by Lindsay Pinchuk posted in Products & Prizes

There are checklists of products and gear that you "absolutely must have" when your baby arrives, but in reality, there isn't much that you really need to have at home for your newborn. If you think you need a high chair or a convertible car seat as soon as you get home, think again -- you have plenty of time for that. Here are some of my must-haves for bringing baby home and why you actually need them.
1. Infant car seat: Simply put, they won't let you leave the hospital without this. Not only do you need the car seat, but you have to make sure that it is properly installed and that you -- not the nurse -- know how to install it. If you buy your seat from a speciality or independent retailer, many of them have certified CPSTs (child passenger safety technicians) on staff who will teach you how to install your seat correctly. The other option is to find a CPST or car seat check near you. Safe Kids is a great place to look for this information. (Shown: Cybex Aton Q Infant Car Seat, Magic Beans, $369.99.) 2. NoseFrida nasal aspirator: Babies get all kinds of goo and gunk in their nose, and to make them comfortable you have to get it out. The hospital will give you a little blue bulb aspirator; however, those can be hard to use and can get mold inside of them. Ask around -- other moms will tell you the NoseFrida is one of the only nasal aspirators that works. Yes, you will use it to suck the boogers out, but no,...