Baby Registry Checklist - What You Need (and What you Don't)
Tips and wisdom from a four-time mom
Baby Registry Checklist - What You Need (and What you Don't)
Tips and wisdom from a four-time mom
Read on to learn what you really need - and what you don't.
Changing
Changing
Changing
You will change your baby 10 or more times per day at first. Here are the baby items you need to make it as smooth as possible.
Feeding
Changing
Changing
Your baby will eat every few hours at first, and start solid foods at 4-6 months old. Here is how to stock your registry to make mealtime easier.
Sleeping
Changing
Sleeping
Your baby will sleep constantly for the first six weeks, then settle into a more normal day/night schedule. Here are the items you need to to maximize their sleep (and yours!)
Clothing
Going Out
Sleeping
Your baby doesn't need a lot of clothes at first. Here is what you need on your baby registry.
Going Out
Going Out
Going Out
Your baby and you will both benefit from leaving the house and being outside. Here is how to make that easier.
Playing
Going Out
Going Out
Your baby won't start to play for a few months, but here are the baby items you need to play
Bathing, Health & Cleaning
Bathing, Health & Cleaning
Bathing, Health & Cleaning
Your baby needs to be cleaned, and a few simple items are all you need.
Birth and Nursing
Bathing, Health & Cleaning
Bathing, Health & Cleaning
Birth and nursing are hard, and rewarding. Here are a few items that will make it easier.
Resources for Mom
Bathing, Health & Cleaning
Resources for Mom
Here are a couple more resources I wish I had when I first became a mom.
The Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist
Changing
Must haves
You can change your baby on a floor or on a towel. All you really need is diapers and baby wipes, and the occasional Aquaphor cream for diaper rash.
- Baby Wipes: I love baby wipes without harsh chemicals, the Amazon brand is affordable and effective. Costco also has affordable wipes.
- Diapers: Amazon subscribe and save is the best deal for diapers, and the Mama Bear Amazon brand is the most affordable and free of harsh chemicals. Once they start sleeping longer at a couple months old, until they are potty trained, I used one size up, thicker diapers overnight (Huggies Snug and Dry). I also love https://everylife.com/ Diapers.
(Very) Nice to haves
- Changing pad: This smooth changing pad is easy to clean. Don't make the mistake of getting something with designs that can get dirty.
- Changing table: You can velcro a changing pad to a dresser, or splurge for a purpose built changing table. Make sure you check whether the table comes with a changing pad or whether you need to buy one.
- Wipe dispenser: The OXO wipes dispenser is simply better than others - this is so much more important than it sounds, you only will have one hand free to grab a wipe. You will use this many times per day for 2+ years.
- Bum brush: You need a silicone bum brush. Your baby WILL get diaper rash at some point, and this makes it so easy to apply cream. Your hands stay clean and you get good coverage and apply a thin layer.
- Diaper pail: A diaper pail is extremely helpful to control odors and isolate foul-smelling diapers to one place. The ones with custom garbage bags work well, but end up being more expensive due to the repeated bag cost. We loved the Ubbi garbage pail with regular odor-control kitchen garbage bags.
What you may want
- Portable changing pad: I used a muslin swaddle instead, but some people like them.
What you DON'T need
- Changing pad covers and liners. These don't make sense - you will just have to clean them constantly. Your baby will not be cold on a regular changing pad, this is just one more thing to clean.
- Portable wipes case. Just bring a pack of wipes, it's not worth the time to move the wipes from a pack into a portable case; and in my experience, the wipes dry out in cases.
- "Pee tee pee" for baby boys. I never needed these, and am convinced they're mostly a gimmick.
Other things to consider
- If you're thinking about cloth diapers, read this blog post on the options and what you need.
- Oh Crap is the best potty training book (relevant at 1.5-3 years old.)
Feeding
Must haves - Newborn stage
You can feed your baby with just your body. The minimum you would want here is a muslin swaddle, tie it around your neck as a cover up and then use it as a burping cloth. Getting started with nursing and pumping are covered in another section.
(Very) Nice to haves - Newborn stage
- Bottles: Whether using nursing or formula, you will need bottles at some point. Get at least 2 bottles with multiple nipple sizes - newborn to fast flow. I use Avent natural ones but there are many good ones.
- Bottle brush: Milk and formula have fat in them, and a dishwasher or sponge will not work to clean these well. I have tried multiple, and Munchkin is simply the best. Tip: Rinse the bottle out immediately as soon as it's empty and dry it on a bottle rack.
- Bottle drying rack: It's really nice to have a drying rack so bottles dry faster and in one, organized place. There are a lot of great options.
- Muslin swaddles: For burping and spit up.
- Comfy chair: Any chair can work, it doesn't have to be a "nursing chair." I personally like static chairs instead of rocking chairs. You need comfy armrests. It's ideal if you can wipe it clean easily. You want this in the baby's room. You will use it for nursing, bottle feeding, and when they're older, reading them bedtime books!
Must haves - Baby and toddler stage
- Bumbo seat: When your baby can't yet sit up, but you want to have them at the table with you - from ~3 to 6 months, this is the perfect seat for them. It holds their legs well, but make sure you still watch them and don't leave them unattended.
- Silicone bibs with a pocket: These are the superior bib.
- High chair: You need a chair the baby can sit in, it can be detached or attached to your table.
- Sippy cups: You will start to use these around 4-6 months when you start solid food. There are a lot of good ones, but I will tell you now they ALL leak some. This Munchkin one is our favorite.
- Spoons and forks: Some forks and spoons for eating - we started with these spoons, then graduated to these spoons and forks.
What you may want
- Snack catcher cups: These are most useful when you leave the house.
- A silicone bowl and mat: It sticks to the table or high chair so they can't throw their plate on the ground.
- Formula: If you're planning on nursing, it still might make sense to buy a small can and leave it unopened, in case you need it.
What you DON'T need
- Burp cloths. They are too small and have only one use, so they become clutter. Use muslin swaddle blankets for this! Note burp cloths are thicker than regular muslin, so you will need to fold a muslin swaddle at least once.
- Bottle warmer. Microwaves (a few seconds), or putting the bottle in a cup of hot water, work fine in my opinion.
- Bottle sanitizer. Bottle brushes and dishwasher or boiling water work fine, in my opinion.
Other feeding tips
- You can start solid food at 4-6 months.
Sleeping
Must haves
You need a place for the baby to sleep and you need some kind of swaddle. The minimum here would be a bassinet or pack and play (with sheets/liners) and several muslin swaddles.
(Very) Nice to haves - Sleep Furniture
- Bassinet: For the first month or more, you will probably want them within arms reach at night in a bassinet like this one. They can sleep fine in a crib, so this is for your convenience only.
- Crib: Your baby will spend a couple years sleeping on their own in a crib. I recommend having them sleep here from day 1 during the day, and in your room at night for the first month or two.
- Crib mattress: I highly recommend a mattress that you can wipe clean, so you don't have to use uncomfortable plastic sheets like this one. Avoid foam mattresses that wetness seeps into, there will inevitably be occasional spit up and urine that you will want to clean quickly.
- Crib sheets: You need at least 2, and you will use them for years. I recommend getting 4, I liked this organic cotton 2 pack.
(Very) Nice to haves - Sleep Clothing
Babies need to be swaddled to sleep early on, and transition out of swaddles by the time they can roll over ~ 3 months.
- Swaddles: I started out with the SwaddleMe Pod swaddles, then graduated to the HALO Sleep Sack.
- Wearable blankets: We got every size and used them until ~ 3 years old. Get the thickness based on your climate and season, and find one with a 2-way zipper. Here are our favorite lightweight, middle of the road, warmest.
(Very) Nice to haves - Sleep Accessories
- Swing: I highly recommend some kind of self-propelled swing. You will use a swing when the baby won't sleep regardless of what you do. An alternative is to put them in a baby carrier, if you are going to be awake. A rocker is NOT enough. We got an Ingenuity second hand. There are fancier, more expensive versions that some people swear by, but a basic one worked fine for my babies. This is useful for the first ~6 months, primarily as a sleep aid.
- Baby monitor: Trust me, you will want video, and want it to connect to an app on your phone. The basic security cameras work well enough. I don't recommend those with a physical screen you have to carry around.
What you may want
- Transitional swaddle: I started using this between 6-8 weeks with my first baby. If you get one, get the zip off arms, so you can use it for longer. With my next three babies, I used the HALO sleep sack linked above and let them put out one arm at a time, and didn't need this specialized, short-lived item.
- Muslin swaddles/blankets: I have mentioned them in every section because I use them for everything - swaddles, burp cloths, blankets, nursing covers, stroller covers, etc. They are difficult to use to swaddle well, but you can do it if you want to minimize what you buy. I used them as bassinet sheets and swaddles in a pinch.
- Soft Baby blanket: Babies can't sleep with blankets for a while (12+ months), but I put it over their carseat or stroller, or put it on the ground for them to lay on. I HIGHLY recommend buying two of the same one - my kids slept with theirs until ages 4-5 and I always had an extra if they couldn't find it or one was in the wash.
- Snoo: Some parents swear by the Snoo, but it's over $1,000. You are supposed to use it every time the baby sleeps from birth to 6 months old, and it soothes your baby to help them sleep longer. I got one second hand, tried it, and found it too difficult to use it every time they slept - I didn't want to be tethered to it. I sold it to another mom.
- Pacifiers. It's nice to have one in case you need it, but don't feel like you have to use these and have many of them - do what works for you and your baby. My four babies never used them, but I have friends who can't live without them.
Clothing
You do not need to register for clothes, if you have a shower, people LOVE buying baby clothes. That said, here is what you need.
Must haves
These are truly all you need - everything else is nice to have.
- Onesies. Onesies are the building blocks of baby outfits. Buy long or short sleeve depending on the season, and put pants and other clothing on top.
- Zipping pajama onesies: I mostly put my babies in zipping one-piece pajamas, also known as "sleep and plays" all day. Buy the right warmth for the season - light to fleece. (Note: Do not buy snapping ones! I also don't think the new magnetic ones work well - they are constantly coming undone.)
- Pants with feet: You will want pants with feet for Newborn, 0-3m, 3m-6m sizes. This is MUCH easier than wearing pants and socks (which always fall off). Once they’re getting closer to walking and crawling (6+ months), footed pants can get in the way and I transitioned to regular pants.
What you may want
- Pajamas. Two-piece pajama sets are cute, and popular for older kids - 2-10 years old. These may make sense for you based on your bedtime routine - for some families, changing into PJs is part of the bedtime ritual (often after a bath). Our kids sleep in their t-shirts, underwear and/or shorts, and never used these. Also, they never fit right - the shirt is always way too small and the pants way too big.
- Cloth bibs. Some people like these to prevent drool getting on a onesie. I never thought they worked well enough for that purpose, but it was likely better than nothing. Definitely don't use them for eating - their pants will just get filthy. Use the silicone bib linked above!
- Newborn baby shirts. I used these for the first 1-2 weeks to avoid brushing too much on the umbilical cord. Normal onesies may have been fine.
What you don't need
- Mittens to stop them from scratching themselves. Most newborn sized onesies and onesie pajamas with long sleeves have "mittens" you can fold over when you put them to sleep.
- Newborn baby shoes. If you get these, they will only be for style. Use onesie pajamas and footed pants. I got them shoes once they were crawling and winter hit or once they started walking, whichever came first. These were my favorite first shoes - washable, light, flexible and easy to get on.
- Anything with snaps instead of zippers.
- Fancy clothes like jean jackets and overalls and frilly dresses. If you are someone who will put in the work to make your baby look even more adorable, then consider these. If not, avoid them because they will sit in your drawer unused.
Other Baby Clothing Tips
- Don't buy too much newborn stuff if you have a history of over 8 lb babies in your family. My 8-9 lb babies barely wore newborn clothes (Anywhere from 1-4 weeks).
- In the first year, they grow out of clothes ever 3 months or faster - don't buy too much of any one size.
- I had a boy first and bought some gender neutral clothing, thinking I would use it for my future daughters. I regretted it - I ended up buying cute girly clothes for my daughters instead and didn't use the gender neutral wear.
- I DO recommend buying gender neutral accessories like swim diapers, water wings, boots, mittens, etc.
- I buy most kid clothes at second hand kid clothing stores. Look for one near you! I found it works better for me to buy something right when I need it instead of stocking up in advance.
- Seasons matter. My summer babies needed different clothes than my winter babies, so just-in-time buying helped me not buy things I didn't need.
Going Out
Must haves
- Carseat: You need one base for each car, and at least one carseat. I do not recommend the convertible ones - buy a newborn one, and plan to transition to a toddler seat before age 2. You will likely carry your baby around in the carseat, convertible ones are too heavy.
- Stroller: There are many great ones. Make sure it works with your carseat - either buy a system or use attachments.
- Baby bag: I highly recommend a gender neutral backpack for this - whether made to be a diaper bag, or not.
- Carseat cover: They make it darker to help the baby sleep in the carseat and protect them from cold and wind. Avoid those with velcro because they’re noisy - you wake the baby up when you check on them - some kind of drapey one is probably best. Consider the climate and season - some are too hot.
- Baby carrier: You will likely use this a lot - for a walk, for going to the store, for helping the baby nap when you are out and about, for cooking when your baby is unhappy not being held, when your baby is sick and needs to be held all day. Many people have two - one for very small babies (usually a soft wrap) and a more structured one you can use for 6 months - 2 years. You technically only need one - all of them can flex from newborn to toddler stage.
What you may want
- Portable high chair: Restaurants have high chairs, so this would be most useful at a grandparent or friend's house.
- Multiple strollers: Running strollers are better for jogging that regular strollers. Umbrella strollers are much lighter and better for traveling through an airport/train (when the child is older).
- Formula dispenser with multiple compartments. If you're going to use formula and you want to be out and about all day, this is extremely helpful.
- Car window shades. These didn't work on my car, and aren't needed with tinted windows, but are valuable for some people.
Other tips
- Instead of a baby bag, I have a gallon-sized ziploc with a pack of wipes, a few diapers, a change of clothes and a nursing cover that I keep in my purse. That is all I need unless I will be out for the whole day. We keep it in the mudroom, and any adult taking the baby can grab this - for example, put it in the bottom of the stroller to go to the park.
Playing
Must haves
Babies don't need much, they can be happy with a carpet/blanket to lay on and household items.
Nice to haves
- Playmat: Portable and washable, we used this particular infantino many times per day for the first 6+ months.
- Exersaucer / Activity Center they can sit in: This was all 4 of my kids favorite toy from 4-12 months. They would be happy for half an hour or more at a time, and exercised their legs by bouncing and their hand eye coordination.
- Baby gates and cabinet latches: Many baby gates work well - those you drill in are stronger, but you'll have to drill holes. However, this is the absolute best cabinet latch (we have tried many) - they are invisible, easy for adults to operate, and baby-proof. Buy what you need for your living space.
What you may want
- Newborn black and white folding board book: it held our babies attention since the first week! We bought another black and white board book that didn’t unfold and we hardly used it.
- Baby books: They don't look like they're paying attention until they're a few months old, but you can start reading to them right away. Soft activity books are always a huge hit at 6-18 months.
- Teething toy: Babies teethe off and on for over a year, and love to chew to alleviate the pain.
- Learning walker: The VTech sit to stand walker is superior (make sure you have gates on all your stairs!). All my kids loved it and used it from pre-walking (you can put the brake on so it goes slow) until 2+ years old (they pushed it around for fun).
Bathing, Health and Cleaning
Must haves
- Gentle shampoo. J&J did not work for me, but the more natural brands like Honest and Aveeno did. We ended up switching to a fragrance free shampoo because my kids had eczema. If you have a history of eczema or your babies get eczema, going fragrance free will really help.
Nice to haves
- Baby bathtub: You will want to bathe your baby between once per week and every day. Baby bathtubs hold the baby safely and use less water. I loved this convertible one and used it until 12+ months old. Never leave your baby unattended while in the bath.
- Fingernail scissors: The linked Simba scissors are superior to all others we've tried. We used these from newborn through all of childhood.
- Baby toothbrush: Dentists say to start brushing baby teeth as soon as the first tooth comes in, which is typically between 6 and 12 months. We made teeth brushing part of our bedtime routine.
- Gentle laundry detergent: Babies have sensitive skin and can get irritated from detergent. It doesn't have to be for babies, it just needs to be fragrance free. I highly recommend the natural brands over the big brands.
What you may want
- Bath toys: Bathtime is frequent and toys make it more fun (at 6+ months old, once they learn to sit up.)
- Baby towels and washcloths: Normal towels and washcloths work just as well, but these are cuter and smaller.
- Baby lotion: Aquaphor is the most useful because it is the most versatile and it has simple ingredients. I used a natural lotion on some of my kids after their bath, occasionally - when they had eczema, when they were sunburned, or when their skin got dry.
Nursing and Birth
You may want to buy these on your own instead of registering for them. My goal is to tell you what you need!
Birth
- A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy Book. Knowing what to expect is your first weapon, and this book is brutally honest. Buy it or borrow it now, don't wait for your shower.
- A "peri" spray bottle with a bent spout to spray off your crotch after going to the bathroom. This will be useful for a few weeks.
- Extra heavy pads: Whether you have a natural birth or c-section, you will bleed for about a month. In the first week or two, you will want bigger pads than you have ever used before.
Nursing
Your milk will come in the first few days after birth. This can be painful - be prepared, and be patient - the pain will pass. Nursing is challenging, but so worth it in my opinion. By 4 weeks in, it should feel natural and easy - but it doesn't always feel that way at first.
- Soothing nipple covers for the first few days. An alternative is green cabbage in the fridge - use one leaf for each side after each time you nurse.
- Nipple cream: You want either Bamboobies or Motherlove - they are natural, and SO much better than all the others, don’t bother with Lanolin (some hospitals give you some, throw it in the garbage).
- Nursing pads: You will use these for months, although they will become less necessary over time. They keep your clothes dry. Disposable ones are better under clothes when you're leaving the house. Reusable are more economical and environmentally friendly, I use reusable at home and overnight.
- Nursing bras: You will need a couple - I recommend some soft nursing bras you can wear while sleeping, and a couple daytime nursing bras as well.
- Nursing tank tops: I wore the white and black ones constantly for the first 2 months. Great at night, at home or under a cardigan or wrap dress.
- Nursing cover: You will want a couple of these. The ones with a rigid hoop on top are much easier to use, I would start with those. They double as a carseat cover, and I also wore them when my baby was sleeping in the baby carrier on my chest to provide more darkness.
- Some non nursing clothes that are easy to nurse in for the right season - I bought a bunch of faux wrap and button down dresses and shirts for the summer.
Pumping
Most moms pump, either regularly or occasionally.
- Breast pump. In the US, these are often covered by insurance - start there. The Spectra and Medela are classic - the portable ones with a rechargeable battery are worth the extra money if you pump a lot. The discreet ones like the Elvie don't seem to extract as much, and won't work well as your only pump.
- Hands-free pumping bra. You cannot pump without this.
- Breastmilk storage bags. Think about whether you are going to pump just-in-time or freeze and buy accordingly.
What you don't need
- Manual breast pump. I could not get enough milk out with these, and it was way too much work to get any at all.
Resources for Mom
Online resources
- Lucie’s List is a good resource for comparing products, she reviews all sorts of different carseats, strollers, etc and succinctly explains the pros/cons
- Babycenter.com has an email list you can join with your due date, and they send you an email every week on what to expect - at 6 weeks your baby starts to smile, etc. I found them helpful to enjoy my baby more and play with them more effectively as their capabilities grew.
- I found pregnancy apps like Glow Nurture helpful, and baby apps like Glow Baby (Hatch is another) indispensable to track naps and feeding.
Where to buy things
- Second hand stores like Kid to Kid, Once Upon a Child are fantastic. They only sell stuff in great condition, and have a lot of sales. I buy all our kids clothes there and a bunch of books and toys. They have furniture too. The only thing I won’t buy there is shoes with velcro, by the time they get here the velcro is not as long lasting.
Books
- MUST HAVE Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - this is the ONLY book you need to read on infant care. Babies who sleep well are happier and learn better, and you’ll be happier too. Here are my cliff notes. You should read the book, though!
- Expecting Better: This is a book that reviews the pregnancy research from around the world and debunks some common myths. If you like statistics and research, you’ll like it!
- I also enjoy the Expecting Science blog
- Crib Sheet: The same author as above, about evidence-based baby care.
- A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy: This was the BEST book I read on pregnancy. Helps you prepare a lot better than anything else.
Post-partum care for yourself
- BOOKMARK THIS NOW FOR 1 MONTH AFTER DELIVERY: How I HEALED My Abs After Pregnancy | Easy Workouts For Diastasis Recti. Do 5 minutes every day as soon as you feel good enough, which usually takes me 3-4 weeks - you will be glad you did.