The Complete Guide to Baby Gear: What You Actually Need at Every Stage (0–24 Months)

‍A single, stage-by-stage timeline based on what mothers in The Mother Network community report actually using — not what every brand wants you to believe you can't live without.

Here's the truth about baby gear: the industry is worth over $70 billion, and a significant portion of it is designed to convince you that your baby needs things your baby does not need.

We built this guide differently. Instead of a generic checklist pulled from affiliate-link roundups, every recommendation here is informed by what mothers across The Mother Network community consistently save, share, and recommend to each other. Real mothers. Real usage. Real opinions on what was worth it and what collected dust.

This is your single reference point from registry through toddlerhood. Bookmark it. Come back to it. Each stage links to deeper guides where the community goes into specifics — brand comparisons, budget picks, and honest reviews.

One more thing before we get into it: you do not need to buy everything before your baby arrives. In fact, most experienced mothers will tell you the opposite. Buy the basics. Wait to see what kind of baby you have, what kind of parent you are, and what your actual daily life looks like. Then fill in the gaps.

That patience will save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of regret-returns.

Before Baby Arrives: The Registry Phase

This is the stage where decision fatigue hits hardest. You're simultaneously learning what a "convertible crib" is and trying to decide between 47 nearly identical swaddles. The instinct is to buy everything. Resist it.

What to prioritize now

A safe place to sleep. This is non-negotiable and the one category where you should do your research early. Whether that's a bassinet for the first few months or a crib from day one depends on your space and preference. The community leans toward starting with a bassinet (easier for night feeds, fits in your room) and transitioning to a crib around 3–4 months. Popular picks that come up repeatedly: the Halo BassiNest and the Snoo (if budget allows, we have more on whether the Snoo is "worth it" below).

A car seat. You cannot leave the hospital without one. Most mothers start with an infant car seat with a detachable carrier, then transition to a convertible seat around 12 months. This is a "buy once, buy quality" category. It's the one piece of gear where safety ratings matter more than aesthetics.

A way to carry your baby. This means either a stroller, a baby carrier (wrap or structured), or both. Most mothers in the community end up with both and use them for completely different situations. Don't stress about finding the "perfect" stroller before baby arrives. Your needs will become very clear very quickly once you're actually navigating your life with an infant.

Feeding supplies. If you plan to breastfeed, you'll want nursing bras, a Haakaa (the community's single most-recommended breastfeeding product), nipple cream, and breast pads at minimum. If you're formula feeding or combo feeding, a bottle set and formula pitcher. If you're not sure yet (which is completely fine) grab one set of bottles and wait.

Diapering basics. Diapers (newborn and size 1), wipes, and a changing pad. That's it. You don't need a dedicated changing table, a wipe warmer, or a diaper pail on day one. A lot of mothers end up changing diapers on a pad on their bed or the couch for the first month anyway.

What to wait on

Almost everything else. Seriously. You will not need a high chair for months. You will not need toys. You will not need baby shoes (they can't walk). You will not need a baby bathtub immediately — sponge baths are recommended until the umbilical cord falls off. Resist the urge to fill a nursery with things that look beautiful but serve no functional purpose in the first eight weeks.

The registry exists so other people can buy things for you. Use it strategically: add items at multiple price points, include practical items (diapers, wipes, and postpartum recovery products for yourself), and leave room to figure out what you actually need after baby arrives.

Newborn Stage: 0–3 Months

Welcome to the part nobody fully prepares you for. The first three months are about survival, figuring out feeding, and accepting that your house will look different for a while. Your gear needs are surprisingly minimal — but the things you do need, you need immediately and within arm's reach at 3am.

The daily essentials

Sleep. A safe sleep surface (bassinet or crib), fitted sheets, and swaddles. Most mothers in the community start with the Velcro-style swaddles (easier at 2am than trying to origami a muslin blanket around a squirming newborn). A sound machine is technically optional but so universally recommended that it functionally belongs in the essentials category. The Hatch gets the most saves in our community. It doubles as a night light and grows with your child.

Feeding. Whatever your feeding journey looks like, you'll need something. For nursing: a good nursing pillow (the community is split between the Boppy and My Brest Friend — the Boppy is more versatile, the My Brest Friend has better back support for long feeds), a Haakaa for the opposite side, nipple cream, and a hands-free pumping bra if you're pumping. For bottles: a set you can try (many mothers buy a "bottle sampler" because babies are particular about nipple shapes), a drying rack, and a bottle brush.

If you are interested in the My Brest Friend feeding pillow, members of The Mother Network receive 10% off their purchase with code: THEMOTHERNETWORK10

Diapering and bath. You'll go through an astonishing number of diapers. Stock up on both newborn and size 1 — some babies skip newborn size entirely. A good diaper cream (Aquaphor and Desitin are the community workhorses), and a small infant tub once you're past sponge baths.

Getting out of the house. This sounds simple. It is not. Having your car seat, a stocked diaper bag, and a carrier or stroller ready to go makes the difference between leaving the house and deciding it's not worth the effort. Pack the diaper bag once and keep it stocked. This includes diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, a plastic bag for blowouts, and whatever feeding supplies you need.

What mothers wish they'd had sooner

The NoseFrida (the idea of it is terrible, the reality of it is a lifesaver). Baby nail clippers or a file (those nails are razor blades and they grow overnight). Gas drops (the community is divided on whether they work, but when your baby is screaming at midnight, you'll try anything). A long phone charger for the nursing/feeding station.

What you can still skip

A baby swing or bouncer might be useful — or your baby might hate it. If possible, borrow one before buying. Same with a mamaRoo or similar motion device. Newborn toys are unnecessary; they can't see more than 8–12 inches in front of their face and are mostly interested in your face, high-contrast patterns, and the ceiling fan.

Infant Stage: 3–6 Months

Things start shifting here. Your baby is more awake, more alert, and more interested in the world. You're likely emerging from the pure survival fog and starting to think about things like a routine, tummy time, and — if you haven't already — sleep.

New gear that enters the picture

Sleep transition products. If your baby has been in a bassinet, this is typically when you'll move to a crib. If they've been swaddled, you'll need a transition product. The Merlin Magic Sleepsuit and various sleep sacks (Kyte Baby sleep sacks get the most community love) are the most recommended bridge between swaddle and free arms.

A play mat or activity gym. This is the first "toy" that's actually worth buying. Tummy time is important, and a good play mat with an arch gives your baby something to look at and reach for. The Lovevery play gym comes up frequently in the community, though plenty of mothers are happy with less expensive options.

A high chair (start researching). Most babies start solids around 6 months, so this is the time to research, not necessarily buy. The community's most-recommended high chairs prioritize easy cleaning over aesthetics — because you will be cleaning it after every single meal for the next two years. The Stokke Tripp Trapp and the IKEA Antilop (the $20 one) are the two most-discussed options, representing opposite ends of the price spectrum.

What's changing from the newborn phase

Your stroller needs may shift. If you started with a travel system, you might be looking at an upgrade to something more versatile. Bottles may need to move up a nipple size. Clothing sizes are changing fast — don't stock up too far ahead.

If you're a nursing mother returning to work, this is when pumping gear becomes critical. A quality breast pump (check your insurance coverage — many are fully covered), storage bags, a cooler bag for transport, and a hands-free pumping bra aren't luxuries; they're logistics.

Still don't need

Baby shoes. A walker (pediatricians generally advise against them). Elaborate toy sets. Your baby is perfectly content with wooden spoons, crinkly fabric, and whatever they can fit in their mouth (safely we should add!)

Infant Stage: 6–12 Months

This is where things get genuinely fun — and where your home starts looking like a baby lives in it whether you planned for that or not. Your baby is likely sitting up, possibly crawling, definitely putting everything in their mouth, and about to start eating real food.

New gear that matters

High chair (time to buy). You're starting solids, and you need somewhere to contain the chaos. As mentioned above, easy-to-clean should be your top criterion. A high chair with a removable tray that you can rinse in the sink will save you time every single day. The community also recommends a splat mat underneath unless you have a dog, or enjoy scrubbing sweet potato off your floor nightly.

Solid food supplies. Silicone bibs with a pocket (game changer for catching food — the Mushie and BapronBaby bibs get frequent mentions), suction plates and bowls (so they can't launch them across the room, though they'll still try), and soft-tipped spoons. If you're doing baby-led weaning, a crinkle cutter for making safe food shapes. If you're doing purees, a simple blender or food processor works fine. Many moms would say you don't need a dedicated "baby food maker."

Baby-proofing essentials. Once they're mobile, your house becomes a hazard course. Outlet covers, cabinet locks, corner guards, and baby gates for stairs are the basics. Anchor your furniture to walls — this one isn't optional. The community's advice here is consistent: you will baby-proof more than you think you need to, and you still won't have covered everything.

Convertible car seat (start researching). Most infant car seats have a weight or height limit that babies approach around 12 months. Start researching convertible car seats now so you're not scrambling. This is another category where safety ratings come first. The Graco Extend2Fit and the Chicco NextFit are among the most-recommended budget-friendly options; the Nuna RAVA and Clek Foonf show up frequently in the "if budget isn't the primary concern" conversations.

The 6–12 month gear that's worth it

A straw cup or open cup for introducing water with meals (the ezpz tiny cup gets enthusiastic community support). A good set of teething toys — your baby is likely teething or about to be, and having something safe to chew on prevents them from chewing on everything unsafe. Board books, because they're discovering that pages turn and they find it riveting.

A travel crib or pack-and-play if you're visiting family or traveling. The Guava Lotus and the BabyBjörn travel crib are the most-saved options for families who move around.

What you can still skip

Expensive developmental toy subscriptions aren't necessary (though Lovevery has its devoted fans in the community). Your baby learns from banging pots together, pulling tissues out of a box, and watching you do ordinary things. Elaborate nursery decor. They don't notice and they'll be pulling it off the walls soon enough.

Toddler Stage: 12–24 Months

Congratulations, you're now parenting a tiny person with opinions, preferences, and the physical ability to get into almost anything. The gear shifts from "keeping them alive" to "keeping them safe while they try to do increasingly unhinged things."

New gear for this stage

Convertible car seat (time to buy if you haven't). This is a purchase you'll use for years, so invest in something well-rated and comfortable for longer drives. Rear-facing as long as possible. The current AAP recommendation is until at least age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight limit of their seat.

Real shoes. Your baby is walking (or close to it), and now shoes actually serve a purpose. Soft-soled shoes for early walkers, transitioning to something with more support as they get steadier. The community recommends Stride Rite, See Kai Run, and Ten Little most frequently. Buy one pair at a time. Trust us, their feet grow fast and unpredictably.

Toddler-proofing upgrades. Everything you baby-proofed at 9 months, your toddler has now figured out. Door handle covers, toilet locks, and more sophisticated cabinet locks may be in your future. If they're climbing out of the crib, it's time to start thinking about the crib-to-toddler-bed transition, though many mothers recommend keeping them in the crib as long as safely possible.

Mealtime gear updates. Transition to regular cups and utensils (toddler-sized). Plates with dividers, because apparently food touching is a crisis. Snack containers for on-the-go, because toddlers are essentially snack-powered engines.

The toddler gear that earns its keep

A solid toddler backpack or harness for busy places (the community has strong feelings on both sides of the "toddler leash" debate. Our take is do what keeps your child safe and ignore anyone who judges you). A water table or sensory play setup for outdoor time. A step stool so they can "help" in the kitchen (this is how you buy yourself 20 minutes of engagement). A balance bike if they're showing interest — the Strider is the most-recommended entry point.

Good sunscreen that you can apply to a moving target (spray sunscreens exist for a reason). A portable sound machine for naps on the go if you're trying to maintain any semblance of a sleep schedule outside the house.

What the community says about this stage

The biggest gear shift in toddlerhood isn't about buying new things — it's about retiring things. The infant tub gives way to the regular bathtub with a non-slip mat. The high chair might transition to a booster seat at the table. The stroller still gets used, but less frequently as they want to walk everywhere (slowly, and in the wrong direction).

Your needs also change as a parent. The diaper bag might downsize to a smaller crossbody. The baby carrier might get replaced by a toddler carrier for hikes (the community recommends the Deuter Kid Comfort for serious hiking families). You might find yourself wanting things for yourself again — and that's not selfish, it's recalibration.

The Gear Philosophy: What Experienced Mothers Want You to Know

After compiling thousands of product recommendations and conversations across The Mother Network, a few themes come up so consistently they're worth stating directly.

Buy less, buy later. The single most repeated piece of advice from experienced mothers is that they over-bought before baby arrived. Wait until you know what you need. The exception: safety items (car seat, safe sleep surface) and immediate postpartum necessities.

Quality over quantity in the categories that matter. Splurge on the car seat, the crib mattress, and whatever feeding setup you use daily. Save on clothes (they wear them for eight weeks), toys (they prefer boxes and spoons), and anything marketed as "essential" that didn't exist ten years ago.

What works for one family won't work for yours. The mother who swears by the Snoo might have a baby who sleeps differently than yours. The stroller that works perfectly for a suburban mom with a large car isn't the right choice for a city mom carrying it up three flights of stairs. Context matters more than ratings.

Your needs matter too. Postpartum recovery products, comfortable nursing or pumping gear, a good water bottle, and things that make your daily life easier aren't extras. They're part of the equation. The community consistently reminds each other: you can't pour from an empty cup, and investing in your own wellbeing is investing in your family.

The best product recommendation comes from a mother in a similar situation. This is why community-sourced recommendations carry more weight than editorial "best of" lists. A mother with the same car, the same apartment layout, the same feeding journey, and the same budget will give you better advice than any product reviewer. That's the whole point of building a network around this.

Quick Reference: When to Buy What

Keep This Guide Updated

We update this guide quarterly with fresh community data — new product recommendations, updated picks based on what mothers are currently saving, and real feedback on what's worth it as products evolve.

The best way to stay in the loop: join The Mother Network, set your stage, and let the community show you what's relevant right now. Every save, every review, and every recommendation makes this resource smarter for the next mother who needs it.

Because that's how this works. Mothers helping mothers. No algorithm, no affiliate agenda. Just the collective knowledge of women who've been exactly where you are.

→ Save your favorites, track what you still need, and see what mothers at your stage are recommending right now on the app

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for baby gear in the first year?

The range is significant depending on your choices, but mothers in The Mother Network community report spending between $1,500 and $5,000 on gear in the first year. The biggest variables are the car seat, stroller, and crib. These three purchases alone can range from $300 total (budget-conscious picks) to $2,500+ (premium brands). The community's most consistent advice: identify the two or three categories where quality matters most to you, invest there, and save everywhere else. Diapers and wipes are a recurring cost that adds up quickly ( roughly $80–$120 per month) so factor those into your budget separately from one-time gear purchases.

Is the Snoo worth it?

This might be the single most-debated question in our community. The Snoo (a smart bassinet that responds to your baby's cries with motion and sound) costs around $1,700 new, and opinions are genuinely split. Mothers who love it say it gave them meaningful stretches of sleep in the early weeks and was worth every dollar. Mothers who didn't find it worth the price say their baby either didn't respond to it or they felt they could achieve similar results with a regular bassinet and a sound machine. The middle-ground consensus: rent it (Snoo offers a rental program around $160/month) or buy it secondhand and resell it when you're done. That way, if it works for your baby, great. If it doesn't, you're not out $1,700.

What baby gear do I actually need for a second baby?

Less than you think. The car seat needs to be current on safety standards and not expired (they have expiration dates — check yours). The crib and mattress can be reused if they're in good condition and meet current safety standards. Most feeding gear, carriers, and clothing can be reused. What you'll likely need new: a double stroller if your kids will be close in age, a second car seat if you're using both simultaneously, and fresh bottles/nipples (silicone degrades over time). Several mothers in the community also note that the real "second baby" purchase is something for your older child. It can be a special toy, a "big sibling" backpack, just something to ease the transition.

When should I start buying baby gear during pregnancy?

Most mothers recommend starting research in the second trimester and making major purchases by the beginning of the third trimester, which is roughly around 28–32 weeks. This gives you enough time to watch for sales, set up a registry, and not be assembling a crib at 39 weeks. That said, don't feel pressure to have everything ready by a specific week. Babies need very little in the first days, and anything urgent can be ordered for next-day delivery. The items to have ready before your due date: car seat (installed), a safe sleep surface, basic feeding supplies, diapers, and a coming-home outfit. Everything else can wait.

What's the single most recommended baby product across the entire community?

It depends on the stage, but across all stages, the product that gets saved and recommended most frequently in The Mother Network is the Hatch Rest sound machine. It's functional from day one through toddlerhood, it serves as a sound machine, night light, and okay-to-wake clock, and it's the rare baby product that doesn't get retired after a few months. Runners-up for the "most universally recommended" title: the Haakaa silicone breast pump (for nursing mothers), the Kyte Baby sleep sack, and — across every parenting stage — a 10-foot phone charger cable.

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