Newborn must haves – things you need on your registry list

I can’t believe it’s been 8 months since my Baby Zo came into my life! She’s no longer considered a newborn which is exciting, but I also miss her newborn snuggles. In this time, I have been able to learn so much about what you really do and don’t need when you’re having a baby. So I wanted to share some newborn tips with you by sharing some of my newborn must-haves for your baby registry.

When you’re putting together your registry, it can be tempting to add everything you see! It’s all so adorable and you feel like you need it all. But really in the beginning, most of what baby needs is you. It’s not until a few months in when they’re moving and crawling that they start to need more. So here are my must-have newborn essentials for your baby registry.

Sleep Sacks and Swaddle Blankets

All babies are different, but most babies like to be swaddled when sleeping. It makes them feel warm and secure like they did when they were safe in your belly. So trying out different swaddle blankets may help your baby get a bit more sleep.

The Love to Dream Swaddle Up is a great start because it’s lightweight and easy to get baby into. It’s not so thick that the baby will get too hot, and some babies like having their arms up so with the Swaddle Up they can do that comfortably. Next, there is the HALO Sleepsack which works more like a traditional swaddle. It keeps baby snug and has velcro to make it easy to get them into. For babies that don’t like the restriction of a swaddle, you can try the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit which prevents them from moving too much and startling themselves but doesn’t pin their arms down. Of course, you can always go with a traditional Swaddle Blanket Set and swaddle the baby on your own rather than using one of the specialty swaddle products.

Diapers and Wipes

One thing that all babies need is diapers! When I started first looking into diapers I was shocked at all the different kinds, styles, etc. One of the most popular types of diapers is Pampers Swaddlers. It seems to be a favorite with moms and hospitals. If you want to use diapers that don’t have as many harsh chemicals then Honest Diapers are a great option too, just a little more expensive. Another thing that has been becoming more popular recently is cloth diapering. A Cloth Diaper Set can get you started with cloth diapering if you want to save money and don’t like the idea of creating so much waste. No matter what you pick, know that there are plenty of options out there if one doesn’t work out!

Of course, you’ll need wipes too! One popular option that’s available pretty much everywhere is Huggies Natural Care Wipes. If you’d prefer to order online and want something budget-friendly, Amazon Elements Baby Wipes work great and have so many good reviews. Or if you are deciding you want to try cloth diapering you can get OsoCozy Flannel Wipes and just throw them in the wash with the diapers.

Breast Pump and Bottles

If you’re planning to be breastfeeding and will have to occasionally leave the baby with someone else, you’ll want a breast pump and all the accessories to make sure you can leave breastmilk for your baby while you’re away. Some insurances will cover a breast pump, but if yours doesn’t then the Spectra Breast Pump is a great option. Of course, you’re going to need Breastmilk Bags to keep all of that liquid gold for your baby safe in the freezer. If you want to make it a bit easier on yourself, you can get a hands-free Pumping Bra so you can use your hands while pumping.

When it comes to bottle-feeding, some good bottles for breastfed babies are Comotomo Baby Bottles and Avent Baby Bottles.

Breast Pads

When breastfeeding you’ll find that you probably leak, a lot! It’s totally normal, so don’t feel self-conscious about it. But that also doesn’t mean you want to leak on all of your clothes. Having breast pads or nursing pads in your bra can help prevent this. You can get Organic Washable Pads that you just throw in the laundry with your clothes or baby’s clothes or you can get Disposable Nursing Pads that can be thrown away.

Baby Monitor

Keeping an eye on babies when they’re napping in another room is much easier when you have a baby monitor. A very budget-friendly option is to just get an audio monitor like the VTech Audio Baby Monitor. But video monitors are popular now too so you can see the baby from another room. A few monitors that have great reviews are Infant Optics Video Baby Monitor and  Nanit Plus Wall Mounted Monitor.

Car Seat and Stroller

When you’re ready to start taking the baby out, you’re definitely going to need a car seat and a stroller. A car seat will keep your baby safe and is one of your most important purchases. Some highly rated infant seats are Graco Snugride Infant Seat and Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat. But if you’re planning on getting a stroller too, you can get a travel system that includes a stroller that the car seat can easily snap into. This is so helpful if the baby is asleep so you don’t have to take them out of the seat. You just take the seat out of the car and snap the car seat into the stroller. Some good options are Baby Trend EZ Ride 35 Travel System and Graco Modes Bassinet Travel System.

Baby Carrier

Wearing your baby in a carrier is one of the easiest ways to keep your baby happy and feeling safe, but keep your hands free too! The Boba Wrap can take a while to master because it needs to be wrapped a certain way, but is very snuggly and cozy for you and baby. When the baby gets a little bigger the Ergo Omni 360 Carrier is a great option because they can grow into it and it can be used for a long time.

While there are so many other things you can get for your new baby, these are my top newborn essentials for your baby registry. Remember that as long as your baby is diapered, fed, cared for, and loved, they have everything they need!