Baby Registry Must-Haves
As a first time mom (almost 5 years ago), I had no idea what to really add to my baby registry. I was flooded with cute outfits, impractical devices, and wayyyyy too many options.
Since then, I’ve accumulated a list of some practical must-haves for anyone’s baby registry! Of course, sleep is my priority, so you’ll notice quite a few sleep-related items.
Baby Registry Must-Haves
Sound Machine
This helps your child sleep with sound - while not letting external environmental noises wake them from sleep! This is essential in my books. My favourite sound machine is the Hatch Baby Rest - which doubles as a Toddler Clock once your child is older.Swaddle(s)
Newborns love to be swaddled. However, some newborns like to be swaddled with their arms up, and others like to be swaddled with their arms down. I’ve found the most success with my own babies and my clients with the Love To Dream Swaddles which are an “arms up” swaddle.Sleep Sacks
MY FAVOURITE THING EVER. I love bamboo cotton the best - but choose your favourite fabric and I only recommend getting 1 sleep sack in the 0-6 month size, and then multiple sleep sacks in larger sizes. Remember, your child is going to be in a sleep sack for 2.5-3 years, so these are NOT a waste of money.
I don’t like the thin cotton sleep sacks (Halo or generic brands), but instead I prefer high-end fabric for my babies.Bassinet
Your baby will be in a bassinet for their first 3 months of life. This isn’t totally a necessity, but it can be handy to have since you’ll likely be room-sharing for the first few months anyway, and moving a crib back and forth can be really time-consuming and hard.Crib
Crib Mattress
Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors make a great shield for an overflowing diaper or unexpected vomit. I recommend getting 2 and then layering them like so this: mattress, mattress protector, sheet, mattress protector, sheet. What this does is it makes a middle-of-the-night sheet change SUPER easy for you. Simply remove the top 2 layers off of the mattress and the bed is already made.Crib Sheets
My favourite are muslin or bamboo crib sheets. I like ones that are breathable, not too warm, and cute! I’d recommend getting at least 3 crib sheets.Carrier/Wrap/Sling
Have you ever heard of the 4th trimester? This is once your baby is already born and they still want to be attached to you all of the time - of course! Having a sling, a carrier, or a wrap can be so helpful to ensure that you are hands-free. I have both a wrap and a carrier, but didn’t love using a ring-sling. I found that everyone has their own personal preference.Diapers
Remember - your baby won’t be in size 1/2 forever! If people are buying you diapers, ask that they buy the bigger sizes. Babies stay in those sizes for much longer.Wipes
Diaper Cream/Vaseline
Diaper Caddy
Nursing Cover (if planning to breastfeed)
Nursing Pads/Cream
Baby Socks
SO. MANY. SOCKS. We used them on our baby’s feet (of course), but also on their hands as they loved to scratch their face.Zipper Sleepers (not only 0-3 month sizes)
Baby Lounging Seat (vibration is helpful)
Bumbo
Swing
Hakka Breast Pump (if nursing)
Disposable Breast Pads
Milk Collection Bags (if nursing or pumping)
Diaper Changing Cushion
Personally, I found that diaper changing ‘stations’ were all cheaply made and quite expensive. For my second baby, I chose to just use a diaper changing cushion on top of a dresser and it worked SO much better and was so practical. That way you can use the dresser forever instead of trying to resell the diaper changing table shortly after buying it.Disposable Bags for Diapers
We always opted for disposable doggy bags to get rid of stinky diapers instead of a Diaper Genie. I couldn’t stand the foul odour of the Genie when you’d open it, so right from the start we just used doggy bags and it contained the smell wonderfully.Cool-Mist Humidifier
You can’t anticipate when your child is going to get sick, but having a cool-mist humidifier is always a good thing to have on hand. It’s helpful to use even during the dry winter months to ensure that your baby isn’t getting too dry while they’re asleep. Cool-mist is always recommended over “warm-mist” since warm-mist is a breeding ground for bacteria.Baby Tylenol
It’s helpful to have some baby medicine right on hand because I’ve seen it go OUT OF STOCK in stores around town, and you can never anticipate when you might need it. I’ve always used Tylenol when getting my babies immunized, and also when majorly teething or sick.Baby Snot Sucker
This is a very helpful tool when your child is young and can’t blow their nose. It works much better than the old-school snot “bulb”Electric Nail File
We found this SO much easier and safer to use than traditional nail clippers. There were different heads that you can put on the file, and there were also specific soft head attachments for your baby’s soft nails.Diaper Bag
I have switched between diaper bags countless times and I always come back to my backpack style bag. It is the most practical and easy to carry when you’re towing around a carseat.
Some bigger ticket items to add would be:
Stroller/Carseat Combo
I have loved using my Baby Jogger City Select stroller for each of my 3 kids. There are many attachments for this stroller that allow for carseats to be attached, while the second seat is still useable for another child.Convertible Carseat
By your child’s 1st birthday, they’ll likely be in a convertible carseat. My favourite convertible carseat is the Graco 4ever 4 in 1.SlumberPod (discount code: midnightmama$20)
If you plan on room-sharing or travelling at ALL with your child, the SlumberPod will be your best friend. I have 5 (3 that I use for my kids and 2 extra) so that I can rent them out and share the amazement. This is an expensive item, but one that you won’t regret. Seriously.La-Z-Boy Recliner
This is my boujee splurge item for my baby’s nursery. Instead of a traditional rocking chair, I went with a La-Z-Boy Reclining Rocking Chair and I have zero regrets. It cost us around $700, but 5 years later it’s still in perfect condition and we read stories in it every single night. It is SO comfy.Breast Pump (if planning on breastfeeding/exclusively pumping)
I have only used the Medela brand for my own pumping journey, but I have found it really efficient and effective for pumping.
I know there are hundreds of other things that you can add to your baby registry, but to me - these are the essentials. I liked choosing my own baby clothing, my own post-natal supplies, and other small stuff. However, if you add all of these things onto your baby registry, you’ll be set!
Bonus - if you make a baby registry through Amazon, they have something called a completion discount which gives you a 1-time discount to purchase items (yourself) off of your registry. I’ve gotten heavily discounted carseats this way! It’s an awesome perk to signing up with them.
