Creating a baby registry is a big job that can sometimes feel overwhelming! There’s so much baby gear to consider, and it can be hard to know what you really need. This list of 24 must-have items is a handy way to pare down your list to those essentials that you should include on your baby registry list.
1. Stroller to Fit Your Needs
Strollers come in a range of styles, and vary quite a bit in price, so it’s important to examine your family’s needs.
Whether you’re looking for a double stroller for your twin babies, a jogger stroller for upping the pace with your little one, or an umbrella stroller for compact storage when not in use.
2. Car Seat for Every Ride
You'll need a car seat to take your little one home from the hospital, and for each and every trip after that. Check that the car seat you’re planning to add to your registry meets current safety standards and that it’s easy to safely install in your car. You may want to check out the model you’re considering in store first. Here are the best car seats to consider, chosen by Pampers Parents.
3. Hands-Free Baby Carrier
Baby carriers help you hold and move around with your baby without tiring your arms. They’re great for bonding with your new-born, and for when you need to do other things with your hands while holding your baby.
You might start with a wrap when your baby is quite young, and then graduate to a soft-structured carrier when your baby gets a little older. Check out our list of the best baby carriers for all the options.
4. Sturdy Crib
Your new baby will need a place to sleep. When you’re outfitting your baby’s nursery, you’ll want to have a good, sturdy crib as the centerpiece. The crib should meet current safety standards, so it’s a good idea to do some research before making your registry pick.
If you prefer to have your baby sleep in a bassinet for the first few months, you might consider adding one to your registry. Here’s how to go about choosing a crib or bassinet.
5. Firm Crib Mattress
What’s a crib without a mattress? You’ll want a firm mattress for your little one because it’s the safest. Beyond that, you may choose between an innerspring and a foam mattress.
Here’s our list of the best crib mattresses of 2019 based on the votes of thousands of Pampers Parents.
6. Easy-to-Clean Changing Pad
A changing pad is a must-have. Add one to your registry list that is comfortable for your baby and is easy to clean for you.
7. Essentials Like Diapers and Wipes
Since your baby will inevitably go through a lot of diapers, it’s a great idea to have diapers and wipes on your baby registry, too. Register for diapers and then transform them into even more gifts using the Pampers Rewards app.
8. Odor-Proof Diaper Pail
You’ll be changing lots of dirty diapers, but by having a good diaper pail that seals in all the odors, your baby’s nursery won’t smell like it!
9. Practical Diaper Bag
Your baby will require a lot of stuff, and you’ll need some way to carry all that stuff when you're on the go. That means a good-quality, easily organizable diaper bag is a necessity. Find out how to choose the best diaper bag for you and your baby.
10. Comfy Chair for Snuggling
Whether you prefer a rocking chair, armchair, or a glider, having a comfy chair in your baby’s nursery for feeding your baby, soothing her, or just for snuggling is a gift you’ll really appreciate. You might also like to specify the color so that it matches your nursery décor.
11. Baby Monitor
Common advice given to new parents: Sleep when your baby sleeps. However, you might feel more comfortable when you put her down to sleep if you have a baby monitor.
Monitors help you keep an eye and an ear on your little one even if you're in another room. Here are some of the best baby monitors, including ones that work through your smartphone.
When choosing a video baby monitor, check out Lumi by Pampers™ it's the world's first all in one connected care system, which goes beyond traditional video monitoring by adding an activity sensor to automatically track your baby's sleep and diapering habits, coupled with information you enter (like feeding) Lumi gives you an all in one view of your baby's unique daily development.
12. Wearable Blanket or Sleeping Sack
Your newborn will be sleeping a lot during those first few weeks and months, and you'll want to dress her so that she's warm enough but doesn't become overheated, which can be a risk factor for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A wearable blanket or a sleeping sack is a good choice for a young baby.
13. Baby Bath Tub
Although your baby may not need tub baths for a while yet, having a baby bath tub is useful as it’s designed to be just the right size for young babies. Some tubs can even fit into a larger kitchen sink. Get some tips for bathing your newborn baby.
14. Soft Bath Towels
After bath time, you’ll want to wrap your little one in something soft and absorbent that's just the right size. Add good-quality baby towels (perhaps even the kind with a hood) to your registry list.
15. Safe Playpen
Interested in giving your baby a bit of freedom while still keeping a watchful eye on her? Add a playpen to your list. It can easily be moved from room to room; some even fold up for transporting to Grandma’s house.
16. Floor Mat for Playtime
As your baby becomes more mobile and independent, you’ll want a floor mat or rug that she can play on and crawl on comfortably and safely. If it has an eye-catching print, or a race car track drawn on it, it’ll be even more fun for your little one.
17. Baby Wardrobe
The type of baby clothes you add to your registry will likely be determined by your taste, your budget, and even the season your baby is born in. You might like to list some bigger sizes, too, that your baby can grow into in a few months.
You might like to add some bodysuits, tees, leggings, rompers, bloomers, beanie hats, socks, and booties to your list. If you know whether you’re having a boy or girl, you may want to specify certain colors or prints that you’d prefer.
18. Baby Thermometer
At some point your baby will develop a fever, and you’ll need to take his temperature. Thermometers have come a long way since your own childhood. The newer digital ones are much safer and easier to use.
19. Relaxing Baby Swing
You’ll appreciate having a baby swing, which you can use to soothe your baby when he’s fussy, or so he can kick back and relax while you take care of things nearby. Here are the best baby swings to choose from. Look at the options for swing styles, sounds, and overhead toys to see which might be best for your baby.
20. Durable High Chair
A good, sturdy high chair is a must-have when it comes time to feed your little one solid foods. You might want to look for one that has a harness to keep your baby secured in his seat. Some are also easier to clean than others, so consider that, too. Check out our list of all the best high chairs picked by Pampers Parents.
21. Bottles, Nipples, and Pacifiers
Bottles are a traditional registry staple. Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, it’s a good idea to have a few bottles so that someone else can feed your baby pumped or expressed breast milk from storage or so that you can store some breast milk to give later.
If you plan on formula feeding, add some of the best formulas to your registry, too. Read up on the best bottles and nipples. You might like to try a few different bottle and nipple styles to find out which one your baby likes best.
22. Baby Food Blender
If you’re thinking of making your own baby food at home instead of buying the small jars from the supermarket, you might consider registering for a specialized baby food blender.
23. Burp Cloths and Bibs
Burp cloths and bibs are very much a necessity when it comes time to feed your baby. Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, you’ll want to have burp cloths, and once you’ve transitioned your baby over to solid foods, bibs to help keep things on the cleaner side — but we can’t promise that.
24. Help and Favors From Family and Friends
In addition to all the baby gear you’ll need, you may appreciate getting some hands-on help in the form of home-cooked meals, babysitting of your older children, or pet sitting.
Think about what kind of practical help you might like in the weeks (and months) after your baby is born. The Baby list registry lets you add help and favors to your baby registry so you can ask for what you really need.
These are just some suggested must-haves, so feel free to add others. Keep in mind that you can make your baby shower registry list as long as you like! For everything you would ever need, take a look at our exhaustive baby shower registry list and our printable registry checklist for even more inspiration on what to include.
Good luck! Planning for your newborn can be a lot of fun.
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