Before I gave birth to my firstborn son, I would search endlessly for “must-have baby items” and end up with pages and pages of products on my phone screen. I sent millions of text messages to my mom, asking her what she thought of a specific item and creating polls on Instagram to gather as much information as I possibly could. Needless to say, not only would this overwhelm me, but it would confuse me.
There are so many baby products on the market! But this really helped me learn that, sometimes, less IS more and maybe I should shift my focus to essentials that will simplify my day.
This list focuses on those newborn essentials that will carry you through those early weeks and help to make your time a bit more manageable. From quick diaper changes to feeding sessions, moms deserve to have as much support as possible. Yes, these products are geared towards baby comfort, but the intention is to also support you as a parent.
1. A Tried & True Baby Carrier
I cannot begin to tell you the convenience of a baby carrier and how it helped carry me through postpartum. I was able to have my son close to me while having free hands, and it changed the game for me. Having a reliable and comfy baby carrier helped me move around. I was able to get a walk in, and when I had the energy, I was able to do tiny tasks around the house. There wasn’t pressure on needing to put my little one down, and he could take a nap while I roamed freely.
Wrap carriers were my favorite since they’re super stretchy, but I also enjoyed the security of structured, buckled-based carriers. ABQ Mom best advice? Look at reviews that have pictures and videos, and don’t be afraid to look up brands on YouTube or Instagram to see how parents use them. Our sister site, Boise Mom, has some great tips on babywearing.
2. A Sound Machine
Look, I get it—you can technically play white noise on your phone or maybe the TV. But what if you’d like to watch a show while you’re nap trapped? Or maybe while your sweet baby is napping, you’d like to use this time to finally catch up on unanswered messages. There is absolutely NO shame in wanting to have your phone while your little one sleeps. Having a sound machine has been one of the absolute best things to have for our newborn. I could leave the room, while he was safely sleeping, to finally eat lunch!
There are so many sound machines out on the market right now; trust me when I say you don’t need anything fancy at the higher price point unless you truly want it. ABQ Mom advice? Make sure the sound machine has a “white noise,” “pink noise,” or “rain sound” option. To this day, my son still loves to nap using white noise. And it’s a nice background noise for when you’d like to get some rest, too.
3. Diaper Changing Stations
Ok, hear me out: is it cute to have a diaper changing table? Yes. Necessary? Eh, not quite. Whether you’re looking to make use of your space or you simply can’t see yourself walking each time to a changing table (because you are healing and need rest!), practicality is key. So, why not create diaper changing stations across your home? The best part? YOU can decide where these stations are set up, and they’re abundant, so you’re not tied to one specific spot to change your baby.
Having little stations with small baskets I already had made it easier for me to change baby when needed without overexerting myself. It was flexible and gave me less pressure mentally to make a decision on where my baby and I were stationing ourselves. In these stations, I would have diapers, creams, wipes, and even some extra clothes in case a blow-out happens. I also found that it helped during days when sleep was a STRUGGLE. No running back and forth equaled more rest time.
4. Feeding Stations
Baskets were my holy grail, especially for supporting my breastfeeding journey. I pumped as well as nursed my baby, which meant I needed all of the things. These feeding stations included baskets that had burp cloths, nursing pads, breast pumps, and even things to keep me nourished like snacks, water, drinks with coconut to support my milk supply, and even sweet cards with inspirational messages on them to lift my spirits up.
5. Bedside Bassinet
Ok, did I say baskets were my absolute must-have 
with a newborn? Yes, they were, but I saved the absolute best for last. I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten by without having a bedside bassinet. With me recovering from an emergency C-section, I did my best not to put any strain on my abdomen. Having a bedside bassinet made feeding at night SO much easier. I was also able to soothe my baby boy without having to get up out of bed. I didn’t have to worry about walking far across my home. And I felt a huge sense of security, peace, and safety that he was close enough to me in case he needed me.
I know this list doesn’t contain the traditional items you would see on newborn essential lists. I didn’t include bottles, types of pajamas, or even a specific diaper bag. What remained close to my heart was remembering those fragile moments of postpartum and how specific and meaningful items made a huge difference in my day-to-day routine.
It really isn’t about having everything; having reliable items that support YOU as a new parent is what matters most. You deserve to bond with your new baby. And you deserve to adjust to this fragile, unforgettable, yet beautiful experience. Just as much as your baby deserves extra support this time, so do YOU.
Originally published January 2021. Updated March 2026.
