Editor's picks: Newborn Baby Essentials
As a first-time mom, embarking on the journey of parenthood can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. With countless baby products available in the market, it's completely normal to feel clueless about which items will truly work for your little one. I recognise the feeling — I've been there too. In this comprehensive guide, I'll share my firsthand experience and insights as a fellow first-time mom, helping you navigate through the world of newborn baby essentials. From cribs to diapers, swaddles to soothing care products, join me as we uncover the must-have items that will make your transition into parenthood a little bit easier and a lot more exciting.
Changing time
Changing diapers may seem like a never-ending task, but with the right essentials, it can become a breeze.
1. The Leander changing mat
My first recommendation is the Leander Matty changing mat. Not only does this changing mate have a sleek and modern design that instantly elevates the aesthetics of the nursery, but it also proved to be incredibly functional. The waterproof surface made clean-ups a breeze (which is what you want to look for in every baby essential), and the generous size provided ample space for diaper changes. On top of that, the soft foam material gives your baby the feeling of skin-to-skin contact, so your baby is never cold on the changing mat. It's no wonder the Leander Matty is loved by so many parents — it seamlessly combines style, practicality, and durability into one fabulous changing experience.
2. Naïf baby wipes
In addition to the changing mat, the Naïf baby wipes are a must-have. Naïf care is a Dutch brand that produces personal care products for babies and children, including baby wipes. Made with natural ingredients, these gentle wipes are perfect for keeping your baby's delicate skin clean and fresh. Especially with a newborn baby, you want to use essentials that have a natural and gentle formula to minimise the risk of irritation (or other problems that may arise). The Naïf wipes are free from harmful chemicals and designed to be safe and soothing, providing peace of mind during diaper changes.
3. Lilly Doo diapers
And let's not forget the importance of high-quality diapers — like Lilly Doo. Their premium diapers offer excellent absorbency and a comfortable fit, ensuring your baby stays dry and happy. And with their soft and hypoallergenic materials, minimising the risk of irritation (and, again, other problems that may arise), they bring both comfort and peace to your changing routine. They also come in cute prints as well, which we loved.
Sleeping time
Create a cozy and peaceful sleeping environment for your little one with essentials that provide a safe and snug space for restful nights.
1. The Stokke Sleepi Mini
The first item I recommend is a good crib and for us, that was the Stokke Sleepi Mini crib. It stole our hearts with its sleek and modern oval-shaped design. On top of that, the design is versatile and practical as well. The wheels below the crib make it very convenient to move your crib around the room (great for rocking your baby to sleep, mind you!) and it made it effortless to keep our baby close to us wherever we were (living room or bed room). And wherever you move the crib to, it's a beautiful center piece in your room. And the best part is, it's adaptable to your baby's growth. Now that our baby is almost growing out of the Mini size, we're buying the extension next to transform the Sleepi into her big girl bed.
2. The Love to Dream swaddles
We couldn't have survived the newborn period without swaddles — they made for peaceful nights during this newborn period. Swaddles provide a womb-like environment that can soothe and calm newborns, reducing the startle reflex and promoting longer sleep durations.
We used two swaddle brands, the first being Love to Dream. Love to Dream is especially known for their Swaddle Up swaddles, which allows babies to sleep in a natural, arms-up position. Our baby somehow was able to sleep better in this swaddle as opposed to regular swaddles. Love to Dream are also made with soft, breathable, and high-quality materials, ensuring maximum comfort for your baby while promoting safe sleep practices, making them a trusted choice for parents seeking safe and effective swaddling options. We started with the Love to Dream phase 1 swaddle and are now using the phase 2 swaddle (with a genius sleeve zip design, allowing for free arms), as a transition swaddle to gradually wean our baby off swaddling.
3. The Puckababy Peep swaddle
In addition to the Love to Dream swaddle, we also loved our Puckababy Peep swaddle. This was actually the first swaddle we used. Especially in the first six weeks, our baby slept like a rose in the Puckababy Peep. We chose the Peep in a premium teddy fabric and its soft and cuddly texture offered the perfect snugness to calm our baby every night. The warm teddy fabric was also great for cold winter nights (so definitely recommend this if your baby is born in the winter).
4. The Soozly crib warmer
Last but not least, I recommend having an electric crib warmer. Ours was from Soozly, which we loved and used for practically anything that needed warming. We used it in our baby's crib before putting our baby to sleep, we've used it to warm up our baby's swaddles and we've even used it to warm our baby's towels and clothes after bath time. There's nothing quite like wrapping your little one in a cozy, toasty blanket or towel. And the ease of the electric warmer of just plugging in, made it such an invaluable essential.
Feeding time
Make feeding time a breeze with essential items like a reliable breast pump that allows you to conveniently express milk and maintain your milk supply while on the go.
1. The BabyBrezza Formula Pro advanced bottle maker
Before labour, I already knew I wanted to do combination feeding with our baby. So I was looking for essentials for both formula feeding as well as breastfeeding.
For formula feeds, my love goes out to the Babybrezza Formula Pro Advanced, which also happens to be my all-time favourite item out of all baby essentials. What an absolute dream this machine was for us. With its automatic formula mixing and dispensing function, it takes the hassle out of preparing bottles, making feeding time a breeze. Every bottle has the perfect consistency within the touch of a button. I can't imagine not having this machine when you have a baby. Its use is smooth, convenient and stress-free and it allowed us to tend to our baby's needs instantly. It's not cheap but with its efficiency and practical use, it's not expensive either. We'd pay twice the amount for the time and hassle it has saved us.
2. Elvie pumps
For breastfeeds, my love goes out to the Elvie pumps. These pumps were an absolute game-changer for me. A lot of pumps come in wires, additional devices and are not particularly discreet to begin with. The Elvie pumps are known for their compact and discreet design. It allows you to pump milk effortlessly with complete freedom of movement. I pop the pumps in my bra (I recommend the Uniqlo Airism wireless bras for this) when I'm working on the couch or doing chores (and at times, even when I'm in the car). I love the freedom the pumps provide of being able to continue life whilst collecting breast milk. They're very easy to use and pumping is never a daunting task because of it. The Elvie pumps aren't cheap either but for the time and hassle it saves you and comfort you're getting back, it's money worth spending.
3. MAM bottles
When it came to bottle-feeding, I recommend trying out bottles from different brands because you never know what your baby is going to like. One of the brands we (and our baby) liked was MAM. MAM bottles are recommended due to their thoughtful design that promotes natural feeding experiences. The anti-colic vent design worked wonders, preventing any discomfort or fussiness for our baby. The wide openings made them a breeze to clean, and the soft textured nipple mimicked the feel of breastfeeding, ensuring a smooth transition from breast to bottle. These bottles make for peaceful feeding time.
4. Lansinoh bottles
Another brand we liked for bottles was Lansinoh. Lansinoh bottles are known for their innovative design that closely resemble a natural nipple, making it easier to facilitate an easier transition between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. We found that, especially in the first three weeks, our baby had less problem drinking from her Lansinoh bottles than other bottles. We also loved the safe and eco-friendly glass bottle design, providing durability and easy cleaning.
5. the Stokke TrippTrapp with newborn set
Last but definitely not least, I recommend getting the Stokke Tripp Trapp, an essential in almost every family household. Feeding time became a delightful experience with the Stokke TrippTrapp chair and newborn seat. Its design is timeless and seamlessly blends into our home decor. And the newborn seat provided a safe and cozy spot at the table from day one. We alter between feeding our baby in our arms and in the newborn seat. As our baby grew (and our arms started aching), we transitioned to feeding in the newborn seat more and more. And when she's not feeding, she'll just sit with us when we're eating. We already cannot wait to change into the next seat, the baby seat, in a couple of months. We consider the Stokke TrippTrapp chair a treasured addition to our feeding routine.
Play time
Make playtime fun and engaging with essential items that challenge your baby's senses and create moments of joy and imagination.
1. The Elodie Details baby pod
For a delightful playtime experience, we turned to Elodie Details. Elodie Details is known for their exquisite attention to detail and stylish designs that elevate everyday baby essentials into fashionable and functional pieces. From baby accessories to nursery decor, their products combine quality craftsmanship with a touch of whimsy, allowing parents to express their personal style while ensuring the utmost comfort and safety for their little ones.
One of our favourite items is the Elodie Details baby pod. The moment we introduced play time with our baby, we started putting our baby in the baby pod. The pod not only offers a soft and safe environment for our baby to explore and lounge comfortably, it's also a snug space for your baby to rest, play and bond with you in. Especially in the early months, our baby loved her cozy pod. And with the adorable nude pink color scheme that adds a touch of sweetness to your nursery. I'm sad she's almost outgrowing the pod!
2. The Elodie Details play mat and baby gym
At one point, your baby is going to want to start playing more and more and this is the time you want to start introducing your baby to the play area. We recommended having a large playing mat like the ones from Elodie Details. Its comfortable and spacious design provides a safe and cozy surface for your baby to explore and play. With its soft padding and eye-catching patterns, this versatile mat creates an inviting space for tummy time, crawling adventures, and sensory exploration, ensuring endless hours of fun and developmental growth for your little one.
We combined the playing mat with the Elodie Details baby gym. The baby gym is engaging and stimulates the sensory development and motor skills. With the eye-catching colours, soft textures and detachable toys, this versatile baby gym offers endless opportunities for play and exploration, keeping your little one entertained and engaged while encouraging their physical and cognitive development.
I have to say, every day I look forward to play time on the mat with our baby. It's where precious moments are created and where you see your baby's motor skills improve day by day.
3. The Charlie Crane
A rocking chair is a recommended baby essential for its soothing and comforting motion that helps lull your baby to sleep and calm them during fussy moments. With its gentle rocking action, it creates a nurturing and relaxing environment. We love our rocking chair from Charlie Crane. Not only is it a perfect cozy and calming space for our baby, it also has a gym with toys hanging over the chair. And on top of that, we love the exquisite wooden aesthetics that add a touch of elegance to our decor.
4. Nijntje / Miffy love
Last but not least, our play time could not be complete without Nijntje (or Miffy). We picked a theme for our baby's nursery with a recurring character. Having recurring characters in the nursery, such as beloved cartoon or storybook characters, adds a sense of familiarity and comfort to your baby's surroundings. These familiar characters can become trusted companions, fostering a sense of security and joy, while also providing opportunities for imaginative play and storytelling as your little one grows.
Due to our baby's Chinese zodiac being the Rabbit (as she is born in the year of the Rabbit), we knew instantly we wanted to go for a Nijntje themed nursery. I grew up with Nijntje so it also has a sense of nostalgia. We have a large Nijntje plush (released in collaboration with Little Dutch), some smaller Nijntje plush toys, Nijntje books and lots of Nijntje clothing as well. And a must-have item for any nursery, is the Nijntje night lamp — it's the perfect night lamp for night feeds (with several adjustable levels of light).
Out and about
1. The Bugaboo stroller
Bugaboo is known for its innovative and high-quality strollers that combine style, functionality, and durability. With a reputation for pushing the boundaries of design, Bugaboo strollers are favored by parents worldwide for their smooth maneuverability, modular features, and the ability to adapt to various terrains, ensuring a comfortable and convenient ride for both parent and child.
So naturally, when it came to strollers, we knew we would be in safe and trusted hands with Bugaboo. This year Bugaboo released their new Fox 5 model, which has several updates and improvements compared to its previous model (such as a redesigned frame, an updated canopy and footrest, and an extendable leg rest and storage basket). We took our first stroller three weeks after labour and it was a dream to use from the get-go. With its premium fabrics, it feels like a Rolls Royce for babies. I also love the fact that the stroller provides the smoothest ride for our baby (she loves her daily strolls). It fits in our car perfectly (which was an important requirement from the husband) and has an easy one-handed fold (which I love).
And Bugaboo strollers come with the cutest canopy colour designs, making it fun to change colour whenever you want.
2. The Bugaboo car seat
Of course having Bugaboo for our stroller, we love the convenience of having other Bugaboo products that complement each other as well. For this reason, we love having the Bugaboo Air Turtle car seat. This car seat can be put on the stroller as well, which is perfect for quick strolls or stops at the grocery. In the car, our baby sits safe and snug in the seat. And if we need to take her out of the car, we simply unbuckle her from the car seat base and we're ready to go.
3. The Bugaboo night stand
Another added feature this year is the night stand. This stand is great to use with the stroller bassinet for overnight stays or whenever you want your baby to sleep in a more secluded area. When we held a private party to celebrate our baby's arrival, we had the night stand right next to our table with the bassinet on top. Family and friends could all meet our baby this way, without having to have the stroller wheels in the room. We also have a short family trip coming up, for which we will also be making use of the stand.
Caring time
1. Naïf baby care
For baby care, we absolutely loved Naïf and the range of their products have become staples in our daily care routines. Due to its use of natural and gentle ingredients that are safe for your baby's sensitive skin, Naïf was our top choice to try. Their products are free from harsh chemicals, parabens, and other harmful additives, making them suitable for even the most delicate newborn skin. We love the Nurturing Cream, with its rich and nourishing formula, providing deep hydration and protection and we use the Softening Body Lotion to keep our baby's skin moisturised and supple. For bath time, we love the Gentle Cleansing Wash.
2. The Kenko mother and baby bonding time
For bonding time, I love using the Kenko mother & baby oils. Kenko is a baby care brand that not only focuses on the wellbeing of babies, but also promotes the importance of fostering the mother and baby bond. I love applying a bit of the baby oil to our baby in the morning and the mother oil to myself, and how the subtle scent and ritual creates a delightful moment of joy for us. The packaging of Kenko products also stand out in the nursery.
3. Lansinoh mother care
And last but definitely not least, let's talk mother care. I was introduced to Lansinoh products during pregnancy. Lansinoh is known for its expertise in providing innovative and high-quality products that support breastfeeding mothers. Taking care of ourselves as mothers is just as important. Their top-quality products provide comfort, convenience, and care during the breastfeeding experience. Lansinoh is renowned for their Lanolin Nipple Cream, providing soothing relief and helping heal sore and cracked nipples. I couldn't have lived through my first weeks of breastfeeding without this cream. Lansinoh is also known for their Breastmilk Storage Bags; these storage bags are a great way to offer a convenient and safe way to store breast milk. And last but not least, I loved the Lansinoh Nursing Pads, both the disposable and washable ones. Lansinoh made my breastfeeding experience comfortable and enjoyable.
