12 Newborn Essentials from Amazon I Didn't Realize I Needed
It feels like just yesterday I was building our baby registry for my shower. Somehow, I blinked and I now have a 9-week old sweet baby boy snuggling into my chest (his favorite spot) as I type this post. It’s true what everyone says; it really goes by too fast: pregnancy and the newborn phase alike.
During our first couple months as new parents, we quickly realized that, while babies don’t exactly need much, having a few extra tools on hand does make life a whole lot easier.
Since I shared my baby registry in the 2nd trimester, I wanted to do a quick update now with the items that I should have added (all available on Amazon) so you don’t make the same mistake.
From a newborn lounger that I use several times a day to a mirror that is a must for solo car rides, the swaddle you need to keep your baby asleep at night, and a few other essentials, I’m breaking down the 12 items I WISH I had added to my registry.
Shop the 12 newborn essentials I didn’t realize I needed below!
In case you missed it: read My Birth Story on the blog now
newborn lounger
It’s expensive, I know, but truly worth every penny. Having a high-quality lounger to set him in when I need to get something done hands-free or to lay him under his cute wooden play set is so nice. The center is curved and has a dip in it so he can’t wiggle out, and the snugness keeps him cozy.
It also doubles as the perfect prop for taking photos and seeing how much he has grown from week to week!
newborn swing
To be honest, London is still warming up to his swing. At the moment, he doesn’t like to be set down for very long, so it only lasts for about 30 minutes at a time. But, those 30 minutes that he is being entertained by the music, hanging mobile, and swaying is precious time that I can eat dinner with Sam from across the room or check something off my to-do list for the day.
From what I’ve heard from other Mommas, I think that as he gets older, he will enjoy the swing more and more. For the time being, I also got him a newborn insert to put inside for head support (definitely necessary for newborns, in my opinion).
slow flow bottles
This is a must for new babies if you are using formula or want the option of letting someone else feed him breastmilk. At the moment, I am nursing London for every feed except when I want to run out for an hour or more. It is nice to have the option to leave a bottle with Sam when I want to get my nails done, or our parents if we are going out for a date night.
I also have a pack of the glass Avent baby bottles which I love, but they are better suited for him as he gets older since they don’t have the “slow flow” nipple. I didn’t realize before purchasing these that he would suck down his milk in less than 5 minutes if we weren’t specifically using a bottle that is “slow flow” (which can result in an upset tummy and spitting up).
lightweight muslin swaddles
I got this set in 4 beautiful neutral colors. They are lightweight for the warmer months and perfect for using as a blanket in the car, a base for changing his diaper on the go, a cover for your lounger, or shielding the sun over the stroller on windy/sunny walks.
You can also use them for swaddling, but I find them to be too big for me in that regard.
halo sleepsack
Before starting the Taking Cara Babies classes, I was using a zip-up swaddle without velcro/wings. I found that it was getting stretched out no matter how often I washed it and London was able to stick his hands up through the opening in the neck which frequently woke him up (and freaked me out).
Once I saw that Cara from Taking Cara Babies recommended the Halo Sleepsack as one of the must-have products, I ordered it right away and have been using it since. I find it much easier to use, more secure than the blanket swaddles, and it keeps him more snug than the zip-up I was using previously.
baby car mirror
This should really be a given, but I didn’t even think about adding it to my baby registry. If you are planning on taking a drive with your newborn alone, or simply want to sit in the front passenger seat rather than riding in the back, having a mirror for the car where you can see your baby in his/her carseat is essential.
It’s extremely easy to install and can be transferred from car to car hassle-free.
playtime tent
We received a colorful teepee from my Mother in Law a few weeks back and I didn’t realize how much we would use that as a designated play area. Since the colors were a bit too bold for our aesthetic downstairs, I decided to move that one up to his nursery and get another tent that I could utilize in my home office (it’s the first room you see when you walk into our house).
I found this gorgeous Scandinavian style playtime tent on Amazon for a similiar price and decided that it would fit in perfectly with our neutral home decor. Over the weekend, Sam set it up (very easily) and I added my own personal touch to the outside with a cute tassel garland and jazzed up the inside with his play gym, lounger, stuffed animals, a woven basket for his toys, and throw pillows.
Head to my Instagram to see the final result!
Now, you could argue that I don’t need a playtime tent for a 9-week old baby, but London seems to love having his awake time inside it. I’ve been reading him colorful books and singing along to our nursery rhyme playlist on Spotify, and I know that it will be useful as he gets older when I’m able to set him down and get work done on my computer beside it.
diaper genie
A diaper pail, duh; right? Yep, didn’t add that one to my registry.
After filling our home with the stench of dirty diapers in every trash can, getting a diaper genie was really a no-brainer. Thankfully, this style is pretty enough to take up a spot in our nursery and it is excellent at keeping the smell contained.
cutie pacifier
Call me superficial, but I love to have a pacifier that matches London’s outfits. I spend a pretty decent amount of time choosing his look for the day and I hate to see an ugly pacifier ruin it. These cute pacifiers come in 9 neutral colors to go with any outfit and pair perfectly with this pacifier clip (so useful!)
portable sound machine
THE single most useful product I own for London: a portable sound machine. I can’t believe it took me 7 weeks to order one, but from now on this will be the first thing I mention to first-time Moms.
Of course, I had put a sound machine on my registry, and we use a plug-in one for nights and daytime naps, but I totally underestimated how incredible it is to have the white noise with us on the go. Since getting this one and seeing how well London reacted to it (he literally went from screaming to totally asleep in less than 2 minutes the first time I turned it on), I bring it with us everywhere.
It is rechargable and perfect for car rides and naps on the go. Lately, I have even been using it in addition to his plug-in sound machine when he takes his daytime naps so that he stays asleep when Oliver barks (usually at our Amazon delivery person, ironically).
battery operated stroller fan
Summer heatwave, anyone? This battery operated fan really needs no explanation when we’re living through the hottest June known to man (ok, that’s dramatic, but you get the point).
If you want to step foot outside with your newborn this season, having a fan on-the-go is essential. This one has a flexible and adjustable grip, so it’s perfect for attaching to the stroller or a car seat.
thank you cards
Lastly, you don’t realize how badly you need thank you cards until everyone from your neighbors to family members are dropping off meals, diapers, and gifts. It is easy for me to show our appreciation by simply writing a note during nap time and slipping it into one of these gorgeous envelopes.
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Want more newborn-related posts? Check out My Birth Story and DIY Mama and Babe Denim Jackets.
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xo Anna Elizabeth