Five Newborn Essentials – most used products with baby #2

We are so happy to have welcomed a baby boy into our family in September 2022. And while there are constantly new baby products coming on the market (we had Emma three years ago and even in that short time there are so many new baby products and gadgets!) there are a handful of products that I am using again this time around with baby #2 that I would consider newborn essentials. These are some of my most used and most helpful tools in navigating life with a newborn… again!

Breast Friend Nursing Pillow

If you choose to breast feed, and even if you do not, this pillow is so helpful to relieve pressure from your back and arms when holding and sitting with baby. I purchased this when Emma was a newborn and saved it to use if we had another. As expected, I use it on the daily and carry it all around the house with me. I would definitely say this tops my list of newborn essentials! Unlike the Bobby nursing pillow, the Breast Friend has a piece in the back to support your lower back and a buckle to hold the pillow securely around you. It is flat, so it decreases the risk that the baby can roll out of position. There is also a handy little pocket attached that you can easily reach. I like to keep my phone in there, as well as my nipple cream, lip balm, and some baby nail clippers and nail file. Full disclosure: The version that I have has an exposed buckle strap (the latest version has a buckle and a velcro strap) that does not extend very far. I found that it was a bit difficult to buckle, even when fully extended, on my postpartum body right after delivery. Therefore, I do not think it would be very plus size friendly – something to consider!

Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter

I have used this specific formula during my breastfeeding period for both kids. I have tried a few others, including the Lansinoh Lanolin one you typically receive at the hospital and coconut oil (another popular option), and they just do not compare. The Lanolin formula is thick and a bit sticky, making it hard to rub on, especially because that area is so sensitive during the time that you need it most. I also tried coconut oil after reading that it was soothing and effective in relieving pain. However, it was a bit too oily for my preference. Though I did like it over the Lansinoh Lanolin formula.

The Earth Mama formula is unique – its a bit stiff until you warm it up in your hands, but it melts down to a consistency that is easy to spread and provides relief.

Aden and Anais Snuggle Knit Swaddle Blanket

This swaddle blanket was one of the best gifts I received at my baby shower and quickly became one of my newborn essentials. It is something I wish I would have had with my first. The blanket has a really nice thickness that is ideal for the fall/winter while still being lightweight. It is big and has the right amount of stretch to create a super effective swaddle. Not to mention it is super soft and holds its shape and softness after countless washes. I went out and bought backups – that’s how good it is. I would definitely recommend this to any new mom – your baby will sleep better and so will you! Even if you prefer a stiffer blanket to swaddle, this blanket is great for snuggling!

Nose Frida

The Nose Frida by Fridababy is hands down a must for all new parents. You never know when your baby might get their first cold, and this is a really helpful tool in supporting them through it and making them as comfortable as possible. While there are electric versions of this on the market, we always come back to this manual one because it just works the best. You are able to control the force of the suction because you are the one doing the suctioning. It does kind of make you lightheaded if your kid needs a lot of suction but it’s worth it – you can get a lot of boogies out with this thing! We used it when our kids got RSV this October – Nico was only three weeks old and admitted to the hospital a few days in to being sick. It was the worst but a lot of our at home care revolved around this tool.

Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine

If you invite me to your baby shower, I will most likely be gifting this to you. We had one for our 3 year old since birth, which she still uses, so we got another for our newborn. I really do believe this helps them sleep better, as it drowns out any other sounds, and also gets them used to sleeping with background noise. We use them during the night and for naps. The cool thing about this one in particular is that it has several different sounds to choose from – rain, wind, ocean waves, etc. It also acts as a nightlight – with a soft white glow that can be dimmed/adjusted based on your preference. There are also a handful of other colors that can be programmed. 

The Hatch app allows you to control the machine from your phone (there are manual controls on the bottom of the machine as well) and allows you to program specific settings. We have the machine turn on and off automatically during the typical nap hours without any night light. Then we have a personalized program at night that includes the nightlight, turning it from white to blue when it is time to wake. We use this as a signal to Emma that it is time to wake up and that she can get out of bed or call to us to start her day. If the light is not yet blue, then she should still be sleeping and it’s not time to get up yet. It has been so helpful!

With so many products on the market for babies, it can be hard to navigate the aisles and know what is really necessary. I hope this was helpful in pinpointing some items that are newborn essentials and that it helps you or the new parent in your life. You got this! 

Until next time,

Jannette

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