must-have for your postpartum essentials!
**I’m not covering bottles because I don’t have personal experience with them. I nursed all four of my kids, so bottles weren’t something we used, and I don’t want to give you advice on a product I haven’t personally tried.
14. Burp Cloths
When you first bring your baby home, burp cloths are an absolute must.
They are perfect for catching spit-up, drool, and other messes, they’ll save your clothes (and sanity) multiple times a day.
As a first time mom, I thought I’d just use hand towels I had laying around but we went through so many that I finally caved and bought a stack of burp clothes to keep around.
Opt for soft, absorbent fabrics that are gentle on baby’s skin, and keep a few in every room and your diaper bag.
Trust me, you’ll be reaching for these essentials constantly!
15. Diaper Rash Cream
Despite your best efforts, diaper rash can still happen, which is why I always keep Boudreaux’s Butt Paste in our diaper caddy.
You never want to be caught without it when you need it most! I also recommend getting a diaper cream spatula—it might sound unnecessary, but it’s a game-changer.
The paste is super thick, and using the spatula makes applying it quicker, cleaner, and so much easier when you’re juggling a wiggly baby.
16. Sound Machine
A sound machine is an absolute lifesaver for helping your baby (and you!) get some sleep.
Believe it or not, babies can be surprisingly loud sleepers—mine were so noisy! A sound machine was a game-changer, helping them settle and giving me the peaceful sleep I desperately needed.
The white noise mimics the comforting sounds of the womb and helps drown out household noise, especially if you have older kids.
I recommend one with a variety of sound options and a timer, but honestly, any consistent noise will do the trick.
We keep ours running during naps and bedtime—it’s become part of the routine!
We’ve had the Hatch Sound Machine since my second was born. I love that this sound machine can grow with them.
I now use it with my older kids as a “quiet time alarm,” when their light turns green they can come out of their room but if it’s red they have to stay in.
It also has the option for bedtime stories as they get older as well but when they’re younger it has the perfect white noise for our little ones.
The portable sound machine is great if you have older kids and are always on the go because you can take it with you anywhere you go.
Your Next Chapter: Life with a Newborn
Bringing home a new baby is such a special time, and having the right essentials can make all the difference in feeling prepared and confident.
Remember, every family is different, and what works for one may not work for another. I’ve provided you with items that we’ve used with our four kids and loved along the way but they may or may not work for your family.
Trust your instincts, focus on what makes your life easier, and know that your baby’s needs are simple: love, comfort, and care.
If you found this list helpful or have your own must-haves, I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment below or share your thoughts.
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Here’s to creating sweet memories with your little one! Xoxo- Tandra
