WikiCompare live prices on baby across Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, AliExpress, and curated Awin partner merchants. Baby gear is the easiest category to overspend on. Actual essentials: a safe crib (IKEA Sniglar $80, Babyletto Hudson $400), 4-5 onesies in 0-3mo size, swaddles (Aden + Anais 4-pack), bottles if formula-feeding (Dr. Brown's), and a car seat (Britax One4Life or Chicco KeyFit 35). Skip: bottle warmers, wipe warmers, fancy bassinets unless co-sleeping. Useful but not required: a video monitor (Owlet, Nanit), a pack-and-play, a baby carrier (Ergobaby Omni 360 or Solly Baby wrap). Buy used — most baby gear sees 6 months of use. Click any card to open the seller's product page; we earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions about baby
What do I actually need to buy for a newborn?
Essentials only: safe crib + firm mattress (IKEA Sniglar $80 or Babyletto Hudson $400), 6-8 swaddles (Aden + Anais), infant car seat (Britax One4Life or Chicco KeyFit 35), bottles if formula-feeding (Dr. Brown's), 4-6 onesies per size, diapers (size 1-2 to start). Skip 80% of what 'must-have' baby registries push.
How much does a baby cost in the first year?
$10,000-15,000 average in the US — formula ($1,200-1,800), diapers ($600-900), childcare (highest variable cost, $0-25,000 depending on parental leave), clothes ($300-600), medical/insurance ($500-2,000), gear ($1,000-3,000). Buying used baby gear (Facebook Marketplace, consignment) saves $1,500-3,000. Breastfeeding saves $1,500/year on formula.
When should I start buying baby clothes?
After 30 weeks pregnancy — earlier risks miscarriage stress. Newborn (NB) size is outgrown in 2-6 weeks; many babies skip it entirely. Buy 4-6 onesies per size: NB, 0-3mo, 3-6mo, 6-9mo. After 9 months, kids cycle through sizes every 3-4 months — buy only what's currently fitting plus a few next-size.
What baby brands do parents actually use?
Crib/nursery: IKEA, Babyletto, DaVinci. Car seat: Britax, Chicco, Nuna, Cybex. Stroller: UPPAbaby, Chicco, Babyzen YOYO2. Carrier: Ergobaby Omni 360, Solly Baby wrap. Bottles: Dr. Brown's. Diapers: Pampers Swaddlers, Honest Co for sensitive skin. Avoid brands sold exclusively on Amazon — many cheap baby brands cut safety corners.
Is it safe to buy used baby gear?
Yes for most items — strollers, high chairs, baby carriers, cribs (manufactured after 2011 with current safety standards). NEVER buy used for: car seats (unknown crash history voids safety), breast pumps (FDA single-user devices), or used cribs older than 2011. Inspect for recalls before buying anything used (CPSC.gov has the database).
What's the safest crib?
Look for JPMA certification + manufactured after June 2011 (when drop-side cribs were banned). IKEA Sniglar ($80) and Babyletto Hudson ($400) both meet current standards. Firm mattress (presses back when pressed, doesn't conform to baby's face). No bumpers, blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in crib — bare crib is safest.