The announcements have been made, the doctors’ appointments are scheduled (far, far in advance), and the gender has been revealed (whether privately, between the two of you, or to close relatives over a FaceTime call). But before the baby arrives, there’s one main venture every new parent must go on: sifting through the must-have newborn essentials checklist.
Vogue’s Newborn Essentials Checklist
Shopping for must-have baby items—especially as a first-time mom—is as overwhelming as it is exhilarating. You’re excited to shop for your baby, but what do you actually need versus what you want? What will be a life-saver, vs. a cute but unnecessary addition to the clutter? Filtering through the magnitude of product options is a full-time job—the sheer range of items, from cotton swaddles to monitors to diaper pails, exemplifies the paradox of choice.
I love a word-of-mouth recommendation. And my husband loves a good spreadsheet. So we took every product that our friends and family suggested when we found out we were expecting, categorized them, and then ranked them based on how often they were mentioned to us. It helped us whittle down the critical items from the nice-to-haves. Once we had settled on the absolute musts, we could then pick and choose the rest.
Here is a comprehensive list of what I have found to be the best essentials out there—from top-rated pumps and high chairs to bestselling travel gear, safe-sleep solutions and new-age gadgets that are actually worth the price, shop them all below.
For Sleeping
Newborns typically sleep 12-16 hours in 24 hours and don’t know the difference between day and night—they’re basically baby bats that must be woken up every two hours to eat, but much cuter, of course. The main newborn essentials I’ve heard seasoned parents raving about? The Hatch Baby lamp for middle-of-the-night feedings and check-ins, swaddles for coziness, a bedside bassinet, and a lounger that’s both washable and breathable.
For Feeding
Little, tiny babies don’t need much for feeding, besides you and a cozy spot in the bed. But there are a few tools that work wonders for new mothers. Mom Cozy’s wearable pump offers hands-free pumping sessions, while the Boppy features a comfortable nesting place to do so. The most popular bottle? Philips Avent natural response bottles follow your baby’s natural drinking rhythm for easy, full feeds.
For Wake Windows
Wake windows are the time between a baby’s sleep cycles, typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes—it’s a short window for connection and play—yes, babies need entertainment, too! Use a play gym, contrast cards for visual stimulation, a busy board, or set them down in a Maxi Cosi swing.
For Traveling
City dwellers, listen up. Traveling with a baby requires some very, very specific items—like a hands-free carrier from Artipoppe, and a compact, but sturdy stroller. Car seats are just as important as 7 A.M. Enfant’s stroller bunting for chilly morning walks to appointments.
For Bathing
Bathtime is the sweetest time—where you can bond with your new little and comfort them with warm water, and high-quality soaps and lotions. La Bonne Brosse’s baby blue brush is hand-crafted in France from local, responsibly-sourced materials. While you’re at it, don’t forget a water filter to use with your bath time kit.
For Changing
Did you know that babies go through roughly 2,000 diapers in their first year, according to Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, an LA-based pediatrician and author. I’m sure you didn’t. While changing stations is probably the last thing you’re excited about, you’ll want to make sure it’s packed with essentials that make life easier. The right diapers and creams are a godsend for cleanup, while easy-to-wipe down changing pads and diaper pails make nighttimes a little more seamless.
For Safety
One of the most important things you can do for your own sanity and for the liveliness of your infant baby is to protect them before they realize they need protection. New technology has made parenting easier and safer—just take a look at the rave reviews for the Owlet sock, a baby monitor that uses tech to track your baby’s pulse rate and oxygen level in real time. The same can be said for the Nanit Pro, an advanced monitoring system with breathing sensors, personalized insights, and sensor-free tracking.
A safety section wouldn’t be complete without the coveted Snoo bassinet—according to my sister, mom friends, and Vogue colleagues, this is the item to get. It’s designed to detect your baby’s cries and automatically responds by gently rocking them to white noise and motion—a win for baby, and for mom.
