Must-Have Items for Your Baby Registry

When you’re pregnant, there seems to be a never-ending list of things to do and important items to buy for your new baby. The good news is that when you’re expecting, family and friends are more than happy to shower you with gifts for your little bundle of joy. One of my favorite things about being pregnant was creating a baby registry checklist from my favorite stores. If you’re having a baby shower, you could make a list of baby registry essentials with all your must-have items, too.

In putting together my list, I loved the anticipation of receiving thoughtful and wonderful gifts for my baby, and the fact that I wouldn’t have to buy all of this myself. The list can range from simple things like rattles and bottles to larger items like strollers and bassinets. Another benefit to setting up a baby registry is that you can pick everything out and don’t just have to expect the gift givers to know your style and preferences. Use this checklist to guide you as you set up your baby registry.

Must-Haves To Add To Your Baby Registry

When adding baby gear to your registry items, it’s important to think of everything that you’ll need for baby’s first year. Be sure to include a mix of expensive and inexpensive items, so that you’re keeping in mind everyone’s budgets.

Nursing pillow

A nursing pillow is important to provide comfort to you and your baby while breastfeeding, or it can also be used when bottle feeding. These pillows give the baby a cushion to rest on while being fed, and they’re also great for tummy time and helping them to sit up as they get older.

Bottles

Whether or not you’re planning on breastfeeding or formula feeding, you’ll most likely need some bottles throughout baby’s first year. The bottles come in all different shapes, sizes and features, but your baby may have a preference for a certain nipple over another. You’ll also need to get nipples with increased flow as your baby gets older.

Pacifiers

Babies have a natural sucking reflex and pacifiers help to satisfy that. Pacifiers are also great for calming your baby and putting them to sleep.

Changing table

You’ll be changing thousands of diapers in your baby’s first year, so you’ll want a comfortable area for your baby to lie down on during a diaper change. Setting up your home for a new baby includes making stations around your house to increase the convenience of daily parenting. For diaper changing purposes you can choose a changing pad on a dresser, a standalone changing station, or a pack-n-play with built-in changing topper. Depending on the layout of your house, you’ll probably want two changing stations set up, one in the nursery and one in your main living space.

Diaper Caddy

A diaper caddy is great for storing and organizing diapers, creams, wipes and other essentials in one place, so that you’ll have easy access to them at changing time.

Newborn lounger

The newborn lounger is a place to put your baby down and have them still feel safe and comfortable. The lounger basically serves as a large pillow with a gentle angle that allows a baby to lie down and still feel like they’re being held. Another positive aspect of a newborn lounger is its portability. It is light in weight and has a small handle, so you are easily able to move it all around the house with you. All my babies have loved this piece of gear, so you definitely don’t want to forget to put it on your baby registry. Be absolutely sure to research the safety issues around this product. Some popular brands have been recalled.

Bassinet

When you’re getting your nursery set up, you’ll want a safe place for your baby to sleep in the first few months of their life. A bassinet is smaller than a crib, and is designed for baby to lie in while they’re a newborn or very little. There are many basic bassinets available to buy, as well as ones with more bells and whistles. Additional features that make some bassinets better than others include built-in sound machines, vibration, push-down side bars, and a swivel base for easy maneuvering. Don’t forget to add a few extra bassinet sheets to your baby registry checklist, so you don’t need to do laundry as often.

Blankets

Blankets of various types (receiving, swaddling, stroller, etc.) belong on the list of baby registry essentials. Choose lightweight muslin blankets for the warmer months, since these can also double as burp cloths. For colder times of the year, a warm fleece blanket makes the perfect covering for your little one. Newborns don’t use blankets for safety reasons at night, but you’ll find having many of them handy to tuck around your baby when you’re out and about in the carseat, or to throw over the stroller to protect your baby from the sun.

Infant car seat

When choosing a car seat for your baby, look for one that is light in weight, and that fits your baby and the vehicle you’ll be driving. Every car seat has to meet the same safety standards so you don’t have to worry about choosing an unsafe car seat for your baby. However, some have added safety and comfort features that you may like. European brands are also known to be held to higher safety standards. Children under 12 months old should always ride in a rear-facing care seat.

Stroller

You may want to go to your favorite baby store to “test drive” some strollers and see which size and type works best for you. The important features to look for in a stroller are that it’s lightweight, easy to fold, has large under-storage capacity, and handles smoothly. You also might want to make sure that your baby’s car seat can click right into the stroller, by either selecting a travel system (stroller and car seat combination) or getting an additional car seat adapter. If you like to jog or walk, you also might want to look into a jogging stroller.

Bouncer/swing

If you are having trouble consoling your baby or just simply need a comfortable place to put them down, a bouncer or swing is the perfect spot. Bouncers tend to be smaller and more portable and can have additional features like vibration, swinging, swaying or music. Swings are a bit larger, but provide more movement that your baby may enjoy.

Baby Carrier

When you want to keep our baby close and go hands-free, a baby carrier is indispensible. Some are better suited for newborns and some are good further into your baby’s infancy, but the good news is there are a variety of baby carriers available depending on your needs. You’ll likely want a couple, depending on the task or activity you’re doing.

Pajamas and onesies

Your newborn doesn’t need the most stylish outfits at such a young age. While they still can barely lift their head up, your little girl or boy will live in onesies and pajamas. For cooler months, the zipper, footie pajamas are perfect for easy diaper changes and keeping them warm with one piece of clothing. For warmer months, a simple onesie or one-piece outfit will suffice.

Bandana bibs and burp cloths

Babies tend to drool and spit up pretty often, so you want to protect their clothing throughout the day. This will limit outfit changes and cleaning up messes. Opt for large bandana bibs that have a big surface area, and thick burp cloths for potentially large spit-ups.

Multi-sensory toys

Babies don’t need much entertainment within the first two to three months, but as they get bigger you’ll need things to keep them occupied. Toys that provide various sensory experiences, like different textures, noises, and bright colors, will provide your baby with fun and stimulation. A mobile with graphic designs above their crib also aids in your baby’s development.

Now that you have an idea of the baby registry essentials, get started on your checklist. This is just a starting point, so we recommend browsing our Welcome Baby Shop for more ideas. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy as you anxiously await your little ones arrival!