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Posted by Jane Highley on February 14, 2012
I love lists, especially if it’s not a terribly long one. And 10 is manageable. Inspired by a certain late-night show’s regular segment, I decided to launch a short TOP TEN series (emphasis on “short”) on anything relevant to getting ready for a new baby.
Before reading any further, however, here are a few qualifications about this list (and others forthcoming).
Qualification #1: I am expecting my third child (a boy), so I am compiling this list with some experience behind me, not as a first-time mommy. I’ve had hits and misses with lots of baby products, so my past experiences with babies 1 and 2 (both girls) will largely inform my picks listed below.
Qualification #2: I plan to breastfeed and pump, but I don’t plan on using any bottles until at least 2-3 weeks after the delivery.
Qualification #3: I deliberately omitted the obvious items (e.g., diapers/wipes, crib, stroller, car seat) because I didn’t want to insult your intelligence.
Qualification #4: This is a list specifically for the care of newborns, not necessarily for Mom (or parents), which is why you won’t find a baby carrier or nursing pads listed below. I hope to address that in a separate list.
Qualification #5: This list is a means to an end – I’m sharing mine with hopes that you will share yours. If you have a “must-have” product that I didn’t mention, please comment below! There is nothing like the honesty of other mommies who’ve put products to the real, raw test of newborn-care.
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I am a firm believer in swaddling newborns till they are at least 3 months old. My babies loved it, and swaddling was one of the first baby-care skills that my husband mastered (at the hospital, no less!). My babies sleep more soundly and longer if they are swaddled as snug as a Chipotle burrito. And if that doesn’t convince you to try it, read and watch Dr. Harvey Karp discuss the benefits of swaddling in The Happiest Baby on the Block. Two secrets to swaddling: 1) “Tight” is not tight enough. Swaddle your baby more snugly than you think you should or else he will fight the swaddle, escape, and cry to be swaddled again. The baby has been curled up in a ball for nine months. You can’t get tighter than the womb! 2) Big is best, as in, the swaddling blanket. Those flannel receiving blankets are useless for this purpose, even though they market them that way.
My picks:
As with many things related to baby-care, pacifiers are also a source of controversy. With my first-born, I didn’t know what to do. Will it cause nipple confusion if I use a pacifier? But should I let myself become a human pacifier so my baby can still be comforted? But after learning about the pros and cons through the PregTastic experts, I decided to take the chance and use a pacifier for my daughter (after about 5 weeks when breastfeeding was well-established), and we ALL loved it. And she loved it till she was about 20 months. We let her sister use her pacifiers till she turned one. And with their baby brother, I hope that he will take to them easily soon after he learns to nurse.
These are so multi-purpose. I use them primarily as burp cloths, but they do the job of a changing pad on the floor or on changing table in a public bathroom (which never have liners). I did not know about them till a girlfriend told me to add them to my registry, even though I had no plans to use cloth diapers. “Just trust me, you’ll use them for other things.” And she was absolutely right. I also love that these are so cheap and machine-washable. I have them all over the house, in my diaper bag, and even in the car. If one gets too dingy, I downgrade it to use as a cleaning rag for the house. In short, these cloths are versatile, cheap, and “green,” to boot!
This is pretty obvious to me, but somehow, I forget how long and sharp those nails can be – for a newborn! I have pictures of my first-born with baby socks on her hands because she would scratch all over her face (and because we didn’t have any baby mittens). At that time, I was too nervous to clip her nails, but when I finally revved up the courage, I was glad to have my infant nail clippers on hand to do the job. Needless to say, adult-sized ones are way too sharp and cumbersome to maneuver around those tiny fingers and toes. I would strongly discourage that. Just get a pair of baby-sized ones and take a deep breath before you start.
We received a lullaby CD after our first baby, and we were amazed by its effects: we fell asleep right away. Actually, she seemed to like it, too. We turned it on (repeat-shuffle mode) every time we put her down for sleep, not just bed time. Somewhat pavlovian, we played the music to help cue much-needed slumber for her and sanity for us. And it still works! We use a regular rotation of lullaby music for our girls (now ages 3 and a half and 23 months). They love it and request it for their naps and bedtimes.
My picks:
We have three levels in our house, so needless to say, we are always going up and down all the time. This is awesome and awful as a new mom: the former, because I get a regular cardio + toning combo workout; the latter, because I am already exhausted without having two flights of stairs to contend with a child in my arms. A bouncy seat or swing is a secure, usually portable, place to put down the baby for a minute (or 30!) while I seek to do damage control in other places around the house. It is also incredibly practical to have this kind of baby gear that is pretty portable, something that I can lift and carry up the stairs without having to dissemble anything. And finally, it is critical to have a warehouse-style stock of batteries (various sizes, of course) and the A/C adapter at hand for a bouncy chair or swing. I never want to be in that terrible predicament of finally soothing the baby for a nap in his swing only to see him cry bitterly 10 minutes later when the battery dies. And believe me, these things eat up batteries faster than any other baby gear in the house.
My picks:
I have tubes and jars of diaper rash ointment around the house. I’m not one of those parents who can just “let it go.” I attempted that once, and my daugther’s angry rash got scarier by the day. I’m not very picky about brands, and I often pick up generic brands, but I am particular about the scent. The less scent, the better. I’m not sure what’s worse: the odor of a diaper blow-out or the overly, gagging medicinal scent of diaper cream. I find that the creamy, white stuff has more scent than ointments that are clear-ish. Even if you don’t think you’ll use any, it’s good to have something in your first-aid stash. My kids’ pediatric office always have a basket of sample tubes by the check-in window. Perfect for my diaper bag!
Lavender is often infused into massage oils, bath soaps, and even bed linen sprays. The scent is known to help calm and soothe, and my babies have responded in kind when I started using lavender-scented lotion as part of their bath-time routine. I was skeptical at first when I read the claims: “Calming,” “Less fussy,” or even “Sleep-inducing.” Really? Well, based on my observations and general anecdotal evidence, I’d say the lavender works. The scent is subtle and pleasant and doesn’t scream “I’m trying to make smell good!” like other baby products do. I think it’s especially comforting (perhaps more for me) when I use it to give my baby a gentle massage when she’s feeling under the weather or particularly over-tired.
I don’t like bathing newborns. I’m talking about a few days-old baby, when they are still small enough to fit into the crook of your arm. I get nervous and tense, which is why I always let the nurses do the job while at the hospital. But when we’re all home, the onus rests upon me (or my husband). However, having a baby tub that has a mesh sling or and incline “seat” helps allay my fears of holding a newborn that probably hates being cold, naked, and wet. This is one of the many baby items that does not need to be purchased new. In fact, I borrowed baby tubs from friends whose kids have moved on to the next phase. If I really wanted to buy one, I can easily find tubs in excellent, almost-new condition on craigslist for less than the cost of the most expensive drink at Starbucks. Save your money; stock up on batteries instead.
I’m sure many moms may not consider this an absolute necessity, but it was a sanity-saver for me after baby #2 was born. My older girl was not yet two years old, which means she still required lots of help. I could not have been as hands-on if it weren’t for my baby carrier. I did a lot of market research before I made my purchase; I read blogs, reviews, discussion threads, and even attended a baby-wearing class to “test-drive” different types of carriers at various price points. And of course, I listened to all the PregTastic podcasts regarding this specific baby gear. And with all that knowledge, I then had to persuade my husband that it would be a worthwhile investment (HUGE emphasis on “investment,” because the one that I wanted wasn’t cheap). When I finally got my carrier, there was no looking back. I mastered both the front and back carry in two days, and used it constantly until my baby was about 15 months old. Out of all the carriers that I considered, I think a soft-structured carrier is the most comfortable for me because the baby’s weight is evenly distributed all throughout. I don’t feel undue pressure on my shoulders or on my lower back. When she weighed less than 15 pounds, she felt so light in my carrier that I could almost go for a run on the trail. I love that she could sleep so soundly, but that’s not surprising since she fits so snugly on me when I use the carrier. I cannot wait to use my carrier for this baby. And when we are through with it for good, I am pretty certain that I can sell it at a good price on craigslist or eBay since I bought a limited-edition print.
What are your must-have newborn items? Are there items you simply couldn’t live without?
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I agree with your list completely! The Safety 1st nail clippers are made with a light at the end — super helpful for tiny fingers. Also, the Aveeno calming lotion was recently recalled for possessing harmful bacteria. If you bought this all ready, you should check your lot.
I would change the Becco carrier for a moby/sleepy wrap for a newborn. I love having soothing kids music — check out Renee + Jeremy. They are awesome.
Comment by Annalisa — February 14, 2012 @ 6:46 am
Good list! Probably because my first hated the fancy swing with all the bells and whistles and we registered for, my must-have baby containment system is a simple bouncy chair. Great for those times when you need two hands (making dinner or sneaking in a 3 minute shower come to mind). We got a very basic one that vibrated and had a toy bar. It was our go-to for months. I would also sub gentle nail files for the nail clippers; I find that newborn baby nails are easier to file than clip. And I love Aveeno products, but because my son and I both have sensitive skin, I steer clear of scented lotions and bath products for newborns, so we’ll use fragrance-free instead.
Comment by Liz Hodes — February 14, 2012 @ 7:23 am
Great list! Love that you include the Beco carrier, which I think is the best one out there. I had a Moby for when my son was tiny, but he hated being inward-facing from a very young age, so I traded in my trendy Ergo carrier for a Beco Gemini. He loves it, tho I’m still working on the backpack carry…
I would also add a pilates ball — we bought a nice glider before he was born, but pretty much ignored it. The only thing that had enough movement to soothe our son was bouncing on the pilates ball. He’s nearly 9 months old now, and we still use it before bed and naps.
Comment by Zoe Q. — February 14, 2012 @ 9:14 am
I’ve never tried swaddeling (but have put your recommendation on my baby registry!). I swear by sleep sacks, in the US the Halo ones are great!
Comment by Christiane Williams — February 14, 2012 @ 10:00 am
Great list! The nurses at the hospital also recommended the Aquaphor. I had never heard of it before.
Comment by Kate — February 14, 2012 @ 10:48 am
Hello, Moms and Mom-to-be:
An apology for an error in this article. I wrote in the intro that I wouldn’t include a baby carrier in this particular list, and I did in #10! I went back and forth on this one, and felt that it was as much for a baby’s need to be soothed and comforted as it was for a mom’s need to be hands-free. Sorry for any confusion.
Annalisa: I had no idea about the recall! I’m going to check the lot # of the tube we have now. Thanks for the heads-up. Will definitely check out Renee+Jeremy. Always open for good sleepy music.
Liz: I love bouncy chairs, too. I think the vibrating feature is really the only thing a baby can appreciate as a newborn. Toys and music seem to add about 30% to the price tag.
Zoe: Sitting on my pilates ball now! But not with baby…my preggo belly weighs down so low that my back is killing me. The ball really eases the pressure, it seems. But I have used it to bounce my babies in the past. Thanks for the reminder!
Comment by Jane Highley — February 14, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
After we realised that bouncy chairs were the only way to soothe our son we invested in a baby bjorn babysitter. BEST MONEY I’VE EVER SPENT! It soothes, it reclines to sleep, it folds flat to go in the car (we can visit friends again!) and as he got older he learnt to bounce himself. Plus they take ages to grow out of it. I sing it’s praises to anyone who will listen!
Comment by Rachael — February 20, 2012 @ 1:39 am
Thanks! I have used this to start my baby items wishlist. :)
Comment by samantha — March 1, 2012 @ 10:01 am
where do i find the PregTastic shows on baby carriers. I’m looking for a very versatile one. I want to carry my baby from newborn through toddler years, on the front, on the back, facing in, and facing out. I definitely want to make sure it’s safe and secure for her leg/hip joints, and supportive for her head, and not smothering. Anyone have any tips for me?
Also, with strollers… I don’t even know where to begin. We don’t have a vehicle, so I need something very portable and with lots of room to stash stuff (ie. diaper bag and all the baby paraphenalia one normally stashes in their vehicle when on the go), but we also live in a city that has very bad roads/sidewalks, so I need something that can handle rough terrain. I live in China, and not in a major metropolis, so my options are pretty limited as far as selection.
Comment by samantha — March 1, 2012 @ 10:04 am
Carmbell Olivia…
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