What baby may need in the first 6 months
23 things the sources list by then, 31 that can wait, and 26 that come later. Each age is linked to the agency or maker that gives it.
Get by 6 months
On the go 6
- Car seat stroller combosUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), NHTSA, and the label on the product you buy.
- Stroller bassinets and carry cotsUsed from birth
Ages: see UPPAbaby (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- Car seat adaptersUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- Car seatsUsed from birth
Ages: see NHTSA, and the label on the product you buy.
- Travel bassinets and toddler bedsUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), NICHD Safe to Sleep, and the label on the product you buy.
- Bottle and formula on the goUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
Sleep 5
- CribsUsed from birth
Ages: see NICHD Safe to Sleep, CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
Can wait if you start with bassinets; check that product's limit.
- Crib mattressesUsed from birth
Ages: see NICHD Safe to Sleep, CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
- Swaddles & sleepwearUsed from birth · until about 2 months
Ages: see AAP, NICHD Safe to Sleep, and the label on the product you buy.
- BassinetsUsed from birth · until about 5 months
Ages: see CPSC, HALO (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- Play yards with bassinet or changerUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
Feeding 3
- Bottles & feeding gearUsed from birth · until about 18 months
Ages: see La Leche League, AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Formula & baby nutritionUsed from birth · until about 12 months
- Cooling teethers and feedersUsed around 4 months
Nursery & safety 4
- Changing padsUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- DiapersUsed from birth
Ages: see Pampers (maker), AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby wipesUsed from birth
- Smoke and CO alarmsUsed from birth
Ages: see CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
Bath & care 4
- Hooded towelsUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby washclothsUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby nail clippers and scissorsUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby nail files and electric trimmersUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
Pregnancy 1
- Postpartum recoveryUsed from birth
Ages: see ACOG, and the label on the product you buy.
Can wait
A linked source says it can come later, or another product may cover it first.
On the go 7
- StrollersUsed from birth
Ages: see UPPAbaby (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- Convertible car seatsUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), NHTSA, and the label on the product you buy.
- All-in-one car seatsUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- CarriersUsed from birth
Ages: see Ergobaby (maker), AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Hip seatsUsed around 4 months · until about 48 months
Ages: see Ergobaby (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
- Airplane gearUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Bug netsUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
Sleep 2
- Transition swaddlesUsed around 2 months
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Play yardsUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), NICHD Safe to Sleep, and the label on the product you buy.
Feeding 2
- Bottle sterilizersUsed from birth · until about 2 months
Ages: see CDC, and the label on the product you buy.
- TeethersUsed around 4 months
Play 11
- Activity & play gearUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Activity centers and jumpersUsed around 4 months · until about 9 months
Ages: see Fisher-Price (maker), CDC, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby toysUsed from birth
- High-contrast cards and booksUsed around 4 months
Ages: see CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
- Soft and cloth booksUsed around 4 months
- Musical toysUsed around 4 months
Ages: see CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby books & keepsakesUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Cloth and crinkle booksUsed around 4 months
- Beach tents and sun sheltersUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Stroller sun shadesUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Trailer infant insertsUsed around 1 months
Ages: see Thule (maker), and the label on the product you buy.
Nursery & safety 4
- Changing tables and toppersUsed from birth
Ages: see Graco (maker), AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Crib mobilesUsed from birth · until about 5 months
Ages: see CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
- Cloth wipes and wipe solutionsUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Diaper careUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
Bath & care 5
- BathUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Baby tubs and bathersUsed around 2 weeks
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Bath toysUsed around 4 months
Ages: see CPSC, and the label on the product you buy.
- Skin & sun careUsed from birth
Ages: see AAP, and the label on the product you buy.
- Grooming & oral careUsed from birth
Comes later
- Travel high chairs and boostersaround 6 months
- Baby and kids' sunscreensaround 6 months
- Finger toothbrushesaround 6 months
- Training toothbrushesaround 6 months
- Toddler and kids' toothbrushesaround 6 months
- Fluoride toothpastesaround 6 months
- Babyproofingaround 6 months
- Board booksaround 6 months
- Touch-and-feel booksaround 6 months
- Toddler plates, bowls, and utensilsaround 6 months
- Baby wateraround 6 months
- Baby food & feedingaround 6 months
- Sippy & kids' cupsaround 6 months
- High chairsaround 6 months
- Jogging and all-terrain strollersaround 8 months
- Stacking and nesting toysaround 8 months
- Lift-the-flap and peekaboo booksaround 9 months
- Child bike seatsaround 9 months
- Toddler carriersaround 12 months
- Push walkersaround 12 months
- Push, pull, and crawl toysaround 12 months
- Ball pits and ballsaround 12 months
- Loveys and plusharound 12 months
- First words and songbooksaround 12 months
- Toddler geararound 12 months
- Bike trailersaround 12 months
Ages come from the linked agency and maker pages. Every baby is different. This is general planning information, not medical advice. Check the label and the maker's instructions, and ask your pediatrician about your child.