Nursery Necessities

All you need to prepare for the arrival of your newborn!

Preparing for the arrival of a new one can be a daunting task. What do you need? What could you do without, but would be nice to have? Which products have the best ratings? This post will hopefully answer most of those questions, and help you feel more prepared for Baby's arrival. But here's a hint- you don't NEED much.

Clothing:

• Newborn gowns. (5+) I can't say enough about these! Sure, they may look silly. But the practicality outweighs fashion here. These are better than pajamas because they provide easy access for nighttime diaper changes.

• Onesies. (approximately 6,000 of them). Kidding- but at ten. Short sleeves, loose legs

• Newborn pajamas (5+). I recommend zippered ones; ain't nobody got time for 50 snaps, especially Baby.

• Newborn socks & sock bag for washer. The socks will fall off, the socks will get lost, the washer will eat the socks. But baby needs warm feet, so get many! Alternatively, opt for soft structured baby slippers.

• Newborn outfits (10+). You're gonna go through soooo many outfits, daily. Babies are beautiful little fountains of fluids.

Bedding:

• Muslin blankets (3, more if swaddling with them)

• Flannel blankets (5, more if swaddling with them). These are great for so many things! As an inside swaddle, as burp cloths, as changing mat covers, as head props for breastfeeding... get a bunch. The Cloud Island ones from Target are super soft.

• Swaddles (3+). Research has shown that swaddling newborns helps them to feel more secure and get a better night of sleep. There are so many swaddles to choose from, but I recommend the Miracle Blanket, muslin swaddles, the Woombie, and Aden & Anais velcro swaddles.

• Crib sheets (3). I always recommend organic and 100% cotton.

• Waterproof crib mattress pad (2)

Diapering:

• Changing pad. Tables specifically designed for changing babies are unnecessary expenses and have short lifespans. You can easily place a changing pad on top of your regular dresser, or even use a flannel blanket on the bed.

• Changing pad covers

• Newborn diapers (100). Yes, really 100.

• High quality baby wipes (1 trillion). I recommend Water Wipes- no added chemicals or fragrances

• Diaper pail & liners. I recommend pails that don't require special bags, and pails that don't require using your fingers to open, or pushing down diapers. Two of my client favorites are the Ubbi and Dekor. Our personal favorite at home is the normal kitchen trash, which gets taken out every other day or so.

• Soap & hand towels at every sink. Please, in the name of everything sanitary, wash your hands ALL. THE. TIME. And make sure anyone within arm's reach of your baby does, too.

• Natural hand sanitizer or hand sanitizing wipes at every changing table. Non-alcohol-based is best. Trust me on this- sometimes you won't make it to a sink before needing to wipe yourself down.

• Diaper rash cream. I only use this when necessary, and it has got to be natural. No Desitin or petroleum jelly. Butt Paste is a good one. I also make natural diaper paste, so reach out if you'd like to try it! Earth Mama Diaper Balm is another personal favorite.

• 2x2 gauze pads for circumcised boys

• Botanical jelly. I recommend only natural, no vaseline or other petroleum jellies. Waxelene is great.

Furniture:

• Crib

• Crib mattress

• Co-sleeper or bassinet.

• Changing pad. I recommend one for each floor of your home.

• Dresser. I recommend ones with slow-close/quiet drawers.

• Glider & gliding ottoman

• Small foot stool for breastfeeding

• Small side table. This is to keep next to the glider in the nursery.

• Nursery lamp with dark shade. No overhead lights!

• Closet organizer

• Bouncer seat and/or swing. These are for resting ONLY, and not for sleep. I recommend the Bjorn bouncers and the Mamaroo.

• Laundry hamper

• Small trash pail

Bathing, Health & Hygiene:

• Baby emery board. I do not recommend nail clippers for newborns because their nails are so soft and often still attached to the nail bed. Use emery boards.

• Nasal saline & aspirator. I recommend one that detaches for cleaning, or the nose Frida if you don't mind sucking boogs. It's really not that gross, I promise.

• Thermometer. There are a million different types. I'm still not sure which I recommend most, but the rectal ones are the most accurate. But they're also the most invasive, and as an advocate for respectful caregiving, I just can't recommend them.

• Botanical jelly (non-petroleum)

• Baby wash cloths

• Liquid baby soap with pump. Natural. I recommend Earth Mama, California Baby, Puracy, Babo Botanicals, and Babyganics.

• Baby hair brush

• Baby massage oil. Natural ONLY. No baby oil with fragrances.

• Small space heater. These are great if you keep your house a little cooler, for when you give baby a bath.

• Infant towels

• Organic free & clear laundry detergent. Molly's suds!

• Zout or Puracy for stains

• Small sock laundry bag. For real, your washer will eat them.

Gadgets:

• White or pink noise machine.

• Nursery clock with red LED. Red is important because it's the only color light that doesn't interrupt melatonin production.

• Nursery nightlight, red only. You may feel like you're in a dark room, but this won't interfere with your baby's sleep cycles.

• Baby video monitor. Many different types available

• Baby shusher. I'm still not sure how I feel about these since babies prefer our calming voices, but it's an option.

Materials for baby:

• Pacifiers, one piece only. I recommend Soothie and Mam.

• Baby books. Black & white ones are some of the best for newborns (contrasting colors!)

• Materials with different textures/natural sounds. Please, nothing electronic for baby. Electronics are designed to stimulate and entertain baby, rather than encourage active exploration.

• Play mats/blankets

• Baby gyms. Simple ones without electronics.

Feeding:

• Formula, if necessary. I recommend natural, organic ones, and European brands are more regulated.

• Bottles & bottle parts. BPA free; I recommend Dr. Browns or glass ones if possible.

• Nipples. Preemie nipples for preemies, level 1 for full term. If level 1 seems too fast, you could try a preemie nipple.

• Nipple basket for dishwasher

• Bottle drying rack. I recommend the Boon ones, and their accessories.

• Bottle brush.

• Liquid dishwashing soap. I recommend Dapple, because it's natural and great at removing the fats from breastmilk.

• Nursing pillows

• Burp cloths (5+). I recommend the Burts Bees ones. They're soft, absorbent, and satisfying to fold.

• Breast pump. I recommend both an electric one and a manual hand pump.

• Breast milk storage bags for freezer

• Sterilizing steam bags. These are great for sanitizing quickly in the microwave.

• Bottle sterilizer

• Bottle warmer. Make sure you get one with good reviews that warms up quickly! Some of them take up to 15 minutes, which is just too long for a hungry baby. NOTE: Many babies will take milk cold, too!

Baby on the Go:

• Infant car seat. I try to look for ones that are not fire retardant (read: chemical-laden). My go-to process for any product is to go to Amazon to find the best rated ones and see which ones are the easiest to install. Car seats are always a pain in the tush, but so important.

• Diaper bag. You can choose one according to your style/needs.

• Small cooler bag & ice packs.

• Insulated water bottle for formula fed babies

• Travel changing pad

• Travel wipes case

• Stroller. There are SO MANY. Think about when you'll be using it most, if you'll be traveling with it, if you need to go up/down loads of stairs with it, etc. Look for reviews on Amazon based on your needs!

• Stroller organizer. Cause girl, you need your coffee.

• Portable crib/pack & play. These are essential for overnight travel. Check if your hotel offers them before bringing your own!

• Carrying pack/wrap. Again, so many. Look up reviews and decide what's best for you.

• Nursing cover/shawl. If you want. But feeding babies is in.

• Natural hand sanitizer

• Divided formula container

• Inflatable breastfeeding pillow

• SNACKS. For you. Treat yo'self.

Mama Care (cause you're important, too):

• Period underwear, maxi pads

• Perineum spray. I recommend Earth Mama.

• Squirt bottle. For cleaning your bits.

• Lactation massager

• Nipple cream. Something natural that won't interfere with breastfeeding.

• Scar/stretch mark cream. I make natural creams and body butters and offer them for sale.

• Books. Especially on postpartum and self care. Contact me for recommendations on well-loved mama books!

• Nursing bras & pads

• Nursing clothing. There are some cute ones out there now!

• Aloe socks

• Slippers. Make sure they have grippy bottoms!

• Sitz bath. Take care of those lady parts.

• Self care items. Whatever this means to you! Bath items, candles, books, chocolates, babysitters, and yes, wine. Whatever will help you take care of yourself during this demanding time.

For more information on recommended products or for full access to my Amazon lists, please feel free to contact me! And if I missed anything or if you have a personal favorite, Let me know!

For more personalized recommendations or for physical nursery set up, please see my Newborn Consultation services.