What do you really need for a newborn?
You are having a baby! Here's what you really need...
I was just blessed to give birth to my seventh baby this past July. As a new mom, there are so many decisions to make. Baby Basics: what do you really need to have for your new baby? What can you live without? There are so many choices! Too many choices. You can spend a lot of money or just buy what you really need. But how do you know what you really need? As a mom of many, I can tell you what things I found really useful, and what things I never even took out of the package. Read on!
The big stuff you really need:
- A car seat
- A stroller
- A crib or somewhere for the baby to sleep
You Definitely Need a Car Seat!
You need a car seat! Most hospitals won't let you leave wtihout one. I found the infant carrier seat to be the best option for my newborns. That way, you have both a car seat and a carrier for your baby. When you need to run to the store, or you get time to go out to dinner, you can easily take the baby with you. If your baby is asleep, he or she can stay right in the seat and you can take the whole thing with you.
Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat, Lively Dots
A carrier car seat is great. If the baby is sleeping, you can leave him in the car seat and take it with you. (I usually use my stroller to snap the car seat on so I didn't have to carry the full weight.) Plus you will want some where to put that new baby when you go to the store, or dinner. You know your own car seat is safe and clean.
Graco Snugride 35 Infant Car Seat, Brunswick
Here's another pattern option for the infant car seat.
Graco SnugRide Classic Connect Infant Car Seat Base, Silver
If you have more than one car that the baby will be riding in, it is helpful to have an extra car seat base. That way a base stays in either car an the car seat snaps in and out. The base comes in silver, blue, and beige to match your car seat choice.
You need a stroller
There are many options for strollers. You can get a single stroller, a jogging stroller, a double stroller if you have more than one small child, or an umbrella stroller. Things to consider when buying a stroller--how heavy it is, how easily does it fold, how easy it is to maneuver. It is nice if your infant car seat fits onto your stroller, to make your life easier. Those car seats get heavy! You can buy a travel system (stroller and car seat combination). Most strollers will accept a car seat even if they are not designed as part of a travel system.
Graco LiteRider Stroller, Lively Dots
This is the stroller I have. I love that it is inexpensive and it will accept my Graco Safe Seat car seat and many other car seats. It has a nice basket underneath and folds easily with one hand.
Graco SnugRider Infant Car Seat Stroller Frame
This one is not a definite necessity, but can make those first few months really great. Just pop your car seat out of the car and into this stroller frame. Instant stroller!
Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Travel System with Snugride32, Townsend
Here's a travel system. Buy both your car seat and stroller with one shot!
InStep Ultra Runner Jogging Stroller (Red/Gold/LtGray/Dk. Gray)
Get yourself back in shape and take the baby with you!
You need a crib
Or maybe you'd rather use a co-sleeper
The cribs now days are so much nicer than the ones they made 14 years ago when I was buying my first crib. Most of them now are convertible--they start as a crib, convert to a toddler bed, then convert to a full size bed later on. What a great product! Make sure you use a new, firm mattress in your baby's crib. Some new parents prefer a co-sleeper to a crib. That way, the baby is within arm's reach all night long.
The smaller stuff you really need
Many people go way overboard when they buy for newborns. You don't really need that much to start with. You cannot be sure how big or small your baby will be, so I wouldn't buy a whole lot of outfits until you actually have the baby. My first few babies outgrew those cute newborn size (0-3 months) in a week, my last baby wore them for about 2 months. You just never know. I also had a friend who had tiny, tiny babies and she needed all premie size clothes. You need a few basic things to get started, you can add more later as you find they are needed. Read on...
- Diapers (you can choose cloth or disposable) I wouldn't get too many newborn size, cause you may not have a small baby. All of my babies outgrew Newborn size in a week or less. I would recommend you start with one pack newborn size and a pack of size 1.
- Wipes
- Some onesies if you are having a cold weather baby or some one piece shortie outfits if you are having a warm weather baby.
- A few sleepers (I like the zippered bag sleepers for my winter babies) or some lightweight gowns for summer babies--I was not a big fan of the gowns, but they did make those night time diaper changes easier the first few weeks.
- Some good socks. Don't go for cute, most of them won't stay on anyway. I found that Gap and Children's place newborn socks stayed on and Carters bootie socks stayed on.
- Some good burp cloths. Those tiny people erupt all over the place. Again, the really cute burp cloths are more for show, I found that a pack of cloth diapers worked better as burp cloths. They were thicker and covered more of my shoulder.
- A few outfits to start out. Look for outfits with snaps in the legs, anything to make diaper changing easier! I prefer 100% cotton knit outfits on my new babies; they seem so much softer and more comfortable.
- A couple crib sheets and maybe a sheet saver or two. A sheet saver goes on top of a portion of the sheet, so if the baby spits up, you don't have to change the whole sheet.
Get some onesies (bodysuits) to start off with
If you have a summer baby, colored or decorative onesies can double as outfits. If you have a winter baby, these keep your baby warm! I prefer the 100% cotton type, but I found that many of them do shrink at first.
Luvable Friends 16-Piece Deluxe Layette Set, 0-6 Months, Blue
This is a great set to start out with. You get a gown, hat, shirts, onesies, pants, hats and booties. This set comes in blue, yellow or pink.
Gerber Brand 4 Pack Organic Onesies, White, 0-3 Months
Here is a great starter set of onesies!
Gerber 5-Pack Variety Onesies Brand One Piece Underwear - Neutral 2009, Newborn
Here's a great pack for a boy or girl. These are cute enough to wear as outfits for a summer baby.
Luvable Friends 5-Pack Long Sleeve Bodysuits, Pink 0-3 Months
Long sleeve onesies are great for those winter babies. These decorative ones are cute enough to wear as shirts. This pack also comes in blue.
You need diapers and wipes!
I have gone through a lot of diapers and wipes in my day! In fact I have been changing diapers for 13 years straight. I find I prefer the huggies wipes to any I have used. They are just thicker and nicer in my opinion. I like Pampers, Luvs, and Huggies diapers. I also found that my babies tended to get rashes if I used store brand or generic diapers. However, I did use off brand wipes with success.
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Size 1-2, 234 Count
I loved the swaddlers for my newborns. This is a great pack too because it will fit a bit longer. I found that a diaper that is a bit small makes for lots of blowouts. A bit bigger diaper covers more of the baby's tummy and back and helps prevent those outfit changes quite so often.
Pampers Sensitive Wipes -- 768 Total Count -- (192 Count, Pack of 4)
Sensitive skin deserves sensitive wipes.
Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes, Fragrance Free, 72-Count Tubs, (Pack of 8)
I prefer the huggies wipes to any that I have used. These fragrance free ones are great for newborns.
Luvs With Ultra Leakguards Size 1 Diapers 264 Count
Luvs worked just as well as Pampers and Huggies for me and they were usually cheaper. I did find Luvs ran a bit smaller around the waist.
Cloth Diapers
I have friends who swear by their cloth diapers. Diaper your baby and protect the environment all at the same time!
![FuzziBunz Onesize Red Cloth Diaper [Baby Product]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31kLrOU8C7L._SL160_.jpg)
Other items I found useful
These are not definite needs, but they made my life easier!
There are some other things that I found I used a lot. I am really glad that I had them...
- An Infant swing--although you may only use this for 4 months to almost a year (depending on the size of your baby) I found the swing was very useful! One of my babies would only nap in the swing--he wanted the constant motion. Some babies don't like the swing at all, but so far, all 6 of mine loved it!
- An exersaucer--this was great from 4 months on. It gave me a safe place to put the baby and the baby was upright so he could see around. Plus it was great fun to watch my babies play and bounce in their saucers.
- A pack and play or travel yard--We camped and travelled to visit grandparents far away, so this came in handy as a portable crib. It also acts as a playpen when the baby starts to crawl. I had a pack and play with a bassinet top, so mine doubled as a bassinet when my babies were tiny.
- Some sort of sling or baby carrier. Makes it easier to hold your baby and be hands free!
- A camera and/or video camera! Those babies change so fast, you will want to capture all the precious moments!
Here are my all time favorite baby products
Baby Items that Made my Life Easier!
Graco Swing 'n Bounce 2-in-1 Infant Swing, Broadstreet
I really liked my Graco swing. This is just one model, they come in all colors and kind and brands.
Fisher-Price Precious Planet Open Top Take-Along Swing
We had a portable swing too. Great for travel or to use in our bedroom upstairs.
Graco Pack 'N Play Playard with Bassinet, Kensly
I found the pack and play with the full bassinet top to be more useful than the ones that had a tiny sleeper portion in 1/2 of the top.
Baby Carriers
I used a sling with most of my babies, but there have been some recalls lately and cautions that these are not the best carriers for babies. I have used Hotsling brand and Over the Shoulder Baby Holder which is a ring sling and I really like them. Other great carriers are the Moby wrap and the Mei Tai. If you use a sling, just watch your newborn to be sure he or she is not pressed up against the fabric or your body too tightly. (Make sure the baby is breathing!) I am dreaming of an Ergo Baby carrier which I have heard great things about. Maybe I will splurge and get one for the next baby!
Hotslings Reversible Pouch Style Baby Carrier, Eye Candy, Size 3
Hotslings come in sizes, make sure you order the correct size!
Over the Shoulder Baby Holder Baby Sling Tiger Fur Print
I have 2 of these--one for the car and one for inside. I constantly use the sling!
Moby Wrap Original 100% Cotton Baby Carrier, Chocolate
Here is a comfy carrier. These come in all sorts of colors and patterns.
Baby Carriers on Ebay
Here are the things I didn't really use
They just took up extra space
There were some things I found I didn't use at all. This is just my list, other moms may love these same products....
- A wipes warmer--I was always worried that this was a fire hazard. Plus I changed the baby all over the house.
- A changing table--instead I used a bath towel to put on the bed, the floor, the couch, wherever I was. The changing table was upstairs in the nursery, but I found it was easier to just change the baby where I was.
- A bassinet--my babies were all big and outgrew the bassinet so quickly. I did use one for my last baby because someone gave me one, but I would purchase a pack and play before I would buy a bassinet.
Did we cover it all?
Here are my precious 7!
Every mom is different and will have different likes and dislikes when it comes to baby products. I have tried to share some of my favorite things. There is so much out there that you can buy for those little people. Have fun and trust your mom instincts. Having a baby is a joy! I am looking forward to the next one! I can honestly say that baby #7 is just as exciting as baby #1! Congratulations! You are having a baby! Like what you see?
Share it with others and mark it so you can come back!
This lens won a purple star!
This lens was awarded a purple star in September 2010. Thanks to Giant Squid Joyful Pamela who nominated this lens for the award! How did I end up with 7 kids?
Through grace!
When I first married, never in a million years did I think I would someday have 7 kids! But time and God changed my mind. Read my story to see how I am blessed to be the mom to seven great kids!
What are your favorite baby products?
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imagelist May 8, 2013 @ 7:16 pm | deleteThanks for sharing... -
Usuful lens I don't have childreen but still amazing lens -
wow, this helped me a lot. very nice and helpful lens! now i know what to buy and what not to buy for my coming baby.. hehe! -
thank you so much, this lens is very helpful for me :).. -
thank you so much, this lens is very helpful for me :).. -
Very nice. -
As a mom of three, my favorite baby products were a sling so that I could nurse and cuddle baby while having hands free, onsies with snaps all down the front for easy changing and a microwave for heating up cold washcloths. A playpen was great for putting small toys, like Legos where older siblings could play and baby couldn't get in. Mothering Magazine, now online, for advice. Love you lens and helpful tips for new moms. :) -
your baby is so cute. -
Thanks so much, I'm blessed! -
I would say my babies bouncy chair was the one thing I couldn't have lived without. She spent so much time in it in the first 4 months. A really useful lens and I agree completely with your choices. -
Yep, the bouncy chair can be a life saver! -
GREAT LENS! I don't know whether you breast fed you babies because unless I missed it you don't mention that moms need a good feeding bra and nipple shields - ouch! Giovanna -
sara Feb 14, 2013 @ 9:47 am | deletevery helpful thanks god bless you and your 7 kids -
thank you! -
Tola Feb 6, 2013 @ 4:01 am | deleteVery helpful. Thank you. - Load More
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