Nora is 8 months now which is WILD to me! Time flies like crazy y’all. The other day I got lost in a rabbit hole of newborn pictures and those captured moments literally feel like they were yesterday. I am loving the stage she is in, but looking back at how tiny she was, I can’t help but miss those days a little!
But I thought it would be fun to go down memory lane yet again and share with you guys some things that made our newborn days a little easier (for both mama + babe!) So, I have gathered up a bunch of things I found helpful, convenient, and would personally recommend to new Mamas. My “new baby must haves” you could say. And heeeere they are!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. However, I ONLY recommend products I personally love and/or use myself!
For Mama
1.) Bedside “Baby Kit”
I’m putting this first because this is one of my top things I’m thankful I did to prepare for baby! I bought a divided tote specifically for beside my bed. I put diapers, wipes, two burp cloths, an extra onesie, extra nursing pads, and a lil trash bag in it.
Those newborn nights are kinda exhausting and having what I needed right there, all in one spot was sooo nice. Everything I needed for changing diapers was right there. One burp cloth served as a quick lil changing pad, and another for whatever else I needed it for. The onesie was right there if she needed an outfit change. Nursing pads were at my reach. And of course a trash bag for dirty diapers or soiled clothes/cloths….just whatever mess that needed a place til morning.
The next day I’d just replace whatever I had used so that it was all ready to go for that night. Click Here for Tote Link
2.) Long Phone Charger
This one is a little random but it really did come in handy. For sitting on the couch, in the bed, in the rocking chair in her nursery. Just having a spare charger that reached wherever I was sitting. (This was also great when I was in the hospital because my charger reached the bed!)
3.) Car Seat/Nursing Cover
This has probably been one of my favorite things bought for me and baby! It’s been so super convenient. I don’t have to carry around a separate cover in my diaper bag, or dig around for it. I also don’t have to remember to pack it/bring it with me because it just stays on her car seat. I can just pop it off of her seat whenever I need it. I have this 4 in 1 car seat cover!
4.) Frida Mom
This is an item I’d highly recommend for a newly/soon to be postpartum mama to pack in your hospital bag or to have when you get home! After giving birth, you can’t wipe yourself when you pee right away because things are still healing. So after you pee, you squirt yaself to clean up, using a little peri bottle filled with water that the hospital provides. While that works, the Frida Mom has an angled extension that just makes the task so much easier! Here’s the link!
5.) Lanolin Cream
Those beginning days of breastfeeding can, well, take a toll on “the girls” as they adjust to feeding a little human. My midwife gave me a tube of this stuff and it was super great. Grab it here! (Also, I’ve found this to work great for diaper rash!)
6.) Sling/Baby carrier
Gosh this thing was nifty (still is!). In those newborn days when baby just wants to be close, but mama still has stuff to get done. This made things nice ‘n easy when going out, walking around somewhere, or running in somewhere real quick when you don’t want to lug the car seat around!
I have a Wildbird Sling (what I’m wearing in this photo) and also love my wrap from Studio Romeo. But there are tons of different wraps and carriers out there! (If you’re an amazon gal/registering on amazon, here’s a link to a ring sling by Kyte Baby! Haven’t had one of their slings personally but I’ve heard great things and it come in pretty colors! Also here’s an amazon link to Wildbird)
For Baby
1.) Nightgowns/Knotted Gowns
These made night time changes so quick and easy. You don’t have to unzip or unbutton anything. Baby stays warm and changes can get done quickly! Here are links to similar (and adorable + gender neutral) ones!
Burts Bees Organic Cotton Gowns – Knotted Gowns – Set of 3 Printed Gowns
2.) Swaddle Blankets
Good gravy did I use swaddles for everything. Threw ’em over my shoulder as burp cloths, spread one out as a changing mat, used them as a nursing cover, and of course the obvious–to swaddle baby. Simply all of the things. Definitely would consider this an essential!
Favorite Swaddle Brands included Oliver + Rain, Little Unicorn, + Mushie Co.
3.) Snuggle Me Organic
I loved this thing so much! It was absolutely one of my favorite things we purchased for baby, and I’ve stored it away for future babies. This was so great to plop down somewhere when you needed a hands free moment. It also fit in her Moses basket bassinet. She loved it so much. Linked here.
4.) 4moms Mamaroo Swing
I know all babies are different, but Nora loved the Momaroo! I loved the different setting options (her favorite was “Car Ride”) and how sleek and neutral it is. There is a built in sound machine + bluetooth connection if those are perks for you, though we didn’t use either very much ourselves. Mamaroo linked here.
5.) Burp Cloths
Similar to swaddles, these guys are multi functional. For little messes, quick changing pads, spit up, etc. I always had one nearby!
White Muslin Ones – Gender Neutral Ones
6.) Pacifiers
Our favorite ones were–and still are–pacis by BIBS! So many cute colors and come in packs of two! BIBS Pacis
7.) Paci Clip
Having Baby’s Paci clipped on them kept me from having to keep up with it haha! It stays clipped on baby which means his/her Paci is a lot less likely to get lost and not be around when ya need it! Here are ones we loved (or similar!)