Our Most Used Baby Products for the First Five Months

Navigating the early months of parenthood can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to selecting the right baby products. As a pregnant mama to our third baby, this guide aims to simplify that process by highlighting the most essential items used in the first five months of a baby's life. From feeding tools to sleep aids, each product we love and will have used with all three babies! Whether you are a first-time parent or looking to refresh your baby gear, this overview will provide insights into must-have products that can support both you and your little one during this critical period of development.

So, what does my baby actually need?

This checklist might not be for everyone, but I’ve included everything that we actually use and love that have been with us since day 1. We didn’t hold onto things we didn’t use or had an overabundance of. We also choose more sustainable options, like cloth diapers, and I know that might not be everyone’s choice.

Things to note before we start

1. What Registry Did you use? Babylist!

I loved that Babylist has the ability to add any item from any store to your list. So we were able to add items from small businesses, Etsy, Amazon, and more! They even list the various prices of one item so you can see which retailer has it at what cost. It’s so easy, you get a 15% off discount, and they gift you a baby box full of various goodies to test out! You can also order your breast pump through them and they will contact your provider to receive it for free (some insurances only cover certain types of pumps, so be sure to check eligibility). They also share helpful guides from experts.

2. Other Helpful Resources

Since I listed Babylist as my go-to registry choice, I also wanted to list another helpful resource. After my baby was born, I used the Nara Baby Tracker. I was able to track sleeping, diaper changes, feedings, and so much more! I do breastfeed, and using the app to track which side was most recently fed from was a game changer for me! I relied too heavily on my sleepy, mom-fogged brain the first time and it led to a lot of engorgement.

3. What works for us might not work for you

We are an outdoorsy, low-maintenance family. The brands we enjoy, might be out of budget, might not be necessary, might not even be comfortable to you. There is not one ‘best’ way to parent, nor is there a magical list of ‘best’ kid items. As a second time mom, I think I have some worthwhile advice that very much worked for us, but my kids, my lifestyle, my budget, my taste, my location, and my schedule are probably different than yours! If you can, ask friends if you can borrow, test out, or use the products that worked for them before making a purchase.

4. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

There are some items that companies are going to insist you must have. That simply isn’t true for everyone. I recommend starting out by refusing most items. If you decide after a month that it would greatly improve your life and be worth the investment, then you can think about purchasing it. We actually get many of our items as hand-me-downs, Facebook Marketplace finds, or our local consignment. I keep a list of things that I am looking for and wait until we find them. Local baby consignment stores are the best way to find discounted, gently-used children’s items too! You don’t have to buy everything new, but if you do choose to support me by using my affiliate links, I want to thank you!

5. The newborn phase is also your parenthood phase

While babies only need a few things to survive, this is also a phase about your survival and blossom as a new parent. If you are a new mother, setting yourself up for a successful postpartum is incredibly important. If certain things can make your life easier during this time, that I have not included in this post, feel free to get those if you have the means! Keep a running list since you won’t know until in the moment.

6. Think Past the newborn phase

The first weeks will feel like they are going by so slow, and yet so fast. When I was making my registry, my mom said “make sure you add stuff for up to a year. Babies grow so fast and they don’t receive presents again until their first birthday.” While you definitely don’t want to go too crazy on certain items, like baby clothes or throw away diapers in one size, you definitely want to include things you will need for the whole first year of your baby’s life! I wrote a post about Minimalist Toddler Things We Actually Use, if you want to look into the next stage of life.

Diapering and Bathing

Diapers

While we cloth diaper, it’s not exclusive. We’ve learned it’s easier to bring disposables when traveling or adventuring. For disposable diapers, we absolutely love the Dyper brand, Seventh Generation, Honest Company, or Hello Bello - it just depends on what is available at the store location we visit. Each child is different, and each parenthood journey is different! This one really is an example of ‘there is no one size fits all’ here.

If you are considering cloth diapers, we loved and use Nora’s Nursery pocket diapers. They have a nice, snug fit, they can grow and shrink with your baby because of the adjustable buttons, and they wash well and ours never stained. I did learn about a year or so after that they aren’t the most sustainable brand. So if you are looking for a more sustainable brand of cloth diapers, I would look into GroVia, they have a buttery soft line that is just dreamy! If you do cloth diaper, I also highly recommend giving your diapers a good strip once a month or every other month. Stripping can be harmful if done too often, so it’s recommended only every 6-8 weeks, but it helps keep the diapers clean and buildup-free. I can tell when ours are ready because they will start to smell musty. We also love to hang-dry ours in the sunshine to ‘bleach’ and air out.

*Tip: if you, or someone you know, is wanting to cloth diaper, have a diaper raffle at the baby shower. In the invitation, ask each guest to bring one cloth diaper or bag of wipes to be entered in the raffle. This will help so much!

Wipes

I started off making my own wipes… It wasn’t bad actually and I would still use them! But we were already learning how to navigate new parenthood, keeping on top of chores, that adding wipes to the list was just one more thing I did not want to do. I just used extra newborn washcloths that I received at my baby shower, but Nora’s Nursery has come out with their own line of cloth wipes.

After we stopped our wipe solution dream, we switched to Honest Company wipes. We always grab the largest box to buy in bulk because you will go through a lot!

*Tip: aside from having friends and family drop off food when visiting to see the new baby, if someone asks if we need anything we always ask them to grab a box of wipes! You will want both a stocked freezer of meals and a stocked wipe supply, mama!

Changing Pad

While I know some people prefer to have a designated dresser with the top as a changing table, that just wasn’t on our list and we don’t regret that at all (still 3 kids later). Most of the time we use a thick play blanket or our portable changing pad and change the diapers right where we are. This portable changing pad comes in handy on all our travels and adventures!

Diaper Cream

I’m not sure if it is because we use cloth diapers or how frequently we change them, but we have very rarely needed diaper cream. With a newborn, we would apply coconut oil which made cleaning their bums nice and easy with the Meconium poops (the first few bowl movements usually black or dark green in color). You can find many natural diaper balms, however! Hello Bello makes a clean diaper cream, Earth Mama has an organic diaper balm and nipple balm set. Badger Baby Diaper Cream is another amazing natural option. They make an organic balm that I loved, and will mention many times because of it! It does have a strong scent due to the nature of the flower used to create it. We didn’t discover that our second child had eczema until she was closer to a year, and unfortunately the calendula balm didn’t help enough. So if you are worried about extra sensitive skin, you could also use Aquaphor diaper cream.

Lotion

Baby lotion is essential, especially if you are washing your baby very frequently. Again, Badger Baby Balm is an amazing and organic balm that is perfect for literally anything! You can use it for cradle cap, diaper rash, moisturizing, nipple balm, boo-boos, and so much more. We were gifted this brand from family and I just fell in love with it. Our second favorite lotion leaves our skin so buttery soft! I used this Bag Balm lotion with shea butter throughout my pregnancy and now I use it on my babies - we always get so many compliments on how silky all of our skin feels after applying it.

Baby Wash

You can use a fragrance free baby wash, like this one from The Honest Company, or I’ll just be using a gentle, fragrance free soap bar from my favorite soap company. It’s best to use fragrance free though because babies can have reactions to scented soaps and lotions, but artificial fragrances are also awful for us and our environment. If you want a simple soap without all the chemicals and fragrances, consider goat milk soap! It is hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for newborns and sensitive skins. I am currently using a goats milk shampoo bar, so I used it for our first bath at home and loved that it worked.

Bath Towel

You can use just a regular towel for a baby. There’s nothing saying you need a hooded towel. We were gifted some and continue to use them until they are no longer useable. We have three organic cotton baby towels that we love and I think that’s the perfect amount - although with the addition of a third baby, we may need to add more!

Washcloths

We were gifted A TON of washcloths… I think it was an unnecessary amount and you really only need maybe three as well. I do prefer the smaller, muslin ones since it’s easier to get into their little baby crevasses and buttery soft, like these Mushie Muslin Organic Cotton Washcloths. Because we were gifted so many washcloths, I attempted to make our own washable wipes, as I mentioned above! I didn’t mind it at all! It was surprisingly simple, easy, and the washcloths worked great. But it was one more thing to have on my already busy list. I would be willing to attempt it again though.

Shower vs. Bath

Something I can’t believe I completely forgot to mention in my Up to A Year Baby Essentials guide was how to bath your baby! I have to admit, with our kids it was just much easier to bring them in the shower with us. When our babies were newborns, I would have my husband wait outside the shower (or vice versa) and after washing the baby, I’d hand her to my husband to do the after shower care so that I could focus on myself. If you are worried about baby slipping, simply wrap them in a thin towel or a couple washcloths.

Once they get a little stronger, I feel more comfortable giving them baths. We used both this Blooming Baby Bath seat and a stand alone bathtub. I have to admit, I thought the blooming bath seat was structured, but it’s not! So keep that in mind if you are wanting to make your sink more comfortable for the baby, make sure you take your sink size into consideration. Frida Baby makes an amazing 4-in-1 bathtub that grows with baby, keeping them safe while you wash them!

First Aid/ Grooming Kit

I’m going to go out of the box here and tell you to purchase these separately. I know! There are so many nice looking kits out there, but we went through so many of them because they are cheaply made. Here’s what we ended up loving and I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing these grooming essentials individually: Baby hair brush set, nail trimmer, nasal aspirator, and thermometer. Obviously, you will want a toothbrush eventually as well. As soon as baby’s first tooth comes in, you will want to brush it and get baby use to brushing their teeth. Frida Baby makes the perfect Grow With Me silicone toothbrush for those first teeth. Or for those wanting a bamboo approach, these Wild & Stone baby bamboo toothbrushes are 100% biodegradable. For first aid, you can get any kit. We have also loved keeping Zarbee’s cough medicine, soothing chest rubs, and Punkin Butt teething oil on hand.

How to Dress a Baby

As a busy, on-the-go mama, I’m just going to tell you right now that you do not need a lot of clothes. When you are in the trenches of postpartum, newborn learning, possibly with a toddler (or a few) running around, you will want simple, easy, outfits. My favorites are these 2-way zip footed onesies! I’m so so so so happy companies started putting in dual zippers (instead of endless buttons) and it makes night time diaper changes soooooo much easier. Not only will having a handful of onesies simplify outfits (and diaper explosions), but it will also limit laundry time. You’ll be so tired those first couple weeks that you will wish you can just reach into the dresser and grab something blindly. Maybe having a daily load of laundry is a system that works for you, or maybe you will need 5-7 onesies if you do a once a week wash - whatever works for your system!

From there, a key thing to remember is what season your baby is in. The general rule is that babies should have one extra layer than what you would wear. So winter babies may need more fleece suits, body suits underneath, maybe some merino wool to insulate their little bodies. For sleep, you can use various types of swaddles - whether you prefer the muslin blankets, Velcro swaddles, or a sleep sack.

Minimalist Gear

Car seat & Stroller

Well… three kids later and we’ve explored a lot of options in this category. While I will give a brief description of everything we’ve gotten with what we loved and what we didn’t, I do strongly suggest you do your own research as well!

• Safety 1st Grow and Go Flex car seat stroller combo: While we have continued to use this setup, and baby brother will be coming home in the car seat, I have since learned that Safety 1st has the most recalls. Because of this, I have chosen other car seat options and stroller options since. I do really love the simplicity of popping the car seat out of the car and putting it straight into the stroller without having to wake up the baby though.

• Graco SlimFit 3-in-1: 3 kids in safety devices means we need a way to fit them all. There are very limited ‘slim’ car seat options, so we went with this one for our little guy! It’s snug, but it fits in the back seat of our Subaru Outback and Jeep Commander with a high back booster and regular booster. I also love the 3 (or 4)-in-one style car seats because they grow with the kids and requires less purchasing over the years.

• Graco 3-in-1 forward facing harness booster: When my husband accidently took our one and only car seat to work, I had to run out to target and quickly buy something. This is what I ended up getting. While I do love it and it is being used by our second now, I don’t like that it is forward only. Hence why we had to buy little bub his own seat.

• Cosco Kids Booster Car seat: Our oldest has this one in both cars. I’m kind of bummed that cupholders aren’t included, but those do take up more space than this slim design.

• Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand: Love love love this stroller! We live in a rural area now, so the design is difficult for ‘off roading’, but I still love it for our paved bike trails and on trips. It has also come in handy when out and about with friends and their kids need a break when on walks.

Baby Carrier

Having two baby carriers on hand has worked well for us because when one is dirty and in the wash, we have the other one. This is especially true on trips too! My husband would have the Baby Bjorn carrier on and I would have the Boba wrap on, so we could take turns carrying the baby throughout our vacations. We loved both and would use them both very frequently! If you want the structure of a Baby Bjorn, but the closeness of a wrap, try the Boppy Wrap carrier. If you need more help deciding on a carrier, I wrote an article here: Baby Carrier Guide

Diaper Bag

We used this Eddie Bauer diaper bag that my husband picked up from Target one day. I think I sent him to look for a backpack style one and did very little research into it! He came home with that one and we ended up loving it. I loved the cooler compartment, the built in wipes compartment, and the spaciousness of it. It does come with a foldable changing pad, but I highly recommend getting a different one that may be more structured and easy to wash. There are lots of compartments and it will truly get the test with a toddler and baby this time around.

Boppy Pillow

Boppy Pillows were designed to be so versatile making it a game-changer for feeding, tummy time, and propping up the baby as they grow. The pillow provides crucial support for nursing or bottle-feeding, promoting a comfortable and ergonomic position for both parent and baby. Its multi-functional nature extends its usefulness well beyond the feeding stage, as it becomes an invaluable aid for aiding the baby's development during early tummy time and assisting them as they learn to sit up.

Moses Basket

Typically we leave baby to play on a mat in a safe space when we aren’t holding her. This is because we know putting baby in a ‘container’ type situation, like a swing, lounger, etc., restricts movement and development. It’s not a no-go here, but we definitely keep it as limited as possible! For the times I really need to shower or put baby in a container that isn’t her bed, I love to use my Tadpoles Moses Basket! Not to mention, it’s really whimsical in the garden with my two spring babies.

Camping

This section might not be useful to everyone, but if you do a lot of camping like us then you might be thinking “how in the world do I camp with a baby?” After two, we have simplified and figured this out! We use this Fold-’N-Go bassinet and put the bed in between my husband and I to keep the baby in the warmest part of the tent. Then we use Morrison Outdoors sleeping bags. We use this high chair regularly, but it is also amazing for camping as it attaches to a table.

The Furniture

Crib and Mattress

With our first child, I put a bedside bassinet on my registry. What I didn’t realize was that it wasn’t flush with our bed, so I had to constantly reach down to pick her up - after waking up every three hours all night, that gets a little annoying. With our second, we kept one wall of the crib down and converted it into a co-sleeper by putting it right up against the bed. This worked amazingly well, plus we didn’t have to get her used to the crib like we did our first child. We got the basic wooden crib from Ikea, here is a similar one from Dream On Me. But you could find any decent crib on Facebook Marketplace too.

Rocking Chair

Rocking will stimulate the feeling of being in the womb, which is why so many babies will fall right asleep in a rocking chair. We used ours every night for almost two years with our first daughter. It was actually a hand-me-down that was gifted to my mother at her baby shower for me. It is just a traditional, wooden rocking chair. While I do love it, and it frequently gets moved around the house, it can get a little uncomfortable if sitting in it for long periods of time. With our second, and now third, we have a glider with cushions that is just oh-so comfy and makes the first few weeks a dream. Some people prefer the old school rockers, some want gliders, some people may need a reclining feature, I recommend heading to a furniture store and trying them all out first!

Baskets/Dresser

For the first year of our daughter’s life, we just used baskets and an old Ikea bookshelf to organize her clothing and diapers. We kept everything minimal and only needed four baskets for this! Plus, babies will go through so many articles of clothing as they outgrow (or soil) them. It wasn’t until we saw a kids dresser that needed some TLC that we picked it up, gave it a fresh clean, a paint job, and filled it up. The girls have been sharing that dresser ever since and it has worked great for us! We will definitely need a new system with the addition of our third, but for now I just have our newborn storage tote tucked under the bed with all his clothes.

*Tip: Keep a bag or basket in the closet to throw in clothes as your child outgrows them. They grow so fast, it’s nice having something handy to fill up and make one trip to the storage tubs.

Bedding

Waterproof Pads & Crib Sheets

Between the waterproof pads and crib sheets, I like to keep 2-3 of each. From there, I lasagna layer them on. By this, I mean I’m layering one waterproof pad, then a crib sheet, then another waterproof pad, crib sheet, and so forth. This makes changing soiled bedding in the middle of the night a breeze! I have to say, I don’t actually remember this being an issue during our baby months. But as our daughter began potty training, it was very helpful in the middle of the night after an accident.

Blankets

We like to keep a blanket per child in each car, then have a few on hand at home. We were gifted quite a few and some handmade ones that had been passed down. Honestly, I have a hard time getting rid of blankets so I held onto all of ours. BUT realistically, you probably only need maybe 4 depending on your situation. Blankets should not be in the bed for the first year anyways, so we use them as play mats, to keep warm in the car in the winter, and to snuggle during cold days.

Swaddles

This can absolutely depend on your baby, but having a swaddle for each night of the week and a few extra helped us. Sometimes a swaddle is the closest thing to grab, making it the perfect spit up cleaner! One for each night allowed us to only do laundry once a week (which is our usual), and the few extra helped us if we needed some throughout the day. You can use a swaddle blanket or a more structured swaddle. The second time around, we skipped the swaddle all together and went straight to a zip-up sleep sack.

Feeding

Let’s talk about feeding! From newborn to just before 6 months, your baby will need milk or formula. It will be their sole source of nutrition.

If you plan on breastfeeding, some essentials include a comfortable nursing pillow to support the baby during feedings, breast pads to manage leaks and ensure dry clothing, and a reliable breast pump for those who need to express milk. I like to have these Haakaa manual breast pumps on my beside table strictly for catching let-down on the non-feeding side as I am an over supplier. Additionally, a good quality nursing bra offers support and convenience, while storage bags or containers are necessary for safely storing pumped milk. A breast cream can help soothe and protect the skin, while nursing covers or wraps provide privacy during breastfeeding in public. Lastly, having a water bottle on hand is important for staying hydrated during feedings.

*if you have insurance, be sure to check with your insurance. Some insurance companies will cover pumps for nursing families, and the pump they cover will depend on the insurance.

If you choose to bottle feed, some essentials can include a variety of items that ensure a smooth and efficient feeding experience for both caregiver and infant. It is important to choose the right bottles, which can vary in size, shape, and material, and selecting nipples with appropriate flow rates to match the baby’s developmental stage is crucial. I recommend finding a box that gifts you a variety of bottles to try before purchasing a bunch! We love these Evenflo glass bottles, as we try to limit plastics. Additionally, having a bottle brush for cleaning, a bottle warmer for optimal temperature, and a sterilizer for maintaining hygiene are key components. Accessories like formula dispensers, bibs, and burp cloths can also enhance the convenience of bottle feeding. A dedicated storage system for bottles and formula can help keep feeding supplies organized and easily accessible.

Play Time

Now that we’ve gone through all the essentials, let’s talk about the fun stuff! Babies really don’t need a lot of toys at this stage, especially if you are able to get outside. In the first six months, babies are rapidly developing their senses, motor skills, and cognitive abilities. While they don’t need many toys, a few well-chosen essentials can support their growth. High-contrast black-and-white toys, soft rattles, and textured fabric books stimulate vision and touch. A baby-safe mirror encourages self-recognition and visual tracking, while wooden grasping toys, organic cotton loveys, and natural rubber teethers support sensory exploration without plastics or harmful chemicals. Simple toys that respond to a baby’s touch—like a softly jingling rattle or a crinkly fabric square—help develop hand-eye coordination and cause-and-effect understanding. Opting for natural materials like wood, organic cotton, and untreated wool ensures a safe and non-toxic play environment while fostering a connection to simple, sustainable materials.

Well! I hope you found this post helpful in making your own baby list! Would you add anything to the list? Let me know in the comments below!