The 10 Most Essential New Parent Products (and 10 Products That Aren’t Worth the Hype)

Most Essential New Parent Products

Many cute, alluring, and fun baby items are on the market today. It’s hard to walk into the store without seeing all the adorable baby items for sale and having the urge to buy them. However, in reality, your baby needs only a handful of items. This fact is beneficial to remember if you’re working with a budget. Here are ten of the most essential new parent products.

Somewhere Safe for Baby to Sleep

The first item on our essential new parent products list is somewhere safe for the baby to sleep. This safe place can be a bassinet by your bed or a crib (remember the mattress!).

Some parents decide to go straight for the crib and forgo the bassinet. At the same time, others prefer their baby to stay in the bedroom with them in a bassinet. Whatever you decide is okay. At this stage, parents don’t have to have both. You can wait a while to get a crib if that’s what you want or skip the bassinet altogether.

Additionally, if you go with a crib, remember you do not have to buy those $100 crib sheets.

Burp Cloths

One common fact is that many babies always have some type of liquid coming out of their mouths, whether it’s slobber from teething or spit up from acid reflux. This is why having several burp cloths on hand is necessary.

Many burp cloths on the market today are soft enough for a baby’s skin. They also come in packs. This makes them easy to collect and have around the house to use at a moment’s notice. Remember to stick a few in your diaper bag!

Stroller or Baby Carrier

After having a baby, you might not feel like getting out and about. However, give it a few weeks, and you may begin to feel stir-crazy. Having a stroller or a baby carrier on hand makes those outings much easier and more manageable.

There are many great strollers and baby carriers on the market today; the one you choose doesn’t have to be fancy. Unless, of course, you want it to be. Just as long as you have a safe place to put your baby, these items make it easier so you can get out and about when you want.

Feeding Necessities

You will need a plan for feeding your baby, whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Once you have a plan, you can narrow down what feeding necessities you will need.

Some women choose to breastfeed exclusively, meaning they do not need other feeding necessities.

However, others choose the bottle route or a combination of both. A few necessary items include bottles, nipples, and bottle-cleaning tools. Additionally, a breast pump and feeding pillow (like a boppy) can come in handy.

Clothing in Varies Sizes

Babies need some clothing. Many parents love to stock up on sleepers, while others prefer cute dresses and sets. Whatever your style is, your baby will need something to wear.

Babies grow very fast, and it’s hard to know whether they will fit into a newborn size anyway. So, it’s often recommended not to buy many newborn clothes since your baby will grow out of them fast.

Also, if your baby is a fast grower, be sure to stock up on an assortment of sizes. You will have at least something on hand if they outgrow their favorite sleeper seemingly overnight!

Car Seat

Another essential baby item is a car seat. Hospitals will only allow new parents to leave the hospital if they have one installed.

Be sure to buy a car seat that has been safety tested. Also, avoid buying one secondhand, because if it has been in an accident, there’s a possibility it is damaged.

Diapers and Wipes

Diapers are a necessity for babies. Whether you use cloth or disposable, make sure to have plenty on hand. Babies, especially newborns, go through diapers very quickly.

If you are hosting a baby shower, a diaper raffle is a fun way to raise money for these essential items.

Also, remember the wipes!

Essential First Aid and Health Items

Some items that often get overlooked when preparing for a baby are first aid and health items.

Having a first aid kit at home is a good idea because it saves time in case your baby falls sick or is experiencing a common issue that may arise. These ailments include stuffy nose, teething, or gassiness.

Some items to include in your first aid kit include:

• A thermometer
• Nail clippers
• A nasal aspirator (like nose frieda)
• Sanitizing wipes
• Baby-safe medication
• Diaper rash cream

While making a DIY first aid kit is possible, several great ones are on the market today.

An Outing Bag

An outing bag to cart all your baby items around is a necessity, especially if you enjoy leaving the house. Many parents choose to buy a diaper bag. However, a specific bag made just for babies isn’t always necessary.

There are many bags on the market that are geared toward carrying your baby’s items. Yet, you can also make an outing bag out of a purse, tote bag, or any other bag you have on hand.

When you leave the house, it’s important to have a place to put extra clothes, diapers, wipes, and other necessary items.

Somewhere to Put Baby When You Can’t Hold Them

One last necessary baby item is a safe place to put the baby when you can’t hold them. This place can be a bassinet or crib. Other handy places include a bouncer, swing, or even a play mat.

The item you choose doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy, just as long as the baby is placed somewhere safe where it will not accidentally fall (like an open bed.)

Unnecessary Items That Baby Doesn’t Need

Now that we have covered all the necessary items that new babies need let’s take a look at what you don’t really need. These items are often touted as necessary and helpful. Yet, many parents and families have noticed that they take up room in their houses and are hardly touched.

Wipes Warmer

A wipes warmer may seem necessary. After all, what baby will want cold wipes on their bum? However, many parents state that their wipes warmer either dries the wipes out or just sits there unused.

Most babies are perfectly fine with a regular wipe straight from the package. They get used to the feeling quickly, and it doesn’t last long, even if the wipes are cold.

Bottle Warmer

Like the wipes warmer, a bottle warmer is unnecessary. Some parents give their baby a bottle at room temperature; others go straight for cold.

While a warm bottle can be more pleasant for a baby to drink, there are other ways to warm it up, like placing it in a cup of warm or hot water for a few minutes.

Just be sure never to put the bottle in the microwave, as this can produce hot spots, which can burn your baby’s mouth.

Changing Table

Changing tables are appealing because they provide a place to keep all your changing essentials, such as diapers, creams, and wipes. However, buying a changing table is unnecessary. If you do not have the space for one, don’t be afraid to just opt out of buying it.

There are easier methods than walking to the changing table whenever your baby needs to be changed. One option is keeping a changing basket in every main room. Load the basket with diapers, creams, wipes, and a changing pad. Then, if your baby needs a diaper change, you can change them anywhere in the room, whether it’s a couch or floor. Plus, many parents have stated that this option is much more comfortable for them than a changing table.

Diaper Pail

Diaper Genies do conceal the smell of a dirty diaper, which can be very nice. However, it isn’t necessary to buy a diaper pail. Instead, you can place dirty diapers in a plastic bag or take them outside to keep the smell away.

Baby Bathtub

A cute baby bathtub became extremely popular several years ago: the bath flower. While it’s adorable, it’s not strictly necessary to bathe your baby. Neither is a baby bathtub.

Newborn baths are simple to give and don’t necessarily require all the fancy add-ons. For this reason, many parents found that the bath flower was hardly used, bulky, and took up too much space.

An Expensive White Noise Machine

Some babies sleep better with noise, while others prefer complete silence. Whatever the case, you do not need an expensive white noise machine. Mainly since you have yet to determine if your baby will even like it.

If your baby prefers noise to sleep, it may be more economical to play white noise on your phone or Alexa. Additionally, stores like Walmart or Target sell white noise machines that won’t break the bank.

All The Fancy Baby Equipment

Yes, you need a safe place to put your baby when you can’t hold them. However, don’t feel like you need all the baby things, including a baby swing, bouncer, bouncy seat, etc.

Having one or two specific safe places to put your baby when you can’t hold them is more than enough.

Dreft (or Special Detergent)

Dreft is a special baby detergent that some prefer to use to wash their newborn clothes. However, buying a completely different detergent for your baby for the first few years of their life is also unnecessary. Instead, opt for a family detergent that is hypoallergenic and scent-free.

Special Baby Food Processor

For parents making their own baby food, buying a special baby food processor is unnecessary. Instead, you can use a magic bullet or your food processor or blender if you already have one.

Additionally, regular ice trays work just as well for freezing the baby food for later.

Special Drying Racks

Although the special drying racks are cute, they aren’t a must-have. When washing your baby’s bottles and utensils, a typical drying rack or kitchen towel will suffice.

In Conclusion

There are so many baby items on the market today that it’s difficult to know exactly what essential new parent products are. As a new parent, you want the very best for your baby, but that doesn’t always mean stocking up on the most expensive items that take up space in your home.

Instead, stick with the necessities. After all, your baby will outgrow these items by their first or second birthday, and they will be on to needing something else. When you look back on your child’s babyhood, you won’t remember everything they had or didn’t have. Instead, you will focus on how loved your child is and how much joy they have brought you.