Baby Registry Essentials Checklist
Building gift registries is completely overwhelming for me.
I know, I know - am I really complaining about the fact that I had babies and that people literally wanted to shower me with gifts?
Listen, I love receiving gifts! But the process of going through a whole store + major decision fatigue + feeling bad about adding anything expensive to the registry = my kind of personal hell.
Recently, a pregnant friend expressed frustration at how difficult it was to know what you actually need for a new baby. I remember being in that boat, scouring the internet for the perfect baby registry checklist. And I never found one.
And so, to save you the hassle of trying to piecemeal together a registry like I did, I am gifting you the baby registry checklist I never found.
This is all created from what I have learned from having two babes myself and from talking with other moms. I’ll give you the nitty-gritty of what I LOVED, what was necessary, what was just nice to have, and some tips on what NOT to register for.
My hope is that if you have a sweet babe on the horizon, this baby registry checklist can give you one less thing to worry about so you can focus more on taking care of yourself and your growing sweetie.
Are you ready for some fun? Then scroll on!
The Baby Registry Checklist
Infantino baby carrier
I know there are a lot of fancy “ergonomic” carriers out there, but this Infantino one worked great for me. The price is good and the quality is great. I also loved having a baby wrap carrier (see below), but I used this ALL the time. It made it so much easier to get things done. I also used it for walks, hikes (that weren’t intense), and really just about anything.
Baby wrap carrier
The baby wrap is the ultimate soother. I think it makes the babies feel like they are right back in the womb. The wrap does not support the baby’s weight as well as the regular carrier (pictured above), but the wrap was great for days when the baby was grouchy or needed some extra love. If I couldn’t get the baby to calm down, I would wrap them up in this and it pretty much always did the trick - even more so than just holding them.
It does take some practice to learn how to wrap it correctly. I know there are plenty of wraps on the market that probably work great, this just happens to be the one I used.
Swaddles: muslin, stretchy, & velcro
Swaddles are a must. With few exceptions, babies love to be swaddled. Often if they fight against it, it simply means they have not been swaddled properly. It definitely takes practice to get it right.
I highly recommend having a few different swaddle material options. Muslin breathes really well, stretchy material (usually jersey knit) is very cozy and easier to wrap, and velcro is luxurious because it makes swaddling so much easier. If you do get a velcro one, choose one that allows you to tuck their arms in. You also want the velcro to be strong so they don’t break out of it. If they aren’t in securely, they will likely wake up when they freak themselves out by flailing their arms in their sleep.
Note that swaddles can be very expensive. I honestly found my favorite ones at TJ Maxx. They had every kind and were generally less expensive than anywhere else I looked.
Taking Cara Babies course & blog content, or The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep
One of the hardest parts of being a new parent is the bone-tired fatigue that comes from sleep deprivation. For those first few months, I really struggled. Once I found this content, my life was changed. While I’ve never taken the Taking Cara Babies course, I have heard raving reviews. And I have used Cara’s free content coupled with The Happiest Baby’s Guide to Great Sleep by Dr. Harvey Karp and they saved me. There is SO much about babies’ sleep that is absolutely counterintuitive and you can struggle for even YEARS if you don’t figure it out. I highly recommend both of these resources.
Swing
I didn’t have a swing with baby #1 and that was okay, but I got one for baby #2 and it was glorious. It is so nice to have something soothing to put the baby in. This one is a little on the fancier side. It can rock in two directions and has music, white noise, and rocking intensity controls. But you definitely don’t have to get one with all the bells and whistles.
It’s also really nice to have as many safe places to “put the baby” as possible. We had the swing in the living room, and the bouncer (see below) in the bathroom for when I needed to shower.
Again, not a must-have, but extremely nice to have.
Baby bouncer
Bouncer chairs are a MUST. They are light, and easily mobile so that you can put baby wherever you need. I kept ours in the bathroom most of the time and put the baby in while I showered. In my opinion, you really don’t need anything fancy whatsoever, just a little chair that can produce a bit of movement. If they can be strapped in, safe, and comfortable, then you are golden. They are also generally less expensive than a swing.
Graco doorway bumper jumper
This one isn’t essential, but it’s not very expensive and my kids shocked me with how much they loved it. It kept them entertained while I got things done. It also helped them get some exercise.
Comfy high chair
When my first baby was born, he had a white plastic high chair from Ikea. There was nothing wrong with it per se, but it just never seemed very comfortable and it wasn’t the same height as our table so I kinda felt like baby was a little left out during meal times. It was also torture trying to get him to stay in it for any amount of time.
For baby number 2, I got this high chair and I really love it. The top tray comes off for easy washing, the seat has comfy padding which is removable and washable, and it’s really easy to move around. The height is also adjustable. There are definitely a lot of good options with high chairs. I think what matters most is that it’s easy to wash and your baby is comfortable in it. That way they will be more willing to stay in it through a meal or if you need to keep them occupied for a bit.
Nursing bras
Honestly, you may want to get these while you’re pregnant because they are comfy and very forgiving, especially. as your size fluctuates. If you’ll be nursing you absolutely want to get nursing bras. I LOVE this seamless one. I would suggest you get at least three if you can.
Bottles
My favorite brand is Tommee Tippee. You will want to make sure you get the slowest flow nipple (labeled “0”) , and then as the baby grows you will eventually get faster-flowing nipples. I bought mine at TJ Maxx, it was the least expensive option.
Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat
I’m a big fan of this car seat. It is so easy to use, which was my highest priority, besides being safe and comfortable. Also, the baby can safely stay in it usually until they are 2 (which I don’t recommend because they will be cramped, but they can safely do it if they are under the weight limit). My favorite feature is that if you take it in a car without the base, all you have to do is strap the seatbelt through the plastic holders.
Stroller
I agonized over choosing a stroller and the one I have linked is not the one I got (I ended up with a free hand-me-down which worked fine), but this is what I would get if I did it all over.
Here are the reasons:
It comes with the Chicco car seat that I love
It is compatible with the Chicco car seat (it’s the same brand).
The 3-in -1 feature is amazing. I love that you can take out the seating and just have it be a lightweight car seat carrier. I did not have one of those but I WISH I did. I can’t tell you how much easier it would have made my life.
If you’re having a second child, I would recommend a double stroller. It’s bulky, but so handy.
One other thing to note. In my opinion, running with a jogging stroller sucks. My first stroller was a jogger and I tried using it for runs and for me, it was a bust. I just can't run without being able to pump my arms. I know many moms run with a stroller so it definitely can work! Just wanted you to have that information when making a choice. Unless you have specific reasons for wanting a jogging stroller (i.e. you’re planning on walking on dirt paths or actually running) I would stick with a regular stroller.
Crib, Crib mattress, & Crib sheets
I’m listing a crib here because you need one, but I have no strong opinions on a brand. But be aware that your baby will almost definitely chew on it so honestly, I wouldn’t spend a lot of money. Just be sure it’s adjustable and sturdy.
You will also need a crib mattress, and I would suggest a water-resistant one like this. We have simple jersey knit sheets and they work great.
KoolaBaby bassinet
Full disclosure, I definitely believe you can use a Pack n Play (see below) instead of a bassinet. But if you do get a bassinet, I LOVE this KoolaBaby one. The biggest thing for me is that it can attach to the bed. It was so convenient to just roll over and check on the baby at night.
Pack & Play
A Pack & Play of some kind is a must. I love this Graco one because it has a newborn insert, toys for the baby to look at, and it’s easy to use. We use it anytime we stay somewhere without a crib - at a family member’s house for the holidays, camping, etc.
Baby monitors and/or monitor camera
You’ll definitely need monitors. I have these vtech ones pictured below, and do recommend them. They are inexpensive and work great. I also love that they have a rechargeable battery, so you can easily take them with you.
Video monitors definitely can be a blessing and a curse. I would say that they aren’t totally necessary, and sometimes cause more worry than comfort (you feel like you have to check them all the time versus a purely sound monitor which will just alert you if the baby is crying). But it is nice to have. I’ve used Wyze in the past and it works well. No strong opinions here.
Changing table & changing pad
I would definitely recommend a changing table. I don’t think the changing table itself matters so much, just the fact that it’s there to give you height and make changing the baby easier… especially if you are a first-time parent! You could also simply get a pad and set it up on a dresser). Just make sure not to leave the baby unattended!
Diapers
Diapers are not all created equal. It is my experience that Kirkland (Costco brand) and Huggies are almost the same and they are the best that I’ve found. Since the Kirkland brand is less expensive than Huggies, they are what I buy. Diaper quality during the day isn’t such a big deal since you are changing it frequently (although newborns seem to have more blow-outs for some reason). but it matters a lot at night because they need to be able to handle lots of urine. I am not a fan of Pampers, Luv’s or Sam’s Club’s Member’s Choice diaper brands for overnight.
Wipes
I also prefer Kirkland wipes to any other wipe. I am NOT a fan of fragrance in wipes, I think it can be irritating to baby skin. I feel like this is the best quality (comparable to Huggies) but less expensive.
Diaper cream spatula
I thought these little spatulas were such a funny idea until my friend got me one for my baby shower and I never looked back. It is WORTH it. It will save your hands from having to touch sticky diaper cream, your baby’s bum, and I love having it for baby sitters. I would highly recommend one for your diaper bag too.
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
I know, the name is terrible. There are several different brands, but this has been recommended to me by pharmacies and nurses. It works best for my babies.
Diaper Genie
I wouldn’t say a Diaper genie is absolutely necessary. Honestly, it might be best to simply bag each dirty diaper and throw it out in real-time. However, if you have a multi-level home, or don’t have quick access to an outside garbage I would recommend one of these. It’s convenient, but just know it IS going to smell each time you open it.
Basic onesie packs
Onesies are fabulous. I would prioritize getting more 1-3 month sized clothing over newborn sizing simply because some babies never even fit in newborn clothes and you will get more bang for your buck. Gerber baby onesies are the most popular, but I’m not a fan. They run extremely small and I don’t love the material. The Carters ones are true to size and softer. You will go through onesies like hotcakes because of spitting up, blowouts, etc. so I would recommend having several basic packs that you won’t mind getting destroyed.
Laundry stain remover
Laundry stain remover is going to be your new best friend. I really like Dreft (pictured below). It’s plant based and has worked really well for me.
Play mat
Play mats are definitely optional, you can simply spread a blanket out and put toys around, but I was gifted this one and my kids LOVED It. Seriously they were so entertained by all the different hanging animals. This one has several different removable toys included, and you can easily move them or other toys. It also plays music.
Rocking / Recliner Chair
I would definitely recommend a rocking chair. It is soothing for baby and nice for you. I especially love a rocking/reclining duo. I got a La-Z-Boy one and am a huge fan. They are expensive but so comfortable and the reclining feature is really nice for breastfeeding. We found ours on Facebook Marketplace. It’s a lot less cute than this exact model, but I love it.
Breast pump
PSA: Most insurances either cover a breast pump or give you a certain amount of money towards whatever one you want. I’ve only ever had the Ameda breast pump which was fine. It got the job done, but I don’t know anything else. My friend got the Elvie hands free-one and said it was awesome.
Hands-free pumping bra
Holding the pumps (if you don’t have a hands free pump) is such a bummer. If you don’t get a hands-free pump, I highly recommend a nursing bra that will give your hands (and your life) back.
Nursing robe
If you are nursing, you will find yourself constantly undressed, at least in the beginning. I absolutely loved this robe because it provides full coverage, has a separate tie for nursing, is so comfy, and it’s cute. Like people could stop by the house and I could be wearing my robe and not feel like a total hobo. Great quality too. I really felt like I was wearing a dress.
Complete coverage nursing cover
I could NOT get nursing in public down, and if we were with friends or family it was so depressing to have to isolate myself when the baby was hungry. This nursing cover changed everything for me. Suddenly I didn’t have to dread feeding the baby if friends were coming over. It covers you from every angle, it’s breathable, and the little window makes it so easy to see what’s going on with the baby and latch.
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
Nursing was extremely difficult for me, but if I named ONE thing that helped the most, it would be this specific nursing pillow. Boppies did NOT work well for me, they are floppy and in my opinion, don’t provide much support. This one however has dense foam that is comfortable for the baby but also doesn’t move a bunch. It also straps to you (again so it stays up and doesn’t sink into you) and even pockets to carry stuff with you. In my opinion, it is worth every single penny.
White noise
White noise was crucial for sleep training my babies. And not just any white noise… rumbly warm white noise. White noise machines are ridiculously expensive as well. We have a crappy old phone that we downloaded an app to and connect it to a Bluetooth speaker. Our babies (and our sanity) have responded best to an airplane cabin sound. It literally just sounds like the heater is on. I’ve heard great things about the Hatch brand, but it is expensive. Apps are probably best, but it’s kind of a pain if you have to Bluetooth to your phone constantly. So if you don’t have an extra crappy expendable phone like me, I probably would buy a machine.
Diaper Bag
There are so many options. For baby number 1, I got a really functional diaper bag that was pretty inexpensive. But you carry that thing around everywhere and I really wanted a cute one for baby number 2. This one sacrifices some practicality for looks but I really really like it. This is the one I have, but I think this one is even cuter.
DeCHOKER &/or First Aid Class
I recently took a child & infant CPR/ first aid class and asked the instructor about these DeChoking devices. She mentioned that they are absolutely fantastic. The class gave me a lot of peace of mind knowing how to handle an emergency with my children, and I am definitely going to get one of these DeCHOKERS. If you choose to take a class, I also highly recommend an in-person option because you get to practice with dummies. But online is definitely better than nothing!
Other things to consider
Buy used if you can
Typically you can find so many baby things in good used condition. I found most of the things I listed on Facebook Marketplace. I also shopped in thrift shops and got items in like-new condition for a great price.
Favorite places to register
In my experience, Target and Amazon are the best places to register. Even if you’re not expecting people to buy you the expensive stuff, register for it. You will receive coupons from Amazon and Target that you can use within a certain window of your due date for items you registered for, usually including a coupon for your total purchase.
White is going to get wrecked
One of my friends recently bought the CUTEST beige car seat. Seriously it is so Pinterest-worthy. That wouldn’t last for two seconds with my kids. Maybe you’ll be lucky… but just beware. If you go with white, it’s likely going to get destroyed.
Don’t register for many baby clothes
Honey, people are going to go crazy buying you baby clothes whether you like it or not. For that reason, I would only register for an outfit or two, packs of onesies, and maybe pajamas.
Baby Brezza
The idea of the Baby Brezza is so attractive. It’s basically a coffee machine for formula. I got one and was excited about it, but hardly used it and ended up selling it. I do not recommend them.
First of all, there has been some controversy as to whether or not the Brezza actually gets the formula/water ratio right. Some babies have allegedly lost weight due to an incorrect ratio. Not saying it’s true but it was enough to make me a bit worried. I feel like you can probably figure that out pretty quickly (if baby doesn’t seem full enough or isn’t gaining weight). However, you also have to heat up the Brezza before using it and that takes longer than simply making a bottle. Not a problem if you know in advance when you are going to feed the baby, but sometimes they go from zero to 100 in two seconds and they need milk ASAP. In this case, it was NOT helpful. It also needs to be cleaned regularly and it’s kind of a pain. So save yourself $200 and hold off on this one.
Whew, you made it! I hope this has been extremely helpful and covers all your bases so you can focus on more important things, like taking care of yourself and your growing baby. Did I miss anything? Comment and let me know!
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