The newborn phase is… well, I am not sure there’s a proper way to describe it. But we survived!

Welcoming your baby into your life is beautiful yet challenging. Amidst the joy of finally getting to meet, there is often a whirlwind of emotions and tasks. This tiny human is suddenly thrust into a new “roommate” arrangement after months of security in the womb, while, at the same time, the mother is recovering from the wild experience of labor. How everyone reacts to this deficit is as much of a mystery as are the products that will help give you the endurance to get through this time.

Knowing that these initial weeks are completely unique to every individual family, my strongest suggestion is to simplify. It’s easy to want to be ready with every product before this permanent relationship begins, but this preparation can be overwhelming when the newest family member hasn’t yet been able to voice their preferences. Of course, you’ll need clothes and diapers; however, outside of this, I highly encourage exploring different options as you navigate what does and doesn’t work for your newborn. Award yourself the flexibility to prioritize a short list of essential products to have on hand.

Because many friends have reached out with curiosity about what we used, I thought it might help to share this summary as my first blog post. Here are the ten essential items that proved vital for our family during the first eight weeks of our parenting journey:

Breast Feeding Pillow

If I had one “do-over” for my (pathetic) hospital bag, this pillow would have been included. Being instructed on how to hold a baby after labor with the poorly supported pillows in the hospital was less than ideal. As an added note, I actually had to stop using it around week three because my son needed to be positioned nearly vertically to avoid gas.

What we used: Boppy Nursing Pillow

Baby Lounger

A lounger can be a supportive pillow for a newborn. Since you’ll be feeling completely fatigued, it’s nice to have the option to rest your baby comfortably next to you. While you enjoy your coffee, let it cradle them as they sleep through most of this phase. Remember, every pillow has its own design, so you may need to try a few before finding one your baby tolerates.

What we used: Snuggle Me Infant Lounger

Car Seat

My baby protested the car, but those newborn appointments were unavoidable. We elected to splurge on the car seat because it felt like a true necessity. We narrowed our selection based on safety and weight. Carrying that thing around is awkward, so I hoped that going lighter would save my posture.

What we used: Nuna Pipa Lite RX with RELX Base

Changing Pad

So. Many. Diapers. Changing a newborn is constant and messy. With no bodily regulation, every diaper is a surprise. Using a changing pad promoted both cleanliness and safety. We sought one that would be the easiest to clean. The one we used, however, required a barrier because the cold material was startling.

What we used: Keekaroo – Peanut Changer
Barrier Used: Peekapoo Disposable Changing Pad Liners

Diaper Pail

As I mentioned earlier, a newborn requires a lot of diapers… at all hours of the day. It was important to have a trash can that was minimal and could help us forget what we had just changed. We chose a pail with a sliding opener, which released less odor whenever it was opened.

What we used: Ubbi Diaper Pail

Diaper Warmer

I never imagined this would make my list when I was making my registry. However, after watching my baby’s reaction to cold wipes in the hospital, I immediately requested expedited shipping for this item. Since he would cry whenever a cold wipe approached him, I knew this would be a game-changer.

What we used: Ubbi Diaper Warmer

Baby Carrier

Newborns tend to crave close proximity… a lot. The challenge is that honoring this need means the parent is often tied up holding them. Due to my baby’s preference for chest-to-chest contact all day, he lived in our carrier starting at week two. We took him everywhere this way, and when naps were near impossible, using the carrier for an active nap saved my sanity.

What we used: Jool Baby TinyBums Baby Carrier

Pacifiers

The sucking reflex, which a pacifier can help fulfill, can be incredibly soothing to a baby. We ended up waiting about 3-4 weeks to introduce one so that our baby could first get the hang of feeding, but once we did, it was clear that it provided comfort. There are so many different types to consider, so give yourself the option of trial and error to see which one your baby prefers.

What we used: Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier, 0-3 months

Bath Tub

My predictability-loving baby needed a routine to sleep. When we were creating nighttime rituals, the bath became a peaceful moment during his fussy days. Who bathed him, the temperature, which soap to use, and how he was placed in and out of the tub all had to be figured out. Luckily, using an infant bath tub made for a safer space. Note that this was another item we had to trial a couple of times before we found the right one.

What we used: SKIP*HOP Moby Reclined Baby Bathtub

Bouncer

The rocking movement of a bouncer can soothe a fussy baby. We used ours quite a bit, though I did have to personally bounce it for him (i.e., stay close). Since there are many brands with unique features, consider buying one secondhand from a marketplace to see how your baby responds.

What we used: BabyBjörn Bouncer

Things We Ended Up Not Using at All:

• Bassinet: My contact-craving son would only sleep with my husband or me. He quickly earned the nickname “Ninja” because of his uncanny ability to sense when he was about to be set down. To get any sleep, we had to become well-versed in the safe guidelines of cosleeping.
• Stroller: While strollers can be great for hands-free time, using one would have meant being put down, which was not happening with my baby. We only used the Thule Spring stroller we bought secondhand once or twice.
• Swaddles: My baby absolutely hated them. I can still remember his disgust after the nurse swaddled him in the hospital. Since swaddling didn’t work for us, we decided not to push it at all.
• Breast Pump: While there are pros and cons to my decision, I exclusively breastfed my baby, which proved easiest for both him and me. As a result, I rarely used the Hakka and didn’t even see my Elvie breast pump until I went back to work.

By focusing on only the essential products, you can simplify those first eight weeks with your newborn and give yourself the chance to tune into their unique preferences. Remember, every baby is their own person, so don’t hesitate to adjust your approach based on your baby’s needs.

Enjoy this special time with your little one, and don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way!