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part one of The Early Days Essentials
You see those two lines on a pregnancy test, and suddenly the list of things you “need” before your baby arrives starts to grow.
When I found out I was pregnant, I did what most of us do. I turned to social media. I watched endless videos of moms sharing their newborn must-haves, their registry essentials, and the things they couldn’t live without. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
Eager to feel prepared, I started adding items to my registry left and right. I tried to weed through what felt unnecessary, but even then, I still fell for many of the so-called “necessities” I saw online. Fast forward to today, and I’m left with a closet full of things collecting dust.
Surprise, surprise, babies don’t actually need much at first.
In those early months, most babies do just a few simple things. They eat, sleep, and poop. Their short wake windows are usually filled with feeding, diaper changes, and a little tummy time. And trust me when I say, you don’t need all the gadgets they make it seem like you do.
This post is part one of The Early Days Essentials, a series focused on the things you truly need in the first weeks with your newborn. My goal is to keep this season feeling simple, realistic, and supportive. Preparing for baby does not have to be overwhelming, and sometimes less really is more.
Learn from my mistakes. Start with the basics. If you decide during a 3 a.m. feeding that you really do need the wipe warmer, you can always order it then.
what matters most in the early days
Once you let go of the pressure to have everything they say you “need,” preparing for baby becomes much simpler. What matters most is not having every product on hand, but creating a calm, supportive environment that meets your basic needs during those first weeks at home.
From feeding and sleep to simple routines that support recovery and rest, focusing on what truly matters makes the transition into motherhood feel far less overwhelming.
necessary baby gear
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car seat
Let’s cover the obvious. You need a car seat. You cannot leave the hospital without one.
After doing my research, I chose the Nuna Pipa Aire. It is lightweight, which was a blessing with my 10-pound newborn, and it checked one of my top priorities: it is GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
GREENGUARD Gold means a product has been independently tested and shown to emit very low levels of chemicals, making it safer for indoor air quality, especially for little ones. Anything my baby would be spending a significant amount of time in, such as a crib, car seat, or bouncer, I wanted to be made with the cleanest materials possible.
crib
Next, you need a safe place for your baby to sleep. Just like with a car seat, I recommend choosing a crib made with non-toxic materials, with the added bonus of GREENGUARD Gold certification.
I decided on the Nestig Wave Crib. While it is on the pricier side, it is a 3-in-1 design that grows with your child. It transitions from a bassinet to a standard crib and eventually into a toddler bed. For me, it made sense to invest in pieces that could be used long-term and potentially reused for future children.
stroller
The third must-have is a stroller, and for me this one was the hardest to choose. There are so many options available, each designed with different needs in mind. Some strollers grow with your family, others are built for jogging or hiking, and some are lightweight and better suited for travel. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your lifestyle.
Because I plan to have more than one child close in age, choosing a stroller that could grow with my family felt like a no-brainer. I went with the Cybex Gazelle S for its flexible configurations for two children. It was important to me that the bassinet could be placed on top and closest to me when used for two little ones and that the toddler seat faces outward without taking up valuable storage space, which can be an issue with some double strollers. With over 20+ configurations, I was sold.
baby carrier
Baby wearing has truly been a lifesaver during the newborn stage. My girl wanted to be snuggled up on her mama 24/7. And while I absolutely love the snuggles and try to soak up this season, doing everything one-handed just was not sustainable. I needed to be hands-free to get things done around the house.
I wanted a good-quality carrier that could be used for future babies. Just like everything else, there were a lot of options to choose from, with prices ranging anywhere from about $30 to $400. I am willing to invest where it matters most, but if I can find good quality for less, I am always going to do that.
My top two structured carriers were the Mabe and the Wildbird. Ultimately, I chose the WildBird, but only because I preferred the color options. Both carriers are great choices. I also purchased a Solly Wrap, an unstructured carrier that was perfect for the newborn stage.
The Solly Wrap does take a bit of practice to learn, so if you are often on the go while baby wearing, I would recommend a structured carrier as well. For at-home use, though, the Solly Wrap was a perfect option.
a gentle reminder
Preparing for baby does not have to mean filling your home with things you may never use. In the early days, what matters most is having a few reliable essentials, a safe and comfortable space, and the flexibility to figure things out as you go.
Give yourself permission to start simple. You can always add more later, once you know what actually works for you and your baby. These first weeks are about rest, connection, and adjusting to life together, not having every item on a checklist.
This is just the beginning of The Early Days Essentials. As you move into this season, trust yourself, take it one day at a time, and remember that you are already doing enough.
If this was helpful, you can save it for later by clicking on any image below and pinning it to Pinterest!
Coming soon in Part Two of The Early Days Essentials: feeding essentials, including breastfeeding and pumping basics for the early days with your newborn.
Thanks for stopping by The Clean Crib Collective.
If you’re navigating pregnancy or early motherhood, you’re in the right place. Check back soon for new posts covering pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum support, and simple ways to create a clean, calm home for your growing family.