The Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist: What You Really Need

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When it comes to creating a baby registry checklist, it is important to include the essentials and get those items that can really have an impact.

Here are some things to consider for your baby registry checklist:

• How long will the baby use the item – this will be good gauge to determine if the price of the product is worth it.
• The season your baby will be born in – you should consider getting clothes, wraps, blankets etc. that are appropriate for that season so that baby will always be comfortable.
• Will that item grow with your child – sometimes it is better to get an item that your child can use even when they become toddlers and not just limited to when they are newborns.

There are a lot of places for you to build your baby registry at like Amazon Registry, MyRegistry.com, Target, Ikea, to name a few. Here’s a checklist you can use to guide you on creating your ideal baby registry:

Related: Amazon Baby Registry – Tips For Making The Most Of It!

The Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist For Baby’s Room

Crib/mattress/ sheet/ waterproof mattress protector

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A crib that can be converted into a toddler bed can save some money in the long run. You can also check that the crib you are buying doesn’t have a history of recalls. Make sure your crib mattress is soft, yet firm and fits the crib properly.

A mattress made of nontoxic materials is also ideal. Getting two sheets and two mattress protectors will make it easier for you to just remove and replace the first layer if ever some accidents happen.

Bassinet/ Moses basket

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Sometimes, babies won’t sleep in their cribs, or you don’t want them that far away so you can try a bassinet for the first couple of months and still remain close with your baby.  

Pack n Play

If you aren’t using the crib in the baby’s room yet, a pack n play is great to put in your room and it is also convenient for when you are traveling.

There are some great Pack N Play options on Amazon.

Dimmable night light

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 It is inevitable that you would have to get up in the middle of the night for diaper changes or for feedings and having a night light near your bed or near the diaper changing station is super helpful.

Dimmable is also a great option to have so that you can adjust accordingly and control the lighting so that baby doesn’t fully wake up.

Blackout curtains

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These are good for naps during the day and creating an environment that is conducive for sleeping, rest, and relaxing. These made a huge difference in how well my little boy slept!

Closet organization

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Use a hanging closet organizer to make sure everything is kept neatly and in place. Drawer organizers are also a good investment to have. Bins and baskets for clothes, fabrics, blankets, socks, hats, etc. is also one way you can organize baby’s things.

Clothes hamper

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 You can use a small one since baby’s clothing are also small.

Dresser/ changing table

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You can convert the top of the dresser into a changing station/ table by investing in a changing table topper. This is ideal since a changing table will only last you for a short time and you wouldn’t have a need for it later on.

For The Diaper Changing Station

Diapers

There are a lot of brands out there but make sure you pick diapers that are for night time. This will also help with your child get enough sleep. There are even organic diapers you can choose from or cloth diapers, which are getting more popular again nowadays.

Related: How To Get The Best Deals On Diapers

Diaper pail

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It is important that you get the right diaper pail in order for it to work for you. Get those that will really lock the scent and keep the smell from getting out. Another factor you want to consider is having a child-lock feature.

Diaper caddy

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This will make it easier for you to bring around baby’s changing essentials wherever you are in the house.

Baby wipes

You can use wet wipes or use bamboo cloth baby wipes as a natural and eco-friendly alternative.

Diaper bag

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A diaper bag will include a changing pad and compartments where you can keep your diaper supplies. This is a must have for all parents. 

Windi

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These are great for colic babies and although it’s a bit of a strange product, it can really help get rid of baby’s stomach pain which is the most important thing. Now this isn’t a necessary item to have on your baby registry checklist, but it sure is convenient to have! 

Related: How To Relieve Infant Gas Pains

Butt Paste

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Babies get rashes all the time so a good quality cream can go a long way. Make sure it contains zinc oxide since this is the main ingredient to help the skin heal.

If you decide you want to cloth diaper, make sure to check out Cloth Diaper 101.

For Nursing & Feeding

Breast pump

These can be covered by your insurance so check with them. Birth centers can also have them and charge it to your insurance company.

Nursing bras/camis

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Nursing bras are more convenient for breastfeeding than regular bras so they are a must-have. Nursing camis are also great if you want a bit more coverage.

Nursing pads

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When your milk comes in extra can let down and may soak your shirt if you don’t have something there to absorb it. Nursing pads are useful in order to prevent leaking and absorbing any excess milk. You can opt for reusable ones like these (I personally have this set and love them!) which are more sustainable.

Nipple cream

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Essential to keep sore and dry nipples at bay. Different types work for different moms but I personally love Lanolin by Lansinoh.

Glider

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 This is great for when you are nursing and especially if you have any kind of back problems. Not only will mom be more comfortable, it means baby will also benefit from it. Opt to grab one that has a footstool it makes it much more comfortable.

Nursing pillow and cover

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Depending on how you and your baby nurse, a nursing pillow may or may not work for you. This is a learning process that you will eventually know and master.

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Some moms want a nursing cover since it keeps baby from getting distracted and gives you extra privacy if you decide to nurse in public. If you do decide to get one, make sure you get one that allows you to still see the baby.

Related: The Best Nursing Pillows For Breastfeeding

Bottles and pacifiers

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If you are breastfeeding you may want to wait until your baby is six weeks to introduce bottles or pacifiers. In my experience, we have introduced bottles and pacifiers earlier than that and our kiddos have done great at breastfeeding. We used this set of bottles from Dr. Browns and these pacifiers.

Related: The Best Pacifiers For Breastfed Babies

Bottle brush

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It is important that you clean your bottles properly and having a bottle brush can help you do that. The soft end of the brush can help you get to the small areas that are hard to reach.

Sterilizer

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If you don’t want to use your dishwasher, you can opt for a microwavable sterilizer. Sterilizer bags are also another option you have since they are easy to use and also more affordable.

Bottle warmer

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 These are useful for reheating breastmilk if you are pumping for your baby. 

Related: The Best Bottle Warmers For New Parents 

Breast milk storage bags

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These are great to properly store your milk in and to build up a freezer stash.

Burp cloths

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Any mom will tell you that burp cloths are a must-have. Definitely something you need to add to your baby registry checklist. Babies are messy and some spit up a lot.  These are super convenient to clean up the baby including any spit up or milk/formula. 

High chair

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You might not need this for the first few months, but as your baby starts eating solids it is a necessity!

We used one of these Space Saving high chairs because when we had our first we lived in a tiny condo and didn’t have room for a full high chair.

For Baby Playtime

Rattles

Holding things is one of the first motor skills that baby will learn so getting them a good rattle or something that they can practice their grip on is important.

Jumparoo

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This is a great toy for strengthening baby’s legs that can also keep them entertained.

Activity mat

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 These are so great for the first few months when your baby is little and can’t sit in a jumper. This can buy you a few minutes so you can eat something or take a quick shower.

Swing

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This can help soothe your baby or entertain them while you get something done!

Books

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For Bathing & Health

Infant bathtub

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During the first few months, you can use the newborn insert to give baby baths as they get bigger you can place them in the larger section of the tub.

Baby soap/ shampoo/ lotion

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Babies skin is so sensitive so try to choose mild soaps and shampoos. This one is a great natural choice. 

Washcloths and bath towels

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You can get cute ones with designs or regular ones will work just fine as well. Hooded bath towels are great for little ones to keep them warm!

Rectal thermometer

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These kinds of thermometers are more accurate compared to the other types so it’s best to use them when taking baby’s temperature. This is what was recommended to us by the pediatrician at the hospital.

Baby nail clippers

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Babies fingernails are a pain to clip, I’ll be honest, but you will definitely want some baby nail clippers and a baby nail file. Babies nails can be very sharp and they are likely to scratch their faces if you don’t maintain them.

For Sleep

Baby monitor

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Make sure the one you get has its own monitor so you can actually see your baby and also provide a bit more security.  We use these video baby monitors.

Swaddle

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Get those that are size 0-3 months but don’t buy too many since babies will outgrow them pretty quickly. Swaddles also shouldn’t be used once baby starts rolling.

We use these Swaddle Me’s – they are seriously a life saver, especially if you aren’t super savvy at swaddling with a regular blanket.

Sleep Sacks

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These are like wearable blankets that can help keep baby warm and you are certain they will stay on. These are for when your baby outgrows their swaddle. We used the Halo Sleep Sacks and loved them.

White noise machine

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These are great for getting baby to sleep and for buffering outside noise if you live in a loud area or have other kiddos. We bought this one on Amazon, it works great and is super affordable.

For Transportation

Car seat

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There are many options available for you when it comes to car seats. You can opt for an infant travel system or a 4 in 1 car seat. These are big investments but you can also use them for another child or baby.

You can also take look at them in person before adding them on your list so that you can be sure of what you are getting.

Wrap

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Wraps are useful especially during the first 6 months for carrying baby around and keeping them close to you. Aside from allowing parents to multitask and do other things while baby takes a nap, being on your chest is also really calming for the child.

It is also important to consider the season that your baby will be born in since you would want a thinner fabric during summer to keep you and baby cool and a thicker fabric for winter season.

Strollers

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Many strollers will come with car seats which can help save you money since generally, strollers can be pretty pricey. If you will be using it a lot, it can be a good investment.

Once baby becomes bigger, an umbrella stroller is a more affordable option you can consider.

For Baby’s Clothing

Buying clothing for babies can get tricky since they grow up so fast and you may not know how big your baby will be! Our first was a full two pounds bigger than our second, so we actually ended up not having enough newborn clothes for baby #2!

However, the general rule of thumb is to buy less in smaller sizes since they grow out of them so quickly!

Seasons will again play a role in what kind of fabrics and clothing you should get.

Onesies

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Buy more onesies in larger sizes but keep it to a minimum for newborn onesies.

Footed Pajamas

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These are great for keeping baby’s hands and feet warm. Look for jammies that have zippers not snaps. No one wants to snap a million buttons in the middle of the night when they’ve had eight hours of sleep…this week.

Newborn hats and mittens

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These keep baby warm and the mittens will also protect baby’s skin from scratching.

For Baby Teething

Toothbrush teether

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 This helps baby get used to the brushing feeling and also helps in the teething process.

Infant Tylenol / Motrin

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 These are the safest medicine to give to baby while they are teething. The important thing to note is to check the baby’s weight in order to give the proper dosage. You can also alternate between these two medicines.

If you are concerned with your baby’s health or if they have a fever make sure to check in with your pediatrician.

Fresh food feeder

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 This is great for baby to practice eating real foods and experience new flavors without worrying about them choking. For teething purposes, you can freeze milk into cubes and put it on the feeder and the cold will feel good on baby’s gums.

Related: How To Clean Your Baby’s Teeth

Building a registry can seem overwhelming but by taking the time and really looking at what you need, you will be able to come up with the perfect baby registry. What items did you include or want to include in your baby registry?