Mamibaby Extra Plush Pillow/Lounger Newborn Essential

One of the greatest joys in the world is welcoming a new baby into the family. Newborns bring so much laughter and love, with their cute little coos and tiny fingers and toes. And while they are small in size, newborns require a lot of essentials to help them thrive. From diapers to cribs to strollers, newborns’ stuff takes up a lot of space.

Shopping for newborn essentials can be overwhelming because there is so much to consider. Instead of shopping in a panic, it’s best to make a plan to help you navigate everything you need. Begin by making a list of categories of items for newborns, such as clothes, diapers, furniture, toys and technology. Once you have the major categories in place, add in items within each category. For example, under technology, you can include a baby monitor and digital thermometer. Under diapers, you can include different sizes of diapers, wipes, diaper cream and a warmer for wipes.

Then, go through what items you already have that the newborn can use. Even if this is the first baby in the family, keep in mind that you might have access to hand-me-downs or gifts from friends and family. Once you have a comprehensive list of newborn essentials you’ll need to buy, it’s time to get shopping!

• While it can be tempting, don’t buy newborn and baby essentials too far in advance. Try to work three to six months ahead where possible, but don’t buy something for a 5-year-old while your baby is still under a year old. If you shop too far in advance, you could end up with things you don’t need when the time comes. You might also forget about something you bought years ago and purchase another one.
• Many parents of newborns complain of “baby brain,” where they end up forgetting things because of how tired they are. To avoid baby brain, try to label important newborn essentials so you always know where everything is. For example, label drawers with the size or type of clothing they contain or label boxes with the items inside. This makes it easier and faster to find what you need.