10 Products You Probably Didn't Know You Needed - Newborn Essentials

1. Hands-Free Breast Pump Device

If planning to give pumping a try, a hands-free pumping device can be a real time saver. At work or at home, this handy gadget will help save a few precious minutes, which are at a premium for new moms.

 

2. Nasal Aspirator

When your baby has a stuffy nose it is easy to feel very helpless as a new parent. You can help your newborn breathe easier with a nasal aspirator. This funny-looking gadget can be battery powered, parent-suction powered, or bulb-suction powered, and can be a real help when your child has a cold.

3. Waterproof Mattress Pad

Accidents happen, it's a fact. Keep the crib dry and ready for a quick change by having two waterproof mattress pads on hand and ready to go. Many parents think of buying extra sheets for the mattress, but a mattress pad will keep the mattress clean, and having two will let you change one while the other is in the washer.

 

4. White Noise Machine

Tiptoeing around the house for hours might seem easy, but if you have older children in the house, or ever expect to wash dishes, or walk on your wood floors, or do anything at all while baby is sleeping, it can get old fast. A white noise machine can help block some of the other noise in your home while your newborn naps. Many newborns also like the heartbeat sounds and womb sounds that some of these machines supply.

5. Swaddle Blankets

The ever-elusive multiple-hour sleep is what most new parents are looking for. Many babies are able to sleep longer if they are swaddled in a swaddle blanket. If the swaddle fold becomes too complicated, or your little Hercules breaks out of the swaddle, there are swaddle blankets that velcro or zip closed and can provide a little more stabilit

6. Glider

Late-night feedings can go on for months. Having a comfortable place to feed your newborn, and to lull him or her back to dreamtime, is essential. A glider can provide the soft, gentle, rocking motion that could be the ticket to you both getting your much-needed sleep.

7. Sling or Wrap

After being held in a small, warm space for so long, many newborns crave being held close to your body so they can hear your heartbeat. Snuggling your sweet little one is natural, but sometimes you need to use your hands. A good way to keep your baby close, but still be able to function, is a sling or a wrap. Baby wearing can help you and baby stay happy and move through the world together.

8. Travel Swing

Babies require a lot of furniture and gear, which can get overwhelming. Many parents don't want to buy a large swing that takes up a lot of room, but many babies crave the rocking motion that swings can provide. A compact and portable travel swing can do the work for you. These can also come in handy when you are going to the grandparents' house or on a vacation, as they fold and pack easily

9. Diaper Caddy

Along with sleeping all the time, babies seem to need changing all the time. In the first few weeks and months, the diaper changes are never ending. If your nursery isn't very close to the area in your home where you do most of your living, you might want to consider a diaper caddy. These handy storage units will hold all you need for a quick change in any room. These were especially helpful for our editors who had nurseries on the second or third floor but living areas on the first floor--climbing a lot of stairs is the last thing you want to do as a sleep-deprived new parent.

10. Moses Basket

Newborns sleep all the time. And while it is great to get them sleeping in a crib from your first moments home, it isn't always that easy. Having a Moses basket that you can move easily from room to room (without baby in it!) allows you to then rest your tired arms and maybe even take a quick shower while still keeping baby close by.