I’m a New Mom & These Are Your *Actual* Baby Registry Non-Negotiables
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Hey, Mama-or-Dad-to-Be. If you’re here, then I know you’re probably panicking just a little. Creating a baby registry from scratch when you’re a first-time-parent is daunting—trust me, I know. After months of putting it off the first and partially the second trimester, I finally sat down and started researching what goes into a baby registry—aka, what my baby really needs. There are an infinite number of influencer videos and blog posts claiming you need ALL. THE. THINGS. Or, that you really need nothing. I found little to no in-between, and began relying on friends and coworkers for recommendations. And now that I’m two months postpartum, I feel like I can confidently make some choice recommendations.
Baby Registry Essentials (& Checklist) at a Glance
Best Car Seat & Stroller Combo: Graco, Modes Nest Travel System, $399
Best Crib: Babyletto, Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib With Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $499
Best Bassinet: Arm’s Reach, Ideal Ezee 3-in-1 Co-Sleeper Bassinet, $270
Best Smart Bassinet: Happiest Baby, Snoo, $1,695
Best Bassinet Sheets: Burt’s Bees Baby, Organic Cotton Fitted Bassinet Sheet (2-Pack), $22
Best Swaddle: Solly Baby, Babylist x Solly Baby Collaboration Swaddle, $28
Best 2-in-1 Swaddle-Sleep Sack: Love to Dream, Sleep Sack Swaddle, $33
Best Play Yard: Guava Family, Lotus Travel Crib & Play Yard, $230
Best Carrier: WildBird, Aerial Carrier, $178
Best Breast Pump: Spectra, S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump, $185 (was $215)
Best Hands-Free Breast Pump: Willow, Go Wearable Hands-Free, Cord-Free, Electric Breast Pump, $350
Best Nursing/Support Pillow: Boppy, Original Support Nursing Pillow, $45
Best Bottles: NUK, Perfect Match Slow-Flow Anti-Colic Bottles, $15 (2-Pack)
Best Bouncer: Ergobaby, Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer, $195
Best Baby Pajamas: Little Sleepies, $32-$34
Best Pacifier: MAM, 0-6 Months Night Pacifiers, $8 (2-Pack)
Best Burp Cloths: Burt’s Bees Baby, Organic Burp Cloth (5-Pack), $25
Best Baby Bath: Skip Hop, Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Bath Tub, $40
Best Bath Rinse: Frida Baby, Control the Flow Rinser, $10
Best Baby Bath Towels: Burt’s Bees Baby, Organic, Single-Ply Hooded Towels (2-Pack), $27
Best Night Light & White Noise Machine: Hatch, Rest Sound Machine 2nd Gen, $60
Best Baby Monitor: Owlet, Cam 2 HD Video Baby Monitor, $159
Best Baby Clothes: Carter’s, Long-Sleeve Original Bodysuits (4-Pack), $19
Best Baby Play Gym: Fisher-Price, 3-in-1 Music, Glow and Grow Gym, $35
Best Developmental Toys: Etta Loves, Sensory Hanging Squares, $29
Best Baby Toy Kit: Lovevery, The Looker Play Kit (0-12 Weeks), $80
Best Baby Essentials Kit: FridaBaby, Ultimate Baby Kit, $100
Best Postpartum Kit: FridaMom, Labor & Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit, $100
And then there was the registry platform. I personally went with Babylist, because it was the perfect all-in-one headquarters for all things Baby Stuff, incredibly easy to use, and made the creation of my registry a lot more simple.
With a browser extension, I could seamlessly add literally any product from any online retailer, whether it was Amazon, or Walmart, or Target, or cute boutique brands. (And then sharing my Babylist link with baby shower guests in the email invite was foolproof.)
2024 Baby Registry Trends: What Are the Most Popular Registry Picks This Year?
On Babylist, specifically, the company has seen a lot of demand with time-saving features (which is something I, too, looked for when planning which baby essentials I wanted to prioritize). “Consumers want innovative baby products that offer time-saving features or improved quality of life (e.g., smart cribs, sterilizer dryers, and bottle washers), even if they come with a higher price tag,” Karen Reardanz, Baby Products & Registry Expert at Babylist tells SheKnows.
Travel systems are also huge, thanks to their convenience. “For gear, parents are drawn to the ease and convenience of travel systems, especially from Doona, Nuna, and Uppababy,” Reardanz says.
Plus, items that’ll get your little from infancy to toddlerhood. “For example, we’ve seen a rise in toys that can be used from babyhood through toddlerhood (like the very popular Skip Hop Activity Center) and high chairs that transform to regular seats (in the spirit of the Tripp Trapp) and more convertible car seats being registered for this year compared to the same timeframe in 2023,” Latifah Miles, Sr. Commerce Editor at Babylist, tells us.
What’s Big for Baby Registries Trends in 2025?
Self care for parents is a growing category Babylist expects will blow up next year. I added a postpartum kit to my list, and I wasn’t the only one thinking about myself as well as Baby—friends of mine have also been adding labor and post-labor essentials to their lists. It goes without saying: Making sure Mom is healing, healthy, and being taken care of is also just as important as taking care of Baby.
Miles says, “We expect to see more self-care products for parents on registries. We’ve seen thousands of parents register for items like Stanley cups, walking pads, robot vacuums, and maternity robes, indicating that they’re seeking longer-term, more holistic support. FridaMom is a very popular brand, and we expect to see even more items specifically for the birthing parent — like postpartum care and breastfeeding — on registries.”
Baby Registry Essentials You May Not Have Thought Of
Instead of asking for stuff (or in addition to!), you can also ask for services that could make your life so much easier postpartum, as well as the weeks leading up to delivery. “I am all about registering for services instead of things. Some of my favorite services are a lactation consultant, a day or overnight postpartum doula, a cleaning service, a meal subscription service, and a diaper service. Anything that makes life a little easier,” Kristin Revere, newborn care specialist, birth doula, and author of Supported Your Guide to Birth and Baby, tells SheKnows.
Without further ado, these are the baby registry non-negotiables that I either put on my list, or got myself. I made these choices mostly based on personal recommendations from people with babies and children who’ve been through it, PR contacts who kindly hooked me up with the best-of-the-best products to test, and some online research (generally, though, if I saw something an influencer or blogger was peddling, I asked a friend if it was worth it, and I never added anything to my list if they said “no”). With my nursery nearly all set up, I stand by these choices. BUT! I will be coming back to update the list after my maternity leave.
If you’re a parent perusing through this list and feel like something is missing, you can always reach out to me and make suggestions (my email is gvaynshteyn@shemedia.com and my IG handle is @ginainterrupted). I’m always open to community recs!
Stroller & Car Seat Combo
Graco, Modes Nest Travel System
For some reason, the whole car seat and stroller situation really confused me at first. I really wanted a car seat that could easily click into a stroller, and while I’ll be testing out a few brands (stay tuned for my reviews!), I found Graco’s offerings to be the easiest to choose from, and half the price of other choices. I already set up my car seat (the SnugRide 35 Lite Elite Infant Car Seat, which this travel set comes with), which is designed for infants four-to-35 pounds and is rear-facing, and I have my stroller ready to go with the attachable Infant Pramette (which is basically like a bassinet-style basket for the stroller). So, you can click in your SnugRide car seat into the stroller, switch to the Infant Pramette if you’d rather have Baby lay down on their back, and then eventually you can switch up the Pramette to fit your toddler (this is good up to 50 pounds).
I like that this is a 3-in-1 stroller that’ll last me at least two years, ultimately saving money and space. If you have the budget, though, I do hear from several sources that Nuna and Uppababy make excellent travel systems.
A Crib
Babyletto, Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib With Toddler Bed Conversion Kit
This was the top-recommended crib to me by so many friends and colleagues, that I ended up going with it (it was my parents’ gift to me and Baby, thanks Mom and Dad!). I loved the modern design, but even more, I loved its functionality and that it converts to a toddler bed when your little will be ready for one. (That also makes the price tag a bit easier to tolerate.) It took my husband about 20 minutes to set up, the material is incredibly high quality, and it looks so cute in her nursery (pics to come once I organize the space more, promise).
More details: It’s Greenguard Gold Certified (meaning, it’s been tested for over 10,000 chemicals and passed the strictest emission tests), it’s made with sustainable New Zealand pine wood, it has a non-toxic finish, it’s compatible with most mattresses, so you don’t need to buy through Babyletto (in fact, I’m using a hand-me-down Sealy mattress from my brother’s kids, and it fit perfectly), and it comes in 10 colorways so you can pick what goes with your nursery’s theme. The above is what I have, which looks gorgeous with sage green walls and a woodland forest theme.
I got both a crib and bassinet (which will live right by my side in my bedroom for at least six months).
Bassinet
Arm's Reach, Ideal Ezee 3-in-1 Co-Sleeper Bassinet
To be totally transparent, I was sent a loaner Snoo for testing purposes, so that’s what I’ve been using for my bassinet. However, not everyone wants or needs (or has the budget for) a $1,700 bassinet. There are so many good, high-quality, safe bassinets on the market that have all the features based on your needs. I’m recommending this one, since it’s actually the bassinet my colleague, associate director, account management, Erica Miller told me I should get when I first told her I was pregnant and very clueless about baby stuff. She’s a NYC mom and needed something compact for her bedroom, but didn’t want to sacrifice quality. The Arm’s Reach co-sleeper bassinet fit the bill perfectly.
It’s called a “co-sleeper” bassinet because the sides go down so you can easily roll over and either place Baby back in her bed, or grab her when it’s time for a meal, or a diaper change. It’s considered a safer co-sleeping solution versus having Baby in bed (to each their own, though!). The Ideal Ezee has tons of storage space, where you can put diapers, creams, wipes, and extra swaddles so you don’t have to get up every time you need something (I’m planning on having a convenient diaper basket in my room, but this is actually even better, IMO). It can also be used as a traditional bassinet as well as play yard.
The bassinet comes with a mattress, fitted sheet, travel bag, nylon strap, and plate for easy travel (it’s very travel-friendly, too!). This is great for babies to co-sleep in up to five months, and to be used as a play yard until your little reached 35” in height (and can crawl out of it). In terms of sheets, you can get Arm’s Reach’s brand, but also other sheets work (just make sure you check the dimensions).
Best Smart Bassinet
SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet
Now that I’ve been able to test the Snoo for two months, I can safely say that it’s such a game changer, and it really made the newborn phase so much less painful. We pretty much knew right off the bat on night one at the hospital that Baby Girl would likely do well with something like the Snoo, since she wailed if we weren’t bouncing her and playing white noise from our phones. My daughter definitely requires constant movement and shushing sounds in order for her to not only go to sleep, but stay asleep. I’ve put her down in her crib for nap time after getting her to fall asleep, only to have her wake up 15 minutes later and not be able to go back to snoozetown. I exclusively use the Snoo now, and she gets 5-7 hours at night, and 1-2-hour naps during the day.
How it works: You strap Baby in the built-in swaddle, press the “on” button, and it gently sways them to sleep and while they sleep, playing white noise in the background. When your baby starts to fuss, the movements get a little faster, and the noise gets a little louder, soothing your LO to sleep. What’s extra smart about the Snoo is that if your baby continues to cry, the Snoo will stop and you’ll get a notification on your phone that Baby needs your care. This is really important, especially when they’re a newborn, since they’ll likely be waking up every couple-few hours to feed.
I’ll be writing an in-depth review on the Snoo, but my two-month-old loves it, and I love the extra sleep. Will every baby love it? Nope—I have friends whose babies weren’t into it. Every baby is different! Which is why Happiest Baby also rents out the Snoo for $159 a month. That way, you don’t have to fully commit to the gigantic price tag.
Crib Sheets
Burt's Bees Baby, Organic Cotton Fitted Bassinet Sheet (2-Pack)
While you’ll eventually need crib sheets, you can just focus on your bassinet sheets first (make sure they’re compatible with your bassinet—most are I’ve found) if your baby will be sleeping in one for a while. I asked for a ton of these Burt’s Bees Baby organic (GOTS-certified!) sheets; I’d been reading about how soft they are years before I became pregnant, when I was a shopping editor at another parenting site. They were always the top-recommended, and they still are. And I can now confirm from first-person experience that they’re deliciously soft. Reason why you want to get a bunch? It’s almost guaranteed your sweet baby will have poopy blowouts and other diaper accidents, along with with spit-up—all over their sheets (among other places, but we don’t have to talk about that yet) pretty much all the time.
Swaddles
Solly Baby, Babylist x Solly Baby Collaboration Swaddle
Read any baby book on the planet, and it will likely tell you swaddles are a MUST for newborns. They’re used to hanging out in our cozy wombs, so no wonder they’re grumpy and don’t want to go to sleep when they’re being forced to hang out earth-side. The air is more frigid and they’re not being constantly cuddled and cradled by our bodies. But that’s where swaddles come in: They mimic the coziness of inside your belly, making soothing and sleep so much more manageable for both you and Baby.
The thing is—there are SO many swaddles on the market. Currently Solly Baby and Love to Dream Swaddle Up Original are the ones I’m planning on using, for two different reasons. Solly Baby (this cute collab with Babylist caught my eye—it’s back in stock soon, but you can go ahead and add it to your registry!) is a more traditional swaddle that you actually have to wrap around your babe. Especially when your baby is a newborn, they’re so tiny, so a lot of the zip-up swaddles can actually be too roomy for them, and they really, really want to be constricted! The Solly swaddle makes that easy, and the material is so so so soft (it’s certified TENCEL modal fabric, and it’s nice and stretchy).
Swaddle/Sleep Sack Combo
Love to Dream Swaddle
In an earlier version of this article, I wrote that I’d likely be using a traditional swaddle at first, and then graduate my daughter to the Love to Dream swaddle, since it’s a bit looser. I’m here to update you that I actually started using Love to Dream’s swaddle right away, and it worked so perfectly for us (and for Mila).
This 2-in-1 swaddle-sleep sack was great for Mila, who likes to suck on her hands when she sleeps. It helped promote self-soothing skills, while keeping her nice and tightly swaddled while she slept. What I love about the Love to Dream is that it’s so easy to put on and take off: Swaddling is weirdly hard (for me at least—I had to ask the nurses how to do it every single time at the hospital), and this thing has a zipper, so it’s idiot-proof. Plus, since they’re zippered up, there’s no escaping it for all the Houdini babies out there.
A Travel Crib/Play Yard
Guava Family, Lotus Travel Crib & Play Yard
This was another recommendation from friends who either travel a lot or bring their littles to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and want an easy napping or “containment” solution. I got the Guava Lotus because of how travel-friendly it is (it’s literally designed for just that). It’s super lightweight compared to its competitors (only 13 pounds—a friend of mine said she was easily able to travel to Europe with her 1 1/2 year old with it), and it comes with a waterproof, insulated, high-quality mattress that you don’t have to buy separately. And it’s Greenguard Gold Certified, which means it doesn’t contain any nasty chemicals.
I’m personally so excited about this one, since we’ll be taking my daughter to her grandparents’ houses frequently (one set lives about two hours away, one only 25 minutes away), and this is the perfect solution for naps and play time. I also plan on using this when we do go on a family vacation and need a travel crib at the ready.
Baby Carrier
WildBird, Aerial Carrier
I plan on carrying my little around the house, so I knew a baby carrier was a must for my registry. While I also got Infantino (my MIL gifted me this 4-in-1 Staycool carrier!), I’m the most excited about my WildBird carrier: It’s really soft (made of 100 percent natural linen and feels like luxurious bedsheets), is breathable, and has padded shoulders and adjustable straps for your comfort. While most other carriers come in gray or black, I love how WildBird has some pretty options, like an oatmeal off-white, sage green, or this dusty orange. It’s nice we have a couple of carriers, so that my husband can have his own.
Breast Pump
Spectra, S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump
If you plan on breastfeeding, you’re likely gonna need a pump. Either because you’ll have to pump at work, pump to encourage more milk supply, or pump extra milk to leave with Grandparents or babysitter when you’re not there to directly feed. Or maybe you just want to exclusively pump because breastfeeding will hurt or be uncomfortable! Luckily insurance can likely cover a breast pump, and this one in particular is FSA- and HSA-eligible (so make sure to check your options!).
This is the breast pump basically every mom will recommend, and now I can, too. It’s the OG for a reason: It’s easy and simple to use (I was able to set it up and figure it out in my postpartum brain fog fugue state just fine—I love that there aren’t a million buttons to press and play with), the suction is strong, and it doesn’t have a lot of moving parts to deal with and clean. It can be used as a single or double pump, the suction is adjustable (based on your needs and comfort level), and it even has a night light when you’re pumping in the middle of the night.
Willow, Go Wearable Hands-Free, Cord-Free, Electric Breast Pump
This hands-free option is one I’ve also tested and loved. I’ll likely be pumping at work, so I wanted something very convenient (nothing that had to keep me tethered to an outlet). This is a wearable pump, so you can insert them directly in your nursing bra while you work, sleep, or relax (lol—will there be such a thing?). It has 15 levels of customizable suction, its battery lasts up to three pumping sessions before you need to recharge, it’s leak-proof, and it even comes with an app that most accurately measures your milk output (and if you need something to read in the middle of the night, you can browse through content on the app). This checked off all my boxes, and it was a brand that a health and fitness editor I worked with loved, and I trust anything she likes.
Nursing/Feeding Pillow
Boppy, Original Support Nursing Pillow
I was lucky enough to get two hand-me-down Boppys (one from my SIL, and one from my neighbor), because they are pricey! But I will say, I haven’t heard anyone suggest any other support pillow brand, and I’ve known about Boppy well before I got pregnant. It’s got Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in nursing pillow form vibes—it just fits comfortably for everyone and their babes. This you will use for feeding (either breastfeeding or bottle), as it securely holds baby in place. You can also use it for tummy time when baby gets a tiny bit older: Just place their upper body over the pillow, and that way, they have comfy padding as they learn how to hold their head up (make sure you’re supervising, obvs!). The pillow cover is removable and washable and comes in a bunch of different cute patterns.
Baby Bottles
NUK, Perfect Match Slow-Flow Anti-Colic Bottle (2-Pack)
OK, so, here’s the thing with bottles: You need them, but every baby is different. It’s likely that you’ll go through several brands before finding one that your baby tolerates. In fact, I ended up requesting and inheriting three or four bottle brands, knowing that Baby will have a certain nipple preference, and it’ll take trial and error. After testing a slew of different brands, I ended up absolutely loving NUK because Baby Girl loved them so much.
NUK’s Perfect Match features a wide nipple that looks and I’m assuming feels more like a breast, so if your LO is or was breastfed, you may find them taking to this nipple more. Mila was very comfortable sucking on this one as soon as I introduced it. Unlike other bottles I’ve tried (mainly Lansinoh and Dr. Brown’s—both great brands, too!), NUK’s didn’t easily leak or dribble milk all over herself as she drank. I think it’s due to the slow flow and my baby just being a leisurely eater. And finally, NUK bottles have a SafeTemp indicator: The thermometer icon turns blue to show the milk is a safe temp, so you don’t have to do the old squirt-milk-on-wrist trick every time you want to make sure milk isn’t too hot.
I also have MAM’s Easy Start Anti-Colic bottles, too. Jaylee Hilliard-Slayton, NICU Nurse and MAM Ambassador tells SheKnows, “Mam’s Easy Start Anti-Colic bottles are so easy to clean and have fewer parts than other leading bottle brands on the market. Even my husband tells people these are the best bottles after months of using a competitor with our first child.” She adds, “Additionally, I knew I would need a bottle that would allow my little one to transition easily between breast and bottle. The MAM bottle nipples are well-researched, and superiorly designed, allowing for a smooth transition between breast and bottle and supporting appropriate oral development.” And! The bottle’s nipples actually come with different flow rates, which makes trial and error a little easier on the wallet.
Bouncer
Ergobaby, Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer
Eventually, you will need to put Baby down somewhere—this is something you’ll realize very quickly, when you want to take a shower, or make some coffee, and Baby isn’t in the mood to nap. A bouncer is one of the best solutions, since you can safely put them in one for a little while you get some stuff done.
I’ve tested a few bouncers, and Ergobaby’s is my favorite thus far, simply because it’s the one my daughter loves the most. It’s extra soft and cushioned, and I love that she can sit upright (I suspect she has some mild acid reflux, so other bouncers we tried didn’t have enough of an incline for her, and she would spit up constantly). It comes with a bar of attachable toys for her amusement and practicing hand-eye coordination skills, and it’s easy to rock her with a foot (eventually she’ll be able to rock herself once she’s a bit heavier).
Another reason to love it, is that it grows with Baby: You can take out the cushioning and it transforms into a rocker for an infant as well as toddler.
Pajamas
Little Sleepies, Pajamas
Here’s the thing about baby pajamas: You’re gonna need a lot of them. It’s what my daughter wears until mid-day (and then I change her into her “Day Outfit) and then again at bed time. And your baby will likely, at some point, poop through the pajamas, so you’ll have to change them. Get at least five pairs that’ll last you until laundry day, and invest in a mix of footie PJs with gloves, and some without. I like these Carter’s Little Planet organic cotton waffle pajamas that I stock up on when there’s a sale. They’re soft and warm without overheating Baby.
For every size, I get Mila one or two “fancy” pajamas: These are perfect for putting on your registry, because a) everyone LOVES getting Baby cute clothes, and b) they’re just pricey enough to be a good present you wouldn’t necessarily gift yourself for your baby. I LOVE Little Sleepies for their high-quality design, as well as all the adorable patterns they offer. Plus, the material is extra stretchy: We were able to dress Mila in a newborn size for about two months, so you’ll likely be able to hold on to these for a while before they grow out of it.
Pacifiers
MAM 0-6 Month Night Pacifiers
MAM pacis have been Mila’s Day One: We popped one in her mouth the second we came home from the hospital, and she took to it right away. Like bottles, it’ll likely take some experimentation finding the right shape and nipple for your baby. We were lucky to find the Goldilocks of pacis right away with MAM, though.
Features I love include: Some are glow-in-the-dark, which make it easy to find at night in their crib, the silicone nipple is soft and BPA-free, and it comes in a ton of cute colors and designs. Plus, they’re easy on the wallet, so I have a paci in every stroller, car seat, car, bag, crib—basically every surface.
Burp Cloths
Burt's Bees Baby, Organic Burp Cloth (5-Pack)
You’re going to need so many of these. You’ll go through a burp cloth every time you feed Baby (which is like, every 2-3 hours at first), and you probably don’t want to be doing laundry every single day. These Burt’s Bees Baby organic burp cloths are really luxe, soft, and GOTS-certified—but you can also just get a huge pack from Amazon (which is what I did).
Baby Bath Tub
Skip Hop, Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Bath Tub
Before your LO is big enough for the grown-up bath tub, they’re gonna need the miniature version, and Skip Hop’s was the one recommended to me by almost everyone, and it’s the one I was ultimately gifted with. It’s good for newborns, infants, and toddlers, thanks to its mesh sling insert that you can take out as soon as they’re big enough. It’s non-slip, PVC and phthalate-free, and has a swivel hook for easy hanging when you’re done.
Bath Rinse
Frida Baby, Control the Flow Rinser
This is definitely something I would have never thought of had my manager and Chief Content Offer, Cristina Velocci, not told me. You can’t just stick a baby in a bath, and like, splash water on them to wash the soap off! You need a special rinser that gently trickles water on their head and body in a way so it doesn’t freak them out. Pretty sure my parents just used a water pitcher for me when I was baby, but times have changed! We try not to traumatize our babes in the bath! This is the one I asked for and got because it seems like you can especially control the water flow based on its design.
Baby Bath Towels
Burt's Bees Baby, Organic, Single-Ply Hooded Towels (2-Pack)
I personally don’t think you need a ton of bath towels, especially not right way—most experts recommend at least waiting until Baby’s umbilical cord comes off before bathing them, anyway. And even then it’s likely you’ll only be doing bath time two-to-three times a week, so I stocked up on maybe three baby bath towels. I have these exact same Burt’s Bees Baby ones with hoods to keep her head warm. You’ll just want to make sure the towels you pick are nice and soft, since most babies are freaked out by bathtime at first, so you want to make it as comfy and cozy as possible.
Night Light & White Noise Machine
Hatch, Rest Sound Machine 2nd Gen
I had a friend who had recently given birth to her second baby look over my registry before I sent it out with my shower invite, and she told me I really ought to add the Hatch Rest Sound Machine (which also doubles as a nightlight and alarm—and it’s approved by birth doula and newborn care specialist, Revere). Because you can control it with an app from wherever you are in the house, as well as set schedules and control the volume and light, it makes this next-level night light so worth it. I ended up listening to her (I also have a Hatch alarm clock which I LOVE, so it didn’t take much convincing) and am planning on using the Rest in my room as a night light so I’m not constantly waking up my husband, and then once she’s in her own room, we’ll use all the features.
Baby Monitor
Owlet, Cam 2 HD Video Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is a must, especially when they transition to the crib and they’re not under constant surveillance in your bedroom. This monitor streams straight to your phone, so you can watch them napping even when you’re at work or stepping away to run some errands. It even has the capabilities to read the temperature and humidity in the room, so if it’s getting too stuffy or too cold, you can immediately dial the temp up or down with your phone if you use a smart thermometer, or text your partner or sitter. I got the Owlet and feel good about the decision—it has tons of great reviews, and I think its tech is worth the price.
Clothes
Carter's, Long-Sleeve Original Bodysuits (4-Pack)
You are going to get *so* many cute items of clothing from friends and family, so I really wouldn’t go crazy here. Get something necessary and easy (like the above bodysuits for newborns from Carter’s), and then I would personally go to a baby clothing store and peruse for their “coming home” outfit, special outfit for when family and friends are invited over for the first time to meet Baby, and a few pajamas. Remember, they’re going to grow out of their newborn clothing in a couple weeks and then move on to 0-3 months clothing. For my registry, I asked people only buy 0-3 months and 3-6 months because too many newborn outfits felt like a waste to me.
Other types of clothing to consider:
Socks (which you’ll likely lose a bunch of, so stock up)
Mittens (make sure they’re thin enough so Baby can still suck on fingers, which is a cue for lunchtime)
Sleepsack
A cardigan for coming home or going outside
Toys
Fisher-Price, 3-in-1 Music, Glow and Grow Gym
There are so many bougie baby gyms now, but I opted for something simple and, well, baby-like. I just don’t think my baby *needs* a West Elm-ified play mat for tummy time, and you can find something great for under $40. This Fisher-Price gym has a mirror, rattles, teether, crinkle toys, music, and an otter that lights up—all designed to intrigue and entertain your babe, as well as encourage them to move their neck and strengthen their muscles.
Developmental Toys
Etta Loves, Sensory Hanging Squares
As your baby develops their eyesight, help them make out shapes and, eventually, colors with these hanging squares. I tie these to my stroller so my daughter has something to focus on as we go on walks, and I love seeing her so mesmerized. They’re double-sided, so one side is great for 0-3-month-olds, and the other side is best for 3-6-month eye and cognitive development.
Baby Toy Kit
Lovevery, The Looker Play Kit (0-12 Weeks)
Not sure what to do with your baby during wake windows? Play with them and help them develop their skills! I *loved* this kit from Lovevery, and used it since Mila was about a month old, but I wish I had it even sooner. Not only does it come with a little booklet full of activities you can do with your newborn, but it has high-contrast toys, cards, and even mittens (watching your baby stare with utmost fascination at their little paws is sooo cute—and good for their brain).
Mila was OBSESSED with The Mobile. I could capture her attention for at least 15 minutes; she would stare up at the moving spiral and happily drool.
This is pricey, but it really does make such a good gift, especially for first-time parents who are navigating how to play with their newborn, especially in a way that helps with their cognitive abilities and development. Mila is now such an observant two-month-old (even her pediatrician commented how wonderfully focused she was on the posters on the wall). I can’t wait to get her started on her next Lovevery box.
Baby Health Essentials
FridaBaby, Ultimate Baby Kit
This kit is pricey, but it has everything you need for health and wellness, plus grooming. It includes: The SnotSucker (your baby will have mucus coming out of their nose and you will want to clear it away so they can breathe—the instructor at my child birthing class recommended this exact one!), a quick-read rectal thermometer, nose, nail, and ear-picker, SkinSoother for irritated skin, hair brush and comb, finger toothbrush, teether, SnipperClipper for nails, Windi the Gaspasser for when LO has gas, and a case for carrying stuff with you on the go. I got a ton of these products, but a la cart, because I didn’t realize FridaBaby had this kit!
Postpartum Needs
FridaMom, Labor & Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit
It’s true that the hospital will give you a ton of stuff to make postpartum recovery more manageable, but I splurged and bought myself this kit anyway. I’m honestly more scared of postpartum than I am of actual delivery—the idea of being in being in pain and discomfort for weeks on end does not seem like a good time. But I’ve been writing about the FridaMom Postpartum Kit for years now, and everyone I’ve spoken with has told me it was a huge lifesaver. Plus, it’s FSA and HSA-eligible!
What it contains: A delivery and nursing gown (this I don’t care as much about, but some people do prefer to be wearing their own gown when giving birth and then afterwards), socks (again, not the most excited about this, but I hear these are very comfortable), upside down peri bottle (I’ve heard this is a lot easier to use than the one they give you at the hospital), disposable postpartum underwear, instant ice maxi pads (extremely excited for this!), perineal cooling pad liners (yes, please), perineal healing foam (sounds wonderful!), and a storage caddy.
Will you be OKAY if you don’t get this? Of course. Will you be perhaps more comfortable if you do invest in this kit? From everything I’ve heard, it’s a yes.
Experts in This Article
Jaylee Hilliard-Slayton: NICU Nurse and MAM Ambassador
Karen Reardanz: Baby Products & Registry Expert at Babylist
Latifah Miles: Sr. Commerce Editor at Babylist
Kristin Revere: Newborn care specialist, birth doula, and author of Supported Your Guide to Birth and Baby.