It’s true what they say – you need very little for a baby. You really only need diapers and breastmilk or formula.
However, wonderful products exist to make our lives easier as parents, and you absolutely need to add them to your baby registry! But be careful, the baby market is also flooded with products that you don’t need.
When I created my baby registry, I did two important things. One, I did endless amounts of research to find the top products recommended by both experts and moms. After weeks of research and picking the brains of other moms, I took this advice from my own mom. Two, I asked myself one important question about each item – “Do I really need this?” I was amazed at how many items then fell off the list.
While I believe in purchasing quality products, I didn’t want to fall into the trap of overbuying.
Let’s face it – babies are cute, and our minds can’t think clearly when we see aisles of baby rattles and tiny socks (or basically anything teeny tiny). Ultimately, much of it is not needed and quite frankly, many items are too expensive for a few short months of use!
So do me a favor, as you consider what products to add to your baby registry, do your research, and ask yourself “Do I really need this?”
Consider this article some of your research, because I whole-heartedly stand by these 14 products.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you use them, at no cost to you.
>> Start your Amazon Baby Registry now so you can add these essential products as you go!
1. Boppy Pillow
The Boppy Original Feeding & Infant Support Pillow is the #1 item we used in the first 6 months and beyond. Its main purpose is to make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding easier, especially making it more comfortable if you had a c-section.
We have only ever needed the original cover (they’re washable), but you can purchase extra covers. Also, our little guy hated tummy time in the beginning, but he did enjoy laying on his stomach in the boppy. Two purposes for the price of one!
2. Swaddles
Maybe you are a swaddling wizard and your baby sleeps completely still; in that case, swaddle away with a receiving blanket! However, as good as we got at swaddling with blankets, our little guy was always determined to break out of them at night. If you know anything about having a newborn, you know the high value of sleep.
Our little ninja couldn’t break out of the velcro SwaddleMe Original, and you don’t need a doctorate degree to match the velcro pieces together. We had six of these swaddles and recommend you get at least three!
Tip: Choose gender-neutral colors so you don’t feel the need to buy a new set if baby #2 is the opposite gender. You (typically) only get a baby registry once!
3. Halo SleepSack
When our baby was getting ready to roll over, it wasn’t safe for him to continue being swaddled. BUT, he loved it and refused to sleep any other way. So, enter this magical product – the Halo SleepSack Swaddle. This helps baby transition from swaddle to sleep sack by removing one arm at a time from the swaddle.
Once they have graduated from the Sleepsack Swaddle, the Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket keeps children under 2 years old stay safe and warm while sleeping.
Don’t forget to choose the right size and fabric based on the appropriate season. Halo has products in 100% Cotton, 100% Organic Cotton, 100% Cotton Muslin, and Micro-Fleece.
4. Video Baby Monitor
This product certainly eased many of our fears in the newborn days. Baby monitors are so expensive, so do your research and figure out what features you’d like in a monitor. Here are a few highlights of what we like about the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor:
- Monitor shows the temperature in baby’s rooms
- Battery lasts us for at least 3 one-hour+ naps and 3 hours after bedtime (we plug it in overnight)
- Pan/tilt/zoom features to see around the room
- “Talk” feature to communicate with baby through monitor
- LED soundbar (lights) allows you to mute the monitor but see when baby makes sound
Drawback: there is no app to see the video feed on your phone, which was actually a bonus to us. We didn’t want to be preoccupied with the camera when we left the house, and we wanted to be able to leave a monitor for a babysitter.
However, if you are committed to being able to see the video feed on your phone, you should continue to research.
5. Sound Machine
This is my favorite type of product – one thats use extends past babyhood! We love the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine because it plays white noise (among 10 other sounds) that lulls our baby to sleep.
Also, it serves as a toddler’s night light and signals for time-to-rise.
The sound machine can be controlled from an app on your phone where you can customize the color, brightness, sound, and volume, create programs that are automatically set for each day/time, and set a timer (though we let ours play all night).
6. Baby Carrier
While baby carriers are highly individualized to each baby, it is important to own at least one (affordable) carrier before baby arrives. The Boba Wrap Baby Carrier and the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier are both excellent, affordable options for the newborn days and worked well for us.
Do yourself a favor and watch a YouTube video (2 minutes) about how to wrap it vs. reading the written manual (an hour of frustration).
Suggestion: borrow one of the more expensive carriers, like the Tula Baby Carrier or the Ergobaby Carrier, from a friend to test it first. OR buy a used carrier from somewhere like Facebook Marketplace or Mercari.
I personally couldn’t get on board with buying a brand new baby carrier that cost $150+, especially before knowing if my baby would even like it.
7. Diaper Pail
I knew we needed a diaper pail because I didn’t want to run diapers to our outdoor trash can 8-10 times per day. I also knew I didn’t want to pay for the outrageously priced refill bags for a Diaper Genie.
The Ubbi Steel Odor-Locking Diaper Pail traps in the smell and you can use normal trash bags. Win-win.
8. Car Mirror
Sure, you don’t need this, but for $12.99 it sure saves you a lot of wonder about what’s going on back there! Babies are rear-facing for at least two years, so this baby car mirror will certainly get its use showing you when baby falls asleep, why he or she is crying, etc.
9. Nasal Aspirator
OK, in the spirit of honesty, I used to think these were disgusting and that I would never use one. I did not include this on my baby registry because I figured the hospital would give me one of the classic bulb aspirators for free (and they did). BUT I quickly realized they work poorly and I needed something more efficient.
I broke down and bought the NoseFrida Snotsucker Saline Kit because lots of Mamas raved about it. You can watch the video below to learn more, but just trust me when I say – you won’t regret buying this unique treasure.
10. Nursing/Car Seat Cover
It’s a twofer! That is, one item that serves two purposes. This Nursing/Car Seat Cover is not only adorable but keeps baby protected from germs and unpleasant weather. I used it regularly when out in public to protect our little guy, though I didn’t use it as a breastfeeding cover.
11. Changing Pad Liners
Changing pad covers are expensive. Instead of getting multiple covers, we bought only one cover and then ordered a pack of these changing pad liners. When one gets dirty, toss it in the wash and pull out a new one – super simple.
12. Bottles
“But wait, I’m planning on breastfeeding. I don’t need these.” Wrong. My plan was to exclusively breastfeed, but flash forward to now and we’ve had to use bottles more than planned. Whether you plan to use them or not, choose a bottle you trust to feed your baby, just in case.
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottles have been a huge blessing in our life, mostly because our little one transitioned back and forth seamlessly between bottle and breast. We got a pack of 4oz and a pack of 9 oz, though we often think we could have also used a second set of 9oz bottles.
13. Burp Cloths
You will never own enough of these amazing burp cloths. Whatever burp cloths you do decide to add to your baby registry, just get a lot of them. This is also an item on The Ultimate Diaper Bag Checklist. Stock up!
14. Baby Swing
There is so much baby equipment you can purchase, but honestly, each baby takes to different pieces. I would recommend buying an affordable baby swing, like this Bright Starts Portable Baby Swing. Swings seem to be one of the most common pieces babies enjoy.
If you’re ready to go all-in on a swing, we love this Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Swing. Our little guy lived in this in the newborn days. If you don’t want to pay the price tag for a new one, check Facebook Marketplace or other avenues for used items; they are a dime a dozen!
Now that you know some of the most important items to add to your baby registry, head over to Amazon and start selecting! I absolutely loved all the benefits that came with creating my registry on Amazon, plus it was super simple for anyone who chose to purchase from it. Happy shopping!
>> So what are you waiting for? Go start your Amazon Baby Registry!
Is there anything else you think new mamas absolutely need to have on their baby registries? Share with us in the comments!
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