When I started my baby registry for our first born I was completely clueless. There is so much stuff and so many options. It can easily get overwhelming and become a total time-sucker. I wasted so much time comparing things, looking up reviews and trying to figure out what was really necessary and what wasn’t! Doing your baby registry should be fun, so I have created a list to tell you everything you need (and how many) to save you some of the hassle and stress.
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In this post you’ll find a list of what to put on your baby registry broken down by category. After each category you’ll find some of my picks, as well as links throughout to my favorite products. There is also a list of few things you can leave off. Then you’ll find a few tips that I wish I knew before I made my registry. You’ll also find a checklist you can download and print, save or pin! And be sure to check out my post on baby shower gifts for the Mommy. Don’t be afraid to add a few of those to your list too.
Nursery
- Bassinet and bassinet sheets
- Crib and Mattress
- Changing Table and pad
- Changing pad covers
- Glider or, even better, a recliner glider like this one.
- Mobile or musical crib toy (helped all my babies sleep) My choice is the Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother
- Baby Monitor – I always preferred just sound, specifically the V-tech DM221. It worked for years without needing to be replaced.
- Nightlight
- dresser
- humidfier – my favorite is the Vicks Germ Free Cool Moisture Humidifier
- Storage, a toy bin or cubicles or an armoire
- baby book, for all the milestones and memories
Bedding
- The Ultimate crib pad
- 1 – 3 washable, waterproof crib pads
- 4 fitted crib sheets
- 4 – 6 receiving blankets
- 4 -6 swaddle blankets
- swaddle me blankets, links below
- 1 or 2 heavier blankets
Clothes
- 4 – 8 onesies, plain, snap-bottom undershirts
- 4 – 8 onesies, pick out some cute ones
- 4 – 8 one-piece pajamas, look for zippers like these, AVOID buttons
- 2 – 4 wearable blankets
- 1 – 2 sweaters or jackets
- 1 – 2 sweatshirts
- 4 – 7 pairs of socks and booties
- hats (make your choice depending on what season it is)
- Fleece winter suit if you’re having a winter baby, or add one on in a bigger size if you’re having a summer baby.
Feeding
- Pump if you plan to breastfeed
- bottles and nipples, even if you’re planning on breastfeeding get at least 5 – 8 bottles, 4 oz and 8 oz. If strictly bottle feeding get 10 – 16 bottles, 4 oz and 8 oz.
- Milk Storage bags
- Microwavable sterilizing bags
- nursing bras
- hands-free pumping bra (absolute must if you’re planning to breastfeed)
- 4 – 8 bibs
- burp clothes
- bottle brush
- dishwasher basket for small items and or drying rack
- nursing pillow, boppy pillow
- nursing pads
- nipple cream, link below to my favorite
- bottle warmer, not totally necessary but is really helpful.
Bathing
- Baby bathtub, there are a million options, see my favorites below.
- Baby soap/shampoo, I highly recommend Arbonne’s baby line, shop here.
- 2 – 4 hooded towels
- baby brush
- soft washclothes
- gentle laundry detergent, I recommend using this for the first few months.
- Tear-free rinser. Rinse the soap off without getting water in their little faces.
Baby Gear
- Infant or Convertible carseat. My picks are below, there are many options so feel free to do your own research
- carseat mirror
- Stroller, or pick a travel system to get carseat/stroller all together.
- baby swing
- bouncer
- mumaroo, this item would replace a swing and bouncer. Highly recommend getting one of these
- playmat
- play yard or pack and play
- high chair, get one that is easy to clean like this one because it will get messy in there!!
- baby carrier, I loved my Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier. Inexpensive, comfortable and durable (lasted through all 4 kids!)
Diapering
- Diapers, my favorite (and I’ve tried them all!) is Huggies. Consider using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save, a life saver for me.
- Diaper cream, hands down my favorite is from Arbonne.
- Unscented wipes, I’m a big fan of Amazon’s brand
- Diaper pail and liners, or just a garbage pail to keep in the nursery
- powder, look for one that is pure cornstarch
- diaper bag
- portable changing pad (they make disposable ones too)
Health products
- Thermometer
- baby nail clippers and nail files
- First aid kit
- nasal aspirator
- saline spray
- Petroleum jelly and gauze (for circumcision care, if necessary)
- gas drops or gripe water, good to have on hand in case you need it.
Products to skip
Wipes warmer
It’s really unnecessary. It gets a little yucky inside of them and ends up just being one more thing you have to clean out and sanitize every day.
Bumper
Also unnecessary and has been determined unsafe now. They make mesh, breathable ones now but still not really necessary.
Shoes
Yes, little baby shoes are adorable but seriously, they are point less until your child is walking. And from my experience, they just end up being through off and lost anyway.
Baby food maker
If you are really looking forward to making your own baby food, do yourself a favor and just get a magic bullet. It purees food better than any baby food making. Added bonus, you can also use it to make nutritious smoothies for yourself to keep you going through those early months (and forever, you’ll never sleep again once that baby is born and be tired forever, lol)
pacifiers
The hospital will have some of these for you. After that if you find your baby likes them, then purchase some. I’m personally not a fan of pacifiers and not 1 of my 4 children used them.
no scratch mittens
Baby Robe
You’ll never use it. Stick with the hooded towels.
Tips for making your baby registry
Have a baby registry at different stores
Make a registry at a few different stores. This gives people options on where to shop from and is an easy way to have different price ranges. My tops picks for creating a baby registry are Amazon, Target, Walmart, Pottery Barn Kids, and Buy buy Baby. Or you could choose to start a registry on something like Bump.com or Babylist.com where you can have all your items from different stores on one list for people to shop from.
Use the registry for yourself too!
This registry isn’t just for other people. You can use it too! Think of it as just a list of everything you want for your baby. Or a place to organize your ideas for everything from decorating your nursery to breastfeeding to your diaper bag and beyond. After your shower, before your baby is born it’ll be easy to get whatever else you wanted, and most places offer a discount to purchase things left on your registry.
Ask around!
Have friends and family that have recently had babies? Ask them what their “must-haves” are. There are always new products for baby and Mommy coming out.
Hold off on telling people
Everyone will find out about your baby registry when they get the invite to your shower. Don’t let anyone know about it until your 100% sure about what you have on there. You’d be surprised how quickly people start purchasing things as soon as they hear it’s up. If you are confident with your registry ahead of time, then by all means, tell everyone.
It’s super easy to keep track of.
Keep track of your baby registry, it’s so easy. Everything is online or in an app in this digital age that we live in. Also, as things are purchased, they are removed from the list so you don’t get duplicates of anything and you can update and change things if need be.
Find the fun!!
Please remember, this should be fun! Picking out everything for your little one is exciting. Don’t over think it and use my suggestions to make your life a little easier. As always, please feel free to leave any questions in the comments below, I’m more than happy help.
