Written By Caroline Dilbeck
I’m three years out from my last baby (sigh). It's hard to believe it but we are officially out of diapers and (I think) we’re out of the baby stage. It does go by as fast as everyone says it does and it IS as hard as you think it is. I’ve been grieving the baby stage so much and looking back on that sweet time.
My biggest takeaway when it comes to what you need for the baby years is to keep it simple. The mental load of motherhood starts even before baby arrives and I remember trying to make decisions about what to register for was both fun and overwhelming.
That’s why I decided to make it easy for first time moms by curating just the essentials (what you actually need!) and a checklist to keep you organized. I’m sharing what worked well for us, a few things that we didn’t end up needing and what I’d get today if I had another baby. Plus I polled my Instagram parents and they shared the items they couldn’t live without (scroll to the end for that list!). Most of the items can be found in my Amazon shop here and I’ve provided details about each item below.
Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few bonus tips as well!)
NURSERY ITEMS
All the things you need to get your nursery set up! Remember to keep it simple and prioritize function and comfort when it comes to your nursery - you’re going to spend a lot of time snuggled up here.
Crib: Obviously you want to choose a crib that goes with the vibe of your nursery. I really loved our Ikea cribs (this one is similar on Amazon). The main priority for us was safety and then making sure the crib could convert to a toddler bed down the road.
Dresser: Choose a dresser than can double as a changing table. We used two different versions of the Hemnes dresser from Ikea and they did great doubling as a changing station and the drawers were great for organizing baby gear. I also love that they have stood the test of time in our now-toddler bedrooms.
Rocking Chair and Ottoman: You will be spending A LOT of time in your rocking chair. I had a gal share that she loved the sentiment of her mom’s wood hard rocking chair and kept it for first baby and was MISERABLE the whole. Needless to say, her number one rec for babyhood is a comfy rocking chair and ottoman. We’ve enjoyed both the West Elm Graham Glider and the less expensive DaVinci Rocker and Ottoman combo. I actually preferred the later because it was more petite and cozy for me (but larger dads and grandpas may not agree!)
Blackout curtains: Creating a calm, dark space for baby is essential to good sleep and for us, sleep was the foundation of sanity in parenthood. We have these curtains in all of our bedrooms and they’ve transitioned well into toddlerhood too. You can double up with the curtains by using a pull down shade (we have this one) if you want an extra layer of protection or if your nursery gets direct sunlight.
Keekaroo Changing Pad: I loved the keekaroo changing pad for both of our boys. It was so easy to keep sanitary and wipe off messes with a antibacterial wife. In the vain of keeping it simple this was everything. No laundry, no changing pad covers.
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail (optional): If you’re a family who takes your trash out daily, I would NOT recommend getting a formal diaper pail. I would place soiled diapers in doggy bags within a normal trash can with a lid. We loved this ubbi diaper pale for our first child because it did not require special bags. BUT it will smell over time when opened up (they all do!). If you live in an apartment, condo or place where you aren’t taking trash out as frequently, I highly recommend this diaper pail.
FEEDING
Nursing Postpartum Feeding Cart + Storage Trays: Whether you are breast or bottle feeding, the nursing cart is essential for every mom. It makes it so easy to stay organized and find everything you need no matter where you are feeding baby in your home. I loved the convenience of having all the essentials right at my fingertips and it was so easy to put together (makes a great baby shower gift too!). All the details to create your own nursing cart are here.
Ikea Antilop High Chair: I love this high chair for two reasons: its affordable and its easy to clean. You can literally hose it off outside. I tried the Intaglio fast table chair and another high chair as well, and this was the easiest, most convenient. Can’t recommend it enough. Did I mention its $15?
Burp cloths: Another essential item. I got a set of plain ones and a monogrammed set for on the go. I loved having both! (4-6)
Pacifiers: Your choice to use these or not but we had a thumb sucker who didn’t take a paci and one who LOVED his paci. These are the same that we use in the hospital (former PICU nurse here) and they worked really well for us.
Bottle Grass: This is like a badge of motherhood and they really are great for drying all of your baby stuff including pump parts. Gotta have this!
For Bottle Feeding moms: bottles, bottle brush and drying rack: If you already know you are going to bottle feed then go ahead and buy the bottle brush and bottles (these are my favorite). But if you plan on breastfeeding, these can wait.
Bibs: Gotta have a good set of bibs not just for food and eating but also for lots and lots of drool. (5-8)
Boppy: Again, you need LOTS of places to safely set baby. A boppy is a great option. Its also a great tool for breastfeeding, bottle feeding and propping yourself up in bed.
Haaka (optional) : If you are breastfeeding mom, this was another game changer for me. It helped me catch any let down from my other breast wild baby was nursing on the opposite side. It also really helped get my supply up. Make sure you get the one with the flower stopper so you don’t spill your milk.
Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few bonus tips as well!)
SLEEPING + SWADDLING
Ollie Swaddle: If I had to buy one swaddle for a newborn, this would be it. In fact, these sell out regularly because they are that good. You can swaddle arms in or arms out and it works on even the best swaddle-escape artist. Plus its super easy to use which means someone other than you can do it! I also love that it helps with the startle reflex so baby is less likely to wake themselves up.
Velcro Swaddle: I recommend getting 1-2 velcro swaddles as well, in the event the Ollie is dirty or your baby is not Houdini.
Sound Machine: We placed a sound machine both inside the baby’s room and just outside the door to provide adequate white noise to keep us from waking up baby. We continue to do this in toddlerhood and its worked really well for us. We put this dome in the hallways right outside their room.
Hatch Light: We’ve LOVED the hatch light and I think its been key to successful sleep for our babies. It acts as a subtle nightlight and sound machine in babyhood. As your child gets older, you can use it as an indicator light for when its time to get out of bed etc. And its easy to control from your phone in case you need to increase or decrease the sound or the light for late night diaper changes without turning bright lights on.
Muslin blankets (4): These blankets are so soft. I recommend starting with 4.
Fleece Halo Sleep Sack: I recommend registering for the small and medium sizes in this fleece sleep sack. It does a great job keeping baby warm once their hands are free and their startle reflex starts to go away. I also love the wrap it has to make baby feel secure. Safe for babies who are rolling over.
Baby Shusher: The shusher is a great adjunct for helping with baby sleep. Plus it can double as an on the go sound machine when you need it too (no need for both1). This tiny little machine makes a shuuu, shuuush, shuuu sound just like you do and really does help with the transition from mom’s arms to crib/bassinet.
Crib Sheets: These are soft, organic cotton, wash well and come in a variety of colors. Recommend 2-4 sheets.
Crib Mattress: Don’t overthink this. Your baby does not need the Range Rover of crib mattresses. We bought one from Ikea when we purchased the crib. Here is another one from Amazon that we also liked for our second son. The main thing you are considering is safety - making sure it is the correct size to fit snuggly into your crib so baby can’t slip in between the rail and the mattress. Most cribs and mattresses are standard size so this is not an issue unless you are using a hand me down or unique sized crib.
Mattress cover: Another MUST HAVE to go with your crib and mattress. The main thing here is you don’t want it to be loud and crinkly because it WILL wake up baby. You also want it to be waterproof because babies are messy! We loved this one for both of our boys.
Baby blanket: While you won’t be leaving a blanket in the bed with your baby just yet, you will eventually. I loved having a personalized keepsake blanket for each of my boys. We got this one monogrammed and they still sleep with it and take it with them when they travel. Its a great size for mom too if you need an extra layer while feeding at home. Plus, people love giving unique personalized gifts so this is a perfect registry item.
Magnetic Me Pajamas: You will notice that I’m not including a lot of clothes here. My best recommendation is the Magnetic Me onesies so you are not trying to put together buttons or snaps in the dark. People LOVE to give clothes especially if you’re having a girl so I don’ t like including anything but Magnetic PJs on a registry (plus they are a bit pricey - but so worth it!). Make sure you register for 2-3 each in Newborn through 6-9 month sizes.
BABY GEAR
Baby Bouncer: If you get one item, get the Bjorn bouncer. I’ve mentioned that you need lots of places to set baby and this is my favorite option. I love that its no frills, collapses flat for stroage when you are not using and washable. It is a bit of a splurge but after two boys and multiple friends borrowing ours, it still looks like new. Such a high quality item. I prefer this over the mamaroo (we had this too!) which is an electronic rocker - babies can be hit or miss on the electronic rockers BTW!
Baby Carrier: There are lots of great swaddle wraps out there. I enjoyed the Solly Baby wrap for a time UNTIL I got the Bjorn Mini Carrier. It replaced all of my other swaddles. Its easy and uncomplicated to use. Baby can sit forward or backward, super secure and washable. I love that Ty found it usable as well and that I didn’t need to put it on before getting in the car or remember how to use it every time.
Baby monitor: Most people have strong opinions about their baby monitor set up but bottom line is your need one. We kept it really simple and opted to have a monitor that does not connect to our phones. This was better for us when it came to our own sleep at night too. We loved the Vava system for both of our boys. It has adjustable sound, dual screen and is really simple to use and set up which was also good for babysitters and grandparents when we were not at home. We also bought these inexpensive intercoms for each of the grandparents houses to make sleep easier there too.
Bumbo: One thing they don’t tell you is that you need LOTS of places to safely set baby. The bumbo is one of those. It also is great for building core strength and learning to sit up (hospital PT/OT uses this with babies) and it doubles as an eating/play surface. Its also super easy to clean. Have I mentioned babies are messy?
CAR + ON THE GO
Uppababy Mesa Car Seat (+ 2 bases): We love this car seat and its easy compatibility with single Minu Stroller. We bought two bases - one for each of our cars and it worked really well for us. Its also highly rated for safety.
WHY I DIDN’T GO WITH THE DOONA: I know a lot of people are going for the Doona Stroller these days but it was newish when we had our first. It also is really heavy and sits very low to the ground. Not to mention it doesn’t have very high safety ratings. A no-go for us.
Minu Stroller: We are obsessed with this stroller. Not only does the mesa car seat conveniently attach but it also comes with the bassinet (just like the larger Cruz and Vista strollers). The BEST PART is that its built for travel. It is ultra-light at only 14 pounds and folds up into a backpack that fits in the carry-on compartment in the airplane.
Diaper Bag + Changing Mat: I had this diaper kit for both babes. It was effective and stylish.
Car Window Shades: You need these. Trust me. Two for each back window (per car you plan to use with baby)
Stick on Blackout shade: These are great for travel when the blinds or curtains where you are staying just aren’t enough. They are compact for easy packing and simply suction cup onto the window to darken the room. (1-2 shades)
Intercom: I wish I had registered for these rather than making a late evening dash to Target. We bought one pair of these simple intercoms to keep at each grandparents house so we could hear baby around the house. The simplicity made it easy for everyone to use and set up.
Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few bonus tips as well!)
BATHING + HYGIENE
Baby tub; This tub is lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. It can sit at the base of your tub while baby still needs support. Easy to rinse off and stays put while bathing.
Sink Insert for baby: I love this collapsible baby tub that inserts right into your sink base. Loved how convenient this was for us especially when baby was very small.
Baby wash cloths: 4-8 washcloths that are super soft is a must. Love these (and now that the kids are older I steal them for myself!).
Hooded towel: We still use the same hooded towel we bought for each of our boys (our boys are 3 and 4 now). I bought the monogrammed one from PB and so glad I splurged on this item. I love having a few personalized and special items on the registry - there are always a few people seeking something unique to give and this is one of those items.
Nail trimmers: You’ll be shocked at how quickly babies nails grown. This makes it super easy to sand down their nails - even while they sleep in your arms. Perfect addition to your nursing cart too!
Baby shampoo + wash: Keep in mind that babies use SO LITTLE shampoo and body wash. I was gifted a jumbo size bottle of shampoo for Tommy and we never used it all! I recommend making sure you have one bottle of combo shampoo/body wash (and a small bottle of lotion of your choice).
Baby Lotion: This is my go-to favorite but I like anything with lavender and we included it as part of our evening bath and bedtime routine. The smell still reminds me of those early days.
Thermometer + Baby Tylenol: A go to in the mommy medicine cabinet. We like this one best - easy to use and touch free.
Nasal Bulb: There are some newer fancier versions of this like the Nose Frida. I’ve tried both and still prefer this simple bulb aspirator for stopped up noses.
ORGANIZING PRODUCTS
Name labels: Especially if your child will be in daycare or MDO you will want to start labeling everything now!
Drawer dividers: I love using these to keep little clothes organized. The best part is you can easily adjust as their clothes get bigger.
Acrylic Bookshelves: I’ve used these in multiple houses to organize our books. The outward facing method for books makes it easy for kids to see and pick out their favorites.
Laundry basket: Don’t forget this! You will have lots of laundry. This Serena and Lily Basket is my favorite for baby’s room if it matches your vibe. A bit of a splurge but still enjoying it today (Amazon similar here and here).
Cube shelving: A staple for organizing kids toys and books. I love pairing is with the mesh zips bags and cube baskets for toy storage. And if you are into the more montessori method of toy set up, this will help you achieve that too.
Mesh zip bags: If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I use them for EVERYTHING from storing christmas decor, to tiny toy pieces, to toy sets, games and more. Grab 1-2 sets of the variety pack to start.
Y-weave bins: I love using these affordable bins within drawers to corral tiny baby accessories like socks and pacifiers. Start with 4-6 in the smaller size. I also love the bigger bins to stack acorss the tops o fa closet for too big and too small clothes, diapers and blankets.
TOYS+ PLAY
Again really keep it really simple here. Baby’s don’t need much. You’ve heard the anecdote that they will play with the box, rather than the toy - and its true! My favorite toys are the wood Montessori style toys. I’m linking a several of our favorites here along with these list of essentials below.
Lovevery Play Kits: These are truly the best and take the thinking out of what baby needs at each stage. The toys are beautiful, durable and will last from kid to kid. I really think this helps simplify and reign in the kid toys too!
Board Books + Soft Books: I recommend registering for 5-10 board books and 1-2 soft baby books plus a few of your favorite books from childhood for nostaligia’s sake. Here are a few of my favorites.
Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to get a full list of those items and to help you stay organized.
YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Bob Stroller (single and double)
Ollie Swaddle: “Great for swaddle escape artists!”
Baby Bjorn Bouncer: On my list too!
Snoo Motion Sensing Bassinet: This dad of twins said it was a “live without” but it makes the early months so much better.
Doona Covertible Car Seat, Base and Stroller Combo
Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few extra bonus tips for you as well!)
What we didn’t end up using or I wouldn’t use again:
Intaglio Fast table seat (the cloth is too difficult to clean up and keep clean)
Diaper pail (we had the Ubbi and while I liked it, we took trash out every day and it would have been just fine to toss them in our closed trash can. The steel can ends up smelling and rusting)
Foam play mat - Ours got torn up so fast between cars vrooming, kitty cat scratches and dog nails. I blanket on the ground especially over carpet/rug works just as well and its easier to wash.
Wrap Swaddle - Although I love the idea of my Solly swaddle, once I had the mini bjorn I only used it. It was more secure and way easier to use. Not to mention it was something Ty felt comfortable using and navigating too.
WHAT’S OUT | Items that I def think are not worth it:
Wipe warmer
Baby food processor
A changing table (just use your dresser top)
An actual diaper bag (Splurge on a beautiful tote bag like this one)
Pajamas with snaps or buttons: So hard in the dark in the middle of the night. Splurge on and register for Magnetic me Pajamas instead.
Apnea monitors (unless medically necessary)
Registering for diapers over gift cards: I explain why in my baby registry checklist. You can grab that here.
Registering a breast pump (go through your insurance for your first one)
Registering for fancy clothes
NOT ON THE REGISTRY BUT IMPORTANT TO HAVE:
I share more details, tips and rationale for this in my Registry Checklist which you can grab here.
For Breastfeeding moms: Breastfeeding is so individual and personal. For that reason, I don’t suggest putting these items on your registry. I do recommend getting the following items if you plan to breast feed:
Breast Pump: I recommend getting the breast pump that your insurance convers as a starting point. You will have plenty of time to see how breastfeeding goes and add a new/different pump into the mix if needed. Don’t overthink this. Get the storage bags associated with your pump as well as the carrying bag.
Pumping bra (1)
Breastfeeding bras 2)
Breastfeeding tank tops (2-4)
Diapers
Onesies + Footie Pajamas for the first few months
PIN + SHARE!
Make sure you download my FREE Registry Checklist to help you stay organized (it has a few extra bonus tips for you as well!)
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baby registry
Caroline Dilbeck
