Congratulations on becoming a new parent! This exciting time is filled with joy and wonder as you welcome your newborn into the world. It can also be a bit overwhelming and nerve-wracking, especially if you’re a first-time parent.

One of the most important things to prepare for your newborn is having the right essentials. These items will make your life as a new parent much easier and help you take care of your little one with ease. In this guide, we’ll review the essential items every new parent needs to have for their newborn.

Newborn Essentials Checklist

Having made it through he newborn stage with two kids now, I can officially say the first 3 months are the hardest. Those difficult moments are also filled with joy and special bonding you will treasure forever. When I went into the newborn phase with my second, I felt much more prepared due to the expectations, newborn essentials and how to navigate life with no sleep. These are my tried and true newborn essentials to help you navigate this new chapter ahead of you.

Sleep Essentials

As a new parent, sleep is going to be in short supply but having the essentials for safe sleep can help you appreciate the stretched you do get. With both of my babies, we started with the SNOO in our room and graduated to a crib in a separate room around three months (earlier with my second). Each baby is different as is each parent and sleep arrangements will look different for each person.

SNOO Bassinet by Happiest Baby

Now, I know it may seem insane to spend $1200 on a bassinet, but it helped so much, and honestly, you can’t put a price on sleep as a new parent. I will say we purchased our products when they were 35% off, and they frequently run sales of 25-35% off. I also went on to lend it out to friends for 3 years in between our two kids, and I recouped the entire cost.

For those who are not familiar with the SNOO, it’s an electronic bassinet for newborn – 6 months which rocks and sooth your baby throughout the night. As the baby wakes or cries, the bassinet senses the change and increases sound and movement. Don’t worry; the settings are customizable, and if the baby cries for over 3 months, the bassinet shuts off, indicating it’s time for mom/dad to step in.

One of the biggest concerns (other than the price) that I have heard is whether the child will be able to wean from the SNOO. I had no issues with either of my kids transitioning to a crib. The company also has great customer service and sleep experts to help new parents!

Check out their SNOO rental program and their sleep sacks, which can be used without the SNOO.

Magic Merlin Suit

These weighted sleep suits are a wonderful transition for babies going from swaddling in a bassinet or SNOO to sleeping without swaddling in a crib. If you daycare will allow them, they are also a great tool for adjusting to daycare sleep

Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor

We bought this monitor for our first son and loved it so much we bought a second when we expanded our family. We love the functionality as well as the ability to go from wall mount to a stand on roadtrips. The dual view in the app for parents of multiples is a game changer.

Sound Machine

This sound machine is so good, we bought a backup. The key to the best sound machines (which we learned from our Taking Cara Babies Newborn Sleep Class) is that they should NOT have a timer. You want a sound machine that will run continuously all night.

This one is our favorite, and we used it every night until we got the SNOO. Sometimes I would even strap the sound machine to my carrier as I bounced around the kitchen with Mason trying to calm him. I also keep another one in the car to soothe on the go.

Seating

This is an overlooked category, in my opinion, as having a place to put a newborn is essential, especially if there are older kids in the house. I found these items the most helpful during the newborn stage for having a safe place to “store” my babies. There is quite a range for these items in terms of price, and I always save a lot shopping kids’ consignment sales as well.

Bouncing Baby Seat or Baby Bjorn

Any of these seats will work great for your newborn. Keep one in each room or area of the house so that you have a safe space while cooking, getting out of the bath, or grabbing a clean diaper. The BabyBjorn is expensive, but it is PERFECT for newborns and works as they grow and want to bounce as well.

Boppy Pillows

Get multiples so you can stack them and sit the baby up. This was particularly helpful for my second when my toddler wanted to read to him or play with him.

Play mat /Activity Mat

Both of my boys have loved a playmat. It is particularly helpful to hang toys on and lay on during newborn exercises for stimulation. We love the Lovevery mat but had a cheap one with my first son and both worked great for our needs. It is washable and has different zones for engagement that can be adjusted based on the age and interest of your baby.

Snuggle Me Organic Lounger & Dock a Tot

Either one of these is great in the first three months of newborn life. I liked to have one upstairs and one downstairs, so I always had a safe spot to put my babies down. The Dock a Tot will last longer in terms of age, as the Snuggle Me Organic has a smaller inner area. Neither of these products is safe for unattended sleep.

Bath/Diapering

AngelCare Baby Bath Support

We swear by this bathtub, and my sister loved it for her twins as well. It’s easy to use and clean, and it can be flipped over and used as a seat when the baby is sitting up on its own. We also love these washcloths. We use the La Roche Posay Lipikar body wash (15% off with Anna15 on their website) for everyone in our family, and it’s safe and gentle for babies, too. Also, we love the Dove gentle baby soap and lotion.

Feeding

Gas Reducing Bottles

My first son was gassy to the point that it interrupted his sleep, so we used Dr. Brown’s bottles from the start. We like the Options+, which has fewer leaking issues. Also, these dishwasher trays for the Dr. Brown’s parts are AMAZING. I wish we had known about these from the beginning. We used these same bottles and nipples for our second son.

Baby Brezza Pro

With our first son, we didn’t get the Baby Brezza Pro, which is like a Keurig for baby formula, but with our second, it has been our most essential item. It makes a bottle in under 3 seconds and the water is warmed automatically. It is $200+, and the funnel has to be cleaned every 4 bottles, but I swear this is the best baby item I have EVER owned.

Clothing

Sleep Gowns

Open-bottom sleep sacks are amazing for the newborn stage because they make nighttime diaper changes a breeze.

Zipper Pajamas

Always opt for zipper pajamas and magnetic closure outfits. You will not want to be fighting buttons and snaps as your newborn is crying. The Little Sleepies are my favorite but they are so expensive I try to buy them used.

Health & Safety

Portable Fan

Newborns can’t regulate their temperature, so it’s up to us to do it for them. We LOVE these portable fans. They easily attach to strollers, cribs, and seats when you’re in the heat.

DermaFrida

You all know I love the FridaMom postpartum products, and their FridaBaby products are just as good. This small and inexpensive item is amazing! It literally removed all of Mason’s cradle cap in one sitting. You apply water and baby shampoo/body wash and gently rub on the scalp to remove the cradle cap or dry skin. It’s silicone and soft on their tender skin.

NoseFrida

This product seemed so gross. My husband and I avoided using it for about 6 weeks, but once we tried it, we were sold. It gets out baby boogers so well, and I promise nothing gets in your mouth. When you see the relief for your baby, it’s all worth it. We found it best to add a few saline drops to the nose to loosen the mucus.

Baby Gear

Uppa Baby Stroller & Bassinet

We took so many trips to Buy Buy Baby and I tried out almost every stroller out there. I also read 10,000 reviews. At the end of the day the UppaBaby Stroller was the only one I liked! I wanted something I could easily maneuver on my own and transition from home to car and stores. For the first 2 months with both babies, we used the stroller combined with the bassinet nonstop out, in the house, and for sleeping. We also travelled with this combo when they were both little to avoid using a larger pack n play.

Nuna Pipa Lite Carseat

Instead of the UppaBaby car seat we got this one, which is only 6 lbs , and we use this adapter (which is so easy to clip in).

Doona Stroller

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we got the Doona for my husband’s car. It’s a stroller/car seat in one, and it’s perfect for traveling! We have used it through both babies and have definitely gotten our money’s worth.

Baby Carrier

My mom friends make fun of me because I am the carrier queen. I have tried everything on the market, and the ErgoBaby Embrace and the Boppy carriers are my favorites. Both are the perfect mix of a structured carrier and a soft carrier so you can keep your baby close and snuggly. Both are easy to put on. The Ergo Baby Embrace does have more support if your baby is on the larger side, like my second was. With my first I used the Boppy carrier much longer.

I always keep a carrier in the car and use it constantly for quick grocery trips, as well as errands. For longer walks, I love my LilleBaby carrier, which has more back support.

Extra Essentials

• Breast pump (I had breast cancer and couldn’t breastfeed, but my girlfriends recommend this breast pump.
• Nursing pillow (does double duty as a baby seat)
• Diapers and baby wipes – We love Huggies Snugglers, Huggies overnight and the Costco Kirkland brand diapers and wipes once you get to size 3.
• Diaper bag – I used the Freshly Picked diaper bag with both kids, but now I opt for smaller bags and throw a few diapers and wipes into any kind of easy-to-carry bag.
• Pacifier – try a ton until you see what your baby likes. Both my boys liked different kinds.
• Thermometer – for infants, you need a rectal thermometer and will later want a digital touchless thermometer.
• Nail trimmer – pro tip: use a cuticle trimmer to cut your baby’s nails.