Baby Registry Must Haves

On the hunt for must have baby registry items? Look no further. I’m sharing a full list of baby registry must haves and a list of the things you should pass on. Some of the items in this post were gifted to me in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Whether you’re having your first baby or your third, making a baby registry is a tedious task. I don’t know how many times I’ve scrolled online and walked through the aisles in the stores trying to decide what to add to our registry. When I found out that I was pregnant with our rainbow baby, I wanted to buy all the things. It can be so overwhelming trying to make sure that you’re prepared for your new addition. We knew that there were things that we absolutely needed and some baby items were just cool gadgets to have.

Every year so many new baby products come out and it’s hard to decide what you actually need. Since we kept a few of Tristan’s baby items, figuring out our wants and needs was where we started. Once we did inventory of the things we already had, we started creating our baby registry.

We’re a little over 3 months in with Trevor at home and I’ve learned what things on our registry we absolutely loved and what we should’ve passed on adding. I’ll admit that I may have gotten a little caught up with the shiny, new baby items that were released this year and added one too many to our list. The lists below have my top must have baby registry items for both mama and baby.

POSTPARTUM FOR MAMA

When we’re creating our registry, we often forget about ourselves. Think about things you might need to help you recover from delivery and get you through that postpartum phase. Self care and making time for yourself is important.

Pumping bra: Pumping hands free really is the only way to go. It makes pumping go a lot quicker when you have free hands to flip the pages of your favorite book or put on your favorite show. When you’re not pumping, they also provide good support throughout the day. Medela makes one of my favorites but many other brands have great versions as well. Here’s a few of my top choices (1, 2).
Lansinoh Breast Milk Collector for Breastfeeding: This Lansinoh breast milk collector is a newer product recently released by the brand. It was created to collect drops of breast milk opposite of the breast you’re pumping or nursing from.
Haaka Manual Breast Pump: Similar concept to the Lansinoh Breast Milk Collector
Prenatal Vitamins: It’s super important to keep taking your prenatal vitamins after baby is born especially if you’re nursing. I’ve tried ever brand out there that makes gummy prenatal vitamins and the Hello Bello at Walmart are hands down my favorite. I will say the only downside to these is that they do not contain iron or calcium so you will have to take additional supplements to support you during and after pregnancy.
Calcium Chews: Calcium is an essential part of your daily nutrients that you need. Adding a calcium supplement like Viactiv chewables to your registry is always a good idea.
Nursing pillow: A nursing pillow like Boppy should be on everyone’s list. Not only can it help support baby during nursing sessions but you can use it for so many other things up until baby is 12 months.
Nursing pads: Leaks can be so annoying in between nursing sessions. Add a couple packs of nursing pads like these or even these disposable ones to your registry to help prevent those pesky leaks.
Postpartum shapewear: This can help your body heal and recover.
FridaMom Labor and Delivery + Postpartum Recovery Kit: This is an absolute must! If you add nothing else to your registry, add this. I can’t tell you enough how much of a lifesaver the products in this kit are. It can help make your postpartum recovery a bit easier. You’ll definitely want to stock up on these padsicles and disposable postpartum underwear too if you’re planning on having a vaginal delivery.

TRAVEL MUST HAVES

SkipHop Greenwich Convertible Backpack: I scoured the internet for hours trying to find the perfect diaper bag backpack then I hit the stores to do even more research. This SkipHop diaper bag is the best out there. Not only is it stylish but it’s functional and the luxe vegan leather is sturdy enough to withstand even the roughest kids. I love the neutral color and all of the storage it has. You can wear it as a messenger bag or hang it over your stroller with the included straps.

Dr. Brown’s bottle travel lids: There’s nothing worse than being on the road and finding out that your baby’s bottles leaked out all over your bag. These Dr. Brown’s bottle travel lids are an absolute must when you’re heading out the door.
Baby car mirror: There are tons of baby car mirror options out there. This one is my top pick because it comes in 3 colors plus it has a swivel arm that allows for you to easily adjust it.
Backseat organizer: Grab one of these to keep all of baby’s things organized and easily accessible.
Travel bottle warmer: I don’t leave the house without this one. It’s easy to use and keeps the water warm for hours. When you’re ready to warm up baby’s bottle, just pour and warm. Simple as that!
SkipHop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler: You’ll want an insulated cooler to keep baby’s bottles cold while you’re out and about. If your diaper bag has insulated pockets you can totally skip adding this to your list.
Baby carrier: I love a baby carrier for those days when I don’t feel like toting a stroller around.
Evenflo Gold Shyft Travel System: Choosing this travel system was a no brainer. It’s stylish and has 6 different modes for baby. It easily converts from infant to toddler mode. I love that baby can sit forward facing or facing me. Since Trevor was a preemie born at only 4 lbs 7 oz it was important that we found a car seat that could accommodate him comfortably. The SecureMax car seat accommodates babies from just 4 pounds. The biggest selling point though had to be the SensorSafe technology in the SecureMax car seat. With an app on your phone you have access to information like your baby becoming unbuckled or the car temperature being too warm. Did I mention that the stroller folds with just one motion?

NURSING & FEEDING

Breast pump: My favorite breast pump brand hands down is Medela. I’ve tried Ameda and Spectra pumps before but they just weren’t my favorite at all. Medela has a few different style pumps to choose from. The Pump in Style is what I used with all 3 of my kids and it never let me down. If you’re exclusively pumping, these are a couple tips that might help you out.
Dr. Brown’s Formula Pitcher: This formula pitcher is a must have whether you’re nursing or formula feeding. I love the ability to have a large amount of milk on hand for baby. With our preemies we had to supplement breast milk with added calories from formula. The pitcher allowed us to mix a daily amount of milk all together at once to make life easier.
Bottle warmer: Easiest way to warm those bottles in a pinch.
Bottle drying rack: Adding a drying rack is a must! We’ve used this Grass Countertop Drying Rack for Trevor and Tristan but it wouldn’t be my first choice to recommend. The water collects in the bottom after every wash and the grass part kind of soaks it up. We typically wash the drying rack after every use which is annoying. I would suggest this one instead which is a space saver and more efficient.
Dr. Brown’s bottles: I love these bottles because the nipple shape and size is perfect for preemies. The bottles also help reduce gas and colic plus they have a glass bottle option. These are great for transitioning to bottle feeding too.
Nursing pillow: You’ll want one of these for support when nursing.

SLEEPING

Swaddle blankets: You can’t have enough of these! Babies love to be swaddled especially in their newborn stage. It helps keep them comfortable and from startling. They don’t grow out of their startling reflex until after the first few months. These were my favorite brand.
White noise maker: A lot of moms rave about these. They’re great for helping baby fall asleep.
Button down pjs: I’m team buttons all the way. Something about zipping up pajamas in the middle of the night when I’m barely awake has me on edge.
Philips Avent BPA Free Soothie Pacifier: The best!

skiphop diaper caddy_baby registry must have

NURSERY ESSENTIALS

SkipHop Diaper Caddy: I can’t tell you enough how much we love this! We use it every single day. It definitely comes in handy living in a 2-story home.
Diapers: Don’t skimp on diapers at all but also don’t stock up on too many of 1 size. This Pampers Pure Starter Kit is the perfect place to start. Here’s a great guide for how to build a diaper stockpile. I would highly suggest Pampers Pure and Hello Bello for your baby. We’ve used both brands and loved them both!
Motion Sensor Trash Can: Way better than a diaper pail! It helps conceal the smell and will last you way past the diaper stage.
Baby Gate: So many options to choose from but a baby gate is definitely essential for when your baby gets to the active stage.
Owlet Smart Sock + Camera: You can’t skip adding this to your registry. I honestly don’t know what I would do without the smart sock and camera. It gives me a peace of mind especially at night.
Toys: Some things we really wanted to add to our list were things to keep baby occupied. Think about adding things like a bouncer, rattles, musical stuffed animals, and other toys.
Baby book: Don’t forget a baby book to keep track of baby’s first moments.
Handprint & footprint mold

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS

Gripe Water: You want to have this in your baby medicine cabinet to help relieve gas. It’s amazing!
Vitamins: Vitamins for babies are a must. All of my kids absolutely hated the Poly-Vi Sol brand of multivitamins. I highly recommend this or this.
FridaBaby Sick Day Prep Kit: Literally everything you need for baby on those sick days.
FridaBaby Cradle Cap System: Cradle cap is super annoying but this cradle cap system helps to loosen up those flakes in baby’s hair.
Kinsa Smart Thermometer: I love this thermometer because I can connect it to my phone and save all the data. It makes it easier if we have to make a trip to the doctor’s office.
FridaBaby Humidifier: Perfect to use with these vapor drops plus it’s a diffuser and a night light.
Baby Nasal Aspirator: You can grab this by itself or as a part of this kit which I highly recommend.
FridaBaby Windi
Triple Paste: This is literally one of the only diaper rash creams that works for my kids!
Mittens
FridaBaby Medicine Dispenser Pacifier: This is such a genius invention! I don’t know how I gave my kids medicine before this. It’s designed to bypass a baby’s tastebuds which makes dispensing meds super easy.
SkipHop Whale Bath: Perfect for newborns!

THINGS TO SKIP

After 3 kids you learn what you do and don’t need. Most of the things you’ll see on a a baby registry checklist you really do need. Some of them though are useless. There’s only a few things I could think of that are a complete waste of money.

Wipes warmer
Bottle sterilizer
Baby Brezza
Diaper pail

Where to Register for your Baby Registry Must Haves

Honestly where you choose to register is a personal preference. Most places these days will give you a coupon for a discount after a period of time. Here are a few of my favorite places to register:

Amazon
Target
Buy Buy Baby
Walmart

Next time you’re making a registry or shopping for a loved one, add a couple of things from this list. Most of these are perfect to add to a gift basket or gift on their own. What are some of your must have baby registry items?

Baby Registry Must Haves