If you are having a baby or recently had a baby I am sure you were overwhelmed by the endless amount of baby items. Even more shocking was the price tags on many of the popular “must haves”! We all know that babies, and kids in general, are expensive. Why waste money on items that won’t get used? That is why I am sharing with you a list of baby registry must haves that solely based on functionality and utilization.
After we had our last baby, we had so many things that we never used. We also used things that I never imagined would be a part of our daily chaos. The fact is every family and every baby is different. What works for some may not work for others. The list below aims to give a foundation of the most used items, at least in our house. Having a baby is a fun albeit stressful situation and making a registry should be exciting and not add to the stress.
So here we go, Baby Registry Must haves!
Disclosure: I write about items, places and activities that I or my family have personally used and try to link those items or similar in my posts. Clicking a link sometimes leads to an affiliate link for which I receive a small compensation. At no point does this increase your costs!
Bottles and Pacifiers
There are so many options out there for bottles and pacifiers. Ultimately, your baby will make the decision for you on which ones they want. While we have always used Dr. Brown Bottles and Tommee Tippee pacifiers, there is no way to know which ones your little one will take. My recommendation is to put a few varieties of bottles and pacifiers on your baby registry until you know which brands they like.
Diaper Genie
Diaper Genies are one of our favorite items, so it had to be on our baby registry must haves list! We have one on both floors of our house. Let’s start with convenience. No one wants to have to walk outside every time their baby has a poopy diaper. My son is a pooping machine with a minimum of three poops per day. Being able to toss them in the diaper genie right after his diaper change is perfect.
Most importantly they mask the smell. Let’s face it, my son’s diapers can clear a room. I’m pretty sure if we owned a gas mask my husband would wear it each and every time. What is great is once the diaper is placed in the genie the smell is gone!
If you are worried about the refills, they are not too expensive and one roll lasts us about two weeks. Not to mention most diaper genies can use the off brand refills. *We have two different models of diaper genies. One is a little more picky on off brands.
Hatch Sound Machine
This is one of those items I thought we would never use. The joke is on me. We love the Hatch. From several different relaxing sounds (rain, wind, ocean and so much more) to the different lighting options the Hatch helps my son fall asleep. We personally use the wind sound with the red light. The red light provides just enough glow to allow me to see without causing the baby to wake.
The hatch also has an amazing ability to drown sound out which is perfect for our house. My 11 year old seems to have an inability to whisper or shut doors without slamming them. With the Hatch very little sound disturbs the baby. We take it everywhere with us for this reason alone.
Baby Swing
Let’s face it, babies love the swaying motion. So we went with a mid-model swing and he absolutely loved it! The Fisher-Price Sweet SnugaPuppy Swing has different variations of sounds and a built-in mobile. The best part is the seat can rotate so your baby can swing back-and-forth or side-to-side depending on preference.
Pack-n-Play
We have used Graco Pack-N-Play since the day we brought our baby home. All of our bedrooms are on the second floor which with a newborn can be tedious. To make things easier we placed a Pack-N-Play on the first floor.
We started off using the bassinet for sleep when he was a newborn. The great thing about the bassinet is it can be removed and used anywhere, as it has its own support base. Also the changing table option was super convenient since his permanent changing table was upstairs in the nursery. A diaper caddy attaches to the side making diaper/wipe storage easily accessible. The changing table and bassinet are simple to remove as they just clip on. Once he outgrew them and they were removed, we continued to use the Pack-N-Play for play time.
Baby Floor Play Mat
This is a must have, especially if you have hardwood or tile floors!
Our play mat was gifted to us and we absolutely love it. Before he was mobile we would place his tummy time mat on top of the floor mat and it would provide a nice cushion. Once he became mobile we loved it even more. It is great for babies to learn to sit up or stand on as it provides a nice cushion to the hard floors below.
The selling point is how easy they are to clean. Made of foam they are durable and easy to clean. If one side is getting too much wear and tear you can always flip it over as they are reversible.
Car Seat
When it comes to car seats I absolutely love our Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1.
So let’s talk about the Graco car seat. This car seat is great. It is functional, easy to use and can be used for several years. Out of the box this car seat was pretty much set up for use. Adjusting the shoulder height of the straps is typically a nuisance but not with this car seat. All it takes is holding down the button on top and pulling the head rest to the desired height. Adjusting the harness is also a breeze. A built in level is a convenient feature that ensures the correct reclining position whether the seat is rear or forward facing. We will be buying these again for the next baby.
Cactus Bottle Brush Set
I love my cactus bottle brush set. First, it’s cute. Who thought it would be possible to store multiple bottle brushes out in the open without it being an eyesore? Second, it comes with 4 different size brushes. We use Dr. Brown bottles that each have 5 pieces. There is not one piece that the cactus set can’t clean. Last, is cleanliness. The bottom actually has a reservoir that is easily removable. I place a tsp of vinegar in the reservoir to prevent smell and mold build-up as water collects over time. I clean the reservoir and replace the vinegar every so often and I have never had an issue.
Jumper
Once your baby has neck and head control, jumpers are amazing! Our little one love his Baby Einstein Jumper and would bounce and bounce to his heart’s desire. With a multitude of toys and sounds, this jumper was perfect for him. Even though he has no desire to sit in it anymore, he still loves to stand and play with the toys. The seat also comes out for easy cleaning.
Boppy Nursing and Position Pillow
I use this Boppy pillow for so many different things. From nursing support, to positioning him when he was awake (always supervised), to helping him sit up. Even at 10 months old he still likes to lay back and relax on his boppy. The covers make them durable and they are easy to take off and throw in the laundry. Not to mention they have so many cute designs.
Bassinet
If you plan on having your baby sleep in your room a bassinet is a necessity! We purchased a simple bassinet, Dream on Me, for our baby and it was great. Easy to use and baby slept wonderfully. But on the next baby I plan on upgrading to one with a bedside option, like the Koola Baby, that allows it to be up next to the bed.
Baby Carrier
Let’s face it. In the first several months your baby wants to be held constantly. It can make it difficult to get anything done. Having a good baby carrier can make your life so much easier and keep baby happy. I personally love the Konny Baby Wrap Carrier. They come in several sizes to ensure a comfortable fit for you. The wrap fits on the shoulders, saving your neck and back.
My husband went full The Hangover style and loves to use the Infantino. This carrier has straps that adjust allowing you to carry your baby up to 32 lbs. Both carriers allow baby to face you or to face out.
High Chair
Even though they are not needed right away it is always beneficial to add a high chair to your registry. Time flies once baby is here and you will need one faster than you think. There are multiple options for high chairs. We personally have used the space saver ones that attach to a chair and standalone high chairs. Which one to get depends on the space available and your preference.
Swaddles
For a good night’s sleep, swaddling is a must!
The first few months babies are adjusting to their new world. Swaddling them for sleep helps them feel comfortable and helps prevent the reflexes that startle them awake. These Velcro Swaddles are easy to use and come in several cute designs.
Sleep Sacks
Once your baby no longer wants to be swaddled, the next step is a sleep sack. Sleep sacks provide a safe and warm way for your baby to sleep. Since blankets and any other items are a no-no in the crib, sleep sacks are the way to go. Depending on where you live they have lighter, cooler options for summer and fleece for winter. We have always loved Halo Sleep Sacks, the material is soft and we can use them in most temperatures.
Burp Cloths
In the famous words of my Father-in-law, “You should have had a burp rag!”.
It is well known that babies spit-up. Don’t be caught off guard and always have burp cloths handy. We keep a basket of burp cloths on both floors of our house where they are easily accessible.
Monitor
Keep an eye on your baby and keep your peace of mind. Don’t want to spend a fortune on a baby monitor but don’t want to sacrifice quality and functionality? The V-tech monitor is perfect for you. With good picture quality and the ability to access your monitor from your phone you can check on your baby anywhere.
Owlet Dream Sock- A heavily debated item but worth it in my opinion.
If you have anxiety when you bring your baby home like I did, then the Owlet is for you. We did not purchase this sock until our little one was a couple weeks old. That is when I realized I was dealing with anxiety for the first time in my life. This device allows you to monitor your baby’s heartbeat and oxygen levels from your phone. It also will send out an alarm if either one drops below a preset value.
Baby Bath
Bathing your baby for the first time can be slightly nerve wrecking but you can make it easier by purchasing a good baby bath. A good bath not only provides comfort to your baby but it also makes it easier on you. The First Years Sure Comfort Baby Bath can be used through the first year or more. A sling insert makes a comfortable padding for newborns. Once baby has some head control, the infant side provides a reclined support during bath while allowing baby to be in the water. Once your baby can sit up, the third side is a seat providing more mobility for playing.
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