Baby Essentials: Top 13 Things Your Baby Actually Needs + What You Can Leave on the Shelf

Let’s be honest — marketing works. A product with a good marketing team behind it can latch onto our subconscious fears, anxieties, and desires so effectively that before we know it, we’re scanning at the self-checkout.

Baby products are no exception. I remember stepping into Babies “R” Us with my husband to make a registry before our first baby came. We both stood there, wide-eyed, thinking, “Do they really need all this?” It was overwhelming.

The truth is, your baby doesn’t need a Pinterest-perfect nursery, a fancy diaper-changing gadget, or every brand-name product marketed to new parents. As a certified nurse-midwife and a mom of five (including a set of twins), I’d like to share what my experience and expertise say are the true baby essentials — what you actually need, what’s nice to have, and what you can skip altogether.

Baby Essentials You Actually Need

Of course, when I say “baby essentials,” I’m talking about my personal recommendations for mamas who want the conveniences of the modern world without going overboard or getting ripped off by gimmicky messaging.

Are burp cloths a baby essential? Technically, no. The pioneers didn’t have them, and hand towels work fine. But burp cloths do make life with your newborn a little easier (and your bag a little lighter).

So, as you walk through this list, keep in mind that so much of what you “need” really depends on parenting style, lifestyle, and the preferences and temperament of your baby. These are just the baby essentials I’d suggest as a baseline for most moms if they’re starting from scratch.

Diapers and Wipes

You’ll need a solid stash of diapers — cloth or disposable, whatever fits your lifestyle best.

When it comes to wipes, I can’t recommend Water Wipes enough. I remember realizing early on that the chemical-laden ones were actually stinging my baby’s bottom, especially if there was a rash or irritation. Water wipes are gentle and effective, and they save a lot of discomfort.

Car Seat

This safety measure really is essential, and you want to ensure it hasn’t been in an accident and isn’t expired. Consequently, if there’s one thing to avoid getting secondhand, it’s this. Look for a car seat with a long lifespan in terms of weight and height limits, so it grows with your baby.

Swaddle Blankets

A good stack of swaddle blankets goes a long way. They’ll wrap your baby in comfort and warmth, and they’re endlessly useful — for sleeping, nursing, changing, and more.

Cloth Bibs

Especially once teething starts, cloth bibs really help soak up all that copious drool your little angel somehow produces. They create a useful barrier that’s much easier to change five times a day than a full outfit.

Crib + 2–3 Fitted Sheets

You really don’t need all the fancy bedding for a newborn. Just a safe, well-rated crib and a few fitted sheets. That way, you’ve got changes ready when blowouts happen — and they will — and you don’t have to store bedding that can’t accompany baby to bed anyway.

Thermometer

You’ll need a thermometer to check baby’s temperature when you suspect a fever. Any functional thermometer will work, but we love the Kinsa QuickCare thermometer for the whole family. It connects to an app where you can log each kiddo’s temperature and note medications, and even export the info to share with your pediatrician.

Stroller

A good stroller will save your arms when you start taking baby out of the house, but you don’t need the fanciest brand on the market. In fact, this is a great item to get secondhand. Look for a version that suits the activities you plan to do with your baby, whether that’s walking in the park, hiking on a trail, or jogging in the neighborhood.

Water Bottle

This may seem like an odd addition, but when you’re nursing, you’ll be the thirstiest you’ve ever been in your life. Get yourself a good water bottle to keep beside you — and that won’t easily spill when knocked over!

For Working Mamas Who Plan to Breastfeed

If you’ll be returning to work and plan to breastfeed, you’ll need a few essentials:

• A Good Pump: Most insurance plans will cover one, so give yours a call!
• Breastmilk Storage Bags: Any brand works fine, just make sure they’re specifically for breastmilk (so, not Ziplocs!).
• A Few Bottles: We love Avent natural glass bottles. The glass holds up beautifully over time without getting grimy like plastic tends to. We recommend getting multiple nipple flow sizes.

Typical Postpartum Essentials

It’s easy to overlook, but don’t forget about taking care of yourself after giving birth. This is a beautiful but monumental task for your body, so you need to ensure you recover well. Then you’ll have more energy and bandwidth available to be present for your precious newborn.

A little preparation for the postpartum period goes a long way:

• Peri Bottle: If you have a hospital birth, they may send you home with one, or you can grab a great one online.
• Pads or Depends: Frida Mom makes nice postpartum underwear, but Depends brand works perfectly well too.
• **Epsom Salts:** Perfect for soothing sitz baths.
• Homemade Ice Packs: Soak a pad or Depends with witch hazel, add a few drops of lavender or frankincense oil (and aloe vera if you like), and freeze. Make 10–12 ahead of time; you’ll only need ice for about 24 hours before switching to heat and Epsom salt soaks.
• Well-Fitted Nursing Bras: Make sure they’re COMFY! You want something comfortable enough to sleep in, as you might be leaking at night. The style is entirely up to your preference; for example, some women prefer bralette styles without underwire or clasps in the back while others want a little more support.

Non-Essential but Helpful Baby Supplies

These aren’t must-haves for everyone, but they can make life a little smoother:

• Good Sleep Attire: In other words, NOT snapping PJs.
• (They nearly stole my sanity.) Instead, I loved zipper sleepers like these with my twins. I would have loved magnetic pajamas, too, if they’d been an option. Since they’re pricey, these can be a nice option if someone wants to buy you a gift.
• Wrap or Carrier: Wearing your baby is a great way to keep your hands free for daily tasks while staying close to your little one. Check out our blog post on babywearing if you’re not sure where to start.
• Haakaa Milk Collector: Oh, how I wish I had this with my first! The Haakaa collects letdown on the opposite breast while you’re nursing. Otherwise, you have to settle for a pad or towel and lose all that milk — such a waste!
• Nursing Light: A good nursing light like this one emits a soft glow for those nighttime feedings, so you’re not stumbling in the dark or turning on harsh overhead lights at 2 a.m.
• Swing: Not every baby needs one, but if you’ve got a colicky newborn, this can be a lifesaver.
• Playmat: A simple, soft, and safe area for baby to lie, roll, and play on.
• Baby Bath: The Angelcare style is simple and effective, though a towel in the sink works just fine too.
• Pack ’n Play: No, it isn’t essential, but it’s a real game-changer if you’re visiting friends or traveling with a little one who needs a good sleep.
• Car Bag: Instead of carrying a massive diaper bag with me everywhere, I learned to keep a baby essentials bag in the car filled with anything we might need while we were out. That way, I could wear an everyday purse and just toss in a couple backup diapers, wipes, and a onesie or two.

What You Definitely Don’t Need

Some “baby essentials” sound great at first (thanks, Marketing Teams), but often end up in the giveaway pile:

• Name Brand Everything: You don’t need the official “Diaper Genie,” though it’s a clever product. An off-brand version or a lidded trash can works just fine to contain smell.
• Nipple Balm: Coconut oil, olive oil, and breastmilk work beautifully for sore nipples and are safe for baby when it’s time to nurse.
• Wipe Warmers: They dry out the wipes and, to be honest, seem like a bit of a fire hazard.
• Butt Spatulas: These are marketed for spreading on thick creams, but aren’t really necessary.
• PeePee Teepees: If you need to block potential spray, a burp rag or washcloth works just fine.
• Bath Thermometer: Testing the water with the inside of your wrist will tell you all you need to know.

Tips on Buying Baby Essentials

Don’t sleep on Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, and consignment sales. So many gently-used baby essentials are floating around at a fraction of their retail price. Babylist even has an option to select “open to secondhand” on your registry!

Too, if you create a baby registry on Amazon, they’ll often give you a discount on items you buy from your list later.

Lastly, remember that routine is often more helpful than lots of stuff. I learned with my twins that having tons of bottles didn’t make life easier; it actually created more work for me in the end! When I downsized to just a handful, I found I’d clean them immediately for reuse — because I had to — and didn’t end up with a pile of 18 to wash at the end of the day.

The Number One Baby Essential: You

Listen, if you’ve gotten this far and feel overwhelmed, I want to say this: Your baby needs you. That’s the biggest and truest baby essential.

For thousands of years, mothers have raised babies with far less than what’s stocked on store shelves today. I often think about Mary and the manger. No gadgets, no curated nursery. Just swaddling clothes, a warm place to lay, and the comfort of mom’s arms. And that was enough for a very important newborn.

So yes, gear is helpful. Yes, it’s nice to be prepared. But don’t let the pressure of a checklist make you feel unready. Resourcefulness is our superpower, and YOU are already what your baby needs most.