7 Overlooked Baby Essentials for First-Time Parents

Congratulations, first-time moms and dads! Welcome to parenthood! By now, you may have researched and created a long list of must-buy essentials, and you’ve likely purchased all the big items like strollers and car seats. However, have you ever wondered if there are any necessities you might have overlooked? Or perhaps items that you debated for their necessity and importance? When I had my first child, I, too, neglected a couple of essentials because I considered them excess and unnecessary. While some were never needed for caring for my newborns, here are the 7 items I overlooked and should’ve bought as a first-time parent.

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1. Buy Extra Baby Cloths or Onesies

For my first child, I planned two outfits a day for the first month, underestimating the rapid growth and messy realities of babyhood. Babies change diapers 8-10 times a day, with potential blowouts and accidents. Two outfits were not enough, and I learned my lesson. For my second child, I wisely bought two more packs of onesies—still a choice I stand by today.

2. HALO Cotton Sleepsack

We received quite a few Muslin swaddle blankets because they were very popular, but they were not easy to use. Halo Swaddle, on the other hand, was a game-changer! Easy to use and eliminates the need to fold and tuck. Just zip it up and secure both sides with velcro—done in seconds! This is a huge plus, especially for my husband. It can also be used as an extra blanket! We love it so much that we got additional ones for my second child. Can’t praise it enough

3. Electric Double Breast Pump & Extra Sets of Accessories

One of the most overlooked essentials I missed was a well-equipped breast pumping setup. With my first child, relying on a borrowed Medela electric pump, I underestimated the demands. Initially, I thought one new set of breast shields with six milk bottles would suffice. However, each pump took almost 40 minutes, and nightly cleaning became a nightmare. Frustrated, I quickly purchased another set. If you’re pumping at work, consider adding one more pair, as 40 minutes (or 80 minutes for two pumping sessions) is invaluable. In those early days with a baby less than a month old, where sleep is a luxury, having that spare 20+ minutes will bring peace of mind.

4. Ingenuity Multi-Directional Swinger with Music

This wasn’t on our baby registry, and considering the cost and lifespan, I initially deemed it an impractical investment. However, a few close friends who already had babies lent us their swings, and let me say, this is a lifesaver! While the swing works like a miracle, safety guidelines prevent leaving the baby there for hours or overnight. We limited it to 30 minutes and watched our angel smile at the toys above while enjoying the absolute quietness. Don’t underestimate this short period; it brings peace of mind and serves as a quick recharge for parents.

5. Disposable Plastic Plates & Forks

Imagine you’ve finished pumping, the baby is finally asleep, and you went to the kitchen to get a snack, only to be confronted with piles of dirty dishes waiting to be washed. You are exhausted, and your husband is already snoring on the couch after an 8-hour workday and helping with the baby. The thought of washing the dishes, even putting them into the dishwasher, is a daunting task. For the first month, there will be many nights like this, and you’ll wish these unexpected tasks didn’t exist. Prepare some plastic wares, including plates and forks, to ease your anxiety and spend more time with the baby and yourself. For first-time parents already juggling a handful of endless tasks, dirty dishes shouldn’t be one of them.

6. Earth Mama Organic Lanolin-free Butter Breastfeeding Cream

According to the National Institute of Health, about 80% to 90% of breastfeeding women experience nipple pain and fissures. I was among this high percentage of women who encountered cracked nipples due to incorrect breastfeeding, and the pain was extremely discomforting. While I was prepared for the possibility of clogged milk ducts, I didn’t realize how challenging cracked nipples could be.

To my rescue, my maternity photographer gave me a goodie bag that included a sample of Earth Mama Breastfeeding Cream. If you plan to breastfeed, regardless of the duration, consider purchasing a nipple cream in advance because you never know when you’ll need it. While Earth Mama is the only brand I’ve tried, Motherlove Nipple Cream and Tiny Human also offer lanolin-free options.

7. Burp Cloths & Drool Bandana

A burp cloth wasn’t initially considered essential; I thought I could manage with bath towels. However, I soon realized the inconvenience as the towels were too heavy and large. Washing them after every feeding became a necessity to avoid the smell of milk spit lingering around the room. I became so attached to burp cloths that I consistently had one over my shoulder for the first three months. It’s advisable to stock up on a couple because you’ll need to change them frequently after a feeding or two; milk spit and drool tend to cause odors. The same goes for drool bandanas; you may not need them much in the first month, but starting from the second month, they’ll be drooling like an dripping faucet that you will need to change out the bandanas couple times a day.