You practically need to take out a loan to afford all the items babies need these days. We are "trying" to go the minimalistic route and borrow/accept hand me downs when we can. It is just so wasteful to shell out an arm and a leg for items baby will use for a short period of time. I found a list on Consumer Reports that seems pretty minimal and only encompasses the necessities for baby. It still feels so overwheleming but at least it isn't the annoying list found at baby stores that tell you that you need a wipe warmer and other useless items. I have also found my Baby Bargains book to be a invaluable tool in the hunt for baby gear.
Tooling around
___ Car seat
___ Stroller
Nursery essentials
___ Crib
___ Crib mattress
___ Two to three fitted crib sheets
___ Four or more waffle-weave cotton or muslin receiving blankets for swaddling your baby
___ Two waterproof mattress pads
___ Baby monitor
___ Four-sided changing table
Diaper duty
___ Diapers. Disposables: One 40-count package of newborn (birth weight under 8 pounds) or size 1 (birth weight over 8 pounds), then buy in volume after you find the brand you like best. Cloth: If you choose unfolded, prefolded, or fitted cloth diapers, you will need two to three dozen to begin with, plus six to ten waterproof covers. If you go the all-in-one or pocket diaper route, having 12 to 16 should be adequate in the beginning.
___ Diaper pail (with refills or bags as needed)
___ Diaper bag
Dressing your baby
___ Four sleep sacks or one-piece sleepers with attached feet
___ Six side-snap T-shirts
___ Four to six one-piece undershirts that snap around the crotch.
___ A small baby cap (although the hospital will probably give you one)
___ Six pairs of socks/booties
___ Two to three soft, comfortable daytime outfits. Get only a few items in newborn size. Then, go for clothing in the 3- or 6-month size—your baby will grow into it quickly. But don’t buy baby sleepwear that’s too big—it’s a safety hazard
___ Cotton sweater or light jacket
Summer babies:
___ Brimmed hat
Winter babies:
___ Snowsuit with attached mittens or fold-over cuffs, or heavy bunting
___ Heavy stroller blanket
___ Warm knit hat
Feeding time
If you’re planning to breast-feed:
___ Three to five nursing bras. Plan to buy a sleep/loungewear bra for the early days of nursing when you’ll want to wear your nursing bra and pads 24/7 for leakage control
___ A box of washable or disposable breast pads
___ Breast pump if you expect to use one (manual or electric); go with a double electric breast pump if you’ll be returning to work
___ If you’re supplementing breast-feeding with an occasional bottle, you may need only one or two bottles. In general, six 4- to 5-ounce bottles will get you off to a good start.
___ If you’re planning to bottle-feed, six 4- to 5-ounce bottles, plus nipples and rings
___ Bottle-drying tree
___ Bottle cleaning brush
___ Insulated bottle holder for diaper bag (the hospital may give you one)
___ Three packs of cloth diapers or burp cloths
Bathing/grooming
___ Plastic infant bathtub
___ Three soft hooded towels
___ Two packs of baby washcloths
___ Unscented baby body wash that doubles as shampoo
___ Pair of blunt-tip scissors or baby-sized nail clippers
___ Zinc-oxide-based diaper rash ointment
___ Soft brush and comb
___ Mild laundry detergent such as Dreft
Medicine chest essentials
___ A pain-and-fever reducer recommended by your baby’s doctor, such as Infants’ Tylenol
___ Cotton pads/swabs
___ Nasal aspirator
___ Digital rectal thermometer
___ Rubbing alcohol
___ Petroleum jelly
Keeping baby happy
___ Pacifiers
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