By Olivia DeLong, former senior health editor at BabyCenter and What to Expect.
There are approximately 47 million baby products on the market. (Okay, not technically. But it sure feels that way when you’re building your registry at 11 p.m. while Googling “best baby ___” for the fifth time that day.)
As a mom whose fertility journey was long and emotional, I wanted my miracle baby to have the latest and greatest of everything. If someone recommended it— I registered for it. Viral on Instagram? Added to cart. “Total game-changer,” according to a mom in a Facebook group? Say no more.
And honestly— I did pretty well. We used a lot of what I picked. But there were a handful of items that rose above the rest: ones I reached for over and over (and over) again, every single day.
If you’re building your registry or wondering what’s actually worth it, here are the seven products I truly couldn’t live without.
Newborn must haves you won’t regret buying
1. A large stash of onesies
Confession: I registered for way too many adorable newborn outfits. Fancy sweaters. Tiny jeans. Dresses with tights. Honestly, she wore them for approximately 12 minutes total.
Between constant diaper changes and the fact that she arrived six weeks early (hello, preemie life), we were wildly unprepared in the clothing department.
What I learned fast: You need a ton, and I mean a ton, of basic onesies.
In those early weeks, you’ll fly through multiple outfits a day thanks to spit-up, diaper blowouts, and general newborn messiness. Simple snap-bottom onesies make changes quick and easy, especially at 3 a.m. I found that neutral colors mixed and matched with whatever pants or layers I needed to add if we were heading out in the cold (having a December baby is something!). You’ll still do a lot of laundry (sorry!), but at least you won’t be panic-washing your last clean onesie.
2. A baby bouncer
One of the hardest parts of early motherhood for me? The total loss of “me time.”
Having a safe place to set the baby down, even for 10 minutes to throw in a load of laundry or just drink a cup of coffee while it was still warm, was everything. We used a bouncer until she physically could not fit in it anymore.
It became my go-to portable baby station. Kitchen? Bouncer. Bathroom while I showered? Bouncer. Living room while I answered emails? Bouncer. Game. Changer. (And of course, I had my eyes on her at all times while in the bouncer.)
3. A wipeable changing pad
You’ll need a changing pad. But trust me when I say: the type matters.
Multiple moms warned me that I wouldn’t want to wash a fabric cover after every blowout. They were correct. Very correct.
A wipeable changing pad lets you clean, disinfect and move on with your day, because after a diaper change, there’s usually a feeding, a burp session, or a nap waiting in the wings.
The Lalo Wipeable Changing Pad is the perfect solution and it fits right on top of a dresser. It’s sturdy, easy to sanitize, and doesn't require extra laundry. In the newborn phase especially, fewer loads is always a win. Plus, if you use a washable cover, you need multiple so one can be used while the other’s getting washed. Forget that.
4. A baby carrier
If you’re anything like me (hi, Type A postpartum energy), sitting still can feel impossible.
Once I was further along in my C-section recovery, I was itching to move around the house and outside. A lightweight baby carrier gave me the freedom to do that while still keeping my daughter close.
I used it multiple times a day. She loved it, often dozing off even when she was fussy. Look for a baby carrier that grows with you, specifically one that allows inward- and outward-facing options (when developmentally appropriate), so you can use it longer. My husband wore ours until she was nearly at the weight limit, close to 2-years-old.
It’s hands-free sanity.
5. A pack and play
If you live in a two-story home, this one is huge.
After my C-section, going up and down the stairs constantly was… not ideal. Having a pack and play downstairs, ideally one with a changing attachment and safe sleep space, meant I didn’t have to trek upstairs for every diaper change or nap.
Is it the most aesthetic piece of furniture you’ll ever own? No. Is it temporary and wildly practical? Yes.
Sometimes function > form, especially in the fourth trimester, and I highly recommend this temporary addition to your living room!
6. Zippered pajamas
I say this with love: No new parent has time for 14 snaps at 2 a.m.
Zippers are the move, especially when it comes to pjs. Specifically, quiet, smooth zippers that won’t fully wake your baby during a middle-of-the-night diaper change.
When you’re trying to preserve that fragile “sleepy window,” the last thing you want is to be wrestling with buttons or snaps while your newborn kicks both legs free.
7. A good pair of headphones
This one might surprise you, but hear me out.
During contact naps (which were adorable and also endless), I needed something for me. Podcasts. Audiobooks. A comfort show binge (Working Moms, anyone?). Adult voices in my ears.
I got my first pair of AirPods right after my daughter was born, and they were a lifeline. I’d keep them on “aware” mode so I could still hear every little sigh or cry, but they allowed me to feel connected to the outside world while nap-trapped under a tiny human. Because yes, the cuddles are sweet. But so is preserving your sanity.
Newborn Must-Haves
The bottom line? You don’t need everything with a newborn. But you do need the things that make your everyday life easier.
And in those early weeks, when you’re healing, learning your baby, and running on fumes, convenience isn’t a luxury.
About the writer:
Olivia DeLong is the former senior health editor at BabyCenter and What to Expect. She’s been an editor, writer, and content strategist for over 15 years, holding staff positions at WomansDay.com and Sharecare prior to her role at pregnancy and parenting brands. After a traumatic fertility journey, she’s now a mom to her 6-year-old miracle girl, and lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. She loves digging into parenting, women’s health, and wellness trends with experts, and believes that speaking up about just about anything is so important for moms to feel seen.
