Newborn Baby Necessities
Obviously, with your first baby you need things like: Infant car seat, Place for baby to sleep, Stroller, Clothes and Diapers. But in addition to those given must-haves, here are a few not so obvious things that I think are essential as well:
Baby Carrier (infant and/or structured)
Baby-wearing allows you to be a normal human being. You can carry your baby around and still have use of your arms. Another benefit is that most babies easily fall asleep when in the carrier. This is my favorite soft-structured carrier, by far! You can read more about why here.
BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance
Trust me! Some people are skeptical as to whether you really need a portable baby holder. That’s pre-baby. Post-baby, everyone loves it! It’s lightweight (easy to move around the house). It folds flat (great for storage and portability). The seat recline is adjustable (ideal for babies with reflux). You can get a fun wooden toy bar. It rocks with a gentle push or with baby’s movements. This is NOT a safe place for sleep. It should serve the purpose of a supervised baby-holder, much like a swing. If you want to know more, check out this review.
Muslin Swaddle Blankets
They are breathable, come in adorable prints and have multiple uses.
Activity Mat
Not only will an activity mat entertain your baby, but there are also plenty of developmental benefits as well. Also, they are portable, easy to clean, great for tummy time and customizable (changeable toys and links). Newborns can only see highly contrasting colors (like black and white), so ideally the activity mat would have bright contrasting colors. If yours isn’t (or you see a super cute one at Land of Nod that isn’t), that’s okay… just consider adding some bright contrasting colored toys or links to it. A new activity mat that I’ve recently fallen in love with is this one.
Portable Changing Station (for diaper bag)
If you can’t find a bathroom, you can turn anything into a changing table with one of these. Also, public restrooms are gross, so you want this with you. Keep it in your diaper bag always. If your diaper bag comes with one (some do), get another to keep in your car. It is a must-have for back seat diaper changes.
Hands-Free Pump Bra (if breastfeeding)
If you are going to pump for your baby, this allows you to pump on both sides while typing an email or browsing Instagram.
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