20 Favorite Items for Your Baby Registry

From Two Certified Sleep Consultants

As soon as you saw that positive pregnancy test, we’re willing to bet one of your first few thoughts was, “Yay! Now I get to make a baby registry!” Whether you’re walking the aisles of Target or browsing the lists on Amazon, going through all of the possible baby items that could soon fill your home is so fun and so exciting, especially if it’s your first time!

Congratulations! We’re so excited for you to welcome your little one into the world.

As moms of a combined seven children over the past eight years, we’ve seen a lot of products, we’ve tried a lot of products, and we’re here to help you know what’s worth your money, time, and sanity (and what’s not) when it comes to building the best baby registry.

Before we dive into our recommended and not-recommended products, we do want to give you a little background as to why we recommend some of these things - or don’t.

If we do recommend them it’s often because the product is useful, convenient, makes your life easier, and is SAFE. When it comes to your baby, you can never be too safe.

For example, did you know that

• crib bumpers

• wearing a hat during sleep

• using weighted products (like weighted sleep sacks)

…are not recommended?! We highly recommend that all parents peruse through the American Academy of Pediatric’s safe sleep recommendations before bringing your baby home, because, quite honestly, you’ll be too tired to do it after that point!

And, on the contrary, if we don’t recommend something, it’s likely because it doesn’t work, it’s not convenient, it’s unnecessary, or it’s unsafe. That Dock-a-Tot your friend was telling you about?? Yeah…it’s not safe. We share the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics often because we find that many new parents simply don’t know what’s safe and what isn’t prior to bringing their baby home from the hospital or birthing center. Then, they end up, unknowingly, doing unsafe things simply because they didn’t know any better.

Trust us, we know because we’ve been there! We were doing all the unsafe things with our oldest children. We look back and *cringe* and count out blessings that our children are still here with us, because, unfortunately, there are some babies who aren’t, simply because the parents didn’t know any better.

As Maya Angelou once said, “When we know better, we can do better.”

Now, onto a lighter topic of conversation, and the one you’re really here for!

Must-have Items for Your Baby Registry

After seven labor and deliveries, bringing home seven babies, years of breastfeeding and pumping, and becoming certified sleep consultants and parent educators, we’d like to think we’re qualified enough to give some unsolicited advice (with a hint of humor) in this area.

Here are the products we DO recommend:

Any and Every LectroFan Sound Machine

The LectroFan Classic is my (Ashley) personal favorite - super simple, durable, and can get really loud if needed. If you know you know. The LectroFan Kinder (has a small red light you can turn on that is perfect for middle-of-the-night feeds) and can also be controlled from your phone. The LectroSound machine is also really simple with dials for the pitch and volume of the sound. And, the LectroFan Micro is great for a backup in case the power goes out and for travel or if we need a buffer.

Ashley’s family uses any and all of these products. Each child has a different one in their room - the parents do, too. We want everyone to sleep well, not just the kids!

Did you know that utilizing white noise can help you get into a deeper and more quality state of sleep?

Electric Nail Filer

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of trying to clip a baby’s fingernails…you know it ain’t easy! If you try it while they’re sleeping, you’ll likely wake them up. If you do it when they’re awake, they’re flailing and screaming. It’s just not fun. Plus when they wiggle around as much as they do, it’s easy to clip a finger instead of the actual nail.

Seriously, trying to clip your baby’s fingernails should be an Olympic sport. Whoever can do it the quickest without any tears from mom or baby gets the gold.

Grab an electric nail filer and these worries and anxieties are gone! It’s easy, no one gets hurt, and you can even do it while your baby is sleeping.

Diaper Cream Spatula

If you don’t like getting things under your nails or getting your fingers messy near someone’s bottom, we’d highly recommend getting a diaper cream or butt paste spatula for frosting your little one’s bottom like a cake.

Babies are messy enough– you don’t need diaper cream stuck under your fingernails to go with the spit up on your shoulder.

Just ignore your mother-in-law who stares at you lathering it on your baby’s bottom and says, “When my kids were babies, we just used our fingers.” Ew.

Evenflo Balance Bottles

These bottles were specifically designed with breastfeeding babies in mind. If you’ll be breastfeeding and pumping for other caregivers to share the feeding duties with, these are the bottles of choice and allow for quality paced feeding.

It can be quite a feat to find a bottle that works for your baby but give these a try sooner than later, especially at the recommendation of a few moms who’ve done this a time or two. Or seven!

Legendairy Imani Pump

A wearable breast pump that fits in your bra…without tubing?! Say no more.

Okay, we will say a little more.

Back in our day, we had to pump uphill, both ways, in three feet of snow! Just kidding, but it felt like that!

We had to lug a pump the size (and weight) of a bowling ball, connect it to our breasts, finagle the tubing so it fits just right for where we are located, and then turn on this machine that sounded like a robot was running a marathon. And. AND. Unless you had a pumping bra, you were never “hands-free” - this technology has come leaps and bounds in the last eight years!

There may be a time and place for our old tried and true methods, but the hands-free pump that fits in your bra is nice, very nice.

Medela Hand Pump

Having a hand pump is a must for a busy mom. It’s often more convenient - and affordable - when you’re on the go. You don’t need access to electricity. It’s lightweight and easy to toss in your bag. They’re pretty easy to use. Make sure it’s covering your breast and suctioned as you start to squeeze the handle. Oh, and it's quiet! Something not many other pumps have going for them.

Bonus: You will get a hand workout in too, so it counts if you didn’t get all your steps in that day!

Tubby Todd Any and Everything

Trust us, if you’ve been in the parenting world for even a month, you’ve probably heard of Tubby Todd and their All Over Ointment, and we are no exception to recommending their products to anyone with kids. We love it so much that we even have our own affiliate link. Use it to get 15% off your order.

There’s a reason this stuff is $36.00 for 8 oz. It’s magical!

The Newborn gift set or Baby Bundle make a great shower gift if you have any friends who are expecting too.

ErgoBaby Embrace Carrier

If you’re in the market for a more structured carrier, we highly recommend the ErgoBaby Embrace carrier. It’s built for newborns and there are a few options for fabrics based on your needs.

There are so many color options too - something for everyone!

Lillebaby Carrier

Another great and comfortable option for a carrier is the Lillebaby carrier. They have a few different options, so you can take their quiz to see which is the right carrier for you!

There’s one that you can literally use with your child from the newborn stage through toddlerhood, so you can certainly get your money’s worth if you use it a lot.

Mini Crib

Consider getting a mini crib instead of a bassinet:

• It’s longer lasting

• Can be a replacement for a bedside bassinet that is often less expensive

• They're not rickety like some bassinets

• You can use your preferred mattress

• They don’t need to transition out until toddler age

• If you get one with wheels, it’s usually just as portable as a bassinet

This is a great option for all the above reasons, but especially if you live in a tight space or share a room with your baby and need privacy or a blackout solution. It pairs with a SlumberPod nicely, which we will get into more later.

Newton Crib Mattress

Speaking of preferred mattress…introducing the Newton mattress.

It’s breathable and washable - every mom’s dream!

When it comes to keeping your baby safe and making sure they’re sleeping on a firm, flat, safe surface, the Newton is the best option out there that we’ve found. Coming from two moms and sleep consultants, these things are always top of mind when recommending products for sleep.

SlumberPod

If you’re planning to travel with your baby, the SlumberPod is a must! This pod provides complete darkness and privacy and fits perfectly over a mini crib, playard, or toddler air mattress.

It’s also a great option for families who may need to room share or don’t have a quality blackout solution in the room their baby sleeps.

Get $20 off yours using our affiliate code FAMILYREST$20.

Never heard of SlumberPod before? You can read more about the product and the company here! We seriously love them.

Electric Nasal Aspirator

Stuffy babies are miserable babies, and the first time your little one can’t breathe because they’re so stuffed up…well, it’s going to break your mama heart.

Move over FridaBaby NoseFrida! You’ve been replaced.

Snag an electric one that gets the job done with minimal effort. Your little one will be breathing better in no time. And so will you.

Angelcare Baby Bath

Planning to wash your baby in a sink or tub? Make sure you grab the Angelcare Baby Bath Support. It’s lightweight, not clunky, and there’s even a hook to hang it up when you’re done.

Keep your baby safe in style at a reasonable price.

Love-to-Dream Swaddle

You probably know that swaddling your baby for the first few months is recommended, but did you know that some babies prefer to be swaddled with their arms up?! It’s true.

Pro-Tip: If you’ve noticed in your ultrasound images that your little one likes to have their hands near their face a lot, make sure you have the Love-to-Dream Swaddle on hand!

Kindred Bravely Nursing Bras

If you’re planning to breastfeed your baby, you’re going to want to make things as easy and convenient as possible. Having the right nursing bra can truly make quite a big difference in a mom’s ability to continue breastfeeding or not. We love the Kindred Bravely nursing bras!

They also carry pumping bras, so if you’re in the market for that, check them out.

Boon GRUB High Chair

If there is anything that we will pay for as a mom, it’s the convenience of being able to stick something in the dishwasher. And if you’d like a high chair you can do just that with, look no further than the Boon GRUB high chair.

Another perk of this chair is that it grows and transitions with your child, so you will get a lot of use out of it throughout the early childhood years. You already put it on your registry, didn’t you?!

Silicone Teething Brushes

There are so many options for cute teething brushes out there - from bananas to cacti to corn cobs! Make sure you get something like this for when your little one feels like gnawing.

Baby Bjorn Bouncer

Sometimes it’s nice to have a safe space to set your baby to keep them occupied for a few minutes here and there.

While we aren’t fans of using too many baby containers (swings, car seats, bouncers, etc.) and only recommend using them 10-minutes at a time, the Baby Bjorn bouncer is a nice option to have on hand for when you need some hands-free time. It folds down completely flat and is super comfy for your little one.

Pro-Tip: Anytime you need your baby to poop, put them in here and see if it works its magic!

Lots of Footie One-Pieces with Zippers

Your baby is going to live in these. They’re easy and convenient and will keep your baby’s cute little toes nice and warm! And trust us, get the zipper ones. You won’t have the time or energy to worry about snapping up a onesie. And your baby likely won’t have the patience.

Also, make sure you have more than you think you need. Between spitting up and blowouts, it’ll be nice to have extra on hand.

Pro-Tip: Keep a shelf or drawer with one-piece suits on all levels of your house for easy access. The last thing you want to have to do is run upstairs when your baby has poop leaking through their clothes!

6 Items You Don’t Need for Your Baby’s Registry

All right, mama. We went through everything we DO recommend, but we know you’re here to keep it real, so we’re also going to share everything we’ve tried and DON’T love.

Wipe Warmer

They’re simply…not necessary!

In fact, we love a cold wipe to help wake your baby up a bit after a long nap or before a feed.

A cool wipe is stimulating and can help encourage full feedings, something every parent should strive for. Yes, your baby may cry initially at the cool contact, but that’s just them having some feelings. It’s okay.

Pro-Tip: When offering a feed where your little one is sleepy, use a cool wipe on their cheek or neck to wake them up. We want babies to get full feeds as often as possible to ensure they’re getting all the caloric intake they need, to help them sleep better at night, and to prevent failure to thrive.

FridaBaby Nasal Aspirator

The manual one. The idea, for starters, is gross. No one wants to suck snot out of their child’s nose. It also fell apart anytime I (Katelyn) would try to use it. Don’t hate me for being honest!

Get an electric one and call it done.

Pro-Tip: Use a saline solution before getting the mucus out to help loosen things up. Use the aspirator before feeding or before sleep to ensure that your baby has a fully open airway and can feed and sleep comfortably.

Special Diaper Pail

This is also unnecessary and more expensive. A regular trash can works just fine. You don’t need to buy anything fancy with fancy bags you have to keep stock of and pay for.

Pro-Tip: All diapers stink (yes, your baby’s will, too!) and trash cans work fine. Get one with a deodorizer if you’re that worried.

Special Baby Detergent

If you’re concerned about anything “extra” just get a clean detergent. You don’t need to pay a higher price for a special baby detergent. Besides, you’ll be busy sniffing your baby’s head anyway. You won’t want any extra smells getting in the way of that brand-new baby smell! Breathe it in, mama - it doesn’t last too long.

Baby Food Processor

Make it easier on yourself and just feed your baby…regular food!

Baby Led Weaning is one option for feeding your baby where processing food is not needed. We recommend following @solidstarts or @chikidsfeeding on Instagram for some solid information about baby-led weaning.

Or, if you really want to make your own purees, just use a regular food processor or even a blender. There’s no need to go out and buy a special - overpriced - one just to make your baby’s food.

Dock-a-Tot

Oh, here we go! Ask a few sleep consultants what they think of this popular product and we will all say the same thing - it’s a very expensive sleep association AND it’s not safe.

The American Academy of Pediatrics outlines the baby’s sleep surface with the memorable “ABCs of Safe Sleep” - your child should sleep ALONE, on their BACK, in a CRIB. Let’s further define that, per the AAP:

• Alone - your baby doesn’t need anything in the crib or bassinet with them. Just them on a tightly fitted sheet. They can wear a swaddle or sleep sack. No pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals are necessary, or safe.

• Back - for the first year of their life, always lay your baby on their back. Since the “Back to Sleep” campaign started in the nineties, the incidence of SIDS has drastically reduced.

• Crib - your baby should sleep in a crib or playard with a firm, flat mattress.

The Dock-a-tot is not a firm, flat surface. Don’t buy it to begin with and you won’t have to worry about it!

Final thoughts on your baby registry…

This is the MOST EXCITING TIME in your life.

Having a baby is beautiful and may also rock your world a little bit.

The saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is so totally and completely true.

If you find that you're struggling with any area of motherhood, please know that there are millions of women who have walked this path before you who have a heart for serving you.

Struggling with breastfeeding? Find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help you.

Struggling with your baby’s sleep? Find a Certified Sleep Consultant to work with.

Struggling with your mental health in the months postpartum? Reach out to your healthcare provider and possibly get connected with a therapist.

Many of our certified sleep consultants have the holistic training to be able to help you find these resources should you need them, and we know they would love to help you!

We hope you LOVE our list, curated specially for you, mama. If you have a friend that’s expecting too, send her this link.