Must Have Items for Your Baby Registry

We get it – building a baby registry can feel like an overwhelming task. What are the baby registry must-haves, and what things might seem great but not actually be all that useful? We’re here to help!

This is a collection of baby registry recommendations from fellow parents (members of the Triad Moms on Main team and parents who are part of our TMoM community). We’ll cover lots of baby registry must-haves, and also include some items many parents feel aren’t worth the hype.

Oh, and a quick disclaimer before we jump into baby registry must-haves: We want this list to be helpful, and not add to stress or overwhelm. You most certainly don’t need everything on this list, nor do you need to have every single thing you want to use for your baby before your baby arrives. (And if a friend offers to loan you a baby item or pass along hand-me-downs, always say yes!) We hope this is a helpful guide to help you narrow down your list as you build your baby registry.

Baby Registry Items For When You’re On The Go

This is a lengthy section in this baby registry post, because it turns out you need a good bit of gear when it comes to leaving the house with your baby!

When registering for a carseat, be sure to add an extra carseat base to your baby registry. That way, you’ll have one for each parent’s car. (Add more if there will be a caregiver like a grandparent or nanny driving your baby around regularly!)

You’ll need a bag to carry baby essentials (diapers, wipes, changing pad, bottles, toys, and more), and we recommend a backpack like this one to keep things easy and hands-free.

A stroller is another must-have baby registry item, and there are tons to choose from. They have different features and come at different price points. Do your research to find the best one for you, but do plan on adding a stroller to your baby registry.

One suggestion: So many Triad Moms on Main parents recommend the Doona car seat stroller for ultimate convenience. This is a car seat with wheels that flip down to convert into a travel system. (You’ll want a more traditional stroller as well, especially for your child as they grow.)

Oh, and speaking of strollers, a portable sound machine is a baby registry must-have for sure. You can easily clip it onto a stroller or car seat, or use it at any point on the go. (Another amazing thing to have on hand on the go is baby paper. It’s such a simple concept, but it can really help keep your little one engaged and entertained!)

If you plan to breastfeed on demand, a breastfeeding cover might be something you’d like to add to your baby registry.

A travel crib is a baby registry item you definitely don’t want to skip. This is something you can use for years with your child — until they’re a toddler. An easy to set up, streamlined version like this one is a great pick. For eating on the go (whether at restaurants or on trips), consider adding a travel high chair to your baby registry.

And finally, a baby carrier is absolutely on our baby registry must-haves, as far as many TMoM parents are concerned! This is a really wonderful option for a structured carrier to consider, and one you can use from newborn up to 45 pounds. For a wrap carrier, the Baby K’tan was a favorite. Its vest-style wrap makes it a lot easier than the similar longer strips of fabric. Checkout this Babywearing blog for tips and a local babywearing group!

Baby Registry Must-Haves For Bedtime

Sleep is important for all of us — babies most definitely included!

Many new parents like the convenience of keeping a new baby in a bassinet in the parents’ room for a while early on, knowing they’ll be waking often to feed the baby. As far as the crib goes, you might want to add a breathable crib mattress to your baby registry, and these are some of our favorite organic crib sheets.

Adding blackout curtains to your baby registry will make sleep easier regardless of the time of day (or year). A sound machine will help keep your little one soothed while sleeping, too.

Often, babies sleep better when swaddled. Triad Moms on Main parents’ top swaddle picks are this one, this one, and this one.

Lots of parents swear by Merlin’s Magic Baby Suit – helps transition babies from the swaddle when they outgrow it. It was also the only way I was able to get my baby to nap without being on me.

Oh, and when it comes to baby pajamas, here’s a major tip for your baby registry: Opt for zipper or magnet PJs over snap or button ones. Trust us on this — you’ll thank us when you’re changing a diaper at 2 a.m.!

Baby Registry Items For Feeding

So much of babyhood revolves around eating, and whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combo feeding, having some supplies on hand is a must. Here are a few feeding-related items for your baby registry.

If you’re breastfeeding, every drop of milk is precious. Use a haakaa while your baby is nursing to catch extra milk on the other side! And then have some breast milk storage bags on hand so you can easily freeze the milk you catch with your haakaa — and the milk you pump, if you’ll be pumping as well.

For moms who will be carting a pump to and from work, consider adding a breast pump bag to your baby registry. This makes it a little easier to bring your pump — and all of its accessories — with you daily. And as for the breast pump itself? Aeroflow is a website to help you use insurance to cover all or most of the cost of a pump of your choice!

If you’ll be bottle feeding baby (with either breast milk or formula), you’ll need, well, bottles! Our team and community especially love these, these, and these. You’ll also want a bottle drying rack on your baby registry — a must-have for sure!

Baby Breza bottle maker – One reader claims, “For those of us who can’t breast feed this thing is a life saver. Your bottles are perfectly made in 7 seconds. Perfect temperature and no air bubbles. It is worth every penny!”

Having several burp cloths stashed in various spots is always a good call. That way you can have one within easy reach no matter where you’re feeding or burping.

As your baby grows, you’ll be moving them to a high chair for meals, so adding one of those to your baby registry will mean you’re ready for that milestone. High chairs without fabric were our favorite. So much easier to wipe clean. Clip-on High Chairs – these are fabulous for travel, but also at home because it is small and you can store it when not in use. Portable High Chairs that sit on a chair or the floor are also a nice option for the same reasons.

Baby Registry Items For Around The House

Adding diapers to your baby registry is such a smart idea. Also smart? Add sizes they’ll need as they grow — not just newborn and size 1 diapers. Speaking of growing, consider adding a baby activity center to your baby registry. A few months from now, your little one will be using it non-stop!

A baby lounger pillow is a lifesaver at times before your little one is mobile. Oh, and we know babies like to put things in their mouths. With that in mind, maybe add some chewable books — like this one — to your baby registry. Finally, a Lovevery subscription would be a great addition to your baby registry. They’ll send you developmentally appropriate toys and activities as your child grows!

Baby Registry Must-Haves For Bath Time

Use your baby registry to make sure you have what you need to make bath time with your baby fun, safe, and easy.

First things first: You’ll need a baby bathtub! This is a great option, as it can change as your little one grows.

Soft washcloths make bath time nice and gentle for your baby’s skin, and you can use this body wash to get them squeaky clean (with clean ingredients). And don’t forget to add bath toys to your baby registry to make bath time even more fun!

A faucet cover will come in handy a bit more as they get older, but it’s a great item to add to your baby registry.

And finally, don’t forget to add some cute hooded bath towels to wrap them in post-bath so they’ll be nice and cozy!

Baby Registry Healthcare Items

It’s helpful to include some items on your baby registry that fall into the health, first aid, or hygiene category.

One important item for sure: a reliable thermometer! If you’ll be breastfeeding, it’s recommended to give your baby vitamin D drops. Why not have some on your baby registry to check that box?

This set makes cutting baby nails (something that can be anxiety inducing at times) a breeze. Oh, and this is the most-recommended diaper rash cream by the TMoM community!

Oh, and there’s a reason this snot sucker tool is a best seller. It really saves the day when your baby’s congested! Speaking of when your kiddo’s not feeling well, this is a good option on the pain relief/fever reducer front. It includes the active ingredients you’re looking for without any added stuff.

Baby Registry Items For Parents

As you’re building your baby registry, consider what might help support you post-baby as well.

Moms can certainly use some helpful items like a peri bottle and disposable underwear after giving birth. (Pro tip: The disposable underwear is far easier to deal with than huge pads in regular undies.) If you plan to breastfeed, nursing pads and nipple cream will be essentials.

And then there are things that will be incredibly helpful to have at home post-baby. Those things include gift cards for meals, Amazon gift cards for those unexpected needs that come up, and having a cleaning service help keep your home in order. Feel free to add any of those to your baby registry, too! Friends will love making sure YOU feel cared for in this postpartum period.

Baby Registry Items You Don’t Actually Need

Of course, there are always going to be differing opinions on these things. That said, these are a few items we can pretty confidently say you can leave off your baby registry and be just fine.

Wipes warmers and bottle warmers aren’t just overrated baby registry items in most cases — they can also be the opposite of helpful. Think about it: If your baby gets used to warm wipes or warm bottles, a diaper change or feeding away from home might get hairy. We vote for skipping these. Oh, you can also pass on the baby food maker, in our experience.

There are some undeniably cute baby clothing items that are also extremely impractical. Among those are shoes for tiny babies and baby bath robes. (We know — they are SO CUTE! But trust us when you say you won’t use them, at least not at all regularly.) You also don’t need too many baby clothes, so be mindful of how many of those you add to your baby registry (especially if you might have hand-me-downs coming your way, which is THE BEST!).

As far as the nursery goes, consider repurposing existing furniture instead of adding tons of nursery-specific furniture to your baby registry. You’ll want a crib, yes, but you might prefer using a dresser with a changing pad on top instead of a traditional changing table, for example. That way, the room can grow much more easily with your child. (You will want to make sure you have a comfy chair in your child’s room, whether that’s repurposing one you already have, borrowing one from a friend, or adding one to your baby registry!)

For more of our favorite things, check out our Amazon Store Front. We continuously add new items sorted by category. Plus, want to see more blogs like this and get notifications on local events and happenings? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletters!