Around the House

Register at a baby gear store and you may be given a list that's even longer than this one. Of course, they want you to buy everything they've got! Try to keep in mind that all you really need for baby is diapers, a place for him to sleep, and a blanket to bundle him in.

But we know you're not living in the Stone Age. You need and deserve the accessories that will make your job as parent a whole lot easier. We've listed those as "necessities." Other things that you might appreciate (but which some parents have found to be a waste of money) are listed as "It's nice to have." Items that are merely decorative or not very useful are categorized as "strictly optional." Products that are unsafe appear under "no-nos."

Nursery furniture

The necessities:

Crib or co-sleeper

Crib mattress

It's nice to have:

 Changing table

Bassinet (though it's only safe until 3 months or 15 pounds)

Rocking chair or glider

 Humidifier or vaporizer

Dresser/chest

 Hamper

 Baby monitor (if you have a big house)

No-nos:

A secondhand crib (get a new one for safety)

Linens

The necessities:

2 fitted crib sheets

 Crib bumper that ties on securely (this is controversial -- some people worry that they're a SIDS risk; others say they keep baby from banging into the bars)

 Several thin cotton receiving blankets

2 waterproof mattress protectors

Strictly optional:

Matching quilt or a crib skirt (they're only decorative)

No-nos:

Pillows (a SIDS risk)

Sleep positioners (yet another SIDS risk)

Mattress padding (ditto)

Babyproofing

The necessities (not an issue until 4 months or later):

Gates at the top and bottom of all stairs

Cabinet latches

 Drawer latches

 Outlet covers

Fireplace bumper

 Furniture anchors

It's nice to have:

 Toilet lock

 Corner guards for low tables

Feeding

For formula feeding

The necessities:

 8 or so bottles with newborn nipples (try several brands to find the one your baby prefers)

Bottle-cleaning brush or a dishwasher basket

 Bottle-drying rack

 Several weeks' worth of baby formula to start

 6 or more cotton bibs

 6 or more burp cloths (cloth diapers do the job)

Insulated cooler/carrier for outings

It's nice to have:

 Dry formula dispenser

 Bottle sterilizer

Strictly optional:

Bottle warmer (heating in hot water takes the same amount of time)

Bottle proper (unless you have multiples and use it sparingly when you can't otherwise feed all the babies at once)

For breastfeeding

The necessities:

 Nursing pillow

2-3 nursing bras

 2-3 boxes of nursing pads

6 or more cotton bibs

 6 or more burp cloths (cloth diapers do the job)

It's nice to have:

 Breast pump (electric if you'll use it every day at work, otherwise a hand pump is fine)

 Breast milk storage bags or containers

 Several bottles and nipples if someone else will be feeding baby pumped breast milk

Nipple cream (for the first few weeks)

Solid-food feeding

The necessities (not an issue until 4 to 6 months):

 High chair

Plastic bibs

Infant feeding spoons

Infant bowl

It's nice to have:

 Mess mat for under the high chair

Baby food mill (if you're ambitious enough to puree your own baby food)

Basic Baby Care

For diapering

The necessities:

2 packs of newborn diapers to start

 Wipes

 Diaper rash ointment

 Waterproof changing table pad

 2-3 changing table pad covers (usually cotton or terry cloth)

 Diaper pail or trash can with a lid

It's nice to have:

4-5 waterproof square or rectangular pads for under baby's bottom (protecting the cover that's protecting the pad -- you won't be sorry)

Baby cream (if your baby has dry skin)

Non-talc powder (to help the diaper area dry faster)

Strictly optional:

 A wipe warmer

A diaper stacker (though they're pretty)

For bathing and grooming

The necessities:

 2 hooded towels

 4 washcloths

 Infant tub (for after the umbilical cord falls off)

 Bath seat or inflatable tub-within-a-tub (for after 6 months)

 Baby bath wash

Baby shampoo

 Baby comb and brush set

 Nail scissors/nail clippers/nail file set

 Cotton swabs

 Cotton balls

It's nice to have:

Bath toys

 Mesh bag to hold bath toys

Bath thermometer

 Faucet guard

Strictly optional:

A baby-size robe (it's hard enough to get baby dressed in her real clothes!)

Clothing

The necessities:

 7 or more snap-crotch bodysuits/onesies

 3-4 T-shirts and/or side-snap shirts

 Several snap-up rompers

 Several shirt-and-pant sets

 7 pairs of pajamas and/or sleeping gowns

 Cold-weather hat

 Cardigan sweater

 Bunting or snowsuit if it gets cold

 6 pairs of booties and/or socks

 Baby hangers for the closet

It's nice to have:

 A special outfit to bring baby home in and/or show her off

 Several diaper covers

 A wearable sleep sack, to use instead of a blanket

Strictly optional:

 Shoes (until baby is walking outside, i.e., the toddler years)

Going Out

The necessities:

 Car seat that fits a newborn

 Stroller that accommodates a newborn

 Diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, and a spare outfit

 Front carrier, like a Snugli or Baby Bjorn

It's nice to have:

 Sling (for the newborn stage)

 Baby backpack (for after 6 months)

 Stroller that your car seat fits onto

 Rain cover for the stroller

 Infant headrest for the car seat (if it doesn't come with one)

 Warm blanket or "boot" to wrap baby in during winter strolls

 Sunshades for the car windows

Big diaper bag for overnight trips

No-nos:

Mirror to see baby in the car (it can be a hazard if there's an accident)

A secondhand car seat (always get a new one)

Just for Fun

First toys

No necessities, but it's nice to have:

 Soft books and board books

 Rattles

Plastic links

Soft blocks

Activity gym/play mat

 Crib mirror

 Toys that attach to the stroller

Something plush that crinkles, rattles, and squeaks

 Baskets to store toys in all the key places: baby's room, the living room, the kitchen

No-nos:

Car seat toy bars (an added risk if there's an accident)

For sitting baby in

The necessities:

 Bouncer seat or infant seat

 Stationary activity center (once baby is 4 months old)

Heavy blankets and quilts to lay on the floor

It's nice to have:

 Swing

 Moses basket (though only usable until baby reaches 3 months)

 Portable play yard

No-nos:

Walker (get a stationary center instead, for safety)

Jumper (also generally considered unsafe)

When Something's Wrong

For soothing

The necessities:

 Several pacifiers (try different brands to see which one your baby prefers)

 Mobile for over the crib or changing table

 Lullaby CDs or other soothing music

It's nice to have:

 Music box made for the crib

The medicine cabinet

The necessities:

Thermometer

 Petroleum jelly

 Infant Tylenol

 Nasal aspirator

 Electrolyte drink (such as Pedialyte, to treat dehydration)

It's nice to have:

 Teething ointment or other teething remedy

 Vapor cream and/or vapor bath

Saline nose drops

Antigas medicine