By the time you see these words, I will likely be in the hospital having this baby. Of course you may wonder how I can make this list before having the baby. Well, let me assure you, after having FIVE babies in eight years, I’ve figured out what I really like. Haha.
There are endless choices and options out there in regards to baby gear, but I find most of it not really important. These items though, were of great use for most of our children.
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My Newborn Essentials
Fisher-Price Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper in Luminosity • $59.99
This has been RECALLED. I have a lot of opinions on the parental usage of the item and who is actually at fault in this issue, but this is not the platform on which I wish to share.
I LOVE the Rock N’ Play. it sits at just the right height for me to reach baby while on the couch. My kids all slept very well in it, when they used it. The fabric comes off, which is handy since I washed mine nearly every day due to spit up, diaper leaks, or other random mess. it is stable. None of my older kids managed to tip the Rock N,’ Play while an infant was inside.
The Rock N’ Play had some controversy in reviews some years back. I was honestly confused as to what the problem was, but after reading hundreds of reviews, I came to the conclusion that any issues were from misuse. Your child obviously shouldn’t be living all day and night in a Rock N’ Play, just like they also shouldn’t spend 24/7 in a crib, on the floor, in a baby carrier, etc.
Touched by Nature 0-6M 3-Pack Teepee Organic Gowns • $16.99
Baby gowns are my jam. With a newborn, you are changing that diaper constantly. I hate dealing with a million little snaps or zippers at this age. I much prefer to keep them in a little sleep gown whenever we are home. I feel like they actually have more cute boy ones available than girl gowns.
Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner in Geo Circles Grey • $39.99
If you plan on breastfeeding, you have probably heard of a nursing pillow. They are generally a half ring shaped pillow to fit around your waist to support the baby while you nurse. I have used a Boppy for all of my children. After a few months, they also sit in the boppy using it for a little back support. my only complaint is that I find it a little small for my giant newborns.
bumGenius All-In-One Newborn X-Small Stay Dry Cloth Diaper in Grasshopper • $14.99
I used some of these bumGenius newborn all-in-one cloth diapers on the last three babies and they are so easy. They basically go on and come off just like a disposable diaper. Not much guess work. Just remember to use the Velcro tabs to secure them when washing. They do not hold much urine for long, but since they are for newborns, they don’t really need to. I find a newborn cloth diaper stash to be worth the money if you are using them through several children.
Medela Pump in Style Advanced Double Electric Breastpump with On-the-Go Tote • Medela • $199.99
The Affordable Care Act made it so that your insurance was to cover one of these through your maternity care provider. As of right now, that is still happening. I am not sure how much longer we have that luxury. However, this pump is fairly affordable for how efficient it is.
Fisher-Price Arrow 17 Baby Bouncer • $31.99
My first couple kids loved their bouncy seat. My cesarean kids spent more time in the Rock N’ Play. I keep both around. The bouncy cover is washable and can last through multiple kids. The Fisher-Price versions are affordable enough that it makes sense to get one.
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle Small/Medium 3-Pack Busy Bees • $34.99
ALL of my babies were SwaddleMe babies. I am not very good at getting a good swaddle wrap from a regular muslin blanket. The swaddle wraps with velcro make it easy. All of my kids liked being swaddled. I have gone through quite a few swaddle wraps over the years.
Baby K’tan Print Extra Extra Small Striped Baby Carrier in Grey/White • Bed Bath & Beyond • $59.99
I like the convenience of baby carriers. I prefer a wrap style when babies are very young. However, I find the plain swathe of fabric kind very difficult. I remember trying a common brand of wrap and not only did it take me forever to get it secured, but I had heaps of fabric still dragging behind me despite wrapping that thing around me and baby about 12 times. And it was ridiculously hot since it was like wearing the equivalent of 20 t-shirts. Baby K’Tan to the rescue. This carrier is already mostly wrapped for you. it is far less confusing and uses less fabric. I have used the same one for three of my kids and it is still in good shape.
Graco Pack ‘n Play On-the-Go Travel Playard in Stratus • $79.99
Notice how I did not even mention a crib. Don’t get me wrong, I have cribs. But if you are short on space or cash, a Pack N’ Play works just fine. I have the kind where you can raise the bed for when they are small. I basically set it up next to the bed almost like a sidecar. I won’t bother moving the baby to a separate room in a crib until she is sleeping all through the night.
Aaaannnnd, I kinda, sorta have a baby room set up!! It is a challenge to really get a nursery set up when you decide to move at eight months pregnant and renovate at nine months pregnant. But, I managed to shampoo carpet, paint brown walls into aqua, and set up cribs. Look familiar?
Before: yuck. The brown walls, the dated desk bolted to the wall, the lace curtains….totally not my thing.
I am just re-purposing everything from my two year old’s last bedroom. Basically it will look very similar to my last boy nursery only with aqua walls instead of gray, and a white rug instead of blue stripes.
The other side of the room has a stacked mountain of dressers waiting to go in the girls’ room.
Anyway, as for the new baby, she likely won’t sleep in the crib for a few months anyway. I prefer to have a newborn in a Rock n’ Play next to me as I’m on the couch. Or on me. Or in a Pack N’ Play next to our bed. I like being close until they are sleeping a full eight hours.
I seriously cannot describe how much brighter this room is with blue walls instead of brown. The funny part is, under the electric outlet plates, you could see what color the room used to be before they staged the house. It used to be almost identical to the color I repainted it! Based on the boring brown all over the house, I am guessing their realtor told them to repaint. Our last house had light-sucker beige everywhere because the previous owner’s agent told them to repaint. Then I repainted everything back to better colors. It is the Midwest way. Make everything mud brown. Ugh.
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