Baby Registry Checklist

This is the list that I give all my friends when they are pregnant with their first child. Registering for the first time can be very overwhelming so this list at least gives them somewhere to start and firsthand recommendations. I am not an expert but this is what worked for me. I have updated it through the years as preferences have changed. You can use this as a guide and a baby registry checklist.

(This post contains affiliate links which do not cost you anything extra to click on but I might earn a small commission)

Baby Registry Options

My top 3 recommended places for a Baby Registry are Amazon, BuyBuy Baby and Target. They all have a good variety and give shoppers the ability to shop online. The Amazon Baby Registry has some amazing benefits besides letting anyone shop anywhere for you and your baby. When you first sign up you will receive a welcome box with up to $35 worth of baby and parent products. You can also add any item from any site to your Amazon registry using the Universal Registry. If you are a prime member (which I HIGHLY recommend) then you will receive a 15% completion discount on eligible items that were not purchased when you complete your registry. There is also a free 90-day return on most items purchased from your registry.

Bedroom

• Crib mattress (We got the Milliard Crib Mattress dual comfort system)
• Mattress pad (2 is best so when you need to wash one you can put the other on).
• At least 2 fitted sheets
• Wipe warmer (I thought this was unnecessary but found it to be wonderful so baby gets a warm wipe on their bottom instead of a shocking cold one).
• Diaper stacker (not necessary but it makes grabbing diapers easier and depending on the one you get, it can also hold other items to keep everything organized). You could also use a basket. You just don’t want to be struggling to get a diaper out of a tightly packed diaper package when your baby is squirming.
• Diaper Genie
• Hangers for closet
• Blankets (some thin and some thick depending on weather).
• Diaper Rash Cream
• Changing pad for changing table
• Changing pad cover (2 so you can swap while washing)
• Baby books. The board books or soft books are best for when the baby is young because they are more durable.
• Baby monitor– one that has a video and you can speak back to the baby
• “Good Night Sleep Tight” by Kim West (we found this sleep training book to work wonders. I couldn’t recommend it more. Her approach is more in the middle of cry-it-out and never let your baby cry. It really teaches your little one how to put themselves back to sleep.)
• Humidifier
• Nightlight
• Diapers (We love the Pampers Swaddlers)
• Wipes (We love the Huggies Natural Care Unscented ones)

Nursery Furniture

• Rocking Chair (Glider)- preferably with a rocking ottoman (needs to be soft) You might be spending a lot of nights in this so it needs to be comfortable. We have been using ours for almost 10 years now and it is still holding strong.
• Changing Table
• Crib
• Dresser
• Bassinet or pack and play so the baby can sleep in your room the first 3-4 months

Bathroom

• Nasal Aspirator (sucker plunge I like to call it. You can usually take the ones from the hospital) (The NoseFrida is the best)
• Bath spout cover when you start using the main bathtub
• Baby nail clippers
• Diaper rash cream (Desitin or Aquaphor are great)
• Shampoo/body wash (I like Original Sprout or Burt’s Bees)
• Infant bathtub
• Baby bathtub
• Towels with hoods
• Washcloths
• Aquaphor– great to keep things like umbilical cord moist as it heels. Some babies/kids are allergic to Neosporin.
• Thermometer (Rectal is best for the first 1-2 years because it is most accurate.) My video here is one of the main reasons I recommend a rectal thermometer for kids under 2.
• Infant’s Tylenol (Babies can have Motrin after they are 6months)
• Gas drops/ Gripe water (not always necessary but good to have on hand)
• Baby Q-Tips (Johnson & Johnson safety swabs)
• Lotion (I love the Original Sprout Scrumptious cream)

Feeding

• Breast pump (I liked Medela Pump in Style)
• Bottles (the Medela ones were great at the beginning and then we switched to Avent)
• Micro steamer bags to clean bottles
• Bottlebrush
• Bottle soap– I like Babyganics foaming dish and bottle soap
• Lots of burp cloths (I like the white ones that are also cloth diapers or the organic Burts Bees ones)
• Highchair
• Bibs (I like the Bumkins waterproof ones for when the baby is 6mo+)
• Drool bibs (Bandana ones are cute)
• Dishwasher safe bowls and baby spoons for when solids start
• You can start baby oatmeal/Rice cereal at 4 months and solids start at around 6 months.

Clothing

• Baby socks (I like the Robeez Baby socks because they stay on better)
• Many sleep and play outfits (these are great for everyday use to keep baby comfortable)
• Hand mittens so that the newborn won’t scratch themselves as they learn how to use their hands
• At least 2 Swaddlers like the Summer brand ones. Depending on the temperature, there are thin cotton ones or fleece (I tried the Love to Dream Swaddle UP and loved it)
• Newborn little white snap shirts are great under the Swaddlers to make nighttime diaper changes easier
• We get a lot of our kids’ clothes at The Children’s place because the prices are excellent and the quality lasts.

Gear

• Baby Carrier (I liked the BabyBjorn)
• Strap covers for car seat
• Boppy with an extra cover (mostly for breastfeeding but also great to prop baby up during bottle-feeding or playtime) (If you have a 2 story house I recommend one for upstairs and one for downstairs)
• Baby Swing
• Exersaucer/Activity Center/Jumper
• Floor play mat (The Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym is great)
• Bouncer
• Car seat/base (1 base per car is helpful) If you use a hand me down car seat make sure it hasn’t been recalled or been in an accident.
• Car seat cover
• A large stroller that the infant seat fits into (I like the Chicco keyfit 30 system)
• Lightweight stroller eventually
• Window shade for car
• Diaper Bag (The backpack ones are awesome and better for your back) My post about what to pack in a diaper bag can be very helpful.
• Travel diaper changing mat (they can store about 3 diapers plus a container for wipes for you to have on hand as back-up) I keep mine in the car
• Pack and Play plus at least 1 sheet for it
• Shopping Cart Cover– I have an entire post that reviews why one is needed.

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Related Post- 50 Best Multicultural Baby Names

Extra

• Pacifiers (at least 3 if your baby uses them often. We liked the Wubbanub ones with animals attached)
• Teething toys (teething necklace for mom to wear is awesome)
• Toys and soft books (plastic keys or rings are great for on the go)
• Toy straps so toys don’t fall on the floor all the time (Baby buddy secure-a-toy)
• Baby Mirror for the car
• Shopping cart cover– I have a blog post that talks all about this and keeping your baby safe and comfortable.
• Baby laundry detergent (We use Dreft but if you use something else look for ones that are for sensitive skin).

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Mom

• Breastfeeding cover up
• Breast pads if you are breastfeeding (Medela has good ones)
• Nursing tops: soft tanks or shirts are great
• Lanolin (to help with sore nipples)
• Nursing bras
• For more tips and recommendations about breastfeeding you can read my post All Things Breastfeeding.

Related Post: Best Gifts for Kids by Age

Brands

• Chicco
• Burt’s Bees
• Aveeno
• Carters, Target or Children’s Place for clothes
• Original Sprout
• Infantino
• Robeez
• Earth’s Best
• Medela
• Little Twig
• Summer
• Green Toys