Just Give Me A List

Whether aisle after aisle of "stuff" strikes fear in your heart or you were born to shop, our baby-gear lists for minimalists and shopaholics alike will help cut through the clutter.

By Suzanne Schlosberg

"Do you like the espresso diaper bag with the tangerine piping or the black bag with the copper trim? And what do you think of the inflatable breastfeeding pillow compared with the foam one?"

During my pregnancy, I got e-mails like this every day—from my husband, Paul. In charge of our baby registry, he spent hours online researching the merits of audio versus video baby monitors. What can I say? Shopping isn't my thing.

I found the world of baby paraphernalia daunting and feared that our house would quickly resemble a tornado-ravaged Babies "R" Us. But not Paul. He transferred his passion for sports gear to an obsession with baby stuff.

Whether you're a minimalist, like me, or a shopaholic, like my husband, buying baby gear requires detective work. "It's great that there are so many choices," says Claire Ekelund, a baby-products expert in Los Gatos, Calif., and co-owner of Bebe Au Lait, a company that makes nursing cover-ups. "But the more choices you have, the harder it is to decide."

To ease the process for others, I put together what I wish I'd had: a bare-bones list of essentials, as well as a list of products people like Paul find fun and useful, plus the scoop on buying used baby stuff.

The Minimalist's List
Here, in no particular order, is a list of essential baby products for those who believe less is more.

The Shopaholic's List
The items on this list aren't absolute necessities, but if you've just got to have all the trimmings, go for it.

5 Handy Extras For New Parents
Although not absolute must-haves, these five things will make your life easier, and perhaps even grant you some peace of mind.

The Lowdown On Hand-Me-Downs
A friend from the office offers you the car seat that her son has outgrown. Should you accept?


What, Me Worry?
Tell Me What to Eat