Specialized calculator
Baby gear budget planner
Plan your gear by tier and registry help. We flag what to buy new for safety and what's fine to take secondhand.
Items in your setup
Click any item to exclude it. Coral = buy new for safety.
Buy new (safety-sensitive)
- Car seat — verify expiration date and crash history
- Crib & mattress — must meet current CPSC standards
- Breast pump — usually covered new through insurance
Often safe used / hand-me-down
- Stroller (with current safety standards)
- Bouncers, swings, play mats, dressers
- Clothes (most bought outgrown in weeks)
- Books, toys, baby carriers in good condition
What matters
The honest gear philosophy
Buy fewer, better, when you can
Newborns don't need most of what's marketed at them. The real heavy hitters in your gear budget are the car seat, stroller, crib, mattress, monitor, and feeding gear. Splurge there. Almost everything else can be budget tier or hand-me-down without affecting safety or comfort.
Wait on the "phase" gear
High chairs, exersaucers, and walkers don't get used until 4–6 months at the earliest. Buying these before birth means storing bulky items you can't use yet. Wait, then buy what fits your space and baby.
Safety isn't optional
Cribs and crib mattresses must meet current CPSC standards. Car seats have expiration dates and should never be used after a moderate or severe crash. Sleep products beyond a flat, firm crib mattress are not recommended by the AAP for unsupervised infant sleep — including inclined sleepers, loungers, and in-bed positioners.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Want the full first-year estimate?
Run the main calculator with your state, insurance, feeding plan, and gear preferences for an integrated number.