Newborn Essentials to Celebrate Milestones (GIVEAWAY)

By
Hollie Schultz
-
baby

*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Babies “R” Us and Pampers. As always, all thoughts, opinions and statements are my own. Plus, I include some great must-have baby items that I recommend to new parents that you should check out in the article.

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, wonderful times of your life. From the first feeding to the first night home from the hospital to the first steps, every milestone is not only important but amazing.

My baby brother and his adorable wife are experiencing what it is like to be home with newborn baby right now. Last week, they had their first little bundle of joy and have been home with the little guy less than a week.

While they are still riding the wave of adrenaline from the excitement of it all, they have already figured out that there are many baby essentials that make the whole process easier. How did they figure it out so quickly? Well, it doesn’t hurt to have one of the most well-known baby gear experts as your sister!

I teamed up with Pampers and Babies “R” Us, the nation’s premier baby products retailer, to do a little shopping for many of the things that they will need for their first few months with the little one. The new parents had already received all the big ticket items such as car seat, stroller, playard, bouncy seat and swing at their baby shower a few months ago, but I wanted to make sure they had the day to day essentials for those newborn milestones.

Earlier this week, I journeyed to my local Babies “R” Us to pick up some of the products that are on my must-have list for all new parents.

Babies R Us

Since this was a trip to grab essentials that may not have been on their registry, I headed straight to the breastfeeding section. My sister-in-law is nursing the little guy and I knew that the process could be tricky at the beginning for her. It’s not always a beautiful thing when your breasts leak right through your shirt when you hear another baby crying as you are standing in the line at Starbucks. It happens, believe me.

I recommended that she leave the nursing bra pads off her registry and put it on her personal shopping list because it is always a little awkward if your dad or work buddy is left with breast pads on your registry.

I grabbed her a box of Medela Disposable Nursing Bra Pads and Medela 100% Cotton Washable Nursing Pads so that the Starbucks incident that may or may not have happened to me doesn’t happen to her. 🙂

Medela

A nursing pillow is definitely a must-have for me on any new mom’s list but I wanted to grab my sister-in-law a second one that would make her traveling to and from all the relative’s houses with the baby that much easier. The Boppy Travel Pillow was tossed in my cart!

Next, I headed to the bottle section. Sure, she is breastfeeding but she has made the decision to also pump and have dad feed the baby with breastmilk in a bottle from time to time. I knew right away that I was going to grab them some Dr. Brown’s bottles.

Here’s the thing – my brother was the WORST baby. Sorry, buddy, but you were! Unfortunately, he had very bad colic and cried a lot. If Dr. Brown’s bottles were around back in 1987, maybe things would have been better as they are one of the BEST bottles for colic!

So, just in case his son has some colicy tendencies (I figured it is better to be safe than sorry), I grabbed a set of bottles, a great Dr. Brown’s bottle brush (yes, this is absolutely needed!) and a Dr. Brown’s Dishwasher Basket to hold all the pieces that Dr. Brown’s bottles come with. The pieces are worth it by the way!!

It didn’t hurt that they were on sale because I’m a bargain shopper!

Dr Browns

The JJ Cole Collections Pacifier Pod also made it in the cart because as any mom knows, those seconds trying to find a clean pacifier with a hysterical baby are crucial. Hang one of these stylish pods on the outside of your diaper bag with a paci in it and you’ll always know where one is. See, why it is makes my must-have list?!?

JJ Cole Pacifier Pods

My brother and his wife are disposable diaper parents like I was. Since new parents end up changing a newborn like 9 times a day, I knew I had to grab a pack of Pampers. New parents can never have too many diapers! Believe me, they will appreciate it!

Plus from October 4th thru 24th Babies”R”Us customers will receive a free $10 Babies “R” Us Gift Card with an in-store purchase of any two Pampers value boxes . That is a deal you will want to jump on!

My only advice is that if you are giving a new mom diapers, make sure to mix up the sizes. I grabbed size 1 because I knew that the baby wasn’t wearing the newborn size and they didn’t have a huge stockpile yet.

Pampers

Layette was next on my list. Until the umbilical cord falls off, I swear by the long sleeve side snap shirts. I grabbed a 3-pack of those and a pack of basic short sleeve bodysuits that are great for layering in cool weather.  Long sleeve sleepers made the cut too because while you think you may be dressing your little one in adorable outfits every single day, the reality is that they will live in cotton sleepers most of the time.

No scratch mittens and socks were added too! The mittens not only keep the baby from scratching himself but they keep random strangers from grabbing his hand and passing a junk load of germs to him. I didn’t want my brother to deal with the first cold milestone too early. Since most newborns don’t wear shoes, they will need plenty of socks especially going into winter.

Layette

 

A newborn essentials shopping trip wouldn’t be compete without a Sleepsak wearable blanket (it’s a great reminder to brand new parents that NO loose blankets in the crib) and a SwaddleMe. Since my brother is a nervous, new dad, I thought the SwaddleMe would take away some of the pressure of getting the swaddle done just right for the baby.

Swaddle Me

Babies “R” Us has a large section of baby toys but since I was shopping for newborn essentials I grabbed a cute Skip Hop Stroller Toy and headed to the book aisle.  The store has all the best baby books and I always encourage new parents to read to their babies as much as possible. I grabbed one of my favorite books Guess How Much I Love You.

To round out my shopping trip, I scored an adorable Skip Hop diaper bag that was on super sale and headed to the check out.

With my savvy shopping, I was able to get all this for just over $200. Not bad, right?!?

 

Baby Gear

Just in case you are curious, here is the lucky, little guy that this shopping trip was for!

baby

Don’t forget that October 4th thru 24th Babies”R”Us customers will receive a free $10 Babies “R” Us Gift Card with an in-store purchase of any two Pampers value boxes!

Since Babies “R” Us doesn’t want my new nephew to be the only lucky baby, they are giving one lucky winner a $200 BRU gift card AND a Pampers Baby Fresh Wipes tub (64 count).

Newborn Giveaway

Baby Gizmo Giveaway

CONGRATS to our WINNER –

Entry #467 – Becky S.

HOW TO ENTER: Rafflecopter is back for this one!

A blog comment is the only mandatory entry! Baby Gizmo friends don’t just stick with “mandatory” though, right? We are overachievers! So, there are additional (optional) entries you can get.  But let us warn you – make sure you actually do the entries! If you click on “leave a blog comment” on the Rafflecopter widget – make sure you actually leave a blog comment. We check! If you don’t do the actual entry – it doesn’t count! You won’t win. We’ll both be sad.

* Giveaway STARTS now and ends at 11:59pm EST on Friday, October 18, 2013. (US residents only on this one, folks!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Since this was a sponsored post, I was given a $200 Babies “R” Us gift card for my shopping trip and compensated for my time of sharing my must-have newborn essentials with you. As always, all thoughts, opinions and statements are my own.

 

 

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579 COMMENTS

  11. How sweet is your nephew? You did a great job shopping for all the essentials for him!

    My newborn essentials are Pampers Swaddler Diapers and swaddle blankets! I’m expecting my first baby (girl!) next month! Thanks for the opportunity.

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

  17. I’ve only been a mom fir about a week but so far my two essentials are the Halo Sleep Sack and a good breast pump!

  18. Great post although I would have also gotten her some Medela Lanolin Cream for her nipples. No one warns you how dry cracked and sore your nipples get nursing and this stuff used regularly sure helps!

  19. We are expecting our first, so yet to know the full details. With the list I have so far, the baby monitor and blankets seems to be important to me (other than the basic essentials).

  20. I just had my 4th boy in August and always have swaddling blankets and little hats to keep their heads warm for those first few weeks. Thanks for the chance to win!

  23. A swing is a MUST HAVE for me. They were such lifesavers with my first 2 boys. Also a variety of pacifiers- It always takes several different kinds for use to find the right ones for some reason.

  25. Also for her mom since she is still in Nicu. Swaddler wrap and the moby wrap! (It helps to click on the entry before you post – lol!)

  35. boppy and diapers 🙂 also needed aquaphor and butt paste since we def didnt want any diaper rashes! and of course we needed cloth diapers/burp cloths

  38. New mom essential for breastfeeding mom – Lanolin cream for nipples. And it makes a nice gift since it can be expensive. Also the aden + anais swaddling blankets – a great gift! We used them to swaddle and has a nursing cover. They are also great lightweight stroller blankets and to block out light and bugs they are great draped over the stroller hood.

  41. As an expecting FTM, I’m not yet sure what my “essentials” will be. Other than a way to bathe her and a place for her to sleep? I’m guessing it’ll be the Boppy and plenty of warm layettes.

  43. I think two of my essentials were nipple cream and swaddle blankets, there are many essentials it those were two of my favs.

  55. Love this list of baby essentials!!! My best friend is having her first baby and I would love to start her off with this amazing prize!!!

  57. As far as essentials – diapers and wipes are obviously very necessary! Next on my list would be swaddle blankets and a baby-wearing wrap!

  70. An absolute baby essential for me is a diaper bag! I’m an on-the-go person, so i’ll need to have all my other “essentials” in a ready-to-go bag by March!

  78. I highly recommend a great water bottle for a new nursing mom – the camelbak water bottle is no spill and has an easy hook to carry with one finger when you’r carrying a baby, a boppy and more. And if you’re like us a stash of cloth diapers to use as burp cloths is invaluable if you have an avid spit-upper!

  85. As a soon to be FTM, I’m not sure exactly what my essentials would be, but I do know for sure that diapers and wipes will be essential!

  89. This whole forum was very helpful! Sometimes you don’t think of the random small things that will make everything much easier!

  93. New born essentials:
    Boppy
    For summer babies – clip on/stroller fan (our DD got prickly heat so easily that this was something we didn’t leave the house without!)

  94. My two newborn essentials were swaddle blankets and kimono style onesies! The kimono style makes it so easy to change your little one and the swaddle blankets help them sleep so soundly.

  99. We are expecting our first grandchild in January so not only does my daughter need EVERYTHING, we need stuff for grandma and grandpa’s house! Need a pack and play!

  109. I loved this review! I just had baby #2 two months ago and with my oldest being 5 I am starting all over. I was young when I had my daughter and didn’t get much choice in baby products. I was happy for anything I could get and money played a huge factor. Now things are a little better but there are so many new products , where do I start! I just started working again and have been taking as much overtime as I can. Two kids are more expensive than one for obvious reasons and a gift card for Babies R Us would rock!

  124. I’m just now expecting our irst baby in December, but I know I won’t be able to function without diapers and a car seat!

    Thanks!

  136. As a soon to be first time mom, i’m going to have to go with diapers and wipes! LOL. I’ll be creating my must have list as we go! 🙂

  138. Avent disposable nursing pads are the most comfortable there are. I love them. Those, and diapers and wipes from the Honest Company are my top two newborn essentials.

  152. I hope I really get this one I need to go shop for some baby clothes since my due date is coming up and I don’t know if its a boy or girl. so exited !!!!!

  154. I’m due in February and this gift card would be so nice to help stock up on the essentials. We registered for lots of the items on your list!

  172. We wouldn’t make it without Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets and the Boppy Noggin Nest head supports. Anytime I laid baby down in my sight, she was swaddled and rested on a noggin nest to protect her sweet head.

  173. I would love to win them so that I can give to my friends at Crisis Pregnancy Center. They are always running out of diapers, and baby wipes more than anything else.

  175. Thanks for all the wonderful newborn must have tips! A lot of these are on my recommendation list as well! My number one pick is definitely the boppy pillow.

  181. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets are a must, as well as a My Brestfriend Pillow for breastfeeding moms, especially if they are plus sized!

  184. Looks like a fun shopping trip! I am due in 2 weeks with baby #2 and yet there are still items that we could use! I would love a new ergo baby carrier! My newborn essentials would have to be a boppy pillow and diapers!

  205. Expecting my first baby (a boy!) in January and am always keeping a look out for great blogs on newborn essentials! Don’t really have many friends with babies locally so it’s hard to know what it needed and not needed for this new adventure in my life 🙂

  206. You for sure should grab some gripe water for when baby has gas and some vasaline to help get off that really sticky newborn poop that’s like tar.

  207. My 2 newborn essentials are a hoppy nursing pillow! Love these pillows! and a nursing pads. I think of so many more, but I really needed these two items as soon as I got home from the hospital.

  208. I’ll be looking into buying a breast pump, for sure, when my little muchkin comes in December!!! $200 would be appreciated for that.

  214. Besides diapers, my newborn must haves are a Boppy Nursing pillow (I have both the old, which I got when I was pregnant with my now 5 year old and the new, which I got while pregnant with my 3 month old. I LOVE the new one, it holds it’s form so much better when washed) and sleepers!

  218. We love our boppy! Hands down the most used gift we received. I couldn’t survive this newborn without it. We also love our womb sounds bear. It helps her fall asleep on her own.

  219. I always buy gowns for newborns because they like to stay tucked up for awhile. I also buy side snap shirts because of their umbilical cords.

  242. I really like all of this. I did the same for one of my girlfriend, but it was more new mommy stuff, paper bowls and plastic spoons, oatmeal, a cool water bottle. Things that help produce breast milk and make the first few weeks easier. 🙂 she loved it.

  248. I have 8 week old twin boys and the two things i believe are my most important essentials are: Plenty of zippered jumpers,(the zippers are so much easier then the buttons) especially during the night. My other essential would be a wipe warmer which is also really nice during the early morning feedings.

  278. My two essentials were a wipe warmer with a light on it. I know people say this is unnecessary but a warm wipe in the middle of the night goes a long way. Plus the light was great for changing and not wanting to turn the room light on. My second is a portable white noise maker, like the Cloud B Sleep Sheep. This is genius and my 3 year old STILL uses hers.

  279. Definitely my Beco Gemini– wish I had it when I had my first one 5 years ago! It’s been a lifesaver with the second one! Also the halo swaddle sacks and the My Brest Friend pillow– I liked it better than the Boppy, especially since my boppy started sagging in the middle after several washes.

  280. Two newborn essentials for us as new parents the first time was first, having pampers swaddlers with the wet indicator strip! Then we could know when to change:) of course! And for me as a new mom my nursing tanks and disposable Nuks breast pads were a must!! Life saver.

  281. Don’t know what my essentials are yet….preparing for my first….I’m told to get it all 🙂 those pacifier pods look kinda genius though!

  283. I love babies r us!!!! Never knew about the pacifier holders, gonna get me one for my next baby! Love everything on the list 🙂

    Tycee

  284. Due in 3 weeks and just went to babies r us and did my registry completion. Actually got quite a few of the necessary items you got! Yay for me!

  287. My newborn essentials are the little gowns (or sleepers that make into gowns)… so much easier to get to their little diapers, and a good breast pump to help with milk supply (something I dealt with).

  293. Two of my newborn essentials are a Great nursing pillow and nursing bras. I found with my 1st two and the early weeks are mostly spent nursing 🙂 Diapers and wipes are great too!! $200 would be wonderful towards a double stroller! Yikes they are up there in cost!

  300. Two newborn necessities that I used with my first are the soft seat strap covers which helped keep my little ones head safely up when she fell asleep also car seat and stroller travel systems are wonderful!

  305. I would love to win this!! My daughter is having triplets (all girls!) and we need all the help we can get!! I’ve already been buying stuff but there are so many wonderful things at BRU that would be awesome to have!

  307. I ended up with everything on your list, but it took me a while and some research on the Babygizmo.com site to figure it all out! What a lucky little guy, Congrats Auntie!

  319. My first born LOVED being swaddled and my husband and I couldn’t do it tight enough with a blanket – Summer Infant’s SwaddleMe was a LIFESAVER. Our other “must-have” was a yoga/exercise ball to bounce and rock the baby with (while strengthening your core muscles).

  323. A must have in our house was a. A change of clothes for momma and baby and b. baby diaper cloths for spit ups and cleanups
    We love all of baby gizmos videos a must before buying any stroller when we first started out!

  327. What an amazing giveaway, the swing and bouncer are a must, and of course couldn’t make it through anyday without diapers.

  329. Whatever was left from the swing would buy diapers or formula; I have most everything else already, and a lot of stuff still from my older daughter 😉

  331. That would get the new swing for my 3 month old to replace the hand-me down from her big sister that finally gave up the ghost.

  339. I think the greatest essential has been Gerber Cloth Diapers. We use disposable for actual Diapering, but Gerber basic Cloth Diapers are what I use for burp cloths, cleaning up spit up, wiping down bottles out of the warmer, etc. They are just amazing for baby type messes 🙂

  346. I love those baby gowns with the elastic opening on the bottom for easy late night diaper changes and Aden + Anais swaddle blankets are a must!!

  347. I’m pregnant again and my children will be 4 years apart! The top of my list is a baby carrier so me the little one can keep up with the big brother, and a giant diaper bag to carry all the stuff we will need …..

  352. My two newborn essentials are my Aden and Anais blankets and a boppy pillow. Even if not nursing, pillow is fabulous for sleeping a babies on your lap!!

  364. I would love to win this, our little man’s due date is fast approaching and with all the complications we have had money is very tight and we can’t afford to get him everything we had wanted and are barely scraping by picking up the essentials, due to me being out of work and on bed rest in and out of the hospital with preterm labor from 30 weeks on. This would give me and my husband a moment to breathe knowing we could get out Cameron the things he needs and deserves.

  375. Thinking of my lil guy in my tummy kicking me all day makes me think Swaddles are gonna be essential to keep him tucked in while sleeping and also a baby monitor since now I will have my new lil guy and my 3 yr to look after!

  379. The nap nanny was definately a newborn essential for me…the company closed but some babies r us and boutiques still have them. Recommened to any new parent!! The boppy was also a must have!

  382. Two Newborn essentials for us: Swaddle blankets (LOVE the miracle blanklet and the A + A muslin blankets!) and the boppy pillow for nursing. Would love to win for my newborn daughter; she is almost three weeks old! 🙂

  384. This would be wonderful help for a family on a budget and just found out hubby might not have drill because of govt budget cuts…..

  390. Boppy was definitely #1 for us, as were Aden + Anais muslin swaddles! They did about every job you can think of, baby-wise! 😉

  391. OMG, I would absolutely love this stuff for my little guy. he is growing just way too quick, and anything from Babies R Us would be awesome. He was born 3 1/2 weeks early via emergency c-section, but now he is a healthy, happy baby!

  392. Swaddle blankets (love Halo and Aden and Anais), my brest friend pillow, rock n play and the Beco Gemini baby carrier were my essentials.

  394. My newborn will love it!^^ thank you for sharing your experience. I would love everything especially pacifier pod and stroller toy. ♥♡★☆♡♥

  398. I am currently 3 months pregnant. My husband and I would love the extra help due to us having to come out of pocket for everything. I know we can never get enough of diapers, onesies and wipes! This is so great! ANY type of help with my husband and I’s little one on the way would be great!!!!!

  401. The nap nanny was definately a newborn essential for me…the company closed but some babies r us and boutiques still have them. Recommened to any new parent!!

  403. I’m due with #2 in a few weeks – and my absolute essentials are baby wipes by the case and loads of hand soap and sanitizer to keep those germs from well wishing visitors off of baby!

  406. Some of my newborn baby essentials are bibs, diapers, wipes and burp cloths! Also, bodysuits (onesies) are a HUGE must have. Yes we have so many cute clothes for our daughter but she goes through 1-2 onesies every day! I also wouldn’t be able to live without my medela pump, bottles and nursing pads. And my nursing cover. We also use a ton of receiving blankets and swaddlers. Especially the really warm swaddlers since it’s getting cooler out and we don’t use blankets in the crib. Oh and pacifiers! Those soothies bounce and roll when they fall and sometimes disappear forever. My diaper bag is always full when we go out with our 2 daughters with all of these essentials, and more!

  414. A friend of mine is gearing up to have their first this would be a huge help with them being part of the government shutdown. fingers crossed!

  416. I’m 23 weeks along and am just starting to collect everything I need for my coming baby boy!! I love this website and I’d be so happy to win this giveaway and put the expertise on this website into action!!

  426. I’m expecting triplets in April and I’m getting laid off this month. This would be a huge blessing to us!!! Thanks for the opportunity! Good luck mamas!

  434. I have every single item on your must have list with most of them being exactly the same or at least the same brand. I guess great minds think alike!

  436. I love your suggestions! Dr. Brown bottles were a must have for my baby also the SwaddleMe was a life saver.We also couldn’t live without the avent soothie pacifier!

  452. My two newborn necessitates are the Fisher Price Newborn Rock N Play Sleeper and the Boppy Nursing Pillow! We wouldn’t have made it through my babies reflux/allergy problems without them!!

  468. My son loved his swaddle blankets or he would scream bloody murder. I also could not do without the great thermometers that are out now.

  470. I’m expecting another niece or nephew in February (number 14!), and would use this to gift my in-laws with lots of essentials, especially swaddle blankets and diapers.

  519. This would be AWESOME to win! Taking our little guy on his first flight soon and could definitely use some gear!!! Fingers crossed.

  526. Other than the basics, for our new daughter, we made sure to buy a quilt (so she would have a favorite blankie) and mittens because I can’t bear to see the little scratches new babies give themselves.

  532. My 2 biggest essentials help keep baby feeling snuggly and tight: baby carrier (still use for my 18mo and 3yo) and swaddle blankets.

  548. My two newborn essentials are Halo sleep sacks and my Boppy pillow. I didn’t fully appreciate my Boppy pillow until baby number two, and I’m loving it again with my third baby who is now a month old.

  552. My NB must haves are Aden and Anais Swaddle blankets and a rock n play. I just found out Wednesday that I’m having a boy after 2 girls! Would love to win this!

  557. Two key newborn essentials for us were a baby carrier (our peanut refused to be put down…ever) and baby gowns. The gowns made middle of the night changes so much easier!

  562. Two essentials would be lots of burp cloths and swaddle blankets. Also a moby or baby k’tan for those babies who hate to be put down

  565. We have a 5 week old and are trying to find a bottle that will work for him. Would love to win the gc so I can purchase the Dr. Brown bottles!! And the wipes are the best! love those!

  567. Sorry! Forgot to list my essentials. It’s kind of late in here.
    Anyways!
    My first one got to be the swaddle me blankets.
    The second one, the boppy pillow.

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