What baby stuff do I need?
We've been asking parent friends for their baby gear recommendations, and below are a few lists.
The Minimalist's Baby Gear List
The short-list (must-have right away)
- car seat
- diapers & wipes
- laundry detergent
- a few clothes
- nail file
- thermometer
- boppy pillow and two covers
- nursing pads
- nursing bra
- recharge drink
- overnight sanitary pads (make sure to get overnight ones)
- nipple cream (I like motherlove products
- arnica pellets (for swelling etc post-birth...take 3-4 pellets a few times a day)
- ibuprofen (for swelling etc post-birth)
- journal (to write about the birth shortly after it happens so you don't forget!)
the other list
- crib
- crib mattress
- two crib sheets
- blankets (people will buy these for you, trust me, we got about a dozen!)
- wet bags for cloth diapers
- night light
- high chair
- bibs or bib clips
- pacifiers (3-4)
- bottles
- breast pump (if needed)
- breast milk storage like these ice cube trays
- baby monitor
- safety gate
- nasal aspirator
- nail clippers
- diaper bag
- stroller
- sling/baby carrier
- pack n play
- activity gym (2-3 months and up)
- swing (newborn and up)
- megasaucer/jumparoo (3 months and up)
- college fund!
The Complete Baby Gear List
NURSERY
- Crib
- Crib mattress
- Crib bedding (Target has a DwellStudio line that is cheap and very cute.)
- Bumper
- Fitted sheets (I love Clouds & Stars brand because you just zip off the top section, which makes changing the crib a lot easier)
- Waterproof mattress pads (at least 2 so you have 1 when 1 is in the wash)
- Dresser or changing table (I just put a changing table topper on a regular dresser from Ikea, so we could use the dresser longer)
- Rocker/glider
- Mobile (some people swear by these, but we’ve hardly used ours at all – not a necessity)
- Toys & stuffed animals. They don’t play with anything until about 3 months, when they start grasping, and then once they start teething they love to bite on things. Tiny Love makes some good, small, soft toys that infants like. Sophie the Giraffe is also a big hit. Target has lots of great Munchkin teething toys.
- People will probably give you tons of these! For babies, big colorful pictures and rhyming words hold the most interest
- Toy chest or bins or shelves
GEAR
- Infant car seat & base (might want 2 bases, one for each car)
- Stroller (as you know, we love the Orbit stroller + infant car seat)
- Play yard with bassinet. These are good for visits / sleepovers where there isn’t a crib, also when they’re a bit older, the playpen is a good, safe place for them to play independently (i.e., so you can shower! Or eat!). You could also use this as your crib in the very beginning when the baby is still upstairs with you.
- Carrier. We got the bjorn but have been told that the Ergo is MUCH better on your back. The bjorn sucks.
- Bouncer
- Mats or thick floor blankets
- Blankets. You’ll want different weights (light/heavy) and sizes, and probably some specifically for swaddling. Not everyone likes the idea of swaddling but I’m pretty convinced that it helps newborns sleep. Makes them feel safe/secure, like the womb.
- Activity mat
- Baby monitor. Obviously it’s not a necessity to get one with video, but we really love having that feature
- Diaper bag. The Skiphop Duo clips to strollers and is a very handily laid out bag.
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