10.8.15

Baby Essentials: Newborn to 3 Months

Baby-Essentials-Newborn-3-Months

 

Now that Lawson is almost 6 months old, it’s easier to look back on the first few months. There are definitely a few items that were lifesavers during that time. Jim and I sat down and thought about the things we couldn’t have survived without. Other than the basics like a crib, breast pump, etc., these are the 13 items that helped us through the first 3 months of life with a newborn (see my pregnancy essentials here).

aden + anais swaddles: Swaddling comforted Lawson during his first few weeks. We tried a few different kinds and loved the aden + anais swaddles, particularly the muslin swaddles. They are a little thicker and held the swaddle better.

essential oil: Lawson was (and still is) a happy spitter. He spit up a ton after nursing. One of my friends recommended an essential oil. We mix DoTERRA DigestZen with coconut oil and put a little on the bottom of his foot before breastfeeding Lawson. Honestly, some days I think it helps and others I’m not so sure, but we still use it to this day.

sprout baby app: In the hospital, they ask you to track feedings, sleep and diaper changes. Jim researched a bunch of different baby apps and we actually tried a couple before settling on sprout. It is so helpful when you’re sleep deprived and can’t remember the last time your little one had a diaper change. It also helped during visits to the pediatrician when they’d ask how much he was eating. I still track Lawson’s feedings and sleep; they have cool graphs and charts that are fun to see over time.

fisher-price rock ‘n play sleeper: This is the #1 item we couldn’t live without. Lawson took naps in it and sometimes slept in it at night when he wouldn’t sleep in his crib. The sleeper is easy to transport. I remember dragging it upstairs in the middle of the night to put him in it. Sometimes it was the only place he’d calm down.

avent and mam pacifiers: We had read you should hold off giving your baby a pacifier until they are 4 weeks old. I also had a lactation consultant recommend the same as it can interfere with their ability to nurse. One of the worst afternoons that I remember was when we wouldn’t give Lawson a pacifier. I think he cried for 4 hours. Finally I gave it to him and he was immediately comforted. We’ve never looked back. He used the avent pacifiers his first 4 months and then we switched to mam, which we actually like better.

mittens: Babies have sharp fingernails for such little things. Lawson was constantly scratching his face. We used these mittens, especially when he slept, to keep his baby face protected.

h&m onesies: This might be a first baby thing, but when they’re so small and their heads are unsteady, it’s hard to get clothes on over their head. I was so worried about hurting Lawson and dreaded changing him (and newborns go through lots of clothes). These onesies from H&M button on the side. Absolutely genius. Behind the Fisher-Price sleeper, these onesies are my 2nd favorite item.

butt paste: Your baby will get diaper rash. It’s just a fact of life. Whenever we saw the first signs, we’d put a little of the butt paste on Lawson’s bum and it would be cleared up by his next changing. It’s seriously that good.

hat: Newborns are always wearing a little hat starting in the hospital. Shopping for a cute option was one of my favorite pregnancy tasks. Lawson worn it at night for his first few weeks when we got home from the hospital too.

diaper bag & insert: When picking out a diaper bag, I wanted something I’d be able to use for longer. When I saw the life in play organizer, I knew it would work perfectly with a basic tote. Cuyana has a ton of colors to choose from and their leather bags are really soft. I only wish I would have had it engraved (I’m actually going to send it back to have it done now). The only downside is the tote handle isn’t long enough to hang on our stroller. I end up carrying the tote or putting it on the bottom of the stroller.

bathtub: Those first baths are one of the most stressful tasks for first-time parents. The 4Moms infant tub has worked great for us. It fits perfectly in our kitchen sink and the temperature gauge is really helpful for making sure it isn’t too hot or too cold.

burp cloths: If you’re lucky enough to have a happy spitter, you’ll find you need a ton of burp cloths. We got a few flannel receiving blankets as shower gifts that we ended up using for burp cloths. If I knew how much we’d use them, I would have picked up some with better absorbency; I’ve heard great things about the burt’s bees burp cloths.

black & white books: Lawson’s favorite book his first 3 months was Hello, Bugs! It’s mostly black and white with a few pops of bright colors. Since they can’t see colors as newborns, black and white books are key for their development.

 

I hope you find this list of baby essentials helpful for either yourself or your friends!

 

 

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