25 Baby Registry Must Haves, Plus 5 Things You Don't Need

Creating a baby registry as a first time mama can be both fun and overwhelming. Aside from the obvious things such as a crib and crib bedding, diapers, wipes, and baby clothes it can be difficult to know what you really need and what items you can do without. There are so many different baby gadgets out there, its no wonder most first time mamas are baffled when it comes to creating their baby registries.

Other mamas you know can be a great resource as to what essentials to include on your baby registry and what items will likely just end up collecting dust. I have compiled a list of my most used baby registry items as well as some of the things I never use.

25 Baby Registry Must Haves~

Diaper bag - There are a ton of diaper bag choices out there, and lucky for us most of them are pretty stylish these days. I have the Skip Hop Duo Signature diaper bag and absolutely love it. It comes in an array of colors and patterns, fits a ton of gear without being too bulky, and has a special strap to clip it right onto your stroller.
Humidifier - A humidifier is a must for your baby registry. It is one of those items we don't think about until we actually need it, and then don't have it. Better to be safe than sorry with this one so you don;t find yourself running out in the middle of the night desperately trying to find one when your baby comes down with their first cold. I love the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. Be sure to get a cool mist humidifier rather than a warm mist one, which tend to be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
Nursing pillow - A nursing pillow can be a tremendous help when it comes to making breastfeeding more comfortable for you and your baby, especially while you are both still learning, and finding comfortable positions. I have the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow and I love it! I also have the Boppy nursing pillow that I use in the rocking chair, and it also doubles as a support pillow for your baby when they are learning to sit up.
Breast pump - This is a must have item. At some point if you are planning to breastfeed, you will need to pump. I have tried a few different pumps and my favorite is the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump. It comes with everything from a stylish tote to carry it in to a batter pack for pumping on the go, a cooler for bottles, and extra parts.
Pumping bra - This is a life saver if you have to pump often. Pumping can be time consuming and boring, so having your hands free to read a book, flip through a magazine, or get some work done on the computer is essential. I like the Medela Hands Free Pumping Bustier Bra.
Baby monitor with video - Having a monitor with video is awesome because you can watch your little one sleep and monitor them more closely than you can with the sound only baby monitors. I use the remote wireless video baby monitor from Motorola. It has two way audio, a large color scree, infrared night vision, music, pan, tilt, and zoom features.
Baby food maker - If you're like me and prefer to make your own wholesome, fresh baby food, then you will need a good baby food maker. I started out with the Beaba Babycook Classic and later upgraded to the Beaba Babycook Pro which allows you to steam, purée, reheat and defrost. Its easy to use and quick to clean.
Swaddles - Swaddles are a must for the early months. They provide baby with the snuggly feeling of being in the womb and help them sleep easier by preventing them from waking themselves up with the Moro (startle) reflex. Swaddle blankets work, however my son would always bust out of them, so I used the SwaddleMe Original Organic Swaddles. These are awesome because they are Velcro so they are quick and easy to put baby in and they stay put. No more rogue arms punching their way through.
Wipe dispenser - Most packages of baby wipes can be a pain to get the wipes out of. And when your mini me has had a major blow out the last thing you want to do is struggle to get a wipe free from the package. Wipe dispensers make it much easier. I like the DEX Baby Wipe Dispenser. Its stylish, fits most brands of wipes, and is easy to use.
White noise machine - This is a life saver! The white noise helps babies to sleep more soundly as newborns because it reminds them of the sounds in the womb. As babies grow and become more susceptible to being woken up by outside noises, the white noise helps drown out other sounds and help baby stay asleep. My favorite is the Dohm-DS Natural White Noise Sound Machine. It has the option to set a timer or not, which I like because every time other sound machines I have used shut off my son would wake up. This one will run all night.
Nose Frida nasal aspirator - This Swedish design comes in very handy when your baby has a cold or a runny/stuffy nose. While the concept seems kind of gross, it is incredibly helpful and actually strangely satisfying to clear out your baby's nasal passages. You can find the Nose Frida nasal aspirator here.
Rectal thermometer - The most accurate reading you can get when taking a baby's temperature is rectally. The Vick's Baby Rectal Thermometer is known for being one of the most accurate and quickest thermometers out there. Plus it is ergonomic and comfortable for your baby's booty too.
Nail clipper with a light - Clipping your baby's nails can be a terrifying experience! Their nails are so tiny, and you don;t want to risk clipping tier skin, so having a nail clipper with a light on it enables you to really see what you're doing. I use the Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper.
Baby swing - I can't even begin to stress how handy this has come in. I have the Fisher Price Snugabunny Cradle N' Swing and when we first came home from the hospital my son would only sleep well on me or in his swing. Once we transitioned him to the co-sleeper I still used the swing for naps. Plus he loved the light up mobile and would happily watch it while I got a few things done. I was sad when he recently grew out of it!
Snap N' Go car seat and stroller - I use the Chicco Cortina Keyfit Travel System which is easy to use, convenient, and comes with the top-rated car seat in terms of safety. It fits babies from 4 - 30 lbs and uses a LATCH system for extra safety. The stroller has an aluminum frame, multi-position reclining seat, and all-wheel suspension. Plus its affordable, around $300 for the entire travels system. Uppababy also makes an excellent travel system, but it will run you up around $800. Snap N' Go travel systems are great for running errands and jetting around town. They open and close with ease and you can pop the car seat in and out quickly.
Baby carrier - Babywearing is convenient, comfortable, and also has several benefits for both parent and child. I highly recommend registering for a baby carrier (or two.) I use both a soft structure carrier for walks and hikes, and a wrap carrier for around the house. You can see my recommendation for the best baby carriers and wraps as well as the benefits of babywearing in my previous post.
Pack N' play - The Graco Pack N' Play Playard can be used as a crib while traveling, or as a playpen when you need a few minutes to get things done around the house. It comes in its own case and is fairly easy to open up and fold shut.
Rock N' play - Many babies I know spent the first several months of their life sleeping in the Fisher Price Deluxe Auto Rock N' Play. It is snug so baby feels comforted and secure, compact enough to put right next to your bed, lightweight and easy to move from room to room, and the auto version has a timer that you can set to rock your baby to sleep. My son wasn't a fan and preferred his swing, but I'd say at least 75% of the babies I know loved this item.
Travel high chair - While full size high chairs are great, travel ones do the trick as well, plus they are space savers, and you can easily pack it up when traveling or visiting friends and family. I like the Ingelsina Fast Table Chair. It easily attaches to most tables and enables your little one to sit at the table with you as opposed to near you in their own high chair.
Co-sleeper - If you are planning to co-sleep or have your baby sleep next to you in your room when they are newborn, I highly recommend registering for a co-sleeper. I used the Arms Reach Co Sleeper which is basically a bassinet with one side that is open and fits right up against your side of the bed. This way your baby still has their own space to sleep safely, but they are with next to you making night feedings easier. I preferred a co-sleeper over a bassinet.
Bottle drying rack - I love my Boon grass drying rack and stem. There is a reason you see this particular drying rack on most counter tops of families with small children. Its the best! It holds bottles upright so they dry quickly and evenly, and the stem is great for hanging nipples and pacifiers from. You can fit quite a few bottles on it too.
Bottle brush - Whether you will be breastfeeding or bottle feeding, there will come a point when bottles are introduced (So that you can get a break now and again) so having a good bottle brush that fits easily into bottles of all shapes and sizes is key. My favorite is the OXO brush set which comes with a brush and a stand, as well as three additional pieces to clean nipples, caps, and any other small parts.
Bottles - No need of a bottle brush without the bottles! I have tried many different brands of bottles and various nipple flows. My son had a difficult time with sucking down too much air, causing gas and stomach pain. Finally we tried the Dr. Brown's Natural Flow bottles and they are magic! They greatly reduce gas and colic and have worked wonders for my son. They can be a bit of a pain to clean but well worth it.
Bathtub - A good bathtub that is comfortable, safe, and makes your baby feel secure is essential. I have tried a couple of different ones, and our favorite is the Blooming bath. It is soft, plush, and fits inside sinks of all shapes and sizes. Your baby is well supported and comfortable in this bath. Those hard, slippery plastic tubs provide more of a challenge than anything and babies don't seem to like them.
Rocking Chair or Glider - I don't have to tell you that most babies love being rocked. Having a comfy rocking chair or glider in your nursery is great for late night feedings, soothing your baby, and snuggling up together to read books before naps and bedtime. I am not going to give a recommendation for a particular one because I think that a rocker or glider is a very personal choice and will also need to fit into the decor of your nursery. Rockers and gliders come in a wide range of styles, colors, patterns, as well as prices ranging from under $200 up to $1,000 or more.

5 Items You Can Do Without~

Bumbo seat - I registered for a Bumbo thinking I would use it all the time, and truth be told, I think we have used a total of twice. I found it to be very constricting and my son didn't seem to be very comfortable in it. His chubby thighs barely fit in the leg holes even by 4 months old. You're better off registering for a bouncy seat or a swing instead.
Baby clothes - You will receive so many baby clothes already, there is really no need to register for more. Besides, people would rather pick out baby clothes for your little one on their own because its fun to shop for babies! That being said, you likely won't receive many of the clothes you register for anyway.
Shoes - While baby shoes are beyond adorable, the are a pain to get on and once you finally do get their tiny foot in there, they don't stay on. So my advice is, don't bother.
Bottle warmer - Getting babies used to having warmed bottles can be hard when you're on the go and need to give them a bottle with no access to a warmer. Getting them accustomed to room temperature bottles will make things easier for you when you're not at home. (However I don't recommend giving them cold bottles because it can be more difficult for them to digest.) If you do need to heat up breast milk or formula that has been in the fridge, a bowl with hot water works just as well and is about as fast as a bottle warmer. (Never microwave a baby's bottle! The microwave will damage the breast milk and can create hot pockets in formula that can burn babies mouths.)
Wipe warmer - I chose not to use a wipe warmer because while its a nice idea to wipe your baby's bum with a nice warm wipe, what do you do when you're out an about and don't have your wipe warmer? Your baby probably won't enjoy being wiped down with a cold one. But if they don't know any differently then they probably won't complain. I have never used a warmed wipe on my son and he's never complained.