Well here it is… the behemoth of all baby needs lists! With all the baby brain going on during pregnancy and the first year (or more!) it’s important to get a good check list going. But remember, you don’t need as much stuff as you think you do! Relax. Take a breath. Put that Moses basket on the back burner.

This list was formulated off my own experience, as well as a survey of friends, family and other great moms out there. For a shorter list of First Aid & Health Items go HERE. Otherwise, click on the pink links for a look at each of these great items and to be taken to our friends at Amazon.com for a price check! And feel free to pipe in, and tell us some of the great stuff we should all be grabbing up for baby’s arrival!

  • Newborn diapers: one large pack is good enough to start with. Some newborns grow out of them pretty quickly, while others take their time.  An 80-count case of size newborn diapers should be a good start – don’t get more until you can tell how they fit and in case your baby grows out of them – yes, it can be quicker than you think! Finding out what works for you and baby will take a little time as well. I personally loved the Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers, and they fit my LOs little butt and chunky thighs better than anything else and are much softer than any of the others. I had tons of leaks with Huggies. But it’s all going to depend on your baby’s shape, as well as possibly their gender and the way they move around.
  • Baby wipes: You can’t buy too many of these so buy bulk if you can. I never went with anything but Pampers Sensitive Wipes, not only because I myself have sensitive skin, as does the Lil’ Nugget, but also because the chemicals in regular baby wipes are unnecessary and potentially harsh for those little tushies wipe after wipe. Your baby will thank you!
  • Diaper bag: I got a fantastic graphite colored Skip Hop Versa Expandable Diaper Bag and never looked back. Others get a new diaper bag every other month! This is your one chance to make a fashion statement with your baby accessories, so have fun. One piece of advice: Make sure you have PLENTY of pockets inside and outside of the bag. In an emergency, or in the dark, you’ll be glad you had plenty of options for organizing food, toys, wipes, diapers and an extra change of clothes.
  • Bottles: My suggestion is to get Dr. Brown’s Natural Flows. They were a miracle for reducing the Lil’ Nugget’s gas problems and are known to reduce colic. There’s more to clean with these (bottle, nipple, vent insert, reservoir), so factor that in with your choice. If baby is gassy or colicky, this may be your life-saver. Try to get an assortment of bottle and nipple sizes, as you’ll likely start with 2 oz. bottles and move up in increments as baby grows.
  • Dishwasher cage for bottle bits – doing those little bottle parts by hand will become the bane of your existence soon enough. Your hands will start feeling like sandpaper soon enough, so if you’ve got a dishwasher, it’s worth it to get a couple of these Dr. Brown’s Dishwashing Baskets (one holds 3 bottle parts). If you don’t have a dishwasher, try the following…
  • Microwave sterilization bags: these things are GREAT! I don’t know why I waited to use them. My mom had me boiling water the old fashioned way for weeks! Once I finally used Dr. Brown’s Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags, it sterilized bottle and parts in two minutes!
  • Formula: Okay, don’t everyone jump all over me for putting this on here. Yes, you should breast feed solely for the first year if you can. However, some mothers require or desire formula for various reasons, including personal health reasons, because they are caring for an adopted baby, or because their child is ill, or refuses to go to the breast. If you do require formula check with your pediatrician, lactation consultant and with what makes sense for you and your baby. Many formulas are NOT organic and contain milk, so if your baby is lactose intolerant or highly sensitive, try Nature’s One soy formula. In my opinion, opting for sensitive formula should be a given for every baby on formula!
  • Bottle Warmer: The First Years Babypro Quick Serve ($15). However, if you plan on making food for your baby, I would HIGHLY recommend the Cuisinart Baby Food Maker & Bottle Warmer! This was extremely convenient, warmed bottles perfectly and broke down food beautifully and smoothly – it saved me money on baby food too!
  • Breastfeeding Pillow: I was skeptical about this purchase as I had heard a lot of naysaying about breastfeeding pillows being useless, but My Breast Friend totally converted me – comes in a twin version too! This thing saved my back! A regular pillow really did NOT work; for one, My Breast Friend is made from a firmer material that keeps baby from sinking down ad losing their latch – very important as you’ll both be getting the hang of this for a while. You’ll be tired, and having something to hold baby up other than your arms is vital. Lastly, this secures with a clip on belt that allows you to move freely without trying to readjust baby on an unwieldy pillow. MBF lifts baby right up, was super comfy for baby (she even fell asleep on it!) and really helped my LO latch on properly.
  • Sippy Cups: You won’t need these for a while, but here’s a hot tip: let your baby play with an empty one at about 6 months. They’ll soon get the concept of sucking on it, and without water there’s no fear of dousing themselves. I did this with my LO and it really helped prime her later for transitioning to a sippy cup more easily, and without having to change lots of wet shirts! BornFree makes a fantastic sippy training cup with a soft, chewable spout. LO is very partial to hers and doesn’t enjoy other brands with harder spouts since she’s still teething and it helped a lot in getting her used to drinking on her own. Give them a try as I believe it helped my LO learn how to use a sippy cup more rapidly!
  • Teething Toys: Link-a-doos toy clips. For $7 these little links are super fun and versatile for your teething baby. Every baby is different when it comes to teething. Some barely make a peep about it (my LO is one of these luckily) while others are inconsolable. Don’t fret. There are tons of items that can help including the Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder – besides the fact that it can be used to introduce new foods to baby without any choking hazards, you can also use it as a teether.  This is how: take a bagel, chop it into small pieces and freeze them. Then put them in the feeder.  Baby now has a food based teether that stays cold and doesn’t melt all over and leave a mess! Try this trick out and let me know how it works for you.
  • Mobile: I’d get one for crib and for the changing table. I made the mistake of trying to make my own mobiles! Let’s just say, they’re still in pieces somewhere. Choose your DIY projects wisely! One tip: Get a mobile that has objects facing DOWN toward the baby – not toward you looking at the mobile. This isn’t just about making the nursery look cute to visitors – it’s about making sure baby has something to look up at when they are drifting off to sleep or in need of distraction during  a diaper change (why do they hate getting changed so much?).
  • Wearable Swaddling Wrap: For $25, Miracle Blanket is worth every penny! LO didn’t want to be swaddled in much of anything, and only wanted to suck on the pricey Aiden + Anais blankets I got at my shower. However, she happily snoozed away in this wrap, which has a built in pouch for baby’s feet and very soft, pliable cotton weave. Allows for keeping arms out, which my LO loved.
  • Night Light: My LO loves the Twilight Turtle. She plays with it during the day, during diaper changes and sleeps with it at night. A big hit with every LO I know, this light displays three different colors of stars on the nursery ceiling and comes in an assortment of colors (I got the red Ladybug but love the “Ocean” version in lavender too!).
  • Humidifier: I can’t say enough about Graco Cool Mist Humidifier. Clean, fresh air and SUPER quiet. You’ll be glad you chose something that doesn’t keep the baby up (or you when you are sleeping in the same room) with a lot of whirring! I bought the 4 gallon but if that’s too hefty for you, try the 1.5 gallon version instead (included in link).
  • White Noise Machine: Yes, yes, YES! You need one of these. Get something with multiple sounds to choose from. Every baby is into something different. The Cloud B Sleep Sheep is a popular item, but try the On-The-Go version of Sleep Sheet for those times when you are traveling or want to attach to a stroller. It has four sounds, but if your LO likes variety like mine does, try the Sound Sleeper by Dex! A real life saver for me, it has a huge variety of sounds and controls and is cheaper than the Sleep Sheep.
  • Glider/Rocker Chair: There are lots of rockers and gliders out there, including IKEA’s Jenny Lund chair ($200), the Dorel Rocking Chair from Walmart ($169) with ottoman ($50) and a slip cover ($60) and many other low cost options. But truthfully, don’t skimp on this item. You’ll spend countless hours putting your baby to sleep and reading to them in the years to come, and it will likely end up in your living room, so comfort and style are high considerations. That’s why I bought the Babyletto Kyoto Glider. It cost me $610 (tax included) after scouring the internet and clipping coupons but it was worth every penny for the sake of my back alone!
  • Co-sleeper: If you’re up for a co-sleeping, try Summer Infant ‘By Your Side.’ It’s a version that lays beside you in bed, though they have a taller version and a travel version as well depending on your individual needs. Ventilated to make breathing safe and easy for your newborn, this item is also very reasonably priced at $45 (and I found it on sale for about $35). Any other suggestions from you moms who co-sleep, let us know!
  • Crib Mattress: This is one of those items I will splurge for and I’ll tell you why. Your baby spends nearly half of their first few years lying on a mattress. Making sure it’s comfortable, provides the right support for their tiny frame and isn’t doused in anti-inflammatory chemicals and other plastics is vital. Those chemicals give off fumes that get inhaled during sleep, and are frankly unnecessary.  Naturepedic 2 in 1 Oragnic Ultra Crib Mattress ($299) is an excellent, all organic mattress, and I love that it combines the toddler and  infant mattress. Just flip it over when baby is ready to transition to toddler bed, and she/he will have all the proper support they need for several years to come.
  • Crib sheets: My mom actually made my crib sheets – in fact, they are one of the easiest things to sew if you want to give it a try.  However, if sewing isn’t your thing, Clouds and Stars makes some amazing zippable replacement sheets – the one I linked to is just over $20 and a ton cheaper than their regular full price of $36.99 so get ’em while their hot! They’ll take away the hassle of wrestling a crib mattress to remove a regular crib sheet during an “accident” in the middle of the night. Zip off, and zip on… easy peasy!
  • Crib: I love the Babyletto Modo 3-in-1 convertible crib, and the BabyMod at Walmart (I really like this one with the Park Lane set of furniture too), but actually decided on a very reasonably priced, modern looking StorkCraft Monza II  on sale for $178 with free shipping! One caveat? You can see the screw holes on the frame, and some people are sticklers about that sort of stuff, but otherwise, I was in love with its modern lines and modest price!
  • Changing Table: I got mine for $99 at Target. Don’t over-think this one. I thought about matching everything up, but in the end, you have better things to spend your money on. The one I got is sturdy and has shelves and does just great!
  • Baby Monitor: I’m so relieved I bought the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature with Digital Video and Sensor Pad! Angelcare was recalled this past month and was a close call for me. Hot tip: these go on sale for 50% off regularly, so make sure you keep it on your watch list to catch the discounts! I will say the beeping safety mat was a little annoying, but that’s the whole point. Problem is, my LO is a mover and a shaker, so I removed it after it basically beeped all the time. That said, the Tommee Tippee was worth every penny and is one of my most used items on this list. With a color monitor, night vision, remote camera that zooms and adjusts the nightlight, and a super long range receiver, you can’t go wrong here. You can even coo to baby through the monitor!
  • Receiving Blankets: You’ll use these for everything from swaddling (mine didn’t like them but I know many babies who do) to keeping baby warm in the bassinet to using it as a play mat. The best by far are Aden + Anais. Noticeably softer than the rest and the designs are really cute. A 3-Pack will run you $39 on Amazon. But you can also opt for Summer Infant’s muslin wraps reasonably priced at $27 and almost as soft. If you want to go hog wild you can try Under The Nile for an organic flannel blanket (Reg. $44 but I included a link for it at $29.73!) – I didn’t want to splurge on this, but got one at my baby shower and LO loves this thing!
  • Onesies: You’ll need at least 2 multi-packs of onesies, long-sleeved if in winter (about 10 onesies altogether). These bad boys will go into the laundry basket like tissue paper while you get used to baby’s routines and late night accidents. Make sure you have plenty on hand. Gerber is the softest and best brand, I found.
  • Undershirts:  You’ll want a pack of the undershirts with no bottom for newborns. The reason is their umbilical cord is highly sensitive and will get in the way of anything else. To keep the area free from binding, get some kimono style onesies from Gerber.
  • Sleep Sacks: These are a great item to keep baby secure and warm, and the top of the line is definitely the Halo Sleepsac.  For summer choose one of their lighter versions, or go for full fleece if you’re due in the winter months.
  • Socks and caps: I never had enough socks! It was like they got sucked up into a vortex on a daily basis. Make sure you’ve got plenty hats on hand as well! Baby has no ability to regulate temperature, so they’ll need this to stay warm!
  • Bibs (4): I absolutely adore Tommee Tippee’s Closer to Nature bibs. Not only are they incredibly soft, and reasonably priced, but they have a special cushy ring at the neckline that prevents milk from dribbling down baby’s neck and ears during feedings. Try it out!
  • Burpcloths (6):  You can get 6 of the regular kind, or instead, do what I did: get a couple of waterproof burpcloths from Living Textiles. They are pricier than regular burpcloths but they saved me from many a spit up on my shirts and they are quick-drying, so you simply handwash quickly and don’t even throw them in the dryer. Yes, it is inevitable you will get spit up on, but it was nice not to have it happen a dozen times a day!
  • Pacifiers: I would ask yourself if you even want your LO to use them.  Read up and see what you think, but my experience was that it was a crutch I didn’t want LO to become attached to. The result? She actually sleeps better than any baby I know because she knows how to self-soothe. Every time I put her to sleep with a pacifier, it would eventually fall out of her mouth and wake her up. However, before I took her off them, she liked Dr. Brown’s so you might give them a shot!
  • Pacifier clips: You’ll need some sturdy ones! These get broken all the time, so make sure you have a few spares on hand.
  • High Chair:  The Inglesina Club High Chair is modern, sleek and simple. I just love this design! Very easy to get baby in and out, and it’s very light but sturdy. Perfect height as well. Just know the legs come out slightly to provide stability so if you’ve got a small apartment, be careful not to stub your toe!
  • Table Chair: I love the Inglesina Fast Table Chair! I got it in orange and it was really sweet (the color is way more vibrant than in the pictures). Super easy to fasten to most tables (as long as they are thin enough), and save a ton of space over a high chair since they don’t have any legs. This single mama was overjoyed to not have another cluttering piece of furniture in the house!
  • Bouncy Seat/Swing: Don’t skimp too hard here if you decide on this item, but remember that not every baby needs or wants a bouncy seat or swing while others remember this as their life-saver. Either way, a good swing will cost you about $70. My mom bought me a cheaper Fischer-Price for about half that and it broke within 3 weeks. Although you can replace it, and Fischer-Price sometimes will offer a motor replacement, the constant breaking down is not worth it. Move up a little in your price point and cut elsewhere for your sanity if this is vital!
  • Bumbo baby seat: There was some hubbub about recalls at one point on these, but I believe it was mostly due to a few people idiotically putting them up on counters, beds and couches. They’ve since added a seat belt. My feeling is these are great when baby is learning to sit up, but make sure you let them work on their core outside of the Bumbo to keep muscle development on track. Again, this is not a necessity – I for one did not get around to getting one of these, and LO was just fine without it. I do have to say, though, that there were a few weeks that went when she was learning to sit up, and would get upset unless I helped her constantly, where one of these would have been really nice!
  • Stroller: I for one can’t say enough good things about the Bugaboo Cameleon. It’s expensive, I won’t lie. But this is one of those few items I feel you should spend the money on (the others are a glider and crib mattress). I will say I got mine more than half off and brand new on Craigslist ($500) but that still might feel like a lot for some of you. Here is my rationale: It transitions from bassonet to toddler seat, can be put on reversibly, adjusts to your baby’s car seat, folds and unfolds in seconds, can be steered one-handed (an essential for moms on their own with dogs to walk!), can be taken on hiking trails,  and carries a toddler up to 38 pounds.  It’s the only stroller you will ever need (until your LO gets bigger than 38 pounds). Compare that with my SIL who has had about 6 strollers in the three years she’s had my nephew. Mostly this has been to stay versatile between hikes in the park, walking city streets, traveling, and shopping.  But though I love her enthusiasm (and to each their own), I for one have no time, patience or money for 6 strollers that end up costing more than my one Bugaboo and in my opinion do far less. Believe me, you won’t regret spending money on this item.
  • Baby Carrier: I got a BabyBjorn Active and I have to say… I regret my choice. My SIL warned me about this one, and I stubbornly didn’t want to believe her, but boy was she right! For one, it offered little to no back support even though I bought the Active version. Secondly, all the straps all over it were a little confusing and ended up fitting a little tight for those days when I wanted to wear a looser top. It seemed built better for a guy to be honest. So, if I had to do it over I would buy the Ergo Sport, as it seems a lot of fellow moms love it for it’s great back support and more attractive styling.
  • Car Seat and Base: Britax B-Safe is little workhorse and a great choice for the LO. Sturdy, simple, comfortable and affordable. Countless hours of baby  snoozing in it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. My only complaint is that it seemed particularly hot for her if she fell asleep in it, and she’d get a little sweaty. This seems like a common complaint for all seats, so I would invest in a car seat cover as well if you’re in the market. The other issue is that the straps were a little hard to adjust (a common complaint with many seats so check your preferred seat for this issue), and would get flipped around all the time. I’m now transferring her into a Maxi Cosi Pria 70, which has had a lot of high marks from fellow moms. UPDATE: This seat is fantastic. Super cushy, lots of safety features and keeps the Lil’ Nugget’s (slightly oversized) head in place with side impact protection air filled wings. I feel like she’s very safe in here and she goes to sleep in it more deeply and without all the sweaty drawbacks of other seats. The only small issues are that it’s hard to tighten the seat in place with the given belt without help – I had my local police department install for me (those guys are huge!) and I would recommend this type of installation for any parent, especially those of us on our own. I learned things from them about safe installation that were not in the manual. The only other small drawback is that the baby’s buckle is a little stiff – but this was not a deal breaker for me.
  •  Sunshade for car window: I will let you in on a secret. I haven’t found one of these products that doesn’t fall apart after a few months. I don’t know what it is about sun shades, but they don’t “stick” very long. My suggestion? It’s important to shade baby’s eyes, but don’t spend a lot on this item since it’s practically a throw away.
  • Travel Crib: For those visits to Grandma, overnight stays here and there, and for playtime, a travel crib can be a godsend. I had originally wanted the Baby Bjorn Silver Travel Crib ($220 on sale) for newborn to 3 years, but instead went for a newer item – the Guava Family Lotus. However, I don’t know if I made a better choice. The lotus is pretty and very light, with a nice carrying case you can strap on like a napsack. But it’s not as quick to set up and break down as the company touts it to be. The set up isn’t bad, but breaking it down can be a chore at times. The mechanism to fold the crib is very stiff and at times I had to unzip the cloth to look at the inner workings and coax everything along. The carrying case is very fitted as well, so it takes a few minutes to get it around the bed. All in all, it could be more intuitive and not so rigid in the break down, but is otherwise a very nice crib with good ventilation and strong construction. If anyone feels they can compare these two products, speak up!
  • Bath Tub: The best ever bath tub is definitely the Primo Eurobath ($38.50). Baby can lay back with the safety of a “horn” in the middle that keeps them from sliding down, and later can transition to the other side of the tub for sitting upright. LO loves this thing!
  • Washcloths: I have to say, the best washcloth I ever got for the LO was the one my grandmother crocheted for me. The more you use it the more it suds up! I just love it. But if Grandma isn’t available, and you don’t know how to crochet, you’ll need a number of these as they get used for more than just the bath in my experience. Don’t get too fancy. Just make sure they’re soft. A dozen should be plenty.
  • Towel w/Hoodie: I really love Swanky Blankie.  One of these super plush towels will feel great on baby’s super sensitive skin, but if I had my druthers I’d get two! You’ll be doing a lot of laundry when baby arrives, and it’s nice to make sure you’ve got a fresh towel on hand for baby’s daily baths. If this is too pricey for you, try Skip Hop Zoo Towels. They’re not as plush by far, but they are much thicker than the average hooded towel you’ll find under the Babies R Us and Walmart brands.
  • Diaper Champ: I love not replacing any customized bags for this Diaper Champ! Why anyone would want to waste money on special bags is beyond me.  Just make sure to clean out your pail on a regular basis no matter what brand you get – your little stinker can make a lasting impact after a week even if you take out the garbage every couple of days! And none of the pails is completely stink-proof, no matter what they try to tell you!
  • Breast Pump: The Medela Pump in Style Breast Pump ($270) was a fantastic work horse. I borrowed mine from my SIL and changed out the tubing pretty easily. Hot tip: Ask your hospital to give you Medela parts FOR FREE. Mine offered me many replacement parts and it saved me tons!
  • Nursing Bras and Pads: Definitely get the AVENT Washable Nursing Pads! For fantastic BPA-free products all across the baby line AVENT is tried and true, but in particular, they made one of the few and best washable nursing pads out there. I know, you’re thinking, why not just get the throw aways? Well, the answer is, they’re expensive, they’re thin and they don’t feel as nice. Your breasts are already going through enough discomfort as it is… just throw these girls in the wash and voila! You’re ready to go!
  • Nipple cream: For those first weeks of cracking and chafing, you’ll need a good nipple cream on hand. Try Lansinoh HPA Lanolin. You may also want to get the AVENT Nipple Protector – back when I was breastfeeding this was a Godsend, as the period of soreness at the start of breastfeeding seemed to go on for much longer than the average. If you’re sensitive, this is an inexpensive fix.

What would you add to the list? Comment below and let us know!