Congratulations on embarking on your parenthood journey!
As a new (and newly single) mom myself, I understand the importance of having only the essential baby products you need in that first year.
It saves you not only time and money, but from clutter and having to sell or donate a bunch of things after they’re no longer in use.
I wanted to share these products while things were fresh on my mind with my now nearly 7-month-old!
In the beginning, I literally had no idea what I needed or to look for. It didn’t help that Instagram influencers were trying to sell me a whole bunch of terribly expensive things that I did not need or would get limited use.
Hi $300 Newton Baby “breathable” crib mattress. By the way – they’re all breathable and like your mattress, you will not need to clean the mattress itself. Don’t waste your money!!
But these 1o0 products, I could not go without. I am so grateful I had them for the newborn phase and beyond.
I found these products intuitive, easy to use and set up, good quality, and they looked nice too!
Since I didn’t have the time or money to mess with anything that did not function or serve a good purpose for me and baby, I am confident these essential baby products will get you through new parenthood, especially during those challenging first three months!
Plus, they got tons of use so they are worth it for the money. Most have longevity beyond 6–12 months old.
You absolutely need to add these 10 essential baby products to your registry stat!
10 Essential Baby Products for New Parents
1. Stroller + Car Seat Combo
You’re going to want to get out of the house and there’s only one way to do it! No doubt you’ll need a quality stroller AND a car seat that you like – both physically and functionally.
You’re going to have to open/close, load in and out, take it here and there… so you’ll definitely want to love all parts of it!
I have the Uppababy Cruz, but I paid $300 from Facebook Marketplace vs. $700+ retail. You do not need the bassinet. Instead, I purchased the Infant Snugseat for the MesaUppababy Mesa Car Seat so I could use the stroller for my newborn, plus it was cheaper.
2. Bouncer or Swing
At some point, you’ll need your hands free and to set baby down. That’s why it’s smart to get a bouncer or swing (you do not need both).
The swing I purchased was really nice but used seldom during the newborn phase. Once he was a few weeks old, I felt comfortable using the BabyBjörn mesh bouncer, which can be used for much longer (he’s 6 months now and too big for the swing)!
Instead of a swing, I used my baby lounger a lot more. You can set your baby down safety before they roll and if my baby fell asleep on it, I didn’t worry as much about his breathing as I did while he was inclined in the swing. I still set my baby on this with a pillow underneath when I give him a bottle.
3. Activity Gym & Play Mat
Really a newborn doesn’t need much but a bed and to be fed, but you’ll be eager like me to do something else with your little one, and that’s where the play gyms come in handy.
I wanted something effective, but also appealing in my space. The Ingenuity Cozy Spot activity gym and play mat is really cute and got a ton of use early on. By about 5 months old, your little will likely be too big for it so be sure to purchase one within your budget and do not splurge here!
4. A Positive Bath Time Experience
The FridaBaby 4-1 Grow with Me Bathtub (and rinse cup) has been awesome for a comfortable bath from newborn to a year old. The seat changes based on baby’s size and provides the right support. He’s both secure, and you have more control over how much water he’s in.
I tried others, like the Anglecare baby bath support, but it was too hard, and he would have already been too big for it by now.
5. Baby Carrier
Baby carriers are so important when you want to get things done around the house but need your hands free. They also work great to soothe baby with he is fussy or has gas. I also use mine ever morning for walks with my little and our dog!
I like my Ergo Baby Carrier the best (over Tula and other brands), but once again, get the one you like, feel comfortable using, and that also fits a newborn. I have FOUR of these. I would have been fine with my hand-me-down one, which is the one I use the most, lol.
6. Sound Sleep
The Hatch Rest Sound Machine serves as a portable nightlight and provides sleep sounds that I also enjoy. It was constantly used for middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes and still used as for white noise at night.
You can control the lights and sounds from your phone, and even schedule times for them to turn on and off which is so great. When my little is a toddler, I can use it to indicate sleep and wake times as well as play meditations.
Hatch Baby also has an app I used (along with the Hatch Grow Smart Changing Pad and Scale) to track E V E R Y T H I N G for the first four months. The data is awesome to refer to during Pediatrician visits and to help learn your baby’s sleep and health patterns. Hatch Baby really knows what they’re doing, I love all their products.
7. Stinky Diaper Solution
The Ubbi Diaper Pail and trash bags have worked great. They fill up about once a week, just in time for trash pickup… and necessary for obvious reasons!
8. Bottles & Formula
The Philips Avent bottles (4oz anti-colic), microwave sterilizer, and bottle warmer would be my recommended brand for all-things bottles!
When my little was around 3-4 months old, the size and shape of those bottles were perfect for him to hold himself, a relief when you also have to pump at the same time!
Beware – bottle warmers suck in general. They are not great, but this one worked well.
If you like this brand as much as I do, you can ask for the entire Avent Bottle Set for your registry.
And if you can swing it, the Baby Brezza formula dispenser was ideal for making bottles fast and supported my “just enough” milk supply.
9. Breastfeeding & Pumping
If you are breastfeeding, absolutely invest in pumping supplies. It will help you have a better experience. You (or your partner) won’t have to wash and dry after every use gives you back some of your precious time. I had the Spectra S1 Plus and multiple pump parts.
Get these Kindred Bravely handsfree pumping and nursing bras. I have three and they’re the only thing I wear (and will continue to wear) until I end my breastfeeding journey. You will not need basic nursing bras. Kicking myself for buying and never wearing these!
For nursing, I use the Boppy nursing pillow regularly.
10. And All the Baby Supplies!
Baby Supplies you’ll need the most include:
- diapers (I prefer Huggies)
- wipes (I prefer Waterwipes or Pampers Sensitive)
- vitamin A+D ointment for diaper rash
- bottles (Avent Natural bottles and nipples after baby turns 4-6 months)
- extra pump parts (at least 2-3 sets), bottle cleaning supplies and brush
- 1-2 extra crib sheets (I prefer organic cotton)
- clothes in all sizes (specifically sleepers and onesies)
Having a surplus of all these items on hand meant I didn’t have to go out, which was the best thing.
Oh, and by the way, you do not need FOUR diaper bags HA. But you do need one to keep all your supplies in when you’re on the go.
Out of what I received from my registry, this one from Skip Hop is the BEST!
Additionally, I thought I would care more about what my baby wore, but there was SO MUCH going on, change constantly, that I was happy just to have what I needed when I needed it most 😊
BONUS! The Essential Baby Product You Didn’t Know You Needed
Probably not essential, but the peace of mind I get using my Nanit Pro Baby Monitor is WORTH IT.
This thing rocks as far as quality and sound go, and I love that it tracks my baby’s sleep patterns over time.
I can see how much rest he’s getting each night, how many times he wakes and who attends his bed (ME) each night. Great though when your parents or a babysitter watch your little overnight, you get notified when he’s put in his crib so while mama gets out, she can still watch over baby!
I also think the Nanit articles are solid and timely, so you are aware of changes coming with your baby and what you might need to do right as you’re living it.
It also allows me to go outside and do things like yard work and have the sound on in the background of my phone to hear if he needs me.
The only thing I regret about this purchase is not opening the box soon enough.
I waited until my baby was about 4 months and moved into his own room to set it up, which meant I missed out on using the breathing sock (peace of mind for your sleeping newborn) and it also tells you the temperature and humidity of the room—super important in the newborn phase.
Essential Baby Products Depend on When Your Baby is Born
It’s important to keep in mind what season your baby is born and of course if you have friends and family that can help and support with other items as well.
My boy was born in December, so it was crucial that he have a humidifier and more cold weather gear like a stroller cover than would be recommended for a summer baby.
Take some time before baby’s arrival to note what month they’ll be 1-3 months old, 4-7, and so on so you can prepare with the right products accordingly.
Focus On Only Essential Baby Products to Relieve the Stress
I hope this list of essential baby products helps as creating my registry as a first-time mom was OVERWHELMING.
I was so excited until I realized just how much stuff is out there. There are a ton of baby products out there you will never use. And you don’t truly know what you need until you’ve been through it.
Most of the content I researched online was for stay-at-home moms who need more items like toys to engage their child all day, but most likely your daycare or child care already provides these!
Keep your focus on only essential baby products so you’re not stressing yourself out with what to buy and then frustrated by then clutter when your baby arrives.
The best thing to remember is that you’ll have help to get you what you need and there is always Amazon Prime!
Joking aside, the most important thing to remember is that you are the only real and true thing your baby needs in those first few precious months.
Good luck and happy, healthy parenting!
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