5 Things Every Newborn Needs

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The big day is fast approaching and you’re in full nesting mode (it’s a real thing!)! Maybe you’re making a baby registry and are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices. I’ve been there, twice! If (when?) I get to do it all over again, here are the FIRST 5 things I’ll be sure to get for my newborn.

Sleepers

This is kind of a no-brainer. Of course babies needs jammies! Heck, I use them all the time with my wee babes. I personally like the zip ones as opposed to the snap ones for those 2 am half awake diaper changes. Moment of truth right now: I keep my newborns in sleepers 24/7. Those adorable two piece outfits are CRAZY cute but they are uncomfortable for baby and cumbersome for exhausted mama. So I LOVE sleepers because they are functional and easy… and omg cute!

Muslin blankets

My babies run hot all the time, so this blanket was the best option for us. As it so happens, most babies don’t need layers and layers of warm clothing all the stinking time. However many layers that you are comfortable with inside your home is usually the same number of layers that your baby needs. So when it’s time to swaddle up your precious bundle, these thin blankets are perfect to keep from overheating your little one! I also like the versatility of them and that they are not very bulky. They store nicely, which is a hug perk for us in a tiny house.

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Booties

Socks are great, but they fall off. And those tiny shoes and boots are cute, but so hard to put on those flexible little feet! The solution? These little booties that I found don’t fall off and are easy-peasy to put on your baby’s feet! They are made of nice, soft fleece, which keep those precious baby toes warm and toasty. I also like the age range sizing on them. They go all the way to 4T. My toddler wouldn’t keep them on, but I love that there’s at least an option in her size. Definitely should be on your list, maybe order two pairs (I did).

Fridababy NoseFrida

You have probably seen these and then instantly said, “oh, heck no!” I get it, I did too. But, then I had a baby with a snuffly nose that couldn’t breathe and I was VERY grateful for this very effective baby tool! A must have, especially if you have a baby who has seasonal allergies. Even my sweet toddler will allow me to use this on her because she KNOWS its weird, but works!

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Baby K’tan

Okay, I am a believer in not just one carrier fits the needs for everything. But for the early days, I found the Baby K’tan a true blessing. Being a new mama, holding your sweet babe will eventually make your arms and shoulders get exhausted. So some genius, probably a sleep-deprived parent, created this amazing carrier. It holds the baby in a snug way that makes them feel like they are still in the womb, so they get nice and cozy and nap away. The Baby K’tan was the ONLY way I could get my sweet girl to sleep in those early days (thanks, GERD). They are sized according to your shirt size, which I find helpful. I’m my experience, these are the best all-round carrier from newborn to about 7 months. I’ll pave a post soon comparing the 5 carriers that we’ve tried and still use.

Why are these “The Necessities”?

So why these 5 things and not bottles, a wipe warmer, or that diaper trash can? Because, those things are nice, but not entirely necessary. I picked the top 5 things that I would want if I were on a deserted island with a newborn and I was allowed 5 things. These are seriously what I would choose, hands down. In my mind, these 5 things are absolutely necessary! I would LOVE to hear what your top 5 items are for a newborn, so comment below or send me an email!

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Top Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mamas

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Hello ladies! Sooo, as we’re kicking-off the Simply Wild Project, I was challenged to post a video. I won’t go on and on about how awkward it was talking to myself on the phone, but I will say that we’ll eventually be posting more videos. Anyhow, here are my top 3 recommendations for new (and experienced) breastfeeding mamas! Thanks for watching!

Nutrition

Comfortable Environment

Self-care

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My Darling Child

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November 17, 2016, I peed on the stick. A few minutes later, there was the double line… positive. I was engulfed in emotions. The year had been a rough one with Brady being abruptly medically discharged from the Army, selling our house, living out of a suitcase for months and feeling misplaced. I walked out of the bathroom, crawled into the bed, and told Brady he was going to be a daddy again, that our darling child was on its way. He smiled the biggest smile I had seen in a while, given the stress we were under building our tiny house while he was, at the time, in EMT training.

On my birthday a few days later, we went on a date to celebrate my birthday and our happy news. I felt great the whole pregnancy, no morning sickness but craving carrots. We had planned a trip to Nebraska for the first week of December for my brother’s nursing school graduation. We were going to break the exciting news about the bun in the oven to both of our families.

After 10 hours of not-so-great airline travel, our little and growing family arrived in Nebraska to reunite with our extended family. That evening, at about 6 weeks gestation, my worst nightmare began; I started bleeding… a lot. The next day, December 8th, we lost our precious, darling child due to miscarriage.

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I struggled with grief, with sorrow, and with gut-wrenching emotional pain. I have never in my life felt so much sadness and heart break in the days, weeks, and months that followed. I was an emotional mess. I knew God was near, even though I couldn’t feel Him. I begged Him to give me back my baby. I longed just to hold and to see my baby; I’d give anything for just a moment. I didn’t really allow myself to outwardly grieve because I wanted to be strong for my daughter, she needed me.

Our due date would have been in the first week of August 2017. I avoided feeling anything, even though I wanted so badly for my baby to magically appear in my belly. I felt that I had missed out on experiencing another birth, to bringing another life into the world. I remember praying, “God help me, I need you to show yourself to me!”

At my daughter’s pleading one evening, I forced myself outside to play with her… and the Lord of Love met me there. I experienced the love of my Heavenly Father, and it was the first time in a long time that my heart awakened since that dreadful day.

That night, I was able to write this letter to my baby:

My darling child,

This is such a hard week for me. My belly should be big and filled with your busy little movements as we eagerly anticipate the day of your arrival. How I long to put my hands on my tummy and pat you gently as you move about. Even to feel your gentle thump of hiccups against my pelvis.
I sometimes day dream about how much hair you’d have, if you look like your sister or daddy.  I wonder if you would be a sleepy baby or very active.

Today, as I was picking wildflowers with your sister, I was filled with God’s peace as I gently plucked the flowers from the stem. It was there that God assured me that no matter what He will provide and take care of us, of me, this week. He assured me that I don’t have to pretend I’m okay, that I can cry, and that I can miss you. It was in that moment that the phrase, “the joy HE has set before us” came into my mind. The joy is Jesus coming to take us home, the joy of reuniting with you, holding you. My arms ache to hold you, feel you and look at your sweet face.

Baby, I’d do anything, anything at all to hold you just for a moment.
This isn’t goodbye, this isn’t I’m moving on. This is I love you, and I always, always will.

Love,
Your mama


No matter the gestational age, a loss is a loss – life is precious at any age. Heaven, Jesus’s return, got a lot more special to my family on December 8, 2016. If you’ve experienced such loss, whether you be a mama or a daddy, feel free to reach out and talk with us. You are not alone!

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