6 Must-Have Baby Items for First-Time Moms (& What to Skip)
With so many baby products on the market, first-time moms need six items that are genuinely essential in those early newborn weeks, including a car seat, video monitor, and rectal thermometer. Three popular products aren't worth buying, like diaper disposals and nursery scent diffusers.
Updated September 7, 2026
AI Summary
Before your baby arrives, getting the products you may need can feel overwhelming. Every brand seems to insist their product is essential, making it hard to tell what you'll actually use and what will end up collecting dust in the corner of the nursery.
The truth is, you don't need nearly as much as the baby industry would have you believe. But the things you do need really matter. Having those essentials ready ahead of time means one less thing to worry about when you're running on little sleep.
This list cuts through that noise. Let's go over what's worth having, and what you can leave on the shelf.
The Must-Have Baby Nursery Items Worth Buying
1. An Infant Car Seat
This is non-negotiable, and in many cases, your hospital won't discharge you without one. According to the AAP, car accidents are a leading cause of death in infants and children under four years old, and a properly installed infant car seat is one of the most effective ways to protect your baby [1].
It should be installed in the back seat in a rear-facing position. Your baby should stay rear-facing until they exceed the manufacturer's weight limit, which for most infant seats is around 30 to 35 lbs.
One thing worth knowing is that even if you don't own a car and plan to use ride-share services, having a car seat for your baby is still a good idea. There are no set regulations requiring them in hired cars, but using one highly increases your baby's safety on every trip.
2. A Video Baby Monitor
Being able to see and hear your baby without going into the room is something most parents don't fully appreciate until they have it. It means you can check on a sleeping baby without the risk of disturbing them, and it saves a lot of unnecessary trips down the hallway at 2 am.
When choosing a video monitor, focus on clear visuals and audio. It's vital that you can see your baby properly and hear them reliably, day and night.
3. A Rectal Thermometer
This one surprises a lot of parents, but it's really important. In the first three months of life, babies are vulnerable to serious bacterial infections like meningitis and urinary tract infections. A fever is often the only early sign that something is wrong, and accurately detecting it matters [3].
A rectal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is considered a fever in a newborn, and a rectal thermometer is the only type that consistently gives an accurate reading at this age. Ear, forehead, and underarm thermometers are less reliable in young babies.
It might feel a little daunting at first, but the technique is straightforward, and your baby's nurse or pediatrician can walk you through it. It's one of those things that feels awkward once and then becomes second nature.
4. A Breathing Motion Monitor
If you're a first-time parent, worrying about whether your baby is breathing and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) might be keeping you up at night.
But this is completely normal, and it's worth being upfront: no product can prevent SIDS. But what a breathing motion monitor can do is give you an extra layer of vigilance on top of safe sleep practices, not instead of them, by tracking your baby's movement while they sleep and alerting you if something looks off.
5. A Breast Pump (If You're Breastfeeding)
If breastfeeding or pumping is part of your feeding plan, having a breast pump ready before your baby arrives can make life a lot easier. It gives you flexibility to store milk for later and lets partners or other caregivers help with feeds too.
There are manual and electric options depending on your preference and how often you plan to use it. Either way, having one ready before your baby arrives means you're not trying to figure it out in the middle of a feed at 3 am.
6. Wet Wipes
Simple, essential, and you will go through more of them than you can imagine right now. Wet wipes make nappy changes so much easier, especially in those first days when your baby is passing meconium, the thick, dark, sticky stool that clings to everything and is really a challenge to clean.
Beyond practicality, most wet wipes are pH-balanced to a slightly acidic formulation, which actually helps protect your baby's skin from diaper rash better than plain water does.
Know the Moment Your Baby Wakes Up
With a Babysense Video Monitor, you can see exactly when your baby is stirring.
Baby Nursery Items You Can Skip
1. Diaper Disposal Systems
They sound convenient. In practice, they create more work than they save. Health guidelines recommend emptying stools into the toilet, sealing the nappy in a bag, and disposing of it in the regular bin [5]. That's it.
Diaper disposal systems store soiled nappies in a sealed unit, which means at some point, you have to deal with a container full of them all at once. It's not a pleasant task.
A small bin with a lid near the changing table, lined with nappy bags, does the same job with none of the drama.
2. Baby Food Machines
You don't need one, and most parents don't use them. A regular hand blender or small food chopper does the same job at a fraction of the cost. Pureeing soft-cooked fruits and vegetables doesn't require a dedicated appliance.
What matters when making homemade baby food isn't the equipment. It's safe food handling: washing produce thoroughly, cooking proteins fully, and storing everything properly.
If you'd like to make your own baby food, your existing kitchen appliances are more than up to the task.
3. Nursery Scent Diffusers
These are often marketed as a way to help babies sleep better, and tired parents understandably find that appealing. But for babies under six months, inhaling essential oils can irritate their lungs. Some scents, particularly eucalyptus, contain volatile compounds that are considered hazardous for infants [6].
Getting Everything Ready Before Baby Arrives
Having the right things in place before your baby comes home makes those first few weeks feel more manageable. Not easier exactly, because nothing quite prepares you for a newborn, but more manageable.
It's also worth thinking beyond the products. For example, having a support system in place. This matters just as much as having the right gear.
No amount of baby equipment replaces having people around you. So make sure you know who you can call.
The Items Your Baby Nursery Needs
You don't need to buy everything. You just need the right things ready. An infant car seat, a video monitor, a rectal thermometer, a breathing movement monitor, a breast pump if you're breastfeeding, and wet wipes will take you a very long way through those early newborn weeks. The rest can wait, or in many cases, can be skipped entirely.
Trust your instincts, lean on your support system, and remember that your baby needs you far more than they need any product on the market. You've got this.
Get Clear, Reliable Monitoring
Babysense gives you everything you need to get some rest yourself.
HD video with infrared night vision
Sound-activated alerts so you're notified when something changes
Two-way audio and wide-angle lens with PTZ
References
1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Child passenger safety. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/early-childhood/early-childhood-health-and-development/safe-environments/child-passenger-safety/?srsltid=AfmBOopKlj5d6I1pRS4Ju8YSjqvnkIV36Cj7euxn8a4u9xE8sX89I_H-
2. Tessier, K. (2010). Effectiveness of hands-on education for correct child restraint use by parents. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 42(4), 1041–1047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2009.12.011
3. PubMed. (1994). Fever in infants under the age of three months without sign of focal infection. Criteria of therapeutic decision. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8078834/
4. WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. (n.d.). Exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. https://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/breastfeeding/exclusively-breastfeed-for-6-months.html
5. PHS Group. (n.d.). How to Dispose of Nappies: Step-by-Step Guide for Hygiene and Safety. https://www.phs.co.uk/resources/how-to-properly-dispose-of-nappies-step-by-step-tips-for-nappy-bin-users/
6. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Are essential oils safe for children?https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/are-essential-oils-safe-for-children
7. Zhou, J., Tierney, N. K., McCarthy, T. J., Black, K. G., Hernandez, M., & Weisel, C. P. (2017). Estimating infants’ and toddlers’ inhalation exposure to fragrance ingredients in baby personal care products. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 23(4), 291–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/10773525.2018.1475446
FAQs
My baby seems unsettled even though I have everything they need. What should I check?
If your baby has fed recently and isn't hungry, it's worth doing a gentle head-to-toe check for physical discomfort. A hair or thread wrapped tightly around a tiny toe, known as a hair tourniquet, can cause significant pain and is easy to miss. Signs of breathing difficulty like retractions (the skin pulling in between the ribs with each breath) also need immediate attention. Colic is another common cause of prolonged crying in the first few weeks, typically in the evenings, and usually resolves by around three months. When in doubt, call your doctor.
Is it safe to use secondhand baby gear?
It can be, but it's worth checking a few things first. Look up whether the item has been recalled since it was purchased, as product recall lists are publicly available and easy to search. For furniture like cribs and highchairs, check for loose screws or signs of instability. For a secondhand car seat, find out if it has been in an accident and check the expiry date. Car seats have a lifespan and should not be used past it. If you're ever unsure, it's safer to buy new for items that directly affect your baby's safety.
When should I start getting these items ready?
Ideally before the third trimester. Some things, like a car seat, you'll need from the very first day. Others, like a breast pump, are worth having at home before the birth so you're not ordering them in a panic when your baby is uncomfortable. The earlier you get the essentials sorted, the more relaxed you'll feel in those final weeks of pregnancy.
What if I can't afford all of these items?
The absolute non-negotiables are a car seat, a thermometer, and wet wipes. Everything else can be sourced secondhand, borrowed, or worked around. Many communities have baby gear lending schemes, and family members are often happy to help with specific items if asked. Focus on safety first and comfort second, and don't let the pressure to have everything perfectly in place add to your stress.
