Must haves for new born

future mrs dash · June 2014

Anyone with lo already, what would you say your must haves were? We saw friends yesturday and they said a bouncer (one upstairs, one downstairs) and moses basket upstairs n downstairs....

Emerald27 · June 2014

Well the non-negotiables seem to me to be a carseat, diapers/wipes, and clothes. Everything else is optional. :P But I know that's not what you're asking. Hehe

I found the breast friend pillow to be very helpful in learning to breastfeed DS. He was extremely tiny, and as a FTM, I felt like I needed 8 hands to nurse effectively. The pillow provided good back support and eliminated the need for at least 1-3 of those extra hands.

I didn't use it but for a couple months, but it really did make an enormous difference at the start. I far preferred that pillow over boppy, but everyone is different so you may really like boppy.

I also really found having a baby carrier to be super helpful and snugly. The Ergo is a great starter carrier for FTMs, but mei tais (like Babyhawk) and woven wraps are excellent for wearing newborns through toddlers. When LO gets a bit bigger/older, my favorite baby carrier is the Kinderpack. If you're interested in babywearing or in learning about its benefits, do some online research and consider attending a BWI (babywearing international) meeting near you, if you have a local chapter. Those meetings are free and they have trained instructors to demo carriers of all kinds and to teach you one-on-one how to use them. You can try a bunch on, and if you join ($30/yr), you can check out carriers for free for a month at a time, to try them out before investing in one.

cozybluebear · June 2014

My must have was gripe water! My son was colic and screamed in pain for 4 months straight. It was horrible! The only thing that soothed his little belly was gripe water. It's all natural and works great for all tummy troubles, especially those unburpable gas bubbles... much better than gas drops.

Raesofsunshine1 · June 2014

I second a nursing pillow, but I know friends who have just used a regular pillow and it works ok. I bottle fed and I still used it all the time.

I also used a swing all the time. She slept there while I got work done and it entertained her when she was awake and I couldnt hold her. I never wore baby very much. It was awkward sometimes trying to do housework so I used the swing more. I do plan on trying to wear this baby more especially when we are out.

Roseypants · June 2014

carseat, diapers, wipes, blankets, a few outfits, bottles/warmer, pacifier, baby carrier, and rock n play.

SusieBW · June 2014

DD was in her bouncy seat a lot. I guess we used that they way a lot of people use swings, but my dog was not having a swing in the house. He barked at it whenever we turned it on, so that was out for us.

She also went through a phase where she didn't want to be put down, so our Moby wrap was indispensable for a while, too.

manateeliz · June 2014

For us, a baby carrier (we had a Moby and Beco Gemini when DS was a newborn), A&A swaddled blankets, sleep sacks, and the nose Frida were our must-haves, but obviously every baby is different. A lot of babies like swings/bouncers, but DS just liked being held, hence the carriers. He also liked being swaddled, but some babies don't.

SusieBW · June 2014

manateeliz said:

For us, a baby carrier (we had a Moby and Beco Gemini when DS was a newborn), A&A swaddled blankets, sleep sacks, and the nose Frida were our must-haves, but obviously every baby is different. A lot of babies like swings/bouncers, but DS just liked being held, hence the carriers. He also liked being swaddled, but some babies don't.

OMG, yes, a booger-sucker! We didn't have a nosefrieda, just a couple of the bulb ones from the hospital, but those things were a life-saver on a lot of nights when DD wasn't feeling well.

miss.brittany · June 2014

Boppy pillow (makes things much more comfortable), a sling (my DD loved it and when she was really fussy I'd put her in it and carry it around the house, worked every time!), and nipple cream!!!!! Seriously if you plan to breast feed nipple cream is a necessity. I loved earth mama angel baby's natural nipple butter.

Jansheski · June 2014

I also recommend the rock n play. We used ours all the time with both of my boys. I also liked the dr browns "Gia" nursing pillow better than the boppy. Our swing was a life saver too.

Jbunny100 · June 2014

I second the breastfriend. DS was also tiny and he kept falling into the crack of the boppy - where the pillow hit your stomach. The breastfriend offered a flatter and firmer surface to help with BFing.

The baby carriers are a must. I love the idea mentioned earlier of joining that group to try some out. I have the K-Tan and the Baby Balboa. K-Tan is like an already wrapped version of the Mobi and it great when they are little. The Baby Balboa was fantastic for me once DS had neck control. I carried him everywhere because it was quicker and easier than using the stroller.

Blankets - try to get some that are different sizes. Since DS was so small the A+A blankets were just too big for him. The regular receiving blankets you get in like 4-5 packs at Target or BRU were perfect for my little guy. We swaddled a lot so eventually the swaddle wraps with Velcro were the best way for us to go since DS couldn't really wiggle out of them like he could the blanket.

This probably isn't a necessity, but I found it very helpful - a Baby Bath. I got one that converts from a baby bath to a toddler bath and then to a step stool. It has been so wonderful. Even though DS could just be in the regular tub, I find using the Baby Bath toddler version helps save on the amount of water I end up needing.

Nipple cream is definitely needed if you are planning to BF. I like the Boobease by Bamboobies. The main ingredient is olive oil which makes it pretty natural.

Last thing, get some comfy supportive shoes for yourself. You are going to be moving around a lot more and standing on your feet a lot. I wore flip flops in the beginning and my knee joints and legs ached so much. I switched to some Sketchers Walk Ups and they have been awesome.

wearenutts · June 2014

Diapers, wipes, carseat, crib, clothes, burp cloths, blankets. If bottle feeding then bottles if breast feeding then nipple cream.

Things I found helpful were a bouncer, boppy and a play mat. DD liked the swing but wasn't in it too much.

megaroo64 · June 2014

Besides the obvious (carseat, clothes, diapers, wipes), I would also agree with nursing pillow. I had a boppy and it was extremely helpful. My son HATED the bouncer - so if you are thinking of eventually getting one for each floor of your house, I would wait to make sure he/she likes it at all. The rock n play was a lifesaver for us, but a lot of other stuff we could have gone either way.

turtlewifey · June 2014

Moses baskets are definitely not a necessity! A bouncer or somewhere to put the baby down can be useful, but isn't an absolute must.

Like others have said, diapers/wipes, sleepers or onesies, and carseat are the biggies. A baby carrier, nursing pillow, and swaddling blankets are also very helpful, but not necessary depending on your circumstances (for example, if you plan to formula feed off the bat, you may not need a nursing pillow).

sarah62584 · June 2014

cozybluebear said:

My must have was gripe water! My son was colic and screamed in pain for 4 months straight. It was horrible! The only thing that soothed his little belly was gripe water. It's all natural and works great for all tummy troubles, especially those unburpable gas bubbles... much better than gas drops.

This! I had no idea about gripe water and received it at my shower. It is my go to gift at every shower I attend! Life saver!!

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