Newborn Baby Favorites

Hi Friends!

In case you didn't know, we are expecting a baby girl VERY soon!

I swear I have had amnesia about what I need to have around the house for a newborn baby.  I stumbled upon a list of items I made for a friend buried deep in my outbox, so I thought I would share.

First and foremost, I am obsessed with Moms On Call as my go-to resource for everything schedule, health, and parenting philosophy related.  I bought the set of 3 books before Teddy was born and used their schedules like my bible. They also have a super helpful app you can download (schedules) and following their Instagram is amazing too.  I am not positive if it was the MOC schedules or just his nature, but Teddy was an amazing sleeper and still is to this day.  Their health guides (common illnesses, etc.) were also great to alleviate some postpartum anxiety when little problems would come up with Teddy as a newborn.  GET THE BOOKS! :)

Feeding: Teddy wasn't having wet diapers at the hospital, despite all my efforts to feed him and getting help from the lactation consultant at the hospital.  I gave him some ready-to-feed formula (see below) to supplement until my milk came in.  I tried hard to nurse him once that happened, but he was falling asleep every dang time and he was simply not getting enough to eat because of it. I made the hard decision to exclusively pump and it was a total rollercoaster.  I pumped up until we went on vacation at 8 months, then used a frozen stash for about another month, then switched him to Baby's Only Organic formula (no, it is not for Toddlers) until age 1. He had no problem transitioning to regular milk at that point.  I am hoping nursing goes better with Baby #2, but I know there is no way to plan for what may happen, so I have to be open to all options to get her fed!

Dr. Brown 4 oz bottles 

Preemie Nipples - get in case you have a chugger. 

Bottle Brush (buy 2, you have to replace often)

Boon Lawn Drying Rack

Boon Twig

Dapple Soap

Similac Ready to Feed 2 oz Bottles ( just have for right when you get home from hospital so that you can give baby something easy in a pinch until you figure out how breastfeeding goes or what kind of formula you want to give baby)

Formula Dispenser

PackIt Cooler (available in all types of patterns, designs)

High Chair (we didn't start using until about 5 months)

Green Sprouts Burp Cloths

Bibs - you'll want something with a waterproof backing to start like these. 

Medela Sterilizer Bags, I went through tons - get 2 to 4 packages. 

Medela Quick Clean Wipes - buy two packs. 

Long Handle Spoons (you won't use until between 4-6 months).

Bowls - we just use little bowls we have on hand that can go on the microwave. 

Breastfeeding Specific Items:  

{Before I even start this list, one of the best pieces of advice I got from a friend (thanks, Stacia!!) was to TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR NIPPLES, from DAY ONE!! You need to baby them like you're babying your baby.  I exclusively pumped with Teddy, and I would put my boob-ease (see below) on both BEFORE and AFTER pumping, then I would always use a nursing pad to cushion before putting on my nursing bra. I never had problems with blistering, etc. and I was lucky enough to avoid mastitis.}

Pump (Medela Pump In Style) - if you pump a lot, consider renting a hospital grade pump, like the Medela Symphony (you probably won't know if you'll need a hospital grade until she's born and you see how much you will be nursing versus pumping). 

Medela Car Adapter (lifesaver!!!!) 

Hands Free Bra (get two): this one is the best. 

Boob-ease - I preferred this over Lanolin.  Use it every time you nurse/pump.  If nursing, you can apply after to soothe nipples.  If pumping, apply before and after. Get two pots of it, one for each floor. This is all natural and does not need to be wiped off before feeding/pumping. 

Lanolin this stuff is good (get two tubes - one for each floor).  I think it's good to have Lanolin on hand.  It has other uses besides a nipple cream, you can use it on chapped baby lips, for example. 

Nursing Pads - these Lansinoh ones were my favorite. Use them to prevent leaks, but also for comfort on your nipples.  Change them often.  Buy lots. 

Breast Friend if you plan to nurse, people swear this is better than the Boppy. 

Soft Shells are amazing when your nipples are sore.  

Breast milk storage bags - I swore by the Kiinde Twist, Lansinoh are cheaper. 

If you use the Kiinde system this organizer was great for initial freezing. 

Nursing tanks. 

Nursing sleep bras. Get at least two of these, more if you can. 

Nicer nursing bras - the cake brand at Nordstrom is nice.  If you can tolerate an underwire nursing bra (some say these give them clogs), Nordstrom will take any bra you want and alter it to make it a nursing bra. 

Milk Snob nursing cover, doubles as a car seat cover, etc. 

Bath:  

Baby bath tub - this Angelcare one worked great for us up to 6 months. 

You'll want a padded kneeler to save your knees. 

Bath thermometer - keep the temp between 90 and 100 degrees. 

Bath toys, little duckies or something. You don't need a ton. 

Hooded Towels (lots!!) & wash cloths (lots!!).  Keep a warm washcloth on baby as soon as you put him/her in the tub, drape it across belly to keep warm, trust me! :) 

Get a very mild soap/shampoo - I would recommend this Eucerin or Honest Company (available at Costco!!).  A little goes a long way. You don't want to use a lot of soap on them, their skin dries out VERY fast. 

Soft baby brush & comb - use the soft brush on her head every bath and scrub a little to avoid cradle cap. 

Slather baby in lotion after every bath, trust me! Don't forget the cheeks. I am obsessed with this Eucerin lotion, which I still use on Teddy nightly.  We go through tons, so if you like it, stock up. 

Diaper cream - I would suggest Desitin extra strength.  They have it at Costco!! 

Aquaphor, get some. 

Vaseline - get a big tub. 

Safety First Nail Clippers

Diaper Genie - do yourself a favor and get two, one for each floor. Stock up on the bag refills, you can apparently buy them at Costco, but I have never seen them at ours. 

LOTS of wipes & diapers. I swear by Pampers Swaddlers diapers, but everyone is different. The Kirkland brand wipes at Costco are very good and mild on skin. 

Skip the wipe warmer, if you don't get baby used to warm wipes. Baby will tolerate cold ones and you avoid issues when you're out and about and only have cold wipes. 

Changing pad & cover.  Get a soft cover like this one.   

Cheap, old fashioned, cloth diapers (like the Gerber ones at Target) - use as extra burp cloths, to clean up messes, for under baby when changing diaper. 

Diaper caddy like this one - good to have for downstairs. 

Diaper bag - I have this backpack, which I love. 

Health/Safety: 

Baby monitor. You will want a video monitor.  Our first one was horrible, I am looking to buy this Infant Optics monitor for Baby #2. 

Rectal thermometer - (we used this one). The only way to accurately take an infant's temperature is rectally. They don't mind it. Watch your pediatrician do it once. You can buy little alcohol wipes to clean the tip and put a little vaseline on before use.

Shopping cart cover like this, because shopping carts are gross. 

These antibacterial wipes are amazing. Wipe down high chairs, toys that fall on the ground, etc. 

I personally think these pacifiers are the best for newborns.  Don't be a hero, use them! :) 

Have some infant tylenol on hand, you can call the doctor for dosing. 

Have some infant benedryl on hand, you can call the doctor for dosing.

If you exclusively breastfeed, you need to give Vitamin D drops daily, ask your pediatrician about this at your initial appointment. 

Other things we used on occasion were Lotramin AF (for bumpy diaper rash with doctor's approval), 1% hydrocortisone cream (used on drool rash, get doctor's approval). 

Nose Frida is a MUST HAVE.  Don't waste your time with those stupid bulb syringes.  Get the extra filters.  BE BRAVE!!

Saline Spray

Cool Mist Humidifier this one is good. We use ours every night in his room.

Baby mittens - use to prevent baby from scratching her face. You can also use socks. 

Baby sunscreen & bug spray - just good to have on hand for summer babies. 

Toys:  

Baby Einstein Music Box - a big hit.

Toy for car seat/stroller (one that attaches) 

You definitely need a play gym - we loved this one.

Sophie la Giraffe here, do not submerse in water or she will get moldy. 

Teethers like these Razberry ones or ones you can freeze. 

Pacifier clips.  You can also use to clip toys, etc. 

Strollers/Car Seats:  

There are many amazing options.  I do recommend a travel set. Buy two bases if you have two cars for the infant seat. To give you an idea...

We bought the NUNA PIPA car seat and Nuna MIXX stroller. 

Skip a jogging stroller unless you are a runner :)

An umbrella stroller is a great thing to have for traveling (like on a plane...). 

Get a stroller organizer for your phone/keys.

Car set cover - shade them from the sun.You can use the milk snob (see above). 

Take your car seat and base to a fire station or other location to check that it is installed right. Taking one car in is fine, you'll get the idea. 

Car mirrors like this one, buy two (one for each car). 

Window shades like these. 

I love these stroller blankets. 

Gear/Activity: 

Pack-N-Play: we love our Graco one, set it up in the living room and use as a diaper changing station when they are little

Mamaroo 

Rock-n-play 

Bouncy Seat (any kind will do, just make sure you have one!)

Baby carrier - I would recommend this Ergobaby for a summer baby. 

Floor tiles like these are nice to have. 

Jumper like this, they won't use until 4 months at the earliest. 

Nursery/Sleeping:  We had Teddy sleeping in a mamaroo for the first two weeks and the pediatrician was horrified and told us it was SO unsafe and we needed to move him to his crib ASAP.  Eeek!! We bit the bullet and put him in his crib, swaddled, at two weeks and never looked back. Best decision ever.  This time, I have borrowed a bassinet for the first couple of weeks and then we will see if we are ready to move to the crib.

Crib & crib mattress - I feel pretty strongly about this mattress, but it's pricey. We did buy an extra mattress cover in case of a middle of the night mess.  

Breathable fitted sheets - these aden + anais were my favorite. 

Dresser and/or changing table. 

Gliding/rocking/reclining chair with a pillow and supersoft blanket. Make sure to have a little table next to it for water, a light, etc. for you. 

I wish we would have registered for a bassinet. (We have borrowed one from a friend this time!! Thanks, MB!!) 

Different swaddles - definitely get HALO Sleepsacks (buy 2 in Newborn & 2 in Small) and we also liked the SwaddleMe ones. 

Noise machine - we have loved this one. 

Hamper. 

Baby hangers if you have a closet - get lots, they are cheap. 

Swaddle Blankets these were my favorite. Have several. 

Boppy Lounger is fantastic for naps and lounging when they are really little. 

Clothing:  

For under 3 months, we lived in onesies and sleeper pajamas. Have a few fun outfits, but mostly, you just want baby to be comfortable. 

Baby socks.

Get a weather-appropriate hat for walks outside. 

Teddy was a summer baby, so this time around we are in a totally different ball game with a January due date.  A winter must-have for babies is a Bundle Me for the car seat, that way you don't have to worry so much about putting baby in super warm clothing when you go out.

I hope this helps someone out there, or maybe you can pass this on to a friend!

xoxo

Jess