By Guest Blogger Catherine Cottingham
Registering for your baby can be so overwhelming especially if this is your first! I remember looking at all the recommendations and other friends’ registries and feeling completely inadequate. I added so many items at first and realized that for anyone attending my shower they wouldn’t know what was extremely important to me because I had everything I’d need until 2!
Before we even get started on items, I highly recommend focusing on “must have” items when the baby comes home as well as the first 6 months. Everything else can be purchased over time. This way you won’t be left two weeks out from your due date without items like a monitor but you have a food maker you don’t need until later.
I also suggest using this list as a guide. Every mom doesn’t need every baby gadget. I absolutely recommend considering your current lifestyle and what you still plan to do once baby arrives. An example would be do you travel often? Or spend a lot of time outdoors? Make sure items that will help keep your favorite activities easy and skip ones that don’t apply to you!
Also when registering try to keep your registry to one or two stores/locations to make it easy for everyone purchasing you gifts or choose to use Babylist.
The TMoM team helped me pull together the following list of their favorite baby registry items, and I added in my suggestions as well. I linked to specific brands for some of the items, and the unlinked items are general suggestions (any brand will do). In no particular order, our list is below!
For the House
Clear Vue Co-SleeperBottles
Bottle Nipples
Bottle Sanitizer
Bottle Warmer
Tummy Time Mat
For the Nursery
Boppy Feeding PillowA Comfortable Rocking Chair
Changing Pad CoversBlack Out Curtains
Monitor
For Traveling
For the parents on the go, these items will make going a breeze.
Baby CarrierBaby Jogger City Mini GT 2 Stroller
Carseat Connectors for Stroller
Parent Console for Stroller
For Baby
A new born baby calls for items that may not already be in your house. Make sure to have these on hand when you get home.
Tubby Todd All Over OintmentBaby Wash
Diapers
Wipes
MagneticMe Pajamas **** I love love love these and refused to use any with buttons! *****
For Parents
These items are for the moms, and dads that have a brand new baby and might need a bit of help!
Food Train – All new parents deserve a break from cooking, and the following sites are really helpful in organizing a food train among family and friends: Meal Train and Take Them a Meal.
Cleaning Service
Bamboobies Nursing PadsBaby Sitting When Parents are Ready
Gift Cards for Food Delivery
Happy registering! Don’t forget to focus on what is going to make your life easiest! If you aren’t sure if you will use an item ask for gift cards and once baby arrives you can grab items as you need or want them!
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