Brynlee has been here for one month thought it feels more like a year with all we’ve gone through. Though she’s only been home for a little over a week, we already have some definite favorites. It’s neat to think back to my favorite products and see how those have changed with each child. Brynlee is absolutely our most high maintenance baby (thanks Pierre Robin) and my newborn picks reflect that. Her needs are not the same as your typical baby. There are several items on this list that I never used with Bryson or Bella, but that are must-haves for Brynlee. That said, these are our favorite newborn products for month one- things we use daily and love.
1. Humidifier
Before Brynlee was discharged from the NICU, it was recommended that we should have a humidifier in her room. We used a humidifier with Bryson occasionally, but with Brynlee, it is a necessity. Since she breathes with a trach, it’s important to keep the air moist for her. We love the Crane because it’s quiet and works to prevent bacteria and viruses. We run it 24 hours per day and refill it once per day. It’s easy to use, it’s efficient, and offers a sleek look.
Our Pick: Crane Germ Defense Ultrasonic Cool and Warm Mist Humidifier // $80
2. Sleepers
I am all about comfort and ease when it comes to dressing baby. Sleepers are the way to go! We use Carter’s button-up microfleece sleepers because they work well with the feeding tube and make diaper changes easier. Soft, snuggly, and warm for baby.
Our Pick: Carter’s Microfleece Sleepers // $8 & up
3. Swaddle Blankets
Before Brynlee was born, I decided we’d give swaddling a shot this time. Little did I know that she’d spend her first 20 days in the NICU so swaddling is just a way of life for her. Justin and I took a few pointers from the nurses and we keep her swaddled at home. I love the softness and large size of aden + anais swaddle blankets. The muslin fabric is just the right weight- it’s light yet keeps baby warm.
Our Pick: aden + anais swaddle blankets // $49.95 for 4
4. Diapers
When it comes to a newborn, there is no question about my favorite diapers. I love everything about Pampers Swaddlers from the softness to the color changing wetness indicator. I recommend using Amazon Mom and the Subscribe & Save option to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to any diaper purchases.
Our Pick: Pampers Swaddlers // prices vary
5. Pacifier
Another new thing with baby #3. Neither Bryson or Bella took a pacifier, but again, Brynlee needs to use a pacifier so she doesn’t forget how to suck. We didn’t have to search far because she is obsessed with the Soothie pacifiers that are offered in hospitals. They sent us home with a bag full and I’ve ordered a Pacifier Plushie in hopes of helping her keep the pacifier in her mouth.
Our Pick: Soothie Pacifier // $3.99 for 2
6. Mobile
Brynlee loves the mobile hanging over her crib. Even when she isn’t in her crib, we position her Rock ‘n Play so she can watch the mobile as she drifts off to sleep. It lights up, plays music (3 different categories & 9 tunes), and turns like any typical mobile, but it also grows with baby. Eventually, it turns into a projector and then a lamp.
Our Pick: Tiny Love Starry Night Mobile, Projector, Night Light // $60
7. Monitor
We bought a simple monitor when Bryson was a baby, but never really used it. Wow, monitors have come a long, long way in 5 years! With the trach, Brynlee cannot make sounds so a high-end, top of the line monitor was an absolute must-have for her room. We are so impressed with the Motorola MBP36. I love that you can control everything with the parent monitor- you can pan around the room, zoom, tilt, talk to baby, or turn on a lullaby. The volume control is wonderful because Brynlee’s breathing is so loud, we keep it turned down, but the monitor has lights at the top that shows the noise level. Another thing we just realized last night is that we can set the monitor to alarm us and wake us up every few hours. It is seriously mind-blowing and offers us a little more peace at night.
Our Pick: Motorola MBP36 Remote Wireless Video Baby Monitor with 3.5-Inch Color LCD Screen, Infrared Night Vision, Remote Camera Pan, Tilt and Zoom // $240
8. Bottle Warmer
Another totally new to us product! Brynlee is exclusively breastfed, but through her g-tube. They warmed her milk in the NICU so we have continued that at home. After reading reviews, I chose the Dr. Brown’s Warmer because it fits bottles of all shapes/ sizes and warms quickly using steam. It has a reservoir so you don’t have to add water every time you need a bottle. We warm milk 6 times per day and only fill the reservoir about twice a week. The LCD screen is easy to read and it memorizes your warming cycles so no need to worry about resetting it each feed.
Our Pick: Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Bottle Warmer // $35
On the Go? Check out the Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle & Food Warmer // $20
9. Portable Sleeping & Play Time
Brynlee is not a fan of the swing or the bouncer, but she adores the Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper. It keeps her snug and secure as well as elevated. It’s also easy to remove the cover and wash. She spends most of time in the Rock ‘n Play and I’m not sure what we’d do without it. She sleeps through the night and most of the day in it and we do most of her feeds in it because the elevation is perfect.
Our Pick: Fisher Price Deluxe Newborn Vibrating Rock ‘n Play Sleeper // $55
10. SleepSack
We aren’t using our SleepSacks daily just yet because Brynlee enjoys being swaddled, but we are using the SleepSack Swaddle. It makes swaddling a breeze and eliminates the need for extra blankets. They are available in cotton, microfleece, or plush velboa.
Our Pick: Halo SleepSack Swaddle // $17 & up
What are some of your favorite newborn products for the first month?
Some of the items featured in this post were sent to us for review and/ or as gifts for Brynlee. That said, this post was not required and I just wanted to share some of our favorite newborn products. This post contains affiliate links.
This is a great list and these are products we love too! I am curious about that Crane humidifier we have the Crane cool mist in every bedroom but I like the anti-germ part of that one.
Next time I purchase a humidifier I will have to check that one out. We have really bad sinus problems at our house so when one of the kids start coughing we pull out the humidifiers. I think we own 5..lol. I guess that is a little excessive since we only have four kids. My youngest was in the NICU for 13 days and he was almost a year old before he would sleep without being swaddled. I LOVE those swaddle blankets. He is almost two and we still use them because they are so big. They are great for a thin blanket on a hot summer day or night when he sleeps. Before my son was born a video monitor was on my must have list and we have the same one. I can not live without it. My son has been known to sleep for 20 hours straight and I MUST be able to see him.
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Nice collection of newborn products. These cutest personalized gift can sure to bring a great smile on your kids face. This is a great list and these are products we love too.
Hi Whitney, these products are amazing and I think you can add it to shower gift list. Babies will surely like these. This is definitely an unforgettable and important gift for your loved ones. Thanks for fabulous sharing this.