There are an infinite number of lists of must-haves for your newborn. Fortunately, babies don't really need color coordinated light switch plates or a closet full of frilly outfits the first few weeks. Just add a handful of practical clothing pieces, your favorite wipes, and a carseat, and you'll just need the following items:
1. SwaddleMe Organic Swaddles - It is shockingly difficult to swaddle with bleary eyes at 4 a.m. Fortunately, the velcro on the SwaddleMe swaddles makes thinking unnecessary. The tight enclosure helps everyone sleep better.
2. Boppy Pillow with Organic Slip Cover - Some sort of nursing pillow is a must, and I love the Boppy. I recommend getting two slip covers. Spit up, dried milk, and other mysterious leaks will all end up on the pillow, and sometimes its just not possible to do laundry fast enough.
3. Medela Freestyle Breast Pump - While I almost exclusively breastfeed my little ones, I like the option of and freedom of leaving my little ones every once in awhile. It's nice to be able to run a few errands (or get a pedicure!) by myself. This double pump is a workhorse. I like that it is quick, portable, and simple to use.
4. Under the Nile Organic Burp Cloths - Babies leak. All the time and from both ends. These double-thickness burp cloths are perfect for any use you can think of. Have at least a dozen on hand.
5. Aden + Anais Classic Swaddles - As soft and luxurious as the bamboo swaddles are, stick with the classics. These have less stretch which makes it harder for baby Houdinis to break out of a swaddle. They can also be used as a play mat, nursing cover, car seat cover, or back up burp cloth.
6. Lifefactory 4 oz glass bottles - I'm not a big fan of eating or drinking out of plastic, so Lifefactory's glass bottles are perfect for our family. I pump directly into the 4 oz bottles and store in the fridge. I pump once a day, so I have 6 bottles on hand.
7. Ubbi Diaper Pail - Newsflash: there is no such thing as a diaper pail that will hold in all of the poo smell. The steel Ubbi Diaper Pail is the best I've found, and even it is not perfect. Fortunately, if the poo smell gets out of control, I just leave the pail open in the sun for a day and we're stink-free.
8. Naty by Nature Babycare Diapers - There's lots of discussion on cloth vs. disposable diapers, and I truly think these compostable diapers are the best of both world, especially in central Texas where we are in a drought and just don't have the water to wash cloth diapers.
9. Coconut Oil - Babies often suffer from skin irritations of one kind or another after birth. I've found a nightly coconut oil massage clears up almost all skin issues, including baby acne, cradle crap, and diaper rashes. Plus, it smells really, really good.