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If you are here, you and your partner are probably expecting a baby! Congratulations! You are about to embark on an exciting time. Looking through all of the available baby gear can be overwhelming. I know it was for me when I was expecting my first. Maybe you recently had a baby and need some ideas or you’re searching for something to buy as a gift. Whatever the reason, I have compiled the ULTIMATE list of my baby registry must haves to make things a little less stressful.
Where should I create my registry?
Amazon Baby Registry- Amazon literally has everything you will need for your new babe. They offer a 15% completion discount, one year of free returns on gifts, a welcome box with sample products, group gifting, and you can add items from any other sites using Amazon Assistant. If you haven’t already started your registry, you can sign up for free here.
Target Baby Registry- Who doesn’t love Target!? There are Target Brand items I absolutely love, which is why I added items from here to my registry. They also offer a 15% registry coupon on everything left in your registry, a year of exclusive deals (I loved the Starbucks coupon,) free registry returns up to one year, and a welcome kit valued at $100. Like Amazon, you can also add items from other websites. Click here to set up your Target Registry and start enjoying the perks today!
Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor- Full 1080 HD video with night vision, tracks temperature, two-way audio, and more! This monitor is LOADED with features! We love that it uses our WiFi connection, so we can check in on baby anywhere we have cell service! It works even if the WiFi goes out. The background audio feature is amazing– it allows you to hear baby even when your phone is locked, or in use! It’s the only smart monitor that has a split screen feature for multiples, which was why it was the obvious choice when we were expecting our second. I recommend also purchasing the Multi-Stand for traveling or if you need to keep an eye on the little one in a different room. You can purchase this Nanit Travel Case that fits everything to take it on-the-go.
Hatch Rest+ - The Hatch Rest is a great all-in-one product. It has a wide selection of white noise sounds, a ‘time-to-rise’ program, allows you to choose the color and brightness of the night light (perfect for nighttime changes and feedings,) and now has a two-way audio monitor feature.
Pure Cool Mist Humidifier- Our house stays dry so a humidifier was a must have. Most nurseries aren’t huge so you want to select a humidifier that works for the size of the space. This one is great for smaller or average size rooms. We have one in each bedroom.
HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper- The AAP recommends that infants sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parent's bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants (ideally for at least the first 6 mos.) We love this bassinet because it offers a waterproof mat, breathable mesh walls, and a lowering side that makes it easier to tend to baby in the middle of the night. It’s adjustable to fit most beds and even comes in a double bassinet for twins.
HALO Muslin Sleepsack Swaddle- You don’t have to be a swaddle-master to use these Velcro swaddles. It has an inverted zipper to make diaper changes easy, is hip healthy, breathable, and offers 3 ways to adjust based on baby's preference (full swaddle, one arm out, or both arms out.)
Nested Bean Zen One - Gently Weighted Swaddle- This has to be our favorite swaddle and is perfect for babies that like to self-soothe, but still have the startle reflex. The convertible swaddle allows arms in/out/free. It is also gently weighted to mimic the pressure your baby feels when held by you. Our little sleeps so well with this! It comes in a two-pack with the next size up as well.
Baby Blanket- When I first announced I was pregnant on social media, I kept seeing Caden Lane ads. I went to check out their site and oh my! Everything they have is adorable. I decided to order a few things from there like his baby blanket and swaddle that I had personalized.
Zipper Sleepers- I HIGHLY recommend staying away from button PJs and sticking to the ones with zippers. This will save you some frustration during those middle-of-the-night diaper changes! We loved these Gerber ones and Target has the BEST Modal Sleep N Plays from Cloud Island that are sooooo soft!
Boppy- Boppys make feeding and holding baby so much easier. It is great for tummy time too! There are so many cute cover patterns to choose from to fit your theme. We went with this one.
Philips AVENT Fast Bottle Warmer- Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, you will need a warmer. This one quickly warms the milk and lets you watch the progress with an indicator light. It also keeps the milk warm for up to an hour and has a defrost setting for frozen milk.
Bottles- We went through a few different types before settling on the Avent Natural Response bottles. Every baby is different, but these worked well for both boys.
Drying Rack- We really liked the Munchkin Folding Drying Rack. It doesn’t take up much space and folds for easy storage.
High Chair- You want a safe place to feed baby so they can sit up correctly to avoid choking. We loved the Graco Table2Table Folding chair.
Bibs- Let’s face it, babies are messy. You will need bibs on hand. These ones are waterproof and washable. The BIBaDO Coverall Bib is a great bib when your little one is just starting to explore their food and is self-feeding. It makes clean up so much easier.
Spoons- The Munchkin Soft-Tip Spoons are a staple. You will want a set for when you are on the go. We use these and they come with a carrying case.
Microfiber Ultra Absorbent Burp Clothes- You can never have too many burp cloths! I prefer the Microfiber ones because they are super absorbent. You can even use them for cleaning once you no longer need them for baby.
Kindred Bravely Organic Washable Breast Pads- These washable breast pads are so much better than the disposable ones. They are super absorbent and save money and the environment.
Spectra S2 Double Electric Pump- If you are planning to breastfeed, you will want a pump. Most insurance plans allow you to get a pump for free (we used Aeroflow Breastpumps to sign up,) but if you don’t have insurance or want an extra pump I recommend this one. I have used it for both of my boys. It is super easy to use, clean, and has great suction! You can buy a travel power supply for pumping on the go in the car. I also recommend a manual pump for when you just need to do a quick session. I use the Medela Harmony.
Milk Storage Bags- I prefer the Up and Up brand. I have used them for each baby and never had any issues with leaking.
Nursing Cover- It is a personal preference on whether you decide to use a cover, but it is nice to have on hand. This one offers 360 coverage and is super breathable.
Haakaa- You NEED this! It saves so much of that liquid gold from the side you are not nursing on!
Handsfree Pumping Bra- A must have for pumping. Trust me! This one is adjustable and works great for busty mamas.
LatchPal Hands-Free Nursing Clip- If you decide not to purchase nursing tops, a handsfree nursing clip is a must! I hated fighting my shirt to stay up.
Motherhood Maternity Nursing Bra- If you are busty like me, these nursing bras are great! They provide amazing coverage.
Nursing Tops- Our little doesn’t like to be covered much while nursing and nursing tops make it easier to feed baby on the go and keep things discreet. I recommend Ekouaer Nursing Tops and Ekouaer Maternity and Nursing PJs. They are so comfortable and great at hiding my mommy tum.
Nipple Relief- Breastfeeding can be painful in the beginning. I loved Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream and the Medela HydroGel Pads!
Cooler- If you plan to pump, you will need a cooler and ice packs to store your milk. I recommend this one because it is large and comes in a few different styles.
Chicco Bravo Travel System- If you are getting an infant seat for your baby, which I highly recommend, you will want to get a travel system. We researched so many car seats for our first baby and decided to go with the Chicco Bravo Travel System because of its safety rating, ease of use, and comfort. I definitely suggest a second base as well!
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat- At some point baby is going to outgrow their infant seat and will need to move onto a convertible. We really like the Graco Extend2Fit since it grows with your little one.
Enovoe XL Window Shade- I had a hard time finding a window shade that fit my SUV. We use these and they provide great coverage.
ErgoBaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier- Baby carriers can be a life saver when you are trying to get things done around the house or are out and about without a stroller. We settled on the Omni Breeze carrier by ErgoBaby after much research. It has been perfect for warmer weather and we can use it into the toddler years. We also looked into the ErgoBaby Embrace Newborn Wrap, which offers a wrap feel minus the difficulty of learning the different carrying positions.
Car Mirror- I love being able to glance at my little one while driving to make sure he’s okay. We use the Zohzo bundle because it included a protective seat cover and back seat organizer. A great baby shower gift bundle as well.
Pack n Play- A portable crib is a must have when you are traveling. This one has extra add-on items that make you feel at home while on the go.
Travel Blackout Curtains- I would have to say this was the best purchase I made for traveling with a baby/toddler. We rent a beach house every year for vacation and most of the houses we have stayed in do not offer much light-blocking window treatments. These were a LIFE SAVER in helping our littles sleep in longer. I take them anytime we travel.
Travel Sound Machine- When traveling, you want to create as much of their at home sleep environment as you can, which is why a sound machine is a must.
Shopping Cart Cover- Germs are everywhere so having something to cover the cart while shopping and restaurant high chairs is nice. I like this cover because it also comes with a support pillow and folds into an easy-carry pouch.
Skip Hop Winter Car Seat Cover- If you live in a location where the weather gets chilly, you will want to get a carseat cover. Our first was born in December so we used this Skip Hop one when leaving the hospital and pretty much every day in the months that followed.
FisherPrice Sit Me Up Floor Seat- Once baby can sit up, this is a great seat for when you need to get things done around the house and is perfect for traveling. It also offers a sun cover for outside.
Outdoor Playpen- We love to be outdoors and it’s nice having a large play area that keeps baby contained. If you’re looking for something smaller, the FisherPrice Baby Dome is AMAZING! We even took it to the beach with us.
Angelcare Baby Bath- We loved this seat because it keeps baby secure and is ergonomic. It dries quickly and is easy to store with the built in hook. We bought a stick on hanger so we can hang it in the bath between uses.
Summer Sit-Up Bath Seat- This is a great bath seat for when baby is older, but you aren’t ready for them to sit in the bath without support.
Yookido Baby Bath Sprayer- The pitchers are nice, but it gets a little tough when you get to their head. This bath sprayer makes bath time so much easier.
Cetaphil Baby Wash- Like me, our son has sensitive skin. We received so much Johnson and Johnson as baby shower gifts, but Cetaphil Baby was the only one that stopped the breakouts. It smells amazing too!
Hooded Towels and Washcloths- babies have sensitive skin so you’ll want to pick something that is gentle. You can't go wrong with bamboo.
FredaBaby Bitty Bundle Kit- We LOVE the FredaBaby line! This kit includes nail clippers, a file, Windi (for gas,) the NoseFreda, and the Upside down Peri Bottle (BEST THING EVER!)
FredaBaby Electric NoseFreda- I wasn’t a big fan of their other one so I opted for the electric Aspirator, which is perfect when your little one has a stuffy nose.
FredaBaby 3-in-1 Picker- Don’t get your fingers dirty! It even comes with a storage case.
Thermometer- Most doctors will only accept a rectal temperature for the first year. The FredaBaby Quick Read Rectal Thermometer has a 10-second read and parent proof stopper. Don’t forget Vaseline to use as a lubricant. FredaBaby also has the 3-in-1 for ear, forehead, and touchless temperature checking.
Little Martin’s Baby Electric Nail File- Clipping your little one’s nails for the first time can cause some serious anxiety! I had a friend recommend this electric nail trimmer and it was a game changer! The file is so gentle, baby won’t even know what is happening. I like to do it while I nurse.
Aveeno Baby Sensitive All Over Wipes- We use these for wiping both baby and toddler face and hands, especially after meals.
BabyBum Brush- A game changer for diaper changes! This is so much more sanitary than having to apply the ointment with your finger.
Pacifiers- Our oldest took the first one we gave him, which was the Nuk; however, our second…. We literally had to buy every pacifier known to man in order to find one he would take. The winner was the Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light Silicone Pacifier. I love that water doesn’t get trapped in them during sterilization like other types. I recommended these to a friend that was having the same troubles and it worked for her little one too. You’ll want a clip that will catch the pacifier when it falls out so it doesn’t end up on the floor. Tip: The Tommee Tippee pacifier does not have a hole for the clip string so I took a single hole punch and made one myself.
Diaper Bag- Backpack diaper bags are the way to go because it frees up your hands and most of them are neutral for dad to carry. We use this one and it’s super spacious with a ton of pockets! It comes with a changing mat that I use for on the go changes.
Diapers- Our preference is Pampers Saddlers, but we love the Kirkland (Costco) brand as well. Make sure to add a variety of diaper sizes to your registry! I didn’t have to buy diapers for at least 6 mos with my first. A great baby shower “game” is a diaper raffle where your guests each bring a pack/ box of diapers to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize.
Wipes- We have used a few different brands of wipes, but our go-to is Pampers Sensitive. They are the best bang for your buck. We also like Water Wipes and Millie Moon, but they are a little more pricey.
Drool Bibs- Babies drool… a lot! Our first was not really a big drooler except when he was teething so when our second basically came out of the womb as a slobber monster I had to find something to prevent his clothes from being soaked daily. These bibs are amazing! They are made of 100% organic cotton, super absorbent, and are adjustable with the button closures. They even have cute interchangeable teething toys you can connect if you desire.
Diaper Cream- Our two favorites are Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum Strength (red tube) and Aquaphor Baby Ointment. It’s nice to have both on hand to use based on the type of rash they have.
FisherPrice Jumperoo- Babies love to jump! The Jumperoo has multiple toys around the 360 swivel seat and plays music and sounds. You can set it to play the music continuously, which I personally love because I hate having to press the button repeatedly.
Baby Playpen- You can create a safe place for baby to play with a playpen. This one offers large coverage so you don’t have to worry about your little one getting into things they shouldn’t.
Baby Proofing- Once baby is on the move, there is no stopping them! Make sure you have a gate if your home has stairs, outlet covers (we have a few of these sleek covers that have cord clips for their room), and cabinet locks.
Baby Play Mat with Piano- Our pediatrician recommended we start tummy time as soon as the umbilical stump fell off. This center is great for play and keeps baby entertained during tummy time.
Sophie the Giraffe Teether- She is pricey, but so worth it!
Rattles and Teething Toys- Babies don’t need many “toys” to start. Our boys started really playing with toys around 5 mos. A few favorites are this teething rattle, never drop teether, musical toy, and crinkle book.
Board Books- Reading to your little is important for development. Board books offer durable pages, which is great because kids are tough on books and love to treat them like chew toys. A few of our favorite books are The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Wonderful Things You Will Be, The Pout-Pout Fish, Goodnight Moon, Guess How Much I Love You, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We asked our baby shower guests to bring a book instead of a card and to write a special message for baby inside the book.
Stuffed Animals- Babies and toddlers love to collect stuffed animals. If you’re going to get one, I recommend Manhattan Toy Co. Our three year old sleeps with his bunny every night.
Silicone Toy Clips- Like cats, babies like to push things off the table for fun. The silicone toy clips keep you from having to pick up their toy or cup after they have thrown it.
Ingenuity SmartBounce Bouncer- We used this bouncer for both boys. The automatic bouncing isn’t nearly as strong as it could be but gives a gentle bounce, which they enjoyed.
Mamaroo- We had a large FisherPrice swing with our first, but it took up so much space. The Mamaroo is a huge space saver and has a ton of different settings. You can even control it with your phone.
Dreft Stain Remover- Oh. My. Gosh! Take all my money. Our newest addition is a blowout baby! And breastmilk poops are the worst! I literally have to clean his clothes almost on a daily bases. This stuff is AMAZING! His clothes are as good as new after treatment and washing with Dreft Laundry Detergent. It’s perfect for messy toddlers too.
Dreft All Purpose Cleaning Wipes- I use these in place of Clorox wipes to clean toys, the table, and the highchair. Basically anything the baby will touch.
I am obsessed with baby clothes! It’s literally what makes my ovaries explode! There are so many cute baby outfits, but don’t go too crazy adding a lot clothes to your registry. You’re likely to get hand-me-downs and baby clothes are easy to pick up at a consignment shop in your area. Just like diapers, make sure to add a variety of sizes to your registry, not just newborn. Our first was a 10-pounder and was only in newborn clothes for like a week. You can't go wrong with onesies!
Babies can’t quite regulate their temperature like older kids so make sure you have socks, hats, and a few mittens even if you are having a summer baby. The mittens also help to keep your babe from scratching their face.
Sleep N Plays- Again, make sure they are zipper!
Going Home / Hospital Picture Outfit- We went with Caden Lane Knot Gowns. It grows with baby and is butter soft!
You spend forever daydreaming about how your baby's nursery will look. I went with a simple theme for our second. You can shop my full nursery here - just click 'Shop The Nursery'
Crib- For whenever you decide to transfer your baby to the crib. Take your time because there is absolutely no rush to this part. You’ll need a crib mattress too!
Glider- We used the space-saving option of a gilder with an ottoman. The Storkcraft one comes in a few different colors and is comfortable. It has lasted through both of our boys and countless hours of rocking and feeding.
Dresser/Changing Table- We went the combo route because you won’t need to purchase another piece of furniture. Delta Children has the changing table topper that can be removed once you no longer require it. You’ll need a changing pad and a few covers too. I would get one that goes with your theme and a few cheaper ones because they will get messy.
Rolling Cart- We removed the wheels and placed it as a shelf next to the changing table / dresser. Top shelf has diapers, cream, and misc. care items. 2nd shelf we store extra wipes. 3rd shelf we store replacement diaper genie bags.
Diaper Genie- You either love it or hate it. We loved ours! This is one item you don’t want to buy second hand though. I prefer the Up and Up brand refills. It definitely traps the smell.
Over the door hanging organizer- We put this on the inside of the closet door. It stores swaddle blankets, baby washcloths, medicines (in the higher slots,) unopened pacifiers, refill on the go waste bags, and more.
Did I miss anything? What was your must-have registry item? Leave it in the comments.
Check out everything you need to pack in your hospital bag.