10 Absolute Must Have Baby Registry Items for the Empowered Mom
I am so excited to share my list of Must Have Baby Registry Items with y’all! I really thought carefully about this list, and while it is not an exhaustive list of everything you need for your new baby, I think these are some of the best products out there that I have used.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that if you click through & make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
1. The BEST Stroller Ever Made
Let me just tell you, this stroller is a TOTAL game changer! I had my first son in 2008, and this thing wasn’t around yet, so trust me, I know. This stroller first came out in 2015, and it functions as both a car seat AND a stroller. It is super lightweight, and you can use it until your baby is up to 35 lbs. To go from a car seat to a stroller is as easy as the push of 1 button (to remove the car seat from the base) and the pull of a lever (to let the wheels drop down from underneath).
Some people aren’t too keen on the price as it will run you about $550 (at the time of writing this blog post). I look at it this way- if you were to buy both a car seat and a stroller, you would probably spend close to the same amount. The Doona comes with one car seat base. If you have two cars you may want to put a second base on your baby registry as well.
You can also purchase additional accessories, like a bag that attaches to the back to carry your items or a sunshade. You may want to put a few of these on your baby registry too! They definitely come in handy!
2. Smart Scale/Changing Pad
This thing is so cool! It’s a changing pad that also functions as a scale. It was especially comforting to have for Ethan because babies with cystic fibrosis can have a tough time gaining weight. This allowed us to monitor and track his weight. The best part is that it connects to an app on your phone and keeps a record of your baby’s weight over time. If you are worried about your baby’s weight, or maybe you just like to track data, this is a must-have baby registry item.
3. Mini Crib
Ok, I was and am obsessed with this cute crib. The mattress can be lowered as your baby gets older. So this will last you a lot longer than a bassinette would. Also, you have the comfort of knowing your baby is in a safe sleep space. It comes with a 1-inch mattress pad. The mattress pad seemed a bit flimsy, so we purchased a standard mini crib mattress separately. Standard mini crib sheets use the same size sheets as a travel crib.
Another thing that I like about it (even though it isn’t really a necessity) is: This mini crib is a lot more aesthetically pleasing than a pack n’ play in your master bedroom. This is especially nice if you plan on having your baby sleep in your room long-term.
Another perk about this crib is the wheels that allow you to easily move it around the room or your home.
4. A Sterilizer
The Wabi Steam Sanitizer & Dryer & The Wabi UV-C Sterilizer & Dryer
When I asked a Facebook group of fellow cystic fibrosis moms, they recommended the Wabi. Wabi makes two products, a UV-C Sterilizer & Dryer and a Steam Sanitizer & Dryer. Those with cystic fibrosis produce thick sticky mucus which is prone to trapping germs and causing infections. This is why we chose to go with the more expensive UV-C Sterilizer & Dryer. This item has been 3rd party lab tested and kills 99.9% of household germs. You can thank me later for adding this item to your baby registry!
5. Sleep Sacks
Alright, so I didn’t know these were a thing when my older son was a baby. I. LOVE. THESE. THINGS. This time around, I got a couple of these before Ethan was born, but I also got a lot of swaddles. I am very paranoid about infant sleep safety, so once we were home from the hospital, this is all I used when it came to Ethan sleeping. It gave me peace of mind. Swaddles are fine, too; I just find these a bit easier to use. Although, when using the sleep sack, you do need to be sure they are not too big/loose for your baby, and cant slip up over their face while sleeping.
6. Electric Nail File
I think one of the most terrifying things is cutting their tiny little nails during the first few months of life. This little electric nail file makes it so easy. No sharp clippers, no cutting the nails too short. This clipper set has different file attachments for you to use based on your baby’s age. Babies’ nails grow fast, which means you will get a lot of use out of this in-expensive little item! That’s why this nail file makes it on my must-have baby registry item list!
7. Baby Swing
When it comes down to baby swings, it is all about personal preference. I have talked to some moms who got the mamaroo4 and said their baby loved it, and others whose baby hated it! The same goes for the traditional swings. I had a Fisher-Price swing for both of my boys, which worked great for them. On the other hand, I also hear about babies who do not like the swing type we had. You may also want one that is more compact.
Before Ethan was born, my boyfriend Justin asked, “why does he need so many different types of chairs!?” After a month or so, Justin told me he understood why I had bought so many different items for Ethan to lay in. Having a baby swing is like having an extra set of hands, if you ask me! When you need to get something done around the house, and the baby is awake, a swing will be your best friend!
8. Electric Nasal Aspirator
One of the aspects I like most about this tool is how easy it is to clean. You just take the plastic attachments off at the top and wash them. They come apart and go back together easily. When you have a baby, there is no shortage of items to clean, so the less complicated and frustrating, the better!
We fondly call this little tool “the booger sucker” in our house. It’s much easier to use than a traditional nasal aspirator. The one we had also lights up and plays music. Ethan could not have cared less about that when he was smaller, but it now keeps him entertained when we have to use it… and with a cystic fibrosis baby… we deal with some serious boogers… and often!
So definitely, if you have a CF-er, this is a great thing to have.. especially with the concerns we have about bacteria and our babies; I like that you can sterilize the attachments easily.
9. Portable Changing Table
You NEED to get this if you have a 2-story house… well you know what? Even if you don’t, and your baby’s changing table is just somewhere on the other side of the house from where you hang out.
When I had Landon I was 21 and I could change his diaper on a pad on the floor and get up and down with him with ease. At age 33 when I had Ethan and hadn’t worked out for months, this was painful on my back, and Justin’s too!
I ended up getting this fold-away changing table. It is a lot more sturdy than it looked in the photos of the item (I read this in the product reviews, and it held up!). This thing was a back-saver. Was it the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at in our house? Absolutely not, but functionality wins here!
10. Burp Cloths, Burp Cloths, & more Burp Cloths!
Look… you are gonna want a lot of these… and I mean A LOT! In the first few months when your baby is eating every 3-4 hours you will go through a ton of burp cloths in a day, especially because they tend to spit up more, etc. during those first few months. We found some great ones on amazon that we really liked! I will link the exact ones here. so you can add this item to your baby registry!
Make sure to add these to your must-have baby registry items!
I hope you found this list of my top 10 must-have baby registry items helpful! This is not an exhaustive list, but they are some of the items that I found to be most useful. The first few months-year of motherhood and fatherhood is rough, there’s a lot to do, a lot to clean, and not enough hours to sleep! I think any item that makes your life a little easier so you can stress less and enjoy the snuggles more is totally worth it!
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. Its always useful…
Great content, really detailed info.
Hi love, what an amazingly detailed blog! I’m not a mom, but I can see how knowing all these details…
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