Creating your baby registry can be incredibly daunting. There is an endless supply of baby products, with new ones hitting stores every day. But don’t let feelings of overwhelm take away from all the joy and fun of this season.  

You are about to bring a whole new life into the world, and the baby registry allows you to include your closest family and friends in this sweet time of preparation.  Every time you pull out a piece of clothing, blanket, gear, or another baby item for your little bundle, you’ll remember the loved one who gifted it to you. It’s such a blessing to have a village of people supporting and spoiling you during this important moment in your family’s story. 

When I first started working on the registry leading up to the birth of my daughter, I began by asking my best friends what they found to be most essential. I did hours of research, reading books, and countless online reviews. I was quickly blown away by all the options out there. It didn’t take me long to realize that many of these items are completely unnecessary and impractical, and would most likely remain packed away in the closet during most of my baby’s first year. 

I also realized I didn’t need to rush to have everything before the baby arrived. Instead, I decided to focus on the most important items to have during the first six months, and hold on making decisions about the items I wouldn’t need until later.  

If you’re feeling intimidated by the registry building process, I’m here to help! I’ve selected my 16 registry must-haves to help you start filling up that wish list and get you off to the best start in your new journey into motherhood!

Adjustable Baby Swaddles

Your baby will be living in swaddles for at least a month or two after you get home from the hospital, if not longer. Swaddling wasn’t easy for me, until a girlfriend recommended these adjustable swaddles by Mama Cheetah. When you’re absolutely exhausted, and you’d give just about anything for a few hours of sleep, these swaddles are an absolute game changer!

This set includes three adjustable swaddle blankets. The swaddles are made with organic cotton that is gentle on your baby’s skin. They are lightweight enough to be breathable while still keeping your baby at a comfortable temperature at night. The adjustable Velcro straps allow you to tuck your baby’s arms close to their body, leave them a little loose, or even pop one arm out when they seem ready to transition away from swaddling. The leg space has enough room to allow for correct hip placement and lots of kicking!

Bath Towel

This hooded terry towel by My Blankee is a great find. I really like the material they use. It is good quality, 100% cotton, and hypoallergenic. Comes in three different colors. This will keep your baby warm as he comes out of his bath.

Closet Dividers

As you start organizing your baby’s wardrobe, the first thing you will need is age dividers that allow you to sort the clothes by size. These dividers make it so easy to quickly access the clothes your baby is currently wearing, and then you can pack them up when your baby outgrows each size (in the blink of an eye!). 

Diapers

Yes, I totally recommend registering for diapers, as you’ll use this item more than any other! I was gifted a diaper cake that had 70 Size 1 Honest diapers in it. I liked those diapers, but they did not have an indicator that showed me when my baby’s diaper needed to be changed. Once I discovered that Pampers Swaddler diapers have the infamous line that turns blue when the diaper is full, I immediately made the switch to Pampers. I also got the Amazon subscription so the diapers would be automatically shipped to my home, saving me time and money every month. 

Wipes

Wipes are everything! You will need even more wipes than diapers! This package of 9 packs of wipes will last you long enough to not have to worry about rushing out to the store to stock up again. Once again, I recommend getting the Amazon subscription for this essential item so you never run out! The flip top on each pack ensures that the wipes don’t dry out between uses. This set is made from naturally derived ingredients, so they are ideal for your baby’s delicate skin.

A + D Ointment

This ointment is pediatrician-approved for protecting against and treating diaper rash. Another bonus is that you can use it on your own dry skin or lips! The ointment will relieve your baby’s discomfort as well as locking in moisture to protect them from diaper rash. 

PacifierThough the small giraffe attached to the pacifier may look like overkill, it’s an incredibly useful addition because it makes it so much easier to find. The weight of the toy changes the angle of the pacifier, making it easier for your baby to keep inside their mouth. Your baby can also hold on to the giraffe, providing extra them with extra comfort. My daughter loves these pacifiers, she has a few animal pacifiers she loves! She holds it with both hands. It is the cutest thing!

Nanit Camera SystemOnce your baby moves into his or her own room at night or for naps, Nanit bundle is all that you need to ensure a sound sleep. Nanit is very clear and tracks your baby’s sleep patterns. The Nanit app also provides you with a weekly report showing how much your baby slept, how many times he or she woke up, and more. One of the other things I love about this camera is that even if you are not home or wherever you are in the world, you can speak to your baby through the app’s microphone while your baby is in her crib. You can also play different types of sounds from the Nanit right from your phone. I’ve also used it to sing songs or wish my daughter good morning and good night when I’m away on business trips. I think this item is an absolute must! 

Marlow CribThis is a simple and elegant crib, designed to convert so that it lasts through your baby’s toddler years. As well as being one of the more affordable cribs on the market, it will also complement the decor and color scheme of any nursery.

Gemini Changing Table

The best thing about this changing table is the storage. In addition to six spacious drawers, you also have plenty of space to the side of the changing mat to keep diapers, creams, and spare clothes so that you’re prepared for every diaper change. I made the mistake of buying a changing table that didn’t have that space on the side, and I had to get a side table to supplement. I highly recommend getting a table with some storage at the top. 

Amazon Alexa

Alexa might just be the best thing to ever happen for parents! When you have a baby in your hand, or when your baby is having a meltdown, it is key to be able to say “Alexa, play children’s music”. It is priceless. It provides us with unlimited music to help soothe our babies to sleep on-demand and at any time of day, and is also great for a gentle wake up every morning. Lullabies, classical music, and nursery rhymes are just a voice command away! 

Onesies With ZippersOnesies with zippers… This was a game-changer. When you are trying to keep the lights off so your baby can continue to sleep, I say zipper versus snap fasteners all the way! Newborns are stronger than they look! Instead of struggling to get their pajamas on, these onesies allow you to get it all done with one zip. You’ll be glad you added this multi-pack to your registry. Some moms worry about hurting their baby’s skin with a zipper, but nothing ever happened to my baby!

Mustela Shower GelThis shower gel is ideal for newborns and toddlers alike. Made from plant-based ingredients and no harsh chemicals, you can rest assured that your baby is getting a thorough cleanse without stripping away the important natural oils in their skin. It also smells so fresh.

Burt’s Bees Burp ClothsYou will fly through burp cloths, especially in those early weeks with your new baby.  I used these burp cloths even as a bib. These organic burp cloths are perfect for spills and spit-ups.

Baby Bath TubThis adorable whale-shaped bathtub will make bathtime so much easier on your back! I prefer the one in gray. The tub is portable for travel, and is easily stored by simply using the hook attachment to clip it onto your showerhead. The sling inside the bath keeps your baby comfortable during bath time, and is adjustable to grow with your little one all the way up to a seated position!

Nose or Ear Cleaner

Yes, you read that right! Let’s not fool ourselves. Your baby will have things in her nose and ear that will bother you. You will be sitting there thinking how do I get this out, and then reach for the cotton swabs… One of the best items I discovered as a new mom was this item. I have already bought 3 sets of these because you will end up needing one in each of your baby’s bags. Trust me. Oh and it is BPA, Latex and PVC free!

Diaper Bag

The Baby Brezza diaper bag has 17 pockets, and if you’re like me, you’ll manage to use every single one of them! A great changing bag makes spending time outside of the house so much easier. This bag provides space for everything that you could possibly need for both you and your baby when you’re on the go, as well as convenient storage for dirty clothes or reusable diapers.

Babysitting

Okay so you can’t technically put this one on your registry, but find a way to spread the word however you can! Asking your family and friends to donate a couple of hours of their time when you’re ready for your first workout class or long-awaited date night can be one of the most priceless gifts. Let the people close to you know that their help will be greatly appreciated when the time comes, and you can be sure that they will be ready to give it!

With a list of carefully selected products added to your baby registry, you will save yourself a lot of stress and the hassle of making returns in the days leading up to your new baby’s arrival. Remember that everyone will want to buy you a gift, but a registry gives them direction on what you actually want and need. You and your loved ones will be happy knowing their gifts are being put to good use and making life easier in your first months of motherhood. 

What items could you absolutely not live without during your baby’s newborn stage? Please share them in the comments!