75+ Must-Have Baby Registry Items: What You Need and What You Don’t

75+ Must-Have Baby Registry Items: What You Need and What You Don’t

Being pregnant is one of the most exciting times for any couple. However, it can also be really overwhelming. There’s so much to do before the new baby comes . . . and so much to buy! Creating a baby registry is one of the first tasks you’ll complete as a first-time parent, and all the available baby items on the market can make the task feel impossible. 

If this is you, you’re probably asking, “What do I really need and what can I skip?” So, today, we’re sharing our list of registry essentials. From diapering and feeding to sleep and travel, we’ll help you navigate the overwhelming world of baby gear so you can focus on what really matters welcoming your little one with confidence. Let’s dive in!

75+ Must-Have Baby Registry Items: What You Need and What You Don’t

Whether you're preparing for your baby shower or making your own purchases, it’s important to consider stuff you really need for your newborn. There’s no need to clutter your space or overspend on unnecessary items! To help you add items to your registry in a way that’s thorough, but not excessive, follow the baby registry checklist below. 

How Many Items Should Be On A Baby Registry?

There’s no set rule on how many items you should include on your registry, but a good rule of thumb is between 50-100 items. However, there’s no shame in having more or fewer items on your registry. Even if everything isn’t purchased, you can use your registry as a checklist for yourself of everything you need. You can always send the registry out again at Christmas and their first birthday. 

Plus, if you have a Babylist or Amazon Baby Registry, you can get a completion discount for adding all the essentials to your list. So, don’t be afraid to add all the must-haves! 

What To Include On Baby Registry

Nursery/Sleeping Essentials

Your baby will do just a handful of things as a newborn: eat, poop, sleep. They’ll spend a lot of their time snoozing, so it’s important to have your sleeping essentials before they arrive. Just make sure to follow safe sleep practices: keep blankets and loose items out of the crib, avoid crib bumpers, and always place your baby on their back to sleep.

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• Crib
• Bassinet
• Mattress & Mattress Protector
• Fitted Sheets (2-3)
• Changing Table Dresser
• Rocking Chair or Glider
• White Noise Machine
• Baby Monitor 
• Nightlight 
• Swaddles/Sleep Sacks (3-5)

Diapering Essentials

Any mom will welcome diapering supplies! Whether you plan to use disposable or cloth diapers, make sure you have plenty of essentials on your registry. 

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper Rash Cream
• Diaper Caddy
• Changing Pad & Changing Mat 
• Changing Pad Covers (2-3)
• Wet Bags (2-3) 
• Cloth Diaper Essentials (If Applicable) 
  
  • 24-36 Diapers
  • Cloth Wipes
  • Cloth-Safe Laundry Detergent 

Feeding Essentials

Before you register for anything, consider whether you plan to formula-feed, breastfeed, or a combination of both! If you plan to pump, make sure you do some research on the best breast pump for your lifestyle! 

• Bottles (4-8) 
• Bottle Brush 
• Bibs (5-10)
• Burp Cloths (6-8)
• High Chair 
• Baby Spoons
• Breastfeeding Essentials
  
  • Breast Pump
  • Nursing Pads
  • Breast Milk Storage Bag
  • Manual Pump 
  • Nursing Cover 
• Formula Feeding Essentials
  
  • Formula Dispenser 

Clothing Essentials

Register for clothes of varying sizes that’ll fit your baby within the first year or year and a half. But, don’t just pick what you think is cutest. Prioritize practical baby clothes that fit the season. And, if you experience cold weather, ensure you have car seat-safe winter gear on your list!

• Onesies (6-10)
• Bottoms (4-6)
• Sleepers (5-7)
• Socks & Mittens (4-6 pairs)
• Hats (2-3)
• Car Seat-Safe Jacket
• Car Seat-Safe Bunting Suit (Cold Weather) 
• Gentle Laundry Detergent 

Bathing & Grooming Essentials

Babies are pretty low maintenance when it comes to bathing and grooming, but there are a few key items you’ll need. You could bathe the old-fashioned way using the sink and a regular towel, but an infant bathtub is designed for safety and baby towels are much easier on sensitive skin. 

• Infant Bathtub
• Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
• Hooded Baby Towels (2-3)
• Washcloths (4-6)
• Baby Brush and Comb

Travel & Gear Essentials

This category of baby gear includes some of the most important products you’ll need for your growing family. The stroller, baby carrier, and diaper bag are all essential for adapting your lifestyle to a new baby. Having the right items can make everything more practical and convenient!

Beyond practicality, car seats are one of the most crucial baby items for your newborn’s safety. You’ll spend a lot of time in the car, and car crashes remain one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. You can register for both an infant car seat and/or a convertible car seat if you want! (Read our post on infant car seats vs. convertible car seats.)

An infant car seat is handy for newborns, but your child will outgrow it sometime in the first year, so it’s a good idea to think about what convertible seat you might want. But car seats have expiration dates, so we recommend waiting to buy it. If you’d rather not register or purchase two seats, you can jump straight into a convertible car seat. However, ensure that you get one that’s truly compatible with newborns. To find the best seat for you, your baby, your budget, your car, and your lifestyle, use our Car Seat Finder Tool. 

• Infant Car Seat
• Convertible Car Seat
• Soft-Sided Car Seat Mirror 
• Car Window Shade 
• Stroller/Wagon/Travel System
• Baby Carrier or Baby Wrap
• Diaper Bag
• Portable Crib

Toys & Entertainment Essentials

Keeping baby entertained and enriched through the first year will set them up for success while giving you a much-needed break! Bounces, swings, pacifiers, and activity gyms give you some place to put baby down and do some housework, rest, or do something for yourself. 

Plus, toys in the car seat can keep baby calm while you drive! But, remember, hard-sided toys can be a projectile risk in a crash, so make sure you register for car seat-safe toys and activities for the vehicle.

• Teething Toys
• Books
• Activity Gym
• Car Seat-Safe Toys
• Bouncer/Swing 
• Pacifiers

Health & Safety Essentials

When your baby needs something in terms of health and safety, you don’t want to have to leave the house late at night or in the middle of the meltdown to get what you need. Register for essentials that’ll get you through some common problems like gas, congestion, and skin irritation. You’ll be happy you’re prepared!  

• Thermometer 
• Nail Clippers or Nail File
• Baby First Aid Kit
• Baby Lotion 
• Sunscreen (For 6+ Months)
• Baby Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Essential Medications
  
  • Infant Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
  • Infant Motrin (Ibuprofen)
  • Gas Drops 
  • Saline Mist/Spray
• Nasal Aspirator
• Humidifier
• Baby Proofing Supplies 

What Not To Include In Your Baby Registry 

Items All In the Same Price Range

Your registry should include items at all price ranges. Those who want to bless you with a gift will have a range of budgets, so you want something for everyone. Even if you’ve purchased a lot of things yourself, ensure there’s a good mix of inexpensive and big-ticket items to accommodate everyone. 

Too Many Newborn Items 

You never know how big your baby will be, but most babies grow out of the newborn size pretty quickly. Don’t ask for too many clothes or diapers in newborn size, because items may go unworn if you receive a lot or your baby is on the larger side!

An Excess of Clothes and Blankets

We don’t recommend registering for many newborn clothes, but we actually don’t recommend registering for too many clothes period. Friends and family love to buy baby clothes, and many will pick them up regardless of what’s on your registry. Add a few essentials to the registry, but don’t go overboard thinking you need to register for an entire 0-12 month wardrobe. 

The same goes for blankets. You’ll get plenty of blankets with your gifts no matter what you have on your registry, so keep your requests minimal. We promise—you won’t be short on clothes and blankets after your baby shower!

Too Much of One Item Type or Brand

Babies can be particular about some things, so it’s best not to buy too much of one brand or type of item in case your newborn prefers something different. The best bottles, pacifiers, and swaddles really depend on the baby! Your newborn may even have a sensitivity to certain diapers and wipes. All around, it’s best not to buy too much of one type of thing. Get a few different kinds and keep your stash small and buy more when you discover baby’s preferences! 

Formula 

Just like you can’t be sure what swaddle or pacifier your baby will like best, you can’t be sure what formula your newborn will tolerate. If you’re formula feeding, it could take a few weeks or months to figure out the best formula for your little one, so we don’t recommend you register for it. Instead, you could ask your friends and family to contribute to a formula fund for purchasing later. 

Single Task Gadgets You May Not Need 

There are lots of specialized baby products out there that do one single thing. These can seem like must-haves, when a lot of them are non-essential and space-wasters. Things like wipe warmers, bottle sterilizers, bottle warmers, and diaper pails aren’t essential and most parents can go without ever using them. 

Instead of registering for them, wait until baby is here and see if they’d really make your life easier! Some babies do prefer warm milk and wipe warmers can make diaper changes more pleasant, but they also may just add to the clutter!

Items Not Needed Until Later Stages

Kids need a LOT of stuff throughout their childhood. If you compiled all that into a registry, it would be an unending list. Most registries encompass just what you need for that first year. Remember, your baby will have lots of birthdays to come where you can ask for more essentials. 

Expensive Items With Big Promises  

Becoming a parent is scary! As you start researching everything that comes with raising a little one, you’ll find that there are all sorts of baby items out there with a high price tag and big promises. Whether it’s a high-tech bassinet that promises to help your baby sleep better or a Montessori toy subscription that promises to make your baby smarter, you probably don’t need it. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with nice-to-have items, but we recommend waiting for baby to get here to decide if some of these items are worth the investment!

Postpartum Recovery Essentials 

Recovering from any kind of delivery requires some supplies, but we don’t recommend registering for most of your postpartum essentials. The items you need for your recovery depends on the type of delivery, delivery complications, the length of your hospital stay, and more! You can plan for as much as you want, but childbirth is unpredictable. It’s best to wait to see what you need! 

Unregulated and Unsafe Products

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: The government doesn’t regulate the safety of all baby products. Things like cribs, high chairs, strollers, toys, sleep sacks, and car seats, are all regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, here is a list of things that are unsafe and unregulated by the government that should not make their way onto your registry or your home! 

• Crib Bumpers - safe sleep concern due to suffocation and strangulation risk
• Infant Loungers - safe sleep concern when misused 
• Sleep Positioners - safe sleep concern due to suffocation risk 
• Amber Teething Necklaces - choking and strangulation hazard 
• Aftermarket Car Seat Accessories (head supports, cushions, covers, etc.) - compromise car seat safety because they’re not regulated or crash tested 

Outdated Products

It’s also important to note that outdated products can also be unsafe. We all like to save a buck, but buying used isn’t always the way to go. Think back to tall cribs with drop-sides, wide slats, and weak frames or high chairs with no restraints and unstable bases. These dated items are extremely unsafe, and though they’re not sold anymore, you may find them at garage sales, thrift stores, or online marketplaces. It’s best to buy new in these cases, and if you do buy used, ensure the products were manufactured in the last few years. 

Used Car Seats 

Never purchase a used car seat. There’s a lot that can be wrong with a used car seat that compromises its ability to protect your child in a crash! The scary part? You may not even know it’s unsafe! A lot of car seat damage can be below the surface and invisible even if you do a thorough inspection. Beyond that, the car seat may just be old and outdated, outside the common safety standards for child restraint systems. 

There are lots more reasons buying a used car seat is unsafe. The car seat may have . . . 

• An Unknown Crash History
• Expired (Here’s why car seats expire.)
• Missing or Worn-Out Parts
• An Issued Recall
• Outdated Safety Standards 
• Been Improperly Stored, Cleaned, or Used (Here’s how to clean a car seat.)

This list of baby registry must-haves will ensure you’re prepared without overdoing it!

Building your baby registry is a big, important step in preparing for your little one’s arrival, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on the essentials and skipping unnecessary, outdated, and unsafe items, you can create a registry that’s practical, budget-friendly, and tailored to your family’s needs. 

Remember, your registry is a helpful guide not a strict checklist so stay flexible and adjust as needed. Most importantly, enjoy this special time and look forward to welcoming your baby with confidence!

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