Preparing for a new baby can be really stressful.
There are SO many products out there, it is impossible to know when to save, when to splurge, what is necessary, and what is a waste of money!
It’s also really tough to put together a quality baby registry when you have no idea what you want or need.
Which is why I created this list, to help you save time and money when stocking up on your baby items! Forget the hours of research, avoid learning by trial and error, because I’ve done it all for you!
Sit back, relax and enjoy the new mom life 🙂
SWADDLE
HALO SLEEP SACK
If there is only one thing you buy on this entire list, it should be this one.
I’ve tried swaddle blankets, velcro swaddles, but this one blows the others out of the water.
Swaddling is so important in the early stages for making your little one feel safe and secure.
A good swaddle could be the difference between a fussy baby and actual sleep. Trust me, it’s worth it.
PACK ‘N PLAY
GRACO PACK ‘N PLAY
Pack ‘N Plays are so versatile. You can use them throughout many different stages as a portable crib, a playpen, or even a bassinet.
I couldn’t bring myself to buy a separate bassinet that would only be used for a couple months.
Multi-use items are the way to go, and this one is amazing! It’s also super easy to pack up and bring with you anywhere!
SWING
FISHER-PRICE SWING
A swing comes in handy when you need a break from holding the baby.
Sometimes (most of the time) laying them somewhere flat or stationary doesn’t do the trick for a squirmy baby.
This swing has saved my arms (and sanity) on several occasions. You can adjust the speed of the swing, and it even has soothing music options.
PLAIN ONESIES
GERBER GROW WITH ME BUNDLE
Babies grow extremely fast. You blink and they go from newborn clothes to 3 months, & before you know it they’re in 6 months clothing.
The trend continues for the first year & as cute as all the baby clothes are, my go-to was a plain white onesie.
I got the cute outfits for taking pictures and going out etc. but babies have blow- outs and spit up situations on the regular.
You end up changing their outfit upwards of 3 times a day! Why waste your money on that many outfits when they grow out of them SO FAST?!
Also, the white onesies are much easier to bleach & get stains out of, because there will be stains. Lots of stains.
MONTHLY STICKERS
MONTHLY MILESTONE STICKERS (GIRL) / MONTHLY MILESTONE STICKERS (BOY)
Speaking of growing up fast, these are a must!
Without these stickers as a reminder to document their growth each month, I would have missed the gradual changes they go through.
I set a reminder in my phone to take a picture in the same location each month, and at 1 year I put them all together.
I was SO glad I did this because it is such a special keepsake!
VITAMIN D DROPS
BABY D DROPS
At a pretty early stage, your pediatrician will recommend giving your baby Vitamin D drops as a supplement.
These are the ones that worked best for us. Super easy to use, you only need a few drops and it never upset their stomach.
PACIFIER
WUBBA NUB PACIFIER
Neither of my kids really took to pacifiers.
We tried all different shapes and sizes but they were just never really interested.
You would think this is a good thing, which I guess it is in the long run…but when you have a fussy baby that wants to suck even after being fed, a paci can be a lifesaver.
Even though my kids didn’t get attached to pacifiers, they still both loved their Wubba Nub.
It was the only one they would occasionally use.
They have a cute stuffed animal attached, which helps weigh it down and prevent it from constantly falling out.
BATH TUB
ANGELCARE BABY BATH
We tried a few different styles of tubs and found this one to be our favorite.
It just so happens to be the most affordable too! Score!
This one is sturdy enough to keep them supported, soft enough for them to be comfortable, insanely easy to clean and even has a little hook to hang it up when you’re done!
CAR MIRROR
SONILOVE BABY CAR MIRROR
A car mirror is a great way to keep your baby entertained during car rides.
There’s nothing worse than a crying baby while driving, but this mirror is usually enough to keep them happy and distracted.
Also, I loved being able to see their face through my rear view mirror to make sure they were okay.
NASAL ASPIRATOR
THE NOSE FRIDA
Okay, so my kids never really got sick as newborns.
Even as babies, I think maybe once?
I never found this necessary for babies, unless you have one that is constantly sick.
This did, however, come in very handy for us a little later down the road when they got a stuffy nose or were congested.
The bulb syringes they give you at the hospital are basically worthless (not to mention impossible to clean).
The concept of the Nose Frida is pretty terrifying, but rest assured you will NOT get any mucus in your mouth, I promise!
It really does work better than anything else.
DIAPER BAG
POTTERY BARN CLASSIC DIAPER BAG
I love this diaper bag for so many reasons!
I wanted a cute bag that was unisex so my husband wouldn’t be embarrassed carrying it.
I wanted one large enough to hold all of our stuff, not just the babies, and I wanted it to be durable and easy to wash.
This one checks all the boxes! Plus, you can even get it monogrammed!
SOUND MACHINE
HATCH BABY REST / HOMEDICS SOUND MACHINE
A sound machine is a no-brainer if you want your baby to be able to sleep through noise.
I did not want to have to tip-toe around my house while the baby is sleeping.
It is also very soothing for babies because it mimics the sounds they heard in utero.
I love the Hatch for everyday use.
It doubles as a nightlight & can be controlled through an app on my phone.
We also use a more basic and affordable one that we bring whenever we travel. Both work great!
STROLLER
B.O.B. REVOLUTION
This stroller is so amazing! It is heavy duty and extremely durable, but it handles like a dream.
I can literally push this thing with one pinky finger.
I also love the adjustable handlebar, because as a taller person it is rare that I find one high enough.
With lower handlebars, I literally am hunched over while pushing., which is a nightmare.
CAR SEAT
GRACO SNUGRIDE CLICK CONNECT
Having a click-in car seat is an absolute necessity.
Babies sleep a ton, & the thought of having to wake them up every time you go in and out of the car or stroller is terrifying.
It also makes it easier when using multiple cars, because you can just buy an additional base rather than a separate car seat for every car.
It also has an adapter for the B.O.B. stroller where you can just click it in.
NURSING/CAR SEAT COVER
MILK SNOB CAR SEAT CANOPY
Another multi-purpose item! Yes!
This nursing cover doubles as a car seat canopy.
It is incredibly soft, stretchy, easily machine washable and so handy!
It’s wonderful to shield your little one from the sun, crowds of people and also works great as a nursing cover!
STROLLER HOOK
THE ORIGINAL MOMMY HOOK
This hook is awesome on your stroller for carrying your purse, shopping bags, groceries, you name it!
CRIB
GRACO 5-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
I think it’s pretty obvious that you will need a crib.
However, if you can get a quality convertible crib it will save you from having to buy a toddler bed down the road!
Graco is a great brand, and this crib is pretty amazing.
CRIB SHEETS
AMAZONBASICS FITTED CRIB SHEET
Soft and comfortable crib sheets are harder to find than you think!
These ones are the perfect shade of light blue or navy blue, have a ton of other colors to choose from, and are INCREDIBLY soft!
Oh, and they are dirt cheap. WINNING!
DIAPERS
DIAPERDABBLER.COM
There are so many different kinds of diapers to choose from, and everyone has a different preference!
I truly feel that it varies from kid to kid.
You really need to just test out different kinds and find out which ones work best for your child.
That is why the diaper dabbler is so AMAZING!
You get a variety pack of all different brands that range from eco-friendly to store brand, etc.
You get an affordable pack of different brands to help you test out which one works best for you. Absolutely GENIUS!
SLEEPERS
CARTERS SLEEP & PLAY
Zip-up sleepers are key. Nobody wants to be buttoning a million buttons in the middle of the night, only to realize that you missed one and have to start all over.
Zippers are the way to go. Trust me. Carters is my favorite brand for these, affordable and high quality.
CHANGING TABLE
WAYFAIR DELTA 6-DRAWER DRESSER / IKEA HEMNES 8-DRAWER DRESSER
My favorite is the Wayfair Delta. It is extremely high quality, perfect height and very durable.
The more affordable version we also enjoyed was using an Ikea dresser and turning it into a changing table.
It was also the perfect height and has very large drawers. Both are quality options.
CHANGING PAD
KEEKAROO PEANUT CHANGER
This changing pad is the best of the best. It is a firm foam-like material that is soft and comfortable without needing a changing pad cover.
This makes it extremely easy to clean with a simple wipe down, rather than having to constantly be washing a fabric changing pad cover.
Definitely worth it.
DIAPER CADDY
BABY DIAPER CADDY ORGANIZER
A diaper caddy is great to have on your changing table to hold all of the diaper changing essentials.
It can also be used on the go, easy to grab and have everything you need in one place. Great for bringing in the car or even on trips.
It’s also really cute and looks great on your changing table.
NAIL CLIPPERS
SUMMER INFANT NAIL CLIPPER SET
Baby nails grow extremely fast! In the beginning, they’re so thin you can just peel them off.
Soon after you will need to trim them though. These ones are safe and easy to use.
CRIB BUMPER
BREATHABLEBABY MESH CRIB BUMPER
Crib bumpers are not safe if you’re using the old school kind. DO NOT use a regular crib bumper.
It is linked to SIDS and does not allow proper air flow. I do, however, recommend a mesh crib bumper. These are safe.
It only took one time where I heard my daughter screaming bloody murder as I rushed in and saw her poor little leg stuck in between the panels of her crib.
That second I purchased this mesh crib bumper on Amazon & never looked back.
BOTTLES
DR. BROWNS OPTION BOTTLE
Bottles are obviously an important item, and these are by far my favorite.
They have a vent system that reduces gas and helps with digestion.
A gassy baby is a fussy baby, so avoiding this as much as possible is key!
BOTTLE WARMER
DR. BROWNS DELUXE BOTTLE WARMER
Initially, I didn’t think this would be necessary.
That changed quickly after a few middle-of-the-night trips to the kitchen half asleep struggling to heat up a bottle to the right temperature without using a microwave.
I quickly realized the bottle warmer was completely necessary.
BOTTLE DRYING RACK
As a new mom, you will be cleaning bottles left and right.
Sometimes I feel like I am cleaning bottles all day long. With this, comes the need for a drying rack of course!
This one is super cute and works like a charm!
BOTTLE BRUSH
Dr. Browns Bottle Brush Cleaner
Speaking of cleaning bottles all day, this bottle brush makes it much easier to do so!
It is made specifically for these bottles and makes cleaning bottles a breeze.
WIPES
KIRKLAND BRAND BABY WIPES
Wipes. Another no-brainer. We have tried a ton of different kinds and ended up using the Kirkland Brand.
There are a few brands that are terrible, and a ton that are great!
These are great, they don’t break apart (*cough* Huggies *cough*) and are very affordable.
TYLENOL
INFANTS TYLENOL ORAL SUSPENSION
Once your baby starts cutting teeth, this stuff will be your best friend.
This works wonders on helping them with the pain.
It’s also nice to have after vaccines in case they develop a fever or have any pain at the injection site.
There’s nothing more heartbreaking than a baby in pain, so be sure to stock up on this stuff!! (And obviously follow the advice of your pediatrician for dosage.)
GAS DROPS
LITTLE REMEDIES GAS RELIEF DROPS
Early on, their digestive tracts are not fully developed.
They are not as efficient at processing and digesting and in turn, will have gas.
Depending on their moms diet and the amount of air they take in during feedings, that can range from a little gas up to severe painful gas.
These drops are amazing, and start working within minutes! I always have some on hand just in case!
THERMOMETER
METENE FOREHEAD AND EAR THERMOMETER
A thermometer is an absolute essential, but let’s be real.
No sick baby is letting you put a thermometer under their tongue, in their armpit or worse.
Save yourself the battle and use a forehead thermometer.
They work great and can even be used while they’re sleeping for those nights when you need to keep a close eye on them without waking them up.
DIAPER RASH CREAM
DESITIN MAXIMUM STRENGTH DIAPER RASH PASTE
This one is simply heaven sent. Diaper rashes can take a turn for the worse extremely quickly.
Any sign of redness, I apply some Destin and it’s basically gone by the next diaper change.
If a rash actually does break out, lather this stuff on like you’re icing a cake. Seriously. It will be healed in no time! (You must use the maximum strength. Regular strength doesn’t work nearly as well.)
DIAPER PASTE APPLICATOR
BABYBUM DIAPER CREAM BRUSH
Speaking of lathering on cream like you’re icing a cake…do you really want to be doing that with your fingers?!
I didn’t think so.
This little guy is super affordable, easy to clean, and even suctions to the table so it stays put! This one’s a keeper.
RECEIVING BLANKETS
ADEN BY ANAIS CLASSIC SWADDLE BABY BLANKET
These blankets are all the rage and for good reason!
They are so soft, light, and airy.
They are extremely versatile, super big, they wash really well and kids love them.
They can double as a burp rag or a nursing cover! They’re also great as a blanket on warmer days.
A SOFT BLANKET
HUDSON BABY PLUSH BLANKET
The muslin blankets are amazing on warmer days, but a warm soft and cuddly blanket is every baby’s dream come true!
This particular one is INCREDIBLY soft, and has the cutest design! It comes in blue or pink, and my kids are obsessed with them.
BABY CARRIER
BABY TULA FREE-TO-GROW BABY CARRIER
I tried a few different carriers and never really found them to be that great.
They didn’t seem necessary and my first child didn’t really care for them.
My second, however, would have times where he just wanted to be held and this carrier allowed me to be hands-free and capable of getting things done while holding him.
It’s also nice for the times you want to take a walk or go somewhere without lugging around a stroller.
SHAMPOO/BODY WASH
BABYGANICS FOAMING SHAMPOO & BODY WASH
This one is great because it is fragrance-free and super gentle.
Babies tend to have pretty sensitive skin, and I never have to worry with this one. We used the Aveeno Baby one before, and my daughter’s face and body got super red!
We ended up sticking with the Babyganics and never had an issue after that.
SUNSCREEN
BABYGANICS MINERAL-BASED BABY SUNSCREEN
Just like with the body wash, this one has never failed us!
We forgot it once and used our regular sunscreen on my daughter.
Shocker, she turned all red again. We went back to Babyganics and it never happened again. I’m sensing a trend here.
BABY SEAT
FISHER-PRICE SIT-ME-UP FLOOR SEAT
This seat is amazing for when your little one can finally sit up on their own.
It supports them in the upright position, is comfortable, and keeps them entertained with the attached toys.
It also folds up for easy storage.
HIGH CHAIR
INGENUITY TRIO 3-IN-1 HIGH CHAIR
This highchair does it all! It is a high chair, a booster seat, and a toddler chair!
It really does grow with your child, and can even be used by 2 kids at once if you have one in the toddler chair and one in the booster seat!
It’s sturdy, easy to clean and comfy!
BIB
WATERPROOF SILICONE BIB
Go ahead and skip those fabric bibs all-together.
They don’t catch spilled food, they need to be washed after every single use, and to be honest they just flat out don’t work very well.
This silicone bib really checks all the boxes. It catches everything and is extremely simple to wipe clean.
UTENSILS
GERBER GRADUATES SPOONS / GERBER GRADUATES FORKS
These are definitely my favorite baby utensils.
They are affordable, excellent quality, and the perfect size.
Some utensils are tiny and barely hold any food, while others are humongous and can’t even fit in their mouth. These are just perfect.
SIPPY CUPS
NUK LEARNER CUP / MUNCHKIN MIRACLE 360 CUP
The Nuk learner cups are amazing for transitioning from bottle to sippy cup. We tried them all, and none even came close to these.
We have them in every single design.
Once they’re ready for a full-on sippy cup I definitely recommend the Munchkin Miracle cups.
Easy to use and spill proof!
SNACK CUPS
MUNCHKIN 2-PIECE SNACK CATCHER
I’m certain you know exactly what these are because every person on the planet with kids has one. It’s a NO-SPILL snack container. ‘Nuff said.
TEETHER
NUBY SILICONE TEETH-EZE
Once they start cutting teeth, they’re going to want to chomp on any and everything.
There are a million teething toys out there, and most of them work just fine.
We found this one to be a favorite though.
JUMPER
FISHER-PRICE RAINFOREST JUMPEROO'
Once they can sit up on their own and use their legs, this jumper is where it’s at!
Babies absolutely LOVE bouncing around in there, playing with the toys around them and getting those legs moving!
This particular one has 5-star reviews from over 6 thousand people! That is unheard of but well deserving! It’s a good one.
BABY WALKER
VTECH SIT-TO-STAND LEARNING WALKER
This walker is great for the transition period between crawling and walking.
It really does encourage them to start walking and provides good support.
It’s fun, interactive, and gets them walking in no time! It’s also great as support in the beginning stages of walking when they aren’t quite as sturdy as you would like them to be.
STEPPING STOOL
FOLDING STEPPING STOOL
We got this for our kids to be able to reach the sink in the bathroom.
Most of the kid stools just didn’t seem very safe or sturdy in my opinion.
We tried this one and it is absolutely perfect!
My daughter looks forward to brushing her teeth every day because of this thing. It’s also really simple to fold up and put away.
TOOTHBRUSH
COLGATE KIDS TOOTHBRUSH
It’s super important to get them used to brushing their teeth as early as possible.
Making it fun really is the trick, and what better way to do that than with a super cute character toothbrush?!
It also has a little suction cup at the bottom to keep it in place! So cute!
PLUG PROTECTORS
MOMMY’S HELPER OUTLET PLUGS
I recommend baby proofing your entire house because once they start moving around you quickly realize that your entire house is basically a safety hazard.
It’s quick and easy to get started by covering up all of your outlets! Safety first!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Here are a few items that are pretty popular with a lot of people, but I just didn’t find them completely necessary. They are still quality products, just not items I recommend in my top must-haves.
DIAPER PALE
This seems like a good idea, but honestly, it’s easier to just throw the diapers away in the trash. I’ve never had an issue where my house smells like dirty diapers.
If it ever got THAT BAD, I would just take the trash out. The diaper pale holds a TON of diapers, and as they pile up, the smell when you open the lid is HORRIFIC.
Waste of money in my opinion.
WIPES WARMER
Again, seems like a great idea! Warm wipes are better than cold wipes, of course!
However, what are you going to do when you’re out of the house and need to change a diaper?
Your sweet baby will be so used to warm wipes that a room temperature wipe will be a complete shock!
It’s not like the wipes are unbearably cold, so I found it better to just stick with room temp.
NURSING PILLOW
Nursing pillows are great! They’re a great support for your arms while you’re nursing.
However, I always found it easier to just use a regular pillow under my arm rather than searching around for the nursing pillow.
I’d use a couch pillow, a bed pillow, whatever was closest.
The nursing pillow quickly became irrelevant.
PLAY-MAT
Play-mats are great for tummy time.
However, we really tried to avoid large items taking over the entire surface area of our house.
When it was tummy time, we just used our couch ottoman or a nice blanket and played with toys.
Works just as well without another huge item taking all of our space.
THAT’S A WRAP!
Phew, that was A LOT! Kudos to you for making it to the end!
Thank you so much for reading, I really hope this list helps you save time and money when stocking up on your baby items!
Forget the hours of research, avoid learning by trial and error, because I’ve done it all for you!Sit back, relax and enjoy the new mom life 🙂
Disclosure: Some of the links included are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please know that I ONLY recommend products that I have used and absolutely LOVE.