The Only Newborn Essentials I’d Choose If I Could Only Pick One Per Category

The Minimalist Baby Registry: My Top Picks for Newborn Must-Haves

When I was building my baby registry as a first-time mom, I did what most of us do: added everything that looked cute, seemed popular, or came highly recommended. But now that my baby is six months old, I’ve got a whole new perspective.

If I had to go back in time and choose just one item from each newborn category? These are the products I’d pick every single time. No fluff. Just what actually made my life easier.

1. Best Newborn Seat: Baby Bouncer There are so many baby seats on the market, but the one I used every single day was our bouncer. It was lightweight, portable, and gave me a safe place to set Delilah while I cooked, showered, or took a breath. Bonus: many bouncers don’t take up much space and are easy to fold up.

2. Bathtime Essential: Countertop Baby Bathtub Those early days of bathing a slippery newborn? Not easy. I quickly learned that a baby tub I could set on the counter saved my back and made the whole process way more comfortable. It felt secure, easy to fill and drain, and worked in our small bathroom.

3. Must-Have Baby Clothing: Cotton Sleep Gowns If you haven’t discovered the magic of sleep gowns yet, let me introduce you to the easiest diaper changes of your life. No snaps. No zippers. Just a quick pull-up and back down. I kept these in heavy rotation, especially for nighttime changes.

4. First Toy That Actually Got Used: Crinkle Book We received a lot of fancy toys and teethers, but the simple crinkle book won every time. It was lightweight, easy for tiny hands to grab, and had just enough texture and noise to keep her curious and happy.

5. Postpartum Recovery: Lidocaine Spray There’s no sugarcoating it: postpartum recovery is no joke. This spray with lidocaine gave me quick numbing relief and helped with healing in those early days. I used it multiple times a day and felt so much more comfortable because of it.

6. Diapering Essential: Portable Changing Pad Changing stations are great… until you’re in the car, at a friend’s house, or just don’t want to trek upstairs. A foldable, wipeable changing pad that fits in a diaper caddy or tote? Game changer. I still use it all the time.

You don’t need to go overboard with baby products. Focus on what’s practical, functional, and works for you. These were my top newborn must-haves that delivered real value every single day.

Want the full list of the baby products I actually used (and loved) in the first six months?