My Favorite Newborn Must-Haves
Everything I actually used and loved in those first sweet (and sleepy) months.
There’s nothing quite like preparing for your little one’s arrival—nesting kicks in, and suddenly you’re trying to figure out what’s a need vs what’s just really cute on a registry. After going through it myself, I wanted to share the top newborn items that actually made life easier (and cozier) for both baby and me. Click on the affiliate links below each item to check it out in more detail or purchase.
Here are my go-to favorites I’d recommend to any new mama:
Burp Cloths
Let’s be honest—you can never have enough burp cloths. These are soft, absorbent, and big enough to catch all the unexpected spit-ups. I also use a lot for bath time to keep baby warm.
👉 Check them out here
Baby Lounger
Perfect for those moments when you need both hands (like a second to eat or run to the bathroom in between the cluster feeds) this lounger was a safe place and lifesaver during the newborn days.
👉 See the lounger
Lovevery Play Gym
A beautiful, developmentally-minded play mat that grows with your baby. We love using this for tummy time and early play. It become more interactive as your baby grows and likes being in different positions.
👉 Lovevery Play Mat
Parker Baby Diaper Caddy
Keeps diapers, wipes, creams, and a change of clothes all in one place—whether you’re upstairs or downstairs.
👉 Grab one here
Hatch Sound Machine
We use the hatch every night. You can make routines as your baby grows to make sleep time more predictable for them. I also love using the red light at night for feeds. The red light doesn’t disrupt melatonin production and keeps baby nice and snoozy so they can drift back of to sleep after a feed. We also use the portable on walks and in the car every day.
👉 Get the Hatch
Baby Bouncer
Some babies love motion, and this bouncer gave my arms a much-needed break while still keeping baby content. Trust me on this one!
👉 View it here
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
A fan favorite for a reason. Cleared up dry spots, baby acne, and more—gently and naturally. I put this on her face every night and anywhere else I notice any irritation or rash developing.
👉 Try Tubby Todd
Brestfriend Nursing Pillow
In those early weeks, this nursing pillow made a huge difference with positioning and support during feeds. I started out with a different one, but after just a few weeks, my back and shoulders were wrecked from all the hunching and holding. Once I switched to this one, it was a total game-changer. In my opinion, it’s a must-have.
👉 Find it here
Wash Bin
Great for hand washing bottles, pacis, and pump parts without filling the whole sink. Keep all those newborn thing much cleaner in my opinion too
👉 Get the bin
Drying Rack
A stylish and super functional spot for drying all your baby gear. Doesn’t take up much counter space and allows everything to get fully dry.
👉 Check it out
Ubbi Changing Mat
Wipeable, foldable, and easy to clean—this mat made diaper changes simple wherever we were. We have on in multiple places: car, living room, bedroom.
👉 See it here
Heating Pad
I love using this during bathtime to warm up her PJs and sleep sack so they’re toasty and ready when we’re done. It makes such a difference—especially if your newborn isn’t totally sold on bath time at first. I also place it in the bassinet before laying her down (and take it out right before she goes in) to make the mattress warm and comforting, which helps prevent those sudden startle wake-ups from the cold.
👉 Heating Pad
Flip Light
Middle-of-the-night diaper changes are so much easier with this little touch light. I leave this in arms reach when the hatch red light isn’t cutting it because we have something more messy on our hands.
👉 Flip light magic
Bassinet
A comfy, safe spot for baby to sleep those early weeks right by your bed. I love that it zips down and I can reach right in to comfort my baby. It is also on wheels and has storage at the bottom which was important to me.
👉 Find the bassinet
Baby Monitor
Peace of mind when you finally get a shower, a hot meal or just a break. Call me old school, I wanted one with a screen seperate from my phone and didn’t need wifi to work. Convenient for travel and to also leave with a sitter.
👉 This one is great
Sleep Sacks
These were in constant rotation at our house. My baby didn’t love being swaddled, so I needed another way to keep her warm and secure at night. Sleep sacks were the perfect solution—safe, cozy, and no loose blankets to worry about.
👉 Panda Sleep Sack
👉 Halo Sleep Sack
Onesies
I love these onesies so much. They are soft organic cotton and come in a ton of cute colors. Summer came fast where we live and these were an everyday attire.
👉 Honest Onesies
Extra Playmat
Having one for the living room and one for the nursery gave us flexibility and less back-and-forth. Floor time is so important and our girl loves to wiggle.
👉 This one’s perfect
Baby Bath
Easy to use and comfy for baby—made bath time sweet instead of stressful. This one grows with baby too. I also like that you don’t have to fill up the whole bathtub or could easily use it on the counter.
👉 Check it out
Baby Shusher
Yes, this actually works. I was skeptical too, but it has bought me precious quiet minutes more than once.
👉 The famous shusher
Baby Carrier & Wrap
Some babies want to be held all the time—and honestly, I didn’t mind it one bit with these comfy carriers.
👉 Structured carrier (loved this one once they get a little bit bigger)
👉 Wrap option
Munchkin Hot Packs
Many newborns have sensitive tummies. These were great in the early stages when I could tell she was uncomfortable and gassy. Can also be used cold on older babies when sick with a fever.
👉 Cold and Hot Packs
Don’t feel like you need everything all at once. Some of these items are total game changers, others may just depend on your baby’s personality. But if you're building out your registry or prepping for postpartum life, this list is a great place to start.
And if you want more baby prep tips, come hang with me on Instagram where I share all the real-life newborn moments and mama wins!
