Baby Registry Must-Haves

As soon as those two lines appear on your at-home pregnancy test, life becomes a whirlwind. Becoming a first-time parent is an exhilarating experience that comes with a (very) long list of to-do’s to complete before your baby’s arrival. One of the most exciting parts of preparing for a new baby? Creating your baby registry! There’s something about adding all the necessary items, like a crib and car seat, that makes the whole thing feel very real, and while it’s a fun step, it can also be a stressful one. With so many baby products on a very inundated market, it can be confusing to discern which items you actually need versus the ones you can live without (pro tip: if you live in a warm climate, you can forgo the wipe warmer).

Luckily, we’ve put together the ultimate baby registry guide, so you have every necessity from baby nail clippers to a mini spatula for diaper cream (yes, that’s actually a thing).

Feeding

Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed your baby, it’s good to be prepared in case you end up needing to supplement with formula after your baby is born. If you already plan to exclusively use formula, you can disregard the items for breastfeeding.

• Baby bottles (If you plan to mostly bottle-feed, aim to have 8-10 bottles. If you mostly breastfeed, you may only need 3-4.)
• Bottle nipples
• Breast pump
• Breast pump parts
• Milk storage bags
• Reusable nursing pads
• Nipple balm
• Formula
• Nursing pillow
• Nursing pillow cover
• Bottle brush
• Bibs
• Burp cloths
• High chair
• Baby spoons
• Baby bowls

Nursery

Depending on how much space you have to work with, you may want to opt for a mini crib instead of a full-size crib. However, since your little one will outgrow a mini crib faster than a full-size one, you’ll want to decide which one will be better in the long run. 

• Crib
• Crib mattress
• Crib mattress protector
• Crib sheets
• Bassinet (This is handy for the first few months, especially if it’s a bedside bassinet.)
• Sound machine with night light
• Baby monitor
• Rocking chair/glider
• Swaddles
• Dresser
• Cool mist humidifier (Always use cool mist for children. A warm mist humidifier or a steam vaporizer can cause burns.)

Diapering

If you plan to use cloth diapers instead of disposable ones, your checklist will look a little different. Cloth diapering requires other essentials, such as inserts, a laundry detergent that’s safe for cloth diapers, and a wet bag for storing dirty diapers on-the-go.

• Changing table
• Changing pad
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Diaper cream
• Diaper cream spatula (Trust us, it’ll make your life so much easier,)
• Diaper pail + liners
• Diaper bag

Bath

Before your baby’s umbilical stump falls off, you may want to stick to sponge baths. Investing in soft, absorbent washcloths will make bathing your little one during these first few weeks easier. As a general safety rule, remember to never leave your child unsupervised in the bathtub for even a moment. 

• Baby bathtub
• Baby towels
• Soft washcloths
• Baby hair & body wash
• Baby hairbrush
• Unscented lotion

Health & Safety

Once your little one is mobile, baby proofing is required to create a safe environment and avoid tragedy. Even if it seems as though crawling and walking are light years away, the months will fly by before you know it. By baby proofing before your little one even arrives, you can make sure that you’re well prepared and already used to a baby proofed house.

• Pacifiers
• Baby nail clippers
• Thermometer
• Nasal aspirator
• First aid kit
• Infant Tylenol
• Electrical outlet covers
• Cabinet/drawer safety locks
• Toilet locks
• Baby gates
• Edge protectors
• Furniture anchors
• Door knob covers
• Stove knob covers
• Blind cord safety cleats/tassels (Ideally, all corded blinds should be replaced with cordless window coverings.)

Play

When it comes to toys and other play items, you’ll want to make sure that your items are high quality for longevity and safety. These are items that will be in close contact with your little one daily, so you want to make sure they’re non-toxic and durable. An organic Toki mat made from GOLS-certified natural latex foam will last years to come and grow with your little one through babyhood, toddlerhood, and beyond.

• Play mat
• Baby bouncer
• Playard
• Baby toys

Travel

Although infant car seats can be conveniently removed from their base, you may want to start with a convertible car seat from birth if you don’t drive very often or if you want to save money. Depending on how fast your little one grows, an infant car seat may quickly get too heavy to carry, which is often an indicator that it’s time to switch to a convertible car seat. Assess your lifestyle, and weigh the pros and cons of using an infant car seat or a convertible car seat from birth.

• Infant or convertible car seat
• Car seat mirror
• Stroller
• Baby carrier/wrap/ring sling

Clothes

When registering for baby clothes, make sure to pay attention to your baby’s due date and the season. If you’re expecting a baby in the summer, you’ll want to have plenty of short sleeve or sleeveless bodysuits in 0-3 month sizes. Unless your baby is born premature, they’ll likely outgrow the newborn size fairly quickly. Depending on the temperature of your nursery, you’ll also want to pick sleep sacks in the right TOG to prevent overheating.

• Bodysuits
• Footie pajamas
• Rompers
• Sleep sacks
• Socks/booties
• Hats
• Hypoallergenic laundry detergent
• Receiving blankets