I've only been through this whole newborn thing once now so I am by no means an expert on the topic but I am now a seasoned veteran on the topic. I keep seeing post about peoples top picks for newborn items so heres my essentials list.
A Swing. This is the one I had the Bright Starts InGenuity Cradle & Sway swing. This thing was great, it takes batteries but once its moving the swing part runs off magnets, there for the set of batteries we started with was also the set of batteries that was in it when I packed it up. Addison loved her swing and did a ton of sleeping in it when she was just a little baby!
I didn't have one of these but I really wish I had, may have prevented some of the sleep issues we just got over. This is a Co-Sleeper. It allows you to have your child at arms reach without actually sleeping in bed with you. Extremely convenient for breast feeding mommas like myself. Next baby this is a must buy. If you don't have one of these having a pack and play with a bassinet that you can place in your room for the first months is nice also. Which is what I had and used up until I went back to work then I got in the habit of letting her sleep with me when she was waking up throughout the night too much and I was getting no sleep getting out of bed to tend to her every 2 hours.
Sleeper Gowns, Bag Sleepers were the most convenient thing ever, night time diaper changes were so easy this way, no buttons to undo/redo in the dark. I LOVED THESE!
Equally as awesome were HALO sleep sacks..they are great to keep them bundled and not have to worry about blankets near their faces like all new parents do!! I didn't need these till she was older as she was born in July and it was HOT and she enjoyed being swaddled as a little baby.
Speaking of swaddling, these Gerber Thermal Receiving blankets were IMO the best blankets for swaddling. They are thin enough to not be hot, thick enough to provide some warmth, and just right stretchy for a tight swaddle. Bonus, they come in a 2 pack!
And everyone's favorite Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Soothe & Glow Seahorse. Lets off enough light to see by (I used it for night time diaper changes) Plays music long enough to help her fall asleep at night. We love the seahorse.
Those are the things that come to mind for me, of course a baby carrier is essential too but I haven't found the perfect one yet the Bjorn that I have is ok, But I really want a Beco, or an Ergo.
