MOMBRAINMONDAYS

Things to Put On Your Baby Registry That Are Actually Useful

As a new mom, you are going to have so many things accumulating, even if you go about it with a minimalist mindset, because babies need stuff. So much stuff. Everyone is going to tell you need this and you need that- suddenly you end up with stuff collecting dust in the garage. So, I am going to skip that completely for you and tell you the things I actually used within the first year after having a baby.

Credentials: I have a 17 month old and a 3 month old.

Below is a list of all the items I think are absolutely necessary to buy for your first baby with links to the one I have tried & tested or would buy in place of the one I did use.

I used Babylist to create my registry- it makes it really easy to link all of your items and share with family and friends (not affiliated with Babylist, I genuinely just loved using them).

Baby Registry Must-haves:

TRAVEL

  • Travel System SHOP HERE (this one is super easy to use and compact, it doubles as a car seat and it converts to a toddler stroller and a double stroller)
  • Diaper Bag SHOP HERE (this one is also a changing station and a backpack)
  • Sunhat SHOP HERE
  • Carseat Cover* ( I just use a knitted blanket that was gifted to us)
  • Swaddle or Receiving Blanket SHOP HERE
  • Baby Wrap SHOP HERE (this one is the easiest one to use)
  • Portable Water Warmer SHOP HERE (this is an absolute game changer for on the go bottle warming) alternatively, you can use a YETI with hot water from home, but it’s not as good as the warmer.
  • Travel Change Pad SHOP HERE * some diaper bags come with them already
  • Travel Booster Seat SHOP HERE (this one helps support good posture for your baby).
  • Pacifier Clips SHOP HERE
  • Baby winter coat (1 in the size they will fit in during winter) SHOP HERE
  • Baby winter hat SHOP HERE
  • Misting Stroller Fan SHOP HERE (not only do you need this for summer days but for the zoo or the beach you will be so glad you have this).

SLEEP

  • Bedsite Bassinet SHOP HERE (I wish I could Amazon Prime this to my past self when I had my first baby).
  • Crib/Toddler Bed Combo SHOP HERE
  • Crib Mattress SHOP HERE (make sure it is the right size for the crib you get)
  • Crib sheets 1-2 SHOP HERE (make sure they are the right size for the mattress you get)
  • Mesh bumpers SHOP HERE
  • White noise machine SHOP HERE
  • VELCRO swaddles 0-3 months SHOP HERE
  • Zipadee Zip 3-6 months & 6-9 months SHOP HERE (this thing helped my baby sleep through the night at 3 months).
  • Sleep Sack 9-12 months SHOP HERE

PLAY

  • Swing SHOP HERE (my baby loves this thing).
  • Tummy time pillow SHOP HERE (I love this one because it comes with high contrast toys which are so good for newborns).
  • Activity Gym (key for development 0-5 months) SHOP HERE or SHOP HERE
  • Recliner Chair (also essential for after baby eats, keeps them upright to digest) SHOP HERE
  • Playpen SHOP HERE or LARGE playpen (mom tip: put a floor bed in there to nap while baby plays) SHOP HERE
  • Foam Floor Tiles SHOP HERE
  • Jumping Activity Centre SHOP HERE (6 months-12 months- strengthens their legs and keeps them busy)
  • Toy Bin SHOP HERE (they also have cute options at Winners)
  • Helmet SHOP HERE (this may seem unnecessary but this was the best money I ever spent while my child was learning to crawl and walk- it saved her from bumping her head so many times).
  • Essential developmental toys like rattles, blocks and rings, touch and feel books.

DIAPERING

  • Wipes (fragrance free sensitive ones is what I use) SHOP HERE
  • Diaper Cream (THIS IS A GOOD ONE)SHOP HERE
  • Non-petroleum jelly (what I use most of the time) SHOP HERE
  • Cloth or disposable diapers of your choice in different sizes SHOP HERE
  • Wipeable change pad SHOP HERE
  • Diaper Genie SHOP HERE & Diaper Genie Refills SHOP HERE

BREASTFEEDING

  • Boppy Pillow & cover SHOP HERE (especially for learning to breastfeed, this helps a lot).
  • Travel Nursing Cover SHOP HERE (I also use this as a carseat cover on warmer days).

BOTTLE FEEDING / FORMULA

  • Baby Breeza Formula Pro (This thing saved my life with my first baby. it’s basically a Nespresso for babies) SHOP HERE
  • Anti-Colic bottles SHOP HERE (You can use the glass ones or plastic ones just make sure they are BPA free. Dr Bronners or NUK are the best for anti-colic bottles. I would recommend getting 6-8 bottles to limit the amount that you have to wash them).
  • You will also need bottle nipples of different sizes for the bottles you choose. SHOP HERE
  • Bottle Warmer SHOP HERE

PUMPING

  • A good pump- this is the one that I used and I pumped so much milk that I needed to clear out the freezer SHOP HERE
  • Milk bags SHOP HERE
  • Hakkaa Lady Bug and Hakkaa (to catch let down from other breast) SHOP HERE
  • Mini fridge * optional but useful for late night pumps SHOP HERE
  • Cooler bag for breast milk on the go SHOP HERE

WASHIING & STERILIZING

  • UV light portable sterilizer SHOP HERE
  • Wash basin SHOP HERE
  • Baby dish soap SHOP HERE
  • Bottle brushes SHOP HERE
  • Bucket for dirty bottles (no link because I would just get this at the dollar store)
  • Sterilizer bags (good for quick pacifier sterilizing or to sterilize at someone’s house) SHOP HERE
  • Sterilizer SHOP HERE
  • Bottle Rack SHOP HERE
  • Distilled water (no link because you can get this at the grocery store or Walmart)

FEEDING

  • Burp cloths * could also just use receiving blankets SHOP HERE
  • Bibs SHOP HERE
  • 1 set of bowl, plate & spoons SHOP HERE
  • Bottle handle SHOP HERE (This is great to transition baby to sippy cup)
  • Highchair SHOP HERE (this one is easy to use and clean, converts to a toddler booster seat and has a pull out tray to rest the bowl on). SHOP HERE (this is a more aesthetically pleasing version but a bit pricier).

FOR MAMA

  • Breast pads SHOP HERE
  • Nipple butter (this one is the best one) SHOP HERE
  • Nursing bras 2-3(tip: order bigger because your bra size will increase) SHOP HERE
  • Nursing tanks 1-2 SHOP HERE
  • Comfortable nursing tops (in a bigger size) SHOP HERE and dresses SHOP HERE
  • 1 going out nursing dress/outfit SHOP HERE
  • Breast Warming Pads SHOP HERE (or you can microwave a sock with rice in it, tied at the end).
  • Favour: Postpartum Doula Services (having friends and family pitch in for a doula to come help you during the night for the first 3 nights will help you so much).
  • Favour: Postpartum Meal Train (homemade meals that you don’t have to cook after having a baby makes such a difference).
  • I didn’t include a postpartum kit on here because it wasn’t something I personally felt comfortable putting on my registry. If you’d like to see a post about postpartum healing essentials & the process I did to heal fast, comment on this post or email me.

NURSERY

  • Nightlight SHOP HERE
  • Name Sign * optional SHOP HERE
  • Glider or Rocking Chair SHOP HERE
  • Rolling Cart SHOP HERE
  • Over The Door Caddy SHOP HERE
  • Baby Monitor SHOP HERE (This one does not connect to WIFI which will keep EMFs away from your baby and help you both sleep better at night).

CLOTHES

  • Onesies/Undershirts Short sleeved (5- 10 in each size) SHOP HERE
  • Onesies/Undershirts Long sleeved (1-3 in each size) SHOP HERE
  • Two Way Zip Sleepers with fold over mitts (3-5 in each size) SHOP HERE
  • Sweater (1 in each size) SHOP HERE (These are super cute because they are personalized!) SHOP HERE (this is a versatile option).
  • Baby socks SHOP HERE

LAUNDRY

KEEPSAKES* Optional but nice to have

TEETHING

BATH/CARE

FIRST AID

ORGANIZERS

  • Packing cubes SHOP HERE (I recommend these for diaper bag organization- especially with multiples or 2 under 2).
  • Under the bed storage for clothing storage SHOP HERE or vacuum seal bags for clothing storage SHOP HERE
  • Diaper Caddies SHOP HERE and Nursing Caddies SHOP HERE
  • Baskets & bins – you can get these cheap at the dollar store, winners, thrifting.

Cute to have for new moms!

What NOT to put on a baby registry

  • Stain remover: just use mix equal parts dish soap, water and hydrogen peroxide
  • Pacifiers: babies tend to like one particular brand (my first loved the NUKs, my second loved Itsy Ritzy. You don’t want to have a ton of pacifiers that are unusable. I would purchase those yourself so you know what to buy a lot of. In my experience, the more pacifiers the better because they will go missing.
  • Tons of clothes: people always gift outfits- I wouldn’t put too much on your registry. You can always buy what you need after you have the baby if anything.
  • Shoes: your baby will not need shoes until they are walking. They are cute but they fall off within minutes and you will be more annoyed with them than anything.
  • Wipe Warmer: I have one, I used it once. It’s nice but honestly, your baby will get used to the feel of the wipe.
  • Change Table: I either used the change pad directly on the bed, the couch or on the floor. I had a change table and got rid of it within 2 months because my baby was too big for it. If you feel that you DO need this, I would instead get a dresser and just put the change pad on top that way you can at least use it to store baby’s clothes after.
  • Baby Food Making Things: This may be a short lived endeavour once you discover that the organic baby food pouches you can buy in store are a pretty good option.
  • Things they won’t use in the first year: there is Christmas and their first birthday party where they will be given these things, if you want to avoid having too much stuff in storage, don’t stock up on these just yet.
  • Hair-ties & bows : your baby could be bald for all you know. My children had a ton of hair- and these definitely came in handy with my girl but you could always get these within the first few months if needed.
  • High Stimulating Toys: Especially for the first year, you want to avoid things that are over stimulating to prevent ADHD in kids. This includes toys that have too many colours, sounds and patterns.

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