Baby Registry & Newborn Favorites
This post is long overdue, especially since I’ve been working on it for the past few months, and Margot is basically 10-months old! Time flies and it’s true what everyone says. Even the tough moments feel like they’ll last forever but they’re so fleeting. You’ll look back and realize how everything is just a phase (like needing an excessive amount of burp cloths and doubles of everything). Below are some of my registry favorites – bigger items that we have used a ton and would recommend, as well as newborn must-haves – smaller everyday things you’ll probably order on repeat from Amazon.
Baby Gear
Sampler Boxes – The Swaddle, Pacifier, and Bottle Babylist boxes are ideal. Since you have no idea what your baby will like and every baby is different, it’s a good way to try everything out before investing in one brand.
Snuggle Me Organic Lounger – A convenient place to lay your baby. We used this so much, on the dining table when we were eating, on the couch when we were hanging out, and in the bed for lazy family movie days.
Extra Infant Lounger Covers – Lesson learned, you’ll want at least one alternate for when the other is in the wash.
Baby Bjorn Bouncer + Toy – Another convenient place to put your baby that will keep them entertained, plus Mr. Googly Eyes.
Maxi Cosi Swing – One of the more aesthetic swings, I like how this has a subtle recline and isn’t as sunken in as your traditional swing.
Transportation
Baby Carrier – I probably have too many, but again, you don’t know what both you and your baby will like. My favorites have been the Baby Bjorn Mini, perfect for smaller babies and newborns, and Ergobaby Aeroloom for the next stage up.
Beis The Diaper Pack – I originally envisioned taking this out on quick trips and errands, but this has completely replaced my purse, and we use it more than our diaper bag. This Convertible Stroller Caddy Crossbody from Calpak looks like another good option.
Diaper Backpack – For a full day out, I’ve been loving the Ogio Rise Backpack. It’s not baby-specific, but there are so many pockets, and even when it’s packed it doesn’t look bulky.
Mesa V2 Car Seat – Connects to our stroller and makes it super easy to pop in and out of the car without transferring your baby to another seat.
Extra Car Seat Base – If you are a 2-car household, this allows you to install the base once in each car and move the car seat back and forth with ease.
Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller – We plan to have two kids, so I liked how you can buy attachments to make this usable for multiple children. This comes with a bassinet, which we used for a long time, and a toddler seat.
Stroller Cup Holder – I got this inexpensive one from Amazon that is compatible with the Vista V2 Stroller.
Uppababy Infant SnugSeat Insert — I wish I had known about this earlier, but it makes the Vista V2 Stroller toddler seat usable from birth.
Uppababy Bassinet Cover – I didn’t know this existed, but I wish we would’ve gotten it. We used our stroller bassinet a lot, and this would’ve helped with spit-up stains.
Car Mirrors – We each have one of these in our cars. I like the size and look of them.
Portable Sound Machine — I like the look of the Hatch Rest Go and the variety of sounds on the Yogasleep Hushh.
Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light – Easy to put together and lightweight (it only weighs 13lbs).
Ergobaby Metro+ Compact City Stroller — Incredibly lightweight travel stroller. It fits into airplane overhead compartments and also reclines, making it great for newborns and on-the-go naps.
Memory Foam Changing Pad — This $14 (includes free shipping) changing pad is a nice and affordable option for a spare changing pad not associated with any specific diaper bag.
Bath Time
Skip Hop 3-Stage Bathtub Set – This tub converts to 3 different settings — newborn, infant, and older babies. The set also comes with a spout cover and rinser.
Tubby Todd Baby Bundle – We got this fragrance-free in case Margot had any sensitivities, but it comes with the essentials – hair and body wash, all-over ointment, diaper cream, and body lotion. Pipette products are also a great alternative to this (shampoo + body wash, baby balm, and diaper rash cream).
Washcloths – I really like the texture of these and they’re only $5 for a six-pack.
Bath Towels – Gotta have an animal towel. We also have these soft muslin towels.
Bath Book – This waterproof book changes color when it gets wet.
Rubber Ducks – Target always has silly rubber duck characters that make bathtime fun.
Feeding
Lalo High Chair – I love the way this high chair looks and knew I wanted it even before I was pregnant. Now that we’re using it more regularly, I’m going to get another cushion for washing purposes.
Lalo Infant Support – This is newer and wasn’t available when we originally got our high chair but now that Margot’s eating solids, we got this for added support and to bring her closer to the high chair tray.
Inglesina Fast Table Chair — We recently started using this and love it for dining out. It feels more secure and supportive than your traditional restaurant high chair.
Baby Brezza Formula Pro — We didn’t get this formula dispenser until I stopped breastfeeding but you can see why I think it is so worth it here.
Dishwashing Station – $4 12qt Dishpan, Dapple dish soap, OXO Tot bottle brush, Dedicated sponge, Munchkin dishwasher basket, OXO TOT space-saving drying rack, and Boon Lawn drying rack
Munchkin Sterilizer Bags – Each pack comes with six bags, and each bag is good for 30 uses.
Burp Cloths – In the beginning, you can never have too many burp cloths. We have these, and they’re always on sale on Amazon.
Bibs – Now that we’ve entered the solid-foods stage, I like the silicone bibs much more than cloth. For drooling bibs, I like Copper Pearl.
ezpz First Foods Set — The perfect starter set, and I love the non-sippy tiny cup.
Nursery
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail – You can use any 13-gallon trash bags with it (they don’t need to be Ubbi brand-specific).
Keekaroo Peanut Changer – This changing pad is so easy to clean. Margot was a sprinkler baby (she liked to pee whenever you took her diaper off), so we would not have been able to function with a regular changing pad and cover.
Mushie Muslin Burp Cloths – During the colder months, the Keekaroo gets chilly. These fit the peanut shape perfectly.
Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen Sound Machine – We love our adult Hatch Restore so this was a no-brainer, and we use it for every nap and night.
Audio Baby Monitor – Not the most tech-savvy looking, but we have used this more than our video baby monitor and it’s portable for traveling.
Video Baby Monitor – You’ll want a video monitor, something like the Nanit. We have the Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor, which I wouldn’t recommend now since the company went bankrupt and requires you to pay for a lot of the features.
Extra sheets – Whether it’s for the SNOO, bassinet, or crib, you’ll want extras for middle-of-the-night spit-ups so you’re not washing and drying your only set (we learned the hard way).
Extra swaddles/sleepsacks — Same as above.
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit — This suit really is magic. It made our transition from the SNOO to the full-sized crib so seamless.
Baby Newton Waterproof Crib Mattress — This mattress has 2 sides — one that’s breathable for infants and the other that is waterproof for toddlers, allowing you to use this from crib to toddler bed.
Books & Toys
Books instead of cards – I love this idea and it makes building your baby’s library so sweet.
Lovevery Play Gym – One of our most-used items!
Lovevery Play Kit Subscription – We started this at month 5/6 and it has the best age-appropriate developmental toys.
Skip Hop Activity Center — We call this the DJ booth. It’s a great entertainment station and hands-free place to put baby for a few minutes.
Wooden Alphabet Blocks – This was an unexpected gift but I love how easily personalized it can be just by stacking the blocks to spell your baby’s name.
Sophie la Girafe Teether — I don’t know what it is about this (the shape of the face?) but babies love it and immediately put it in their mouth.
Silicone Teething Ball (another option here) — This one has an opening that makes it easy to hold. They’ll like playing with this even before they start teething.
Lovie Security Blanket — Soft, easy-to-cuddle with blanket.
Soft Activity Crinkle Book — Has a variety of everything (e.g., crinkle, teething, peekaboos, mirrors) and makes a great all-in-one on-the-go toy.
Health
Fridababy Ultimate Baby Kit — A comprehensive kit with everything you’ll need. If you go the individual route, our must-haves from this pack include:
NoseFrida the Snot Sucker — also get the Saline Spray and extra filters to go with this (not included in the kit)
Windi the Gaspasser — You might want extras + Aquaphor to use with this
NailFrida the SnipperClipper — or if you find clipping nails scary like I do, you might want to opt for the Electric Nail Buffer (we finally got this after 8 months of barely trimming nails)
Little Remedies Gas Drops — Safe for newborns and a lifesaver
Infants’ Tylenol — Something you realize you don’t need until you really need it. You can give Tylenol before 6 months old but not Motrin.
Nara Baby Tracker App — So helpful for tracking how many wet and dirty diapers, how many minutes per side for breastfeeding, or how many bottles/ounces have been consumed.
For You
You can find more of my postpartum must-haves here, but these are some of my favorite giftable necessities for new moms.
Frida Mom Postpartum Essentials Recovery Kit and Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle (not included in Recovery Kit)
Food Delivery Service – See my review on Chiyo (it might work for you) or something that makes eating healthy super easy like Thistle or Daily Harvest.
Registry Tips
Regardless of where you create your registry, I recommend getting the baby registry boxes from Babylist, Target, and Amazon. The samples are full-sized products and helped us, for example, find that Margot likes Mam bottles, and therefore, Mam pacifiers. Read more of my baby registry tips here.