I can’t believe it, but my baby is already almost six weeks old! Becoming a mom has been everything and more, and while the newborn phase has been a huge adjustment, I’ve truly loved it. It’s going by far too quickly, and I already find myself missing those earliest days. Somehow, my six-week-old looks completely different than she did just one month ago.

A few things have really shaped my postpartum experience as a first-time mom: exclusively breastfeeding, having my mom stay with us for the first three weeks to help, and my husband being home with me for the first two months on paternity leave. That support made such a difference during those early weeks.

In this post, I’m sharing my favorite newborn products from the first month with a baby. These are the items I used daily that made life noticeably easier, or that I would genuinely recommend to other parents welcoming a newborn. I’m not including postpartum products for moms here, but I’ll be sharing a follow-up post with those soon.

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My Favorite Newborn Products for the First Month

Best Newborn Sleep & Comfort Products

Love to Dream Swaddle

From day one, we quickly learned that swaddling was essential and that my husband and I are not great at doing it ourselves. The Love to Dream Swaddle has truly saved our sleep. We wouldn’t be getting nearly as much rest if we were relying on muslin blankets or Velcro swaddles alone.

Our baby loves having her hands up while she sleeps, which made this swaddle a perfect fit. We stocked up with two in each size (newborn, small, and medium) because the last thing you want during a late-night diaper change is to realize your only clean swaddle is in the wash.

Yoga Ball

I originally bought a yoga ball during pregnancy to help prepare my body for birth, but I’ve used it even more during postpartum. Bouncing on the yoga ball has been one of the quickest and most reliable ways to soothe our baby to sleep. If you’re looking for another tool to add to your calming rotation, I can’t recommend this enough.

Babyletto Kai Rocking Chair

When choosing a rocker, we wanted something lightweight (we live on the third floor), comfortable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing enough to live in our main space. The Babyletto Kai Rocker checked every box.

This rocker was a gift from my great aunt, and we’ve used it every single day for feedings and rocking our baby to sleep. It’s incredibly comfortable and well-made.  I genuinely can’t imagine postpartum without it.

Bassinet

We chose to use a bassinet for the first few months and have loved having a portable, safe sleep space for our baby. We use the Nuna Bassinet that came with our stroller and stand, so we didn’t need to purchase a separate one.

If we hadn’t already had one, I would have specifically looked for a bassinet with an adjustable height, a firm sleep surface, breathable sides, easy mobility, and materials that are simple to clean, because they are all things that make a big difference during those early weeks.

Hatch Portable Sound Machine

This portable sound machine has been a game-changer for creating calm sleep environments on the go. It’s compact and small enough for us to place it in the corner of the bassinet. It has been so helpful to help our baby fall asleep and stay asleep, no matter where we are.

Newborn Diapering & Hygiene

Momcozy Baby Wipe Warmer

I didn’t think we needed a wipe warmer and didn’t include one on our registry. Once we were home, though, we realized how startling cold wipes were during middle-of-the-night diaper changes. After getting a wipe warmer, our baby usually sleeps through changes and is noticeably happier during them.

It’s definitely a “nice-to-have” and not a necessity, but it’s something I’ve personally loved and would repurchase.

Muslin Burp Cloths

We are constantly using burp cloths… they’re everywhere! In the living room, by the rocking chair, on the changing table, in the diaper bag. We go through them so quickly.

Muslin burp cloths are my favorite because they’re soft, 100% cotton, and hold up well in the wash. My biggest recommendation? Buy more than you think you need.

Skip Hop Changing Pad

We renewed our lease right before I became pregnant, so we’re currently in a one-bedroom apartment with limited space. Instead of a full changing station, we use the Skip Hop Changing Pad on our kitchen island with a diaper cart nearby.

This pad is comfortable, waterproof, easy to clean, and a more affordable alternative to the popular Keekaroo. It’s been the perfect solution for our current space.

Pumping & Milk Collection Essentials

Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump

During some late-night feeds, when my baby doesn’t nurse enough to fully relieve engorgement, I really don’t want to set up a full electric pump. This manual pump has been perfect for quick relief and is also ideal for on-the-go use since I don’t have a wearable pump yet.

Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Milk Pump

Although I haven’t tried many hospital-grade pumps, I chose the Spectra based on recommendations and it hasn’t disappointed. I currently pump once a day while my husband gives our baby a bottle, and it’s worked beautifully.

One thing I highly recommend is getting properly sized for flanges, since the pump only comes with two sizes. After about five minutes on each side, I can easily pump around six ounces. I also love that the S1 is rechargeable and doesn’t need to stay plugged into the wall.

haaka Ladybug Passive Milk Collectors

I’ve only pumped a handful of times, yet I already have over 300 ounces of milk stored in the freezer thanks to the Haakaa Ladybugs. These passive collectors sit on the opposite side during nursing to catch let-down and save extra milk effortlessly.

I usually collect between 1–3 ounces per feeding, which adds up quickly over time.

I didn’t know about them when creating my registry, but I’ve also heard great things about the Boon Trove Passive Milk Collectors. They’re less bulky and may be easier to nurse with, especially when out of the house.

Baby Gear I Loved

Baby Bjorn Bouncer

The Baby Bjorn Bouncer has been a safe, comfortable place to set my baby down when I need a few hands-free moments. Even though she’s not big enough to bounce herself yet, she’s content sitting in it and observing what’s going on around her.

It’s lightweight, easy to move from room to room, grows with your baby, and eventually converts into a toddler chair which makes it feel like a worthwhile investment.

Fisher-Price Baby Playmat Glow and Grow Kick & Play Piano Gym

Our baby loves tummy time, and I truly think this playmat has helped. The lights, colors, and music capture her attention and encourage her to keep her head up, helping build strength for future milestones.

It also includes a mirror and crinkly toy, and I love that the piano can be used to prop contrast cards when we want a lower-stimulation tummy time session. This is another item that grows with your baby well into toddlerhood.

Contrast Books and Cards

Newborns are naturally drawn to high-contrast images, and our baby becomes so engaged when we pull out her contrast books and contrast cards. She loves tracking and studying the images.

I also appreciate that these are a calmer, lower-stimulation option, especially before sleep, compared to more interactive toys.

WildBird Aerial Buckle Wrap

The Wildbird Aerial Buckle Wrap has been one of my favorite baby carriers for everyday wear during the newborn stage. It’s soft, supportive, and easy to adjust, making it comfortable for both short errands and longer strolls. The structured wrap style gives great back support while keeping your baby close and cozy. It has been a lifesaver during the “witching hour” too!

Final Thoughts: Newborn Favorites for the First Month

The first month with a newborn is full of learning, adjusting, and figuring out what truly works for your baby and your family. While every experience is different, these products genuinely made our days (and nights) smoother and more manageable during those early weeks.

If you’re currently preparing for a newborn or in the thick of those early days, I hope this list helps take a little guesswork off your plate. You don’t need everything, just the right things for you. I’ll be sharing a follow-up post soon with my favorite postpartum products for moms, so stay tuned for that.

And if you’re a seasoned parent reading this, I’d love to hear, what was one item you couldn’t live without during the newborn phase?

Thanks for reading! 🙂 As always, you can find me on Instagram @maddie_deer here, or you can follow me on my Facebook page to be alerted of any new posts here.