7 Baby Registry Must-Haves

Tiny shoes and designer diaper bags are hard to resist, and it’s tempting to add them to your registry “just in case” someone wants to buy them. But while items are cute in theory, they’re not practical for real life with a baby. Use your registry to request things you’ll absolutely need in the coming months and years. That list might be shorter than you might expect, says Jen Deshaies, a postpartum doula and lactation consultant working in Syracuse, New York. “Babies don’t need much—love, snuggles, basic clothes, diapers, and food,” she says. “So many registry items go unused.” Here are seven things that won’t.

1. Carriers
Register for a baby carrier or sling, which gives you a hands free way to carry and soothe your little one. You’ll probably also need a brand-new car seat, unless you have access to a car seat that’s still within its expiration period and has never been involved in a car accident. Car seats can be pricy, so consider using a registry that allows people to chip in toward the cost of a seat rather than buying it outright.

2. Onesies
When you’re changing your baby’s clothes for the third time before noon, you’ll be grateful to have tons of onesies. Register for both short- and long-sleeved versions in a variety of sizes, and resist the urge to register for tons of cute but impractical outfits. “I see lots of clothes, especially fancy clothes, go unused,” Deshaies says. “Snowsuits and winter jackets should not be used in car seats so I see those go unused often.”

3. Exercise ball
A simple exercise ball can serve lots of purposes for several years, Deshaies says. Sit on it in the final months of pregnancy to open your pelvis and use it for support during labor. Later, you can hold the baby while gently bouncing and rocking on the ball. It’s an effective way to soothe a fussy infant. You can even hold your baby on the ball during tummy time.

4. Diapers
Whether you’re using cloth, disposable or a combination of the two, you will likely never find yourself saying, “I have too many diapers.” Newborns go through 10 or more diapers per day. So, even if you’re using cloth, you’ll still need a big supply. If you’re using disposable, register for diapers in a variety of sizes. Wipes and diaper cream are must-haves too.

5. Nursing pillow
Sometimes called a breastfeeding pillow, these c-shaped pillows are great for bottle feeding too. They’re a lifesaver because they support your back and your baby during those long feedings, and dads can use them just as comfortably as moms.

6. Childproofing supplies
Get your safety-proofing gear ready now, because you’ll need it sooner than you might expect. Stock up on items like outlet covers, safety gates, and drawer latches. Install them before your curious little one starts crawling.

7. Help
“I see families needing support and helping hands more than the latest baby item,” Deshaies says. “Consider putting things on your registry such as home cooked meals to be dropped off at your door after baby arrives or given to you frozen before arrives, and an extra chest freezer to store the food.” Services like MealBaby and Meal Train make it easy to organize meal gifts.



Kathryn Walsh is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and travel topics. Her work has appeared on mom.me, TheBump.com, and USAToday.com.