Newborn Essentials for your Baby Registry// Newborn Sleep Essentials

Todays video goes over all of the products I thought were must haves for us during the newborn stage, each of these items just help make our lives easier and more enjoyable as first time new parents. I go into much more detail in the video about how we use each product and why we love it but wanted to compile a list here with links for easy access.

The first category of items are all sleep related. This is because I feel like sleep, or lack of can make all the difference in the newborn experience. When your baby is getting better sleep, they are happier and so is the whole family. For this reason my number one must have is the TakingCaraBabies newborn sleep class. Then many of these other sleep products are things we learned about and implemented from taking the class.

• TakingCaraBabies Newborn Class: This class is developed specifically for newborns, it is not sleep training it simply teaches you how to help your baby lay a sleep foundation, sooth your baby, how to help them put themselves to sleep and the products/ help to make it easier and more comfortable for them to sleep. I can not recommend this enough to everyone out there who is a new parent, it has helped us SO SO much. A lot of what she teaches is not rocket science stuff, but it is things I don't think I ever would have come up with on my own. At 10 weeks we are already so thankful for how well our baby is sleeping thanks to the class. 
• Check out the class here: https://takingcarababies.com/newborns/ 
• SwaddleMe Swaddle: Caras class teaches you how to use a swaddle to help tame the startle reflex which often wakes the baby up. We personally like these particular swaddles because they are velcro and more importantly affordable because in the early newborn days we learned we needed quite a few backups so a more expensive swaddle would not have made sense
• Get the swaddles HERE
• Sound Machine: Another tip from Caras class (this is one I likely wouldn't have figured out on my own) is to use a white noise sound machine. For newborns it is startling to sleep in silence because they are used to the loud noises in the womb, white noise is a similar sound and soothes them, plus it helps drown out the noise around them in the house. 
• We have this one for nighttime use: HERE
• As well as this portable one for the carseat and anywhere else: HERE
• SnuggleMeOrganic: HERE
• Wubanub pacifiers: Get them HERE

• Inverted Zip Sleepers: This is mostly just a clothing category for me. If we are at home, he is pretty much always wearing these sleepers. They have hand mits and footies to keep his hands and feet warm but most importantly the zip up from the bottom rather than the top which allows for super easy diaper changes that are very frequent. Not having to deal with snaps or taking off all his clothing entirely to change his diaper is key and why we love these so much that I have purchased all the prints target has to offer. 
• Get them HERE 

• Boppy Newborn Lounger: This was not on our registry but given to us by a fellow parent who said it was a must have and we are so thankful. We use this every single day all over the house. This is such an essential because you need somewhere for the baby to sit and this is built for newborns who can't sit up. This is so helpful to have the baby in front of you while you do things. 
• Get it HERE

The next thing that I think is a must have for all new parents is some sort of baby carrier, we actually got two different kinds and we use them in different ways and they have been amazing and total lifesavers. 

• Baby Bjourn: We have the original version of this and have used it since the day we came home from the hospital for walks. This one is so simple to use since you just clip it all in and go.
• Get it HERE
• Baby Ktan: This one works and looks like a wrap but without the hassle of actually having to wrap which is why I love it. This one I use around the house and when we visit other peoples houses. When we are at home and Carter is having a day where he is really fussy or only wants to be held I use this because he absolutely loves it, it soothes him very quickly and he will usually fall asleep within minutes. This allows him to be happy and snuggled and me to be hands free to do a few things while holding him. I also use it when we have been at our families houses so he doesn't get over stimulated or for him to nap as well. This one I would say is the absolute must have for the early days. 
• Get it HERE

The last category is swing-like items. We again have two different kinds that have different purposes. 

• Graco Simple Swing: this one is the more traditional swing that sways back and forth. He has loved this from day one, it entertains him and soothes him so he loves to sit in it daily. 
• Get it HERE
• Rock N Play: He was not a fan of this at first but warmed up to it and now takes at least one nap a day in here. I love it because it is an easier nap time then his bassinet and the rocking motion will typically get me his longest nap of the day.
• Get it HERE