You might be thinking, “One tiny human can’t be that difficult to keep clean and groomed.” And you’d be right, as long as you have the most important tools on hand. We’re talking ones specifically made for baby’s delicate skin and itty-bitty body. With the right kit, it’s not complicated to keep your newbie clean and coiffed for the next photo op. Take a few minutes to check out this short list of what you’ll need, so you’re prepared from day one.
TO KEEP AT HOME
To be extra ready (yes, extra CAN be a good thing), make sure you have all the grooming essentials at home, plus another smaller travel kit to stash in the diaper bag. Then you won’t be caught off guard when your little VIP is looking or feeling less than perfect.
- Brush and comb
Baby’s skin is new and way more sensitive than yours. That goes for their scalp too. And whether they’re born with barely-any-there hair, or a full mop that you could braid, using a brush and comb designed for infants and made to be extra gentle is a must-have. Something light, with an easy grip, helps you hold onto it when your squirmy one gets grabby. - Cradle cap brush
Cradle cap is a common condition that affects infants. In most cases, it’s not serious or long-lasting. The super-soft bristles and shape of the Soothing Cradle Cap Soft Bristle Brush help to gently loosen and remove the flakes from your baby's scalp. It contours to your hand for a secure fit, making your job less complicated. Then toss the brush in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning. - Nasal aspirator
From the standard bulb to the newly designed BoogEase, snot’s no fun, and newborns make a lot of it. The hospital or birthing center might send a nasal aspirator home with you, but having two or more of them on standby is a good thing. Because let’s be real. No matter how smitten you are with your bundle of joy, no one’s thrilled about wearing their boogies. Help everyone stay slime-free by keeping those cute little nostrils clear. - Nail clippers and mini-sized emery boards
The Light Zoom Nail Clippers have a magnifying glass to get an up-close look and LED light to illuminate this delicate procedure. This means you can skip the wrestling match and sneak in when your tiny mighty one is sleeping. (That’s a pro-parent tip for the best time to tackle this dreaded task.) It also includes a baby-sized emery board that’s curvy and easy to use on those jagged little claws. - No-scratch baby mittens
Some babies are born looking like they need a trip to the nail salon. Keep those perfect cherub cheeks scratch-free in between trimming sessions with a pair of cotton mittens. Bonus: Since those wiggly little fingers are contained, baby doesn’t end up scratching the one holding them either. - Bathtub
Make bathtime safe for baby and convenient for you with a tub that’s just their size. When they’re brand new, you need something that will provide support and can be easily placed in the best spot for you to get them squeaky clean. Once they’re able to sit up on their own, they still need something to keep them secure and safe in the water. The Newborn to Toddler Bathtub makes those transitions with your LO. - Washcloths and bath towels
You’ll need multiple soft washcloths to gently clean baby’s hair and body. Having them handy while feeding is helpful too. Wiping away spit up and drool is a regular thing when they’re infants, and later you’ll want those washcloths on standby as your eager tot tries feeding themselves with a spoon, or decides to finger paint their face with pureed carrots and smear apple sauce on their arms like body lotion. Towels sized for babies often come with hoods, which make bundling them up and drying off after a bath easy. - Shampoo/body soap
As you already know, whatever you use to clean your little one needs to be gentle and made for babies. There are shelves of shampoos out there, and many are made to be a body wash as well. You may decide to experiment with what you think works best for you, but your goal is to make sure it doesn’t dry out their sensitive skin. - Lotion
This is to keep LO’s skin moisturized. Especially after bathtime. Whichever brand you choose, make sure it’s gentle on sensitive skin and intended for infants. - Fingertip toothbrush and gum stimulator
WTH? You’re probably wondering why a toothbrush is a must-have for a brand new baby. Well, let’s hope your bundle of joy doesn’t arrive with a full set of chompers. JK. Most infants get their first tooth around six months old, but a fingertip brush/gum massager helps soothe their sore gums before that when the teeth are below the surface and preparing to erupt. Using the fingertip toothbrush early on also gets you (and them) started on healthy oral hygiene habits. - Humidifier
You might think this one is a little strange as a grooming essential. Humidifiers are for stuffy noses. But cool mist humidifiers help keep the moisture level in the air just right to help protect baby’s skin from drying out too.
If you prefer a ready-made kit, that works too. We have one completely stocked, so you can just place it in the baby’s room. Check out the Nursery Care Health and Grooming Kit: with thirty items, it’s like the new parent’s toolbox. Hint: It’s also a great baby registry gift.
TO TAKE ON THE GO
When it comes to baby care on the go, it’s all about the bare essentials – the things you need easy access to when you’re out and about. Ideally, your travel kit will fit in your diaper bag, purse, backpack, or your favorite storage spot in your car, if that’s where you find you spend lots of time with baby. You can simply double up on the items you keep in the nursery or choose ones that are more portable, yet still, help when you’re on the move.
Here’s what you need:
- Brush and comb set
- Nasal aspirator
- Nail clippers and mini-sized emery board
- Brush and comb
Cut down on the number of items by getting a brush and comb combo. With a comb on one side and a soft bristle brush on the other, there’s one less thing for you to keep track of. - Nasal aspirator
Because snot doesn’t just happen back at home, take along a nasal aspirator to keep baby’s nose clear. It’s so much easier to suck those slimy boogies out as soon as they appear, so you don’t end up needing a wardrobe change (for both of you) when your cutie pie sneezes bigger than Grandpa. - Nail clippers and mini-sized emery board
Your baby changes in the blink of an eye. And so do their cute little nails. Never fear, it’s nail clippers to the rescue before any damage is done. It’s always a good idea to have baby-sized nail trimmers with you. Trust us on this one.
If you prefer the convenience of a ready-to-go, travel-sized grooming kit, that’s another option. They usually come with most of the must-haves, and you can always add to it if you’d like.
Congratulations. Your little boss probably has more grooming stuff than you do. Once they arrive and take over your home, you’ll just be happy to get a shower. Seriously, we’ve been there. But we also know how good it feels to see our tiny humans safe, healthy, and happy. Welcome to the club.