One typical question asked on the Choice Mom discussion board is, what do I need to have on hand for my newborn? The responses have been numerous over time, so there are two compilations on this website about product recommendations from the Choice Mom community. This page is actual brand suggestions of certain products and tips that were recommended by Choice Moms. Below are the responses many Choice Moms have made about what was essential, and what was not, for their newborn.
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Posted February 3, 2010 at 7:40 PM
What newborns require
Tips
Says Barb: The three items I absolutely could not live without...
1) A baby carrier---I'm sure there are various carriers
and slings on the market that would suit others needs just as well,
but the gist of it is that having a carrier allows me to have two
hands free. And during the first 6 weeks my son didn't want to be put
down at all. The carrier allows you to be holding the baby yet still
have two hands free to do laundry (and you will do A LOT of laundry)
and dishes and try to eat and answer email.
2) A lightweight bouncy seat. My is one of those calming
vibrations with bubbling fish in it. It's light enough that I can
pick it up and carry it with one hand while I'm holding my son with the
other. And during those early weeks I could set it on the bathroom
floor and watch him while I peed. Really, they don't want to be put
down at all those first weeks, and that carrier allows you to set them
down very briefly just about anywhere. And as he has gotten older
and more interactive, he's been able to entertain himself for long
periods while watching the bubbles and kicking his legs... great for
gassy babies. The inclined position helps the baby digest too.
3) An exercise ball. This is not something that is on most people's
list but a friend recommended one to me, and it saved me many, many
times. There is something about holding the baby and sitting on it
and bouncing in slow, deep bounces that provides just the right
soothing motion for my little boy. When nothing else will calm him I
can hold him tight and bounce on the exercise ball, and he stops
crying within 3-4 bounces. It's a miracle worker.
See breastfeeding tips for specific suggestions on nursing products, including pumps.
Reader Comments
Posted February 2, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Pjs with zippers (babies move sooo much and buttons can get tricky)
jogging stroller (won mine online but the best!)
Swaddle blanket (you know with velcro straps THE BEST invention in my
opinion!)
As for a hand pump, I like Medela (got mine free through WIC)
Moby Wrap (love love love it! Especially when they are smaller and
can be colicky!)
mittens with elastic around the wrist part (SO helpful for little
newborns! and very hard to find the kind with elastic all the way
around)
Wipie warmer (for the smaller ones)
Aveeno products (especially if your baby has sensitive skin)
Pampers brand diapers (THE best! No diaper rash and keeps the pee IN!)
Johnson's brand breastpads are the best in my opinion (check into
Lilypadz too)
Mothering Magazine (for the natural types out there)
thermal blankets were way better for swaddling than receiving
blankets when he was younger
Things I do not use:
Crib, bassinet, pacifiers, shoes (not until walking is solid),
bottles, baby oil (made of petroleum!), scented products, what to
expect books, formula,
Posted January 31, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Other things I found essential. Breast/nursing pads. (you will leak).
A good nursing bra that you'll be wearing around the clock.
Some lanolin cream (Lansinoh) for your nipples if you breast feed. (now that I only pump I don't really need it).
Vaseline in case the baby gets a chapped chin or nose from drooling, nursing.
A baby thermometer.
A gentle baby wash.
A hooded towel and some wash cloths.
Some cotton balls.
Some disposable changing table liners (easier than doing the laundry). Three sheets for the crib plus two mattress pads. (so you can change them and not have to do wash every day)
A whole lot of burp cloths and receiving blankets.
Diapers and wipes.
I'd have on hand some infant tylenol/motrin, so gas drops and some saline nasal spray, but I haven't used any of them yet.
Some four ounce bottles -- I have nine glass ones (three packs of three). I haven't ever had all of them used at one time.
A good bottle brush with a nipple brush.
A boppy pillow. (I know this is bad, but when he's fussing in his crib, I prop him up in the middle of the boppy on my bed -- I can't roll over on him, and he's upright and constrained).
After two weeks I gave in and got some pacifiers.
Get clothes with snaps or zippers -- long sleeve things that go over a baby's head (like many onesies) are also ridiculous.
Forget socks and mittens -- all they do is fall off.
Plan on two outfits a day -- usually some kind of undershirt or onesie and some kind of oversleeper/footed sleeper/gown.
That's almost everything I've used in the first three weeks. You don't need a whole lot of stuff.
Posted January 29, 2010 at 7:55 PM
It's overwhelming, isn't it?? Here's my personal list of must-haves. I'm sure everyone's is a little different. I'd say that if an item shows up on multiple lists, you'll probably want to have it.
--car seat
--sling
--6 receiving blankets
--at least 12 cloth diapers (18 is better) if you are going that route
(I'm a big fan of Fuzzi Bunz)
--a package of disposable diapers for when you're out and about and
don't want to tote around dirty diapers
--nursing pillow (good even if you're not breastfeeding)
--6 onesies (long-sleeved if it's winter)
--6 sleepers (fleecy or cotton depending on season)
--warm hat/sun hat depending on time of year
--wipes (I cut up an old crib sheet and squirt water on the pieces)
--3 pairs of boob pads if you are nursing (I've discovered that I only
need one at a time because I leak from the breast that my daughter
isn't nursing from; wear 2 for symmetry if you are leaving the house)
--vibrating chair (babies love 'em)
--2 medium-weight blankets
--2 heavy-weight blankets (one for the car) depending on time of year
--breast pump if nursing (Medela Pump in Style is a classic)
--Moses basket or co-sleeper. My baby has yet to sleep in her crib,
though she does hang out and play in it during the day.
--2-3 4-oz. BPA-free bottles if you're nursing (for when you leave the
baby with someone else)
--3-5 absorbent pads to put under the baby in case of leaks
--diaper bag (doesn't have to be fancy)
--3-5 spit-up cloths (old cloth diapers work well)
--a few outfits. I work at home, so we both mostly live in our PJs. You might want more outfits if your baby will be out partyin' on a regular basis.
Be forewarned that people tend to give newborn stuff for shower gifts. My daughter hit 3 months and suddenly the blizzard of clothes no longer fit her. I've purchased almost everything off of Craigslist and been very happy with all of it.
Posted January 27, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Required:
1) two arms
2) two breasts
Nice to have:
3) a boppy
4) a "carrier" (sling or other)
5) lots of "onesies"
Extra:
6) a mini pack n play (takes up less space and holds your child until
they are at least one, maybe two)
That's about it, really. all they need is you!
Posted January 25, 2010 at 7:50 PM
The things I really used were:
vibrating seat
swing
Gripe Water (a must if your baby has colic, buy it now, you will thank
God later)
Plastic bathtub with the fabric support (cheap)
I found so many things on Craigslist. I got a great $140 swing for
$40. The pad is washable and the rest is plastic. Ebay has baby clothes
in lots. Most of it has never been used. At the rate the babies grow it
couldn't be used too much anyway.
Posted January 24, 2010 at 12:00 AM
My must-haves:
Car seat
Head support for car seat
Formula (my boobs were useless so thank goodness they're not really a requirement for everyone)
Bottles (I use Playtex nursers; BPA free and just need to wash nipples)
Baby Mylecon
Infant Tylenol
Diapers (cloth or disposable) - if you go with disposable I would get ones and just fold under the umbilical cord
Tshirts - hospital had a ton that I took Receiving blankets - again, most of them I got from the hospital
Onesies
Wipes
Diaper rash cream
Sleepers
Hats and socks
Books to read to her before bedtime
Ziploc Bags for dirty diapers and clothes while out and about
Something to wipe up spitup - I end up rarely using an actual burp cloth - most of the time her bib or a paper towel
Bath towels with hood and wash cloths
Netting to cover car seat and/or stroller - particularly for summer babies - it made me feel a lot better knowing the bugs aren't getting to her
My not-must-haves but make life easier:
Gymini play mat
Baby bjorn
Stroller base for car seat
Bouncer and/or swing
Infant tub and kneeler for next to tub
Music player
Diaper Genie
Binkies
Diaper Bag
Changing pads throughout the house (along with extra diapers, cream and wipes)
Baby oil to help with cradle cap and give infant massage
Baby Aquaphor soap and lotion for dry skin
Pack n Play
Brush
Rattles
Monitor
Car mirror to see her in the back seat
Mat for under the car seat
Things that I thought would be essential but end up rarely using:
Boppy pillow
Sleep sack
Co-sleeper - I only used for 2 months. I had gotten the mini one due to space issues. In hindsight I would have registered for the classic so it could be then used for a playpen or just used the pack n play (which is currently being used as her crib at my parents' house)
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Posted February 4, 2010 at 7:00 PM by Randi
I agree with the Swaddle blanket and mittens with elastic as being great and necessary! I personally think a wipe warmer is a waste of money (the wipes cool so fast after removing from the warmer and you can't travel with a warmer...so at some point they got to get used to room temp wipes!).
As for lotion plain old A&D (even generic) for the leg creases and labia or under testicles and something thicker for the butt cheeks (I prefered Desitin creamy as it wiped off easy).
Loved a swing as it was soothing and helped ease into naps. Never needed a diaper genie as I lived in an apartment with a garbage chute next door but my sister has one and loves it.
Formula is a personal choice and if you want to use it don't let people make you think you are a bad mom because of it.
Oh and one thing I couldn't live without....buy 2 packages of flat cloth diapers. Use them as spit cloths for wiping their constant spit up as instant. Cheap and washes easy....I had them all over the house!!!