Baby gear buying guide

Bringing home a new baby is exciting, and that excitement begins long before you hold your little one for the first time. Preparing for your new baby is where the excitement begins, and that means prepping a room or space in your home, decorating it, and purchasing all of the baby essentials you need to ensure your baby will be comfortable and happy.

This list of baby gear includes the main items you’ve probably thought of including such as  a new crib, car seat, and stroller. It also includes items for feeding and changing your baby, and a few other items you may not have thought of.

Table of contents

1. Build the perfect nursery
2. Baby gear for when you’re on-the-go
3. Peek in with a baby monitor
4. Make feeding your baby a breeze
5. Baby gear you may not have thought of

Build the perfect nursery

Your baby’s room is a space where you’ll spend a lot of time. No matter if that space is large, small, or just an area in your own room where your baby will sleep, you’ll want to set it up with the right nursery furniture. Parents generally agree there are three must-haves for baby gear: a crib, dresser or changing table, and a rocking chair or glider.

Choose a cozy crib

There are many different styles of crib you can choose from, with some parents opting for sleek and modern and others choose a more traditional crib. You can also choose a bassinet or cradle if you’d like to have your baby sleep close by your side. Be sure to stock up on baby bedding so you always have an extra set of a clean set of sheets on hand for middle-of-the-night spills.

Changing table, dresser, or both?

Some parents will opt for a changing table and use it as a place for diaper changes and have it double as a dresser. Other parents will choose a dresser for all of their baby’s clothing and diapers and add a changing table if they spend a lot of time feeding and changing their baby in the nursery.

Rock your baby to sleep

When the nights get long and you’re trying to settle your baby, a glider or rocking chair will be a cozy spot for both of you. You can choose a traditional rocking chair or a glider that lets you sink in and put your feet up.

Baby gear for when you’re on-the-go

It will take a while to get used to all of the extras you need to take your baby on an outing, but having the right stroller, car seat, and baby carrier will make showing your baby the world fun and easy.

Car seats for comfort and safety

One of the most important parenting essentials is a car seat. The latest car seats will keep your baby safe when they are in your vehicle. It will also be a spot where your baby takes a lot of naps, so it should be cozy and comfortable. There are many different types of car seats to choose from including infant car seats for babies up to 35 lbs., convertible car seats that grow with your baby from infant to toddler, and all-in-one car seats that last until your child is sitting in a vehicle without a booster seat. Keep in mind that you should install your car seat before your baby arrives so you’re sure it’s safely secured. Many parents will opt to head down to a car seat clinic to ensure it’s attached to your vehicle properly.

Enjoy every walk with a stroller

A stroller will get your baby from point A to point B in style. There are many different kinds of strollers, and the one you choose will depend on what type of family you are. Do you want a stroller you can snap your car seat into? A travel system would be a good choice. Do you like adventure and heading off into the great outdoors? A jogging stroller will keep up with you whether you’re on-road or off.

Peek in with a baby monitor

Baby monitors have come a long way over the past few decades. You can choose a standard audio-only monitor that lets you hear your baby, a video monitor that streams your baby sleeping in crystal clear HD, or movement baby monitors that offer you sleep tracking, night vision, and heart rate monitoring.

Some of the best new baby monitor features include room temperature monitoring to ensure your baby doesn’t get too warm or too cool, compatible apps that let you check your baby via your smartphone, and audio and motion alerts so you know when to check your monitor.

Make feeding your baby a breeze

While you’ll nurse or bottle-feed your baby in their first year or two, you’ll need a few feeding essentials to help you with the process. Breastfeeding essentials include a breast pump, nursing covers, and nursing pillows. Bottle feeding must-haves include a variety of bottle sizes and types, nipples, and sterilizers to keep your bottles clean and sanitized.

As your baby grows older, they will need a high chair to keep them safe and secure while eating. You should also choose several sets of baby dishes so you always have a clean set ready when it’s time to eat.

Baby gear you may not have thought of

There are a few items that don’t fall under must-have baby gear, but they will be really helpful during your baby’s first year and beyond.

Infrared thermometers

You might not think an infrared thermometer is a must-have, but a contactless digital thermometer is incredibly useful as your baby grows. Not only can you just scan their forehead to see if they are running a temperature, but you can also use it to scan their bottles or food to ensure it’s not too hot or too cold.

Baby food dispensers
Some days you have the time to prep bottles, some days you won’t. If you formula feed, you’ll really appreciate having a formula dispenser on hand. It’s a lot like your single-cup coffee maker, but instead of coffee, it fills your bottles with perfectly made formula. As your baby grows older and you add solids to their day, you’ll want to bring home a baby food maker. It will be one of your most-used appliances because it streams and blends your fresh fruit and veggies, all in one device.

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Take the next step

Prepare for the first year of your baby’s life by stocking up on baby essentials from nursery furniture to baby thermometers. You can find a huge variety of baby gear and more on Best Buy.