Are you a planner or a pantser? Planners like to sort out every detail and prepare for any inevitability. A pantser is someone who flies by "the seat of their pants," facing challenges as they arise.
Once you're in the thick of life with your sweet baby, you'll quickly discover what kind of parent you are—but planners and pantsers alike can benefit from curating a well-stocked baby registry. It's the best way to ensure you receive all of your must-haves before your little one arrives. Planners can benefit from taking the time to arrange their ideal registry, and pantsers can use it as an opportunity to get their act together and gear up for the adventure ahead.
We've created this guide to help all types of parents load up their lists with the top baby items for 2024. We'll include everything a baby needs during their thrilling first year. Consider it the ultimate baby registry checklist for first-time parents.
In this article, you will learn
Read more in: Baby Must Haves: How to Prepare for Your New Baby
What Is a Baby Registry and When to Make One?
A baby registry is a list of items that soon-to-be parents create to indicate the products they would like to receive as gifts for their baby. It helps friends and family members know what the parents need and want for their baby. Baby registries typically include a range of items, from big-ticket essentials like strollers and cribs to everyday necessities such as diapers and clothes.
When to make a baby registry is totally up to you. It is generally recommended to start during the first trimester of pregnancy. Starting early allows parents-to-be to research and compare different products, especially when it comes to important items like strollers, car seats, and cribs. It also gives them time to claim any free welcome gifts and take advantage of completion discounts offered by some registries.
Where to Make a Baby Registry?
Are you wondering where to register for your baby? The ideal baby registry for you depends on your specific needs, such as your budget, style and preferred product brands etc. Consider factors such as product selection, return policies, free gifts, discounts, brand variety, and group gifting when making your choice.
Here is a list for you to look into.
1. Amazon: Best for Baby Gear
Amazon is known as the best baby registry website for baby gear. It offers a wide selection of baby products and has convenient features like universal registry. And, if you are Amazon Prime members, you can get 15% discount and free shipping.
2. Babylist: Most Comprehensive & Offer Free Gifts
Babylist is considered the most comprehensive baby registry website. It allows you to add items from any online retailer and offers features like group gifting and a completion discount. It also offers a unique feature where friends and family can register for acts of service instead of traditional gifts. Babylist provides a free "Hello Baby" Box with samples, coupons, and other baby products.
3. Pottery Barn Kids: Best for Nursery Décor
Pottery Barn Kids is recommended as the best baby registry website for nursery . It provides a wide range of chic, well-made nursery furniture and décor items to help you create your dream nursery. It aslo offer free one-on-one design advices tailored to your specific needs.
4. Crate & Kids: Best for Design-Forward Items
Crate & Kids is known for offering splurge-worthy and design-forward items. It provides high-quality and luxurious baby products including baby gear, funiture, decor and playtime favorites. You can not only get free interior design advices from their experts, but enjoy other helpful features for an simplified and supportive digital experience including one-click registries, mobile app management, a "thank you" manager, curated baby bundles, and access to real registries from Crate & Kids' partners.
5. MyRegistry: Best Universal Baby Registry
If you prefer in-store shopping, MyRegistry.com is a great option. It allows you to choose items from different stores and to sync your registry with stores like Pottery Barn Kids, Target, Crate & Kids, or Amazon. Friends and family can contribute money to a cash fund.
Top Baby Registry Must Haves for New Parents
1. Baby Gears
Baby gear facilitates the ease of daily activities for parents. Strollers, carriers, and car seats provide mobility and convenience, allowing parents to go about their daily routines with greater ease, whether it's running errands or going for a walk.
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Quality & Convertible Car Seat
Ensure safety during car travel with an appropriately sized and installed car seat.
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Convertible Stroller
Choose something that folds up for easy transport, and consider convertible options that can help you do double duty on the go.
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Baby Carrier
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2. Nursery Essentials for Sleep & Safety
Nursery essentials for sleeping and safety are critical components of a baby registry because they prioritize the well-being of the newborn, contribute to healthy sleep habits, and provide peace of mind for parents. These items create a nurturing and secure environment where the baby can grow and thrive.
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Crib or Space-Saving Baby Bassinet
The AAP recommends that parents sleep in the same room as their baby for the first six months. Not every master bedroom has room for a nursery, and sharing a bed with your infant is unsafe. Register for a compact bassinet, and you'll have a convenient bedtime solution to get you through those early nights with your precious baby.
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Mattress Pad and Cover
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Breathable & Fitted Crib Sheets: 2-4
- Sleep Sacks or Swaddles: 3
It's unsafe for babies to sleep with pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or crib bumpers, but their little bodies still get cold. A swaddler is like a wearable blanket that helps your baby sleep in a comforting fetal position. A few high-quality sleep sacks can help your baby adjust to bedtime even on cold winter nights. Or if you prefer, a swaddle wrap design that won’t take much effort to learn any fancy swaddling techniques will also help your newborn get a better night’s sleep.
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Baby Thermometer & Room Thermometer
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Smart Baby Monitor and Nursery Tech
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A good baby monitor can help you safeguard your child with multiple smart detections - covered face, cry, temperature and humidity detections. It also helps you listen in on your sweet baby—like a sound machine with adjustable white noise for comfort, and multiple lullaby options. But an excellent baby monitor can help you capture memories, decode baby cries, establish a daily routine, and even sing your baby to sleep. When you register for the Pixsee smart video baby monitor, you get a high-definition, full-time parenting companion that can help you build and share lifelong memories with your little one.
Related article: Baby Camera 101: How to Choose a Smart Baby Monitor
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Nighlight
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3. Baby Clothes
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Gauze Clothing: 6 pieces
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Baby Bodysuits: 3-7 pieces
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Footed/Footless Pajamas: 3-7 pieces
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Outing Clothes: 2 pieces
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Socks / Gloves/ Hats
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4. Feeding Must Haves
Feeding supports ensure that parents have the tools they need to feed their baby comfortably and effectively.
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High Chair
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Nursing/ Feeding Pillow
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Breastfeeding supplies:
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Nursing Bras
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Nipple Cream
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Nursing Pads
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Breast Pump
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Breast Milk Bags
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Formula-feeding supplies:
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Selection of Bottles and Nipples
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Sanitizing Supplies
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Bottle/Nipple Brush
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Milk Warmer
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Formula
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5. Bathing Essentials
Babies smell delicious, but they get messy, and there's nothing like giving your infant their first precious bath. It can be stressful to bathe a tiny baby without the correct equipment—starting with a great infant tub or blooming bath. Consider the space available in your home and register for the bath accessory that will make baby's first tubby a positive experience for everyone.
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Bathtub / Bath Net: 1 set
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Gauze Bath Towel / Handkerchief: 10 pieces
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Baby Shampoo / Shower Milk: 1 bottle each
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Baby Lotion: 1 bottle
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Wet Wipes: 3 pakcs
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Baby Bath Towels: 2 pieces
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Related article: Baby Must Haves: How to Prepare for Your New Baby
6. Hygiene and Diapering Items
Hygiene and diapering items are fundamental for maintaing cleanliness and organization. Having dedicated spaces and supplies for diaper chages contributes to overall hugiene.
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Changing Table and Pad
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Disposable Diapers or Cloth Diapers
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Whether you're going with cloth or disposable diapers, you'll need plenty on hand to get you through your parenting adventure. They may seem like a silly item to add to a registry, but you'll be grateful to have a backlog. You might consider adding diapers in a few different sizes so you'll always have a stock of supplies, even after a sudden growth spurt.
Cloth diapers can be an investment upfront, so it's helpful to register for some basics to get you started. Even if you choose cloth, keep some disposables on hand as a backup. If you're unsure which way to go, request both and see what works best for your family after a trial run.
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Wipes
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Diaper Cream
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Diaper Pail
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Diaper Bag
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7. Nursery Essentials for Soothing & Playing
The items can be valuable tools for calming a fussy baby or providing stimulation and entertainment, fostering the baby's curiosity and learning.
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Baby Pacifiers
Babies are picky, particularly when it comes to their pacifiers. You might need to try a few varieties before you find one your little one likes. Add a few different kinds (or a sample box) to your registry, and you won't need to go out of your way to comfort your little one while getting to know one another.
Note that pickiness can also extend to the nipples and shapes of baby bottles. If you're registering for pacifiers, it's often wise to ask for several types of nipples and bottles also.
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Baby Swing or Bouncer
Soothe and entertain your baby with gentle motion.
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Baby Lovey
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Bath Toys
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Teething Toys
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Play Mat & Sensory Toys
Stimulate your baby's senses with safe, age-appropriate toys.
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Baby Registry Must Haves for New Parents
You won't miss a moment if you register for the Pixsee smart video baby monitor. This whimsical, fun FHD camera helps you capture every milestone from day one. Visit our Pixsee Shop and Amazon online store to explore why Pixsee is the perfect addition to any list of baby registry items.
