BALTIMORE -- Having a baby can mean big changes, and new mothers often wonder what things they really need to have ready when the baby comes home.

Know What To Buy For Infants

Mercy Medical Center Dr. Erika Nichelson said there are essential items that expectant parents should have before their baby arrives.

"The most important thing to get right out of the hospital is a car seat. You've gotta have a car seat," she said.

Nichelson also said new parents might think they need to keep a lot of medicine on hand, but you really don’t need much for babies.

"What you really just need for babies -- infants -- is infant Tylenol and infant Motrin, and that's it," she said.

Other essentials, such as diapers and wipes, will also be needed, but Nichelson said not to forget about the one thing you can't buy in a store -- help.

"You want help. When you get home, the important thing you can have at home is dad, or your mom or friends and family -- somebody -- because you're going to be exhausted and you're going to need help at home," Nichelson said.

She said new parents should save money and resist the temptation to buy too many baby outfits, because many may never get used.