We all know babies need certain essentials – car seat, bottles, stroller, diapers, a crib, etc… But what about those other essentials. The essentials that help to keep mom sane while keeping baby happy.

Below is a list of the top 10 essentials any new mom should have:

Most of the bouncer seats come with similar features, including music, a toy bar and lights, which will keep your little one entertained and happy. Or, turn the lights and music off and simply let the gentle vibration lull your baby to sleep.

What's more, it’s mobile, so you can bring it into the kitchen with you while you cook, in the bathroom while your shower, or to grandma and grandpa's house when you visit. This great little invention will soon become a favorite of yours and your baby's.

The Baby Einstein Video series will entertain your baby through the simple use of classical music and gentle visual stimuli. For an infant, I recommend the following:

• Baby Mozart - Featuring the music of Mozart, Baby Mozart presents captivating visual imagery through the use of puppets, toys, and more.
• Baby Galileo - As the title might suggest, Baby Galileo allows your child to discover the sky to the music of Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Strauss and Tchaikovsky
• Baby Neptune - Your child will be exposed to the world of water with baby Neptune, choreographed to the music of George Frideric Handel.
• Baby Beethoven - Featuring the music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Baby Beethoven is filled with colorful imagery that is sure to capture your child's attention.

Babies go nuts for these videos, and you can get a little time to yourself, without baby attached to your hip!

Babies love movement. They spent nine months in the womb being lulled to sleep with continuous movement. And now they expect the same treatment. But you can’t always be the one providing the movement. Sometimes, you need to move about the house without baby in hand.

That is why the swinging chair will be such a marvelous addition to your home. There are many to choose from, and most of them pretty much work the same way. Most include varying speed levels, music and a mobile of sorts. The main difference you’ll find is the direction in which it will swing. Some go front to back while others go side to side. Babies like to be swinging – in any direction. So, the direction of the swing will come down to personal preference.

Every mom-to-be gets at least one receiving blanket for her shower. I, personally, got about ten. Little did I know just how valuable these little squares of soft fabric would become. Swaddling! Yes, these blankets are intended to be used to swaddle your baby.

Why is swaddling a lifesaver? Swaddling can calm even the fussiest of babies. Swaddle your baby right, and he/she will sleep for hours. Babies are used to those close quarters. So, your baby will be right at home in a tightly swaddled blanket.

While a swaddle blanket, such as the Swaddle Me, may keep your baby in the swaddle longer, you can also use a plain old, receiving blanket.  As long as your baby feels snug, he/she will be happy as a clam.

Babies like to be held. They like to feel your warmth and hear your heartbeat because it reminds them of being in the womb. But if you’re holding the baby all day long, how can you get anything done? The Baby Bjorn… that’s how.

This ingenious invention serves a wonderful purpose.  Simply, slip baby into the satchel and rediscover your two arms. This is multi-tasking at its best. Do housework. Go for a walk. Put your make up on. There are so many things you will be able to do, all while keeping the baby close to your chest.

What's more, the Bjorn can also be positioned to hold older babies, up to 22lbs. So you can continue enjoying the benefits of carrying your baby around, hands free, as he/she grows.

Diapers are great. Thank God we have them. But once in a while, a diaper just doesn’t do the trick. You’ll wake up to find that your little bundle of joy has wet the crib.

The real annoyance here is that now you have to break a sweat changing that crib sheet. It wasn’t until my second baby came along that I discovered the Ultimate Crib sheet. It sits on top of your existing crib sheet and snaps to the sides of the crib. And since it just sits on top, your beautifully color-coordinated crib sheet and bumper (if you have one) will still show from the side view. You will only see the Ultimate Crib sheet when you look down into the crib. And when it gets soiled, you simply unsnap it and wash it and snap it back on.  Easy as pie!

The Diaper Champ makes changing the baby’s diaper just a little more bearable. It’s more than a trash. You can throw the baby’s diaper in the pail, turn the handle and voila… it disappears.

What’s more, it contains the odor relatively well. Just be sure to use a garbage bag (any kitchen bag will do) and don't wait too long before taking it out. This will save you the hassle of having to run a dirty diaper out to the trash after each changing.

Newborns are so tiny and slippery. Without the right support, giving them a bath can be challenging. There are many baby baths to choose from out there. But many of them are way too big for a newborn. Your baby will slip and slide all over the place.

This is not the case with the Leachco Safer Bather Infant Bath Pad. It’s soft and cushioned and holds baby in place, comfortably. You can use both hands to clean the baby instead of juggling to hold the baby with one hand while cleaning with the other. And it’s easy to store. When you’re done, just hang it up in the bath tub to dry.

With a simple bath pad like this one, bath time will be less frustrating and quicker.

The sleep sack can save a new mom a lot of worry.  With the risk of SIDS looming over every new mom, having the proper sleeping attire is critical. You want your baby to be warm, but you’re afraid to use a blanket. And even if you did, your little bundle of joy would kick it off within seconds.

The Sleep Sack is a zip-up blanket. Just slip your baby into it before bed and zip it up. So you can sleep comfortably knowing your baby is safe and warm.

Ever heard the expression, "If mana aint happy, aint nobody happy"? In my experience, this is a true statement. Be sure to take time out for yourself. Taking care of a newborn can be so rewarding and fulfilling. But it can also be draining and tiring. And you don't want to get to a point where you resent the baby for your fatigue. So, take time out for you. Go for a walk. Get a mani/pedi. Go to the gym or a yoga class. Get a massage. Do a little shopping. It doesn't matter what. Just do something... for you. Afterall, you deserve it, don't you?