How to Survive the Newborn Phase (and Actually Enjoy It!)
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The newborn phase is beautiful—but let’s be honest, it can be rough too. You’re freshly postpartum, learning to care for a brand-new little human, and functioning on very little sleep. I’ve been through this phase twice now—once during the height of COVID restrictions and then again more recently with my second. The two experiences couldn’t have been more different, and I learned so much the second time around.
Whether you're a first-time mom or adding another little one to your crew, these newborn tips will help you navigate this season with more ease, joy, and confidence.
Newborn Essentials for Baby (and You!)
Let’s start with what baby really needs—and what makes life easier for mom (and dad too!). Baby’s don’t need a ton of things, let’s breakdown the things that will make your life easier:
1. Pajamas Over Outfits
Our babies lived in PJs during the newborn phase. It made all those diaper changes and naps so much easier. I especially love bamboo pajamas—they’re gentle on newborn skin and super soft. Just make sure to choose ones with double zippers, and skip anything with buttons (you’ll thank me at 3 a.m.).
2. Diapers & Wipes That Work
You’ll go through a lot of diapers—so finding ones that work well is key. We’ve tried almost every brand, and Huggies are our favorite for their fit, softness, and blowout protection. Just don’t overstock on newborn sizes—many babies outgrow them fast.
As for wipes, Pampers Sensitive are budget-friendly and great for delicate skin, but my top pick is The Honest Company’s fragrance-free wipes. They’re thick, gentle, and patterned to clean tough messes. I also love using a wipe dispenser for quick access.
4. Sleep Space
We used the same bedside bassinet for both our boys. It’s sturdy (read: heavy), but the swivel feature makes night wakings easier, and it has a convenient side pocket. We kept baby right next to us during those early weeks and gradually moved the bassinet farther away.
5. Baby Lounger (With Supervision)
While not safe for unsupervised sleep, the Dock-a-Tot was a lifesaver for us during supervised time (I used the corduroy cover linked below). I used it while hanging out on the couch and playing with our older child. It was also great for tummy time once baby had neck control.
6. Baby Bouncer
The Baby Bjorn bouncer deserves its own shoutout. I didn’t have one with my first, but a friend gifted us hers for baby #2—and wow. It’s been used daily for nine months. It’s perfect for keeping baby content while you shower, prep dinner, or engage with your older kids. Investing in one will be worth every penny!
7. Baby Carrier
Using this during the newborn phase saved my sanity while providing baby and I more physical bonding. The Solly Wrap is a great one for a newborn baby, is soft, and stylish. The Ergobaby is my favorite as it provides a little more structure, is easy to take off and on, keeps baby close, and can be used as baby grows. WildBird is another great option for more structure but is a little more aesthetically pleasing.
8. Sound Machine
Having a sound machine is so helpful and lasts through so many seasons of raising babies! We take the portable one (I love the Hatch one so it has the same settings as the one we use at home) to the hospital and on-the-go. The Hatch one below is a great option as it can be plugged in by the base or run off of batteries. This made the newborn phase easier to move about the house for naps or incase of any power outages. We used a sound machine for our first more to drown out background noise. This was a part of the reason for our second, but the main reason was he did not sleep well when it was too quiet. The main machine can connect to wifi to be controlled through and app, plus you can set schedules.
9. Easy Swaddles
Neither of my boys loved the traditional swaddle with a blanket. These zippable swaddles are lifesavers, especially in the middle of the night. There are also several velcro options available. Some babies do not like being swaddled, my first only enjoyed it for the first couple of weeks, then he did better in a sleep sack (i.e. wearable blanket). Give it a try and see what your baby is most comfortable in!
10. Burp Cloths
A newborn essential you’ll want a lot of: burp cloths. I recommend soft, absorbent muslin ones that wash up beautifully. They're affordable and come in packs, so you’re never caught without one.
Postpartum Care Tips: How to Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of baby is one thing—but postpartum recovery is just as important. You can read more suggestions on actual postpartum supplies [HERE] or [HERE], right now we’ll cover the core choices. Here’s what made all the difference for me the second time around:
Postpartum Supplies
Disposable underwear: I preferred Always brand over Frida. Pick what feels like your usual comfy style.
Ibuprofen: A must-have for postpartum cramping or C-section recovery. Talk to your doctor about pain relief.
Ice pads: You can DIY these, but Frida’s are ready-to-go and heavenly.
Comfy clothes: Light pajamas, lounge shorts, and soft tees helped me feel more human—especially in Houston’s summer heat.
Daily Showers
They sound simple, but I skipped too many with my first. A quick rinse, even without hair washing, can shift your whole day.
Get Outside
Fresh air does wonders for both you and baby. Even in the Texas heat, I made it a goal to step outside every day. It boosted everyone’s mood.
Light Exercise
Always ask your doctor what they suggest and are comfortable with, everyone’s recovery timeline is different. I stuck to gentle walks and stretching those first six weeks, then started jogging again. After my second, I set a goal to run a 5K—and hit it three months postpartum! It gave me a healthy focus and much-needed energy.
Audiobooks
For those long feeding sessions or when you're nap-trapped, Amazon Audible was my go-to, check it out [HERE]. You can also use Libby to borrow from your library, but Audible made it easy to find and download books instantly.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
My husband and I split night shifts—it saved our sanity. He’s a night owl, so he handled baby from about 1 a.m. to 5/6 a.m. Then he would go back to sleep and I’d have some time with baby before brother got up. We each got some sleep and one-on-one time with both our boys.
Building a Support System
Support doesn’t always look like family living nearby—ours don’t. But we leaned into the support system around us.
Your Partner
Give them space to learn just like you are. I was quicker to communicate my needs the second time around, and it made a huge difference. He felt more confident too after the experience from our first.
Meal Support
Have someone set up a Meal Train for your family. Friends and loved ones can bring food, send gift cards, or order delivery. It was such a blessing to have one less thing to think about.
I also relied on freezer meals I prepped before baby arrived—read all about that [HERE]. And don’t forget about curbside grocery pickup or Instacart (use my code A36941618B for $10 off your first order).
Care for Older Kids & Pets
If you have other children or pets, have a plan in place.
Schedule playdates or help for older siblings while you’re in the hospital or adjusting at home.
Ask a friend to walk your dog or help with potty breaks during those early days.
Once my husband went back to work and our family was gone I let my eldest watch more T.V. than he’s typically allowed. During afternoon nap/baby snuggle time I let him watch a movie, he thought this was a big treat and stayed entertained. This phase won’t last long, so indulging a bit was great.
Household Help
Even though our parents live out of state, they came for a few days to help out. My parents stayed the first about 5 days we came home from the hospital. They were doing laundry, dishes, and tidying up. It made a huge difference.
Stay Social (In Low-Key Ways)
We had friends drop by with coffee or meals—it was such a nice way to stay connected without needing to go anywhere. Some even held the baby while we got a nap in between feeds. It’s those small moments of normalcy that matter.
Final Thoughts
This season is intense—but it’s also incredibly special. You won’t thrive every single day, and that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself, ask for help, and remember: you’re doing an amazing job.
You’ve got this, mama.
Have you experienced the newborn phase? Let me know what you learned in the comments!
