The Ultimate Guide to Baby Gear

Congratulations! You’re pregnant or have a new little baby and ready to dive into the world of baby gear! The truth is that you can get by with a minimal amount of baby gear. The keyword there though is “get by”. Baby gear was invented to help make your life easier and so, while not required to raise a happy, healthy baby, it’s definitely worth spending some time researching your options!

My Must-Have Baby Gear Items

There are a few things I consider must-have baby gear items. For our family, those items include a car seat, stroller, baby carrier, playard, playmat, swing or other motorized seat, crib and mattress, dresser and of course, diapers, wipes and baby clothes. My must-have baby gear list is going to differ from yours, depending on your family and circumstances.

Of course, those are my must-have items but I also own many other “bonus” baby gear items that make my life easier. For example, you don’t really NEED to own special small baby towels, but I like that they are smaller (so you aren’t washing a huge towel each time) and the hood is great for keeping baby’s head warm.

Since I’ve been blogging since 2010, there are now tons of baby gear reviews on my site. And, while I could tell you what my favorite pieces of gear have been over the years, you’ll want to also check out the reviews for individual items, since what works well with my babies and in my home might not necessarily be what’s best for you and yours.

Baby Gear Checklist

I wanted to share a comprehensive baby gear checklist with you today. You may look at this list and decide that some of them are not necessary for you. That’s perfectly fine and expected. Decide which products YOU most need and want.

1.  Diapering
   • Disposable Diapers
   • Cloth Diapers
   • Wipes
   • Diaper Cream
   • Diaper Pail
   • Wipes Warmer
2. Big Gear Items
   • Playard
   • Swing
   • Co-sleeper
   • Car Seat
   • Stroller
   • Travel System
3. Clothing
   • Sleepers (8-10 per size)
   • Onesies (8-10 per size)
   • Pants
   • Dress clothes
   • Gowns
   • Socks
   • Shoes
   • Hair Accessories
   • Hats
   • Sleepsacks and/or Swaddles
4. Nursery
   • Crib
   • Mattress
   • Changing Table
   • Changing Table Pad
   • Dresser
   • Rocking Chair
   • Rug
   • Monitor
   • Curtains/Blinds
   • Bookcase
   • Toy storage
5. Feeding
   • Bottles
   • Bottle Brush
   • Microwave Steralizer
   • Various Nipple Stages
   • Bottle Warmer
   • Plates, Bowls, Sippy Cups, Baby Spoons
   • High Chair
6. Breastfeeding
   • Breastpump
   • Breast pads
   • Nursing Pillow
   • Nursing Bra or Tanks
   • Milk Storage Bags
7. Entertainment & Miscellaneous
   • Bouncer Seat
   • Toys
   • Playmat
   • Baby Carrier
   • Jumper or Entertainment Seat
   • Pacifiers
8. Health, Wellness and Bath
   • Nail Clippers
   • Baby Shampoo
   • Baby Lotion
   • Baby bathtub
   • Towels
   • Washclothes
   • Medications

So there you have it! That’s a full list of all of the baby gear options available to you. As always, if you have any questions as you navigate the world of baby gear, feel free to ask as a comment below or on social media.