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Newborn Essentials

5 Newborn Must-Haves We ADORE and Actually Use Every Day

Becoming a parent means diving headfirst into a world of baby gear you didn’t even know existed. Between the advice from friends, the Pinterest-perfect checklists, and the late-night Amazon scrolls, it’s easy to feel like you need everything.

But here’s the truth: You don’t. Most of it is fluff. These five newborn must-haves? We use them every single day — and they actually make a difference.

1. Hatch Rest Sound Machine

This little device has saved our sleep. It plays white noise (plus ocean, rain, and more), acts as a nightlight, and can be programmed from your phone. Our baby settles faster and sleeps longer with it on. Worth every penny.

2. FridaBaby NoseFrida

Sounds gross. Looks gross. Works like magic. Our baby caught a little cold in week 2 and this was the only thing that gave her relief. Way better than those bulb syringes.

3. Muslin Swaddle Blankets (4-pack)

We didn’t understand the hype until we had them in hand. These lightweight blankets double as burp cloths, car seat covers, tummy time mats, and yes — swaddles. We rotate through all 4 daily.

4. Boppy Nursing Pillow

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, this makes holding the baby way easier for mom. It saves your her and gives her back a break during those marathon feeding sessions.

5. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

Diaper rash? Dry skin? Weird flaky spot? This is our go-to fix-it. We use it daily as a preventive cream and haven’t had a single rash since.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to buy everything on the shelf. Start with the stuff that truly solves problems, saves sleep, or keeps baby comfortable. These five items made the cut in our house — and honestly, we wish we’d gotten them sooner. If you are looking for baby bottles, check out our other post here.

(Some links in this post may be affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Rookie Parent Playbook!)

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