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Baby Registry Must Haves – The Ultimate Guide to Baby Gear Essentials

Baby Registry Must Haves – The Ultimate Guide to Baby Gear Essentials
Baby registry must haves for first time moms.


Got your baby shower coming up soon? Wondering what baby registry must haves you should to register for? 

As a mom of one, with another on the way, I know for a fact how helpful it was to have a baby shower and register for what you need. 

Cribs. Strollers. Car Seats. Bedding. Feeding…

Have you started your registry yet? No?

Let’s get you sorted then! As promised, this post is going to get you set up with a registry on Amazon and it’s only going to take about an hour. Sound good?

Let’s do this!

Note: this blog post probably contains affiliate links, which means we may receive small commissions from purchases made through links in this post (at NO extra cost to you). You can read our full disclosure for more information.

This is the ultimate comprehensive guide to your first baby’s needs – it’s over 9,000 words long so feel free to skip ahead to the parts that you need!

Newborn Baby Registry Must Haves

Are you ready to fill your registry with EVERYTHING you need, right now?

Not sure you should register for everything? Especially those big ticket items?

Here’s why you should definitely register for the LOT:

  • you probably have close friends or family who are willing to spend a bit more to get you something you need and will appreciate knowing exactly what you want.
  • some of your guests might like to go in together to get you a big ticket item.
  • even if you don’t get everything gifted from your registry, there’s still the completion discount (10% for non-Amazon-Prime-members and 15% for Prime members) that you can use to buy what you need.

In short – register for everything. You might just get it, and if not, you’ll get a sweet discount.

Everything a Newborn Baby Needs for Sleeping

Newborn babies don’t need a lot… and yet they do. A place to sleep, something to keep them warm, clean, fed and diapered up. 

If you don’t have a lot of space, or if you’re doing this on your own without much family/friend support, you can get by with very little. But, if you’re having a baby shower, registering for these things will make life much more comfortable and easy. 

1) Bassinet

Your baby needs somewhere to sleep when you bring him or her home from hospital. That could be a bassinet, or possibly a crib.

A bassinet can only be used until baby starts to get mobile – rolling, lifting up on hands and knees – usually around 5-6 months. Or if they exceed the weight limit.

Because of this, some moms prefer to jump straight to the crib.

I personally chose to use a bassinet for my newborn, because:

  • while there are some bassinets that cost as much as you might spend on a very nice stroller, most bassinets are quite affordable. (That particular bassinet contains a LOT of extra bells and whistles designed to help you and baby get more sleep… and it’s got some pretty high ratings, so it must work??)
  • room sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a way of lowering the risk of SIDS and it’s much easier to fit a bassinet beside your bed than a crib.
  • some newborns will sleep better in a snug bassinet than a huge cot.
  • many bassinets have wheels so you can roll your baby from room to room with you.

So…  are you going to register for a bassinet for your baby?

Check out these top bassinets for 2020:

For even more bassinets, read our guide and review – Best Bassinet for A Newborn [2020 Guide]

 Or choose an option to suit your budget:

2) Bassinet Sheets

Don't forget to add several sets of bassinet sheets that fit your bassinet to your registry too - babies often have diaper accidents, blow outs or spit ups in their beds and you must have more than one set ready to go just in case.

 

3) Waterproof Mattress Protector

Bassinets - While you're there, add a waterproof mattress protector or two (unless you decide to register for these waterproof sheets, in which case the mattress protector isn't needed) - this will protect your mattress from messes and if you get two you can do the bassinet lasagne hack (layer your bassinet with mattress protector, fitted sheet, mattress protector fitted sheet) for easier night time clean up. 

Cribs - A mattress protector or two is also an absolute baby must have.

4) The Crib

No matter whether you get a bassinet first, you're still going to need a crib. The main considerations I put into buying my crib were:

  • Safety - does the crib meet safety standards? This is more of an issue if you're purchasing second-hand - anything you buy from a reputable shop must meet the current safety standards in your country. 
  • Convertible - does your crib have multiple settings to extend the length of use you'll get out of it? For example, many of the best crib brands have cribs with several mattress heights (nice and high for newborn, all the way down to very deep to keep the older baby contained) and the ability to take the side rails off and turn it into a toddler bed (some even have a toddler bed rail attachment) and finally to turn it into a day bed, couch or even a full-size bed!
  • Sturdy - does your crib look and feel solid? Like it could stand up to some hard use? One of the cheapest cribs I considered getting was from IKEA but, it just felt a little flimsy. Babies can get quite vigorous with those bars when they start standing. I want something that'll last at least two babies!
  • Size - how much room do you have for your crib? If you need to squeeze baby's bed into a small space, you might want to consider choosing a mini crib. Read our guide to the best mini cribs for apartments and small spaces.

Check out these top bassinets for 2019:


Or choose an option to suit your budget:

5) Crib Mattress

Don't get caught out - most online stores sell cribs by themselves - the mattress is usually not included! 

But, that's ok. That means you don't have to settle for a lower quality default mattress from your manufacturer... but it does mean you probably want to do some research before making your decision on which crib mattress to buy.

What matters in a crib mattress?

  • does it fit your crib? Most mattresses are standard size, however, if you have a mini crib, you'll obviously have to get a mini crib mattress to match.
  • meets safety standards (if it's for sale at a reputable business in your location, it should meet standards.)
  • is it firm enough and feels sturdy enough to last through to toddlerhood without sagging?
  • what is it made of? I prefer to go as natural as possible with minimal chemical stuff - pthatlate and lead free are good.

Foam vs Coil/Innerspring

There are two main types of mattresses you can get for your crib: foam or coil.

What you choose will depend on your priorities:

  • foam mattresses are available at a wide range of price points, whereas coil mattresses tend to be more expensive.
  • foam mattresses come in a variety of comfort levels (memory foam, gel foam etc. and they can even have different comfort levels on different sides), coil mattresses do not.
  • foam mattresses are lightweight, coil mattresses are heavy.
  • foam mattresses are more likely to sag and have indentations over time, coil mattresses are very durable and best for hand-me-downs. 

Some people like to feel the mattress before purchasing, whereas others are happy to go off reviews. To each their own! If you want to see the mattress first, look it up in your local store. However, you may find a better price online (don't forget to check if the store will price match!)

Top crib mattresses to check out:

Or choose an option that suits your budget:

6) Crib Sheets

Again, don't forget to add a couple of sets of crib sheets to your registry. Accidents will happen and you'll need to have spare clean set/s of sheets ready to go. 

7) A Baby Monitor

I'm on the fence about a baby monitor... so I may live to regret this once again (one of my biggest baby gear regrets as a super anxious new mom was NOT buying the fancy heart-rate-and-oxygen-monitoring baby monitor last time).

You might not find a baby monitor to be essential if:

  • baby is sleeping beside you in a bassinet.
  • you decide to co-sleep (safely).
  • you have a small apartment or house and can hear baby from everywhere.

If baby is in his or her own room, you'll want to add a video monitor to your registry so you can keep an eye on what your baby is doing. And if you think you'll be an anxious new mom like me, you might like to try the Owlet. I've read that a lot of people don't recommend it because it can be used improperly or give false alarms... but, I think that's a small price to pay for overall peace of mind.

My top baby monitor picks:

8) Wearable Blankets

Skip swaddling and go straight to wearable blankets - they're SO much easier to use as a first time mom and feel much safer (because baby isn't escaping all the time leaving a loose swaddle blanket in the crib.)

There are a whole bunch of different styles, but my favorite are the Love to Dream. You'll need at least two (more if you prefer to wash less often than daily!) in each size so you can have at least one in the wash. 

Wearable blankets come in a variety of different fabric weights (warmths), so if you're expecting a summer baby go lighter (0.2 tog - 1 tog) and if you're expecting a winter baby look for a higher tog (2 - 3.5 tog are common). Depending on your local climate of course! Check out more winter newborn baby must haves here.

My top wearable blanket picks:

9) Muslins / Receiving Blankets

Muslins and receiving blankets have so many uses:

  • you can swaddle your baby with them (if you want to skip wearable blankets)
  • you can use them as a nursing cover
  • you can use a thin muslin to cover your pram when baby is asleep (though this is not really recommended due to it restricting airflow)
  • you can use them as a tummy time play mat

My personal favorites were thin muslins and jersey cotton blankets. I preferred to avoid the plush or fleece blankets as they weren't as breathable and (at least the ones I had) were made of synthetic fibres.

✅ Aden and Anais muslins are super soft and have utterly adorable prints! 

10) Night Light and White Noise Machine

At least for now, the night light is mostly for you! But, the white noise machine is invaluable for helping little newborn babies go to sleep and stay asleep.

My top pick is this combination machine - it's a night light, white noise machine and time-to-rise clock for toddlers too! 

More nightlight options:

Sound machine options:

  • MyBaby Soundspa On-The-Go - small, portable, and has a clip so you can easily attach it to your stroller or car seat for white noise on the go. If only it were rechargable, I would love this to death... but alas, it takes batteries. Still a great buy (and very affordable!)
  • Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine - like they always say: add 'baby' to a product name or designation and expect to pay extra! This is a reasonably priced white noise machine for adults - it's also very well reviewed. 

Baby Registry Essentials: Travelling

What do you need to get out and about while travelling with baby? Whether you intend to travel internationally with your little one, or just need to get mobile and go to doctor's appointments and shops locally - here's everything you need.

11) Newborn-Friendly Stroller

A newborn-friendly stroller is pretty much as essential as you can get - unless you're determined to babywear 100% of the time, you'll get a lot of use out of your stroller! Which is why it's worth spending a bit extra to get one that is:

  • easy and smooth to 'drive'
  • easy to fold and unfold
  • not too heavy (my personal taste - I don't want to struggle lifting it in and out of the car)
  • suitable for newborns
  • the biggest basket possible (gotta have that storage for essential shopping trips and outings!)

You may also want to look for:

  • a stroller that suits your terrain - do you intend to walk mainly suburban streets, malls, or off road? Do you want to jog?
  • a stroller that converts to a double, or has attachments for a skateboard or toddler standing platform for a second child.
  • adjustable height handlebars if you and your husband are very different heights
  • if you're choosing to use an infant car seat, make sure your stroller is compatible or has a travel system option.

Our top picks:

12) Newborn-Friendly Car Seat

You have a couple of basic options for your car seat:

  1. Get an infant car seat that clicks in and out of a base in your car and attaches to your stroller. Pros are it's easier to grab and go with your baby, which can be especially good in colder climates. Cons are that it's only suitable for a few months and they can be as expensive as a convertible seat that will last longer.
  2. Get a convertible car seat that is suitable from birth. Pros are it will last several years (depending on which brand you buy). Cons are you have to transfer baby from car to stroller which can be disruptive, especially during winter.

I looked at several factors when choosing our first car seat:

  • Safety ratings - for a seat to be available for purchase it has to meet your country's safety standards... but I still wanted to get the safest possible seat. I spent quite a while looking up safety ratings!
  • How long it would last - I loved the idea of buying a 0-8 years convertible car seat simply because it sounds like the best value... but then I realised that safety standards and features can improve a whole lot in 8 years and I might want to get something better and safer. I ended up opting for the 0-4 years convertible seat.
  • Ease of Use - after I had a good idea of what brand I was interested in, I went looking for reviews from parents about how easy it was to use. 
  • Price - I'd be lying if I said that price wasn't a factor in my decision. It helped me decide that I didn't want to spend on the convenience of a travel system because I'd rather pour my available funds into an excellent quality 0-4 convertible seat rather than buy a more basic infant seat and convertible seat. 

Our top picks:

13) Baby Carrier

I got a bit baby carrier obsessed with my first baby. Unfortunately, I wasn't really physically up for the task of babywearing... so I didn't do it very much. But, oh how I wanted to!

The first thing you need to know about baby carriers is that there are loads of different styles:

  • stretchy wraps - these are perfect for newborns and are great for the first few months. They do take a bit of wrapping knowledge though - basically, it's a very long rectangle of material that you origami around yourself and baby.
  • woven wraps - incredibly versatile if you're willing to invest time in learning how to wrap. There are dozens (if not more) different ways to wrap a woven - front carrying, side carrying and back carrying are all possible. You can pick up a woven wrap relatively inexpensively, but there are also hundreds of artisanal brands out there creating incredibly beautiful and pricey handwoven wraps.
  • ring slings - for super quick ups, ring slings are suitable from birth, though adjusting them correctly takes a little getting used to.
  • soft structured carriers - this is your standard Baby Bjorn / Ergobaby type carrier that you probably see most commonly. 

There are also loads of soft carrier/wrap hybrids (Mei Teis and onbuhimo to name two) and unusual contraptions intended for hiking in amongst them. Start with the basics, then explore your other options later!

How to choose what's right for you?

My advice is to start out with a stretchy wrap and something like the LÍLLÉbaby. Stretchy wraps are usually quite inexpensive and you can get a feel for wrapping and whether you're interested in going down that rabbit hole!

The LÍLLÉbaby is an excellent soft structured carrier that will last you from birth to age 3. The best part about having a soft structured carrier is that it's easy - you just strap it on and go, which makes it easy to share with others/your husband. Trust me, it's really hard (as a newbie wrap-per) to try wrap or position a ring sling on someone else!

14) Pack and Play


If you intend to travel, either for a holiday or to spend time with friends or family, a Pack and Play is essential! Grab one with a bassinet setting and change table for the perfect crib/bassinet away from home for your little one. You can even use it as a play yard at home or away. 

Nice to Have Accessories

Baby Hammock

This is a nice to have... but not really an essential. Well, that depends on the size of the basket of your stroller actually!

I went with the absolute biggest basket I could get and as a result I was able to get most of my shopping just using my stroller. But, if you've chosen a stroller with smaller storage capacity, one of these baby hammocks is a great idea! 

Car Accessories

You don't necessarily NEED these items, but they are very nice to have and they're also a good way to make sure you're including a variety of price points on your registry:

  • Car Seat Mirror - some parents find this distracting, I personally found it more distracting to NOT be able to see my baby while I was driving (though make sure you pull over if you have any concerns.) 
  • Car Seat Strap Holders - car seat straps are so frustrating, they tend to twist so easily... and it actually lessens their strength and safety if you buckle them like that. Car seat strap holders help make this problem go away.
  • Car Window Sunshades - there's nothing worse than travelling with baby in the heat of the day and finding them with full sun beating down right in their tiny little faces. Sunshades help to stop this happening at least some of the time. The kind that cover the entire window (and strap on like a big bag over the top of your door) are the best and provide the most coverage. Avoid the stick on rectangles, they don't provide enough shade.

Newborn Must Haves - Feeding

Newborn babies eat, sleep and poop. Rinse and repeat! Which means you'll spend most of your time on these tasks - here are some essentials that will make life easier.

Bottle Feeding Must Haves

If you're planning to bottle feed your baby (either formula or pumped milk) you'll need to register for:

Formula Feeding Must Haves

If you're planning to formula feed from birth, you'll need everything for bottle feeding as well as:

  • baby formula - it's best to start with a simple powdered formula and not stock up too much in the beginning in case you need to switch brands (for baby's comfort). Switching brands frequently is not recommended, so once you find the right formula for your baby - stick to it! 
  • a Baby Brezza Pro - this is a pricey, but very nice thing to have if you're formula feeding. The Baby Brezza Pro makes up perfect temperature formula in seconds. No waiting or long prep times necessary!
  • formula dispenser - essential for formula feeding on the go!
  • a water filter jug

Read more: Formula Feeding Must Haves: Essential Bottle Feeding Equipment

Breastfeeding Must Haves

For the exclusively breastfeeding mamas, you'll want to add these things to your registry:

  • Glider or rocker - it's essential to have a comfortable place to breastfeed baby, you're going to spend many hours there! A glider or rocker in your nursery will keep you comfortable during feeds and will also allow you to comfort baby by rocking with them in the chair - great for the witching hour!
  • Breastfeeding pillow - getting used to positioning for breastfeeding can be tough in the early days. A breastfeeding pillow will help! The two most loved breastfeeding pillows you can get are the My Brest Friend or the Boppy.