My Top Baby Registry Items

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First of all, CONGRATS on your little bundle of joy!! I hope you’re enjoying pregnancy and soaking up these last few months before your little one arrives. I wanted to create a blog post of my top baby registry items to ease this process, as I know how overwhelming it can be when it comes time to creating one. Below I share all the items that we’ve used and plan to use in the future when Karter gets a bit older.

Living in a one bedroom, two bathroom home required some thorough research on what’s actually needed to ease the transition of welcoming a newborn into our home. When it came to building my baby registry, I spent months researching, along with asking nine moms what their top baby must haves were. Below is a compilation of what they recommended, along with a few things I’ve found helpful.

My Top Baby Registry Items

I’d highly recommend having both an Amazon and Babylist registry. But please know, Amazon offers cheaper prices on most baby items when compared to using Babylist. With Amazon, you’ll also get a 15% completion discount, which can save quite a bit of money if you have things leftover on your registry. I used Amazon for 95% of my baby items, then used Babylist for certain things that weren’t on Amazon, such as our crib.

Diaper Essentials

Diaper bag – the perks of this bag is that you can wear it three different ways (backpack, crossbody or purse), plus it’s spill-resistant inside and out. Not to mention, the style of this bag is adorable – I plan to use this for many years to come! Pro tip: purchase the bag when it goes on sale (they usually have a 50% off sale every few months).

Triple Paste – helps to prevent diaper rash. This is the best one we’ve used! Karter was starting to show early signs of diaper rash around week two (he was pooping literally every single diaper change 😅) – we used two other options prior, that seemed to worsen the problem. This Triple Paste diaper rash cream not only prevented the diaper rash from getting worse, it cleared up the redness within a day.

Diaper pail – so nice to have as it locks in the smell. This would also be nice if you plan to have your diaper changing station in the nursery, so you don’t have to walk far to throw away the diaper.

Diaper pail reusable bags – you can also purchase plastic bags. However, I chose to purchase the reusable as I throw our cloth diapers in here. I simply throw everything in the washer at the same time, making it a seamless process.

Baby wipes – non-toxic and natural baby wipes.

Diapers – be sure to purchase newborn diapers. Karter is two months old and still using this size (we have so many size 1 from our baby shower, but we never actually received newborn sized diapers. Needless to say, it was a bit chaotic the first week home, lol). There’s so many diapers to choose from, and I personally believe it depends on how your baby’s skin reacts to the diaper. However, we’ve been using Huggies. Not only are they more realistically priced, they also have a line that turns blue when the diaper needs to be changed. And as first time parents, this has been helpful. If you’re looking for a cleaner option, HealthyBaby is a good choice.

Cloth diapers – I started using these when Karter turned 1.5 months old. They’re still way too big for Karter, so I’m only using 3-4 per day, but plan to fully be using cloth diapers at month three. Crazy how much money you can save and not to mention, produce way less garbage. The only downside is you do need to change these more often to prevent diaper rash. AKA a bit more time spent doing laundry.

Diaper changing station – with our current set up, we don’t have the space for a nursery dresser to place a changing station on top. So this has been helpful! However, if you’re planning to have a nursery, I’d recommend purchasing a dresser and using this as a changing station.

Baby Clothing

Pro tip: don’t purchase too many clothes. Karter mainly just wears a diaper during the day when we’re at home – he runs hot, plus it’s way more convenient with all the feeding and diaper changes that’s done during the day. For perspective, I’ve only used 3 footie pajamas, 2 swaddles, 1 sleep sack, 5 outfits for day trips, and 1 set of wool socks. This has been suffice for a newborn! If you want more clothes on your registry, I’d focus on 6-12 months+. However, keep in mind, if you have your baby during the winter months, you may need to stock up on more onesies and sleep sacks to keep them warm during the day.

First and foremost, don’t forget to purchase a going home outfit! This was the only outfit I put on my registry for a newborn specific size. All others were 0-3 months+.

Wool baby socks – have you ever seen anything cuter than a baby wearing socks?! They don’t stay on too well, but I couldn’t pass up not having socks, especially during the colder months.

Fleece baby booties – not only are these adorable, they also keep his feet nice and toasty during the colder months. They also tend to stay on better than socks.

Footie pajamas – absolutely love these! Not only are they easy to get on and off, the 2-way-zipper makes it easy for diaper changes as well.

Onesies – two-way zippers are key!

Magnetic Me footie pajamas – I recommend purchasing both zipper and magnetic, then seeing which you prefer. I highly, highly recommend staying away from button ups as no one wants to deal with buttons at 3 am.

Swaddles – huge fan of these swaddles! We’re planning to use these until Karter starts showing signs of rolling over, then we’ll switch to a sleep sack. These aren’t only easy to remove, they’re easy to put on – key for those late night feeds.

Sleep sacks – we’ll be transitioning to these once Karter begins to show signs of rolling over.

Sleeping bag – these are similar to what’s shown in the link above. But wanted to link them as my sister swears by these. Here’s a similar option, just half the price. Pro tip: air dry to prevent from shrinking.

Bath Time

MOBY bathtub – to be honest, I was terrified of giving Karter a bath for the first few weeks. But this bathtub eased the process.

Mukin baby washcloths – love love love these. We use them for spit ups, burp rags, and when we give Karter a bath. I’d recommend purchasing three packs.

Muslin baby towel – I’d recommend purchasing just one set. We only give Karter 2-3 baths per week to protect his skin barrier. One set of these towels is suffice.

Mushie hooded towel – we use this to lay Karter on post bath, then use a muslin baby towel to do more drying behind his ears, etc.

Hooded baby bath towel – same as the link above. But seriously, how cute is this towel, haha.

Cradle cap brush – we had this on our registry. However, we just grabbed the brush from the hospital before we left. I personally wouldn’t have put this on our registry if I knew the hospital would be giving us one.

Bath rinser – we haven’t been using this for Karter yet. However, my sisters recommend having this for when Karter gets older.

Bath tub mat – this will be used for when Karter no longer fits in the MOBY bathtub. After giving my niece and nephews a few baths, this will be nice to keep them occupied while also preventing them from slipping and sliding in the tub during bathtime.

Bath soap – free from all the harsh chemicals and parabens.

Baby body lotion – a clean lotion to prevent dry skin that we’ll start using once Karter gets a bit older.

Feeding

Spectra breast pump – you can usually get this pump along with milk storage bags for free from your insurance. My insurance only covered the pink pump, but if possible, I’d recommend the blue one. The blue one doesn’t need to be plugged in, so you can move around more freely when pumping, where the pink one does require being plugged in.

Wearable breast pump – once I go back to work, I’ll be using this more often. I’ve heard good things about this pump!

Muslin burp cloths – these are nice to throw over your shoulder to help prevent spit up from getting all over you (which is inevitable, haha).

Breastmilk pitcher – a convenient way to store breastmilk as you pump throughout the day.

Pacifiers – BPA free and Karter’s favorite pacifiers. These have been so helpful to prevent spit up after Karter eats; there’s also research that pacifiers help to prevent SIDs, which provides peace of mind. We introduced pacifiers around week two, which made it easier when we began offering bottles, which he accepted immediately, too.

Pacifier holder – this is nice to have for when you go out and about so you don’t lose the pacifier (because trust me, you will, haha).

Baby bottles – we have just three bottles of this size. However, if you’re planning to use formula, or have the dad help with more feedings, I’d recommend purchasing more! To clean the bottles, we throw them in the dishwasher versus a bottle cleaner, to lessen the clutter on our counters.

Storage bins – I keep all of the bottle parts, pacifiers, teething toys, etc. in these bins in a cabinet. Helps to keep things organized!

Bottle and cup cleaning set – I’ve been using this to dry my pump parts at this time, but plan to use it to clean bottles in the future when we transition to more bottle feeds.

Smock bib – waterproof and easy to clean, perfect for when Karter starts eating in a few months!

Portable baby high chair – so many moms have told me to purchase this. This item was highly recommended!

Baby high chair – for when Karter can sit in a high chair to eat his whole foods.

Sippy spout bottle, toddler utensils, silicone food bowl, and silicone feeding set – for when Karter begins eating whole foods.

Food blender – for when Karter begins eating whole foods. I’ll be sure to share what recipes worked, what ones didn’t, and tips and tricks learned on this journey!

Baby’s first foods – baby’s first foods checklist.

Health & Baby Care

Baby balm – this was so helpful, especially in the first month. I put it on any scratch and baby acne – it would clear up within one day!

Electric nose sucker – highly, highly recommend having this on your registry.

Nose and ear cleaner – this is super helpful if the electric nose sucker doesn’t get it all.

Baby thermometer – so nice to have to provide peace of mind, especially in the first few months.

Nail trimmer – I personally love this nail trimmer. However, several moms mentioned just using a regular nail clipper.

Gripe water – to be used for baby’s colic, gas & stomach discomfort.

Coconut oil – can be used to prevent or reverse dry skin or cradle cap.

Boiron drops – temporarily relieves symptoms including painful gums and irritability.

Vitamin D drops – designed specifically for breastfed babies to ensure they’re consuming enough vitamin D.

Nursery Essentials

The Wave Crib – this converts into a mini crib, to full crib, to toddler bed – perfect for our living situation. We decided to purchase this crib versus purchasing a bassinet and a crib, and I’m happy we went this route! Karter’s only two months and already outgrowing his mini crib. We also purchased the mattress and sheets that go along with this specific crib.

Bassinet – if you plan to have the crib in your nursery versus in your bedroom, this bassinet comes highly recommended by many moms!

Mountain themed mobile – we didn’t end up doing a nursery as Karter will be sleeping in our room until we move, haha. So we ended up purchasing this mobile to add the perfect touch to his area.

Nanit – this is an investment, but I can’t recommend it enough! It also has the option to play white noise at night. I swear this is why Karter has been sleeping so well.

Hatch Rest+ – I love the Hatch! However, if you plan to purchase the Nanit, you may not need the Hatch too, depending on how you set up your sleeping arrangements.

3-tier stand – perfect to place snacks, breast pumps, hair ties, and extra necessities for late night feeds.

Water bottle – if you plan to breastfeed, it’s recommended to consume around 128 ounces of fluids per day. A water bottle is a must!

Rocking chair – there are more expensive, comfier chairs that are out there. But this chair was recommended! We personally purchased a cheaper option that fits better within our space. However, I won’t be linking it as I wouldn’t recommend it.

Closet dividers – helps to keep clothes organized.

Strollers, Car Seats & On the Go

Portable stroller fan – so nice to have for those hot summer months!

Infant car seat – this car seat technically works for 5-120 lbs. However, we put this on our registry for when Karter outgrows his infant car seat that came with the Uppababy stroller.

Uppababy stroller system – I did so much research on what stroller to purchase, it was exhausting! I ended up purchasing the Uppababy travel system as not only does it grow with your family (it can accommodate up to three children), it’s easy to install and rides so smooth. I also love how it comes with the bassinet. We’re planning to travel with Karter when he’s three months old – the bassinet will be used as his bed on this trip. And lastly, the car seat fits perfect in the stroller for easy transitions in the early days.

Weather-proof stroller cover – this will come in handy for those chilly autumn walks.

Cart cover – for when Karter starts grocery shopping with me!

Baby carrier – support for 7-45 lbs. I also ended up purchasing this newborn carrier to wear Karter around the house. We both absolutely love it!

Hand sanitizer – helpful to keep in your car for when you’re on the go.

Diaper changing station – perfect for when you’re on the go and need to do diaper changes in the car, outside, etc.

Diaper caddy – nice to have everything packed in the car already in case you forget something in your diaper bag. Makes leaving your home a little bit easier!

Baby monitor – if you plan to travel often with your little one, this has been useful for peace of mind! I’d also recommend traveling with this versus a Nanit, just in case this gets dropped or damaged on a trip.

Activity & Toys

BabyBjörn Bouncer – Karter loves this bouncer! I’ll put him in here to keep him occupied while I’m cooking, showering, and pumping – this is one of my favorite registry items.

Baby silk bassinet sleeve – I place this on the bouncer to prevent Karter from developing a bald spot on the back of his head. So far, no bald spot (two months in)!

Lovevry kit – this is nice to have, to keep Karter preoccupied while also working on his developmental skills.

High contrast baby toy – we keep this in Karter’s diaper changing station. He loves looking at it as we change his diaper! We also do tummy time after diaper changes – this keeps him preoccupied.

Wooden toddler toy – for when Karter gets older.

Safety

Baby gate – for when Karter starts walking.

Noise cancelling headphones – can be used for 3 months to 3 years. Perfect for when you want to get out and about in a noisy environment with your little one.

For the Mama to Be

Nipple butter – trust me when I say you’ll want this. This was a lifesaver in the first month of breastfeeding! I’d recommend just starting with the 2 ounces, as you may not need more than that amount.

Silverette niple covers – another must have for the mama-to-be. I only used this for the first month and a half of breastfeeding, but wow these were a lifesaver!

Ice packs – when your milk supply comes in and your boobs become engorged, you’ll want ice packs on hand.

Nursing pillow – I used this for the first two weeks while I was still trying to figure out breastfeeding. However, I haven’t used it since. I’ve heard many great things about this pillow, but a personal opinion is to just use pillows at home. The velcro drove me nuts during those late night feedings, haha.

Nursing cover-up – I’ve used this a few times as I’ve had to breastfeed in public on multiple occasions (always fun when the cluster feeding starts).

Nursing bras – these have been helpful when going out into public, in case you need to breastfeed. A word of advice, before I was pregnant, I generally wore size medium (34A). However, a size large would have fit more comfortable postpartum.

Electrolyte packets – if you plan to breastfeed, you will be THIRSTY. These packets help to provide proper hydration by offering a variety of electrolytes.

Pumping bras – these have been so nice to have. Allows to keep your hands free while you spend hours pumping.

Pajama nightgown – I purchased two of these to have in the hospital, but continued to wear them for the first month postpartum. Not only were these comfortable, it also made things so much easier in those earlier weeks.

Bandeau bra top – I wore these, a pajama nightgown, and my robe for the first few weeks postpartum. These three made it easier to breastfeed as they were quick to remove when needed.

Robe – I love this robe. It helped me get through labor and the 48 hours postpartum spent in the hospital – so cozy and easy to remove as needed to breastfeed.

Pads – I thankfully only bled for two weeks postpartum. However, I know many other moms mentioned bleeding for weeks to months on end. I recommend stocking up on pads, you will use them either way!

Disposable boyshorts – these were so nice to have for the first two weeks after the hospital.

High waisted underwear – I recommend purchasing a pack of these for your postpartum healing journey. I began using these after I ran out of the disposable boyshorts and have been loving them, they’re so comfortable!

Ice maxi pads – I’d purchase just one pack of these. They were super helpful to reduce some of the pain and discomfort you’ll experience within the first few weeks.

Heating pad – when I say my cramps were terrible during breastfeeding, I mean my cramps were terrible. I had no idea the first two weeks postpartum would be that painful, but this heating pad was truly a lifesaver.

Witch hazel – once I ran out of the spray the hospital provided, I switched over to this witch hazel to provide ongoing relief.

Colostrum collector – I personally didn’t use these as I didn’t start producing colostrum until after Karter was born. However, I’d recommend having these just in case. Saving these drops of liquid gold if you’re leaking prior to labor may be helpful for feeding when you’re in the hospital. Pro tip: ask your doctor if you should begin pumping or hand expressing at the end of your third trimester. By doing so, this may initiate labor. You can also stock up on colostrum to be used in the hospital for feeds, or at a later date when your baby gets sick, as colostrum is loaded with nutrients and antibodies.

Lounge set – this set not only is flattering, it’s also so comfy! Pro tip: air dry to prevent from shrinking.

Abdominal binder – diastasis recti during pregnancy is very common. Some research estimates 100% of women will develop this in the late stages of pregnancy, as your body is making more room for your growing baby. Wearing an abdominal binder for several months postpartum will help to heal your core, as it focuses on core engagement.

Magnesium citramate – I began taking this the day Karter was born to promote regular bowel movements. I’ve continued taking this supplement two months postpartum, and likely will continue for a while longer.

I hope you found this list of my top baby registry items helpful! Feel free to comment below or reach out to me on Instagram if you have any questions. 😊