Buy This, Not That: The Newborn Gear Guide

Newborns! They’re tiny, squishy, and their cuteness can almost make you forget how little sleep you’re getting. As a mum of two girls who’ve been through it all (twice!), I’ve learned a thing or two about what you actually need when you bring home a baby.

Spoiler alert: half of the stuff you’ll see in stores is completely unnecessary, but some items? Absolute lifesavers!

So, here’s my rundown of the Top 10 newborn baby products that are essential and a little reality check on 5 that you can skip.

Grab a cuppa and let’s get into it.

BUY THIS:

10 Newborn Products Worth Buying

1 - Swaddle Blankets

Okay, let’s start with the real MVPs – swaddle blankets. Babies love being wrapped up like little burritos! I remember with my first, I had no clue how to swaddle properly. I’d wrap her up, and 10 minutes later, she looked like a tiny Houdini. But once I got those blankets with Velcro (thank you, modern inventions!), she was snug and happy. Plus, they help babies sleep better. And if there’s one thing we all need, it’s sleep.

2 - White Noise Machine

This is like having a sleep fairy on your team. It mimics the sound of the womb, which is soothing for bub. I got one after weeks of trying to tiptoe around the house like a ninja while the girls napped. A white noise machine? Game-changer. You can actually walk around without fear of waking the baby.

3 - NoseFrida (The Snot Sucker) Now, I know this one sounds gross. Trust me, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of sucking snot out of my baby’s nose either. But the NoseFrida is genius, and you don’t actually get any snot in your mouth – promise! When your baby’s nose is blocked, this thing will save the day (and the night).

4 - Ergonomic Baby Carrier My hands were my most valuable tools when my girls were little. Between holding a camera (photographer life) and needing to get things done around the house, I couldn’t always carry them in my arms. A good baby carrier gives you freedom while keeping bub close. Plus, you feel like a super parent with a baby strapped to your chest.

5 - Video Baby Monitor Back in the day, I had the old-school baby monitor that only had sound. But technology has come a long way, and having a video monitor made such a difference. You can sneak a peek at your sleeping baby without risking the squeaky door scenario. And when you see them move, you can decide whether it’s worth running in or letting them settle themselves (pro tip: let them settle!).

6 - Electric Breast Pump If you’re breastfeeding, an electric breast pump is your new best mate. Trust me, hand pumping takes ages, and who’s got time for that? Whether you’re planning to express regularly or just occasionally, an electric one will save you time and effort.

7 - Zippered Sleepers Why does everything for babies need a million tiny buttons? It’s like some sort of cruel joke. Do yourself a favour – get onesies with zippers! Middle-of-the-night nappy changes will be a breeze. I’m convinced whoever invented zippered onesies deserves a medal.

8 - Infant Car Seat You can’t even leave the hospital without one of these, so make sure it’s safe and fits your car. There’s no cutting corners here – you want bub to be safe on every trip, even if it’s just a quick drive to Woolies.

9 - Baby Bathtub with Sling Bathing a slippery newborn can be a bit terrifying. Those baby bathtubs with a little sling make it so much easier. I used one with both of my girls, and it made bathtime way less stressful. Plus, they looked so cute lounging in their little mini spa!

10 - Nappy Bag with Changing Pad You’ll be taking this bag everywhere, so invest in a good one. It’s got to fit everything – nappies, wipes, extra clothes, snacks (for you!), and still not look like a hiking pack. And a built-in changing pad? Essential for those emergency nappy changes in the most unexpected places. Spoiler: babies love to go at the most inconvenient times!

Now, before you get too carried away with shopping, let’s take a breather. It’s so easy to get caught up in buying everything under the sun when you’ve got a baby on the way – I’ve been there!

But trust me, not all baby products are created equal. While some items are total lifesavers, others are more like dust collectors.

So, let’s take a look at those things that seem tempting but aren’t really worth the money (or the space in your already cluttered house). You can thank me later!

NOT THAT:

5 Newborn Products TO SKIP

1 - Wipe Warmers

Now, I get it. Warm wipes sound like they’d make bub more comfortable, right? But honestly, they dry out the wipes and sometimes even cause mould. Room temperature wipes work just fine. Besides, your baby will survive the “shock” of a cool wipe – they’ll be fine, I promise!

2 - Baby Shoes

They’re so cute, aren’t they? Little tiny shoes for tiny feet. But here’s the thing – newborns aren’t walking. They don’t need shoes. Save your cash (and space in the nappy bag) and wait until they’re toddling around before splurging on footwear.

3 - Fancy Changing Tables

I’ll let you in on a secret: I used a changing mat on top of a dresser. It worked perfectly! There’s no need for a special table. Save your money and space, and just use a mat you can move around.

4 - Expensive Baby Clothes

Those designer baby outfits? I fell for it once. Bought the cutest, fanciest little outfit for one of my girls. She wore it once, for all of 10 minutes, before spitting up all over it. Babies grow fast, and they’re mess machines. Stick to comfy, affordable clothes they can actually wear more than once.

5 - Baby Food Makers

I know, it sounds like a great idea – a special machine just for making homemade baby food. But here’s the reality: your blender or food processor will do the exact same job. Or, you know, a fork and some elbow grease. You don’t need a fancy gadget taking up bench space when you already have everything you need in your kitchen.

Before I wrap this up, I’ve got to sneak in one more "essential" that I’m a bit biased about – a newborn photography session!

Seriously, those first few weeks fly by in a sleep-deprived blur, and before you know it, that tiny bundle of joy will be rolling, crawling, and causing chaos.

Capturing those squishy, sleepy moments is something you’ll treasure forever (and let's be honest, they make great brags on social media).

So, while you’re ticking off that shopping list, don’t forget to book your newborn session! Trust me, it’s one purchase you won’t regret!

Raising a newborn really is an adventure, and every baby is different. But with these essentials, you’ll be set up for success (and hopefully a bit more sleep).

Just remember – you’ve got this! And if you’re ever unsure, reach out to another mum. We’ve all been there, and we’ve all got stories to share.