It’s exciting to make your baby registry as you look forward to your bundle of joy! Like all parents, you want only the best for your baby boy or baby girl. With our checklist, you can make sure you’ve got the top baby registry items to give you a great start with your little one.
1. Baby clothes
6-10 onesies
6-10 undershirts
5-7 one-piece pajamas
1-3 sweaters or jackets
1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits
6-8 socks or booties
1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer, soft cap that covers ears for winter)
No-scratch mittens
3-5 pairs of pants
4-6 swaddle blankets
2 blanket sleepers for a winter baby
Bunting bag or fleece suit for a winter baby
Gentle laundry detergent
2. Diapering
Diaper pail and liners
Diaper bag
Diaper cream
Unscented baby wipes (causes less irritation)
Soft washcloths
6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers, or 2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers
3. Baby bedding
1-3 washable crib mattress pads
2-4 fitted crib sheets
4-6 soft, light receiving blankets
1-2 heavier blankets for colder climates
4. Nursery
Crib, cradle or bassinet
Firm, flat mattress that fits snugly in crib
Rocking, glider, or arm chair
Baby monitor
Nightlight
Dresser
Toy basket
3-4 learning activity toys
3-4 rattles
2-3 teethers
Playmat
Books
Doorway jumper
Soft blocks
Changing pad
Changing pad cover
Clothes hamper
5. Bathtime
Baby bathtub
Baby soap
Baby shampoo
2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels
Soft washcloths (keep apart from diaper washcloths)
6. Feeding
10-16 bottles and nipples, both 4- and 8- ounce (we are huge nanobebe fans)
Pump (if you plan to breastfeed)
Milk storage bags (if you plan to breastfeed)
Nursing pads (if you plan to breastfeed)
Nipple cream (if you plan to breastfeed)
Nursing pillow (if you plan to breastfeed)
Bottle brush
Dishwasher basket for small items
4-8 bibs
Burp cloths
2-4 pacifiers
Formula (if not nursing)
7. Health
Baby nail clippers or blunt scissors
Baby thermometer
Petroleum jelly and sterile gauze (if you decide to circumcise)
Infant first aid kit
8. Baby gear
Infant or convertible car seat
Stroller
Infant carrier
Baby swing or bouncer
Playard with bassinet
High chair
Keep in mind that each baby’s needs are going to be unique, and use this list as a guide rather than a rule. If your baby is coming in the winter, you’ll want to get warm clothing right away, but if they’re coming in the summer, you can put off the coats and extra blankets for a bit.
There are also a few things that you might be tempted to put on your baby registry, but you can probably skip, such as:
- Baby shoes – you can get socks and booties and skip the shoes until baby starts walking.
- Crib bumpers – bumpers are a hazard and shouldn’t be used.
- Drop down crib – drop down cribs aren’t manufactured anymore. If you are given a hand-me-down, check to make sure it abides by current safety standards.
- Bottle warmer – bottle warmers can be convenient, but they really aren’t necessary.
- Dressy clothes – babies don’t get out to many soirees, so if you don’t have an upcoming event in your baby’s first few months, just stick with the basics.
- TOYS – If there’s a specific toy you really want, go ahead and add it to your registry, but don’t ask for a lot of toys as people will get you plenty anyway.
- Diapers/newborn clothes – while these are important to have (we included them on our checklist), keep in mind that you’ll likely get a lot of these items whether or not they’re on your baby registry and use your best judgment when asking for them.
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