Buying baby stuff can feel like a wild maze, so here’s the real-deal list of what you actually need.

When you’re about to have a baby, it feels like the entire world is yelling at you to “get ready.” Suddenly every ad is about strollers, monitors, swings, swaddles, pacifiers in ten shapes. You walk into a baby store—or worse, start scrolling online—and your brain just melts. Everything looks important. And expensive. And you’re like, do I really need all of this?

Here’s the truth nobody really says out loud: babies don’t need much. They really don’t. What they need is comfort, safety, and you. The rest? It’s mostly just marketing. A cozy stack of onesies or bodysuits will get you through more days than you think. Add a couple pairs of leggings or soft pants, and you’re set for daily wear. Toss in a handful of burp cloths—trust me, you’ll use those constantly—and you’re already 70% covered.

Now, sleep is its own battlefield. A safe crib or bassinet is non-negotiable, plus a few fitted sheets you can swap out at 2 AM when accidents happen (because they will). Some parents swear by swaddles, others go straight to sleep sacks. My take? Have one or two options on hand and see what your baby likes. Honestly, they’ll tell you in their own tiny, very loud way.

Feeding is another area where you can drown in “stuff.” If you’re breastfeeding, it’s really just you and maybe a pillow for support. If you’re bottle-feeding, you’ll need bottles (but not fifteen different brands—pick one or two styles and roll with it). A good burp cloth draped over your shoulder? Way more useful than any fancy gadget.

And then there’s the extras—the wipe warmers, the diaper pails with special bags, the baby shoes (cute, yes, but they wear socks for the first year, I promise). You might buy some of these things. Some you’ll love, some you’ll regret, some will sit in the corner gathering dust. And that’s fine. Parenting is trial and error.

The funny part is, when I look back at the first year, the items I actually used day in and day out were boring basics. Cotton bodysuits, stretchy pants, a stack of blankets that washed easily, and a stroller I could open one-handed while juggling coffee. The rest was just… noise.

So if you’re sitting there with a registry that feels like it could fill a warehouse, take a breath. You don’t need it all. Babies don’t care about gadgets. They care about being warm, dry, and close to you. Keep it simple, and you’ll actually have space to enjoy the moments instead of tripping over unused baby gear in your living room.