Everything you actually need before baby arrives — and what you can safely skip.
Focus on: sleep basics (crib, mattress, swaddles, sleep sacks), feeding supplies (bottles or nursing accessories), diapering (diapers, wipes, changing pad), clothing (onesies, socks, hats), and a car seat for the ride home.
A sound machine, baby monitor (from a specialized retailer), bouncer or swing, play mat, and a good diaper bag make life easier but aren’t strictly necessary from day one.
Wipe warmers, baby shoes (newborns don’t walk!), expensive nursery décor sets, and gadgets that claim to solve problems you don’t have yet. Buy as you go — you’ll figure out what you actually need.
Start simple. Buy the basics, see what your baby actually needs, then add products as gaps appear. Every baby is different, and what worked for your friend’s baby might not be what yours needs.
7–10 newborn-size onesies is a good starting point. Babies go through multiple outfits a day.
Get a mix. Some babies fit newborn size for weeks, others outgrow it immediately.