21 Newborn Essentials for New Parents

A Pediatrician’s guide to growing healthy children

As a pediatrician, I often recommend certain products to parents to help support their children’s health and well-being. When choosing your list of essential newborn products, it is important to consider factors such as safety, comfort, and practicality. I always advise parents to look for products that are made from high-quality materials and have been tested for safety and efficacy. It is also important to choose products that are appropriate for the baby's age and stage of development, as well as those that fit within your budget and lifestyle. Ultimately, my goal is to provide recommendations that will help make the caregiving experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible for both the baby and the parent or caregiver. The selected products below are certainly not everything you might need for your new baby, but it is the perfect starter list and certainly helped me and my husband when our daughter was born.

1. Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Wide-Neck Baby Bottle Newborn Feeding Set with Baby Bottle Travel Caps

What I like about this bottle set: Its internal vent system is clinically proven to help reduce colic and decrease spit-up and gas. I chose these broad based silicone nipples because they more closely resemble the shape of the natural breast and may be an easier transition for breast fed babies. Buy on Amazon>

2. Pampers Swaddlers Newborn Diapers

What I like about these diapers: It’s a super soft diaper with outstanding absorbency and is perfect for active babies. I liked them because they are a bit slimmer and fit our daughter’s smaller frame. Buy on Amazon>

3. Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Unscented & Hypoallergenic Baby Diaper Wipes

What I like about these baby wipes: Huggies baby wipes are plant-based and made with 99% purified water for a gentle clean. Accepted by the National Eczema Association: Hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, pH balanced and infused with aloe and vitamin E. The packaging is user friendly making it easy to remove one wipe at a time. Buy it on Amazon>

4. Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Pad System

What I like about this diaper changing pad: Its convenient clutch features a wipe-clean, zip-off changing pad and zipper pocket for your favorite baby wipes. This changing pad has a large mesh pocket which holds up to four diapers plus creams and other essentials. The front zippered pocket is perfect for keys, cell phone or other personal items. This is my go to accessory for any day trip. Buy it on Amazon>

5. Willow Pump Wearable Double Electric Breast Pump

What I like about this breast pump: It’s wearable and discreet. The pump is quiet and hands free with no dangling cords, wires, or bottles. It’s easy to assemble and easy to clean with only 2 dishwasher safe parts. Willow breast pump comes with a downloadable app to track volume in real time and automatically records session history. There is a learning curve to this type of pump, so be patient. You will also need a tight fitting nursing bra to keep the pumps in place. Unfortunately, the pumps aren’t completely covered by insurance. Go to aeroflowbreastpumps.com, put in the required information, and the site will tell you which pumps are covered by your specific plan. Buy it on Amazon>

6. haakaa Silicone Breast Pump & Silicone Cap

What I like about the manual breast pump: This is a life saver! This pump can serve as a manual hand pump, but can also be used while breastfeeding to catch let down from the other breast. The haakaa silicone pump is easy to clean by simply boiling in water for 2-3 minutes. Buy it on Amazon>

7. Tommee Tippee Breast-Like & Skin-Like Texture Pacifier for Newborns

What I like most about these pacifiers: The unique pacifier shield curves away from baby’s face and offers superior ventilation for better air flow to reduce moisture build-up which helps prevent irritation. Buy it on Amazon>

8. Philips AVENT Fast Baby Bottle Warmer with Smart Temperature Control and Automatic Shut-Off

What I like most about this bottle warmer: It warms milk gently and evenly in just 3 minutes. A progress indicator light shows you that milk is ready when all three segments are illuminated. The bottle warmer keeps milk warm for up to an hour and then automatically shuts off. It works with most commercial bottle brands and also has a defrost setting for breast milk and baby food. Buy it on Amazon>

9. NailFrida Nail Clipper Set by Fridababy – Essential Nail Care Kit for Newborns and Up

What I like most about this nail clipper set: Its safety spy hole allows you to see exactly what you're clipping, reducing the risk of cutting a child's sensitive skin. The curved nail clippers with overlapping blades allow for safe, smooth and silent snipping. Buy it on Amazon>

10. 4-in-1 Grow-with-Me Bath Tub by Frida Baby

What I like most about this baby bathtub: It’s a one-and-done solution for bathing newborns to toddlers. I wish I would known about this particular tub when our daughter was born. It has better options than most tubs to transition as baby grows. Buy it on Amazon>

11. Hatch Rest Portable Sound Machine with Night Light for Baby & Toddler

What I like about this sound machine: It’s versatile. This sound machine is capable of programming bedtimes and wake times. It has a variety of sounds including white noise, wind, and rain. It has a battery backup and is WIFI enabled instead of bluetooth. Buy it on Amazon>

12. SwaddleMe Easy Change Swaddles for newborns

What I like most about these swaddles: They’re perfect for any newborn who is not yet rolling over and likes to be swaddled with their arms in. I like this style better than traditional swaddles for an active sleeper because of the velcro straps. Plus it has an easy change zipper that makes diaper changing quick & quiet. Buy it on Amazon>

13. FridaBaby Quick-Read Digital Rectal Thermometer

What I like most about this thermometer: It delivers a 10-second quick read. The rectal insertion stopper helps keep you from inserting too far. The large display with backlight makes nighttime temperature checks on your baby easier. Buy it on Amazon>

14. Braun ThermoScan Digital Ear Thermometer for Kids & Babies

What I like most about this thermometer: It’s clinically proven as accurate as rectal thermometers for newborns 6+ months and older. We use this brand of thermometer everyday in the clinic and get results in seconds. Plus, it’s not just a thermometer for babies; this thermometer can be used for the whole family. Buy it on Amazon>

15. NoseFrida the Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator by Frida Baby

What I like most about this nasal aspirator: Paired with a good saline mist, it helps loosen thick mucus with suction you can control. It is easy to clean and has replaceable hygiene filters. Buy it on Amazon>

16. Medi Frida the Accu-Dose Pacifier Baby Medicine Dispenser

What I like most about the pacifier medicine dispenser: Its paci-style dispenser sends medicine to the side of the cheek. I recommend this method of delivery to by pass babies tastebuds which helps prevent spit-ups. It’s great for most meds, gripe water, vitamins, etc. Buy it on Amazon>

17. Graco Mode Nest2Grow Travel System

What I like most about this stroller travel system: It’s a budget friendly stroller system with great quality, safety, & style. The travel system grows with your family from a single to double stroller with the included ultra-lite infant car seat. Buy it on Amazon>

18. Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner

What I like most about this nursing pillow: I used this versatile pillow for everything from nursing (0+ months), propping and tummy time (3-6+ months), and support when learning to sit (6-9 months). This pillow is NOT for sleep, and baby should be supervised during the entire use of the pillow. Buy it on Amazon>

19. Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine for Baby Sleeping with Night Light

What I like most about this sound machine: It is portable and convenient. This is a must have for traveling or visiting a friend’s house during nap time. It’s a small but mighty all-in-one sound machine that combines a noise blocker, nightlight, and sleep soother. Buy it on Amazon>

20. 4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing

What I like most about this baby swing: It moves just like you do. It mimics your natural rhythms and movements and helps to create a familiar space to safely put your baby down when they can’t be in your arms. Buy it on Amazon>

21. Multifunction Diaper Bag and Travel Back Pack

What I like most about this diaper bag: It’s designed for convenience. It has wide openings that make it easy to find essentials in a pinch and dual zippers for easy access. It has tons of storage and comfortable straps. Buy it on Amazon>

**Doctor Schutt’s blogs may include some affiliate links through trusted companies like Amazon. Purchases made using these links may earn Doctor Schutt a small commission.  She uses those small commissions to create content like this to help with her mission in growing healthy children and empowering parents in her community and nationwide.  She donates a percentage of this commission to organizations that share her mission and values.