The 7 Things You Actually Need For Baby's First Night Home

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The staggering amount of baby gear that's out there can bring even the most organized, well-prepared, type A mom to tears. It's a lot to process, and the decisions are endless! If you're reaching the end of your pregnancy and find yourself addicted to tracking the progress of your custom crib's delivery or simply can't commit to stroller A, B, or C, we're here to tell you: relax!

Your first day at home with your newborn is going to be a totally surreal experience, and while it's great to be ready for anything, the reality is, they're not doing much more than eating, sleeping, probably some crying . . . and yes, pooping. Here are the essentials that you really, truly need to have on day one.

01
Good Old-Fashioned Onesies
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Good Old-Fashioned Onesies

That first week is all about keeping your baby (and yourself!) comfortable, and until those visitors start rolling in, the only attire he or she really needs are soft cotton onesies. Carter's Just One You line is sold four to a pack for just $8. Stock up; you'll need 'em!

02
Swaddle Blankets
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Swaddle Blankets

Your own mom may try to convince you that swaddling's just a trend, but it's become an essential skill for new parents to learn for good reason. Whether your baby's most at peace when wrapped tight like a burrito or simply likes the comfort of being covered, every mom needs a stash of muslin swaddle blankets, and no one does it quite like Aden + Anais. Source: Aden + Anais

03
A Comfy Bouncer
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A Comfy Bouncer

If you're going to be home alone with the babe — for even an hour or so — and might have to grab a drink of water, run to the bathroom, take a shower, or attend to any other basic need, an awesome bouncer ($65) is a must!

04
A Suitable Place to Sleep
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A Suitable Place to Sleep

If the crib you spent weeks picking out is still on back order, don't panic. Your itty-bitty baby will likely be perfectly content in a moses basket (this one from RH Baby & Child retails for $109) or bassinet for those first nights, weeks, and even months.

05
A Glider or Rocker
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A Glider or Rocker

Most of your first (and second, and third . . . ) days will be spent holding and feeding your baby, so make sure you've got a great place to sit down and do it. Source: Pottery Barn Kids

06
A Safe, Correctly Installed Car Seat
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A Safe, Correctly Installed Car Seat

You can't (and certainly shouldn't!) leave the hospital without having a properly installed infant car seat (this one by Peg Perego is $320), so go ahead and bump this up to the top of your to-do list. If you don't trust yourself to secure it correctly, see if the store you bought it from or your local police or fire department is able to help you out.

07
Diapers (Don't Forget the Wipes!)
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Diapers (Don't Forget the Wipes!)

We can pretty much guarantee that you're going to be on diaper duty within the first few hours of arriving at home with your new bambino, so get those itty-bitty diapers ready for action.

I lend my personal endorsement to The Honest Company — in addition to being well-made, eco-friendly, and baby-safe, its monthly bundle service ensures that you'll stay stocked in diapers and wipes without having to think twice about it. Seriously, in 19 months of motherhood, I haven't had to run out for diapers (or even remember to reorder them) once! Source: The Honest Company