10 Things to Put on Your Baby Registry
If you are a first-time parent, it can be very intimidating to put together a baby registry. There’s so much information coming at you that simply sorting through it can be frustrating and overwhelming at the same time. So we decided to cut through it all and give you a simplified list of what should be your top 10 categories on your baby registry.
Every baby is different, and so some of the things your sister used, your best friend used, or your cousin used may not provide the same effect or result for you and your baby. Before you start your registry, take into account the type of person you are, the type of lifestyle you are used to, and what you would like to carry through to your postpartum days. So, would you rather spend time making, washing, and sterilizing bottles, or would you much rather do side-lying breastfeeding so you can relax and bond with your new baby while you feed and have skin-to-skin contact? If you prefer the latter, you probably don't need that fancy formula maker or dispenser device. But if you are not going to breastfeed, you may want that fancy gadget and others that will help cut down on the amount of time you spend preparing and fixing bottles.
All that to say, think about what is important to you and what will make your life more comfortable when you have a little human that depends entirely on you for everything before you start adding things to your registry.
You also want to consider where you live. Do you live in the city? Do you have to take public transportation? Or do you live in the suburbs and drive? Are you active? Do you like to travel? Do you like to entertain? The answers to all of these questions can properly guide you in choosing the right things for your baby registry that will help you maintain a comfortable lifestyle postpartum.
There are always some items that are a definite must. A car seat, a place for the baby to sleep, and plenty of diapers are all essentials. You can make those the basis of your registry and take your time to build it out from there.
The Baby Registry Isn't Just for Infants
While thinking about what the baby needs, you should also think about what you will need. Here is where the advice of siblings, friends, and family members can be handy. Check with your hospital or birthing center to see what they have to offer so that you don't include too many or any of those items on your registry and can instead include items that you will most likely use up.We recommend that anything that can help you care for the baby or make your care of the baby a little easier, painless, etc. is worth adding to your baby registry.
Now let’s get into those top 10 categories of items you will want to add to your baby registry.
1. Gift Cards
If you absolutely do not know what to get, you can start out your registry with a couple gift cards. This is a great idea for those who may be struggling with a high-risk pregnancy and who don’t want to get too attached to baby stuff before the baby comes. While you can usually return baby items, it can be extremely difficult to get rid of items you received for the baby if they do not make it outside.
Gift cards are also great if you really want to get only items that you want and love. They're great if you think the items you want are too expensive and don't want to burden your friends and family. Be warned: Your loved ones are probably going to buy too many cute outfits anyway, even when they gift you those gift cards.
2. Feeding Care
What you choose from this category is entirely dependent on how you intend to feed your baby. If you will be breastfeeding, be sure to add things for mom, such as nipple cream, nursing bras, and a pumping bra if you plan to pump. While on the subject of pumping, add a good-quality pump to your registry if you want to breastfeed but aren’t sure if you want to have full responsibility for feeding the baby all the time.
Even if you plan to breastfeed, you want to be even a little bit prepared for bottle feeding. So add some bottle-feeding accessories to the baby registry as well. As it relates to formula, put a couple different brands on your registry. You can also add the Brezza to smooth out your nighttime feeds.
The advice for bottles is similar to the advice for formula. Get different options on your list so you can find what your baby may like better. Some babies are very picky when it comes to bottle feeding, so if you have a few different types on your registry, you can try them and see which ones they like most, then use those gift cards to buy those. The same advice goes for pacifiers, although those aren’t actually feeding care items.
When it comes down to it, if you find yourself doing either breast- or bottle-feeding more than the other, you can donate the items to a local women’s shelter. Baby supplies are always high on their list of needs.
3. Crib Accessories
Designing a nursery is probably one of the most fun parts of bringing a new baby home. When creating your registry, remember the things that go into your nursery and put those on the list. You will need a crib, of course, but you will also need a crib mattress and crib sheets. We recommend a mattress protector or protectors too.
4. Soothing/Sleep Care
How do you plan on getting your baby to sleep? How soon do you plan on trying to get into a routine with them? Do you look forward to bedtime stories and rocking them to sleep? If yes, a rocker could be a great item to place on your registry. So can bedtime stories, a white noise machine, and a baby monitor with night vision capabilities.
5. Items for a Sick Baby
We don’t ever want our kids to get sick, but unfortunately, we can’t quite control that. What you can do is be prepared for any illness that may come along. Check out the most popular cold care items, fever-reducing items, items for teething, and more. Place these on your registry so you have a well-rounded medicine basket or bin to help you tackle anything that the baby may be faced with when they come home.
A sick baby is often a fussy baby, so you always want to be prepared to start treating them as soon as they start exhibiting symptoms.
6. Big-ticket items
Most registries now offer the ability to have big-ticket item purchases covered by multiple gifters. So don't be afraid to add your big-ticket items. Like that expensive jogging stroller you know you will get a lot of use out of, you are going back to running as soon as your OB/GYN clears you to get back to your usual routine. Furthermore, you'd be surprised how far some people will go to get a gift for a baby or new parents.
Don’t worry about who will judge you for having that expensive item on your registry. Regardless of the price of the items on your registry, chances are you will always be left with something or somethings you will have to buy for yourself.
7. Help Services
Do not underestimate the need for a cleaning or laundry service when you get home with a new baby. You may feel like you won’t want anybody in your space, but while you may not want anybody in your space, things can really pile up when you have a newborn on your hands. Take all the help you can get by adding cleaning and laundry services to your baby registry wherever possible. Meal preparation and cooking services can be extremely beneficial as you recover from childbirth and strive to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
8. The Latest Responsive Bassinet
There is always that high-tech, responsive bassinet that is all the rage. Be sure to add one to your registry if you dream of having one of these for your baby. It can be one of your big ticket items, which you can set up to have multiple people donate their preferred amount to, and then once you have enough funds, you can bring it home for the baby.
9. Travel Gear
If you are already planning your first family vacation with a baby before giving birth, then all the travel gear you need should definitely make the list. You can add items that you won't need right away, like a portable high chair for later on when the baby starts sitting up. You can also include a lightweight travel stroller, mosquito mesh covers for bassinets, a pack and play, and other items to make traveling with a baby easier.
10. Diapering
Last but most definitely not least, you want to add all your diapering items to your registry. Diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream are three things your baby will never have enough of. This is another area where you should experiment with different brands and types, as some babies are extremely sensitive, and some of the most popular baby care products simply will not work for those babies.
Bonus!!!
11. Our Postpartum Recovery Kit
Yes, you need something for yourself as well. Giving word is hard physical work birth and afterwards, you will need a lot of support and love. As your body calms down from the most wonderful yet possibly hardest thing it has ever done, get ready to soothe all your after birth ailments with our Postpartum Recovery Kit. From nipple balm to soothe you before and after breastfeeding, a herbal sitz bath, our 2 in 1 peri balm to our postpartum massage oil. Put one of these on your baby registry so you can get some care immediately after giving birth, too.