Babies Gear Buying Guides Baby Must-Haves (and Don't-Needs) for Your Registry Shop smart for your new baby with this checklist of infant necessities, nice-to-haves, and baby items you don't need to spend money on. By Jessica Hartshorn Jessica Hartshorn Instagram Jessica Hartshorn has covered the baby and kid-product market for 22 years and is a mother of two herself. At the holidays, she helms parents.com/besttoys. our editorial guidelines Updated on March 17, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email 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 your baby is diapers, a place to sleep, and a blanket for bundling. That said, we know you're not living in the Stone Age. You deserve the accessories that will make your job as a parent easier—which is why we've compiled this baby registry checklist. RELATED: Parents' Best Baby Gear 2022 We've categorized must-have baby items as "necessities." Other baby things that you might appreciate (but some parents find to be a waste of money) are listed as "nice-to-haves." We also mention unsafe products that you should avoid in the nursery. Using this checklist as a guide, you'll be able to discern between baby essentials and needless items, saving time and money as you prepare for parenthood. Nursery Furniture The necessities: Crib or co-sleeperCrib mattress The nice-to-haves: 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 What you don't need: A secondhand crib. Get a new one for safety purposes instead. Newborn Essentials for Baby's First 6 Weeks Baby Linens The necessities: 2 fitted crib sheetsSeveral thin cotton receiving blankets2 waterproof mattress protectors The nice-to-haves: Matching quilt or a crib skirt (they're only decorative) What you don't need: Pillows, sleep positioners, bumper pads, or mattress padding. All of these items increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and they should be kept out of the crib until your baby is at least one year old. RELATED: Buying Products As A New Mom Babyproofing Gear The necessities (after 4 months): Gates at the top and bottom of all stairsCabinet latchesDrawer latchesOutlet coversFireplace bumperFurniture anchors The nice-to-haves: Toilet lockCorner guards for low tables Babyproofing Your House: A Checklist for Every Room 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 start6 or more cotton bibs6 or more burp cloths (cloth diapers do the job)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 takes the same amount of time) or a bottle proper (unless you have multiples; use it sparingly when you can't otherwise feed all the babies at once) Breastfeeding Gear 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) The nice-to-haves: Breast pump (choose an electric pump if you'll use it every day at work; a hand pump is fine otherwise) Breast milk storage bags or containers Several bottles and nipples, if someone else will be feeding your baby pumped breast milk Nipple cream for the first few weeks RELATED: How to Breastfeed Your Baby: Nursing 101 Solid Food Feeding Gear The necessities (not needed until 4 to 6 months): High chairPlastic bibsInfant feeding spoonsInfant bowl The nice-to-haves: Mess mat for under the high chair Baby food mill, if you're ambitious enough to puree your own baby food RELATED: Baby's First Foods: How to Introduce Solids Diapering Gear 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 The nice-to-haves: 4-5 waterproof square or rectangular pads for under your baby's bottom (these will protect the cover that's protecting the pad—you won't be sorry)Baby cream, if your baby has dry skinNon-talc powder to help the diaper area dry faster What you don't need: A wipe warmer or a diaper stacker (though they're pretty) RELATED: The Ultimate Diaper Size Guide for New Parents Courtesy of Chicco Bathing and Grooming Gear The necessities: 2 hooded towels 4 washcloths Infant tub (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 The nice-to-haves: Bath toysMesh bag to hold 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! RELATED: How to Give a Baby a Bath Baby Clothing The necessities: 7 or more snap-crotch bodysuits/onesies3-4 T-shirts and/or side-snap shirtsSeveral snap-up rompersSeveral shirt-and-pant sets7 pairs of pajamas and/or sleeping gownsSun hatCold-weather hatCardigan sweaterBunting or snowsuit if it gets cold6 pairs of booties and/or socksBaby hangers for the closet The nice-to-haves: A special outfit for bringing your baby home and/or showing them off Several diaper covers A wearable sleep sack to use instead of a blanket What you don't need: Shoes. Wait until your baby is walking outside (i.e., the toddler years). RELATED: 6 Money-Saving Strategies For Parents On A Budget Baby Travel Gear 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 Baby Bjorn The nice-to-haves: Sling (for the newborn stage)Baby backpack (for after 6 months)Stroller that your car seat fits ontoRain cover for the strollerInfant headrest for the car seat (if it doesn't come with one)Warm blanket or "boot" 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. RELATED: 7 Tips for Buying a Newborn Car Seat First Baby Toys No necessities, but these baby items are nice-to-haves: Soft books and board booksRattlesPlastic linksSoft blocksActivity gym/play matCrib mirrorToys that attach to the strollerSomething plush that crinkles, rattles, and squeaksBaskets to store toys in all the key places, like your baby's room, the living room, and the kitchen What you don't need: Car seat toy bars. These an added risk if there's an accident. Baby Seats The necessities: Bouncer seat or infant seatStationary activity center (once baby is 4 months old)Heavy blankets and quilts to lay on the floor The nice-to-haves: SwingMoses basket (though only 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. RELATED: 10 Things to Know About Newborns Baby Care Basics The necessities: Several pacifiers (try different brands to see which one your baby prefers) Thermometer Petroleum jelly Infant Tylenol Nasal aspirator Electrolyte drink, such as Pedialyte, to treat dehydration The nice-to-haves: Teething ointment or other teething remedy Vapor cream and/or vapor bath Saline nose drops Antigas medicine Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit