The Baby Registry I Wish I’d Had

So we had a baby. Like many (…all?…) first-time parents, we found the baby registry process incredibly overwhelming. Swaddles? Bottles? Carseat? Stroller? Feeding system(s)??? Based on extensive research pre-baby as well as several years of hindsight (and baby #2 on the way!), this is the baby registry I wish I’d had from the get-go: baby essentials, recommendations, nursery ideas. And also thoughts about what to skip.

This post is on the longer side (just updated September 2023), but there’s a handy table of contents for hopping around. And I’ve tried to explain exactly why each item is on the registry, if it’s something I consider to be essential or more of a “nice-to-have,” and from where to purchase (lots from Amazon & Target…shocking).

If you’re looking for a much shorter list of must-haves, check out this post I put together this summer just after welcoming home our second baby!

Estimated reading time: 20 minutes

Heads up! This post contains affiliate links, and at no cost to you, I will be compensated if you click a link that I’ve shared. Thanks!

A Little About Our Fam

We’re a family of four. We live in a small house with limited storage. Our preference is little clutter, and I like to think we’ve KonMari’d our lives (but also…MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR with clutter once baby comes home from the hospital).

Of course, all babies and mamas/families are quite different, so aspects of one’s registry will always be a bit of trial and error.

I breastfeed (now again, with our second) and went back to work when our daughter was three and a half months old. We’re pretty active (I teach and practice yoga and we also run/gym/hike), regularly use the running trail that’s a few blocks from our house, and enjoy Downtown Leesburg – awesome restaurants, wineries, & breweries – weekly, baby in tow.

My hope is that something I’ve shared here will help to make this a smidge less overwhelming.

Which Baby Registry??

Amazon…but of course

I should have just opted for Amazon’s registry: it’s so simple.

Families who sign up for Amazon’s universal registry get a free welcome box, free returns for 90 days, and save 15% on eligible items. And the registry supports group gifting. Can’t go wrong.

Babylist?

I chose to create my registry on Babylist, which, for the most part, worked really well:

• You can include items from all over the inter-webs in one place,
• Various purchase and price options are shown to your family and friends for comparison before they purchase, and
• As long as folks check-off ‘reserved,’ it’s really easy to keep track of who bought what (for thank you cards and/or birth announcements).

TRANSPORTING BABY (Section 1 of 8)

Transportation Registry Quick-List

More Details on the Transportation Registry Items Listed Above:

• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Chicco Viaro Travel System
• The stroller/car seat system are truly easy to use. Click in, click out, and one hand fold. Here’s what the site has to say:
  • “The Viaro stroller has a sleek three-wheel design, lightweight aluminum frame, and one-hand quick fold. (A pull-strap and button are conveniently tucked under the seat and easy to activate simultaneously for a compact, free-standing fold.)”
  • “The KeyFit^® 30 is engineered with innovative features that make it the easiest infant car seat to install simply, accurately, and securely, every time. For alternate installation with the vehicle seat belt, clear belt routing and integrated lock-offs make it easy to position, tighten and lock the belt into place.”
• No, this is not a convertible car seat (protecting your rear-facing infant from 4-40 lb and your forward facing toddler from 22-65 lb), but good to note that babies are now supposed to stay in rear-facing carseats for as long as weight/height will allow, even if they’re over two-years-old. I have also linked a convertible carseat below.
• This car mirror for rear-facing car seat has been great to keep eyes on her.

If you go with a Chicco car seat, it’s a great idea to have an additional car seat base on your registry:

• KeyFit Infant Car Seat Base
  • BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
  • The carseat, above, comes with one base, and so this would be the second (the bases stay in their respective cars, and the car seat clicks in and clicks out if different partners/adults are transporting baby)
  • When my parents saw this whole setup, they were floored. LOL. They said that NOTHING so simple existed for my brother or me about ~30ish years ago

And here’s a helpful video that shows how to install the Chicco carseat (which my dad and I viewed to install both car seat bases!):

• NextFit Max Zip Air Convertible Car Seat – Vero
  • BABY REGISTRY NICE-TO-HAVE
  • This is the convertible carseat to add to your registry (…especially for anyone who wants to purchase for you now!). You’ll want a convertible seat for when baby outgrows their rear-facing seat and begins to face forward. Again, many two-year-olds still face backward, but it all depends on the weight and height of your little one.
  • This seat is designed for children between 4-65 lbs. and up to 49″ tall. (So yes, technically, this is an infant seat, too, but I preferred the click in, click out system with stroller, as noted above for easy transitions with small baby.)

• Car Seat Protector
• NICE-TO-HAVE
• Helps protect car’s fabric underneath the car seat

• Car Seat & Nursing Cover
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Multi-functional: car seat cover, stroller cover, nursing cover, burp cloth
  • I used this every day during maternity leave when I’d head out for a walk (to block sun, highly interested strangers, bugs…)

• Stroller Organizer
• NICE-TO-HAVE
• Holds the essentials: water bottle, baby bottle, keys, phone, etc.
• Easy to put on/take off with velcro
• Here’s a bit fancier (leather) option (shown here in PINK lol) that I have in black

• Moby Ring Sling Baby Carrier
• NICE-TO-HAVE
• Some new moms swear by a ring-sling. I liked having one, but I actually found that I used the Ergo 360 (below) more than the ring sling…even around the house
• I think it’s still smart to have a cloth sling for really early on (when baby wants so much mama/skin-to-skin).
• This one is lightweight, breathable, and neutral gray

• Ergobaby Omni 360: All Carry Positions Ergonomic Baby Carrier, Pearl Gray
• NICE-TO-HAVE (but essential for our family)
• For brand new babies up through 45 pounds (about 36 months)
• I find this carrier easiest on my back, and P really loves facing inward toward me — lots of naps have happened here

• Backpack Diaper Bag
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Just a really cute diaper bag/backpack, this one from Amazon
• Two insulated pockets
• Other pockets can hold everything else (wallet, phone, keys, chapstick)
• Easy to wear & husband loves it, too
• Less expensive (and smaller!!) option? This backpack.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (Section 2 of 8)

THAT SHOULD MAKE LIFE WITH BABY EASIER

Household Registry Quick-List

More Details on the Household Registry Items Listed Above

• Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• We considered the Halo Swivel Sleeper among several other bassinets
  • We wanted something portable, not too big, cost-friendly, and easily storable once she’d outgrow the bassinet
  • I read reviews of the Halo that said it was just kind of giant and not easy to move from place-to-place; our bedroom isn’t that big, so I searched for something both sturdy but also moveable/storable
  • It does look like Halo now offers a ‘travel bassinet,’ something that can move right up to the bed and looks much more manageable than the larger Halo. There are, though, negative reviews about a slight tilt to this bassinet.
• We love the flat mattress cushion, all-mesh siding, color, easy setup, under bassinet storage, and lightness — easy to move up close to the bed or put anywhere else, really

SNOO?

Figured I’d add in a section about the Snoo bassinet, for rent or for purchase from Happiest Baby. If you’ve been online and around any baby registries, you’ve already likely come across the Snoo.

This baby, we’ve opted to rent, and I’m honestly so happy we did. It’s the only sleeper that’s been approved for safe sleep by the FDA, and our second has been sleeping so well in it.

You can learn more about rental or purchase options on Happiest Baby’s site!

• Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Neutral baby seat that can move from room-to-room & keep baby entertained whilst you cook or shower: bounces, easy to assemble
• At first, P couldn’t reach the toys, which was kind of hilarious…but soon enough she was able to bat the little doodads around with solid thwacks
• Budget friendlier option? (Or if you want to have more than one in the house?) Fisher Price Baby’s Bouncer

• Graco Soothe ‘n Sway Baby Swing with Portable Rocker
• BABY REGISTRY NICE-TO-HAVE
• Swing seat doubles as a portable rocker and has carry handles to keep baby with you
• Side-to-side or front-to-back swinging options
• Adjustable swing speeds
• 3-position recline means finding just the right angle to keep baby comfortable and 2-speed vibration helps to soothe baby

• Door Jumper
• BABY REGISTRY NICE-TO-HAVE
• Hours upon hours upon HOURS of entertainment in this thing whilst I cook/do stuff in the kitchen
• Requires a doorway that has a “lip” on either side
• Really sturdy fit over that lip (it’s hard for me to take on/off of the doorframe…maybe also because I’m not tall)

• Boppy Nursing Pillow in Black/Gold
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• I <3 Boppy
• I’ve used this every day since the hospital…and sometimes as a pillow between my legs when I sleep

• Hatch Baby Rest Nightlight & Sound Machine
• So NICE-TO-HAVE
• Night light with soft lighting in a variety of colors
• Sound machine with soothing sounds (like rain and ocean)
• Perfect for nightstands and nighttime feedings when some light is required to be a semi-functioning human
• Works with an app (…so when you’re downstairs midday feeding the baby and you hear rain but it’s def not raining, you can turn Hatch off with your phone…)

• Skip Hop Portable Changing Mat
• NICE-TO-HAVE
• I keep this + some diapers in a bin in our living room (the main changing station is upstairs in the nursery); in a pinch, it’s great to have a second changing station or throw this in a backpack/keep in the car

• RIP to the Rock n’Play 🙁
• We used it almost every day so were a bit terrified to learn about its widespread recall

Some other thoughts on household baby items:

• We did receive a DockaTot. But as it’s not safe for a baby to sleep in one, I don’t recommend.

IN BABY’S NURSERY (Section 3 of 8)

Nursery Registry Quick-List

More Details on the Nursery Registry Items Listed Above

• Babyletto Lolly 3-in-1 Crib, White/Natural
• TOTAL SPLURGE/great group registry gift
• It’s beautiful
• Easy to assemble
• Converts to toddler and then day-bed
• The bottom is also high enough to house storage bins like these — I used several along the bottom to store extra wipes, books, and other baby essentials

• Crib Mattress
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Firm & lightweight crib mattress
• Fits standard-sized cribs and toddler beds
• Here’s the mattress protector we use atop it

• Muslin Crib Sheet
• NICE-TO-HAVE
• Also awesome?
  • This QuickZip Sheet
  • Why buy it?
    • The sheet has essentially two parts: the wraparound base, which only has to be washed every-so-often, and then an easy-to-zip on/off top sheet. When the top sheet is spit up or peed or pooped on or otherwise NO LONGER CLEAN, it’s super easy to zip ONLY that top part off, throw that in the wash, and then zip it back on — without wrestling with the entire fitted sheet/mattress.

• Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Easy to set up
• Great clarity/sound, especially at night
• Peace of mind

• Skip Hop Baby Changing Pad, Waterproof | Light Grey
• SO NICE-TO-HAVE
• I wasn’t sure if we should do a traditional changing “pad” or this somewhat sturdier, wipeable changing table topper. So pleased we went with this:
  • Easy to wipe clean with disinfectant (i.e. we’re not washing changing pad covers every day)
  • Looks cute in the nursery. 😀
  • Doesn’t skid/sits easily on Penelope’s dresser (and although this dresser was a beast to assemble, looks great and will morph easily into a kid’s dresser when diapers are no longer a thing)

• Skip Hop Baby Play Gym
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Garden-themed (super cute design) & soft quilted mat with multiple textures
• 17-plus developmental activities to engage baby’s senses with music and sounds
• Or, looking to spend a bit more?
  • The Play Gym by Lovevery
  • NICE-T0-HAVE
  • Designed to grow with baby and has fun developmental cards/ideas for “baby play,” developed by child development folks
  • P loves batting the toys that hang from the wooden bars and got a kick out of the high contrast cards and crinkly paper
  • Mat is machine-washable, and the whole gym is really easy to move around, from nursery to living room and back
• Looking to spend less?
  • Cute rainbow-themed design

• Soho Comfort Swivel Glider
  • NICE-TO-HAVE
  • We love having this glider/rocker in the nursery and still use it as a reading chair
  • It’s gotten tons of use rocking, nursing, pumping, and reading
  • Super comfortable and great for taller people (my husband is 6’4 & loves it)
  • Design-wise, we love its look in our Tucson/succulent-inspired space
  • Ours has a slightly greyer hue that I’ve not been able to find for a few years; linked above is a beautiful cream shade!

DIAPERING BABY (Section 4 of 8)

Diapering Registry Quick List

It’s important to have diapers and wipes in your registry. A diaper pail is a nice-to-have. And hopefully, fam & friends will think to buy you diapers and wipes. But good to have some on there, and diapers of varying sizes, just in case.

• DIAPERS
  • We love Pampers Pure
  • On our baby registry, I think I asked for 1 box of Newborn, 4 boxes of size 1, and 5 boxes of size 2…and honestly, this is always a bit of a guessing game, depending on size of baby at birth
• WIPES
  • We also love Pamper’s Sensitive Wipes
• DIAPER PAIL
  • We were gifted an older, hand-me-down Diaper Munchkin that I don’t think they make anymore, which works great
  • This one is very pretty in the nursery and practical (aka solid STEEL lol) eliminating baby smells

BACK TO WORK & DAYCARE (Section 5 of 8)

These items have been especially helpful as I’ve transitioned back to work and P has transitioned to daycare.

And, even if you’re not headed back to work out of the home, I imagine the registry items below could be helpful when out and about or traveling longer distances with baby.

Back to Work/Daycare Quick List

MORE DETAILS ON THE BACK to WORK & DAYCARE REGISTRY ITEMS LISTED ABOVE

• Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Starter Kit
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL (for my pumping needs)
• Had no idea which pumping “system,” if any, I’d use; I read a bunch of reviews and finally decided to try the Kiinde system. Loved it.
  • Kiinde allows you to pump directly into bags; the bags then “snap” into bottles and a nipple (slow, medium, or fast flow) is attached directly to the top of the bag/bottle for feedings
  • Given the number of things I have going on in the morning (always trying to get in a yoga practice or run, daycare ready-ing, eating something…), I love that I 1) don’t have to transfer milk bags into bottles, and 2) there’s much less washing of things (just pump parts and the nipple each evening; during the work day, I store pump parts in the fridge and P’s daycare stores the nipple in the fridge)
  • The Kiinde bags are recyclable
  • The starter kit comes with adapters for various pumps, including the Spectra S2 Plus — which I received for no cost through my health insurance…love this powerful & efficient pump and how easily it works with the Kiinde system
  • I pump three times a day while at work, which typically means three bags in one day (once milk has been combined) Monday through Friday
  • Bags add up: I suggest putting the Kiinde storage bags themselves on your baby registry if you decide to go with Kiinde
• All in all, what’s included in the starter kit?
  • 20 bags
  • The Direct-Pump adapters (for all major pump brands)
  • A milk organizer (shelving for bags in the fridge)
  • 2 bottle shells
  • 1 Slow Flow Active Latch Nipple, 1 Medium Flow Active Latch Nipple, and 1 Fast Flow Active Latch Nipple, each with a case,
  • 2 nipple brushes
• Also helpful?
  • Kiinde Twist Cooler Bag
  • Cooler has cold-pack inserts and can fit six to ten milk bags; milk stays cold all day
  • Fits easily into my pumping bag — one of the things I bring to/from work every day

• Sarah Wells Kelly Convertible Breast Pump Bag & Backpack | Black and White
• SO NICE-TO-HAVE (and if breastfeeding, a pumping bag/backpack is essential)
• $125 (although when I purchased this for myself, it was near Amazon Prime Day in July, and I got it for ~$80)
• I love this bag because it can fit my Spectra S2 Plus pump, my Kiinde cooler (see above), my laptop, pumping bags, pumping parts, some chargers, a change of yoga clothes, and my wallet
• It gets a bit packed to the brim when it’s all in in there, but it’s a great backpack thus far (with backpack straps), and I’d recommend it to any new mama making the transition back to work
• Of course, Amazon and Target and many other stores are riddled with awesome-looking pumping bags…here’s another super cute/practical one for under $40! Just read the reviews and be sure it fits your pump/needs.

MAMA-FRIENDLY CLOTHING (Section 6 of 8)

4 Recommendations:

• Bravado Nursing Bra aka my FAVE BRA EVER
• A nursing bra is a BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• Great support
• Super comfortable
• I was a 34B prior to baby, and I ordered a medium, which is perfect (read the sizing guidelines about sizing up)
• Bought black because….less stains
• I also wear this bra to work most days and find that I don’t actually need a pumping bra — I can just stick the pump’s flanges in this bra and still have hands-free

• The BEST nursing camis
  • BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
  • Super comfortable
  • I ordered size small in the three-pack black:
    • I’m 5’4
    • ~150 pounds at nine months, cup size C/D
    • ~127 – 130 pounds, cup size C when not pregnant but breastfeeding
    • Bra straps are adjustable
  • Have this pack of three in constant rotation — wore one probably every day whilst on maternity leave
  • Perfect alone or with a sweater
  • Easy nursing access
  • And I can also pump in these, again propping the flanges inside the bra area to have hands-free

• My favorite “now I have bigger boobs and need a more supportive bra for workouts” bra
  • Really NICE-TO-HAVE
  • $49
  • Multiple colors & sizes (and Athleta is great for all bra size-needs)
  • Equally awesome for yoga

• My favorite high-waisted, belly-hugging, workout/athleisure leggings
  • Really NICE-TO-HAVE
  • $26
  • I usually wear a small in yoga pants, but I bought these in a medium and have loved this decision
  • Wear these for lounging, yoga, and running
  • Love how they hug the booty & belly, especially post-baby belly
  • Have a nice phone pocket, too (when running around the house or holding baby and need to be an octopus)

BATH TIME, HYGIENE, & BABY HEALTH (Section 7 of 8)

Family & friends loved gifting us a variety of bath-time products (like shampoos, baby wash, lotions, etc.), so there seems to be less of a need to put a ton of these products on the baby registry.

What’s here, though, are what we use a lot – consider them all to be pretty essential for baby – and what fam & friends didn’t necessarily purchase for us.

Target Run: Bath Time, Hygiene, & Health Registry Essentials Under $20

• Baby BathTub that fits in our kitchen sink
• Fave shampoo & body wash
• Baby-friendly laundry detergent (that’s not Dreft)
• Baby-friendly dryer sheets
• Digital thermometer (to be used under arm, under tongue, or rectally) or forehead variation
• NoseFrida aspirator (the “Snotsucker”) (way gross but WAAAAAAAY helpful for really clogged noses)
• Windi the Gaspasser (even grosser but just wait…super handy when baby can’t poop; and yes, the rectal thermometer will do the trick, too)
• Butt paste! (thick and soothing)
• Aquaphor (great for under-the-neck that will likely get red/irritated from baby’s chin being close to the chest, milk/drool getting stuck, and alllllll those rolls rubbing together)
• Boogie Wipes — they’re made with saline and aloe, perfect for stuffy noses

BABY CLOTHES & SWADDLES (Section 8 of 8)

I’ve put these toward the bottom of the baby registry guide for a reason – I found that more than anything else, people attending baby showers go rogue from the baby registry to purchase a) really cute onesies/outfits from Target or Carter’s, b) beautiful muslin swaddles, and c) adorable drool bibs. ALL of which are lovely and appreciated.

However, I found that I was missing other baby essentials, like practical swaddles (read LOTS and LOTS OF VELCRO or the NESTED BEAN) and the ideal jammies (read LOTS and LOTS OF ZIPPERS BC NO NO NO BUTTONS).

Baby Clothing & Swaddles Registry Quick-List

MORE DETAILS ON THE CLOTHING & SWADDLE REGISTRY ITEMS LISTED ABOVE

• SwaddleMe Original Swaddles
• BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIAL
• This pack comes with three
• Some reviews complain that the velcro wears too quickly, although we never had that issue:
  • Three in rotation seem a good solution to that
  • When putting these in the wash, be sure to attach the velcro — helps it stay stickier longer and prevent catching other clothes
• These TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF SWADDLING 😀 — I found these WAAAY easier than the beautiful muslin swaddles (like the ones below…that I ended up using for burp cloths or blankies because re-swaddling sans velcro at 2:48am IS IMPOSSIBLE
• These ensure snug-ness up top, securing the arms of tiny escape artists while still allowing hips/legs to move and wiggle

• aden + aden Silky Soft Swaddles
• NICE-TO-HAVE
• These are THE softest
• As mentioned above, these were really hard for me to use as actual swaddles (…also pretty sure I’m just terrible at swaddling…) and better for burp cloths/lightweight blankies for the stroller or carseat

• Love To Dream Swaddle UP Original
• Really NICE-TO-HAVE
• A happy-medium swaddle situation! Baby’s arms are secured, starfish style, but they still have good movement and BONUS look like adorable little boxers
• Did not receive one of these and wish I had

OTHER CLOTHING-ESQUE BABY REGISTRY RECOMMENDATIONS

• JAMMIES/SLEEP N’ PLAYS
  • Jammies (with zippers!!) — these are just so easy for daytime, sleep-time, and daycare (if baby is going to daycare)
  • More zippers, please: organic footie jammies
  • The jammies with a zipper AND built-in mittens; babies have talon nails, and the built in mittens are really helpful to that end.
• ONESIES/PANTS/SOCKS
  • Onesies from Primary! Love the quality (like thick, nice fabric), neutrality, & simplicity of their baby clothes. They also often offer coupons & 20% off first order.
  • SOCKS! Stayed on well until P found her feet and decided to pull them off…
• MISC.
  • More cute swaddle blankets
  • Drool bibs
  • Some burp cloths

Are these baby registry suggestions helpful? If yes, please share this post and save to Pinterest!

Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Please comment below!