Essentials | Fit Pregnancy

> For product recommendations in every category, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.

> For additional guidance on buying used baby products, check out Buying the Big Four.

> For our picks of the most-needed items at prices you can afford, visit our Essential Gear Guide.

More Baby Gear

For baby-product safety information, check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (cpsc.gov) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org).

Also, the infant/child section of recalls.org provides extensive information on recalled products.

Baby bed

If you go the classic crib route, look for sturdy bars, a durable finish (so the baby doesn't chew it off) and a strong mattress support that adjusts to different heights. If you want your baby closer but not in your bed, choose a bedside bassinet with straps that securely fasten the sleeper against the bed. If you prefer your baby in bed with you, a three-sided "bed within a bed" product is the way to go; the substantial support walls protect baby from adult pillows, and the open end allows for easy touching. Makes a great travel bed too.

For nursery recommendations, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.

Basic stroller

For the short term, the handiest choice is a car seat carrier stroller-essentially a frame with wheels onto which you snap an infant car seat. However, your baby will outgrow it after about six months. A longer-lasting option is a traditional stroller that accepts an infant car seat; many accept most car-seat brands, but some accommodate only specific brands and models, so be sure to check compatibility before purchasing. Look for a handlebar height that's adjustable for you and dad, as well as easy maneuverability and multiple reclining positions, including the baby lying flat on her back-a must with newborns. If possible, test-drive a few different models at a local store before you purchase.

For stroller recommendations, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.

Car seat

A great option is a rear-facing infant seat (for babies up to about 30 pounds) that snaps into a base installed in your vehicle's backseat as well as into many stroller models. Or choose what's known as a convertible car seat that stays in the vehicle and will see your baby into toddlerhood; it's designed to face the rear (for the first year) as well as the front and will accommodate a child up to about 40 pounds (some also work as boosters up to 100 pounds). Either way, look for easily adjustable straps, adjustable seat angles and comfortable cushioning, especially around the baby's head.

For car seat recommendations, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.

Carrier

Newborns and parents alike love slings, which allow for maximum, hands-free snuggling. But slings don't offer lower-back support and become obsolete after a few months. A longer-term option is a soft carrier that adapts for newborns but also holds older babies. Some are designed to work as both a front and a back carrier and feature a hip pad for extra support and comfort. Look for thickly padded shoulder straps; sturdy, easy-to-use buckles; substantial head support for baby; and cushioned leg holes that can be adjusted for a newborn's safety.

For carrier recommendations, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.

Changing pad

Forget about a changing table; slap a $20 foam changing pad on a dresser and you're good to go. For a bit more protection from falls, you can place the pad inside a wood changing tray that sits atop the dresser.

Diapers

Stock up; you may go through as many as 20 per day! Some brands may fit your baby better than others, so experiment. Or go with a cloth-diaper service: You place the dirty diapers outside your door and voila! Clean ones arrive the next day.

Feeding necessities

If you plan to breastfeed and will be returning to work, or simply want dad or a babysitter to help with feedings, you'll want a breast pump. For maximum efficiency (important if you have a newborn who can't nurse or you're returning to a full-time job), rent a hospital-grade pump or invest in a high-end electric type that lets you pump both breasts at once. For less frequent pumping, using a lighter, less expensive pump should suffice but will take longer. Manual pumps require the most patience.
Just one glance at the dizzying array of bottles and nipples available will make your head spin. Santa Monica, Calif.-based pediatrician Jay Gordon, M.D., says the flow characteristics of the nipple are more important than the bottle shape, so try a variety of shapes and let your baby decide. Latex nipples are softer and more pliable than silicone but don't hold their shape as long.
Some experts suggest avoiding clear, rigid, shiny, plastic bottles, some of which contain bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical that recent studies have implicated in developmental problems. Bottles with drop-in liners have been found to be safe, as are glass bottles and those marketed as BPA-free.

For feeding product recommendations, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.

For more on bottle safety, see Alternative Nursers.

Health-care kit

A digital thermometer, medicine dropper and spoon, nasal aspirator and infant nail clippers-all in a single zippered organizer.

Layette

This is just a fancy term for clothing necessities. Stick with comfy basics, rather than posh items with fussy fabrics and extras, and don't buy anything with feet, since your baby will outgrow it almost instantly. Here's what a newborn needs:
Bodysuits (4-6)
Caps (1 or 2)
Gowns/sleep sacks (3-5)
Long pants (4-5 pairs)
Socks or booties (4-6 pairs)
Sweater (at least 1)
T-shirts (4-6, short- and long-sleeve)

For layette recommendations, check out our 2008 Buyer's Guide.