Baby Nail Files
Pediatricians recommend you file the nails (instead of using clippers) in the early days, so I recommend having several little baby nail emery boards. Then baby clippers for later.
Probiotics
This probiotic powder was recommended to us by a pediatrician. This specific one is designed for babies under two-years-old. It is also dairy-free. Since it is not uncommon for an infant to have some level of intolerance to dairy, I like to choose dairy-free products whenever I can.
Snot Remover
Newborns only breathe through their noses for the first few months of life… but don’t worry, most are able to breathe through their mouth if their nose is blocked. But it is still comforting to keep their nasal passages clear. Be careful not to overuse any of these products. When you apply a seal to the nostril and then a vacuum to the nasal cavity, you’ll get a booger out but you risk causing more congestion of the delicate tissues of the nose and rebound congestion later on.
I like Little Noses Saline Spray and started using it pretty early on. This helps to thin out the mucus and get it moving. If you do this, you may not even need to suck it out.
Hospital Suction Bulb – Nothing beats the snot sucker bulb they give you at the hospital! Bring it home with you and ask for an extra. Every time you use it, thoroughly clean it out with hot water and soap.
NoseFrida the Snotsucker – Everyone swears by this. We have it, but I still have been afraid to use it!
Thermometer
Hopefully, you don’t need to use it, but consider getting a rectal thermometer. Rectal temperatures are the most accurate way to get the temperature of a baby. Again, I hope you don’t have to do it because it is not fun! But, if your baby gets sick enough that you call the pediatrician, he or she may ask you to take their rectal temperature… so, be prepared.
- Kinsa Smart Thermometer
- Braun Ear Thermometer ~ An ear temperature, if taken correctly, is likely more accurate than armpit or forehead (not still not as accurate as rectal).
Baby Care Kits
There are many kits that include several of these baby care products all together.
Boon Care Kit • Safety 1st Deluxe Kit • The First Years American Red Cross Baby Kit
Diaper Rash Cream
Some good clean options are: Badger, Beautycounter, Honest Company or Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. I mention, “clean” a lot, especially when talking about baby care products. When I want to know how safe the ingredients are in a product going on my kids’ body, I check the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.
Other Skin Care
For things like cradle cap, eczema, dry skin, etc. I think it’s incredibly important to look at the ingredients in the products you put on a baby’s skin. If you ever want to check the safety of ingredients in a product, enter the product name into the EWG Skin Deep Database. It is my go-to safety guide for skincare products. Look at: Beautycounter Baby, Aquaphor Baby, Baby Pibu Skincare.
I’m a huge fan of Beautycounter because their mission really is to get safer products into the hands of everyone. Beautycounter is dedicated to keeping products free from chemicals that contribute to cancers, infertility, and other health issues. (By the way, I do not work for Beautycounter, nor do I get paid in any way for saying this. I’m just a genuine fan of their mission and their products.)
Pacifiers
Natursutten • Bibs
NUK • MAM • Soothie • Wubbanub
Natursutten: This single-piece design is made without BPA, phthalates, or chemical softening agents.
Bibs: I’m a huge fan of these. They come in so many colors, they have a classic style and they are BPA, PVC and phthalate free.
NUK: We preferred this when the babies were a little older. My daughter took any pacifier from day 1. My son only took the NUK, and only after his surgery to release the lip and tongue ties. The NUK makes orthodontic pacifiers for older infants and toddlers.
MAM: This is a very liked pacifier among babies and often recommended for newborns
Soothie: This one is often recommended for newborns, but not for older infants. Once teeth start coming in, it’s best to switch to an orthodontic pacifier to not impact the way baby teeth come in.
Wubbanub: You’ve gotta do it! They are adorable! It’s basically a Soothie attached to a mini stuffed animal.
Pacifier Clips
If your baby does love the pacifier, you will need a few pacifier clips. This will prevent it from falling onto the ground when your baby inevitably spits it out. You can find pacifier clips almost anywhere that has baby products. Some are just a ribbon, and others are teethers and clips in one. These are some of my favorites:
Humidifier
Teeth
The Infant Banana Toothbrush is the perfect first toothbrush. It is easy to grip, safe to chew on and looks like a familiar (and generally likable food).
The Brushies are finger puppet toothbrushes perfect for infants and toddlers. The variety of colors and animals help make toothbrushing fun!
A great toddler toothbrush is Fridababy’s SmileFrida the ToothHugger. It’s 3-Sided so it can clean all sides of teeth at once.
Fever Reducer / Pain Reliever
I am a firm believer that it’s best not to jump to medicate. It is wise to have some infant and child acetaminophen at home in case you need it… but don’t give it too lightly. Fevers serve a purpose and don’t always need to be reduced. If you have a baby under three-months-old with a fever of 100.4 or higher, you should definitely call your doctor immediately. The same goes for any baby or child with any other health problem that is running a fever. However, if your child is older and the fever isn’t too high, you may want to focus on making your child more comfortable without medicating. (I’m not a medical professional, so always check with your doctor first.) Here are some natural remedies for various ailments: Natural Teething Remedies • Natural Remedies For a Fever • Natural Remedies For Cold, Cough & Flu • Natural Remedies For Ear Infection
Things You Do Not Need (Yet)
Baby comb and brush ~ Your baby may not be born with hair, and he/she may not get hair for many many months. You can wait to register for or purchase this since you don’t know what you’ll need.
More Essentials:
