As a newborn photographer, I spend a lot of time around new babies and their families.
Over the years, I’ve seen the beautifully designed nurseries, the carefully organized changing stations, the overflowing baby registries and, more importantly, the things families actually reach for once their baby is home.
Because sometimes the products that look like must-haves before your baby arrives aren’t necessarily the things you end up using every day.
And sometimes, the simplest little things become the ones you wonder how you lived without.
I’ve put together a collection of some of my favorite baby essentials for new parents…not because you need every item on the list, but because these are products I’ve found useful, practical, or simply lovely to have around during those first months. And many of my clients have raved about them!
TheBaby Shusher is an item I use during EVERY newborn session. So many families have gone out to purchase for themselves. Perfect for on the go soothing of your little one.
While calming baby on the go is helping, you also need some soothing sounds at home. I’ve seen the Hatch Sound Machine in 90% of the nurseries I’ve photographed.
While there are many pacifiers on the market, a favorite are the NUK Pacifiers. The heart-shaped shield fits comfortably right under the baby’s nose and their unique orthodontic design supports healthy oral development. Some of their handles even glow in the dark!
Tired parents love the HALO Sleepsack Swaddles. Their adjustable velcro fasteners make it simple for tired or first-time parents to secure a snug fit quickly.
Our babies can unfortunately develop colds and catch other bugs, so a thermometer is a MUST. The Frida Digital Baby Thermometer is top rated for ease of use, quick accurate results, led backlight for nighttime visibility.
Frida is top rated among baby items! And when those tiny noses get congested, Frida’s Baby NoseFrida nose sucker is the way to go. So simple, yet so affective in give babies and kids sinus relief!
Spit up and diaper blow-outs happen! Every family needs a good stain remover and Miss Mouth’s is game changer! I even use it for my teens!
Muslin baby blankets are lightweight, breathable, and multi-use cotton fabric squares designed to help parents with every day care. Whether for swaddles, shade, nursing cover, or something soft to lounge on, these blankets are a versatile item to keep handy!
You Don’t Need to Buy Everything
If you’re expecting a baby, it’s easy to feel like you need to purchase every product on every newborn checklist.
You don’t.
Every baby is different, and you’ll quickly learn which things your little one actually likes and which products work best for your family.
Start with the basics. Give yourself time to figure out the rest.
You may discover that the expensive gadget you thought you couldn’t live without barely gets used, while the inexpensive muslin blanket becomes your baby’s favorite thing in the world.
There is no perfect newborn setup. There is only what works for your family.
My Favorite Newborn Essentials
I’ve created a curated collection of some of my favorite newborn essentialsin addition to those above, including the products I see most often in the homes and nurseries of my newborn clients.
I’ve kept the list intentionally practical rather than filling it with things you may never use.
**As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
