Trying to navigate the never-ending labyrinth of baby products can be quite daunting. It's like a whole new world of gadgets and gizmos, and it can feel like you're drowning in a sea of choices! But fear not, my fellow parents, I have compiled a list of my top 10 favorite baby items. Some of these are essential, while others are just there because they made my life as a parent a lot easier!
THE ESSENTIALS
A rectal thermometer is essential for newborns because it provides the most accurate reading of a baby's temperature. This is because the rectal temperature is closest to the baby's core temperature, which is the most important temperature to monitor. While taking a rectal temperature may seem daunting to some parents, it is a safe and effective method when done correctly. It's important to use a rectal thermometer specifically designed for babies and to follow the instructions carefully.
My pick: FridaBaby Quick-Read Rectal Thermometer
Newborns are obligate nasal breathers, which means that they can only breathe through their nose. However, their nasal passages can easily become congested with mucus, making it difficult for them to breathe comfortably. Saline can help to loosen and thin the mucus, making it easier to clear from their nose.
My pick: Little Remedies Saline Spray
A "booger sucker," or nasal aspirator, helps to clear nasal passages. Babies have small and delicate nasal passages that can easily become congested with mucus, which can cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, and even sleep disturbances. A nasal aspirator works by creating a gentle suction that helps to remove this excess mucus from a baby's nose in a safe and effective way.
My pick: NozeBot
It's recommended that all breastfed infants receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (international units) daily starting shortly after birth and continuing throughout their first year of life. An alternative is for the mother to take vitamin D at 6,400 IU daily to transfer through the breastmilk, instead of supplementing the newborn. Formula-fed babies need to supplement with 400IU daily until baby is taking at least 30oz of formula per day, at which point the formula provides the appropriate amounts of vitamin D.
My pick: Baby Ddrops
As a seasoned breastfeeding mother, I understand the importance of having a breast pump to make the breastfeeding experience more manageable. With so many types of breast pumps available, it's likely that you will need more than one. In my experience, the Haakaa manual pump is an essential tool to have around. It attaches to the breast and creates a gentle suction that stimulates milk flow. The Haakaa pump is not only easy to use and maintain, but it also has the added benefit of helping to address common breastfeeding problems, such as blocked milk ducts.
My pick: Haakaa
The Nice to Have
You will survive parenthood without these next few items, but trust me when I say they may make your life so much easier. These are the items that I swear by and couldn't imagine surviving without. I know some may think they're unnecessary, but to me, they were worth their weight in gold.
Newborns love being held and comforted frequently, and a baby wrap allows you to keep your baby close to you while also allowing you to be hands-free.
My pick: Solly Baby Wrap
A feeding pillow is a versatile tool that helps to position your baby for comfortable and ergonomic breastfeeding while reducing strain on your arms, shoulders, and neck. It can also be used for other purposes such as support during tummy time, to help dads feel more comfortable holding a newborn, and for assisted sitting as your baby grows.
My pick: Boppy Original Feeding and Infant Support Pillow
While sterilizing baby bottles, pacifiers, and other items that come into contact with your baby's mouth is not necessary, it is essential to keep these items clean to prevent infections, particularly during the newborn period when babies have weaker immune systems. For me having a dedicated machine to wash our baby's items made life much easier during the hectic newborn period, and gave us one less thing to worry about when it came to keeping our baby healthy and safe. We found our sterilizer so helpful that we affectionately dubbed it the "baby dishwasher." Till this day, we still use it for washing our children's items because of how convenient it is for us.
My pick: Papablic Baby Bottle Electric Steam Sterilizer and Dryer
Although newborns may not seem very active, it's important to provide them with opportunities to engage in physical activity to promote their growth and development. One way to do this is through tummy time, which helps to build their neck and core muscles.
A play mat is a great tool to use during tummy time, as it provides a comfortable and safe surface for your baby to practice their movements. By using a play mat, you can help your baby work on important skills such as reaching, grasping, and rolling over.
My pick: Lovevery Play Gym
*Head2Toe Pediatrics has partnered with Lovevery as an ambassador, which means that you can get exclusive discounts on their play kits by using our special code, LOVEHEAD2TOE40
It's important to note that not all floor seats are created equal. The main purpose of a floor seat should be to assist your baby in building core strength and improving sitting skills while ensuring proper support for their back and neck. This helps your baby sit up with more balance and control. Floor seats also come in handy when it's time for your baby to start on solid foods.
My pick: Upseat
Thanks for taking the time to read through this list, and I hope you found something that piques your interest!
