Congratulations! You’re expecting a little one! Planning for your baby’s arrival is such an exciting and busy time in your life, and while I specialize in helping you cherish this time through in-home newborn photography, it’s also important to me to serve you beyond what I do with a camera in my hands. As a mama of two children myself, I want to serve you and prepare you for your baby’s debut! That’s why I’ve collected this time-tested, mama-approved list of newborn essentials and baby gear must-haves to help you shop with confidence before your baby is born.

Let’s dive in and chat all about newborn essentials you’ll love having on hand in those early days and months!

Newborn Essentials: For Sleep

• So many mamas I know swear by this baby monitor! It’s important to choose a video monitor that isn’t reliant on wifi, especially here in Texas, where an ill-timed storm can knock out power at any moment!
  
• This soft silicone night light is easy to use and has a dimming feature so as not to disturb the baby with more light than is needed.
  
• A good sound machine can help comfort your baby and encourage sleep, and this one’s a favorite amongst my mama friends and clients!
  
• These swaddles are the BEST. The velcro helps you to wrap the baby tightly – no arms are escaping these!
  
• These swaddle blankets are soft and large, and they’re breathable to help baby rest comfortably. Bonus: they come in great neutral colors, which make them a great choice to use in your newborn photos!

Baby Must-haves: For Feeding

• A bottle warmer is a must-have for bottle feeds! This one’s a crowd favorite.
  
• This bottle sanitizer has fantastic reviews and comes recommended by some of my trusted new mama friends.
  
• These pacifiers can help to soothe your baby and are also aesthetically pleasing enough to use in your newborn photography session!
  
• This milk collector is a game-changer for breastfeeding mamas. Use it to capture milk from one breast when you’re feeding or pumping from the other!
  
• The Elvie breast pump is one of the most popular pumps on the market right now because of how easy it is to pump on the go!

The Essentials: For Bath Time

• Instead of opting for a hard plastic bathtub for baby, why not try a softer one with a removable, washable cover? This one looks cozy for the baby and easy for Mama!
  
• There are SO many more options on the market for baby soap than there were when my babies were little! This brand has pure ingredients to care for baby’s skin.

You need these: For Carrying

• The Doona car seat and stroller isn’t a traditional travel system; it’s much more sleek with its all-in-one design! Check it out here.
  
• This wrap combines the soft feel of a Moby wrap with the structure of an Ergo, making it a top pick for mamas!

I remember well how overwhelmed I felt when shopping for baby gear, and I hope this list simplifies the search for you! The newborn days are fleeting, but many of these items will last you throughout your baby’s first year and beyond.

As always, if you’re in the Fort Worth, Dallas, or Aledo area and are expecting a baby, let’s chat! I’d love to provide an easy and seamless process for you while creating beautiful images of you and your newborn.