Beyond the Basics: What To Put On Baby Registry For The Modern Parent

As new parents, you are itching to know what to put on baby registry. This is the best baby registry list for first-time parents and seasoned parents!

This is a carefully curated list of all the baby items that helped me TREMENDOUSLY. Products I just know that you will LOVE and use regularly. How do I know? Because I love every. single. one. LIKE THIS DIAPER RASH CREAM. Trust me when I say every mama and baby will love and use this magical diaper rash cream. USE PROMO CODE “BUMPTOBUSY10” TO EARN 10% OFF.

If you are a new mom-to-be, you’re going to need to read this post. If you are a new daddy-to-be, you are ALSO going to need to read this post. If you are shopping for gifts to buy a friend or family member getting ready to welcome their bundle of joy, this list makes shopping super duper easy.

This comprehensive list of what to put on baby registry is going to help you create the MOST PERFECT baby registry. You will also get the ultimate baby registry checklist, which includes baby registry items that NEED to make it onto your baby registry. This one-stop resource will most definitely take some of the weight off your shoulders. This post does not just include the essentials. It includes extras too! Like useful items, I wish I had known about sooner. Items you will be so INCREDIBLY thankful for! 

Before getting into all the things, sign up for your baby registry here. Go ahead and take care of that now.

This post is all about what to put on baby registry.

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What To Put On Baby Registry

Researching Baby Registry Essentials 

Deciding what to put on your baby registry is so much fun, but it is super important to do your research beforehand. You want to add items that follow current safety standards. You also want to make sure you pick baby products that you will absolutely love and use. After all, many of your family members and friends will shower you with these handpicked gifts. 

Here on the blog, I often write about baby must-have topics. So if you are curious about newborn must-haves, toddler must-haves, and beyond, you can read more here. These posts make being a new mom a little bit easier.

When you are customizing your baby registry, consider your lifestyle, budget, and living space. Research and ask your mom friends for recommendations.

There are some decorative items I decided to leave off my list. These items were curtains, a crib, a dresser, and decorative frames for the nursery.

I really wanted to pick everything decorative myself and set it up in my own time. (I am a control freak and wanted it to look exactly how I wanted it to look.) I found the most beautiful curtains from Pottery Barn Kids.

So let’s jump into what to put on baby registry.

Must-Have Items For The Baby Registry 

Here is an organized list of what to put on baby registry. If you are looking for a more comprehensive list, be sure to download the baby registry checklist! That will ensure that you are extra prepared. You will find it below.

So have you at least created your baby registry yet? Do that before we get into what to put on baby registry. Take care of that real quick here.

Nursery Essentials 

Crib & Mattress

Of course, a crib and mattress need to make it to your registry checklist. We actually bought the crib and mattress ourselves because we wanted to splurge. We fell in love with a crib and dresser set at a local baby store.

We bought this mattress and LOVE it. You honestly NEED this. It is waterproof. One side is for infants and the other is for toddler years. UPDATE: We bought the same mattress when our son was born. I am still very happy with it.

You should also buy a mattress protector as well as a soft fitted sheet.

PRO TIP: I suggest buying a crib that turns into a toddler bed. A crib is one of those big-ticket items so if you can buy one that will grow with your newborn, that is INSANELY helpful.

Changing Table Or Pad

The dresser we bought came with a removable changing table. As a first-time mama, I had no idea how many messes were going to occur DURING diaper changes. I kept having to remove my changing pad covers.

Then I decided to buy a changing table pad liner, which has been amazing! Wow, this changing pad liner will save your sanity. These do a great job of protecting the changing pad covers and they wash well.

Rocking Chair

A rocker is a must. You will spend many hours in a rocking chair. Trust me. Any piece of furniture that you will spend hours in HAS to be comfortable! It just has to.

For this reason, I encourage you to buy this nursery staple in person. You want to test it to ensure comfort.

Keep in mind furniture may take more than just a couple of months to come in, so time your shopping right. 

Dresser and Storage Solutions 

Looking for baby dresser organization tips? I wrote an ultimate guide on this topic. It includes pictures of my baby dresser and storage solutions I swear by. Click the link below to get all the tips and tricks. This post takes the guesswork out.

(RELATED POST: 7 Essential Baby Dresser Organization Tips That Are Life-Changing)

Diaper Pail

Many first time moms will use this regulary. It is what I used with my first baby. With my second, I ditched the diaper pail and just threw dirty diapers away with our regular trash.

Baby GearI

Stroller and/or Carrier

A traveling system is EVERYTHING! It is one of my favorite registry must-haves. This is a bit pricey, but it lasts until your baby is a toddler, which is amazing.

If this is your first child, you can always get more use out of it with your second baby. When shopping for a car seat, check that it meets the US safety standards. There should see a label on it.

If you are about to have two little ones, you may decide that a double stroller is best for you.

PRO TIP: A car seat cover is life-changing. This particular one is cold and wind-resistant. Protect those precious babies. If you want something light for the warmer days, this is another great option.

Bouncer or Swing

We LOVE our baby swing. If my babies were fussy I would just put them in their swing and they’d instantly be happy.

To be honest, we didn’t have a baby swing right away and we wish we bought one sooner. Your baby will adore this swing. A swing is a great hands-free way to soothe your baby. Enjoy being hands-free for a moment! You deserve it. (It is worth mentioning that it is never a good idea to leave your baby in a swing unsupervised).

Ready for more?

Playmats

This play gym NEEDS to be added to your list of items. It grows with your new baby from the first week until they are a toddler. If that isn’t a great enough reason to grab one I don’t know what is.

It includes activities that will engage, encourage exploration, and foster growth. Tummy time is recommended from the time of your baby’s arrival. So a play mat is something you will get a lot of use out of.

Feeding Necessities

Bottles and Nipples

My biggest suggestion is to not go crazy buying baby bottles. Meaning, don’t add a million and one bottles and nipples to your baby registry list. Bottlefeeding can be a challenge. Especially if you are a breastfeeding mama. It is very possible that your baby is a bit particular when it comes to which bottles he or she chooses to feed from.

I suggest buying one type and seeing how it goes. If your child takes to it, buy another set.

My daughter was very picky and she loved these bottles. In fact, many of my other mommy friends also love and appreciate this brand. My daughter had a tongue and lip tie. So if your baby has any issues that make eating more challenging, then these bottles are perfect for your little one.

These bottles reduce gas build up and the nipples are breast-shaped. Your newborn baby will make it very clear which bottle is best for them. 

Breast Pump

This is my favorite breast pump. Ever. It is one of the pricier breast pumps, but that is because it is hands-free and truly amazing! I invested in this product before my maternity leave was up for my first baby. Thank God I did because my work did not give me a break during the day to pump.

This breast pump allowed me to pump without anyone knowing and continue my workday without being tethered to a wall outlet. It was my best friend. 

Bottom line…if you are a busy working mama or don’t want to be chained to an outlet when pumping, BUY THIS BREAST PUMP. You won’t regret it.

Nursing Essentials (nursing pads, nipple cream, nursing everything)

Okay, so I wrote a WHOLE post about breastfeeding must-haves. These must-haves will make your breastfeeding journey so much easier and give you lots of great options to choose from. As a first-time mama, you will appreciate finding out which products will make your breastfeeding journey smoother.

(RELATED POST: 23 Breastfeeding Must-Haves Every Mama Should Own)

High Chair 

This is something you won’t need until a little later when your little one begins eating solid food, but personally, I do not like waiting until the last minute to buy anything.

So I suggest adding this to your registry. Hopefully, someone will buy it for you! We are so happy with our high chair. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Milk Storage Bags

You NEED to have breast milk storage bags ready to grab. This is something many first-time mamas don’t think about (I sure didn’t).

In those early days, I did not think about how engorged I would be. I had to pump A LOT in the beginning in addition to breastfeeding just to get some relief.

As a mama who needed to return to work after maternity leave, building up my freezer stash was super important to me. Breast milk storage bags are great for that.

Burp Cloths

Do you and your baby a favor and add several of these to your baby gift registry. You will quickly learn that you can never have too many burp cloths. You will also have to do loads of laundry, so protect yourself and easily tend to your baby with burp cloths.

Nursing Pillow

My kids and I LOVED this pillow. I used this pillow with both my kids and it even grows with your little one. You can use it for tummy time and to assist your child when sitting up.

Diapering & Care Supplies

Diapers 

We have used these diapers since the very beginning. These diapers will quickly become your favorite. They did a FANTASTIC job of keeping the mess contained, especially during rooster poops. The term rooster poop describes a poopy diaper that travels up the back! This was a new term I learned after becoming a mom.

Diapers make it onto many baby registry lists for a reason. They are essential and you need a million of them.

If you choose to use cloth diapers, you may want to add those to your list. 

If you want to splurge a little and want diapers that are free of chemicals and ultra soft, these are even better. They’re a bit more expensive than your typical diapers, but they are so worth it. My kids never got diaper rash when wearing these diapers. SHOP THROUGH THIS LINK AND USE THE CODE “BUMP20” FOR 20% OFF A PURCHASE $40 OR MORE.

Wipes

Buying diapers and wipes in bulk is crucial. You don’t have to worry about running out to the store every five seconds and you save money when you buy in bulk.

We have always used these wipes and never had a reason to switch to another brand. Like diapers, they are compatible with sensitive skin. 

Diaper Rash Cream

This is the diaper rash cream you want to use on your baby! It will keep your baby’s bum irritation-free. Add this diaper cream to your wish list. USE PROMO CODE “BUMPTOBUSY10” TO GET 10% OFF.

Tubby Todd All Over Ointment

One thing you may not be prepared for is how to deal with your newborn’s skin. My daughter had terrible eczema. Her precious little skin was always so irritated. It took me months to discover this ointment. Any time she gets a red spot, mark, dryness, or irritation I spread this ointment all over the area. After just a few applications, her skin clears up.

Even if your child does not have eczema, this ointment is super gentle on the skin and SO worth having around. If you shop for All Over Ointment (or any other Tubby Todd products) through this link you can get 10% off. I have several of their products and truly love this brand.

Baby Bathtub

When your baby is a newborn, it is easy to bathe in the sink during bath time. Regardless of where you choose to wash your little one, this baby bathtub makes bathtime simple. Don’t you just love easy?

It has a quick drying cushion, drains so the water level is perfect, and even gives your newborn’s head and neck support. 

Baby Monitor

This is the baby monitor we use and love. You will feel the same way. I love watching my little darling sleep peacefully on the monitor. You won’t use this until your little one is sleeping in their nursery, but I like to plan ahead. 

Diaper Bag

This is my favorite diaper bag and it is a popular choice. If you are a mama who wants a diaper bag with plenty of room and great storage, you will love this one.

You can wear it as a bag bag or over your shoulder. The pockets help me stay organized. If you are wondering what to put in your diaper bag, I covered it all in the post below.

I even included a diaper bag checklist for newborns and toddlers.

(RELATED POST: 8 Absolute Musts On Our Minimalist Diaper Bag Checklist)

Bassinet

So this is a pricier item, but it is SO good. This bassinet does it all. It calms your baby by gently rocking them. It will automatically detect when your baby is crying and soothe them back to sleep. Without a doubt, losing sleep during those newborn days is so ROUGH.

Help your baby sleep better by investing in this incredible bassinet.

Clothing and Bedding

Onesies and Bodysuits

Onesies and bodysuits are baby registry essentials! My daughter STILL lives in bodysuits. These bodysuits are our favorite. Stock up on comfortable clothing for your baby. Happy shopping!

PRO TIP: Add a variety of sizes to your list of baby registry wishes.

Pajamas

I have a few favorite pajamas. Pajamas are one of the best baby registry items to add to your list. Your baby will spend so much time sleeping. So of course being cozy is a priority.

These pajamas are super soft, which is one reason why I love them so much. They are quality made and they actually helped my daughter sleep through the night. Her eczema used to wake her up and night, and since making the switch to bamboo pajamas she stopped waking up due to discomfort.

We can’t get enough of these!

Here is another favorite of ours. You can count on comfort with these!

Last but certainly not least! These are super cozy.

Sleep Sacks

Sleep sacks are amazing. They are 1000 times better than swaddles in my honest opinion.

We have a few of these and they are fantastic.

Swaddles and Blankets

These swaddles are great. They are so easy to put on your little darling.

Even though I am more of a sleep sack fan, I do use these swaddles in the early weeks.

Hats 

Depending on what time of year it is and where you live, you may have to buy hats sooner rather than later. 

Socks

Stock up on socks to keep your baby’s toes and feet warm.

Safety Considerations

When building your registry list, it is important to understand what makes a product safe. This section will help you pick safe baby registry must-haves for first-time moms. Safety should always be considered when deciding what to put on baby registry. 

When you are shopping for an infant car seat and stroller, you want to check that there is support for their head and neck. A newborn support accessory is helpful.

Something else to think about is how often babies make messes. If you can opt for a stroller with washable fabric, that will make it easier to clean up the messes.

Your stroller should have a five-point harness for safety purposes. The base should be wide and have brakes that are easy to use. The leg openings should not be too wide for newborns. They should be snug and supported. Newborns need a stroller that reclines to support their head and neck. Not all strollers recline. So keep that in mind while you are shopping. When deciding what to put on your baby registry, always consider safety.

Be super sure that you install your car seat properly. If you are not sure you installed it properly, you can go to a local fire station and they will install it for you or check that you have done it correctly. Initially, the car seat will be rear-facing until your child is at least 2 years old. Maybe even older. Your manual will give you the specific pounds and height safety information for a rear-facing car seat. Your manual will answer specific questions about the car seat you choose. 

When shopping for cribs there are some safety features to keep in mind as well. Cribs should not have a drop-side rail. The gap between the slats is also important. These gaps should not exceed 6 centimeters. This is to protect your precious darling from getting trapped between the slats. Newborn mattresses should be firm! Our mattress has one side for infants and the other for toddlers (It is also waterproof and it is ah-maz-ing). The crib mattress should also fit snugly. This will help your baby sleep safely. If a crib has corner posts, they should be over 16 inches tall to avoid being a strangulation hazard. 

If you are going with an old or used crib, understand that the crib may not meet the current safety standards. It may also have paint that contains lead, which is not safe for your little one. It is wise to buy new products and check for recalls. 

Crib bumpers used to be common. However, these days the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against having anything inside of the crib due to safety reasons.

Now let’s dive into really unique and helpful must-haves.

Non-Essential, But Useful and Unique Baby Registry Items

If you are anything like me, you’re all about finding products to make motherhood simple. These non-essential, but useful items, do just that. They make your life simple.

These products enhance the baby’s comfort as well as the parents’ convenience.

Wet Dry Bags

These are truly amazing! AMAZING! Trust me when I say any mama will appreciate this unique gift. Have you ever been out and about with your little one and they had a blowout or even a small accident? I have many times!

It is super convenient to have a wet dry bag to keep the contaminated clothing separate from everything else. I learned about wet dry bags way too late! Don’t be unprepared like I was.

If someone gifted this to me early on I would have been in heaven.

You can also use these bags during a pool day with the family. They are also a GREAT bag to store wet clothes or bathing suits in. 

Sound Machine

A white noise machine is a great way to comfort your little one and keep them asleep! No need to worry about tip-toeing around the house during nap time. You can control the Hatch Rest from your phone, which is a pretty amazing feature. 

If your child is a little older, you can set the time-to-rise feature. This produces a light and sound to gently wake up your little one. There is also a winding down feature.

In addition to being a sound machine, the Hatch can also produce calming music, read bedtime stories, and serve as a night light. This is another great product to add to your baby registry! Promise.

Still wondering what to put on baby registry?

Baby Nasal Aspirator

I keep a baby nasal aspirator in my diaper caddy. Regular boogie suckers just don’t clear out all the snot. I find comfort in knowing that a doctor invented this genius baby product. Bye-bye mucus! 

(RELATED POST: 13 Essential Items | What To Put In Diaper Caddy)

Baby Humidifier

Humidifiers are great for when your little one is feeling under the weather. If you don’t already have one of these, you are missing out. It also comes in handy during those dreaded sleep regressions.

Stroller Organizer

This is something I overlooked at the beginning of motherhood. I had no idea how many walks I would be taking with my baby girl.

A stroller organizer is great because it allows you to bring your items with you and keep them organized. It attaches to your stroller. Don’t you love being hands-free? I am obsessed!

Baby Grooming Kit

I bought a baby grooming kit and love it. However, I do not love the brushes that usually come in these kits because they are too rough on my daughter’s head.

I also do not use baby nail clippers because I worry about cutting my daughter’s skin. I love everything else that comes in the baby grooming kit so I think it is worth it to have.

Keep reading for more about what to put on baby registry.

Bottle Drying Rack

So this is a preference thing. There are so many bottle-drying racks on the market. You decide which one works best for you.

Personally, I just use a regular drying rack. The only items that dry on that rack are baby items. Items like bottles, nipples, and pump parts. 

Baby Carrier 

A baby carrier makes going out and about so much easier. I love baby-wearing. This carrier will grow with your little one from the time they are a newborn to a toddler. As a mom, it is SO smart to buy products that will grow with your baby.

Baby Toys

Do your little one a favor and buy toys that will foster their growth.

So far, we have three of these play kits and I wish we got our hands on them sooner. If you want to promote your baby’s cognitive growth, THESE toys will do that.

Tell me more about what to put on baby registry, please!

Activity Center 

You won’t need an activity center right away, but it is good to have once your newborn reaches 4 months and up.

This activity center is interactive and is sure to bring excitement to your growing babe.

Wipe Warmers 

This is something you may or may not have a need for. I suggest you wait and see. If you feel like your wipes are a bit of a startle for your bundle of joy, you may want to buy some wipe warmers.

Baby Registry Checklist PDF

This baby registry checklist will help you tremendously! This is the baby registry checklist I wish I had during my pregnancy.

I wanted this list to include EVERYTHING. Just the way I like it. What to put on baby registry made easy!

Click here to get your free baby registry checklist download

Practical Tips and Recommendations 

Now that you know just what to put on your baby registry, it is a good idea to add items of varying price ranges or different price points to your baby registry list. This will help accommodate guests with different budgets. 

Don’t be afraid to add some sentimental items like books, bath toys, baby books, or even toys. I chose my own sentimental items but welcomed meaningful gifts from family and friends. 

I was so happy to use a universal baby registry. This allows you to add items from any store. Babylist is really great for that.

PRO TIP: Baby registry finder makes it really easy to search for someone’s existing registry.

Hopefully, you now know just what to put on your baby registry.

Where to Register

There are so many platforms that help you create a baby registry, wedding registry, baby shower invitations, you name it. So of course you want to know the best place to register. There are store-specific baby registries, where you can register all of your registry must haves. Then there are universal registries, where you can choose items from a variety of stores. Finally, there are baby registries for cash. With this option, people can donate money for you to do the shopping yourself. Make your choice and simply add your what to put on baby registry products.

I think it’s beneficial to shop from different stores. Wondering where to register? This post gives the scoop on the pros and cons of the 6 best baby registries. It will help you make a final decision. 

I love Babylist. It is one of my favorite baby registries for so many reasons. The biggest reason I love it so much is that you can add any item from any store to your baby registry. You simply bookmark it and any time you come across a baby item online that you want or need, you add it to your registry with a simple click of a button. They also have a free welcome box. My motto is, “If it is free, it is for me.” Who doesn’t appreciate samples and coupons?

I also love that your registry stays hidden until you are ready to make it public for your friends and family to view. I started my baby registry toward the end of my first trimester and added items little by little. This worked for me. After adding items a little at a time, I made my registry public. Building the registry this way helped reduce the overwhelm.

Here is another great place to create your baby registry! You all know and love them. They literally have EVERYTHING you could ever want and more.

So how does a baby registry work? You decide where and how you would like to register. Do you want a store-specific, universal, or baby cash registry? There is no best way. Talk to your partner and figure out what works best for your growing family.

If you choose the baby registry route, you can simply pick all of the goodies you want to add to your list with the click of your mouse. After finalizing what to put on the baby registry, remember that you will have these products for a long time, so pick the best things!

Conclusion

Deciding what to put on baby registry is not an easy task for new moms. There is so much thought that goes into it. You need to do your research and figure out which brands and items you love the most. There are so many different brands in the baby world.

Safety should be a major consideration as well. You want your precious babe to have products that will be 100% safe. You want to purchase items that are in good condition. Remember that old cribs and strollers may not follow current safety guidelines. 

Hopefully, this blog post gave you a lot to think about. Try to accommodate all family and friends by adding items with varying price points. Finally, decide where and how you would like to register while keeping the practical tips and recommendations in mind.

I encourage new parents to start early. You can create your baby registry and keep it hidden until you are ready to share it with your family and friends. 

Cherish this exciting journey of parenthood. Whether you are a first-time mom and it is just beginning for you or you are a seasoned mom welcoming a new addition to your family… enjoy the ride. What are your baby registry must haves?

Set up your baby registry here.

This post was all about what to put on baby registry. 

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