Newborn Baby Essentials

I started this post even though tons of people out there have suggestions on this, but I just want to remember for myself what we thought was essential for our first and compare how the second will change this list. We're also a bit of a "minimalist family". This is in quotes because it's something definitely harder for me to live to than my husband who demands that I throw something away every time I bring something new back home.

3 Months & Under

1. Infant Car Seat - honestly I much prefer the ones that the baby can grow into since we only used our infant car seat for about 6 to 8 months and then baby got longer and more comfortable in a bigger car seat. They always come with all this padding, so you won't have to worry about baby being too small for the ones that switch from rear-facing to forward-facing.

2. Car Mirror to see baby when they're rear facing

3. Stroller - We got one that can fit the infant car seat and a bassinet. We rarely used the bassinet although we see a lot of people using it.

4. Baby Sleep Essentials

   1. Crib, mattress, mattress covers (we thought the bassinet was highly unnecessary. It's a "nice to have" for next to the bed for Mamas that are breastfeeding the first few months for every 2 or 3 hours)

   2. Swaddles - we tried so many brands and everyone we know swear by the ones that works - I like the ones without velcro for laundry purposes

   3. White Noise Machine - Honestly we just used our phones or an iPad and Bluetooth it to a speaker. Some people swear by having an item that they can recharge for the car or carseat, but we either used an old phone that serves as an iPod now I guess or we just let natural street/park sound be the white noise. The other thing that's useful is the hatch white noise machine that also turns color because you use it to teach toddlers when it's time to sleep and wake up/leave the bed. We didn't do that because we got stuck with cosleeping, but that's another story for another time.

   4. Baby Camera with night vision & 360 view - we got something very affordable that integrates with a Google home and would upgrade if it wasn't sufficient. Luckily, we never found ourselves needing the ones with the temperature sensors and other bells and whistles so we paid ~$40 and still use it today

   5. Crib Mobile - baby loves this especially when there is music. I don't have the science to back this, but I'm sure it helps with developing their senses so it's not just decor.

5. Burp Cloths (honestly any cloth you can lay on your shoulder will do, so this is just a placeholder to get a rag that goes above your shoulder so you don't get spit up on you)

6. Baby Wearing - I loved this period so this is a must-have even if you're only using it for a few months. Some use it for longer, but maybe they're strong and don't mind all the sweating

7. Diaper Changing Station -

   1. Diaper Changing Pad,

   2. Diaper Pail aka dedicated trash can with a lid,

   3. Diaper Rash Cream,

   4. Wet wipes & Dry Wipes (We didn't need to use dry wipes after baby got older, but it was beneficial in the beginning)

8. Baby Feeding

   1. Vitamin D Drops

   2. Baby Bottles

   3. Bottle Sterilizer

   4. Baby Formula - We didn't need this and just used what the hospital supplied

   5. Bottle Sponge Cleaner

   6. Baby Safe Dishwasher Detergent (We didn't use this, but if your baby goes through tons of bottles, it's so much better to use the dishwasher than the bottle sponge)

   7. Bottle Warmer - this is a "nice to have" because in the middle of the night when you don't want to burn yourself and the baby, it's a lot easier to have something that stops when it's warm enough

9. Baby Bath Time

   1. Washcloths

   2. Baby Towel with a hood

   3. Silicone Scrubber - great for cradle's cap

   4. Water Temperature Thermometer

   5. Baby Bathtub

10. Baby Safety & Grooming

    1. Rectal Thermometer - we used this a total of one time, but maybe that's because we're lucky

    2. Saline Solution

    3. Baby Nasal Aspirator - you'll be using this for a good amount of time until baby knows how to blow her nose. Even then, once baby or toddler is sick, we continue to use this to clear the sinuses.

    4. Baby Nail Clipper & File

11. Diaper Bag - we use a regular backpack and packing cubes

    1. Diaper Mat

    2. Diapers

    3. A change of clothes - onesie, hat, socks (check this often, since baby grows so fast)

    4. Wet Wipes - we use a portable wipe container that we use every day

    5. Diaper Rash Cream

    6. Disposable Diaper Trash bags & Dispenser (we use this for our dog too haha)

    7. Burp Cloth

    8. Pacifier & Pacifier Clip- our baby didn't take the pacifier, but when she did for the first 5 weeks, we kept this in a little holder so it won't accumulate dust

    9. Haakaa Ladybug Milk Catcher

    10. 1 Empty Baby Bottle

    11. Nursing Cover - Just use the muslin swaddled

    12. Hand Sanitizer & Wipes

    13. Nursing Pads

There are seriously lots of expensive and cool baby gear I covet that I want to list out for those made of money. Honestly, babies grow out of things so quickly that unless you plan to have many babies in order to get many usages out of these costly items. It's probably better to defer spending money on baby items and save it for a nice daycare, preschool, extracurriculars, and higher education.