Baby shopping is undeniable one of the most fun parts of pregnancy. Imagining all of the cute outfits you’re going to put your baby in. All of those fancy Montessori toys you’ve seen on Instagram. The cute loungers you HAVE to have.
All of that is great and all but totally unnecessary. YUP, I said. You don’t need any of that. Your brand new baby could care less about flash cards and loungers and swings and the bow on their head.
Newborns actually require very little, check out the 5 Newborn Must Haves Below:
Pacifiers
If you plan to give your baby a paci, binky, nuk, etc. you might want to consider getting different nipple types. Hospitals usually give you the green pacifiers that resemble no nipple that I’ve ever seen. While this works for some babies, my 10 month old still uses the 0-3 month Nuk Pacifiers and it works for him! If you have a registry think about registering for different types of nipples instead of just assuming your baby will be a one-size-fits-all.
Pajamas/Gowns
Okay, I feel like this tip is talked about everywhere but if not, I’ll make sure to fill ya in. TWO WAY ZIPPERS, PEOPLE. Do not even think about buying pajamas with snaps. Trust me. The last thing you want to be doing in the middle of the night is changing a diaper and then trying to line up the snaps. Gowns are another great alternative to snaps. Knotted gowns last for a long time since they are oversized and they make diaper changes a breeze! If you take one tip from me, this is it.
Vaseline
Skip the diaper cream and invest in a $2.50 tub of Vaseline. Once again, this might be a no brainer but I apparently did not have a brain and my poor baby kept getting diaper rash until I figured this one out. Skip medicated diaper cream, it might actually be painful to your baby, and opt for good old fashion petroleum jelly instead! Lather your baby’s bottom with the jelly during every diaper change and I can bet that you will avoid diaper rashes on your little one.
Baby Wrap
Most newborns will want to be held. All the time. Not even exaggerating. Obviously your other responsibilities don’t end just because your baby needs to be held so do yourself a favor and invest in a baby carrier. I prefer cloth wraps while other prefer structured. Whichever your preference, it is worth the purchase!
Portable Bassinet
When your baby isn’t wanting to be held, they will still want to be close to you. If you can, a portable bassinet is AMAZING for those first few weeks/months of newborn life. Being able to safely bring the baby from room to room while you cook dinner, fold laundry, poop, play with your other kiddos, etc. is a lifesaver. While you can do most things baby wearing, sometimes it is nice to have some touch free time while also keeping an eye on your babe.
Newborns are truly simple creatures. They require food, comfort, and love. Clean diapers, milk, and a cozy place to sleep are all you need to worry about during those first few weeks with baby. Don’t get too caught up in the ‘stuff,’ It won’t matter in the long run.
xoxo, Sleepy Sista
Sleepy Sista 