The Ultimate Baby Registry Guide
Being pregnant is tough. You feel fat, you look fat, and you want to eat fat. You’re constantly embroiled in an argument with yourself that you’re finally ready for Baby and that you’ll never be ready for Baby. Add all of your internal issues to the fact that you also have to SHOP for your new arrival and it’s enough to turn even the calmest mother-to-be into a raving lunatic.
So here’s our attempt at making it easy. Below, you’ll find our hand-curated list of:
- Stuff you need, broken down by category
- Stuff we’re on the fence about
- Stuff you don’t need
- Stuff you should buy/coordinate yourself
It’s easy to get carried away, but keeping the below list in mind will make sure that you actually get what you need instead of spending days in the returns line trying to get money back from the things you don’t.
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FOR SLEEPING
( ) CRIB (1) – choose something in a neutral color (in case you have more than one child or repaint the walls), and consider selecting one with the front (long) part being sloped vs straight – this will save your back from lifting more than you need to. [Our choice: Sorelle Finley 4-in-1 Convertible Crib]
( ) COMPATIBLE TODDLER GUARD RAIL (1) – you can’t think beyond tomorrow, but when your child is three and leaps out of her bed like mine did one day, you’ll be real happy you have a bed rail in your basement because time is of the essence and you don’t want to risk them having discontinued your model. [Our choice: Sorelle Finley Toddler Guard Rail]
( ) GOOD MATTRESS (1) – don’t skimp and get a cheap one because you’ll be using it for at least three years. Most have two sides, where you start on the firmer side and then flip to the softer side once Baby starts standing up. [Our choice: Sealy Baby Flex Cool]
( ) MATTRESS PADS (2) – this is in case of “unexpected situations” or if you just forgot to do the laundry. [Our choice: Sealy Stain Protection Waterproof Fitted Mattress Cover]
( ) FITTED SHEETS (2) – for the reason above. Anything is fine, as long as it’s cotton. [Our choice: Lambs & Ivy Fitted Crib Sheets]
FOR EATING
( ) HIGH CHAIR (1) – we learned this the hard way – a high chair is only useful when it can be cleaned. Not with a sponge – in the washing machine. Ditch anything with vinyl backrests and pick fabric instead. Also go with a wide food tray with as few compartments as possible – those are just extra places where food can go to die, and you want to give yourself the best shot at keeping it clean because your child will be in it for a while. [Our choice: Graco 3-in-1 DuoDiner High Chair – or any Graco model that doesn’t use vinyl]
( ) BOTTLES (6-8, half small and half larger) – no matter what you plan, your baby ends up deciding which bottle they use. Brands like Dr. Brown’s and Evenflo are mostly plastic and have the benefit of being easy to lift (for them), but the second they start looking cloudy, they should really be thrown away. Glass bottles are generally regarded as “safer” but are harder to lift and may take longer to hold on their own. We used Lifefactory and were happy with it, but if I had to do it over again, I’d have looked into Avent’s glass line, which supposedly handles the dishwasher better and leaks less. But cross your fingers that whomever buys them for you won’t be offended if you return them, because there’s a real good chance you’ll have to switch gears. [Our choice: Philips Avent Natural Glass Bottle Gift Set]
( ) FOOD STORAGE (1-2) – we highly recommend tempered glass because it’s generally regarded as the safest option out there, and while not guaranteed, we’ve definitely dropped our fair share of them on the floor and they haven’t broken yet. [Our choice: OXO Tot Glass Baby Blocks Food Storage Containers]
( ) UTENSILS (3) – we started with plastic ones that turn colors when the food is too hot, which worked great until our daughter started getting teeth and began biting them. We then transitioned her to a little-known brand called Kiddobloom that makes high-quality stainless steel utensils, and we’ve never looked back. For travel, though, you NEED something with a case, which neither of the above offers so yes, three types of utensils should be on your list. [Our choice – early: Munchkin White Hot Infant Safety Spoons. Our choice – later: Kiddobloom Baby Stainless Steel Utensil Set. Our choice – travel: OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon with Travel Case.]
( ) FOOD PROCESSOR (1) – this was easily one of the most-used items on our registry. Don’t get dragged into believing you need to buy one that says “baby food” all over it – get yourself a highly-rated ADULT food processor that can be used for EVERYTHING. Your kitchen countertop will thank you. [Our choice: Cuisinart 7-cup Food Processor]
FOR TRAVELING
( ) INFANT + CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS (1 each per car) – there are SO MANY OPTIONS out there, with some just for infants while others are “for life.” We went with a separate infant and convertible car seat because they each had the highest safely ratings based on our research (even though the latter is rated for both), but this is a PERSONAL PREFERENCE since many, many people are very happy with other types (the most popular within our Facebook group is easily the Graco 4Ever DLX, though we haven’t reviewed it for safety). [Our choice – Infant: Chicco KeyFit 30 + a separate car seat base if you have more than one car since it only comes with one. Our choice – Toddler: Britax Advocate ClickTight Convertible Car Seat]
( ) CAR SEAT MIRRORS (1 per car) – they cost so little but provide so much peace of mind. We personally prefer bigger ones because that gives us more of a view, but there’s no “bad” mirror so just pick one you like that’s compatible with your car (some have headrests that don’t allow certain models). [Our choice: Britax Baby Car Mirror XL]
( ) STROLLERS (2) – if you went with the Chicco KeyFit 30 mentioned above, we HIGHLY recommend adding the Chicco KeyFit Caddy because it’s the lightest and most efficient stroller you’ll ever use. Unfortunately, you can’t use it once you switch to a convertible car seat. We chose a lightweight stroller (different from an umbrella stroller) due to back issues and still use ours every single day. It would have been nice if it had a tray for food, but that’s the only gripe we have and would do it again if given the choice. Note: if you plan on having more than one child, get your double stroller on Facebook Marketplace, through Craigslist, at garage sales, or in local mom groups – you’ll be surprised at how many moms are happy to sell theirs for cheap. [Our choice – Infant: Chicco KeyFit Caddy. Our choice – Toddler: Chicco Liteway]
( ) BABY CARRIER (1) – you’ll soon realize that certain trips aren’t worth bringing a car seat inside. Shopping carts can be problematic, so pulling a wearable baby carrier from your trunk is highly recommended. Make sure it offers the option of both facing in and out, but Google to make sure the brand you’re interested in hasn’t had any issues with creating hip dysplasia, which has happened with inferior brands. [Our choice: Ergobaby 360 All Positions]
( ) SHOPPING CART COVER (1) – some folks say this is unnecessary, but when you think of the nasty stuff on those shopping cart handles, it baffles our mind that anyone would leave this off their list. Yes, it’s a pain to get on shopping carts, but it’s an inconvenience that’s worth it to keep your little one safe once they’re able to sit up on their own, and many allow you to double them as high chair covers too. [Our choice: Skip Hop Shopping Cart & High Chair Cover]
( ) PORTABLE BOOSTER SEAT (1) – this is planning for a few months out, but we can’t rave enough about the value of a portable booster seat to keep your little one germ-free when at a restaurant or traveling. Pick one with a removable tray so they have the ability to either eat at the table or on their own. [Our choice: Summer Infant Pop ‘n Sit Portable Booster]
( ) PORTABLE PLAYARD (1) – this is ONLY for travel or if you absolutely need it during daytime naps when the crib isn’t an option. Our daughter slept in this on every family vacation until she was almost three, but never used it at home. It can also double as a play area when you’re cooking dinner and want a safe space once your little one starts rolling over. [Our choice: Graco Pack and Play Portable Playard]
( ) DIAPER BAG (1) – this almost always gets purchased because it’s for MOM (sorta). Pick one that fits your style but that is also either wipeable or machine washable because you’d be amazed at how easily they get disgusting. Also make sure that whichever one you pick also comes with a portable diaper changing pad, which is basically just a piece of fabric that you can lay out anywhere – you’ll use that a lot outside your house. And learn from our mistake: get a backpack because your body doesn’t need any additional strain on it. [Our choice: Skip Hop Diaper Bag Backpack]
FOR EVERYDAY LIVING
( ) DIAPERS (10 boxes) – like bottles, your baby will decide which brand you’ll use, so we suggest putting expensive ones on your list – The Honest Company, Seventh Generation, even Huggies – along with a single pack of Luvs to see if that works for you instead. Luvs is the cheapest brand we’ve seen and also seems to go on sale the most often, which means that if your baby can tolerate it (ours didn’t so we ended up in Huggies), you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run if you go with the cheaper option and get store credit for the others. Also, you didn’t hear this from us, but make sure you RAID your hospital room – every time someone comes to fill up your diaper pile, you TAKE THAT AND YOU STASH IT AWAY, GIRL! We were seriously good for a month because we followed my sister-in-law’s advice on that, which adds up. In terms of quantity, go big or go home because they’re expensive and you’ll use them! Get one-month supplies of a) 3 boxes size 1 (skip newborn – even hospitals tend to only use size 1, and they just fold the waistband to make it work for newborns), b) 3 boxes size 2 and c) 4 boxes size 3. It sounds crazy, but they go fast! [Our choice: Huggies Little Snugglers]
( ) DIAPER PAD (1) – We don’t care what seasoned parents will tell you – unless you feel like sleeping or sitting in filth, you need to have a diaper changing station. Yes, it’s a hassle if your house has more than one level, and yes, it takes up a decent chunk of space, but you’ll be grateful during your fourth shift of the night when you have something to use instead of your leg to change your baby’s diaper. Look for a pad that has somewhat high sides so your baby has the least possible chance of rolling off it (it can happen), and choose something that YOU’D want to lie on if you were in their position. And see if you can inherit someone else’s changing table, as we know they can get expensive. If not, try to pick one that has a functional aspect to it too. We were able to repurpose ours to create a bookshelf underneath it, which we continue to use today. [Our choice: Summer Contoured Changing Pad]
( ) DIAPER PAD COVER (2) – choose one with a pattern you like – they serve no purpose other than to be decorative, but you’d be surprised at how quickly they can get dirty. [Our choice: Biloban 100% Cotton Jersey Knit Changing Pad Cover]
( ) BABY WIPES (5 boxes) – we had 5 huge boxes of wipes on our registry and used every one of them. This again will be a matter of personal preference, but if you go with a “natural” option from any of the big brands, you’ll likely be totally fine. Our one gripe with ALL of the major brands is that the wipes aren’t flushable, which really only becomes a hassle once you start potty training since you’d otherwise just toss it in your diaper – but this doesn’t seem avoidable. [Our choice – mild scent: Babyganics 800ct Unscented Wipes. Our choice – no scent AKA good for sensitive skin but does leave a lingering diaper smell: WaterWipes 720ct Unscented Wipes]
( ) COMFY CHAIR FOR YOU (1) – like it or not, you’re going to be spending a lot of time sitting in a chair with an infant, so you might as well pick one that’s comfortable. In our case, we inherited one from my parents, but try NOT to buy one online because the only way to know if it’s right for you is to test it out.
( ) STORAGE BINS (6 of each) – this was one item we forgot to add to ours, and we regret it every day. Stock up on 66qt, 30qt and 12qt plastic storage bins WITH LIDS (like 6 of each) and store them inside each other until the day you need them – and it will come sooner than you’d hope. [Our choice: Sterilite 66qt Storage Bins with Lids]
( ) BATH TUB (1) – you’re going to need one, and it would be most cost-effective if you picked one that could transition from an infant to an older child without needing to buy two separate ones (see our recommendation below). The downside is that these are oftentimes pretty big, so if you’re pressed for space, you may want to consider alternate solutions. [Our choice: Boon Soak 3-stage Bath Tub]
( ) FIRST AID KIT (1) – hopefully you’ll never need it, but that’s one thing that you just sorta have to have in your house somewhere. If it’s not already included, also add a baby nail clipper. [Our choice: Safety 1st Deluxe 25pc Healthcare Kit]
( ) DIGITAL THERMOMETER (1) – you’ll see in the “Items You Should Buy Yourself” section that we included a rectal thermometer because that’s most important – and reliable – when your infant is sick, but add a digital one (our recommendation below) because it’s expensive and you’ll use it hundreds of times on them and yourself. [Our choice: Braun ThermoScan-5 Ear Thermometer]
( ) HUMIDIFIER (1) – we fought this one for almost two years, but should have gotten one sooner. Get a good-quality one that will keep your little one’s skin from getting too dry because dry means itchy and itchy means unhappy. [Our choice: Homech Cool Mist Humidifier]
( ) TUMMY TIME MAT (1) – they say that developing neck muscles at a young age is really important, and one easy way is by finding an engaging – but NOT OVERSTIMULATING – tummy time mat. The jury is still out on whether mirrors are good or bad to give infants, so a small one is fine but try not to make it the primary feature of the mat. [Our choice: Skip Hop Alphabet Zoo Play Mat]
( ) JUMPEROO (1) – this is another item that’s an incredible help to moms, but only when it’s really needed because too much of a good thing is, well, bad. Jumperoos can help babies develop their leg muscles so they’re able to start crawling, but too much of it can actually succeed in doing the opposite: they can become dependent on them, putting too much weight and sort of just hanging there without bouncing, which can mess up their hips as well. As is the case with most stuff, just do everything in moderation and this can be a really helpful tool. [Our choice: Fisher-Price Color Climbers Jumperoo]
( ) ESSENTIAL (AND ONLY ESSENTIAL) CLOTHING – here are the only clothing items you actually need, with our recommendations below: 8 burp cloths (cloth diapers are the best for this); 2 NICE bibs (for going out in public – you’ll be gifted others); 3 fold-over shirts (to make changes easy); 3 sleep sacks (1 short-sleeved, 1 long-sleeved and the other an extra of whichever makes sense based on the month they were born); hospital outfit for photos; a pair of no-scratch mittens; 5 pairs of socks (no shoes); 3-4 ZIP-UP, not button-up pajamas AKA “sleep ‘n plays”; a hat for a summer baby or a cap for a winter one; 2 lightweight “blankets” that you can repurpose for nursing, car rides, etc. [Our choice – burp cloths: Gerber Birdseye 3-ply Prefold Cloth Diapers. Our choice – fold-over shirts: Gerber 2pk LS side-snap shirts]. Our choice – sleep sacks: Halo Sleepsack Swaddle Blankets]
( ) LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR NEWBORN PHOTOS – yes, the hospital offers infant photos but they cost a fortune and you’re going to feel like garbage, so you might as well do it right. Ask for a gift certificate to a local photographer who can come to your home and make memories when you’re slightly less stressed and at least partially healed.
STUFF WE’RE ON THE FENCE ABOUT
The below items are extremely popular baby registry “essentials,” and we debated about whether or not to include them in the above list of essentials – but when push came to shove, we opted to leave them off, and here’s why.
( ) VIDEO MONITOR – to be clear, if your baby’s room is far from yours, this would be a necessity, but if you can hear them, you honestly may be better off NOT buying a video monitor because it. will. drive. you. crazy. You’ll find yourself looking at this throughout the night and won’t be able to sleep because every little noise will make you paranoid. THAT SAID, we definitely realize you’ll probably disagree and say that it gives you peace of mind, in which case, do what makes you comfortable.
( ) SOUND MACHINE – is it really a good thing for your baby to be lulled to sleep by some strange melodic sounds? We honestly don’t know, but it seems like an existing fan would accomplish much the same goal without costing you any extra money.
( ) ROCK ‘N PLAY – this is a super controversial item, as there have been many recalls on various models. Many parents swear by them, but a lot of them also have issues getting their children to sleep through the night because they prefer these during naptime so we’re just not convinced.
( ) HAMPER – use yours.
( ) BABY TOWEL – use yours.
( ) NURSING PILLOW – use a pillow.
( ) NURSING BRAS – I tried them, but the reality was that it was easier for me to just lift up my shirt and stick my daughter inside than it was to unhook a certain part of my bra. If you stick with a blanket, nobody knows what’s going on.
( ) PACIFIERS – we never used them, which means we never had to deal with the unpleasant experience of having to wean ourselves off them. That, in and of itself, made it worthwhile for us to never have started, because I’ve heard horror stories of how difficult that can get.
( ) “LOVEY” – kids will find something to give them comfort – in our case, our daughter homed in on the blanket they gave us at the hospital and it’s just as good as something we would have had to pay for (except we didn’t).
STUFF YOU DON’T NEED
– DIAPER PAIL – sounds like a great idea, but a) it doesn’t mask smells all that well, b) even if it does, the overwhelming smell of whatever fragrance they use probably isn’t good for your baby either. Combine that with the fact that one misstep will get poop on the outside of the can (which you’ll inevitably forget to clean until it’s caked on there), along with the added fact that you’ll never remember to empty the bin until it’s way too late, and I’m out.
– BREASTFEEDING SUPPLIES AND/OR FORMULA – if you’re planning to breastfeed, almost all health insurance companies will GIVE you a breast pump and corresponding supplies absolutely free – call your provider to find out the protocol. In our case, our nurse called them for us after delivery and we left the hospital with them in our bag. If you’re planning to formula feed, don’t spend your money on formula that your baby may not like or could be allergic to. The hospital will give you some to take home, and it’s extremely easy to find formula both online and in stores if you need more. While you’re pregnant, keep picking up those free coupons on the counter of your doctor’s office for discounted formula – you’ll be happy you did.
– MOBILE – I’ve always been baffled by this. When I put my kid into the crib, I want them to SLEEP. I do NOT want them to play or be mesmerized by strange floating things above them – things that, for the record, probably look pretty enticing and will encourage them to stand up and jump out of their crib faster. No thank you.
– TOYS – keep them to a minimum, and here’s why. People like to buy them. When they buy 5 cutesy toys for $10 each, they’re NOT buying something that you actually need, like a stroller or a box of diapers.
– CLOTHES – with the exception of the stuff I mentioned above, you don’t need clothes on your registry. First of all, by the time people actually start buying from your registry, chances are that the clothes you loved are now out of stock. Second of all, again, people like to buy them – so they aren’t buying you what you need. You’ll also probably get a ton of used clothes from friends and family members who are desperate to unload their old things, so save yourself some time and just stay away from that section – or save that for your holiday wishlist instead.
– BLANKETS – people like to give blankets. Some older people actually knit them by hand, which is really sweet. Some younger people actually personalize them as gifts, which is also really sweet. And many veteran moms will regift them because they have too many, which means that people like you are going to be getting a lot of them, even if you didn’t ask for it. And inevitably, none of them will actually have tags on them or gift receipts, so you’ll be stuck with them whether you like them or not, sorry.
– WIPES WARMER – it sounds like a great idea. Poor little baby wakes up wet and cold, so yes, I must instantly make it better. Be strong, mama! You don’t need this!! All it does is waste energy and spoil your baby into not being able to deal with not having one around, which is going to make life really hard for you when they get older. If you’re that worried, just hold the wipe in your hand for half a second and it will be warmed up enough.
– LOTS OF SHAMPOO/LOTION/DIAPER RASH CREAM – get ONE of everything, and here’s why. First of all, your child may react to whatever one you picked and you’ll end up having a ton of useless stuff cluttering your house. Secondly, this stuff expires and IT DOESN’T COST MUCH TO BEGIN WITH so focus on the expensive stuff here.
– BASSINET – it is SO EASY to get into the habit of letting your baby sleep in your room, but trust me – you don’t want that in the long-run. Start with just a crib and you’ll be happy when they’re two and not co-sleeping with you.
– BABY FLOOR SEAT – the jury’s still out on if it gives babies hip dysplasia, so it’s a hard no for me.
– BABY DETERGENT – I know I’m crazy, but think about it – when it comes to babies, less is more. Fragrance is a known irritant for kids, so try to avoid baby detergents because, for some reason completely unbeknownst to me – all of the major brands (I’m looking at you, Dreft) seem to be overrun with fragrance. Stick with fragrance-free Tide or whatever detergent you already use. It will make your life a lot easier in the long run when you can do everyone’s laundry at once.
– BOTTLE DRYING RACK – maybe you guys have tons of room in your house, but I certainly didn’t in mine. A separate bottle drying rack sounds great in theory, but really? Just use the regular drying rack – or, better yet, get bottles that are dishwasher-safe.
STUFF YOU SHOULD BUY/COORDINATE YOURSELF
There are some things that, in my opinion, don’t belong on a baby registry, either because they’re too cheap or they’re too awkward for people to look at. You can buy the below four items yourself while waiting for baby, and track them so you know you’re getting the best price.
On a separate note, though, tell whomever is planning your shower that you’d like people to bring a book for the baby instead of a card. They’ll give you a card anyway, and you end up with a library of books before the little one is even here.
Some other options are to make a music CD for the new baby with song suggestions from all shower guests (my sister-in-law did that for me), a video montage with personal messages from all family and friends, a personalized indestructible alphabet book from all guests, and/or a customized family tree.