A sweet list of the small things that make a big difference
If you’re anything like I was before having my baby, your checklist is probably filled with the big stuff: cribs, strollers, car seats. I get it. I was obsessed with researching every gadget and gear item out there. But looking back, I wish someone had gently tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Don’t forget the little things. They’ll save your sanity when it matters most.”
Because let me tell you, it’s not always the fancy baby tech that gets you through the day. It’s the tiny essentials that become your everyday heroes. The things you’ll reach for with one hand while bouncing a fussy baby with the other.
So whether you’re building your registry or nesting your heart out, here’s a list of the everyday items that made a huge difference for me and just might for you too.
Soft Washcloths
I thought I had enough. I didn’t. These became my all purpose miracle cloths. I used them for bath time, wiping up milk that dribbled down chins (and sometimes my shirt), and cleaning up the never ending oops moments. I kept a stack in every room.
Bibs (aka Outfit Saviors)
There’s something humbling about realizing your baby can go through six outfits before noon. Bibs helped slow that down. The cloth ones were great during those milk heavy days, and the silicone ones became my go to once we started solids. Less laundry, more sanity.
Thermometer
I didn’t think much about this one until one night, around 2 a.m., my baby felt a little warm and I spiraled into full worry mode. Having a digital thermometer on hand brought immediate peace of mind. It’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you really need it.
Burp Cloths
After feeding, my shoulder basically lived under one of these. I kept them on the couch, in the diaper bag, and tucked in bed. The bigger, more absorbent ones were lifesavers, especially during those refluxy weeks when just a little spit up was never just a little.
Swaddles and Receiving Blankets
These were the MVPs. I used them for everything: swaddling, nursing covers, makeshift sunshades, tummy time mats. Muslin ones were my favorite. Lightweight, soft, and somehow always the one I reached for first.
Baby Blankets
Not the decorative kind. The cozy, practical kind. I had a few I rotated depending on the weather. One lived on the couch for cuddle time, one in the diaper bag, and one always nearby for sleepy snuggles. They felt like comfort wrapped in fabric.
White Noise Machine
This saved us. It became part of our bedtime routine and helped drown out everything from barking dogs to deliveries. It also helped me sleep better, knowing baby was settled. A phone app worked at first, but we eventually invested in a real one, and it was so worth it.
Night Light
A small, soft light changed those 3 a.m. feeds and diaper changes completely. I could see just enough without waking us both up fully. It became one of those things I didn’t appreciate until I realized I wasn’t stumbling around in the dark anymore.
Lotion and Diaper Cream
Newborn skin is so sensitive, and those first rashes come out of nowhere. A gentle lotion and a reliable diaper cream were part of our daily routine. They helped with dry patches and kept diaper changes a little less stressful.
Diaper Caddy
This was a game changer. I kept everything in one portable spot: diapers, wipes, extra clothes, burp cloths, creams. I could carry it from the living room to the bedroom and not feel like I was constantly running around. It sounds simple, but it made life so much easier.
Pacifiers and Holders
I wasn’t sure I’d use pacifiers, then I had a baby. They helped calm fussy moments, especially in the car or during cluster feeds. And pacifier clips? Absolute lifesavers. No more mid meltdown floor drops or mystery crib disappearances.
You don’t need everything. I know how easy it is to feel like you’re supposed to buy it all. But what really matters are the things that make your everyday feel a little smoother and your baby feel a little more comfortable.
These small essentials were like little anchors for me when everything else felt new and a little overwhelming. They reminded me that I didn’t have to have it all figured out. I just had to take it one moment, one nap, one burp cloth at a time.
You’ve got this, mama. And if you don’t feel like you do today, that’s okay too. Tomorrow is a new day, and you’ll be ready for it.
