practical newborn essentials

Adding Efficiency & Ease to Your New Role as a Parent

Practical. Efficient. Ease = 3 words that really matter when becoming a 1st time parent!

Snuza Halo baby movement monitor

This monitor provides us mama's with the peace of mind that we need in knowing that if something happens to our childs breathing (while awake or sleeping) we will immediately be notified. Whether Trace is sleeping in his napper, in his swing or in my arms, I know that his breathing is always being monitored.

Miracle Blanket

The name of this product says it all. Trace was sleeping 5 hours/night the 2nd night we brought him home from the hospital. This was a good and bad thing, as I wasn't waking up for his (every 2-3 hour) feedings like I should have been... But a newborn who sleeps is priceless! He's down to sleeping 4 hours at a time...

HALO SleepSack Swaddle

I have this exact sleep sack and love it. Being that it has a zipper, this is so easy to take on and off during middle of the night diaper changes. Trace is a tiny little guy and he was able to wiggle his arms out of other sleep sacks, but this one keeps his arms tucked away for a great nights sleep. And when I say great, I mean great. Trace sleeps 4 hours at a time, waking up at around 3:00am, and he's only 2 weeks old. If you do the math, that means we only have 1 middle of the night feeding. I credit my super easy going baby combined with the Miracle Blanket and HALO SleepSack.

Mom's One Line A Day book

I love being able to jot down a quick sentance about how the day went, what minor or major milestone Trace hit, etc. in this book. 

Graco Pack 'N Play with Reversible Napper and Changer

I can't say enough great things about this pack n play! Bryan and I actually rush ordered it after Trace was born when we realized that the bassinet we had intended on him sleeping in was just too big for him. He would scream and cry in it and I'd be up all night trying to calm an out-of-control baby... just too much empty space for such a little munchkin. Trace sleeps in the napper nightly and will be able to until he's 10 lbs. I love it because it's the same height as my bed, so I can constantly pop open my eyes, give him a quick once-over, realize he's fine and fall back to sleep without even having to lift my head from my pillow. We have yet to use the changing table, but I think it'll be a great feature. The green fabric portion will be great to use once Trace hits that 10 lb limit, as it'll be the perfect way to prepare him to sleep in his crib. 

Munchkin Diaper Duty Organizer

This does exactly what it's designed to do -- it keeps you organized and keeps your changing table organized. I'm all about being organized and this gets the job done!

Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle 'N Swing

When Trace isn't in someones arms throughout the day he lives in his swing. If he's sleeping we just simply place him in it and cover him with a blanket. When he's alert we turn on the swing and sometimes add in a little music. Personally, I love the water feature... so soothing, but trace seems to really like the music.

Multi-Use Changing Pad

We have one of these downstairs and one in our master bedroom. There is no reason to be running all over the house when your little one has 12 dirty diapers/day.

Boppy Changing Pad Liners

I keep a chaning pad liner on Trace's changing table in his nursery so that I am not doing laundry (his changing table cover) every other day. If he soils one of these, I just wip it off and replace it with a different one. Easy and efficient!

Diaper Genie

If you have a 2 story house, buy 2 of these... 1 for each floor. Trust me on this!

Pampers Newborn Diapers & Pampers Sensative Wipes

Both of these work well for Trace. Maybe other brands would too, but I'm not willing to try. As far as the diapers go, I fold into the diaper the little white top of it so that when Trace pee's, his pee will be secure in his diaper and not run. That probably doesn't make sense unless you have a little boy...

Cloth Diaper

I use these as burp cloths because they are the perfect size, ridiculously afforable and considering how they're meant to soak up pee/poop, they're extremely absorbent. Also, I cut one into several tiny pieces and use it in my bras to catch nipple leakage. Tmi? Whatever. Because they're cotton, they're breathable, and take my word for it... your boobies will appreciate it!

Aden + Anais burp cloth/bip

This is the best burp cloth you'll find and is worth every penny. The way that it's cut, with curvature to it, ensures that all spit-up will be caught on it and not on your skin/shirt. It has a button on it so that you can wrap it around your babies neck and use it as a bib also. 2 uses in 1 item? More bang for your buck!

Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets
I have 8 of these blankets and I feel like that is the perfect amount. We use them for swaddling and as a light blanket. They're nice and lightweight for summertime, but I can imagine how cozy they'd be in the cooler months also.

Dr. Browns Standard Neck Bottle and Medela Freezer Bottles
Whether you are pumping and/or formula feeding, these bottles will get you through the newborn phase with no trouble. Both fit on a Medela pump. The Dr. Brown bottles can contain up to 4 oz. of milk, which is nice for us being that although newborns are supposed to eat 2 oz, my little guy likes 3 oz/feeding. My lactation consultant sent me home with these bottle nipples to use with the Medela bottles. They are slow flow, very affordable and Trace took to them immediately.

Gerber Newborn zip front sleep n' play
This 3 pack is only $12.99. The arms and legs are wide, so they're easy to slide onto a flagile newborns tiny body. I found the zip front to be so much better when compared to button up sleep n' plays... especially in the middle of the night! The material has been perfect for a summer baby.

Nursing Tank
If you are nursing or pumping, this is the most practical and flattering tank on the market. It totally conceals your post baby jello-belly and could even be worn while pregnant. I have 4 of them and wear one every night to sleep in. Highly recommend!