When I was pregnant, my best friend Hannah made me an Excel spreadsheet of everything I needed for baby girl. She included all the necessities and her recommendations for each. (I know, I am the absolute luckiest to have her!) Similarly, I created this post to help you build your own registry or purchase what you need to prepare for a baby.
The process of creating a registry for the first time can be very overwhelming, but it should also be enjoyable. The list isn’t about what brand you choose for each item – there are so many cute and safe choices out there and everyone has their own taste. But, I will share specifics on my top 10 favorites.
Some things I suggest getting two of – this is mostly because babies make messes. When you need to wash a crib sheet or changing pad cover, you need another one to quickly replace it. Also, I didn’t add a breast pump to the list because they are covered through insurance. To get one, contact your insurance provider and they will send you a list to choose from. Each insurance offers different choices, but most will carry major brands like Spectra or Medela.
Just remember, every baby is different and every mom is different. What worked for us, might not work for you. But, it’s really fun figuring out life with a baby and I think you will find a lot of pride in learning what your baby loves.
Tips for building a baby registry
- Use BabyList.com – this website allows you to add items from any website. I was able to include products from Amazon, Pottery Barn, Target, Buy Buy Baby, etc. without having to choose just one. It will also show someone options for purchasing, so they may get a better deal or free shipping, based on the listed retailers.
- If you are worried about cost, ask yourself if you would purchase the item if someone doesn’t get it for you. This helped me determine the price range of bigger items like the stroller and car seat.
- Ask your friends to review it. I had my sister, and a few friends look at my registry and they suggested things I might want to add or didn’t really need.
- It’s okay to add things just for fun. Baby stuff is cute, and although they might not necessarily be needs, add fun things like blankets, lovies, clothes or teethers. This may help people know your style and relieve some of the stress of getting everything baby needs. This should be a fun experience.
Registry checklist & top 10 favorites
Baby lounger. I’m listing this first, because it was easily my most-used newborn item. We used the Snuggle Me Organic every day for the first three months. It’s a cozy, safe place to set baby down. We kept it in the living room mostly, and Emmy napped a lot in it when she was a newborn. The cover is easy to take off and wash.
Bassinet. For about the first four months, Emmy slept in our room next to my side of the bed. There are all kinds of bassinets out there, but we had the Restoration Hardware wicker bassinet and loved it. I loved it so much that I wrote a full review in a separate blog post.
Glass bottles. I did a lot of research on bottles during pregnancy, and lucked out because Emmy loved what I chose. I don’t recommend getting too many of one kind, until you know your baby will use them. Glass bottles are easy to clean, and don’t hold onto milk film like plastic bottles.
Bottle warmer. A bottle warmer is a huge help, whether you are warming up breastmilk or formula. It heats the bottle/bag based on the ounces you select, and takes about three minutes. It will also keep the bottle warm for 60 minutes if you want to prep it ahead of time. I like the look of this one and it doesn’t take up much counter space in our kitchen. When Emmy started purees, I also used this to warm up glass jars of food that I had prepped and froze or refrigerated.
Car seat. A car seat should be functional for you and comfortable for baby. I highly recommend getting a car seat that has a click-in base for your car. That way you can easily take baby in and out, and move her to the stroller. All car seats have to pass the same safety tests, so no matter what you choose, your baby will be equally as safe if it is installed correctly. You can visit your local fire station to have them check your installation – this gave me peace of mind as a first-time mom.
We use the Nuna Pipa car seat and love it. It has a built-in shade that you can unzip and pull down to protect the baby. It is very cushioned and also easy to clean. We have had a few blowouts, but you would never know. It can also be used without the base, which I found very important. If you are traveling or need to drive in a different car, you want this function. The Nuna Pipa Lite does not have this option.
Stroller. To easily go with our car seat, we used the Nuna Mixx stroller. To me, a stroller is a splurge-worthy item because you will use it often and for a long time. This one has plenty of storage, multiple seat positions and is smooth. I recommend going to push strollers in person and see what you like. I was so surprised how different they each felt. Make sure your car seat can clip into what you pick – sometimes additional attachments are needed. At the time, I found a great deal on this because Dillard’s was selling the older version for half the price. Keep an eye out for deals like that because companies are constantly updating baby items.
Gripe water. Simple, but essential. We used Wellements Gripe Water almost every night in the newborn stage. Gas is tough for babies, and this worked wonders for quick relief.
Carrier or wrap. In the beginning, I was very intimidated by wraps and carriers so I didn’t use them. When we took Emmy on her first flight is when I decided I really needed to figure them out. I used the Solly Baby Wrap first, and it was so helpful in the airport. Now, I use a Baby Bjorn carrier to hike with Emmy facing out. She loves both, and I wish I had the confidence to use them sooner. You can’t go wrong with whatever you choose in this category. The baby wraps take a lot more practice and time, while the clip-in carriers are much easier.
Bouncer. I didn’t register for a bouncer, but ended up buying one a few months in. It was a key item for us to keep her happy and safe for short periods of time – taking a shower, putting away dishes or eating a meal while bouncing baby with your foot. The Baby Bjorn bouncer is cute, easy to wash and Emmy really enjoyed it. It wasn’t a long-term item for us, because once she started crawling she did not want to be contained. So, a less expensive bouncer may be the way to go.
Diaper pail. I almost didn’t register for this, because I wasn’t sure it was necessary. Turns out, it was. You change so many diapers, often in the middle of the night, and you don’t want to have to take them to the garage every time. I was thankful to have place to put them in her nursery that contained the smell. I recommend the Ubbi Diaper Pail because you don’t have to buy special bags for it. You can use any trash bag. It works, and it’s cute too.
