Starting your baby registry can feel overwhelming. Most moms making a registry are making one for their first child and have no idea where to begin (like me). So, we go down the Google rabbit hole, reading article after blog post after article trying to figure out what we NEED need, what we kind of need, what we can buy later/what is unnecessary.
I spent a lot of time researching what to add to my own registry but didn’t want to write this post until I was a little into the newborn phase so I could REALLY tell you what you need and what you don’t.
The first step in creating a registry is deciding where to create your registry. I was torn because I wanted to create a Target registry for most things but also wanted to add thing from baby boutiques, Etsy, Amazon, Walmart, etc. So, I ended up looking into Babylist. Babylist allows you to add items from virtually any store to your one Babylist registry. And, when your friends and family shop it, each registry item has a price widget that shows them price comparisons for the same item on other websites, ensuring they don’t overpay. Other neat features of Babylist are the gift tracker, the free Hello Baby Box, free insert cards for your baby shower invitations, cute baby progress updates and 15% off registry items from the Babylist store after your shower. The way Babylist works with adding items from multiple websites naturally encourages online shopping which is helpful to your guests during Covid.
Once you set up your registry, the hard part begins – what do you add?! Here is my list, broken down by level of necessity from my own experience. The “Newborn Necessities” are what I consider the must-haves for the newborn phase. The “Nice to Have” list are not necessities but are convenient, or are things you can hold off on getting until after those initial newborn days of feeding, sleeping and repeating. I’m including links for certain products I particularly like!
Newborn Necessities:
- Infant car seat
- Bassinet
- Changing pad and covers
- Baby monitor
- Bottles and bottle brush
- Breast pump (check with your insurance what they will pay for) and supplies if breastfeeding (milk storage bags, nursing pads, nipple cream)
- Bottle sterilizer or sterilizer bags
- Formula and nursery water (if not breastfeeding or preparing for potential supplementing)
- Burp cloths (cloth “diapers” like these are my favorite to use as burp cloths) and bibs
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Baby safety/grooming kit with thermometer, nasal bulb, hair brush, nail clippers
- Baby bath tub, shampoo/body wash, lotion
- Hooded bath towels and baby washcloths
- Swaddle blankets or velcro swaddles
- Medicine cabinet stock (vaseline (necessary for circumcision healing), gripe water, (a MUST have) gas drops, baby Tylenol/Motrin, Desitin, non-talc powder, saline drops, chest rub, Pedialyte, teething ointment).
- Onesies in multiple sizes (preemie, NB, 0-3, 3-6 mos., 6 mos., 6-9 mos.) (*I recommend at least having a few preemie onesies/nightgowns since preemies are usually unexpected! They’re so cheap and will be a lifesaver if your little one comes early. Trust me – the last thing you want to be doing while baby is in the NICU/special nursery is online shopping for preemie clothes so you can dress them in something from home. Keep the receipts and you can return if you don’t use them!).
- Pants/leggings in multiple sizes
- One piece pajamas/nightgowns in multiple sizes (preemie, NB, 0-3 mos., 3-6 mos., 6 mos., 6-9 mos.)
- Other seasonal apparel depending on when baby is due (summer outfits, sun hat, swimwear, winter coats, bunting bag, etc.)
- Diaper cream
- NB beanies/hats
- Socks
- Stroller or travel system with infant carseat
- Carseat/stroller cover (for sun protection)
- Crib, mattress, waterproof mattress cover, crib sheets
- Lounger like Dock-A-Tot, Snuggle Me pillow or Boppy Lounger (different from Boppy nursing pillow)
- Diaper bag
- Baby swing or bouncer
- NB pacifiers
- Mirrors for backseat
- Shades for car window
Nice to have:
- Clothing other than onesies/pants/sleepers (undershirts, shorts, tops, sweaters, dresses, rompers, mittens, undershirts).
- Owlet sock (I highly recommend this product – it allows you to fall asleep with some peace of mind. Especially with having my LO in the mid-level NICU for two weeks, I was used to being able to monitor his oxygen levels and HR).
- Boppy/nursing pillow
- Playard
- Diaper pail
- Booty brush
- Postpartum supplies
- Moby/Boba wrap or other carrier
- Bath thermometer
- Baby laundry detergent
- Baby dish soap
- Baby bug spray
- Baby sunblock
- Booties (shoes not necessary until baby is walking)
- 2 blankets thicker than swaddles
- Nasal aspirator
- Books (signed with personal messages from your guests if possible!)
- High chair (baby won’t need for a while)
- Home safety items (not needed until baby is on the move!) such as gates, outlet covers, cabinet/drawer latches, furniture anchors and bumpers, toilet lock, etc.)
- Shopping cart cover
- Baby clothing hangers
- Walker
- Bottle drying rack
- Bottle warmer
- Nursing bras if breastfeeding
- Chair for nursery
- Dresser for nursery
- Night light
- Cool mist humidifier
- Noise machine (I use lullabye, white noise, ocean and nature noise playlists on spotify)
- Wipe warmer
- Hamper
- Teethers
- Lovies/Toys
- Toy storage
- Stroller/carseat toy attachments
- Stroller/carseat rain cover
- Mosquito net for carseat/stroller
- Play gym
- Pacifier clips
- Bottle bag
- Car/trunk caddy
- Boogie wipes
- Face/body wipes
- Crib mobile
Moms – what were your must-haves or favorite products when you brought your LO home? Drop a comment for our new mamas!
