Newborn Essentials

Preparing for baby? These newborn essentials will help you welcome your little one to the world, and they’ll also make great gifts for those who are expecting!

When I was preparing for my first baby I scoured the Internet for must-have lists. I found tons of suggestions on things to get your through the first year (there’s even a great list on Splendry!).

While there are some great items that always make the lists (like the NoseFrida!), there are some items that really helped us in these first few months. (I’ve been at this “mom” thing for a few months so I’m clearly an expert by now!) Maybe this list of newborn essentials will help you too!

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1. Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper

Confession, I think I first saw this product on one of the Real Housewives Instagram photos. (Don’t judge me.) The price was a bit steeper than a lot of other bassinets on the market, but I decided it was worth the cost!

I love that 1) the height was adjustable as our bed is pretty tall, and 2) the side drops down for easy access to the baby! (And you can lock the side too.) I definitely think this was worth the money and my baby has slept in it every night! We have the premiere series, but the Essentia Series ($50 less) would have been perfectly fine.

Here’s a tip – I bought this around Black Friday hoping for a sale. No sale in sight, BUT, I ended up getting the Premiere Series Bassinest from Kohls and earned $75 in Kohls cash due to the promotions they were running. (I couldn’t use any coupons on it, but did earn Kohls cash, I’ll take it!)

2. Halo Bassinest Newborn Insert

I thought this was one of those “extras” I definitely wouldn’t need. Let’s just say it was ordered during the middle of the night whilst holding a wide-awake baby. My baby was quite a squirmy sleeper in the beginning and this insert for the Halo Bassinest provides a narrower sleep surface so babies feel more “tucked in” and secure.

The baby is still on a totally flat surface so it meets safe sleep requirements. My baby immediately slept so much better when we got this! He outgrew it around 10 weeks old (he’s in the 99th percentile for height) but it was SO WORTH IT while we used it!

3. Halo SleepSack Swaddles

Can you tell the folks at Halo know what they’re doing? If I had to pick a favorite baby product EVER, it would probably be these sleep sacks! My baby loved to be swaddled but honestly, I spent more time the first few weeks trying to keep his swaddle swaddled and was always worried he’d come un-tucked in the night.

Enter these sleep sacks, they made everything SO much easier! If you can work a zipper and velcro you are in business! My baby wears these pretty much every time he sleeps and I can’t stress enough how much easier they are to use! If your baby likes to be swaddled while they sleep, get a couple of these, you will not regret it!

Here’s my baby using all three of the above!

sleeping baby - Halo sleep sack swaddle in Halo Bassinest with newborn insert - Splendry

4. IKEA Leka Play Gym

I had my mom grab one of this on her last trip to IKEA and I’m so glad I did! Indy LOVES it! Our usual routine is after he’s finished a bottle and has a diaper change he plays on this mat and it’s so ridiculously adorable how excited he gets.

I’m also pretty sure he’s got some sort of conversation going with that cat perched on top! I love how simple this is, nothing too over-stimulating or complicated, just stuff to swing at and bars to kick with his legs. He loves this thing!

5. BabyBum Diaper Cream Brush

OK, this is one of those things I saw and thought it was kind of silly. I was wrong, I love this thing! It keeps your hands free of diaper cream and we keep it by the changing pad with a tiny dollop of diaper cream already on it.

Diaper changes need to happen quickly, you know, especially for baby boys. A few swipes of the spatula and you’re good to go!

6. Video Monitor

I saw this on several lists of over-rated baby products. Those lists are wrong! My husband and I love our video monitor.

We’ve actually got the camera rigged to the bassinet that’s next to our bed. I’ve got the monitor in bed with me and can check the screen in the night when I hear stirring to see if the baby is actually awake or just squirming around. (Ours has night vision so we get a great picture!)

Plus during nap times I can roam the house freely and still keep an eye on him! The brand we have is on the higher end but I think it’s worth every penny. It gets a ton of use and is incredibly easy to set up. Just turn on and you’re pretty much set!

7. Angel Love Baby Nail Files

After hearing so many horror stories I knew there was no way I was risking actually cutting the baby’s fingernails! And since my baby loves to put his hands to his eyes when he’s sleepy his nails need to be trimmed often! These tiny nail files are perfect for the job.

8. Stretchy Car Seat Cover with Window

stretchy baby car seat cover with window - newborn essentials - Splendry

Doesn’t this baby look thrilled to be at his cousin’s soccer game? At least he’s comfy in his cover.

Having a baby right in the middle of one of the worst flu seasons in recent years means we’ve spent LOTS of time tucked away at home! When the time came to venture out I knew I still wanted a way to slowly introduce him to his dozens and dozens of adoring fans.

I searched high and low for a car seat cover with a window, so he’d be visible if I wanted him too, but still not available for everyone to touch and try to hold. (Not just yet, anyway!) I found this great stretchy car seat cover with a zippered window and it works great!

I really can’t recommend these items enough, all of them have made our first few months into parenthood substantially easier!

Anything you’d add to the list? Let us know!

Originally published March 12, 2018