Everyone will tell you what to buy before the baby comes. Most of it you won't touch. So we asked Dan (someone who's done this a few times herself) to just show us what's actually still in rotation months later — the stuff you reach for without thinking about it.
Four things made the cut. Here's why, in plain terms.
1. The merino swaddle wrap
Newborns startle themselves awake constantly, and a normal blanket just doesn't hold up once they start wriggling. A proper wrap wiith stretch swaddles them snugly enough to settle, and you can do it quickly at 3am without really waking up yourself.
We use merino because it does the temperature regulation for you — warm when it's cool, breathable when it's not, so you're not lying there wondering if baby's too hot under it. It also handles moisture well, which is handy when you're already doing enough laundry. It is also 100% natural, machine washable and quick to dry
Merino can feel like a bit of an unknown if you haven't used it before, but it's genuinely one of the gentlest things. This is an easy first thing to try it with. And I promise you you will use this well beyond the newborn days.
Shop the merino swaddle wrap →
2. A bundler nightgown
Nobody wants to be doing up snaps on a screaming baby at 2am. A nightgown-style bundler just lifts up, so nappy changes are quick and baby's back down before they've properly woken up.
We make these in merino and organic cotton, so you can go with whichever suits the season (or just what you prefer) — between the two, they've picked up over 50 five-star reviews from parents who've genuinely lived in them.
Honestly, get this and the swaddle wrap above and your newborn sleep setup is sorted.
3. Our healing balm
Nappy rash, cradle cap, random dry patches — it happens to almost every baby and it's not a reflection on how well you're looking after them. Their skin's just new and figuring itself out.
This is one of our most-loved products, and for good reason. Its made in New Zealand with only five natural ingredients, that covers rash, cradle cap and everyday dryness. No standing in the chemist at 11pm trying to work out which of six products you need.
As a bonus it makes a lovely rich nourshing handcreme or night cream for mum too.
4. Muslin wash cloths
You will go through more wash cloths than you think is reasonable. Feeds, spit-up, bath time, random mess (and this is before you even start solids!) It adds up fast, so it's worth having ones that can actually keep up.
Muslin is soft enough for newborn skin but dries faster and holds up better to constant washing than a normal face washer. Keep a stack by the change table, another by the couch, and one in the car and some in your nappy bag — you'll use every one of them.
The bit that matters
None of this is exciting. You won't post about a wash cloth. But these are the things that actually get used, over and over, in the moments where you've got a baby in one arm and no hands free for anything complicated.
That's the whole point of Babu, really — get the basics right, so the rest of your day gets a bit easier.
