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I don't think you NEED any of these things. However, we had a bouncer, swing and pack n play and used them all. We used the bouncer to bring from room to room and also to other peoples houses in the early months, and that was a lifesaver. The swing was nice because LO would nap well in there and she enjoyed the movement, but not necessary. We had a pack n play because it was given to us by my sister and we just used it for her to sleep in, in our room.

We had a bouncer, swing and pack n play. We never used the pack n play, only used the bouncer lightly and used the swing ALL THE TIME. Seriously wouldn't have survived without huge swing. (We had the Snugabunny)

A bouncer was pretty useful for us, as she liked the semi-reclined position for playing, looking around but would also sleep in there in the early weeks. Later on, the pnp or travel cot was essential for us once we started travelling. We did have a swing but S napped in there maybe a handful of times.

E hated the swing and never really liked a bouncer. We use the PnP a lot, though. He never slept in it here (though that was the original plan--he just had other ideas), but we bring it when we travel, and I set it up in the living room and put him in there with some toys when I want to take half and hour to clean without his "assistance" or workout without him grabbing me.

I had only heard of RnPs on here, never actually seen one until SIL had one at Christmas, so awesome!! I may try to get one for #2!

I had the PnP in our livingroom for #1, but never used it and won't even bring it out for #2, especially since we've moved to a bungalow. Swing, RnP, bouncy chair should be more than sufficient? Swing was only a hit from 2-4m and she was done in it, but while it lasted she loved it. Bouncy chair was great to have her near us at the dinner table, in the bathroom with me while I was solo, and to take out and about with us.

Funny I bought a 2nd PnP for #2, but they will be for the cottage or summer travel!

We only use the PNP for traveling, so if you don't forsee a lot of travel skip it for now (LO is 15 months and we've used it maybe 7 times.) We had a reflux baby so swing, bouncer, and RNP were essentials in getting any comfort to our child.

If you are going to use the RnP for sleep, and you have a small home, I don't think you need a PnP. We have one for downstairs & use it mostly for diaper changes. We are going to transition to the crib soon & we will use the PnP for travel then since the bassinet is flat, to keep consistency. But if you aren't traveling a ton I think you could make do without.

As for the other things, it depends on your baby. I like having the bouncer as a place to set LO down but she doesn't really like it so she's not happy in it for long. But some babies love their bouncers! On the other hand we did not get a swing, and we ends up borrowing one and I love it so much. It's the only place LO takes good naps. I intentionally didn't get one because I wanted to have good sleep habits but they have to sleep to have habits! Swings do take up a lot of space though so maybe wait & get one later if you have a fussy baby & issues with sleep.

We have a PnP at grandmas that she still uses today (she's one). We had a portable swing in her early months and even though it was short lived, it was super useful. I would take her in the bathroom and she would nap in the swing while I showered.

Sadie slept in her RNP for the first 8ish weeks. And, I used it around the house (when I showered, cooked, did laundry, etc.) until she was 6 months. It has been my favorite and most essential piece of baby gear!

We also really loved the swing (FP little lamb). She took at least one nap per day in there for the first 6 months. We retired it at 7 months though, and haven't missed it. Short-lived usage, but would totally buy again.

We don't have a bouncer or pack-n-play, and haven't had any need for either. If you plan on traveling you can get a basic, small, cheap pack-n-play at Walmart or Target -- unless you're not using a crib, I wouldn't get one of the big contraptions with the different levels and changing table, etc.

RnP has been the best thing for us. She still sleeps in it at three months, and I would move her around in it during the first month (even while she slept).

The swing is hit or miss, but she's taken enough naps in it that I'm glad we have it.

I do sit her in the bouncer sometimes when I need to eat or just want a break. More often, I use the piano gym (FP?) that I highly recommend.

We are borrowing a pnp from a friend but haven't used it yet. I think you can wait and see on it.

@Zbug: I also recommend the Fisher Price Kick & Play! I registered for the Skip Hop Treetop Friends activity gym, but she likes the KnP so much more.

We went with a swing and the RnP, which is where we plan to have LO sleep for the first few months, and it's easy to drag into the bathroom, etc. We registered for a PNP, but I'm not going to run out and buy it right away if we don't get it. I'm not sure how much we will end up needing/using it.

I had a pack and play for travel, otherwise, I wouldn't have needed it.

We had a swing, but it was probably our least used piece of gear.

Instead of a bouncer, what about a reclining high chair? You can at least use that for a longer period of time than the bouncer alone.

Most of these served a good purpose for us in the early days.

PNP: we made it a changing station in the living room and stocked it with clothes, diapers, etc.
RNP: LO's main sleeping location once colic set in. Paired with a sound machine, he slept in it until he was 5 months old.
Bouncer: helped with colic a lot. Also, it was great for keeping him in one place while getting ready in the morning or cleaning a massive blowout. That's a funny one.
Swing: we got one from my brother. It wasn't a sleeping one, so sort of useless for us. LO wasn't big on it.

@Mrs. Champagne: Ohhh! And they will ship here?! I was pretty impressed with it when I saw it in action, and the portability was awesome (we traveled with them over Christmas!) I have a couple US connections I may be able to try, but they shipped to you with no problem? PS maybe when once your babe is here and you visit home and we have #2 we could do a baby playdate if you had time!

I had the same problem, there are so many 'baby devices' I didn't know where to start. I would say to focus on one per developmental stage so you don't have 15 all out in the living room at one time. We started with the RNP, DS lived in that the first two months of his life. Once he got big enough, we put that away and moved him to the baby bjorn bouncy chair (he was also taking naps in his crib at this point too) and for tummy time he has a little play gym. His next step is the jumper at which point we might put away his bouncy chair.

Instead of a PNP we got a baby bjorn travel crib which has been great so far. I like that it comes in black and is really easy to set up and take down adn isn't as bulky as a PNP. And we bought and returned a swing, it was way too big and I heard mixed reviews about them. No regrets since we always have somewhere to put him.