Gearing Up for Baby: What you Really Need on Your Baby Registry

I have many friends entering motherhood for the first time who have asked for various bits of advice.  Mostly, though, I’m asked about what baby things I consider necessary to add to a baby registry.  The baby registry lists available are so ridiculously long and usually include EVERY baby gadget ever invented and even for me as an experienced mommy of four, the baby registry lists are overwhelming to look at.

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And the process of setting up a baby registry can be just as daunting as browsing the lists (a friend recently proclaimed creating a baby registry much more work than a wedding registry and I completely agree!) But creating your baby registry doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated, in fact it should be fun to pick out all the fun things you’ll get to use with your new little bundle!

So why not make it easy on yourself and instead of wandering around a crowded store, seeing only the things they have in stock, trying desperately to get the scanner to work and instead create your baby registry with a few clicks from the comfort of your couch? Amazon (AL) allows you to do just that: easily create a baby registry of your must-have items from home and with Amazon’s huge selection of baby items of all kinds, you know you’ll be getting the exact colors and prints that you want instead of settling for what is available in-store.

Getting a baby registry started on Amazon is easy and you can update, change and add to your registry any time. Plus your friends and family can shop from your registry from anywhere in the world. You can use it as your only baby registry or more as a way to organize your ideas and needs but either way, having a Amazon Baby Registry makes gearing up for baby so simple, get started here! (AL)

Amazingly, my list of baby registry must-haves has hardly changed since having my first baby.  My list of what I thought would work then did and it still works for us now. And here it is:

My exhaustive baby can’t-live-with outs to add to your baby registry.

For Out and About:

• Car seat—I’ve always used the Chicco KeyFit 30 (AL).  It is compatible with many different types of buggies/strollers and is one of the top rated for safety.
• Buggy—I’ve had many (see “Gettin’ Around” ) but my most recent for the new baby is the Chicco Liteway Plus (AL) which is a lightweight umbrella type stroller which is compatible with the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat to create a lightweight travel system.
• Chair/Shopping Cart Cover—Many moms chose the floppy, mushroom looking type covers for shopping carts and restaurant highchairs such as the Boppy Shopping Cart Cover (AL).  But we use a two-piece style, the NoJo Secure Me Travel Seat (AL), that has a wide Velcro strap that goes around the baby and chair/cart to keep from tipping over and a detachable front piece that fits around the cart handle/front of high chair.  We found this super helpful for travelling, we only took the seat part (not the front part) and it was super convenient.  I also liked that you can easily make the strap tight on the child (which is a struggle with one-size fits all and my tiny little boogers).
• Carrier—I only used a ring sling with my first.  With my second, I had a Baby Bjorn (AL) which I preferred for when I was pushing my toddler in the buggy or for long walks (for example, climbing the Acropolis in Athens).  I also invested in a Ergobaby Carrier with an Infant Insert (AL) for baby #4 before our first trip to Disney when he was only a few weeks old because he was too small for the Baby Bjorn and my older style doesn’t properly support baby’s hips like newer carriers do but with so many options out there, picking a carrier depends on what style you want and how much you want to spend.

Nursery Furniture:

• Crib and Mattress—Unelss you plan to exclusively co-sleep, you’ll need a place to lay baby for naps and/or nighttime.
• Playard/Travel Cot—This depends on your needs.  In our previous two homes we used the play yard as our downstairs changing table and occasional napping place.  But with baby #3, we used it as our newborn bassinet and midnight changing station in our room. We have a few play yards scattered around the various family members’ houses that all do their job but for home, I really like having one like the Ingenuity Playard (AL) which has a side-by-side napper/bassinet and changing pad so you don’t have to move the changing  pad to use the napper.
• Dresser and Changing Pad—We have always used  a plain dresser with a 4-sided changing pad (AL) instead of spending money on a “changing table”.  Though some of the changing tables do convert to dressers, they’re usually more expensive  and not any more functional.
• Shelf Unit—We have also always had a taller shelf unit next to the changing table for diapers, wipes, creams, etc.  I’ve found this much more useful to have things easily within reach rather than having to bend to get things off lower shelves as most changing tables have.
• Rocking Chair—I HATE gliders.  I have an upholstered rocker that I’ve used with all my Florida babies and while living in Dublin we bought a Poang rocker at Ikea and it worked fine too (though not as comfy for sleepy nighttime nursing sessions).  I also have never used a foot stool, maybe because I’m tall enough my feet easily reach the floor but I don’t think I’d be any more comfy with my feet up.
• Monitor—I prefer a video monitor so I can see if baby needs me before actually going in (once they see you, you can’t get away!).  When in Irealand, I bought a monitor with a voice activated setting (VOX) and it was AMAZING and I highly recommend a monitor with the feature such as the Samsung BabyView monitor (AL). The VOX allows the monitor to “sleep” while baby is quite and then automatically comes on when baby makes enough noise (you can set the trigger level) which prevents white noise issues which drove me crazy with the one we had for our first baby.
• Table Lamp—We use a small table lamp with a very dim bulb for night time feedings/diaper changes.  Sudden bright lights are hard on both baby and parent.

Play things/Baby Holders:

•   Nursing Pillow—I Could NOT live without my Boppy Pillow (AL), especially in those first few months.  But I use it for much more than just nursing as baby grows.

• Support Chair—I used a Bumbo Chair (AL) for the first time when I was working at a preschool when my first daughter was a baby.  I bought one for my second daughter to use at home and she hated it (turned out to be a physical issue with her hip) but my sons have been much happier in it. I’ve found once babies are able to hold their heads up independently they like being able to sit up and look around and the Bumbo style seat provides better support and less chance of falling over.
• Exersaucer—We have an Evenflo Triple Fun Exersaucer (AL) we bought when I was pregnant with my first baby and a smaller Bright Starts Activity Center (AL) which we bought for our first son in order to have entertainment for him in various parts of the house.  I love that the larger one we have can be a play gym, a standing exerciser and a free-standing system for older babies who are pulling up and don’t need support.
• 
• Baby Gates—We use gates sparingly (along with most other baby safety equipment) but do find them helpful to keep baby away from dangerous things when they become mobile or even to keep them corralled in whatever room where you are so you don’t have to constantly chase them around, bring them back and/or yell at them to stay/don’t go over there. We’ve always liked the Summer Infant Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gates (AL) because they are easy to install and operate and the height is easier for taller hubby and I when carrying things (like babies!) and our cats can’t hop over them so we even use one to keep them away from our carpeted areas!
• White Noise Machine—We’ve always gotten the Fisher-Price Soothing Projector (AL) which provide music and nature sounds and also project lights onto the ceiling. I’ve gotten a special one for each baby and my older kids still have and use their sometimes.  For baby #4, I opted for the Fisher Price Projection Mobile (AL) instead as the mobile my other kids used got damaged when we moved but I like it because the projector comes off and becomes just like the other lights and sound machines.

Bathing and Diapering:

• Diapers—Another duh!  I prefer the Pampers Swaddlers (AL) for disposables as they just fit my babies better and we haven’t had problems with rashes or puffiness when wet but I started using cloth diapers with baby #4 as a way to save money and really wish I had started sooner!
• Wipes—Again, I like the Pampers Sensitive for new babies.  After about a year I use whatever is cheapest (usually store brand).  Some people prefer the Huggies which are thicker but I find they stick together more and I tear them when trying to get them out of the package.
• Baby Tub—With Honeybun we redid our powder room and put in a farmhouse type sink.  With Sugarplum we bought and over-the-tub baby bath in Ireland that sits over the main tub which I’ve used with our last 3 babies and love as I don’t have to bend over the tub to wash baby and it’s super simple to fill and dump.  With all our babies we also used a foam bath liner (AL) for extra comfort.  I’m not a bath in the kitchen sink type (I don’t like to mix my food and hygiene and my sink isn’t usually clean anyways).  I also never wanted to deal with a freestanding tub that I would have to dump as I am the type that would dump it on the floor. The over tub style is also nice because baby can bathe at same time as big sibling.  Unfortunately we bought our over the tub bath in Ireland there does not seem to be a US equivalent available (we have the Supabath which I bought from Mothercare).
• First Aid—I keep baby Tylenol around just in case; nail clippers (whatever kind feels most comfy to you); a bulb syringe and saline spray; oral thermometer (which I use under the arm but you have to add 1 degree when doing it this way).
• Covered Trash Cans—Put one everywhere you will be changing diapers.  We previously had a Diaper Champ (AL) we got from friends but I find covered trash cans just as useful.  The champ starts smelling just as quickly as a cheap step/pedal trash can (AL) and a cheap one is easier to change the bags in.

Feeding:

• Highchair–We have a Fisher-Price Space Saver highchair (AL) which hooks onto any chair and reclines so it works even for newborns.  Our children have sat with us at the table since birth (see “Making Dinner Family Time”) and this highchair is great because it fits on your everyday table chair and doesn’t take up too much extra room (the chair won’t push all the way under the table but you won’t have an extra bulky chair in your kitchen).
• Manual Breast Pump—I have an Avent Manual Comfort Breast Pump (AL) that I could not survive without.  I use it to pump in order to have extra when I need it (and manage my breastmilk oversupply).  I like the manual because I can pump one side while baby nurses the other.  This helps with letdown as well as time saving.  There is less parts and therefore cleaning than an electric and it’s much smaller, too.
• Double Electric Breast Pump—If you are regularly going to be away from baby long enough that s/he will need a bottle, a double electric pump is a must.  It’s much more efficient than a single manual. I had the cheapest one available with my first baby that I used once a week when I was away from her teaching for 4 ½ hours.  While it worked, I know it wasn’t the most efficient or comfortable but since I only needed once a week I couldn’t justify the cost of a better one.  I never ever used an electric pump regularly with my other kids but I did get a good deal on the Avent Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump (AL) before baby #3 arrived since it used many of the same parts as my manual and I’ve been able to use the extra horns with my manual handle and avoid excess washing and the few times I’ve used the electric pump it’s been super easy and comfortable.  SPECIAL NOTE:  Breastpumps are NOT returnable once open so unless you’re going to keep it for sure, do not open it for any reason.  ALSO:  Most insurance companies are now required to provide ALL moms with a FREE double electric breast pump.  What is available though your insurance, though, is at their discretion and may not be the best or type you want.
• Bottles—While I’m a big proponent for exclusive breastfeeding if possible, if you’re going to be away from baby for a few hours or more, baby will need to eat!  Every mom seems to have an opinion on what bottle is best.  I don’t.  I used Playtex Ventaire bottles (AL) for my first and she was fine with it.  My second daughter never had a bottle and my boys have used a variety of bottles as their preferences changed regularly and I have plenty to choose from between freebies and my pumps!
• Sterilizer—I’ve never had a sterilizer.  I always run my things through the dishwasher and call it good enough.  If I have to hand wash pieces then I use Munchkin Microwavable Steam Sterilizing Bags (AL).
• Bottle Warmer—I had the Night Cravings Bottle Warmer and Cooler (AL) I used with my first baby but I haven’t used it a lot with my other babies, instead I just microwave water in a bowl and put the bottle (or frozen breastmilk) in the hot water (NEVER microwave a bottle and especially NEVER breastmilk) but it’s definitely nice to have if you’re going to be bottle feeding often.

Linens:

• Receiving Blankets—I use these for the first few months for swaddling baby for sleep (My first went to 6 months, 2nd to about 4 ½, 3rd to almost a year and 4th never).  Classic receiving blankets are one-size fit most (though my 3rd needed the bigger Carter’s receiving blankets (AL) since we wrapped him for so long) and much cheaper than the specialty swaddling things available.  Also smaller for carrying around and more versatile: can be used as burp cloth, loving thing (my 3 older kids all still sleep with theirs), floor covering, warmth, and anything else a blanket can be used for!  All they require is a little practice in getting the method right (baby dolls are good for this).
• Burp Cloths—I prefer the Gerber Terry Cloth (AL) burp cloths over the bulkier prefold style and I like the absorbency of the towel style versus a flannel or jersey style.  I’ve never had a spit up these ones haven’t handled (my second daughter’s early projectile vomiting was a different story, though!)
• Waterproof Covers—I have a bazillion of these in different sizes.  I have a fitted waterproof mattress pad (AL) as well as full crib size flat pads (AL).  I also have various sizes of smaller ones I layer.  I use them for the crib, changing pad, bassinet and anywhere else baby may lay, sleep or get a diaper change.  I use the smaller ones on top of the sheet/cover so if baby does spit up or poo gets out of control I can often just swap out the waterproof pad and not change the entire crib/changing table.
• Towels and Wachcloths—Hooded towels are nice and small, thin washcloths work best, I think.
• Sheets/Blankets—Depends on what you have and where you live.  I didn’t use blankets much (other than swaddling) with my kids in Florida, but had a whole bunch of different kinds for my second when we were in Dublin.

Things I do NOT have or use:

• Swings/Bouncers/Jumpers—I never found a real need for artificial movement.  If for some reason I was unable to sooth the baby in my arms by rocking/swaying/bouncing then I would put baby in the car seat and rock in there.
• Walker—Despite popular belief, these are NOT safe nor do they provide any kind of developmental benefits.  The opposite actually, babies that walk around in walkers a lot build the wrong muscles and may actually struggle to walk independently.  The stationary Exersaucer is much better and safer (no chance of falling down stairs or getting into things they shouldn’t).
• Pacifiers—While we avoid pacifiers early for breastfeeding purposes, we have chosen to be finger suckers (my first baby sucked two fingers, none of my other babies picked up the habit).  The only time we ever used a pacifier was when flying with young babies.  As my younger kids are not finger suckers, letting them have the pacifier helped to keep them buckled in their car seats on long flights where they are much safer than when being held.
• Locks—We are not big baby proofers.  We use outlet covers in rooms where kids might be by themselves (bedrooms, play room, etc) and that’s about it.  We used a cupboard latch in Dublin as our chemicals were under the sink but now they’re high so don’t have one.  I believe in supervision over gadgets.

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