Bringing Home Baby: Top 10 Essentials
Before my first child was born I remember feeling SO unprepared. As a new mom, I had millions of questions running through my mind. With all of the baby gear on the market, what did I absolutely need? Were all of these newborn gadgets really necessary? Were particular items worth the investment? Through trial and error (and two babies later), I’ve come up with my Top 10 Essentials for Bringing Home Baby.
This post is sponsored by Dreft. All opinions are my own.
Bringing Home Baby: Top 10 Essentials
Photo Credit: Jamie Harper
1. Swaddles: Investing in quality swaddles is essential. Swaddles can be used for EVERYTHING – nursing, swaddling, tummy time, and a car seat cover. Not to mention, because they are so light weight, they don’t take up much space in your diaper bag.
2. Freezer meals: I can guarantee when you return home from the hospital, you’re not going to feel like cooking a meal. Before the baby comes, be sure to stock your freezer with easy meals that can be prepared in a matter of minutes. Better yet, ask your friends to bring prepared meals in lieu of gifts when they come to visit you.
3. A swing: There is nothing like snuggling a newborn. However, for your sanity, it’s important to have some “you” time after your baby arrives. Investing in a good swing really makes all the difference.
4. Dreft Stage 1: Newborn: Life with a newborn entails many extra loads of laundry. Finding a quality detergent that is gentle enough for your baby’s delicate skin is absolutely key. Thankfully, Dreft Stage 1 is formulated specifically for newborns. Recommended as the #1 detergent choice by pediatricians, Dreft Stage 1: Newborn‘s hypoallergenic formula truly is a must for every new baby. Click here to learn more about Dreft.
5. Quality nursing bras: If you choose to nurse your babies, nursing bras are the way to go. They are SO much more comfortable than regular bras. Not to mention, they make nursing SO much easier. 2-3 quality nursing bras should do the trick.
6. Diapers/wipes station: Before baby arrives, stock your home full of diapers and wipes. My personal favorite for newborn’s – Pampers. They’ve worked the best with both of my babies. Something that helps me immensely is having a diapers/wipes station easily accessible in our family room. This saves MANY trips back and forth to the baby’s room.
7. Bassinet: To be honest, I didn’t even need a crib with either of my babies until they were a few months old. Not only are bassinets less money than cribs, but they fit a lot easier in your bedroom; if you choose to keep your baby close.
8. Pads: Be sure to stock up on nursing pads and feminine pads.
9. Entertainment: Have some form of entertainment that you can look forward to each day – favorite TV shows, movies, books, etc.
10. Nighties: I feel like my children lived in nighties and onesies the first few weeks of their lives. My favorite kind of PJ’s are the kind of nighties with the elastic at the bottom – they make nighttime diaper changes a breeze.
Photo Credit: Jamie Harper
This is a great list! With my son our must have is the sleep sack. He moves around so much in his sleep and this keeps him calm and still. Plus as its getting colder out the fleecy version keeps him comfortable at night without the risk of a blanket awry.
Bassinet was key for me when our kiddo was a bitty baby. These are awesome suggestions.
You definitely covered the most important baby items to have on hand when you come home from the hospital. That baby in the swing looks so sweet and comfy.
This is a great resource for new moms. It’s been a long time ago, but I still remember the time when I brought home my first born.
I love the idea of the freezer meals! I never did that and I remember wondering what we were going to eat.
I made sure we had lots of diapers and wipes. I did not want to have to run to the store a few days after getting home. I was so tired and just wanted to sleep when the baby slept.
I remember the days when we brought our girls home. This is a great list.
Those are great tips! Having a bassinet was great when I first brought my children home.
It seems so long ago when I brought my daughter home. 10 years. This is a great list for new moms.
This is a great list of essentials!! It is always fun to bring home a baby, and it’s amazing the differences with each kid.
I’m so glad I made freezer meals before my babies were born! It saved me so much time and effort!
These are awesome ideas. Dreft was always a safe detergent to use.
I swaddled all the time with my baby. He didn’t like the swing (Ironic since all he likes now is the swings). Most of the other tips here we used a lot!
One essential for me with my children was a baby monitor. When they were down for a nap it was great to be able to take the monitor with me if I had to run down and change the laundry or if I was busy in the kitchen.
Swaddles and Freezer meals FOR SURE. I wouldn’t ever have another baby without being loaded with both. It’s what I tell everyone to make sure they have on hand to and when my friends have babies, that’s what I give!
This is a great list. When my sister came home with her baby, she had to get all of these things. It would have been better to have it before she came home.