Must-have Items for Newborn

Posted Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:10 AM

Attention all new-mom Nesties! Help out your pregnant Nestie friends and comment here with your must-have, favorite, would-have-died-without-it newborn essentials. Remember how overwhelming that first trip to the baby store was? Let's help the preggos navigate those intimidating aisles. Here are my picks:

Arm's Reach Mini Co-Sleeper: If you want your baby in your bedroom for the first weeks, this thing is perfect. It has wheels on one side, so it's easy to move around the house. You can attach to the bed or use it freestanding. We loved it!

Cloth Diapers: Use them for burp cloths and all-purpose cleanup rags. They are fantastic. Get at least two dozen. Trust me, you will use them.

Aquaphor: This stuff is a miracle cream. Put it on chafing or dry skin, minor cuts, diaper rash. It heals anything and is gentle enough to use all over baby's delicate skin.

Swaddle Blankets: We tried a ton and our favorite was the Miracle Blanket. Get some simple stretchy blankets too, newborns love the feeling of being wrapped and cuddled.

Snap-side Shirts: Get the ones that snap in the front, and have the little mittens on the sleeves. You can easily dress baby without pulling the shirt over his head and the mittens will keep him from scratching himself (and warm too!) We went through tons of these.

Sling: Wearing your baby will not only help free up your hands but also make baby feel safe and relaxed. Putting baby in a sling pretty much guarantees a nap!

Baby Toiletries: Arm your medicine cabinet with some basic baby items -- rectal thermometer and Vaseline, Tylenol Infant Drops, Mylicon or gripe water (for gas), baby-safe Q-Tips, a nail clipper, nasal aspirator, gauze and ointment (for circumcision site), and A+D, Balmex or other diaper cream, for starters. Use medications at your doctor's direction.

What are your newborn essentials?