Must-Haves
Essential baby gear — car seat stages, CPSC-certified cribs, breast pumps, strollers, thermometers, vitamin D, and safety standards for every product.
Car Seat Stages
| Stage | Direction | Weight | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Seat | Rear-facing only | 4-35 lbs | Birth-12+ mo | Clicks into base. Portable. |
| Convertible (RF) | Rear-facing | Up to 40-50 lbs | Birth-2+ years | Rear-face as LONG AS POSSIBLE. 5x safer than forward-facing. |
| Convertible (FF) | Forward-facing | 22-65 lbs | 2-5+ years | ALWAYS use top tether. Harness until max weight/height. |
| Booster (high-back) | Forward | 40-100 lbs | 4-10 years | Positions seatbelt correctly. Side-impact protection. |
| Booster (backless) | Forward | 40-100 lbs | 4-12 years | Only if vehicle has headrest. Belt flat across shoulder. |
Nursery Essentials
Sleep
- Crib (CPSC certified): Slat spacing <=2-3/8". No drop-side rails. Firm mattress, 2 finger widths max gap.
- Bassinet/bedside sleeper: First 3-6 months. Facilitates room-sharing.
- Fitted sheets (2-3): Tight fit only. Nothing else in the crib.
- Sound machine: 50dB or below. Place across room.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for naps and early wake-ups.
Feeding
- Breast pump: Insurance covers one per pregnancy (ACA). Spectra and Medela most popular.
- Bottles (4-8): Try a few brands. Anti-colic (Dr. Brown's), wide-neck (Comotomo).
- High chair (6mo+): 5-point harness, removable tray, easy to clean.
Health
- Rectal thermometer: Most accurate for infants. Any fever >=100.4F in baby <3 months = ER.
- Nasal aspirator: NoseFrida or bulb syringe. Babies are obligate nose breathers.
- Vitamin D drops: 400 IU/day from birth for all breastfed infants (AAP).