The thought of creating a baby registry list was one of the most stressful things about preparing for Lincoln’s arrival. I know that sounds crazy, but the thought of not having something he might need, when he needed it, tore me to shreds. Not to mention the big box baby stores are just about the most confusing places on earth if you don’t already have a child!
Luckily my super-mom, sis-in-law took me on a test run before Ben and I went to create our baby registry, and together we created the list below. Ben and I registered in about an hour with this list. Without it, I have no doubt we would have been there all day.
Before we dive in, here are some tips and notes!
- Register for a variety of items in different price tiers for baby shower purposes. Some people like to come to showers with lots of little things, while others like to bring one big item.
- Don’t worry if you think you forgot something when you register. Most places allow you to add/edit/delete online.
- Assess needs for items like Pack and Plays, bumbos, bassinets, etc. against this list. If you don’t think you’ll need them, don’t register for them!
- Register for more of items like diapers and wipes, as most retailers will send you a coupon after baby is born to purchase the remaining items on your registry at a discount.
- Don’t stress out too much like I did. Truly for the first few weeks all your baby really needs is a safe place to sleep, clothes, food, diapers, and of course, your love!
Edited 7/17 to add: I’ve added links to specific products we’ve loved for our two boys over the past four years!
For Baby
- Books
- Toys/rattles
- Teething rings
- Pacifiers
- Aden and Anais receiving blankets
- Burp cloths (the thick quilt-looking ones)
- SwaddleMe swaddles
- Carters Plain Onesies (3/6/9 month sizes)
- Pants
- Hats
- Socks
- Jackets/sweatshirts
- Zip up PJs (avoid buttons if possible!)
For Mom
- Nursing cover
- Nursing bras
- Diaper bag (Skip Hop and JuJuBee are popular)
- Breast pump (check with insurance first to see what they cover/provide)
- Hands-free pumping bra
- Extra pump parts
- Breast milk storage bags (stack better in freezer than bottles)
- Boppy or My Breast Friend nursing pillows + 1 extra cover for each
- Disposable nursing pads
- Washable nursing pads
- Nipple cream/balm
Out and About
- Solly Baby Wrap
- Baby K’Tan
- Ergo Baby Carrier
- Baby Bjorn Carrier
- Moby Wrap
- Shopping cart cover
Baby Health/Grooming
- Digital thermometer
- Nail clippers
- Emery boards
- Brush/comb
- Saline spray
- Gripe water
- Training tooth brush set
- Infant Tylenol
Diapers/Diaper Creams
- A&D Diaper Rash Cream
- Butt Paste
- Fragrance-free wipes
- Size #1, 2, 3 – Diapers
- Size #2 & 3 – Overnight diapers
- Diaper Champ Deluxe (can use any trash can liner)
Bath Time
- Bath supplies (shampoo, body wash, lotions – variety)
- Bath toys
- Wash cloths
- Hooded towel x2
- Toy scoop
- Spout cover
- Infant bathtub
For Nursery
- Coolmist humidifier
- Sound machine
- 4 waterproof mattress covers/pads
- 4 fitted crib sheets
- Changing pad
- 4 changing pad covers
- Hamper
- Organizers
- 2-3 sets hangers
Car Seats/Strollers
- Chicco travel system (car seat/stroller/base in one)
- Extra base
- Head rest mirror
- Bob Jogging Stroller
- Lightweight umbrella stroller
- Shopping seat cover
- Bundleme
Around the House
- Pack ‘n Play
- Rock ‘n’ Play Sleeper
- Bassinet
- Bumbo
- Swing
- Vibrating chair/Bouncer
- Jumper
- Floor Seat
- Exer-causer
- Play Mat
- High chair
- Booster Seat
- Diaper caddy
Safety
Eating/Snacking
- Silicone bibs
- Baby food maker
- Fresh Food Feeder (looks like a pacifier with a mesh bag attached)
- Tiny diner mat
- Munchkin Snack Traps
- Advent brand sippy cups with handles on both sides
- Variety of bowls/plates/utensils
- Bottles/Nipples (this is tough b/c different babies have different latching issues/preferences. Suggest getting basic bottles/nipples, and a wide variety of them, then return what baby doesn’t like.)
- Formula dispenser (circle container with 3 chambers)
- Munchkin brand cleaning brush
- Dishwasher basket
- Bottle warmer
- Drying rack
I just wanted to share that I bookmarked this list years ago (longtime reader and fan!) and just used it this past weekend to register for our first. This list was IMMENSELY helpful and I’m so very grateful to you! Thanks Kristin!
I just went through my baby registry again and added almost everything you recommended! Thank you so much! It made it soo much easier..you thought of things I had no idea existed!
I kept this list in the back of my head because I knew I would need it someday. Yep sure enough here we are 2 years and I am 20 weeks pregnant with my first baby. My husband and I went to Buy Buy Baby yesterday to just get a feel of the big ticket stuff we might need (strollers, car seats, cribs) man oh man was it overwhelming! I’m so glad to have this list just so I can get the basics. :)
Congratulations on the new baby – so exciting! So glad to hear the list was helpful too – I remember that overwhelmed feeling well!
Such lovely gifts. I have bought some gifts a month ago from Ginger Kids for the birthday of my niece. I bought some bibs, baby thermometer and baby backseat mirror. Do you think this presents are the best?
I LOVE the family channel…aka, the BABY channel!! I would love to read more posts about baby! Like, what your days look like, nursing, what you did during pregnancy to get your body ready, etc?
As a working/pumping mama, the one thing I wish I would have gotten is a 2nd hand-operated pump to keep in the car for “emergencies.”
I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally left a vital piece to the pump at home and had to drive all the way back just to pump! If you are missing the tubes, flanges or breast shields the pump is useless, and I never could get the hang of hand expressing.
Thanks for taking the time to create this list! We just started trying for our first baby (yeep!) and hopefully this list will come in handy soon :)
Thank you so much for this. This is a fabulous list! I added several things to my registry. :-)
The only piece of advice I ever give people when it comes to registering is to make sure that most of your items are available IN THE STORE – not just on the website! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run to Babies-R-Us the day before a shower, printed off the registry list and saw that 90% of the items were “online only”. It’s not like weddings where guests buy gifts way in advance and have them shipped. People like to buy & wrap baby gifts in person, and it’s often last minute!
I have 4 boys and I want to share my favorite secret to all the new moms: buy Target brand diapers!! I was a Pampers mom, but once our twins were born, a dear friend told me about how awesome Target diapers were! They are half the price, but they work just as well as Pampers! Even overnight!
Just a heads up, I found this info on the Bundle Me when I was searching for one online the other day… http://thecarseatlady.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/aftermarket/
You CAN alter them to make them safe, so it’s not a total waste if you already bought one! We want Lincoln snug and safe!!
I couldn’t live without my Bob Stroller! Definitely helps with getting out of the house and exercising. Starting at 5 months, my son and I have spent many, many, many hours running! When he was really little, it was the best way to get him to take a “long nap” (for him!) of about 45 minutes! He is 4 and a half and his favorite “Mom and Jacob” activity is still to go for a run. Now he is big enough that he can get out at different points and jog along side me. So_much_fun!
I would suggest registering for a 1 and ONLY 1 of a few different types of pacifiers. You never know what baby will like, and it would suck (no pun intended)to have a ton of pacifiers your baby won’t use. (My first son would only use a single type of paci. My second refused them and would only use a single different type of paci!). I would also caution against registering for wipes in bulk, as some babies will have really sensitive skin and react to different wipes. Know what your baby wants and tolerates before stocking up.
this is so helpful, thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Gotta ask…how do I NOT get the baby channel. I’m signed up for IGE and get those emails but I’m also getting the “family channel”. Does every IGE subscriber also get the family channel ? No offense, but I’m not really interested in baby stuff.
I love that you have four baby carriers listed! They are so very handy throughout babyhood and into the toddler years! Three of the carriers listed (K’tan, Bjorn and Moby)are not very comfortable for the caregiver after about 15-16 lbs. I like to spend money on carriers that will last a bit longer than that. The Ergo is great! And there are also others like the Boba, a nice Mei Tai like a Babyhawk, or our own local maker, Wallypop. Ring slings are my absolute favorite for infants through toddlers, and nothing compares to a woven wrap! I still wear my 35lb toddler in our Bamberoo! When you have your little one, please check out our local Babywearing group (Des Moines Babywearing) and we can help out with the learning curve!