Baby Essentials 2024

Wildbird’s footed pajamas stand apart thanks to the quality stretchy fabrics, double zipper and the elastic at the heel of the pajama’s feet. While this may seem like an insignificant detail, it’s especially useful in keeping younger babies’s legs and feet in the proper place of their clothing, even when they’re doing the newborn scrunch.

You can’t go wrong with basic onesies, but Simple Joys by Carters ones are especially useful because they have stretch, which makes them easier to pull on or off and allows babies to wear them for longer. Stock up in multipacks of its long-sleeve or short-sleeve bodysuits.

Socks this small are bound to get lost, so it’s best to stock up on inexpensive multipacks. That said, there’s nothing more irritating than a low-quality sock, is there? Old Navy pairs are tried and true among our editors—and budget-friendly, too. Burt’s Bees and Fruit Of The Loom also offer quality options.

Joggers are great for babies, so they can move their bodies and progress toward their milestones. These harem-style baby pants from Honest come in a range of fun prints and at an affordable multipack rate.

MOST POPULAR

When shopping for a crib, think long-term about whether you’d like a convertible crib or traditional one so you make the right investment. Babyletto is a staff-favorite brand given the number of styles of cribs it offers, all at a midrange price with timeless look.

The Snoo is beloved by parents, because it provides soothing noise and sensations to help babies sleep longer and more deeply. It was developed by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp and is almost like having a night nurse. After testing, a mom to five and Forbes Vetted contributor found it to be the absolute best bassinet, but also recommended a couple more options depending on your needs and budget.

The best swaddle for your baby will depend on their preferences, but the SwaddleMe is an easy-to-use option—even at 3 a.m. in the morning. It’s also an affordable pick to try before investing more in case your infant ends up not enjoying the swaddle. Hulit notes, “swaddling and white noise are great sleep cues” that tell babies it’s time to snooze.

A noise machine is key to helping your baby get the rest they need while still being able to move throughout your home without worrying about waking them. The Hatch is a favorite of our parent testers and of Hulit, who explains that it “helps let baby know it’s time for a longer stretch of sleep.” She also encourages parents to remember that in the beginning it’s “normal for babies to wake every few hours at night and to need help going back to sleep from their caregivers. Newborns cannot ‘self soothe,’ this a skill that they learn by being soothed by their parents thousands of times before they can do it themselves.”

Having some pacifier options on hand is a good idea to help soothe your baby. These basic Soothies tend to be a crowd-pleaser pick.

This is our favorite single, full-size stroller for many reasons, from the smooth push and stroll to the easy features. Pair it with the brand’s Mesa infant car in this bundle and call it a day on your big ticket baby gear purchases, or consider another infant car seat that might be compatible with the Cruz.

A baby carrier isn’t necessary for each family, but I’ve certainly found them to be invaluable with both of my sons (especially the second). “Babywearing is a great way to give your baby the physical contact they love,” adds Hulit. She recommends the Ergobaby (which was also named best carrier all around in our extensive testing) and the Moby for a wrap. I’m also partial to the Líllébaby, Artipoppe and Wildbird options.

Suitable for babies and toddlers up to 35 pounds, this car seat and stroller combo makes getting out and about with a baby a seamless experience, especially in those early months. I tested it during my review of 15 travel strollers and found it to be the best travel system overall.

Having tested nearly two dozen diaper bags personally, I found the Petunia Pickle Bottom Meta Backpack to include everything you need in an easy to use and lightweight bag that’s ideal for everyday use.

If there’s one thing you’ll need a lot of during the first few years of a baby’s life, it’s diapers. The Vetted team tested a multitude of brands and these Huggies diapers came out on top across a panel of baby and toddler testers. Be sure to have at least one pack of newborn, size 1 and size 2 diapers available for the first couple of months, because your baby might just grow faster than you expect.

Like diapers, you’ll go through a lot of wipes so it’s helpful to stock up—and buy in bulk. WaterWipes are a parent favorite, because they’re made almost entirely from water and don’t include anything that might irritate baby’s skin. If you’re interested in other options, these baby wipes also have their fans.

Diaper rash is inevitable for most, so it’s useful to always keep a top-notch cream on hand at home. Parents swear by this Weleda option, because it contains 12% zinc oxide (the best pediatrician-recommended ingredient for treating diaper rash). I also like the Honest Company Diaper Rash Spray, because it’s easy to apply. Another Forbes Vetted parent tester also recommends these diaper rash creams.

Having a good changing table, especially one that provides storage like the popular Babyletto Sprout, is a must as you’re building your nursery. While there are plenty of changing table options for all aesthetics and needs, this model continues to be a parent favorite. Top it with a changing pad and you’re ready and prepared for those endless diapering sessions that will suddenly feel like second nature.

Things can get smelly with so many diapers being changed, but the Ubbi diaper pail blocks odors efficiently, can be used one-handed and is extra durable. That’s why our parent tester named it the best diaper pail overall.

Like the Philips Avent Pacifiers, babies tend to take well to the shape of these Avent bottles, which we named the best baby bottle overall. They’re also one of few brands that you can purchase in glass or plastic, and thanks to the natural response nipple, they’re helpful for combination-feeding families who alternate between breast and bottle, as well as those who are strictly formula based.

You’ll need a high chair once baby starts solid foods between 4 to 6 months of age until possibly toddlerhood or even preschool. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is one of the best high chairs, according to our testing—and certainly one of the most ergonomic. It converts into a toddler and later a big kid or adult chair if you like.

A nursery glider becomes essential for many families by making feeding and comforting babies easier—and this power recliner Babyletto is our top pick for most families. Hulit also recommends that new parents “invest in is a quality rocking chair or glider,” explaining that “this is where you will spend a lot of time nursing or bottle feeding and contact napping. You want to be comfortable.”

A baby monitor can put your mind at ease that your baby is sleeping soundly, especially if you’re in another room while they’re napping. Whether you decide on a low-fi audio monitor or prefer a feature-ladden Wi-Fi monitor like this Chillax Giraffe Pro, which offers sleep analytics, 2-way audio, a high-quality picture and more, there are a multitude of monitors out there. After testing 10 baby monitors, the Vetted team found this Chillax Giraffe Pro to be the best Wi-Fi pick, and the Eufy SpaceView Pro the best overall (and the best non-Wi-Fi pick)

Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but having a baby thermometer is a must. A temperature in a newborn can mean a trip to the ER. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that a rectal thermometer provides the most accurate reading for children under 3 years of age. Read about additional reliable kid and baby thermometers that our team prefers, too.

Because babies have sensitive skin, you might consider adding a baby-specific laundry detergent to your laundry room. This Blueland detergent really works and without all the additives, plus it eliminates the waste of those plastic bottles, because the starter package comes with this clever storage tin. The Vetted team offers additional favorite baby laundry detergents, and these nontoxic picks, too.

Regardless of what brand you choose for baby’s bathing needs, you’ll ultimately want something gentle that won’t irritate their eyes or skin. We’ve rounded up some of the baby shampoos most recommended by staff and experts, including this fragrance-free Pipette shampoo and body wash.

While they’re still small, baths can easily be done in the sink. However bath time solutions like this Munchkin baby tub make for an easier bath time. This option specifically allows babies to sit upright comfortably (with parental support until they’re able to hold their head up) and is compact enough to be used on the countertop or in your normal bathtub or shower stall.

This product tops our list of the best baby gates, because it’s easy to install and JPMA certified. One of our contributors (a mom of four) says she appreciates the design’s ease of use, and found it easy to install.

Babies are inherently curious and electrical outlets are about eye level for them once they’re on the move. So, it’s imperative to use some form of electrical outlet covers. These cover the entire outlet so baby won’t be tempted to explore.