Baby Registry Must Have’s

An experienced mama’s list of essentials

Only weeks away from baby #3, and I have officially started the nesting and cleaning phase of pregnancy! With my first baby, I stocked up on all the baby registry essentials I thought I needed. But many of them never made it out of storage for my second baby. So, my nesting phase for this baby has consisted of a lot of purging!

Everyone has there own opinion about what is essential and what isn’t. In all honesty, there really aren’t that many absolutely essential things you need for a new baby. The best mom’s will tell you, it’s all about working with what you have (which is true for every stage of parenting!).

Even though I lean toward a more minimal perspective on necessities (only because it means less stuff for tiny hands to get into that mommy will have to clean up later), there are certain items I think should make it on to every baby registry.

So, if you’re about to start your mama journey and are overwhelmed by everything the experts say you need, here is

My absolute essentials list of baby registry must have’s!

Nursery

1. Diaper Caddy
   • With my first baby, we started dragging the diaper bag all around the house as a mobile baby changing station. Now, they sell these super amazing caddies!
2. Rock n Play
   • I cannot say enough about these things! I didn’t have one for my first baby and insisted on getting one for the second. They are truly game changers. I used ours as a bassinet until my little guy started rolling and we upgraded to a bed. You can easily move them from room to room, and they are great to travel with.
3. Muslin Blankets
   • There are a million blanket options for babies, but the muslin ones are definitely my favorite. My boys (thanks to their 6’7″ daddy) outgrew the swaddle blankets almost instantly. And thicker quilted or knitted blankets over heated them. The muslin blankets solved all of our problems!
   • Pro Tip: they make great burp rags and absorb way more than other blankets. They also “cling” to other fabric better, which makes them great for nursing covers! They are seriously a mom’s best friend.
4. Static Noise Maker
   • This may not seem all that important. But, if you’ve ever tried to sneak out of a sleeping baby’s room or had older siblings playing nearby, you’ll understand the importance of a little background noise. It keeps baby calm and drowns out any startling noises that would be enhanced by pure silence.
   • Pro Tip: you can substitute a window air conditioner, fan, or low radio (with educational soothing songs of course).
5. Video Monitor
   • Most people plan on getting a monitor, because mommy anxiety is nothing to be trifled with! And having baby in another room, can leave you an emotional wreck. So, if you’ve already thought of adding this to your registry, don’t be afraid to splurge a little and go for the fancy video model. There are quite a few affordable options out there. It’s way better than sitting next to the monitor imagining all the extreme worst case scenarios every muffled noise could be, and rushing in only to wake a sleeping baby.
6. Black Out Curtains
   • They may not come in cute woodland animal patterns, but they’re totally worth the sacrifice! A key part of sleep training is getting baby to recognize the difference between day and night. Well, when the sun is blazing through their window on long summer nights, it’s hard for them to make that connection. It also helps avoid early sun rise
7. Sterilite Drawers
   • I don’t think I have every seen anyone put these on a baby registry, but I am here to say DO IT! They come in a million different sizes, so you can get whichever ones work for you. I use them to store blankets, clothes, bottles, bibs, toiletries, toys, the possibilities are endless! With my first baby, I tried the cute little baby hangers. Most of the time, the clothes never made it out of the laundry basket! Plastic storage drawers are a great way to put laundry away quickly and still stay organized.
   • Pro Tip: even if you’re not sure which ones would work best for you, put some on your baby registry. They can be a little pricey, and add up really fast! As long as you have them on the baby registry, you can exchange them later for ones that fit better.
8.  Crib
   • This isn’t new information to anyone. Babies sleep in cribs, so you will need a crib. This is definitely something you will want to register for, because they are typically the most expensive item you will have to get. When you add in the cost of the mattress and sheets, you’ll be incredibly thankful to receive it as a gift!
   • Pro Tip: if you don’t receive a crib as a gift or you’re not sure if you have room for a full size crib, pack n plays are an often cheaper alternative. I say often, because there are some pretty fancy ones out there. Ultimately, though, as long as they hold a sleeping baby they will work just fine!

[bctt tweet=” I tried the cute little baby hangers. Most of the time, the clothes never made it out of the laundry basket! Plastic storage drawers are a great way to put laundry away quickly and still stay organized.” username=””]

Kitchen

1. High Chair
   • This wont be essential until your little one starts sitting up on his own and you start introducing food. But, it’s nice to have on the baby registry so you don’t have a big expense later on (it sneaks up faster than you realize!).
   • Pro Tip: look for ones that have a plastic shell or clothe that is easily removed for washing. You may also want to consider how travel friendly they are.
2. Baby Bullet
   • I never spent a dime on baby food for my second little one, thanks to my bullet! We put everything you can imagine in it, and it was amazing! For new eaters, add water or milk to adjust food thickness, and it will transition through all eating stages.
   • Pro Tip: Shop around the baby food isle and get inspired about what to try in your bullet, or look online for a ton of free recipes.
3. Coffee Pot (for mommy)
   • This one is all about you mommy! Some of you may not be coffee drinkers, others might convert after several sleepless nights in a row. But, if you’re a coffee lover like me, take this opportunity to treat yourself to a fancy new machine and put it on the baby registry. Every mom reading it will understand why it’s there, even though it’s not technically a baby item!

Bath Room

1. Diapers
   • Everyone knows you need diapers, but I don’t think any new parent is prepared for the tremendous amount of diapers you will go through! Especially, the first few months. You can never have too many, so add them to your baby registry!
   • Pro Tip: register for multiple pack or box sizes. Usually, people want to buy cute baby items, and don’t want to get just diapers. If you register for smaller packages, you’re guests will be able to buy something cute and add on a few diapers without going over their budget. You can also register for different diaper sizes. You’ll go through every size eventually!
2. Foam Tub Insert
   • Bath time was one of my biggest struggles as a new mom. I already wasn’t super confident with babies, then you add water and a miniature plastic tub and it’s a slippery disaster waiting to happen! With baby number two, I discovered foam inserts. Some fit into the sink directly, while others are intended as an accessory for your infant tub. The sink ones are great because it eliminates you having to get down on your knees and lean over a tub, but they can also be tighter and harder to maneuver baby around in. The tub inserts are better for maneuvering baby, but if you don’t have enough counter space you’ll end up on your knees leaning. So, it’s totally up to what you prefer, but I would definitely suggest picking up one of these option. It’s still much better than a slippery baby, sloshing around in a plastic tub!
3. First Aid Kit
   •  While it’s something that every new mom hopes she never needs, just having a first aid kit around helped me feel a little better. So even if it never gets used, definitely add it to the baby registry. With infants, it’s harder to diagnose and treat symptoms. So I would suggest you ere on the side of caution and seek a professional medical opinion with any concerns. However, there are some first aid items you should have on hand at all times.
   • Pro Tip: ask your family doctor or pediatrician what they suggest you include in your family’s first aid kit. They know what is essential and would work best. Some of the things we include in ours are
     • Thermometer
       • In most cases, when you call your doctor with a concern, they will ask about temperature. Having a thermometer on hand will help you give the doctor a better picture of what is going on with baby. There are many different kinds to choose from, ask your doctor which ones they recommend as well as the right way to use them. Oral temperatures are usually read differently than rectal ones, so be sure you understand the differences.
     • INFANT medicine
       • Many panicky mom phone calls to the doctor ended with them suggesting I give a dose of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (following the package dosage based on age or weight), and calling back if the symptoms didn’t improve. What I didn’t know? Most stores only stock toddler medicine and don’t give the dosage requirements for any child under two. So save yourself some frantic late night store raids, and add it to your first aid inventory before it’s a necessity.
     • Aspirator
       • That is a fancy word for snot sucker! Or, in our house we call it a brain poker. If you have a cold season baby (they will get sick, all we can do is be prepared) or an allergy prone family, these are great for congested runny noses.
     • Diaper Rash Cream
       • Whether you choose natural or medicated, definitely pack this in the first aid kit. Nothing pulls at your heart strings quite like baby tears caused by a glossy red bottom, and no way of relieving your little ones pain.
4. Shampoo/Lotion
   • Eat, puke, poop, wash, repeat. Get used to that pattern mama, you will be living it for a while!
5. Lanolin (for mommy)
   • Specifically for all you mamas thinking about nursing. While breastfeeding is beautiful and a great way to bond with baby, it has a dark side. There will be blood and cracking, so just trust me when I say PUT THE LANOLIN ON THE BABY REGISTRY!!!!

[bctt tweet=”Eat, puke, poop, wash, repeat. Get used to that pattern mama, you will be living it for a while! ” username=””]

Living Room

1. Swing/Bouncer/Saucer
   • You don’t NEED to get one of each of these, but you can if you want. I would suggest having at least one baby holding device that can be moved from room to room (preferably without waking the sleeping baby lying in it!). There are two things you will discover as a new mom. One, as much as you love baby cuddles, they get heavy and you’ll miss the days when both your arms were available. And two,not being able to see your little one at all times can make you a little panicky at first.
   • Pro Tip: if you’re on baby number one, strap em in and take a quick nap! You’ll wish you could when baby two joins the family, and you have to supervise an older sibling instead.
2. Pack N Play
   • The name of the game is containment! It’s not a dirty word mama. I always feel better when I know my little one is in a safe environment, where I can control what goes in and out. Pack n Plays are great for letting your babies learn and experience things without being subjected to choking hazards are falling furniture! Eventually they’ll learn to escape, and you’ll wish for the confined safety again!
3. Children’s Table and Chairs
   • Definitely not an infant essential. But, as a higher priced item, it’s good to plan ahead and add it to the baby registry for later. We have a small plastic table and chairs set that we use for everything! It’s great for teaching toddlers how to eat on their own. And the boys love using it for play dough, blocks, coloring, etc!
4. Suction Cup Toys
   • These are a life saver!! While it’s important for moms to play and interact with there little ones, it’s great for them to start learning to entertain themselves. Toys with suction cup bases are perfect for this! It didn’t take me long to learn I could pull the highchair up to the bathroom door, slap the suction cup onto the tray, and squeeze in a quick shower before baby got bored and fussy.
5. Rubber Toys
   • So, I realize this one probably doesn’t seem super obvious, but let me explain. There is nothing more valuable than a toy that can be tossed in the dishwasher or washing machine! That means no metal, batteries, or water holding cavities. Scrubbing puke, food, or dirt out of tiny toy crevices is the WORST! You’ll be so thankful for something that can be tossed in the wash and taken care of.
   • Pro Tip: rubber doesn’t hurt as much when it comes flying at your face from an angry or excited toddler!
6. Board Books
   • I am always AMAZED by how expensive baby books are! Most of mine never survived the teething stage, and I couldn’t afford to replace them. Books are a great way for little ones to learn colors, sounds, animals, and numbers so you’ll love having them around.  But they also make great chew toys, projectiles, and tearing sounds!
   • Pro Tip: adding books to your baby registry as an alternative for cards, is a great option!
7. Baby Gates
   • You won’t use gates right away, but they are essential for the crawling and walking stage. Even if you think there’s nothing they can get in to, they will manage to find trouble! I would suggest picking the room you’ll be in the most, and getting a gate for every doorway in that room. You probably won’t need one for every door in your house, but having at least one room to contain baby in is great!

[bctt tweet=”There are two things you will discover as a new mom. One, as much as you love baby cuddles, they get heavy and you’ll miss the days when both your arms were available. And two,not being able to see your little one at all times can make you a little panicky at first.” username=””]

 

That pretty much covers all of the ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS for you baby registry.

There are a ton of other things you can add to your list like baby clothes, baby towels and rags, bottles, and diaper bags just to name a few. But, I wanted this list to be a more minimal perspective of things you might not think of right away, or the bare minimum for low budget options.

Definitely add to your own baby registry with whatever you might want to try or think would be helpful!

Did I leave anything off? What would you add to this list? Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite baby items and why you love them. Maybe you’ve found something I haven’t heard of yet, and I can use for baby number three!! I’d love to hear from you

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