Baby gear can be very overwhelming. As a self-proclaimed minimalist, it was hard for me to believe that I really needed all the things you're supposed to register for and quite frankly, I didn't want to manage all of that clutter. There are also so many different items and brands out there that need to be researched.
Every one is different and every baby has different needs. There were some things I used religiously with Asher that I didn't use at all with Everett, and vice-versa. This is just my pared down version of what you actually need for your new bundle of joy. I've emailed this list to many of my expecting friends and while they may add a few items of their own, these are the basics.
I used Amazon for my baby registry and it was a breeze! Plus, who doesn't have Amazon? It's user-friendly for pretty much everyone.
Oh, before I dive into the things to add to your registry, some things to consider for your baby shower:
Have a diaper raffle! I didn't want to do this because I had a strict "no games" policy for my baby shower. I cannot and will not do another crossword puzzle or word scramble or prohibit everyone from saying the word "baby." But, I did do a diaper raffle and I don’t think I bought Asher diapers for the first 6 months of his life! I ended up liking Pampers brand the best, but it’s nice to get an assortment of brands so you can see what works best for you.
The bring a book instead of a card thing. You can get kid's books at HomeGoods or Marshalls for like $3.99, which is the same price as a card. We have a huge library now and kids who love reading because of this! I also love seeing the little notes from people in each book.
K, now let's begin.
On the go
Baby carrier. I love this one! I like that it has an actual clip strap so you aren’t just relying on tying something every which way, those can get confusing. Also grows with baby for a while compared to some others. It's easy to adjust and a neutral color, so my husband used it sometimes too!
Car mirror. Not going to lie, I thought this was just so baby could look at themselves for fun. Turns out, it's so you can see baby while you're driving in your rear view mirror!
Car seat cover. I didn't use mine too often because I had summer babies, but I can see it being more useful in the winter and flu season. Just don’t leave it on while you’re driving because baby can overheat and you wouldn’t see them! This one also shows use on a shopping cart which is cool, and they can be used as breastfeeding covers.
UPPAbaby Vista stroller/basinet + Mesa infant car seat. This is expensive, but it’s really a great stroller. The car seat clicks into the stroller and I love the bassinet that comes with it and also clicks into the stroller. You can buy a bassinet stand to use with this too so you could use it in your bedroom.
Bottles
Space-saving drying rack. I didn't have this one, but kinda wish I did!
Drying rack. I hate things being on my counters, and I didn't think I would ever use this thing. However, with pump parts, bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, teething toys, there's just a lot of things that are regularly washed. I started out with just putting everything on a dish towel until it dried, then I would tuck it away in a cabinet. But the things stayed on the counter more often then they were in the cabinet because they were constantly in use! So I gave in and still use this drying rack.
Formula dispenser. If you're not breastfeeding, this is essential for bottles on the go. I usually take two of these with me to be safe!
Bottles for formula. Love these Comotomo bottles! They come in both 5oz and 8oz but I recommend going straight for the 8oz for longevity. I only have two bottles and it's more than enough. *Bottles for breastmilk. I never breastfed and exclusively pumped for 9 months with Asher, 5 months with Everett. Pumping is not for everyone and I get that. For me, I liked the freedom it afforded me. I could provide my baby with breastmilk but still leave my 2.5 month old for a long weekend. I used the Medela Pump in Style, but check with your insurance to see what they provide. I ended up just getting a few extra of the Medela brand bottles that came with the pump so that I didn’t have to pump in one type of bottle, then transfer to another. You'll also need milk storage bags if you go the pumping route, and again I just went with Medela since that was my breast pump brand. It's also a good idea to get some extra valves (these are sturdier than the ones the pump comes with) and extra tubing (the ends can get loose and not provide as much suction). A strapless pumping bra and a car adapter for your pump are also must-haves for pumping on the go (read: while driving any and everywhere because that's the best time for an uninterrupted pumping session).
Bottle brush. Definitely recommend this one over one with a sponge as it lasts much longer! The sponge tends to get torn up when using so frequently.
Cleaning set. Newborns don't need straws and sippy cups just yet, but this is good to have because they'll get there sooner than you think! It's also good to use for cleaning pump parts, which will feel like a fulltime job so anything that helps!
Bottle soap. I've always used Babyganics bottle soap, but I'm sure there are others out there that do the trick just as well!
Play
Play gym. This is expensive for a play gym, but I absolutely love it and this entire brand. If you go to their website, they have toy subscription boxes as well. For Asher's first Christmas, his grandparents bought him the first year's worth of subscription boxes and I’ve literally never bought him any other toys. They come with books that tell you where your baby should be developmentally, things you can do with your baby, ways to use the toys, etc. They’re great and the toys are high quality! Highly recommend all things Lovevery!
Booster seat. I originally purchased a high chair because I read a review that it could just be taken outside and hosed down. SOLD. We had a counter height table though, so we eventually got this seat so that Asher could sit at the table with us. Everett has only ever used the seat. It takes up way less space and can be used at either our dining table or our island. It's also a little more portable for a stay at grandma's. It's great for him to sit in to eat, obviously, but we also use it when doing art projects at the table! This isn't something you'll need right away with a newborn, but you'll need it eventually so doesn't hurt to register for it! I prefer this one to the ones that are designed to help baby sit up because those have a hard piece between their legs. My kids had chunky thighs and that just wasn't going to work! This option grows with baby a little more than some others.
Baby swing. When you need to actually set your baby down for a moment... enough said.
Sleep gear
Nanit baby monitor. I had a different baby monitor with Asher and wasn't crazy about it, so I splurged on this one with Everett. I like it, but I wish it wasn't WiFi based because if you have an outage, you can't see your baby. Also, I wish it came with a separate viewing monitor rather than just using an app on your phone. You have to leave your phone plugged in all night and the app remains running. That can't be good for your battery! Luckily I had an old iPhone lying around, so I use that one for my monitor and don't have my actual phone running all night long. There's nothing wrong with this monitor, I've just had some lessons learned. We use this one with Asher now that he's a little older- no video, just sound.
Snuggle Me Organic Baby Lounger. This is not really a necessity, but I loved mine. I used it more with Asher than Everett, but they both used it. It's not recommended for use sleeping overnight, but I liked to keep it on my bed while baby was napping. I think it made them feel more snug.
Sound machine. I've literally ordered 7 of these and that is not an exaggeration. If there's one thing on this list that you order, make it be this. You don’t need a sound machine to be anything fancy, and I love that it's travel friendly because I literally take one everywhere. Both of my boys have one in their rooms, one at each grandparent's house, one for my diaper bag when we're on the go, one I keep in my toiletry bag for personal travel because hotel rooms are just too quiet, and one extra just in case one dies. Asher used his every night, 12 hours/night for 2.5 years before it finally gave out.
Magic Merlin Sleepsuit. This is for when baby is able to roll over and can no longer be swaddled at night. I used this with Asher for a while, but never used it with Everett because he just didn't need it. Like I said, every baby is different! You can probably wait on this to see how your baby does sleeping without a swaddle when the time comes.
Halo sleepsack wearable blanket. Again, for after your baby outgrows a swaddle but you still want them to have a blanket at night. Since regular blankets are a suffocation hazard, this is perfect. I've also heard it is good for keeping them from climbing out of their cribs once they're able because they can't swing their legs over the side. Asher didn't use these but Everett uses his every night. I'll keep you updated on the crib thing. ;)
Halo swaddles. Love these swaddles! The Velcro makes swaddling much easier than the burrito wrap method you learn in the hospital.
Taking Cara Babies. Cara is my bestie. I don't actually know her, but she's still one of my favorite people in the world. I gift all of my expectant mom friends a gift card for her First Five Months Bundle. It's life-saving for baby sleep techniques, but it's also so good for helping with that all important question: what the heck does a baby even do all day? As a person who likes organization and a schedule, this helped me get there, even during that hectic newborn phase. LOVE YOU CARA! *PS: this is the only link not from Amazon.
Pacifiers. Not all babies will take pacifiers, but don't NOT use them because you're afraid it will be impossible for your baby to give them up. They're a great tool for helping babies learn to fall asleep on their own, which according to my BFF Cara is essential. If your baby doesn't like a certain pacifier, that doesn't mean they won't like another so try a different brand.
Hygiene
Hatch Baby Grow Changing Pad & Scale. I just stuck this on top of Asher's dresser and it was good to go! It's easy to clean, so you don’t need to get cover for it. It's also a scale, which is super helpful for breastfeeding (especially in the beginning) because you can measure how much your baby is getting at every feeding. The app that you use with it helps you keep track of how much time you spend feeding or how many ounces, how many diapers baby has, and a bunch of other tracking stuff. So when you go to those first few doctor's appointments and they ask how many wet/dirty diapers baby has per day, you can give them a real number. It’s also nice to see that your baby is steadily gaining weight!
Washcloths. Not all washcloths are created equal. I got rid of all the other ones that I owned in favor of these. They're so soft!
Fridababy. I really only used the NoseFrida and the NailFrida, but you might like the other stuff in this kit too! Otherwise, you can buy them separately. I also love the Natural Vapor Bath Bombs for sick days!
Wipe dispenser. You probably don’t need a wipe warmer, but a wipe dispenser makes things easier at the changing table.
Diaper Genie. I've had two diaper pails, and the Diaper Genie is the superior option in terms of containing odors. You do have to use Diaper Genie refill bags which is not as convenient as grabbing a kitchen trash bag, but I think it's a fair tradeoff. We only use the Diaper Genie for those smelly diapers, so that cuts down on how often we need to refill it!
Ubbie Diaper Pail. This one gives you the convenience of using kitchen trash bags, but I don't think it contains odors as well. It's great for the newborn phase though when baby poop doesn't really smell all that terrible!
*NOT PICTURED* Thermometer. The one I have is no longer available on Amazon, so I can't recommend a specific one, but you should definitely have a good baby thermometer on hand. If anyone has one they can recommend, I'd love to hear about it!
Other Items
These aren't exactly necessities to put on a registry, so I didn't include them. But you may also want to consider the following:
Pack 'n Play Playard. I've never used one at my house, but I bought one for both grandparent's houses for when baby stays there. Just one less thing I had to worry about bringing with me! And don't forget the sheets!
Clothes, Burp Cloths, Blankets. Duh, you're going to need all of these things for your baby. But don't bother searching and registering for these! People love buying this stuff, and they're going to gift them to you regardless of what's on your baby registry. *Scrunched bottom gowns. You'll probably get some of these, but if you don't, they're game-changing for those late-night diaper changes in the first few months. Avoid buttons at all costs! *Newborn photos outfit. I'm sure you'll love all of the clothes people buy for your baby, but I liked the idea of picking out my own outfit for taking photos in the hospital and for our professional newborn photoshoots. I splurged on these outfit bundles but they're literally the only clothing items that I personally bought for either of my boys before they were born. I love the knotted bottoms and how soft this material is!
Bath supplies. Another thing people love gifting. The hooded towels are super cute, but I never ended up using them and opted for my normal towels instead. I registered for a one of these bath tub inserts, but never ended up using it. Bath toys hold water and are a source of bacteria (I read a viral story about a baby who almost lost an eye from the dirty water squirting out of one of them, so no thank you). Of course you can get all of these things and you might use them, but the minimalist in me says just skip them.
Toys. Don't bother registering for these as you'll inevitably get a few, but also newborns don't really use toys. Try to hold out for holidays and birthdays. Your kid will also be happy playing with your Tupperware, pots, and pans so there's that.
Silicon bibs. Way better than cloth since they wipe off easily, and love that the trough catches most of the food that baby will inevitably drop. You don't really need more than two of these; I keep one in my diaper bag and one in my kitchen.
Dishes for real food. Again, not newborn essentials but you'll need them eventually.
Monthly stickers. I used the same set for both boys and just plopped them both on the same blanket in a white onesie- super simple. The personalized blankets where you circle the number for the month are cute, but you basically need a ladder for those pictures to ensure you get the whole thing in there. Also, babies are wiggly, so making them have to stay in the same place so as to not cover any of the words is not an easy task. The first few months may be smooth sailing, but that won't last. My advice- keep it basic.
Blackout curtains. Cara will tell you, a dark environment is super important for baby sleep, even at naptime. I tried a few blackout curtains, and these came out to be the winner. The velvet is luxurious and they don't feel cheap at all (some blackout curtains have a plasticky feel).
Otteroo. Obsessed with this thing. A bath is a part of our bedtime routine, and I swear this thing wore Asher out so he was tired and ready for bed. With Everett, it made it easier to give the babies a bath together because we could wash Asher, get him out, and then get to Everett all while letting him swim around and enjoy the bath. We've also used it in pools!
Instagram accounts. These are obviously not things you need to register for, but wanted to shout out a few Instagram accounts that I always recommend new mom friends follow! *Taking Cara Babies. Even if you don't purchase her courses, Cara shares tons of helpful baby tips on her Instagram account. *Legendairy Milk. The best for breast pumping tips! I've also used their supplements, and the Sunflower Lecithin is a must for clogged ducts.
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