Car Seats, Strollers, Carriers, Diaper Bags, & Baby Monitors
It is amazing that such a tiny human can require so much…stuff. There is no shortage of baby gear that is available for new moms and dads just trying to make parenthood a little more doable. You will hear older generations complain that they didn’t have all the new-fangled gadgets when they were raising kids but we live in a society that is always on the lookout for ways to make things easier and more convenient.
To be honest, a lot of things in the baby gear category are wants and completely dependent on your living space and budgetary restrictions. But if you’ve got the space and money to swing (pun intended) this list of baby gear basics, we encourage you to register for the following:
- An infant or convertible car seat
- Stroller
- Baby swing or bouncer
- Playard
- Baby monitor
- White noise machine
- Light dimmer or night light
- Swing, seat or bouncer
- Activity mat
- Baby wrap or sling
- Baby carrier
- Diaper bag
- Portable changing pad
- Baby food maker
Bathing
There is nothing cuter than a baby in a hooded towel. Bathtime with your newborn is a great way to bond and watch your baby explore a brand new world of sensations. Make sure to add these basics to your baby registry so you have everything you need to make baby’s bathtime an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Baby’s bathtime is pretty straightforward. You want to be water aware at all times and make sure everything that comes in contact with their sensitive skin is as soft and chemical-free as possible.
- Baby tub
- Soft hooded towels
- Washcloths
- Baby-safe body wash and shampoo
- Baby-safe body lotion
- Simple bath toys
- Faucet cover
Breastfeeding
Set yourself up for breastfeeding success by making sure to register for everything you need to make your breastfeeding journey as easy as possible for you and for your baby. Make breastfeeding a breeze with these nine basics to add to your baby registry.
Comfort and organization are the names of the game for breastfeeding and pumping. If you’re comfortable and confident, you will produce more milk and actually be able to enjoy the bonding breastfeeding brings into your and your baby’s lives.
We highly recommend checking with your insurance company to see what they cover when it comes to a breast pump so you don’t end up registering for a big-ticket item unnecessarily. Also- make sure to check with your doctor about what they and your hospital offer as means of breastfeeding support groups postpartum. Access to lactation consultants can
- Breast pump
- Extra pump parts
- Breast milk freezer bags
- Nursing pillow
- Nursing bras
- Hands-free pumping bra
- Nipple cream
- Nursing cover
- Breast pump travel bag
Clothing
Ten tiny fingers. Ten tiny toes. Too many to count tiny pieces of baby clothing that need to be washed if you aren’t careful with your baby registry choices. As much as we want to envision a different, darling outfit for every occasion, the reality of a newborn is that you’ll favor functionality above all else. We’ve narrowed down the list of all the baby registry basics you’ll need to clothe your newborn.
The name of the game is easy on, easy off, and layers, layers, layers when it comes to baby clothes. Spit up and blowouts also mean that you’re going to have to stock up on plenty of outfits in each size.
- Sleepers or pajamas (10 per size)
- Bodysuits/Onesie (7 per size)
- Stretchy pants (7 per size)
- Outer layers (2 per size)
- Socks and
- Baby shoes
- Sun hat
- Winter hat
- Wearable blankets
- Swaddling blankets
- 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)
- 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits
- No-scratch mittens
- Bunting bag or fleece suit for a winter baby
Diapering
The number of diapers you’ll need to get through your baby’s first year is truly astounding. Especially those first couple of weeks as you actually get the hang of putting a diaper on a teeny-tiny human, you will think there’s no end in sight as you rip open a new box of 180 diapers. The good thing is, this makes filling out the diapering portion of your baby registry pretty straight forward. All you need is lots of one thing–diapers!
Just like every adult is shaped differently, so is every single baby that comes home from the hospital. This means that some diaper brands will work better than others for your baby’s shape and size. Also, don’t be fooled by the numbering system of diapers. Some babies stay in one size for longer or shorter than other babies. That is why we recommend not opening all your diaper boxes when you receive them. Open one at a time so you can return the boxes that you grow out of for ones you need more of.
We also highly recommend opting for diapering products with no (or as few) chemicals as possible. Baby’s skin is so delicate and making sure your diapers are as “clean” as possible (before you put them on) will serve you and your baby’s overall health in the long run.
- Diaper pail
- Diaper pail liners
- Diaper cream
- Unscented baby wipes
- 3-4 large boxes of disposable diapers per size
- Or 6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers (if you opt-out of disposable diapers)
Feeding
Whether it’s breastmilk or formula, a huge part of your life will revolve around your baby’s eating schedule. Especially in those early weeks and months, while you are still learning all their tiny quirks, likes, and dislikes, your feeding journey is definitely going to be one that requires both mommy and baby to learn new things. We are here to make that journey easier by breaking down your registry basics when it comes to feeding baby.
Feeding baby is the perfect time to bond with your newborn. There is no shortage of options when it comes to bottles, burp cloths, and bibs for your baby registry, but these are some of the basics that you will not only need the most of but may require some trial and error before you find a brand that works best for your little one.
- Baby bottles and nipples
- Bottle brushes
- Bottle drying rack
- Bibs
- Burp cloths
- Dishwasher basket for small items
As your little one grows and solid foods enter the picture, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a workhorse of a high chair to grow with their new and exciting appetite. However, if your registry is starting to run a little long, we always encourage you to register for the things you’ll need right out of the gate instead of six to twelve months down the road.
- High chair
- Plates
- Utensils
- Feeding mat
- Cups
- Food storage
Safety and Health
There is nothing scarier than a baby’s first cold for first-time parents. We will do everything possible as parents to make sure our littles are healthy and safe. Make sure to add these health basics to your baby registry so you’re prepared for everything from clipping baby’s nails to baby’s first stuffy nose.
Depending on a baby’s allergies, weight, and pediatrician recommendation, you may want to avoid adding any specific medications to your registry. But do add the following health items to your baby registry to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for when the need arises.
- Baby-safe nail trimmer
- Thermometer
- Rubbing alcohol pads
- Saline nasal drops
- Suction bulb
- Baby-safe laundry detergent
- First Aid Kit
- Grooming Kit
- Humidifier
- Baby gate
Toys
It’s easy to get carried away when adding cute baby toys to your registry but the truth is, having a small selection of toys will allow your baby to master those toys and form attachments along with each milestone. Don’t go overboard when registering for toys. Keep it simple with our baby registry picks n the toy category of your baby registry.
- Soft baby book
- Soft or wooden stacking blocks
- Teething toy
- Rattles or maracas
- Organic cotton stuffed animals
- “Lovey” blanket
