Let’s face it. Pregnancy is tough! But with all the body aches, morning sickness, and hormonal changes comes the exciting part of picking out what to buy for baby! Although fun, it can be a bit overwhelming at times.
“What type of baby monitor should I get? How many baby outfits in each size should I get? Do I really need 20 burp cloths?“ you may ask yourself.
Curating a registry that sets the stage for parenthood was my favorite part of pregnancy. I decided on a woodland adventure nursery theme and I wanted most of babies items to reflect that. That being said, I also wanted to research the best brands for EVERY item I put on the registry at a reasonable cost. At least a hundred hours of my time was spent watching YouTube video reviews, reading blog posts, and scrolling through countless product reviews to make my selections. In this post, we will cover the most important items that should be on your baby registry with some brand recommendations sprinkled in!
- Diapers and Wipes
You can always expect diapers/wipes to flow in at any baby shower, so why should they be on your list? Because brands make all the difference! Letting your registry viewers know what brand you like will help. I’ve found Pampers Swaddlers are the best diapers that work for us. For wipes, I vote Water Wipes. I’ve tried them all and Water Wipes worked best. Pampers are great, but they get stuck to each other which is a nightmare when you’ve got one hand holding babies legs and the other pulling out a continuous stream of wipes connected to each other. Other brands I’ve tried were either too dry or ripped often.
- Nursery Essentials
This includes crib sheets, baby blankets, sleep sack (Kyte baby highly recommended), a diaper changing pad and covers, a waterproof crib mattress cover, toy box, bassinet, white noise machine, baby monitor, and of course, furniture! I opted for a convertible crib, a dresser with a diaper changing topper, and a tufted rocking chair.
- Feeding Supplies
This is highly dependent on feeding style. I chose to go the breastmilk route, but my son never quite caught on to the latching thing (which is fine since I am away at work 5 days a week anyway) so I pump and bottle feed. I use Dr. Browns anti-colic glass bottles due to my fear of plastics but eventually when my son starts getting around on his own, I will not be comfortable with him swinging around a glass bottle. You may also need nursing bras, bibs, breastmilk storage bags, a breast pump (half the cost of my pump was covered by insurance so keep that in mind too), bottle brushes, baby bottle detergent, nipples in all sizes, bottle drying rack, a bottle warmer and a sterilizer. Moving away from milk you may want to ask for plates, cups, utensils, a cooler bag and a high chair.
- Bathing and Grooming
Bath time can be playtime too! Make sure to have plenty of age appropriate toys, a bath seat, washcloths, bodywash/shampoo (I am BIG proponent of fragrance free), scalp scrubber (to avoid cradle cap), brush, towels, nail files (or clippers if you’re brave and confident you won’t clip baby), lotion, and rash cream.
- Travel Gear
If you’re like me, family lives out of state and every visit requires at least an overnight stay. This means plenty of travel gear! Make sure you’ve got a wearable baby carrier, car seat, stroller, pack n’ play, pack n’ play sheets, portable changing pad, play pen, sun screen, bug spray, portable white noise machine, and most importantly, a diaper bag. Hands down, Itzy Ritzy is the most popular brand you will see. I have one myself and can say it is very durable, good quality, has plenty of storage all while being stylish!
- Health and First Aid
We hate to see it, but baby will inevitably get sick. The hospitals will normally send home a rectal thermometer so don’t worry about that, but for general use, an ear thermometer is helpful. Infant Tylenol, cold/cough remedy, gas relief drops, a humidifier, and if you’re breastfeeding, vitamin D drops. Many swear by nasal aspirators to suck up clogged noses but honestly, a tissue works just fine.
- Safety Essentials
You know it, “safety first”! As baby gets older, they are going to get into EVERYTHING. This means you’ve got some preparing to do! Fill your registry with outlet covers, cabinet locks, baby gates, corner guards, knob covers, and furniture/anti-tip straps. If it’s in your budget, Owlet has a Smart Sock that essentially monitors babies vitals. Be careful though.. it’s currently under scrutiny for causing burns and giving false alarms.
- Playtime and Developmental Toys
Stimulate your baby’s senses and aid in their development with age-appropriate toys. Add items like plush toys, rattles, teethers, activity gyms, baby bouncer, play mats, books, and busy boards. Remember newborns can’t see color so include some black and white based brain development toys.
- Miscellaneous Must-Haves
Get yourself a Boppy pillow whether you’re breastfeeding or not. I originally bought it specifically for breast feeding but wound up using it for everything. Prop baby up in it for tummy time, use it as a pillow for him to lay on, and later use it to hold him in place while he learns to sit up. You’re also going to need things such as baby detergent, clothes, swaddles, pacifiers, pacifier holders, pacifier clips, hats, mittens, booties, nightlights, and a diaper caddy.
Creating a baby registry can be an overwhelming task, but it’s also so exciting to prepare for your little ones’ arrival. By including the essentials mentioned above, you’ll be well equipped to handle the challenges and rewards of parenthood. It is important to remember that every baby is different so feel free to personalize your registry according to what works for you as a parent. Happy registering!