NITK’s Newborn Essentials

I’ve been planning to write this post for a few weeks now but having a 3-month old can throw plans off a little (or let’s be real…a lot!). Since Hemsley arrived almost 15 weeks ago I’ve been making note of the items that have been true staples for us.

Making this list was actually a bit challenging because there are items I didn’t include that are important such as clothing, diapers, wipes, or gear like a car seat and stroller, but I wanted to include items that have been specifically helpful but maybe not so obvious. So, aside from the very obvious, here are my top 10 Newborn Essentials:

Muslin Swaddles // These light, breathable swaddle blankets are probably the most used item in our home right now, no joke. We use them to swaddle Hemsley for sleeping of course, but also as a blanket to have over our shoulders for quick access in case of spit-ups or drool (which happens a lot), or as a makeshift nursing cover, or to keep her warmer when she’s in her carseat, or to place as a little barrier when laying her down on various surfaces. These blankets are constantly in use in our home and a definite MUST for a newborn. I love these Aden & Anais Swaddles in particular.

Feeding/Nursing Pillow // Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, having a supportive pillow is so important to protect your back and cradle the baby. A nursing pillow was my go-to especially in the early weeks after Hemsley was born and I was on the nursing learning curve. I carried it around the house everywhere and if I wasn’t using it for support while feeding her, I often had it there just while holding her or I placed her in it to cradle her when my arms were too tired. This Boppy Pillow is similar to the one I have.

Washable Bamboo Nursing Pads // Whoa leakage. The whole breast-engorgement-milk-dripping-all-over-the-place-my-body-is-a-milk-machine was actually a bit of a surprise to me. I didn’t realize how incredible but intense breastfeeding is, and I was also very thankful to have these soft bamboo nursing pads available. Trust me, if you are wearing grey or coloured tops and breastfeeding a newborn, you’ll definitely want these handy.

Baby Shusher // When I first heard of “The Shusher” I laughed a little, wondering “really, is this actually a thing?”. Yes, yes it is a thing. It’s an amazing, incredible, thank God this is a thing, thing. Essentially, the Baby Shusher is a white noise maker that sounds like someone making a shhhhhh sound over and over again. Most babies love this and it calms them down. As soon as the shusher is on, Hemsley’s eyelids slowly droop and before we know it, she’s out like a light. We bring the shusher anytime we go out of town or if will be gone for the whole day and will be putting her down for a nap outside of her normal surroundings. We also use it every single night when she hits the hay.

DockATot Deluxe // This is an item that is truly worth every penny. The DockATot is one of the more pricier items on my essentials list and I’ve had several people ask me if it’s really worth it, and I can say without a doubt, it is. We use it every single day, carrying it all around the house to “dock” Hemsley so that we can see her while she safely lays down and plays or sleeps. We’ve brought the DockATot camping (see the little cutie in it below), on the boat, to hotels, and to our friends and families homes and she sleeps like a dream in it. Plus it’s completely portable and easy to pack and take along.

Multipurpose Cover // Before we had Hemsley I would always see these moms out and about with nifty little covers over their infant car seats. I looked into it and discovered Milk Snob and a few other brands that make multipurpose covers, so of course, I ordered one for myself and I’m so happy I did. This cover keeps Hemsley almost “hidden” in her carseat which is nice when we are out in public and she’s sleeping. It also doubles as a nursing cover and even a receiving blanket in a pinch. It’s another item I use daily and has been a definite essential for these newborn months.

Bum Balm // There are so many diaper creams out there it’s hard to know which are best to put on your little ones skin. I came across this Peas in a Pod Bum Balm at my local organic grocery store and it’s actually made in Calgary. It’s amazing. Not only does it smell great, it’s also made with all natural ingredients and essential oils, and without getting too graphic here… poop literally slips right off Hemsley’s bum (no sticky messes) and makes diaper changing a breeze. I love to know I’m using something that’s natural on her skin and it’s such a great product I had to include it on my list!

Newborn Soothers // When we were in the NICU for a couple days after Hemsley was born (she had a heart arrhythmia that needed to be monitored) the nurses gave her a soother in case I hadn’t made my way back to the NICU to feed her and she was fussing. She took to the soothers quite well and so I did some research and found these newborn soothers that are supposedly the best to avoid nipple confusion while still working to soothe baby. Hemsley still breastfeeds wonderfully and these soothers have been a lifesaver in the past few months to calm her down if she’s fussing but not actually hungry.

Diaper Bag // This is more of an obvious item as I’m sure most people would think of getting a diaper bag when expecting a baby but I still wanted to include it as it’s another item that I use daily. Hemsley and I ventured on our first trip out of the house when she was just 7 days old and we’ve been out and about almost every day since, so having a great diaper bag is very important. I purchased this one off of amazon and I love it.

Keekaroo Peanut Changer // My last item is definitely not the least. This changer pad is the other more expensive item on my list but it’s also worth every penny in my opinion. Compared to every other change pad we looked at, the Keekaroo is sleek looking, super easy to clean, has nice high edges for safety, and fits perfectly on the top of the dresser we use for her change table. We don’t have to use a cover, so it eliminates laundry from diaper changing, and it’s super easy to wipe down in case Hemsley decides to “relieve herself” in the middle of a diaper change!

There you have it, my newborn essentials list for the first three-ish months of having a baby. I’m sure as time goes on I’ll have other essential items that make their way onto my list so I plan to do another post like this down the road when Hemsley is closer to 9 months old.

Have you tried any of this items? Do you have any newborn essentials that have been lifesavers for you that I didn’t include? I’d love to read about it in the comments below!

If you are looking for toddler items, the Lovevery play kits are amazing for learning and play. Check out an honest Lovevery review here!

Have a wonderful Sunday!