What did you have on your baby registry that you would register for again? I’ve gotten this question several times over the past several months. Now that Ben is almost six months old, I feel like I have a better handle on what items we like and which we would skip. I’ve put together a huge list of items we registered for and loved, items we didn’t register for but wish we had, and items we could have skipped.
So here is my master baby registry list! I’ve broken it down by category to make it easy to navigate. Before we get into it, here are a few things to note:
- Some items are trial and error. You have to try several brands to really see which your baby prefers. On this list, I’m including Ben’s favorite brands, but definitely do your own testing to find your favorites.
- You will also notice I didn’t include a ton of clothes on this list. People will buy you clothes. If you have a few must-have outfits, then include those, but for the most part, focus on items you need. If you are adding clothes to your registry, snaps are key!!
- You will also notice I didn’t include diapers. I have an idea for you. Stephen’s friends had a poker night to celebrate before Ben was born. The buy-in was $20 and a pack of diapers! The money went to poker night, but the diapers came home to us. This is a GENIUS idea to get your partner and their friends involved without making them come to a shower. Diapers are easy to buy and we ended up with a ton. Seriously, Ben is almost six months old and we just started having to buy diapers. Plus the guys had a great time!!
Ok, let’s get into the list!!
Feeding
Bokee – This little guy suctions to your countertop so you can assemble bottles with one hand while you hold your baby with the other. This is one of those ideas I wish I had come up with!
Dr. Brown’s Bottle Warmer – Fun fact. Babies can have cold bottles. Who knew? I certainly didn’t and now my child is spoiled and won’t take a cold bottle. Just in case your baby only likes their bottles warm, this must be on your registry.
Drying Rack – This is the most convenient thing. I like the “grass”Β because it holds up the middle part of the Dr. Brown’s bottles. When you do as many dishes as we do, this drying rack comes in so handy.
Dr. Brown’s 4 oz bottles – Dr. Brown’s are our favorite bottles because he can’t suck a lot of air. He has less gas and spit up this way. We used the 4 oz until he got super hungry.
Dr. Brown’s 8 oz bottles – Then we graduated to 8 oz. We still use 4 oz when he needs a snack, but register for both. Bottles definitely fall under the “trial and error” category. Some babies hate Dr. Brown’s, but Ben is a big fan.
Counter sterilizer – OMG add a sterilizer to your registry. Ours runs 24/7. It’s a luxury item, but my gosh we use it all the time. Ours holds more than bottles so we can sterilize pacis, toys, spoons, and even our keys and phones.
Bibs – Ben is a fire hydrant of drool so he wears bibs even when he isn’t eating. We like the cloth for bottles and every day, and these silicone for purees.
Bottle Brushes – If you are planning on giving a bottle ever, go ahead and register for the bottle brushes.
Cloth Diapers – Ben is not in cloth diapers, however these make the best burp cloths, drool wipers, and makeshift bibs on the planet. They are inexpensive and we never do anything without one.
High Chair – We love our high chair. It attaches to the kitchen chairs we already have. He is perfect height for us and for the table. Plus it doesn’t take up any more space in our house.
Plates – This may seem strange, but registries are the perfect time to get what you need ahead of time too. Babies don’t stay little for long so adding items they can use in the future is a great idea. We’ve recently started rice cereal and purees and we like these plates!
Spoons – Same as above, these are the spoons we are using.
Sippy Cups – We haven’t ventured into sippy cups yet, but it’s nice to have these ready to go when it’s time!
Vitamin D Drops – If you are only feeding your baby breast milk, they need vitamin D drops. Go ahead and register for them so when the pediatrician tells you you need them, you already have them on your shelf. One less trip to the store that first week is always a good thing!
Sleeping
Newton Mattress – The anxiety is so real when it comes to sleeping. I feel so much better knowing that Ben is sleeping on a breathable mattress. I can’t say enough good things about the peace of mind this mattress gives me.
Baby Monitor – There are a lot of options out there when it comes to baby monitors. We went with a simple version. While there are some that tell you everything about your baby, it actually gives me more anxiety watching it 24/7. Plus the WiFi monitors make me nervous too. This has a clear sound and a clear enough picture so we can see and hear him while he sleeps. It has been perfect for us!
Pack n’ Play – Our Pack n’ Play doubles as a changing station downstairs. Friends, please take this advice. If you have two floors, you need two changing stations!! You do not want to walk upstairs every time you have to change a diaper. Babies go to the bathroom a lot!!
Hatch Sound Machine – Ben is a champion sleeper. His Hatch sound machine is on every night. We listen to “Rockabye Baby” while he has his nighttime bottle and then he listens to washing machine sounds while he sleeps.
Sleepsacks – Ben is in sleepsacks now that he can rollover. You can’t put babies in the crib with blankets, so this works as his blanket. We use these and like them a lot!
Swaddles – Ok Ben hated all swaddles, but the velcro ones at least kept him in a little better.
Nursing
Storage bags – We’ve tried them all. We like Medela.
Nursing bras – I have several brands, but in terms of holding the pump in place, I like these. In terms of support, I like this one.
Robe – I lived in this robe after Ben was born.
Microfiber breast pads – I use these every single day. I always have a pair in my bra because leaking stinks. I definitely don’t want to do it in public.
Bath/Grooming
Bathtub – We used this bathtub on the counter when he just had little wipe down baths and now we stick it in the tub. Ben LOVES bath time.
Faucet cover – when he starts moving around and playing in the tub, we don’t want him to bump his head on the faucet. This cover will prevent that.
Knee mat – I can’t recommend this enough. This mat helps while giving your baby a bath.
Nail clipper set – We didn’t register for this, but I’m so glad we have it now. Ben doesn’t even notice when we are cutting his nails.
Washcloths – These little washcloths are great! They are soft and easy on Ben’s skin.
Hooded towel – Oh my goodness, babies in a hooded towel are the cutest little things in the whole world.
Aquaphor – Aquaphor fixes literally everything. Baby acne, aquaphor. Dry skin, aquaphor. Diaper rash, aquaphor. Cradle cap, aquaphor. Any issue, just put some aquaphor on it.
Dreft Laundry Detergent – We wash Ben’s clothes and our clothes in Dreft so his clothes are in baby detergent and ours are too. This way when he is on us our clothes are in the same detergent as his.
Diaper pails – We have these and they completely mask the dirty diaper smell.
Diaper pail replacements bags – These are the bags that go in the diaper pails.
Travel/Lounging
Swing – My friend gave us this swing because her daughter liked and and Ben LOVES it. He likes to watch the mobile and loves to nap in it because he is lying down.
Boppy – We have two Boppys. We have the flat and the nursing boppy. Ben lounges in both.
Boppy Covers – If you have the nursing boppy, you need a boppy cover.
Car mirrors – I like to be able to see Ben in the car. We have car mirrors facing him so we can see him while we drive.
Carseat/Stroller – We have the Chicco Bravo Trio system and have zero complaints. We like that we can easily snap his carseat into the stroller or he can ride without the carseat. Plus I love cupholders…
Baby gowns – Your baby literally won’t be dressed at the beginning. You want all the baby gowns so you can easily change diapers. Ben lived in his baby gowns for weeeeeeks. Months really.
Baby dome – This dome is SPF 50 and perfect if you spend any time outside.
Stroller fan – One of the best purchases we have ever made. If you live in the south, register for a stroller fan. Also, if you get it before the baby is born, use it for yourself because making a human is hard and I was hot all the time.
Sun hat – Other than being super cute, this hat is great if your baby is going to spend any time in the sun!
Sunglasses – See above lol.
Baby Bjorn – We were late to the party on baby wearing, but man it’s a game changer. I love having full range of motion while keeping Ben close.
Miscellaneous
Baby book – You’ll want to document your baby’s milestones. This is Ben’s baby book.
Books over cards – An idea I stole from one of my friends was to have people give you their favorite book, either new or used, rather than a card. Ben LOVES books and loves having books read to him. Plus our pediatrician recommends reading to him every day. We like having a variety of books to read to him.
Crinkle books – Ben obviously can’t read, but he always has one of these with him because he likes the sound. We read them to him, but he also likes to carry them around.
Costco Membership – Buying diapers and formula in bulk is such a game changer. We put this on our list and were so happy we did! Now we buy our diapers at Costco lol!
What is your favorite baby item?
