The infant swing -- babies seem to either love it or hate it. Borrow one to test drive if you can. If your baby loves the swing, it will become a sure-fire, indispensable soothing device. If your baby hates it, forget about it -- the swinging sensation is simply too intense for many little ones. "Travel" swings take up substantially less floor space and are half the price of traditional swings but have less swinging power, which means they are outgrown more quickly.

A mobile, with its spinning toys and soothing music, entertains for the first few months and is a nice decorative touch for a nursery. Most manufacturers recommend removal by around five months, when a baby could potentially reach up and grab it. If a friend offers to lend you a like-new mobile on our list, take her up on it.

A crib soother toy is a nice alternative or follow-on to a mobile. Attached to the crib rail, it is a fun and soothing crib toy with music, lights and bubbles that can your baby will enjoy into the toddler years.

Ever see a toddler grasping a tiny blanket with fleece on one side, satin on the other, and an animal head stitched to the top? That is a "lovie" blanket (or a security blanket). If your baby takes to one, the name says it all. The animal theme let's you name it and make it part of the family ("Where's Ellie the Elephant?"). Buy a few of the exact same item to have on hand just in case -- the tiniest infant will not be fooled by an impostor.

Pacifiers are a hot-button topic for new parents (and pediatricians, grandparents, etc.). Whether you offer one to your baby seems to depend on whether you used a pacifier as a baby and, let's face it, whether it works. When all else fails to soothe and comfort, a pacifier is worth trying. Go with an "orthodontic" version.