What You Actually Need for a Baby

Baby gear editor Kalee Thompson shares her tried-and-true tips for what new parents really need for a newborn (and what to skip), the most helpful gifts for expecting parents, and the gear you can safely buy used.

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Products we recommend:

• Great baby bouncer:  BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
• Good laundry detergent for baby clothes:  Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Car seats we recommend: Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX; Chicco KeyFit 35; Uppababy Aria.
• A good lightweight stroller: Uppababy Minu V2
• A polarizing bassinet: Snoo Smart Sleeper
• Kalee loves: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
• Use this site to check for recalls on products you may be buying used: CPSC.gov

Additional reading:

• Gifts For New Moms
• Is the $1,700 Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet Worth It? What to Know Before You Buy.
• The 4 Best Infant Car Seats of 2025
• The 6 Best Bassinets and Bedside Sleepers of 2025
• The 5 Best Full-Size Strollers of 2025
• The 2 Best Travel Strollers of 2025
• The Best Baby Carriers
• The 5 Best Baby Monitors of 2025
• The 2 Best Diaper Pails of 2025

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast