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There are so many baby products out there, but these are the 15 things I’m so glad I bought, was gifted, or grabbed at the last minute. Some I didn’t even know I needed until I was deep into the newborn stage. I’ve included links to products to help you find what worked for me and my family—things that made early motherhood a little more comfortable, less stressful, and honestly, kind of fun.
1. Disposable Nursing Pads
Wow—those early breastfeeding months were leaky. I’d leak just hearing my baby cry… or even my sister’s baby! Shower? Leaky boob. Talking about babies? Leaky boob. I wore nursing pads all the time to keep my bras and shirts dry. Reusable ones soaked through too fast and felt damp, and honestly, I didn’t want to do laundry every three days (or ask my husband to). Disposable ones kept me feeling dry, and I always tossed a few extras in the diaper bag in case I needed to swap them out on the go.
2. Silverettes
I had the worst nipple pain at first. Breastfeeding was so painful, and my lactation consultant recommended a nipple shield—but I hated it. It was hard to use and didn’t help much. I came across Silverettes (I had no idea what they were at first!) and ordered them ASAP. They’re made of silver, which has natural healing properties. I wore them for about 3 months and added a few drops of breast milk inside to keep things moist and prevent sticking. I cleaned them once a day when I showered. They were a total game-changer for pain relief. I was scared to stop using them—but once the pain went away, I didn’t need them anymore.
3. Nursing Station Cart
I was actually excited to stock a cart with everything I’d need while breastfeeding. In the first few postpartum weeks, I kept it next to my bed and filled it with snacks, water, chapstick, lotion, tissues, burp cloths, vitamins, my iPad, and phone chargers. Now it holds books and toys for both me and Sky. My water glasses are the most important part—and since I loved my cart so much, my husband got one too so he’d have space for his own stuff while cuddling with the baby. Now I keep a glass of water on each side of the rocker, which makes it so much easier to stay hydrated while nursing.
4. Doggy Pee Pads (Yes, Really!)
Forget changing your table cover every time there’s a diaper blowout. Doggy pee pads are lifesavers. They’re cheap, disposable, and perfect for laying down on public restroom changing tables or the back seat of your car. These are way more affordable than ones marketed for babies and work just as well.
5. Nasal Aspirator (Booger Sucker)
Okay, I’m a little obsessed with getting the boogers out—especially when she’s sitting in my lap and I can see right up her nose. The one I use has a light and plays music, which makes it fun for her. She holds on like she’s helping and even seems to enjoy it!
6. Ergo Baby Carrier
This was (and still is) a lifesaver. We actually got two—one for me and one for my husband—so we don’t have to constantly adjust the straps. In the early months, it was the only way I could get anything done around the house. All-day contact naps meant babywearing was essential. I’d wear her for hours, swaying while working at my standing desk. Now that she’s older, I mostly use it when I need a quick hands-free moment—like grocery store meltdowns or eating at family gatherings. I just can’t wear her for long anymore without getting a migraine!
7. Bottle Sanitizer
Even though we don’t use a ton of bottles, this has made cleaning pump parts, milk collectors, nasal aspirator pieces, and toys so much easier. It’s one of those things that just saves time and mental energy.
8. Momcozy Pump
Since I mainly breastfeed, I only pumped once a day in the early months to build a freezer stash. The portable Momcozy was perfect for that—I could multitask while pumping and didn’t need a ton of power. Total game-changer for keeping some freedom in my day.
9. Electric Nail File
At first, I manually filed her nails while she was asleep in the baby carrier (she hated it awake!). Then my sister got an electric nail file and swore by it. I gave it a try and was amazed. It comes with different attachments for different ages, and my daughter loves the vibration and the little light on it. Now she actually lets me file her nails without squirming.
10. Little Sleepies
We were gifted a Little Sleepies onesie, and it’s become a favorite. We like to keep her feet free to explore, so we rarely use footed pajamas. These have fold-over foot covers that are great for chilly days—no lost socks! Plus, the zipper design goes ankle to ankle, making diaper changes super easy. And unlike traditional footie pajamas, they don’t bunch up when babywearing.
11. Boppy Pillow
A total staple. I brought it to the hospital and it was amazing for breastfeeding, especially post-C-section. I still use it daily—whether in bed, on the couch, or in the nursery. I usually throw a blanket on top for extra support and move it around the house with me. It fits perfectly on the glider arms and makes feeding so much more comfortable.
12. Miss Mouth's - Stain Treater Spray
This stuff is magical. Blowouts are constant, and I’ve rescued so many outfits from becoming forever stained. I wash items in the sink with dish or hand soap first, then spray this on and let it sit until laundry day. It gets every stain out—even on secondhand hand-me-downs that had old marks!
13. Angel Bliss Baby Bouncer
I didn’t realize how much I needed this chair until I tried it at my sister’s house. No straps (unless you want them), super easy to slide baby in and out, and perfect for moving room-to-room. I even tied a little book to the side so she can play while sitting in it. Great for keeping her happy while I get things done.
14. Breast Milk Collector
I didn’t use this in the early weeks—just didn’t want one more thing to deal with. But once I was more independent and healed from my C-section, it became a huge help. I’d pop it on the opposite boob while feeding to catch any leaks and relieve pressure. My baby rarely fed from both sides at once, so this let me collect milk effortlessly without needing to pump.
15. Nanit Monitor
This one’s a bit of a splurge, but I love it. It has a breathing wrap (which we only used a few times since she sleeps in a bassinet next to me), but it gave me peace of mind when my husband put her to sleep in the crib. I’d hear phantom cries and being able to see her helped me sleep better. Great night vision, plus a built-in lamp and sound machine. The portable stand is super handy, and the smart crib sheets even track baby’s growth.
Final Thoughts
There are tons of other things you’ll need with a new baby—the list really does go on. But these are the 15 things I wish someone had told me about sooner. Some seemed unnecessary at first, but they ended up being total game-changers. Whether you’re building your registry, shopping for yourself, or buying for a friend, I hope this list helps you feel more prepared and a little less overwhelmed.