12 Crucial Baby Products to Transform Your First Days with a Newborn

Newborns want to be close. As they get used to life outside of the womb, babywearing can be such a helpful tool to keep them feeling safe and comfy without you feeling like you’re stuck on the couch with them. My second baby practically lived in this thing from birth and it was so comfortable for both of us. And though there’s a bit of a learning curve when you first start out using it (in terms of how to wrap it and get the right fit), many parents find they get the hang of it pretty quickly.

As delicious as those newborn snuggles are, sometimes your arms need a break—and this playmat provides the perfect spot for tiny babies to hang out. The winner among Babylist parents (according to our best baby products survey last year) and also a fave among our editors, this mat can be used from birth and becomes an engaging playmat for older babies later, and has a bunch of engaging features, like high contrast cards for newborn vision development.

Each feeding journey is different. And even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, it’s a good idea to have at least a bottle or two on hand, just in case. You don’t need to go out and buy many, but babies are notorious for having strong opinions about bottles. The Bottle Box comes with a variety of options to try and saves you from a  late night Amazon order or Target run.

You’ve likely added a sound machine to your registry already, but don’t forget about a portable option. A travel sound machine comes in handy for naps and calming baby down, no matter where you are. When my babies were newborns, we did a lot of contact and carrier naps and I liked having one of these to carry around with me.

A diaper caddy is like a portable command station for all of your diapering needs. Stock it up with whatever you want to keep within reach—think diapers, wipes, diaper cream, chapstick, snacks, claw clip and hair ties—and carry it from room to room with you so you don’t need to take them to the nursery for every change.

Most veteran parents (including the ones on the Babylist team) agree that you can’t really have too many burp cloths. You can use them for so many things, including cleaning up spit-up, milk drips, laying down for diaper changes and getting food off of tiny hands.

It can be helpful to have an extra swaddle on hand, just in case baby doesn’t like the first one (or two) you try. The Halo SleepSack Swaddle is our best overall swaddle pick, voted a favorite by actual Babylist parents and our gear editor. But you might also consider adding the Babylist Swaddle Box to your registry since it comes with a few different options to try.

It can be hard to anticipate just how much help—and what type—will be most valuable to you in the postpartum period. It can also feel uncomfortable to ask for it. This blank coupon lets friends and family essentially “sign up” to help, whenever and with whatever you need when the time comes. Think things you can’t buy at the store like doing a few loads of laundry or even walking the dog.

The last thing many new parents want to do is cook. Adding a meal fund to your registry allows friends and family to contribute toward ordering your favorite take-out on the nights you can’t fathom making a meal. Similarly, adding a home-cooked meal coupon is also a good idea to ensure you’re fed. 

To know what a postpartum doula is is to want one. They are someone who takes care of and advocates for you, so you can better take care of your new baby. Whether you want (or need) help with giving baby their first baths, emotional or physical support for yourself or even someone to help you with a bit of light cooking and cleaning, it’s a service worth researching and registering for.

It can feel almost impossible to keep up with all of the things once you bring your baby home and you’re figuring out a new daily routine and life rhythm. Having someone come in to help scrub the bathroom and vacuum the floors allows you to focus on recovering and spend time with your baby.