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With all the suggestions and product options, it can become overwhelming to sort through what baby essentials you actually need to buy. The first most important thing is to take a deep breath! It doesn’t have to be stressful.

I have learned that you will know what works or can work best for you after your first baby. It is a bit of trial-and-error. After baby #1 you will have a foundation of experience to build on. Babies that come after this will more than likely require you to tweak your systems a little.

In this post, I list 10 newborn must haves to help you figure what to buy for a new baby as a first time mom and beyond. Below, I’ve included a free e-book with a comprehensive baby checklist that you can download.

I will guide you so that you can decide what you may actually need for your new baby. Having too many things can also be very mentally overwhelming (not to mention financially draining as well!).

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You want to plan according to the time of year your baby is born – that may change what is needed due to your baby’s age (e.g., clothes sizes, car seats, walkers).

Here are the baby essentials I found very useful and would buy again. They are good gifts for a baby shower or items to request on your baby registry:

Table of Contents

1. Onesies

Onesies are my favorite clothing articles for babies, especially for the first 3 months. It makes things so much easier to manage without having to worry about all the outfit options.

There are a variety of onesies you can choose from depending on what you need.

Consider the Coverage and Closure Types:

Short Sleeve & Long Sleeve Onesies
Footie Onesie/Pajamas
Footless Onesie/Pajamas/Rompers
1-way Zipper
2-way Zipper
Snap Button
Flat Button
Magnetic Closures

Many parents online prefer the 2-way zipper or magnetic closures, especially for nighttime diaper changes.

I, personally, did not have any trouble using the 1-way zipper and snap/flat button onesies. However, I will say that a 2-way zipper is better for the winter months because it keeps baby warmer.

2. Baby Bottles

I tried plastic baby bottles, like Dr. Brown, and I did not like them for my babies. Dr. Brown bottles leaked and didn’t help to reduce gas intake – in my experience.

My two favorite bottle brands were: Tommee Tippee and Comotomo.

However, I have decided to switch based on new knowledge to no-lead glass bottles or stainless steel. Additionally, it is preferable to use nipples that closely resemble the natural breast shape. There should be a gradual slope between the nipple and the base –> see here.

Here are the bottles that I recommend to try:

Note: See if you can switch the nipple if you have a preferred bottle. You can switch the Kiki nipple with a Pigeon or Lansinoh nipple, according to some moms.

I can confirm that you can use a Lansinoh nipple with a Kiki bottle. The only drawback, in my experience, is that it can leak if it’s shaking or rolling around in the diaper bag. It does NOT leak while the baby drinks. It’s worked well for my baby (#4).

If you prefer to use a Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottle you can also switch out the nipple and use a Lansinoh nipple.

Had I been able to exclusively breastfeed (EBF) baby #4, I would not have used a bottle for him. However, he has not had a problem going between breast and bottle.

Note: You may have to try out nipples with different flow levels. It may depend on your breastfeeding flow so baby won’t have trouble alternating if needed. I prefer to stick to the extra slow flow or slow flow nipples to prevent overfeeding with formula.

Another Note: If you’re planning to EBF and have had trouble in the past or just want to be better prepared before baby is born check out The Thompson Method. This is a more natural and gentle way of breastfeeding, which in my opinion makes more sense. Watch how babies naturally feed at their natural pace here (it is “graphic”).

Recently I had a VERY challenging breastfeeding experience. Baby would only latch on the nipple and it HURT so much I was screaming. Before giving up for the last time, I watched this video that my MIL sent me. It helped so much.

3. Diaper Cart

I purchased a cart from Michael’s for my breastfeeding equipment – great idea from Karrie Locher!

Consider the cart and accessories below:

When I was unable to continue breastfeeding (firstborn), I used it as a diaper cart. This is very helpful to keep some diaper ointment, toilet paper, wipes, etc. on the top tier of the cart. Then I organize the 2 different size diapers on the bottom 2 tiers.

It makes it easier to transport, if needed, to change a diaper on the bed or couch, etc.

You can get pretty creative with this rolling cart. Some moms use a couple for different functions, such as one for postpartum recovery supplies and another for baby diapering etc.

4. Bath Tub/Mat/Seat/Support

Bath equipment will probably be a bit of a trial-and-error for you.

It depends on where you will bathe your baby – the sink or bath tub. I don’t use the kitchen sink because I find that the kitchen is too cool and the bathroom sink is too small.

I prefer to bathe my babies in the bathroom since I can close the door to trap the heat for a warm bath experience.

So, I have tried most of the following bath items:

Sink Flower Bath Mat

I loved using the bath mat in the bathroom tub. It was very helpful with my firstborn and used it for 2 years.

You can use this mat in the sink if that is where you want to bathe baby.

Baby Bath Tub

My sister uses the Baby Patent Forever Warm Warming Baby Bathtub. She used this tub with her firstborn and now with her second, bathing them in her bedroom where she can keep her baby the warmest. This can also be used in the sink.

Baby Bath Seat

When my second-born, first baby boy turned 5 months old (July 2023), I needed something more stable. So, I purchased a baby seat that was suctioned to the bathtub. The seat suction pads seemed to come undone at times, but overall, I loved it for my 2 older kids (in their infant and toddler stages).

Note: I retired this seat about a year later because the suction pads failed more frequently. I would still recommend a bath seat, if you can find one that suctions better and lasts longer.

My sister recommended the seat since her firstborn son moved a lot during baths.

Baby Bath Support

I purchased this Angelcare Baby Bath Support in December 2023 for my third baby. I LOVE this baby item and am very happy that I have it. It worked very well with my son as a newborn. Even though the product was designed for babies 6 months and younger, I use this for my oldest kids (2.5 years old and 4 years old). I will use it for all kids, including our newest baby (#4).

5. Large Towels

For towels, I did not like the baby towels because many of them attract lint very easily.

Not to mention they are often very small, and the baby outgrows them quickly. I purchased a couple of bigger regular towels.

Consider the following instead:

These will cover your baby more than enough and keep them warm – especially the bath sheet towel. If you want the towel to have the hood, you can probably have someone add it for you. I, personally, did not need it. (Tip: I’ve used a microfiber hair towel wrap on my kids after their bath. It keeps their head warm as I transport them to a different room. This helps to absorb the extra moisture.)

You can use these towels as the child grows and not worry about having to buy more later.

6. Bassinet

We purchased the Halo Bassinet the day we were discharged from the hospital with our firstborn. We were indecisive about whether we wanted to buy it before giving birth. There are so many options and every expensive baby item gets hyped up way too much.

I am so glad we purchased it. It was helpful to me while I had little space in my room. I used it for naps with our first born and she mostly co-slept with me every night.

We used the bassinet in the living room with our second and third babies. Our room was too small to have it by the bed. My second also co-slept with me most of the time after a few weeks post birth – he was okay sleeping by himself for the first few weeks.

Our third slept in the bassinet most of the time or next/on top of the parent sleeping on the couch. Our most recent addition, our fourth, slept in the bassinet temporarily. He spit up a lot (still does, but not as much) and was pretty gassy, so it was better for him to be slightly elevated.

The Halo Bassinet was also very useful as a diaper changing station since it is high enough. I, definitely, do not regret this buy. I also love the fact that it spins around.

The newest version is available online:

Halo Bassinet

I find that every baby is different, so you can plan, but must also be flexible to adapt to your baby’s needs.

7. Sound Machine

I purchased this one with our first born. It is helpful because noise is less likely (or not as easily) to wake up sleeping babies. Although each baby’s noise tolerance is also a factor (our third was less likely to wake up with noise probably because he has 2 siblings that make so much noise).

The sound machine noise helped level out any sudden creeks and sounds from the house. Newborn babies are used to noisy environments (aka inside your body – where so much is going on.) but in my experience sudden noises wake up babies.

Consider one like this:

Portable White Noise Sound Machine

8. Tumbler

I have not traveled with pumped breastmilk so far. I was unsuccessful at breastfeeding my first 3. I have been breastfeeding my fourth, and also supplementing with formula. I realized that, personally, I do not want to pump and only breastfeed him directly.

I tried exclusively pumping, but it did not work for me. Now I have way too much on my to-do list that I don’t have time to sit to pump on top of everything else.

I would recommend having a tumbler bottle to keep warm water for the formula – if you go this route. You can buy a formula container for on-the-go, like this one.

If not, that is totally fine. There are many ways to warm your breastmilk on the go. Consider the following:

Baby’s Brew – portable electric bottle warmer
Ceres Chill – breastmilk storage/cooler

Note: If you are exclusively breastfeeding, you won’t need any storage or warmers. All you and baby need is you, which makes traveling easier, in a sense (I’m sure there are some quirks and things to figure out). The most concerning thing for me has been where I’ll breastfeed and when – like timing the travel right.

9. Infant Rocking Chair

This one was a gift to me. I really appreciated this one because I did not know I needed it.

We have the Fischer Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker; however, it seems they were recalled. (This reminds us never to leave our babies unsupervised and that certain positions are not safe/optimal for baby to sleep in).

However, personally, this rocker has been very helpful to us with each of our babies. I used this rocker when I needed to work out or cook and couldn’t carry the baby. If baby got tired of sitting in this rocker, I’d transfer them to a mat/blanket on the floor, etc.

Consider the following option if you want to try it:

Ingenuity Keep Cozy 3-in-1 Grow with Me

I have not tried the Ingenuity brand, but it seems like a good option – it can be a bouncer or rocker! I was also gifted the Fischer Price bouncer, and my firstborn loved both. I did not try the bouncer with any of my boys. I do use the rocker all the time – it is so convenient.

Note: From what I have seen with other moms, not all babies like bouncers, rockers, swings, etc., which means this may be a trial-and-error item as well. For me, our fourth has been an “arms” baby, and I wish I had the option to try different carriers. However, I have the Ergobaby and K’tan, and we didn’t feel comfortable with those.

10. Travel System or Stroller & Car Seats

A stroller and car seat travel system are convenient; however, you will have to consider your needs.

It is convenient to have a travel system because all you have to do is transfer your baby with the car seat onto the stroller.

However, if you won’t need the stroller as often, you may be better off choosing both separately.

I used the stroller more often with my firstborn, so it was helpful to have the travel system. However, she outgrew the car seat fairly quickly. I really love the jogger stroller from Baby Trend.

With my second born, I did not use the stroller as much. We mostly need adjustable car seats that grow with the child and a multiple-sibling stroller. We purchased the Baby Trend Double Stroller which is hard to maneuver, honestly. We plan to buy 2 Baby Trend double jogger strollers to travel with all 4 kids.

We like our Graco car seat for the toddler even though it is a bit bulky. If you have multiple children needing a car seat, I would recommend Safety 1st TriFit Convertible Car Seat because you can fit more in your back seat. We recently purchased the latter seat to fit our 3 children in our Nissan Sentra.

Of course, this is a temporary fix for us. We need to buy a bigger car soon, Lord-willing.

Consider the following:

Baby Trend Travel System – jogger stroller and car seat
Baby Trend Expedition® Double Jogger, Elixer – multiple children
Graco Convertible Car Seat – rear and forward facing
Safety 1st TriFit Convertible Car Seat – rear and forward facing
Mockingbird Stroller – accessories for additional children (haven’t tried this one but it seems like a good option)

Honorable Mention

Serta XL Round Bolster Couch Pet Bed

I purchased this with my firstborn in the event she fell off the bed. It was a worthwhile purchase. Now our kids like to lay on it or take naps on it. I know it’s a dog bed but it has served us very well with our kids!

I hope you found this helpful – consider adding some of these to your baby registry or gifting them to a new mom.

If you would like a more comprehensive list, please be sure to download the freebie below (includes a checklist).