10 Must-Have Newborn Items you Need as a Practical mama

When you have your first baby, the list of 'needs' you may hear about can be really overwhelming.

There are some things that are necessary, some that are helpful, and others that are just plain 'extra' baby essentials that many parents do without-or wish they hadn't bothered with.

In this post I'm covering some items you may have heard of or been recommended to-but there are also a couple that are not just for new babies themselves, but intended to help you as a Mama cope more effectively!

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.*

1: Medela breastpump

For my most recent baby, I bought the popular brand, Medela's Swing Maxi Flex Double Electric Breastpump.

After my previous old and tired pump, I found this amazing! I really liked the speed this pump demonstrated, and I could express and feed my baby in half the time of my old pump (which was great, because I exclusively express fed for 4.5 months this time!).

I also was very impressed with the fact that I could buy more bottles that easily fit, and also clean it easily. It lasted well and was battery-powered as well as electric powered if needed (very helpful as I’m sure you can imagine.) I pumped in the car, in the house, around my two other children, and while I was making dinner occasionally, although I preferred to sit down and let go of that mum guilt -because I was, after all, providing for my baby already by pumping.

You can check out the Medela Double Swing Pump here!

Or, click to find out about my much-anticipated ebook and workbook, Stop Mum Guilt, here on my Books and Resources page!

2: Medical supplies

These are definitely baby essentials-because when your little one is sick or screaming in the middle of the night, you WANT to have something there to help them.

Find out more about these AMAZING Omega Vegan blend!

I always find it best to go as natural as possible with medications, but I always have Panadol and Nurofen in the cupboard too!

I love Brauer's Stomach Calm for a great homeopathic remedy for baby's sore tummy or wind issues, and I also have loved their teething gel.

I feel confident that in using these products I am doing something OK for my child, and that they are feeling OK as a result, instead of in pain or upset.

3: Baby mobile and Books

Many people don’t see this as a newborn item you need - but actually, I was using these types of toys very early on in each of my baby’s journeys - simply because it made them interested in their world; and gave them something to look at.

From about 4-6 weeks I would be putting an interesting mobile above the space they were in, or safely putting an open book near them as they lay on the floor. It was wonderful to see their little eyes look at the colours and know I was getting my baby interested in books right from the start!

I love gorgeous, colourful and sometimes crackle-sounding books. I also used a beautiful mobile - I didn’t use this one, but again this is because my bub was awhile ago! Mine was similar - but click here on Amazon to see the cuteness of this mobile that is super useful, too!

4: Sleeping Bag Selections

Using sleeping bags for my newborns meant they were able to stay asleep longer, because they did not get cold so often. Even though using a swaddle was recommended, I soon progressed to my baby being in a sleeping bag (with no arms, or long arms, depending on the weather) and swaddled afterwards.

I was reusing my sleeping bags from my previous children (because they were that hardwearing!) but I and many, many of my friends also used the Ergobaby ones, from the start. We had a cute one as we needed it for a newborn item.

Click here to find out more about the Ergobaby Sleeping Bag and see if it’s right for your baby!

5: Bassinet

Some people just have cots for their baby, but I just loved having one.

A bassinet made it JUST so easy to have our babies sleeping in the room with us, but then out near me during the day, so I could keep an eye on them.

For teaching babies how to sleep, I found having a bassinet was extra helpful because it meant I didn't need to completely remove them from my presence, but wheeled the bassinet into a dark corner of the next room.

(This meant, similarly to my Time Out or Time In masterclass, that I could be present for my child while at the same time teaching them a needed skill. So very important for building secure attachment, too!)

This, for me, was extremely helpful for both my and my babies' mental and emotional health and attachment.

It's something I am SO glad I did in those early days of especially my first baby. Therefore it’s made it onto my list of Newborn Items you Need!

Again, my bassinet was super old - I think I was rocked in it, along with all my family and cousins too, which is kind of sweet - but there are numerous safety-featured and gorgeous bassinet-style sleepers out there that would suit a newborn much more effectively these days!

Click to Shop a range of bassinets on Amazon here!

6: Baby monitor

When it comes to baby essentials, one of the most popular things many parents purchase is a baby monitor.

We always stuck with Oricom for our baby monitors, and we found them really invaluable.

Call me old-school, but we stuck with the monitors that were just audio-based, like this one.

However, if you want a video monitor too, the Oricom Video & Movement Monitor Value Pack BS7SC870WH might be a good choice!

It has Lullaby and womb noises settings, many safety features too - and we've always been impressed by Oricom's quality.

Babysense7

The control unit connects to sensor pads placed under your baby’s mattress.
Babysense7 continually monitors the breathing movement rate of your baby.
An audible alarm is activated if your baby’s breathing movement slows to a rate of less than 10 breaths per minute or cannot be detected for more than 20 seconds
Babysense7 is intended for use as an Infant Apnoea Alarm

The Secure870WH

High quality 3.5" touchscreen
Motorised pan-tilt camera
Starry night lightshow
480x320 resolution screen
Baby friendly night vision
Room temperature monitor
19 Lullabies, white noise, nature and womb sounds
Vibration alerts
Parent talk back
Adjustable night light
Hi-definition sound
Multi-camera capable (up to four), additional cameras sold separately (CU870WH)

I found having a baby monitor essential for my relaxation- I didn't have to check on the baby every 5 minutes because I could hear if anything was going on.

I also loved the freedom to go into the backyard and look at my garden for just 10 minutes while bubs was asleep, without worrying!

(As a side note, when my older daughter had croup we used this too so we could hear her breathing at night. SO helpful!)

Read about strategies to manage emotional meltdowns in your child>>

7: Friend to chat to

This might not seem like an 'essential' and there are some Mamas who have probably done without this, but humankind is made for community and this is especially true for new mamas.

It can be easy to feel alone in this big new adventure, and the baby/mother relationship can sometimes become a little all-consuming.

It is incredibly healthy to have someone to chat to who knows where you are coming from and can listen and support you.

Three things to make sure your friend displays to consider confiding in them, though:

Non-judgemental attitude (or mostly)
Not critical of you or your partner too
Is an encouraging person who will help you feel refreshed by the time they leave.

If you don’t have a friend like this and you need one; join a local mother’s group or grab your 30% off deal on my Bookings page, and you can chat and let off a little steam to a professional stress & wellbeing coach, with no strings attached, via Zoom!

8: Basic Feeding Items for as Bub gets older!

I have always loved the silicone feeding ranges for when your bub is learning to feed themselves. It’s well worth having a couple of spoons or a feeding set in the cupboard, ready for when your baby is ready too. Also, my kids used to love using those silicone spoons to chew on when teething (once they were big enough to hold them) and I knew they were a safe, simple and soft item that was actually built to go into my baby’s mouth!

I love silicone sets like the one outlined in this Toddler post. Click to check it out!

9: An understanding of how to parent as a team

Again, this practical list might show some different 'baby essentials', but this is extremely important as a new parent, because everything is changing.

Read more here to find out what you need to get more intentional, more understanding and more appreciative of your partner.

Watch the Youtube video here for my tips on practicing real mum self care-don't forget to subscribe for the future (I do a lot with challenging toddler and preschooler emotions and behaviour on my Channel!)

10: A portacot!

All of these items or ideas are baby essentials for practical mamas, and will help you be more prepared and understand how you can be the best Mama you can be without too many of the so-called 'needs'.

If you've read much of my blog, you might have heard me mention using my portacot as a useful tool in introducing gentle discipline to a toddler as they start needing it.

See here for information on using Natural Consequences with your Toddler-look out for that freebie!

This tool has been instrumental for our parenting journey, for the reason mentioned above and others, but also for it's intended purpose as a portable cot!

If you are a camping mama, or love to go visiting or on holidays, or even just to Grandma's for dinner, a portacot is so useful!

Look at different portable cots here, but remember that breathable and see-through sides are an absolute must!

These 10 Must-Have Newborn Items you Need are all very helpful and I have found them a needed item or support in my own parenting journey.

(Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but a good start!)

You may not see everything on this list as essential, but even the mental preparation is extremely important as your baby grows, even with regards to knowing your own priorities with regards to discipline, etc.

What would you add to the list?

If you are a new mama and want to feel more prepared, you might like to read some of my posts on toddlers:

10 Must-Have Newborn Items you Need as a Practical mama

When you have your first baby, the list of 'needs' you may hear about can be really overwhelming.

There are some things that are necessary, some that are helpful, and others that are just plain 'extra' baby essentials that many parents do without-or wish they hadn't bothered with.