This list was created by the best; these are mama-approved by the people who actually know, in retrospect, what should be on a baby registry!
Like most things in life, I like to do extensive research before I buy. As a dietitian who spent a significant amount of time working in the hospital, NICU, labor and delivery and with gestational diabetes mamas, I’ve been given a fair share of unsolicited advice regarding babies. In addition to my experience with babies in a hospital setting, I was a nanny for 7 years (all through undergraduate and graduate school), which gave me a great amount of insight on what I actually used, found helpful, and products I absolutely hated (like snap-pajamas or delicate lacy outfits with 15 buttons.)
Now that I’m in my second trimester of pregnancy and expecting in April, I’ve doubled-down on my Babylist registry with what I actually am going to need to succeed. Furthermore, to make myself most successful, I asked the experts; YOU! I also asked 9 of my closest mama friends who sent me blunt feedback on the items they used. If there’s anything you learn from this post it’s that onesies with snaps are never allowed, and that the bumco diaper spatula will save your life and your mani. Sooner than later, I will share my full registry. But this is a great place to start!
Now, to share the best baby registry items for first time health-conscious and minimalist mamas. Maybe it applies to more than that, but I’m just describing myself at this point. However, for fun, I also included the worst baby registry items because we need the good and the bad to really have an accurate understanding of how to succeed!
The 7 Best Baby Registry Products
16 GREAT BABY REGISTRY ITEMS
These were voted as awesome things to have, but they weren’t in the “absolutely, must have” game-changer list. So, I separated them into their own category!
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
Contigo Coffee To-Go Locking Mug
3 Items on both the BEST and WORST lists
Snuggle Me Organic Baby Holder
11 WORST BABY REGISTRY ITEMS
On the contrary, the items below were reviewed by mamas as the not-needed things they wished they hadn’t purchased. Do you agree?
- Formula mixer
- Mamaroo Swing
- Frida manual snot sucker
- Diaper pail
- Wipe warmer
- WubbaNub
- Halo swaddle
- Snoo bassinet
- Willow pump
- Snugapuppy swing
- Boppy pillow
I would love to know your thoughts, too! Is there anything I missed that made a difference for you, or something you just loathed? I’m excited to share more details about my maternity pregnancy journey as I progress (and have energy!).
Agree with most of the best items!! We have the Doona and I do like it esp for plane travel! Also love the piano gym!! We use just the piano part now and he still loves it at 7 months. I’d have to say we spent money on a bottle sterilizer and we did it for the first couple months but honestly you don’t need it and you will go crazy with the amount of bottle you are washing. I would have to say that’s in the not need category but I understand as a new parent the want. Also agree with the worst items except the frida snot sucker! That has been helpful when he’s gotten a bad cold and has a lot of mucus! on the same topic I really recommend the saline nasal spray. We pretty much use it constantly for stuffy noses or congestion. Also we use aquaphor for literally everything from Diaper rash to eczema to cuts. We’ve got some other good stuff on rotation but that is our main go to! You think about all of these big items when you do your registry and you do need them but I find it’s the small things I didn’t think about that I use the most. Like his diaper bag. Make sure it can hold enough bottles and an ice pack for an outing etc. and like a pillow for him to sleep with you when you are just so tired in the middle of the night and just want to put them next to you in the bed. Glow in the dark pacifiers are also great. They don’t need a lot of stuff when they are only a few months old and then they start needing all the things lol so toys book etc become more important to you. Also making your life easy when you travel with them is so key! Anyway sooo happy for y’all!!!