Choose natural materials, simple designs and products with less ingredients.
Avoid synthetic fibers(rayon/bamboo), prints, fragrances, petrolatum and mineral oil.

You do not need a lot of stuff! This is a very practical, basic list of baby things that I have put together from over 30 years of experience.

3-5 Newborn (small) cotton outfits with a zipper, long sleeves and feet (no matter what season). Heathered colors are great for stains and wear.
Good ones; primary.com(Zip footie),Carters.com(cotton footie)& Burt's Bees(organic loose fit pj's).
The baby boy section always has more neutral colors.

3 long sleeved Kimono shirts or Body suits.
Good; Carters.com & Primary.com(long sleeve babysuit)

A hat with ties and ear coverage; Pilot cap(www.hannaandersson.com).
Beanie hats do not stay on when baby moves around.

3 pairs of socks; make sure the elastic is good around the ankle.
Rock-a-bye bootie socks from Jefferies are great.Get the 3-12 or 0-9 month size.
For chubbier legs get vwu ankle socks.
Don't ever buy newborn, always get one size up.

5 cotton swaddling blankets; at least 35 to 35 inches square. Not too thick nor too big. Preferably made of a stretchy material; thermal or jersey knit.
If you buy Aden+Anais swaddle blankets; don't get the ones made of Bamboo/Rayon, they are horrible!
woombie.com has a 3-pack of cotton wraps, Burt's Bees has a good muslin blanket and American baby company has a great cotton thermal waffle blanket. It is 30x40, but stretches a lot, so it still works great for swaddling.

2 Woombies; Easy swaddlers, with a zipper. Get the convertible version, so you can use it as baby grows out of swaddling too. www.woombie.com

1 or 2 thicker blankets. Cotton or wool. At least 40x40 inches. Great for floor time or in the stroller.

1-2 dozen cloth diapers (burp cloths) for burping and lots more. You can not have enough of these!
Good ones are; Gerber's "diaper service" quality, birdseye flatfold (or the organic birdseye 3-ply), Burtsbee's, Luvable friends Cottcare muslin 10x20.
If you want to splurge, get these; www.merrygorounduk.co.uk (cotton muslinZ squares 70x70cm)

2 baby bath towels- it is easier to dry a small baby with a light weight, single ply, stretchy towel. Burtsbeesbaby.com or Carters.com.

Brush and/or comb with regular size handles.
Good; "Safety 1st" easy grip, brush and comb.

2-3 packs of unscented newborn diapers or cloth diapers with covers.
Don't buy too many newborn size, as soon as the umbilical cord comes off, you can use size 1 diapers.
Good: Target's UP brand, Seventh generation, Earth's best, Nature baby care, Huggies naturals and any generic brand.
Do NOT buy Pampers! They are scented!
Good cloth diaper covers; Nikky and Imse Vimse.

Unscented/Fragrance free baby wipes or thick paper towels and a bowl of water. Earth's best, Huggies, water wipes and Seventh generation are all good wipes.Good diaper wipe tubs; OXO perfect pull and Skiphop clear wipes dispenser. Do NOT waste money on heated dispensers!

Diaper ointment - Use only when baby has a rash, not to prevent one. Avoid ingredients like fragrance, mineral oil and petrolatum.
Good ones are; Hello, Aveeno Baby "Organic harvest diaper rash cream", Earth Mama baby Angel baby bottom cream and Seventh generation. Do NOT buy Desitin, it is scented!

Diaper pail; it should be easy to open and have a large opening, preferably with a foot pedal. Diaper Decor works well. You can also get a small Brabantia trash can(pedal bin) that works with small grocery bags(5 or 12 liter)

Mild baby shampoo, soap and lotion. Baby skin should not be exposed to artificial fragrances and preservatives.
Good: California baby, Earth Mama Angel Baby, seventh generation, Weleda Calendula shampoo and body wash and Aveeno baby organics.
Baby shampoo can be used on the body as well, it is the exact same product as the baby wash. Bar soap is milder and has fewer ingredients than liquid soap and is also better for the environment. My favorite is Kiss my face's Olive soap.
Do NOT buy; Mustela, Noodle and Boo or anything powder/baby scented!

Blunt tip, nail scissors, NOT clippers.
Good ones; "Parent's choice", Tenartis and Chicco.

Digital rectal thermometer. Doctors will ask for a rectal temp if baby has a fever.

Baby fever reducer- just in case (Saccharin and color free)

4 pacifiers; Round shield, bulb tip, latex, soft center pacifiers work best. "Bibs" and "FRIGG", from Denmark, in size 1(0-6mon). Don't buy the bigger sizes!
Get darker colors, as they are easier to find at night.
Another option is Mam "air" size 6+ months. Don't buy the newborn sizes in Mam, they are too small!

1 Pacifier clip; a good way to keep track of baby's paci.
etsy.com has a lot of cute ones. Search for silicone, embroidered, personalized or simple pacifier clip.

1 pacifier storage box to keep the pacifier clean in the diaper bag.
Nuby or etsy.com (pacifier holder with silicone beads).

6-8 baby bottles; Evenflo glass(with proflow nipple) and Evenflo Balance + are good standard neck, easy to use bottles. Wide neck bottles don't interchange with other brands, or breast pumps, so stick with standard size openings so that you can switch to another brand of nipple if you need to. DO NOT buy gimicky bottles with vents, straws(Dr.Brown's) and hard to read markings. Small bottles (4 oz) are cute, but not necessary.

Drool/Feeding bibs; with great fit and absorption;
At Etsy.com from seller; TwoBlackRabbits. Plain colour bandana and Large cotton bib.

Nipple basket for dishwasher. OXO, Munchkin and Prince Lionheart have good ones. Make sure you can use it for different size nipples and rings or you will have pieces all over the dish washer.

Bottle drying rack: OXO Tot and Philips Avent have good ones. You want it to be sturdy and easy to clean. A draining feature is a plus. Racks that fold will collapse if you put glass bottles on them; don't buy!

Bottle brush: Evenflo 2-in-1 brush or OXO Tot has a great one that comes with a stand that saves counter space and keeps the brush clean and dry. Or get one that has a suction cup at the end.

Brushes for nipples and pumping parts; "OXO straw and sippy cup cleaning set" is great.

Diaper bag; easy to wipe off, sturdy, long straps and not too big. Back packs are great. Skip Hop has good diaper bags.

Changing table or counter space. Plus 2 covers for changing table.
Queen size pillow cases work well as covers.

Stroller; it should recline and be easy to fold with good size wheels, sturdy and lightweight. Figure out how and where you are going to use it most before you get a specific kind. Inflatable wheels can get flats, buckles should be easy to use. Maclaren, Inglesina and Maxi Cosi have good umbrella strollers.

Car seat; light weight, easy to buckle. More bells and whistles does not mean better. Maxi Cosi Mico is a very light weight infant car seat, weighing in at 8 lbs. That is 3 lbs less than most car seats which makes a big difference when carrying it around. Make sure you can use the seat without the base too, that way a second base does not need to be purchased.

A crib and mattress.
www.naturepedic.com and IKEA.com have good mattresses.

3 fitted cotton sheets (stretchable, jersey sheets are easier to put on the mattress). Burt's bees have good ones.

2 breathable, cotton mattress pads. Naturepedic.com has a organic cotton protector pad and quilted mattress topper.

1 thin crib bumper (max 1/2 inch thick). Mesh bumpers are great for keeping hands, feet and pacis in the crib.

Laundry detergent- Unscented laundry detergent. ALL free, Tide free, and Seventh generation. Most baby detergents, like Dreft, are fragranced. Yuck!
Buy unscented laundry detergent and use it for the whole family.
Don't use fabric softener on baby's things; it just adds chemicals and makes things less absorbent.

Saline drops- great to have around if baby gets a stuffy nose.
Drops of breast milk also work great for both clogged tear ducts and stuffy noses.

Baby bath tub:
Boon's collapsible tub and IKEA's plain baby tub are both good and roomy.
Reclining seats with hammocks and gadgets will not keep your baby wet and warm.
OR, get a plain baby bath sponge ($7) to use at the bottom of your sink or tub.
You can bathe the baby in a regular big tub around 8 weeks.

A digital alarm clock(not battery operated) that is easy to read in the dark, is a must for those 2am feedings.

If your doctor recommends vitamin D drops buy; Carlson baby D drops or "Just D" by sunlight vitamins (both without sweeteners and food coloring)

Another brilliant product (that I think every baby should have) is the Snuza baby breathing monitor.
Take the worry out of tummy time and prevent your baby from getting a flat head.Snuza Hero

Although the things below are not absolutely necessary; THESE ARE SOME OF MY OTHER FAVORITES:

Electric water kettle made of glass (for boiling water); saves energy, heats quickly and shuts off automatically. Perfect for formula, tea, coffee or porridge. Kalorik 1.7 L electric kettle is a great example but Hamilton Beach, Bodum and Breville has them too.

The best bouncy seat: Baby Bjorn Balance. Reclines and has a great bounce. From 0 to 24 months. I love versatile products like this that lasts for a long time and has no batteries. Splurge on the wooden "googly eyes" toy bar. Babies love it.

Baby carrier: Baby Bjorn original is easy to use. The "One" is trickier but better for older babies.

Baby gym: Haba, Selecta and IKEA all have good ones.

Changing table: Stokke and IKEA have great ones with the correct height and angle for your back.

Nursing shirts: Boob.

Nursing pillow: "My breast friend". A silly name but a really good, flat nursing pillow that works better than the Boppy.

My favorite twin feeding pillow; www.twinznursingpillow.com, perfect for feeding both babies at the same time.

Great wooden toys: Haba, IKEA and Selecta.

Bibs, potties, diaper bags, baby carriers: Baby Bjorn.

Bottle/ food warmer: Dr. Brown's and Munchkin have good ones. Get a warmer with a water reservoir so you don't have to measure water every time you use it. A closable top keeps the heat in so the bottle heats faster.

If you want to invest in a formula machine, there is "Baby brezza". Instant, warm bottle with the push of a button. www.babybrezza.com. Do NOT get the wifi version! It has too many glitches and ridiculous functions that you will never use.

Gliders: Dutailier. Make sure the fabric is removable and washable(there will be spit up). The reclining version is nice. Whatever chair you, get make sure it has comfortable armrests for all those feeding sessions.

High chair: Stokke , The Svan and Anka are nice, simple ones. IKEA has a few "no fuss" high chairs for a lot less money.

Washable nursing pads: Medela.

Pump: Medela Pump n' Style or rental.

Milk collection shells from Medela; save leaking milk, don't waste it.

Formula: The European brand Holle has a good, organic, stage 1 formula. "Baby's Only", milk based formula, is my #2 pick. Find it at www.naturesone.com. Seventh generation's milk based is my #3 choice. Powdered formula's, mixed correctly are, safer, lighter in color, thinner (like breast milk) better and cost less.

Formula mixing pitcher; Dr. Brown's formula mixing pitcher. For twins; get the 2 qt Rubbermaid mixing pitcher. Or get a large glass measuring cup, with a lid, from Pyrex.

Baby Bassinet; Large and wide with wheels("Badger basket" has a simple one for $55)

ITEMS TO AVOID AROUND THE BABY/ NOT NECESSARY:

Anything antibacterial(triclosan)! Do not use hand soap, dish washing liquid or any other product with Triclosan around the baby. Some tooth pastes have Triclosan(like Colgate total). If you are nursing; switch! My favorite is Tom's of Maine's "Wicked fresh". Nothing artificial and no sweeteners. Tom's of Maine also has good kid's tooth paste without, cancer causing, artificial sweeteners, preservatives and coloring.

Stay away from artificially scented items, especially wipes, skin products, detergents and diapers. Dreft is scented. Mustela is not a good baby brand. Desitin is both fragranced and contains petrolatum; don't use it! Avoid products with mineral oil and petrolatum.

Do not use lap pads, rubber sheets, all in one sheets and non breathable items around baby's sleeping area. Most mattresses are plastic. If you do not get a natural mattress, make sure you have a cotton mattress pad. www.companystore.com and naturepedic.com has good ones. Or make one from a regular bath towel.

Strong smelling cleaning products. Buy natural products like Seventh generation or Target's Method brand.

Synthetic fibers like fleece and polyester, especially when it comes to clothing and bedding. Don't keep stuffed animals too close to baby, they are treated with flame retardants and leach chemicals for months. Wash them if you can.

Positioners are not necessary and can cause flat heads. They are also treated with flame retardants which are not good for your health. Use a rolled up blanket instead to change baby's position. If you buy items for the baby that can not be washed, air them out for at least a couple of weeks before use, to get rid of harmful PBDE's.

Bottle sterilizers: Not necessary for a healthy baby unless you do not have running water at your house.

Diaper wipe warmers; unnecessary in every way. Room temperature wipes is a nice relief for that little tush stuck in a hot diaper all day.

Rubbing alcohol/alcohol wipes for the umbilical cord; some hospitals still use them but most do not. Cord will come off by itself. Keep it clean and dry. No baths before the cord is off. Sponge baths are completely unnecessary and disliked by all babies and me.

Mylicon drops; gas drops that I have never found to make a difference. In tests with placebos, no effect was noted.

Here are some of the brands / products I do NOT like:

Pampers; they put fragrance in their diapers

Diaper ointment from Desitin(fragranced) and lotion from Burt's Bees-smells bad

Any products by Mustela; bad ingredients and very strong perfume smell

Dr. Brown's bottles; too many pieces and the bottle nipple is too long

Philips Avent Soothie pacifier; Bad shape, don't stay in baby's mouth

Merlin sleep suit; just a bad idea!

4moms rockaroo; Movement is too slow, expensive

Halo Bassinest swivel sleeper; Expensive, hard to move and you will stub your toes on those legs!

Fisher Price Rock and play; Limits baby's movements and creates flat heads; Don't use! Update!! It has been recalled!