Newborn Essentials

Thankfully, I have everything prepared that I think I will need for the new baby (still yet to come at this point). In this post, I’d like to share what I consider “essentials” to have on hand for those first few, precious weeks.

Yes, Walmart is stocked full of tempting items that seem just perfect for that tiny little bundle of joy . . . but wait! I’ve learned that only a few, very basic things are truly necessary. Twenty-seven necessities may not seem like “a few,” but when you put everything together, it really isn’t that much. Focusing on the basics helps save both space and money.

For Baby:

1. Diapers and wipes. At least several packages. For diapers (newborn size), I like the Pampers brand; they seem to have a better barrier around the edges, and are softer and more stretchy.
2. Castor oil for the baby’s bottom (meconium sticks terribly). Afterwards, once the baby poop becomes yellow, a regular diaper cream works well (I only use this as needed).
3. Changing pads for diaper changing. These keep the bed or changing table clean.
4. A bulb syringe for baby’s runny nose.
5. Baby nail trimmers (and maybe some baby mittens). Babies have little control over their movements and tend to scratch themselves.
6. Humidifier (not as necessary, but still good to have, for those in drier climates).
7. Baby soap (I have Aveeno brand baby soap on my shelf).
8. Baby lotion or oil — not mineral oil, but organic natural oils (for that newborn dry skin).
9. Baby bathtub for washing the baby (only after the umbilical cord stump has fallen off; until then, only sponge baths — with a washcloth — should be used).
10. Something to help promote umbilical cord healing, though it may not be necessary to do anything other than keep it clean and dry. However, I am interested in trying Myrrh (mixed 1:10 with a carrier oil, applied to the end of the umbilical cord) and/or Frankincense (1-2 drops applied directly to the umbilical cord stump daily until it falls off).  I used to use rubbing alcohol, but later stopped because of the alcohol content. Hydrogen peroxide, I’ve heard, can interfere with the blood clotting action in a wound that is healing.
11. Baby shirts (Newborn size, 5-8 pounds; also size 0-3 months). Not pull-over-the-head shirts, but little shirts with snaps down the side. These can be hard to find; but, they are helpful in that they don’t rub on the umbilical cord stump, and they are easier to get on. It’s worth looking for them.
12. Onesies. These are full-body “shirts” that snap under the diaper. These are a lot easier to find. During the first couple of weeks, I don’t generally use them; I will, though, once the umbilical cord stump falls off. I have saved both baby girl and baby boy Onesies that I can take out of storage once the baby is born and I know if it’s a girl or a boy. At that point, I may then also use little pants over them (soft, with elastic).
13. Baby socks. The smallest I can find. I like the girl’s socks that fold over — in white, of course. These tend to stay put better on those tiny feet.
14. Newborn hats. I only use about two of these. Nothing fancy at this point, and they need to be pretty small for that little head.
15. Receiving blankets. At least five of these. They come in handy for swaddling the baby, and are also great at cleaning spit up. I have these available in both girl and boy prints, and will use whichever matches the baby’s gender, once he or she is born.
16. Thicker baby blankets, for warmth. I wrap the baby in these for extra comfort.
17. Spit up towels. Very handy to keep nearby or put over the shoulder when “burping” the baby. After the regular breast milk comes in, baby will probably start spitting up some. Just like the receiving blankets, I also have these in both girl and boy prints.
18. Nursing pads. I don’t use the cloth ones since they seem to keep in moisture way too much; then, when they dry, they become stiff and uncomfortable. I prefer the disposable ones. I’ve tried several brands, but I think Lansinoh is still my favorite.
19. Maybe some nipple ointment, too (such as Lansinoh) for soreness.
20. Breast pump (either manual or mechanized). Though this is not always necessary, I’ve had blocked milk ducts a couple of times, which the breast pump helped alleviate.
21. A Boppy pillow can come in handy, but regular pillows are fine, too. I have a Boppy and several pillow covers to go with it (I may have to change them out if the baby spits up).
22. Not an absolute necessity, but I love my rocking chair! (Mine is actually a glider with matching, gliding stool. It has pockets on each side for books or magazines.)
23. Nursing cover for modesty when visitors come (or, I just excuse myself to the bedroom). This is also nice to have when going to doctor’s / midwife’s appointments while in the waiting room.
24. Baby bassinet. This is good to have for when I need to put the baby down. These come in a variety of styles, not just the typical “crib” style. Pictured here is my playpen/bassinet/changing table combo. It’s great for the different stages baby goes through; but, during the newborn phase, a bassinet is the only thing that is really needed. I’ve seen rocking bassinets with music that look nice, and are not too big.
25. Baby sling, such as a Moby Wrap. This, I’ve found, may or may not be useful during the first few weeks, since I usually hold my baby a lot anyways — in my arms or in my lap; I don’t really do a bunch of walking around at first. But, it’s nice to have, just in case. It will definitely be useful later on. (The picture below is from the Moby Wrap website. You can order these wraps from their site, but I’ve also seen them at Walmart).
26. Baby car seat. I’ve shown a couple of choices (see photo below) for cushions that will help the baby stay snug and secure inside the chair. I also like the belt covers, to protect the baby from chafing (owl pattern shown). Many car seats can be bought with a matching stroller (and I do have the matching stroller for this car seat). However, I’ve found I don’t usually need the stroller until after the first few weeks have passed, since I don’t generally leave the house during that time. But, a stroller is important to have (in my opinion) later on.
27. Diaper bag. There will at least be doctor’s / midwife’s appointments to go to during this time, and a diaper bag will have to be kept on hand, stocked and ready to go with diapers, wipes, spit-up towels, extra clothes, a bulb syringe for the nose, a nursing cover, and nursing pads.
    

*(If any of the Young Living Essential Oils products interest you — such as the Baby oil, or the Frankincense and Myrrh shown at the top — I can help you get started with their awesome Starter Kit, which will automatically give you a Wholesale membership, and a discount on all baby products — and their other great products, too! Just shoot me a message through my Contact form, and I will get some information to you as soon as I’m able.)

For Mom:

• Rest, and lots of it!

Caring for a newborn is a joyful experience! . . . and at the same time, a stressful one. Fatigue (especially) can really affect both my physical and emotional state. It can be easy to feel frustrated when things don’t go as smoothly as I had wanted. Sometimes others might not be as sensitive to my needs as I would like them to be (this is why good communication is so important). I’ve found that making sure I have lots and lots of opportunity for rest is crucial. I don’t push myself to heal quickly, and neither do I rush back into social life. This, for me, is “take it easy time,” time to just enjoy our sweet new baby!

<Is there anything I have left out that YOU would consider “essential”? Or, is there anything in my list that you don’t think is very essential? Perhaps you’ve found an alternative? Let me know in the comment section below!>

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My husband shared this verse with me the other day, and helped me see it in a light I hadn’t seen it before:

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them [your wives] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”

1 Peter 3:7

Previously, whenever I had read this verse I assumed that it meant the (believing) husband and wife are heirs together of the gift of eternal life and all the spiritual blessings that come along with it. And I still think that is true. However, my husband sees this verse as also meaning that the husband and wife are literally blessed with the heritage of new, physical life — of children. In Psalm 127:3 we are told: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” So, being “heirs together” could very well signify receiving the “heritage” of children together, as well!

What a beautiful concept. That God would view having children as being blessed with the grace of life! Not the “burden” of life, but the grace! And that both husband and wife can enjoy this immense treasure together is truly a priceless privilege. That is how we are choosing to view this new baby that God has sent into our life; we are so excited to receive him or her as a reward and inheritance from the Lord.