If you don't know What’s A Baby Registry, it is a baby items checklist. You or a good friend of yours (host) will want to come up with this list. After which, you can share it with your friends and family. With this, they can help you buy the must-haves for your little one.
Here’s an example of a practical inspiration on what to put on the baby registry - commonly known as the baby shower gift registry list. Avoid things you would only use you for a month or two, or worse, not used at all.
Becoming a mother would open your mind to a lot of things. One of these is the idea of asking for help. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I did not know what to put on the baby registry before when I was still pregnant. It was because I did not know that such a list exists, LOL. But we did receive some items as surprise gifts.
If I can be a first time mom again, I would ask for must-have baby items for the first year. I would keep it to a least though and would prefer something that I can use for more than a year.
As your child grows, you will learn that you don’t need this and that. And if you live in a small space, your unused or seldom used baby items would start piling up. You would not want that to happen. It would be good to show your friends and family how grateful you are for their help. And you can do that by using whatever they gave on a daily basis as much as possible.
Once you have your list, your friends will be able to check what you need. They can also access what others have already decided to give you and what else they can get. It is also a way of welcoming your new baby.
What’s A Baby Registry And What To Put In It?
1. Initial Clothing List
Make sure it is suited for the weather. Your baby doesn’t need shoes until your baby starts to walk. If it's me, I'll choose mostly 0 to 9 months sizes.
- 1Footie Pajamas (4 pieces in 0-6 months size).
- 2Short or long-sleeved versions side snap bodysuits (at least 6 pieces). The side snap bodysuits are useful while the baby’s umbilical cord is still healing. You can quickly change their clothes without forcing their fragile neck to the holes of regular shirts.
- 3Mittens (7 pairs in 0-3 months size). You rarely need mittens after that.
- 4Booties (7 pairs in 0-6 months size). You can start with pre-walker shoes after the 6th month.
- 5Caps (7 pieces). You can buy more as you need them.
- 6Onesies (7 unisex in 0-6 months size).
2. Changing Supplies
- 1Diaper bag (Read my diaper bag reviews)
- 2Cushioned changing pad (usually comes as a free accessory with a diaper bag purchase)
- 3Cloth diapers or disposable diapers (See The Disposable Diapers Delivery Service Gift)
You can get these two yourself:
- 1Diaper cream
- 2Unscented baby wipes
Diapering
It’s tough to choose if I would stick to pocket diapers or the all-in-two cloth diapers. I have over 50 cloth diapers in my stash. And given that I have tested every one of them, I have to admit that going the all-in-two way is probably the most economical in the long run. But convenience-wise, I’d say pocket diapers.
Pocket diapers can also be used as an all-in-two diaper when your child is not a heavy wetter yet. Just lay the insert outside the pocket and change the inserts as soon as they are wet, just like how you would use an all-in-two system. Once your child is already a toddler, you can use the pocket diapers as pocket diapers and customize the absorbency by adding a charcoal bamboo insert inside.
cloth diaper reviews
3. Bathing
- 1At least 3 hooded baby towels
- 21 baby bath tub
- 31 anti-slip mat
- 4At least 1 dozen wash cloth
You can get these two yourself:
- 1Baby shampoo and body wash
- 2Baby nail clipper
- 3Baby hairbrush
4. Transportation
- 1Car Seat (See My Infant Car Seats Reviews or Convertible Car Seats Reviews)
- 2Stroller (See The Baby Stroller Buying Guide or See My Strollers Reviews)
- 3Baby Carrier (sling, wrap, soft-structured or baby backpack)
5. Feeding
- 1At least 8 burp cloths. Get more as needed.
- 21 high chair. The simpler the better - no cushions, easily wipeable, fastest to clean and dry.
- 32 sippy cups. 1 for water and 1 for milk/juice.
- 46 BPA-free baby food containers. Buy more as needed.
- 52 feeding placemats, better if with suction.
- 6Floor mat. This is to be placed under the high chair to contain the mess.
For non-nursing moms:
- 16 pieces of 4 oz milk bottles for early months
- 23 pieces of 9 oz milk bottles for later months
- 31 baby bottle drying rack
For nursing moms:
- 11 nursing pillow
- 22 nursing covers
You can get these two yourself:
- 1Nursing pads
- 2Nursing creams
For Exclusively Pumping Moms:
- 1Electric pump. I've personally used Medela Pump In Style* and I highly recommend it.
- 2Breast milk storage
You can get these yourself:
- 1Hands-free bra (I've used the Simple Wishes hands-free bra.* It's good.)
- 2baby bottle brush
6. Health And Safety
- 1No touch forehead thermometer. Sick kids are usually fussy, and it's almost impossible to get their temperature with classic thermometers.
- 2Safety gate, quantity depending on where you plan to install it. Acquire more if needed.
- 3Baby monitor
- 4Baby health care and grooming kit
7. Beddings
For co-sleeping:
- 12 baby pillows
- 28 pieces newborn receiving blankets. Get more if needed.
For not co-sleeping:
- 1Crib with mattress
- 2Crib fitted sheets
- 1Baby playmat - useful from birth to toddlerhood.
- 2Baby rocker - useful especially in the early months.
There are things that you should invest some money into and should not compromise quality, like a good quality car seat. If you want to save some money, go for good quality but cheaper priced clothes since babies grow up very fast. Most of their clothes will only be worn for several weeks anyway.
Having a baby doesn’t need to be that pricey. Determine their importance according to your plans and try not to overbuy especially baby clothes. They grow up very fast!
What do you plan to include in your baby registry? Have you ever experienced buying so many things for your baby? Which is the most useful and the most useless in your opinion?
Care to share them in the comments section below?
Cheers!
Pitin
New Parents Guides:
Thank you so much for this post! Very helpful for this soon-to-be mama. I appreciate the work you put in. I imagine it wasn’t easy. Really looking forward to read more.
You’re welcome. 🙂
Dear Pitin,
This is the most sensible list I’ve seen so far, I really wish I had it before my eldest was born! I bought so much stuff as if there was an apocalypse coming…even diapers, as if the newborn size would fit forever LOL. And my parents, expecting their first grandson, bought a lot of unnecessary stuff I never used. You’ve made this so simple and practical although it must have taken you a lot of research, so thank you for that!
Hi Noa,
LOL. I think overbuying is normal for first-time parents (even first-time grandparents).
Regards,
Pitin
This really makes sense! I am a mom too and one thing I was always concerned about is buying stuffs that I don’t really need, especially babies grow really quick! My sister is giving birth to her first baby so this would be very helpful as she is trying to figure out what and what not to buy. I am trying to help her as much but as someone who already gave birth a few years ago, I can no longer remember everything. Call it baby brain!
Hi Cherie,
That’s actually true, LOL. I have a friend who has two children who are now teenagers, and they had recently had another child. She had forgotten what to do during pregnancy and how to deal with the first months which are the most challenging of all. It also looks like it’s her first baby because she had forgotten a lot of things she already experienced before, LOL.
It’s funny when you come to think of it, but I am sure I will also forget a lot from this list just in case I get pregnant again. This list will come in handy when that time comes. 🙂
Regards,
Pitin
This is a really comprehensive list and very useful indeed for first time parents, but also even for parents who are having another child as there are simply too many things to keep in mind and it is very easy to forget things. At least that is my experience anyway. I really like the fact that you remind people to get clothes suited for the weather. Either parents buy them too early, or wanted to use the same ones from their first child, or handed down from friends, but at the end they may not be suitable if they are not for the right weather. So that is great advice!
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
My daughter has a lot of hand-me-downs from her cousins who live in countries where the weather can get too cold. We, otherwise, live in a tropical country. And being a first-time parent. I was advised not to get too many clothes as my sisters can pass me the hand me downs for my daughter’s use.
And yes you are so right. It was just on time for me to realize that the clothes were too thick and I was due in a summer (in a tropical country). That made the baby clothes extra hot. I managed to shop last minute and got what I needed just in time. 🙂
Regards,
Pitin
My daughter is due this coming August. I tell her time and again all of the things that she will need (I did it 3 times), yet she looks at me as if I have two heads. I may show her this site so she will see that I am right. She will believe you!!! Then again, I don’t know any 21 year old that will actually take the advice that is given.
Hi Wendy,
That’s funny, LOL. “Kids” nowadays! 😀 Sometimes, it’s best to let them learn things on their own. ;D
Regards,
Pitin
Hello Pitin!
I always believed raising babies is not quite easy. It’s like a day job you know. I also thought they didn’t need a lot of stuff. Clothes, toys , food, medicine, and that will do. That was my idea. Anyways people are different. This is quite an amazing list of stuff you put up.
Hi Mark,
It’s actually not just a day job – it’s a 24-hour/on-call job, LOL. I have never had experienced a more demanding job until I became a mother, HAHA.
I also thought I only needed baby clothes and diapers until my milk supply had gone MIA and I had to purchase several breast pumps trying to bring my milk back. And with that, the demand for more feeding bottles came in together with the need for some other pumping accessories. The list of “needs” started to pile up, such as more diapers (I started cloth diapering to save money) and the other “needs” never stopped yet.
I believe it all depends on the parents’ lifestyle. I, for example, can live without a bassinet. I would rather co-sleep than have my baby in bassinet which is easily outgrown. A car seat is also a requirement for a lot of countries.
Believe me, I have narrowed down this list, LOL. This article include all the things that we “don’t need” or can delay buying until we need them.
Regards,
Pitin
I found your new baby checklist to be incredibly helpful! I really appreciate that you didn’t include toys or anything too excessive as I find most of the time we pay for things for our babies that could be just as entertaining to them as a spatula from the kitchen! Also, I love your tip of investing a bulk of your money into safely things such as a car seat and saving money on clothes, really sound advise. I also love shopping for baby clothes at discount stores like TJMax, they have quality baby clothes at discounted prices. Thank you for your great tips!
xo/Monet
Hi Monet,
It’s funny how we think that babies need a lot of things…well, yes they do, but it doesn’t need to be excessive. For example, hand me downs are fine since the previous owner probably only used it for a while since babies grow so fast.
And when it comes to toys, I find that they are more interested in the box actually than what is inside, LOL.
Regards,
Pitin
It is quite expensive to raise up a baby so it is a great idea asking others to help out. Especially as they are giving some gifts anyway – so why not give a thing you do need?
Hi Arta,
Totally agree. Instead of making it difficult for our friends and family to think what else they can help us with, might as well give them a list instead of receiving redundant items that we might not end up utilising.
Regards,
Pitin
Oh, my! The list is perfect for first-time moms.
Hi there,
Cool! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by my site.
Cheers,
Pitin
I am a first time mom and I’ve never heard of a baby registry. I thought you were talking about the registration of the baby after he was born! lol!
I suppose the idea is not bad if you want to get the set right and not wasting money.
I have heard so many times not to get unnecessary items for babies because they grow so fast or I might not use them at all. And, yet, I couldn’t help but buy a lot of things in case of not having enough.
Of, course there were items I have barely used.
It is incredible how we can spend money for nothing.
So, yeah, a baby registry could be a good idea for friends and family who want to offer but don’t know yet what you have already.
Nathalie
Hi Natalie,
We were on the same boat for not knowing what a baby registry is, lol. It was only until after my first born was out that I heard about it, and actually learned what it is for, haha! I was advised to buy as I need them when I was still pregnant. But I think it was not very ideal to do it that way. Once the baby is out, you will just impulsively buy stuff because you already need them. That would usually end up in an educated guess and often times, unhappy purchase.
Regards,
Pitin
A baby registry is a wonderful idea to get prepared and ready for a new family member. It’s good when the baby is not with you yet, but everything look like they are already in your hands!
Hi Milicka,
Thanks for dropping by my site. 🙂 I agree with everything you said. It is better to get everything ready before the baby arrives, because once they are born, it will all be about them, LOL. Should you need to get anything baby-related, you will have limited time to do research. You might end up with an unhappy purchase.
Regards,
Pitin
You have put a lot of thought into this list of must have baby supplies. I think a registry is an excellent idea. One because you get exactly what you need, and two because you won’t get too many of the same thing.
It also makes life easier for your friends, as they will know exactly what to buy you.
If I had my stork party again, I would ask for lots of nappies in different sizes.
Hi Michel,
I get that comment a lot from other people – they want as much nappies as possible. But have you ever considered going cloth? I have reviewed several cloth diapers which not only makes you save money in the run but also helps the environment. Imagine how much time mountains of disposable diapers take for them to actually “decompose.” A study was conducted and reported that it would take approximately 100-300 years for the mountains of disposable diapers all over the world to “decompose.” That’s 3-4x more than one person’s lifetime!
Pitin
Babies are so little, yet they often need so much stuff. I know with my first child I had so much unnecessary stuff – it would have been great to have a list like this so you can see what you would really need. We loved the footie PJ’s for my kids and they wore them for a long time. I was always concerned they would be cold and they just look so comfy. What was the most impractical baby gift you got?
PS your daughter is adorable!
Shannon
Hi Shannon,
I agree on everything you said. 🙂 I wouldn’t say it’s impractical because feeding accessories are a must, but I have a lot of colorful spoons, plates, food shapers and sippy cups that my now picky eater still ignores. I am sure they will serve their purpose someday (except for the sippy cups that are meant for younger babies).
Pitin
Limiting a list down to specific wants or necessities narrows the list down significantly, making it easier for anyone looking at your list to decide on what they wish to get for your new baby.
Yup! Having a practical list is the right way to do it. 🙂
I really wish that I saw your list when welcoming my daughter into this world. Thankfully, our friends and family are ready to help. They kept asking “do you have this?” or “have you prepare for that?” They almost covered all the things you said. I am grateful to them. And you. For making this list.
It does take a village to raise a child. I will be helpless without the help from my family and friends. From how to change a diaper to feeding my baby. All that can be overwhelming to a new parent.
Being a new parent is overwhelming indeed. And knowing what to put on your baby registry can help you tremendously.
You have covered everything here and this list will alleviate a lot of stress as to what to buy for the new baby, especially if father has to purchase some of it while mum is resting.
Hi Ches, I think it is better if the couple gets prepared with the basic needs of the baby so that when the baby comes, they can focus on taking care of the baby as well as the husband can also additionally concentrate on making sure that his wife gets enough rest too. 🙂 There are things that they can just buy as they need it like diapers and soap. But the rest of the primary needs must be already bought (like a car seat).
Hi there! I just wanted to thank you for this list. I can use this as a list of gift ideas! You’ve saved me a bunch of time! Thanks a lot again.
No worries and you’re welcome Matt. 🙂
I agree with this list of items because it’s not elaborate list but keeping to the basics.
Diapers, diapers, diapers they are so expensive I think if I could I would just ask for a closet full of diapers.
Or you can ask for Cloth Diapers 🙂 I bought 18 one sized cloth diapers and they are adjustable from xxs to xxl.I have been using them for more than 18 months now and they are still as absorbent as I first bought them. You can also keep them after your little one is done with diapers and reuse them for the next child. 🙂
It can be so scary because you don’t want to put too little or not enough or leave out things that you really need or add things that you don’t. But if it is your first child then how are you supposed to know. This is something that a lot of moms can benefit from having with them when they go to register. When you register at big stores they give you a “list” of what you should register for but it is always so much more than what you really need. Obviously they want you to buy more. But with this in hand, one will be ready to take on any store!
Glad to hear that. 🙂
Thanks for putting together a very helpful and detailed list! It’s good. You’re right, you don’t need to buy everything at once. Also, I realised that you don’t need to buy everything! If you are fine with hand me downs, that should reduce the cost. By the way, you have a very cute baby. 🙂
Thank you.:) I have more hand-me-down clothes than bought ones. I invest more on gears that will make my life easier like a hip seat carrier. When my daughter outgrown the soft carrier and still wants to be carried around, I had to buy the hip seat to keep both of us comfy. 🙂