From cribs and diapers to car seats and strollers - here is your list of all of the different things baby needs. We have also included some important safety information too!

Baby Needs

Car Seats

This is one of the most important purchases you will make, not only because your main concern is your baby's safety, but also because you cannot bring baby home from the hospital without one! When it comes to car seats, you always want to buy one brand new. This because all car seats being sold in a store were first approved by the United States Government's safety standards. The same can't be said for old car seats, as the safety guidelines may be outdated. This is also true for used car seats. This is because it may have been damaged.

There are 2 types of car seats that are safe for a newborn: an infant car seat and a convertible car seat. Although infant car seats can only be used up to 30 pounds, while a convertible seat can be used up to 70 pounds, most parents agree that the ability to transport their sleeping baby by being able to also use it as a carrier is worth the extra investment later on.

Strollers

A popular and less expensive choice is bundling your stroller with your car seat. These kinds of deals are often referred to as "travel systems" and can usually be found in the stroller isle, and not the car seat isle. These types of strollers are great because if you have a sleeping baby in the car, you can simply take them out of the car in their carrier and put them straight into the stroller with no disturbance. It is a joinable, interlocking system.

When shopping for the right stroller, always make sure there is a JPMA certification. This verifies that it meets safety standards. Once your baby is older you may want to invest in a stroller that has all of the extra features, such as a snack tray or other features a specialty stroller may offer. But for now, you are better off sticking with a stroller that fits a newborn and their immediate needs.

Cribs

In the first months of life, babies spend most of their time sleeping. This is why it is important to ensure you have a safe place for your baby to rest and find comfort. It is also important to know simple safety standards so you can breathe easy in knowing your baby is safe. One of the most important things to know is that bare is best. This means no pillows or thick blankets in baby's crib - only baby’s blanket you are swaddling him or her up with.

When it comes to buying the crib, there have been so many recalls throughout the years that you may not even know what is considered "safe" anymore. The best way of making sure you are following the safety standards is to buy a crib brand new, as these are not allowed to be sold in stores without following regulations. If that is not an option, then it is important to know what types of cribs have been recalled and for what reasons.

Most drop-side cribs have been recalled because they can detach or become disengaged from the track, leading to a baby falling out – or becoming wedged. This can cause suffocation or strangulation. You can view more about recalls and safety regulations here.