We’re almost five months in with baby number two and it’s incredible how familiar yet different the journey is when you’re doing it for the second time. There’s more confidence in basics like breastfeeding, diapering, sleep, and understanding cries but it’s also a new baby with a new personality. This post is sharing everything we’ve been using so you can know what you need to survive with a newborn baby.
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I shared a similar post after my first son was born and so many of you found it helpful that I wanted to create an updated list. We tried out some new products with this baby so I’ll start by specifically reviewing a few of those items. We are also re-using a lot of the things we had from our first baby even though it’s tempting to want to replace it all with newer, updated, or cleaner versions. If you want to start your own baby registry and add these helpful baby products, you can get started here.
My Top 6 Items You Need to Survive With A Newborn Baby
I’m sharing my whole baby list below but I want to highlight my “Top 6” items and why we feel like we couldn’t live without them.
Sense2Snooze
One of my favorite purchases for this baby is the Sense2Snooze rocking bassinet. It’s been a dream for us and I believe it has definitely contributed to the 4-5 hour early night stretches that we NEVER got with Henry as a baby. My hope was that this time we’d be able to settle Avery into the Pack’n’Play bassinet but if it didn’t go well then we’d immediately purchase something else. Our first night home didn’t go well so I looked into two options and ultimately decided on the Sense2Snooze over this one because of the extra features and over this one because of the price.
It felt like a splurge but when you’re massively sleep deprived, it’s worth it. It rocks at three different speeds, has two vibration modes, and plays music, white noise, and nature sounds. It has a special mode that hears when a baby is crying and it will try different combinations of techniques to calm the baby down until they stop crying. My only complaint is that the sensor doesn’t really recognize the grunting sounds. It doesn’t pick up until they’re either fussing enough or are making distinct crying sounds. If the bassinet is in reach, it’s easy enough to change a setting yourself.
Swaddles/Sleep Sacks
I would call this part two of early sleep success even though I skipped on these the first time around due to limited funds. Avery did so well with being swaddled right from the very beginning. When we were in the hospital, the nurse would swaddle him up tight and he would instantly stop crying so we purchased some swaddles a few days after coming home. I tried to start with the LoveToDream that I already had but he didn’t take to it as well so I bought a 3-pack of these ones. He did amazingly with those 3 until he got too big for them and then we switched back to the LoveToDream, followed by this transitional sack.
Baby Bouncer
This baby bouncer is a reused item from baby number one but is so valuable that it earns a spot in the top 6. You need a place to put the baby down while you’re eating, showering, and generally taking care of yourself – enter baby bouncer. It’s got battery-powered vibrations, music, and nature sounds that help keep the baby calm and give you a chance to take care of yourself.
Hedgehog
Our baby loves vibrations in the bed and the bouncer and the hedgehog give us the chance to take that with us on the go. It’s been the best in his car seat whether we’re driving or on an outing but now we’ve started using it in his Pack’n’Play to help him fall asleep. I kind of wish we’d spent a little extra money to get this version since the vibration doesn’t time out after 5 minutes and it also has calming breathing sounds but they’re both amazing products and make an awesome gift to take to a baby shower.
Feeding Nightlight
This cute little rechargeable lamp comes with a remote to change to multiple colors but the red light is our go-to. Red light apparently doesn’t disrupt your sleep as much as other colored lights and may even aid in melatonin production. I leave it on all night so I don’t have to fumble around in the dark when Avery wants to feed in the middle of the night. You can adjust the brightness setting and set it on a timer if you need to as well. We have a second lamp that my preschooler uses as his night light.
Diaper Bag
Having a diaper bag is one of the most essential items you need to survive with a newborn baby. If you plan on going out, having a regularly stocked diaper bag keeps things stress-free. Our original diaper bag from baby number one was still functional but had a broken strap adjuster from getting slammed in the door so we wanted to replace it with something nice. I love how this diaper bag has a flat rubber base to keep it sturdy, how it zips open to the bottom of the bag to help you access items at the bottom, all the pockets and clips, and most of all, the separate pouch to house the included changing pad. I never liked sticking a “dirty-from-public-changing-tables-pad” back into the bag next to the clean changes of clothes and baby toys so this was a must-have feature for me. All the finishes are great quality, it’s comfortable to wear, and I just love having this bag.
Haakaa
I have the basic Haakaa from the first time around and I think this is an absolute must if you’re planning on breastfeeding at all. It’s inexpensive and is so helpful during the first 6-8 weeks while your milk supply is regulating. You can only feed the baby on one side at a time and all the leaking milk from the other side should go somewhere instead of just drenching your clothes! The Haakaa catches the letdown and allows you to build up a stash.
I’ve got a large stash just from the Haakaa – no pumping! – for my husband to use when I’m out or to leave with babysitters if we’re going out for a date. You can even use the Haakaa to pump manually if you want a small option to carry in your purse, though I haven’t tried it personally. I didn’t get any but I wish I’d had the little Haakaa Ladybug shells to keep in my bra to catch when I was too lazy to grab the regular Haakaa!
Things You Need To Survive With A Newborn Baby
Sleeping
- Sense2Snooze
- SwaddleMe
- LoveToDream Transition Sack
- Pack’n’Play – with changing station is so nice to have in our room or when we’re on the go.
- Muslin Blankets – Use for quick swaddling, for comfort, for on-the-go in cool spaces including summer air-conditioned buildings. They’re so soft and airy after a few washes and there are so many beautiful patterns to choose from.
Feeding
- Haakaa, Haakaa Ladybug Shells, Haakaa Combo Set
- Milk Bags
- Drying Rack – for bottles, Haakaa, pacifiers, silverware, etc
- Boppy
- My Brest Friend – I found it more useful the first time around when I was learning how to breastfeed! Also super great in the hospital even for your husband to use to alleviate back and shoulder pain while holding the baby.
- Bottle – he took to this bottle super well even early on.
- Bottle Brush
- Rocking Recliner
Travel
- Car Seat/Travel System – we’re still using our set from baby number one and it’s held up really well.
- Car seat cover/breastfeeding cover
- Lillebaby – I love my Lillebaby and as a person with chronic back pain, I can’t recommend it enough.
- Boba – I love this cuddly wrap, especially for the first couple of months. It’s cozy and snuggly but not as supportive as the Lillebaby if you’re going out for a while. It also takes a tad longer to get on and has a higher learning curve, but I don’t feel like it’s too complicated if you watch a tutorial video.
- Car Mirror
Entertainment/Gear
- Bouncer
- Rocker
- Black and White baby book – In the early days, Avery would just lay on his mat at stare at this book. It would keep him entertained for a while and sometimes he even fell asleep looking at it!
- Floor Mat – I really wanted this one the first time around but it was sold out so we got this one instead and it’s been really great. Avery especially loves the little wooden ring toy.
- Music Phone – We’ve LOVED this toy for on the go with both kids.
- Easy Grip Rattle Teether – This is one of the first toys he was able to use because it’s so easy to hold onto. He loves the colors and the rattle and I often bounce it in front of him while shopping to keep him entertained.
- Links – If I was to choose one toy, it would probably be this one because it’s so versatile.
- Balls, Blocks, and Friends Set – This one is an amazing sensory and play set for the whole first year.
- Lovey
- Penguin Teether – This toy has been all the rage in the baby groups.
- Hedgehog
Bath and Diapering
- Bathtub – Love this tub but it also serves as a “boat on dry land” for my baby and toddler to hang out together in.
- Baby Soap – I use this on a washcloth for baby and I personally use it myself.
- Washcloths – These work really well for us and are a nice size to use as a “blanket” while the baby bathes.
- Hooded Towel
- Baby Nail Kit and Electric Baby Safe Nail File Kit
- Diaper Bag
- Diaper Rash Balm + Travel Size
- Diapers – Currently using Huggies and have had zero issues but we used Aldi diapers with Henry the whole time and they were also really good!
- Wipes – Currently using the Target brand-sensitive wipes and they are pretty good. We had been using water wipes but I don’t like the new formula so we switched to something significantly cheaper.
- Changing Pad – This comfy wipe-clean pad is great. I can’t imagine adding to laundry by using a fabric-covered changer so I love this changing pad.
- Diaper Caddy
Miscellaneous
- Pacifier and Strap
- Travel Changing Pad – Great quality and cute. Perfect little clutch for on-the-go when we don’t need a full diaper bag.
- Dresser
- Baby Hat
- Monitor – This item is invaluable especially while traveling. We love this brand as well!
- Sound Machine – we’ve had this for a few years and we really like it.
- Nightlight
- Nasal Bulb – You can open it to clean it!
- Saline
Things You Need to Survive When Your Newborn Baby is Older
- High Chair – This chair could get a whole post of its own but I’ll just say, we started using it with my first when he was 4 months old – now he’s about to turn 4, he’s still using it, and is refusing to turn it over to the baby haha!
- Water cup
- Bibs that cover clothes so you don’t have to change them after dinner
- Forks/Spoons
- Dishes
- Jumperoo – Perfect place for baby to hang out for a short period while you make dinner – once they’re big enough.
- Refillable Pouches
Check Off This List To Survive Newborn Baby Life!
The world of baby registries can be overwhelming so I hope that this list of items you need to survive with a newborn baby helps you get your footing. If you haven’t already started your registry, here’s a reminder to get you started! Motherhood is a journey unlike any other – take lots of videos, not just pictures and remember to find your village because it’s so much easier when you can share the load! <3
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