15 Must-Haves for New Mommies

Becoming a new mom is one of life’s greatest joys, but it is also one of the hardest roles you’ll ever take on. People love giving new moms advice about what they need or what they should do, and it can be overwhelming figuring out what to follow. At the bare minimum, all a baby truly needs is clothes, food, and shelter. But we’re not living in the dark ages here. Thankfully, there are tons of products designed to make new motherhood easier so you can both enjoy all the happy, little moments.

We’ve compiled a list of must-haves for new mommies so you can find everything in one convenient place. These are items that will help you manage life as you navigate all the ups and downs of being a mother. Some products are truly necessary, while others are just handy to have around. We’ve also added a few that are strictly for you, because being a new mom is stressful and you deserve nice things, too. 

Travel System Stroller

“Never wake a sleeping baby” may have been debunked, but you won’t feel that way when your newborn has finally fallen asleep in the backseat after a long day. With a travel system stroller, you’ll be able to quietly slide the car seat out and into the stroller without making much commotion. It’s a much better investment than just a stroller and car seat combo, because you don’t need a special adapter to connect the two. 

Baby Carrier

Every new mom needs a wearable baby carrier. They allow your little one to remain close and snug to your chest while giving you the freedom to move around and do anything that needs to get done. The flexibility alone is a godsend, while the closeness that the carrier provides is a huge silver lining. There are tons of styles out there, and can range significantly in price. We recommend trying a few on at first to find ones that fit comfortably for you and your partner. Because yes, your partner can wear them too!

Zip Up Onesies

It’s a mystery why zip up onesies aren’t more popular, but they certainly should be! They provide all the comfort and warmth you expect from a typical onesie, but the changing process is faster and easier. Buttons are a hassle, plain and simple, especially when you’re trying to change a little one’s diaper when you’re more asleep than awake. Do yourself a favor and invest in a bunch of zip-up onesies. You’ll be glad to never encounter another button again. 

Sinus Clearing Device

It may seem intuitive to us, but babies are not born knowing how to blow their noses. Congestion can occur for a number of reasons, but at the end of the day, you’re going to have to take care of all that snot build up. Thankfully, sinus clearing devices were invented to help suction all that mucus out so you don’t have to get your hands too dirty. They are pretty affordable, but you should do your research to find the one that fits your needs the best. 

Diaper Bag

Diaper bags are essential. They will be something you use for years, so it’s best to invest in a good quality one that checks all the boxes. They also won’t only hold diapers or other baby items — eventually, this bag will double as your own personal purse. That’s even more of an incentive to find one that is sturdy, but cute enough that you don’t mind carrying with you everywhere. Besides looking great, though, you’ll want to find one that has it all. Some come with removable changing pads, convertible straps so you can carry it as a tote or a backpack, and what can even feel like an endless supply of pockets. Don’t limit yourself here!

Baby Swing

Baby swings act like extra hands for busy moms. You can place your little one in them while you run around doing chores or whatever else needs to get done. It’s best to find one that is tricked out with hanging toys or other interactive options to keep your baby entertained, buying yourself some extra time. Some options out there these days include music, lights, and mobiles. They’re really putting on a whole show for your (possibly fussy) newborn.

Portable Breast Pump

Most moms will need a breast pump, so why not get one that allows you to walk around while you’re using it? As a new mom, you’ll learn quickly that multitasking is the key to getting through any day. Invest in a portable breast pump that is powerful, efficient, and will allow you to move around while you’re expressing milk. 

Teething Toy

You will never regret buying teething toys. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, and offer tons of different soothing effects. Look for ones that are free of toxins and made from natural rubber. There are also some that you can pop in the refrigerator to provide a cooling, pain-relieving effect on your baby’s gums. When your little one is suffering from painful teething gums, you’ll want to help them alleviate it as best you can. 

Night Light Sound Machine

Combination night light sound machines do exactly as they say. They’re night lights with built-in sound machines. The sounds can range from white noise, to rain storms, to sweet lullabies. What you want your baby to fall asleep to is up to you. While they’re not necessarily considered an ‘essential’ item, once you use one, you won’t want to go back. They allow moms to sneak out of the room unnoticed while your baby is still being lulled to sleep by the lights and sounds. You can set a timer, too, so they’re not on all night. 

Baby Monitor

Humanity has survived for centuries without baby monitors, but that doesn’t mean we should deprive ourselves of this groundbreaking technology. Baby monitors allow you to see exactly what’s going on in your little one’s room while you’re elsewhere in the house. It’s an easy way to check on your little one. You’ll gain peace of mind, as well as some much-needed peace of mind while they sleep! 

Nipple Cream

Motherhood is a profoundly beautiful experience, but it also comes with some not-so-beautiful side effects. One of them is the irritated nipples from feedings. Soothing nipple creams can provide much-needed relief from itching, dryness, or even bleeding. Some can even be put on before feedings to prevent the above symptoms from occurring. Whichever kind of cream you choose, you will definitely not regret using it. 

Lactation Massager

Like we stated earlier, motherhood can come with some uncomfortable side effects. Another one of them being blocked milk ducts in your breasts. When you’re breastfeeding, your breasts need to be emptied regularly, or else they can risk getting clogged up. Ask any mom and they’ll tell you- this is not a fun situation to be in. Lactation massagers can be used to stimulate feeding, which helps clear any clogs, and get things back to normal. This is one product you’ll thank us for recommending. 

Comfy Pajamas

New moms spend most of their first few months on the couch feeding their newborns. Invest in a super comfy pair (or two) of pajamas that you can lounge around in all day long. Those first few months can be stressful, and the last thing on your mind will be how you look or what you’re wearing. Buy high quality pajamas as a form of self care. 

Thick Paged Books

Everyone gifts baby books to new moms, and for good reason. Reading to babies is a wonderful shared bonding activity, and you can never start too young. The only issue with gifted books is that they’re usually the flimsy ones with paper pages. Babies can be destructive, and tend to grab or tear at anything in their way. Instead, invest in board books for your little one. These are much sturdier and resilient in the face of rips, spit, and throws.

Baby Secure Toy 

Toys are a great way to stimulate a baby’s senses, while also providing entertainment and much needed distractions. The only issue is when they inevitably get thrown around and lost under car seats or tables. Repeatedly finding and handing said toys back to your baby can be downright annoying. That’s where secure latches come in. They’re simple products designed to connect your kid’s toy with the nearest ledge or car seat, so they can never be thrown out of arm’s reach again. 

There Is No Perfect Mom

The whole world loves to tell new moms exactly what to do and how to do it. In truth, though, there is no foolproof mommy rulebook. The best advice when it comes to motherhood is to follow your own intuition. Products, like must-haves we listed for you, definitely make doing that easier. Mistakes will inevitably happen during motherhood, but with these items, your days (and nights!) will be just a little bit easier.

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