Babies are the best, aren’t they? The freshness of new life, the big eyes looking at the world for the first time, the tiny fingers and toes, and that new baby smell….does it really get any better than that?! Life with a new baby is a beautiful and exciting time. There is so much to learn and many “firsts” to experience. Despite this excitement, life with a new baby can be overwhelming and exhausting. As cute as this new little human is, it takes so much time, energy and preparation to care for a new baby. To help make this time a little easier for new parents, I have compiled my list of top 5 baby items for the newborn stage.

Keep in mind, these are my top 5 baby items for the newborn stage. Your list might look different, but these are the top 5 baby items that I found the most helpful during the newborn stage as a first time mom! If you’re looking for more, make sure to check out my pregnancy must-haves too.

1) Bedside Bassinet

In addition to a crib, we found that a bedside bassinet was extremely helpful to have. Not only does it allow baby to sleep near you, it allows you to get a little more sleep (and we all know that is a must!). We have the Baby Delight Bedside Dreamer Bassinet , and absolutely love it. The height is adjustable, the side folds down to allow easy access to baby, and it fits right against your bed to keep baby close but still safe. This bassinet is also lightweight enough that you can use it throughout the house, or even when traveling.

2) Fridababy NoseFrida

Regardless of how cute your new baby might be, there will be snot. As your little one adjusts to life outside of the womb, there will likely be stuffy noses and the need to help them clear their nose. While there are many nasal aspirators available, the Fridababy NoseFrida is our favorite. Before you scroll past this item because of the whole sucking-snot-from-your-child’s-nose-with-your-mouth thing, hear me out. While the many bulb-type nasal aspirators may work sometimes, they do not provide the suction that is often necessary to really help your little one. Additionally, the filter in the Fridababy NoseFrida prevents any snot exchange during use (sorry, that’s a really gross description….welcome to parenthood).

3) Humidifier

To help combat those stuffy noses and dry air, a humidifier is a definite must have item. There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to humidifiers, but we love the Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. Keeping a humidifier near your little one, especially at night, will help ease stuffy noses and keep their skin from drying out. Even as an adult I love humidifier in my own bedroom, especially in the winter months.

4) Hatch Sound Machine

While a fan might do the trick to provide that soothing white noise babies often need to help sleep, we have found that a sound machine is a great alternative. We use (and LOVE!) the Hatch. This one specifically provides noise and light, in addition to functioning as a sound monitor and timer. To use, you simply download the Hatch app, connect your device and begin using. There are a range of sounds options, from waves and wind, to music. We have found that the Hatch is extremely helpful when transferring a sleeping babe to their bassinet, as well as providing just enough light to prevent you from tripping over the pile of toys on your way out of the room. Additionally, the app allows you to connect to as many devices as you would like, enabling you to add additional ones for each child or room.

5) Baby Monitor

If you’re anything like me, you will want a video baby monitor. I will be the first to admit that I have woken my baby up more than once simply because I wanted to make sure she was safe in her bassinet while napping. I mean, come on, the odds are she was fine. But just being able to see her sleeping and safe provides so much peace of mind. We love our Motorola Baby Video Monitor. It allows you to connect several cameras to your monitor, and can run off battery power. Additionally, this monitor allows you to set up alerts for room temperature, as well as play music or speak through the monitor.

These 5 items are my top must-haves for the newborn stage. While there are definitely other things you will need and your list might look different, these are the items that we found very helpful (and still use today!). Do any of these items have a place on your list? What are your top baby items for the newborn stage?