Babies Baby Gear Baby Must-Haves (and Don't-Needs) for Your Registry Shop smart for your new arrival with this checklist of baby must-haves, nice-to-haves, and registry items you don't need to spend money on. By Jessica Hartshorn Updated on March 14, 2024 Medically reviewed by Mona Amin, D.O. In This Article View All In This Article Essentials Nursery Furniture Linens Babyproofing Gear Formula-Feeding Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Solid Food Diapering Bathing and Grooming Clothing Travel Toys Baby Seats Baby Care Basics When it's your first time registering for a baby shower, it's so easy to get overwhelmed. Both online and brick-and-mortar retailers may have you convinced that you need everything they have on offer. But the list of things your baby actually needs is fairly short. Before your guests (or you) blow a small fortune, it's important to understand which items are essential and which are totally unnecessary. To help you wade through the hype, we've drawn up this list based on our own experience and that of other parents. Those must-have baby items are categorized as "necessities," while those that might make your life easier are listed as "nice-to-haves." We also mention unsafe products that you should avoid. These ‘Holy Grail’ Sleep Sacks and Swaddles Work So Well, I Used Them Again With My Second Baby Brianna Gilmartin Baby Essentials for the First 3 to 4 Months We provide a detailed list of each category below, but in general, your baby must-haves for the first three months of their life should include: Nursery furniture and gearBaby linens, including crib and bassinet sheets, baby blankets, and swaddlesBabyproofing gearFeeding gearDiaper essentialsHygiene and grooming essentialsBaby clothesTravel gear, including car seats and strollersEntertainmentBaby gear, like swings and play matsFirst aid and baby care equipment Read on for a closer look at the items in each category. Just remember: Every family's needs are different, so this list can (and should!) be modified to your tastes as you set up your baby registry. Nursery Furniture The necessities: CribCrib mattress The nice-to-haves: Changing table Bassinet (safe until the baby is 3 to 6 months old or weighs 15 pounds) Rocking chair or glider Humidifier or vaporizer Dresser/chest (to bolt to the wall) Hamper Baby monitor, if you have a big house What you don't need: A secondhand crib. Get a new one for safety purposes instead. Parents and Doctors Agree These Pacifiers Are Great for Letting Babies Soothe Themselves Baby Linens The necessities: 2 fitted crib sheets Several thin cotton receiving blankets (they have a million uses) 1 or 2 waterproof mattress protectors Swaddle or wearable sleep sack The nice-to-haves: Matching quilt or a crib skirt (for decoration) What you don't need: Pillows, loose bedding or blankets, sleep positioners, bumper pads, or mattress padding. All of these items increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and should be kept out of the crib. Help Your Baby Snooze Safely (And in Style) With the Best Cribs We Tested, Starting From $199 Babyproofing Gear The necessities (after 4 months): Baby gates at the top and bottom of all stairs Cabinet latches Drawer latches Outlet covers Furniture anchors The nice-to-haves: Toilet lockCorner guards for low tablesFireplace bumper Baby on the Move? These Are the Best Baby Gates for Safety and Peace of Mind Formula-Feeding Gear The necessities: About 8 bottles with newborn nipples (try several brands to find the one your baby prefers)Bottle-cleaning brush or a dishwasher basketBottle-drying rackSeveral weeks' worth of baby formula (to start)6 or more cotton bibs6 or more burp cloths (though receiving blankets and cloth diapers also do the trick)Insulated cooler/carrier for outings The nice-to-haves: Dry formula dispenserBottle sterilizer What you don't need: A bottle warmer (heating in hot water works just as well) or a bottle holder/propper. Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Gear The necessities: Nursing pillow 2 or 3 nursing bras 2 or 3 boxes of nursing pads or a set of reusable pads Freezer-safe breast/chest milk storage bags or containers 6 or more burp cloths (receiving blankets and cloth diapers also work) The nice-to-haves: Breast/chest pump (a double electric pump is most convenient, but some parents prefer hand pumps) Several bottles and nipples, if someone else will be feeding your baby pumped milk (you'll want to get several brands of nipple to find the one your baby prefers) Nipple cream for the first few weeks How to Breastfeed: Nursing 101 Solid Food Feeding Gear The necessities (not needed until 4 to 6 months): High chair Bibs Infant feeding silverware Infant bowl The nice-to-haves: Mess mat for under the high chair (a plastic shower curtain can work) Baby food mill (if you're ambitious enough to puree your own baby food) Baby's First Foods: How to Introduce Solids Diapering Gear The necessities: 2 packs of newborn diapers (to start) Wipes Diaper rash ointment Diaper pail or trash can with lid If you're cloth diapering, you'll want to check out our full guide to cloth diapering. The nice-to-haves: Waterproof changing table pad (if you get a changing table) 2 or 3 changing table pad covers (usually cotton or terry cloth) 4 or 5 waterproof square or rectangular pads for under baby's bottom (these will protect the cover that's protecting the pad—you can also use a towel or doggy pee pad) Baby cream, if your baby has dry skin (coconut oil works, too) What you don't need: A wipe warmer or a diaper stacker (though they're pretty) The Ultimate Diaper Size Guide for New Parents Bathing and Grooming Gear 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 (some parents find an electric nail trimmer easier) A rinse cup The nice-to-haves: Bath toysMesh bag to store bath toysBath thermometerFaucet guard What you don't need: A baby-size robe. It's hard enough to get your baby dressed in their real clothes! The 22 Best Skin Care Products for Kids That Are Gentle and Effective Baby Clothing The necessities: 7 or more snap-crotch bodysuits/onesies 3 or 4 T-shirts and/or side-snap shirts 3 or 4 pairs of pants Several snap-up or zippered rompers 7 pairs of pajamas and/or sleeping gowns Sun hat Cold-weather hat and cardigan (if it gets cold) Bunting/footmuff or snowsuit (if it gets really cold) 6 pairs of socks Several booties Baby hangers for the closet The nice-to-haves: A special outfit for bringing baby home and/or showing them offSeveral shirt-and-pant setsBaby swimsuit or rash guard (if you foresee pool or beach trips; not needed immediately) What you don't need: Shoes. Wait until your baby is walking outside (i.e., the toddler years). These Editor-Tested Double Jogging Strollers Make Exercising With Two a Breeze (Or Easier, at Least) Baby Travel Gear The necessities: Convertible car seat that fits a newborn Stroller that accommodates a newborn Diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, changing pad, and a spare outfit Baby carrier that can accommodate a newborn The nice-to-haves: Infant car seat and baseBaby wrap or sling for newborns and lighter infantsBaby hiking backpack (for after 6 months)Stroller that your car seat fits ontoRain cover for the strollerWarm blanket to wrap your baby in during winter strollsSunshades for the car windowsBig diaper bag for overnight trips What you don't need: A mirror to see your baby in the car (these can be a hazard if there's an accident). Also avoid secondhand car seats for safety reasons. First Baby Toys No baby must-haves, but these items are nice-to-haves: Soft books and board booksRattlesSoft blocksActivity gym/play matToys that attach to a strollerSomething plush that crinkles, rattles, and/or squeaksMultiple baskets in which to store toys (place one in the baby's room, living room, and kitchen) What you don't need: Car seat toy bars. These are an added risk if there's an accident. Baby Seats The necessities: Bouncer seat or infant seat Stationary activity center (once baby is 4 months old) Playmat The nice-to-haves: Swing Moses basket (usable until baby reaches 3 months) Portable play yard What you don't need: A walker or a jumper. Get a stationary center instead, for safety reasons. Baby Care Basics The necessities: Several pacifiers (try different brands to see which one your baby prefers) Thermometer Petroleum jelly Infant pain reliever Nasal aspirator or snotsucker Saline nose drops Electrolyte drink, such as Pedialyte, for dehydration The nice-to-haves: TeetherVapor bath (once baby is 3 months old) Anti-gas medicine or gripe water The 9 Best Baby Registry Services for Expectant Parents Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit