New Baby Buying Guide

People will tell you all sorts of things that you "need" for your babies, but the reality is, all babies really need is sleep, milk, clean diapers, and snuggles!

Here are a few of our favorite tools to help make those things easier:

SLEEP

Is there anything more important for babies and new parents than sleep?

Some of the best advice we ever got was that a newborn is ready to go back to sleep after being awake for 45 minutes. Mind-blowing! Babies need a LOT of sleep. Keeping a newborn up longer than 45 minutes at a time makes them overtired, cranky, and difficult to get back to sleep.

Sleep Training 101

Swaddle blankets help create security and calm reflexes

White noise simulates the womb

Not necessary, but very helpful for travel and providing a comfortable and safe place for baby to sleep.

NURSING

Nursing can be difficult, but it is so worth it! Even just a few weeks is better than nothing, but the right tools (and a wonderful lactation consultant!) can make a big difference in keeping you going.

Portable nursing inserts mean you’re free to move around while nursing instead of being stuck to a machine.

Nursing pads absorb milk leaks and keep you out of embarrassing situations.

Helps make nursing less painful (avoid toxic petroleum jelly).

You can store breastmilk in the fridge or freezer if you’re not going to use it that day.

Glass baby bottles keep baby’s milk free of toxins released from plastic (especially when reheating milk).

Comfortable nursing bras are game-changers.

Breastfeeding pillows can help you position baby while eating and make nursing more comfortable.

A soft cover for your nursing pillow is more comfortable for everyone!

CLEAN

Keeping your baby clean is important, but doing it in a way that protects their skin microbiome is also important. Too frequent bathing and chemicals can alter the sensitive balance of bacteria and dry out new baby skin. We prefer to use high-quality olive oil instead of lotion and rub it into the baby’s skin after each bath to protect and moisturize. We also like to dilute 1 drop of lavender essential oil (doTERRA is our preferred brand) in with the olive oil. Research shows that lavender essential oil can have a calming effect.

Chemical, bleach, and dye-free diapers help you avoid toxins and irritants.

Chemical-free wipes are easier on baby’s skin.

When you bathe baby (once a week or as needed based on diaper blow-outs!), it’s best to use gentle soaps.

We spend 24 hours a day in our clothes and/or sheets. Keeping them free from harsh and harmful chemicals reduces toxic load.

GETTING OUT

Those first few weeks after your baby is born fly by without doing anything more than feeding and sleeping, but it’s important to get outside and have some interaction as well.

This baby carrier keeps baby’s hips well aligned and is most comfortable for both baby and mom or dad. Baby can face inward or outward.

A compact stroller that will easily fit in the trunk and can face towards you when baby is little and outward as baby gets bigger.

A portable crib is convenient to have when traveling (and may even fit in a walk-in closet when you want to keep baby close, but also get some sleep).

We prefer to limit direct sun exposure to 15-30 minutes a day, especially for newborn baby skin. If there is ever a time that you are not able to keep baby protected in the shade and are worried about sunburn, mineral sunscreens are the safest option.

A backpack style diaper bag that can be carried comfortably by mom or dad and keeps hands free for holding baby.

If you’re really serious about getting out, this hiking child carrier is a game-changer.

Easy to pop up for contained play outdoors or indoors.

FOR MOM

Giving birth is hard on your body and the hormone shifts, sleepless nights, and complete lifestyle overhaul can be really hard on your mental health as well. It’s important to give yourself time to heal and transition into this completely new (and wonderful!) person you have now become…Mom!

Stomach binding for the first 30-60 days after giving birth helps support and strengthen your muscles and ligaments while optimizing healing.

Diffusing wild orange essential oil (we prefer doTERRA for purity guarantee) has been shown to improve mood.

doTERRA’s Serenity essential oil blend is a favorite for promoting rest and relaxation.

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