Favorite baby items to put on a registry

We loved the Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper. Our kid spent a lot of time in that thing when she was too little to be on the floor (we had big dogs at the time). Also the Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster was so handy to keep in the car for the times when we needed a secure high chair when we were on the go.

The other big thing that we have really gotten our money out of probably ten times over was the Babee Tenda Feeding Table we bought instead of a high chair. I just Googled them and sadly they have recently closed their doors, but you might be able to find one used on Craigslist. We got it before DD was born and she still uses it as a small desk to this day (our kid is almost nine). We got our crib from them too. The company never had a single recall in 81 years, so I’m really sad they’re gone. Anyway, it has a removable seat thing in the middle that the kid can’t tip over or wiggle out of, and the table part basically surrounds the kid. Once the kid is too big for the seat part, you take that piece off and there’s a separate table insert that sits on top so it can be used as a portable table or desk. The legs are adjustable height so as the kid gets taller, the table can too. It wasn’t cheap, but it is the single most used baby thing we ever bought since our kid is still using it almost nine years later.

Especially in an apartment where she can't control the noise level, a white noise machine will be very helpful.

Test drive the strollers before she nails one down she wants. I mean, push that thing through THE ENTIRE STORE and all obstacles.

I'd also register for a car seat that grows with the child.

Boppy pillow (w/additional covers) was also my very favorite purchase and lasted me through 3 kids.

Good bottle drying rack too.

Boppy Pillow and the lounger or a dock a tot.
Baby Shusher Sleep Miracle Soother
Diapers and wipes
A large drying rack for bottles (if she plans to use them)
A diaper bag that is a neautral color with lots of pockets and compartments rather than a large bag with one or two pockets. Way easier to organize a bag with lots of pockets rather than stirring through a bag with one large pocket.

If she intends to use pacifiers, the Wubbanub kind are awesome. They're the kind with the little stuffed animal attached. My DS2 came to us already hooked on them and I thought they were the dumbest things ever. But that little stuffed animal makes it so much easier for their little hands to hold, and easier to find in the dark of night when they've dropped it.

A Moby wrap for when baby is little and then some sort of structured carrier for when he/she is older.

A projection mobile is awesome. Those silly crank kind that match the nurseries are so worthless-they only run for 90 seconds before you have to wind them again. The projection ones are electric and remote control operated. They start out with traditional littler critters hanging on them and then when baby starts grabbing, the critters come off and it just projects designs on the ceiling. Kiddos love to watch the projection, and love playing with the buttons.

Big yes to the Boppy. For nursing, I found the My Breast Friend pillow to be better.

A small bouncer like this one was helpful for both my kids.

These baskets to wash bottles/nipples in the dishwasher was helpful too.

Receiving blankets. They are so handy! I used them to wrap our babies up during the day to help keep them calm. I use them to change diapers on (like in place of a standard change mat). We have never had a changing table. I just plop down wherever with the receiving blanket under them and change them. Then you can throw it in the wash. They’re great as burp cloths, because they are long. You can use them as a nursing cover. Later on when baby is a toddler and into playing with baby dolls, they can use the old receiving blankets as doll blankets. And then once they’ve completely outgrown them you can use them for dusting!

Diapers and wipes obviously.

2-4 crib sheets and mattress pads. Preferably the waterproof ones. Very handy for when the newborn has one of those explosive up the back poops at 3am.

Baby Bjorne or some kind of baby wearing wrap. Very convenient for when you need to get stuff done but you also have to do things with your hands.

And the item that was an absolute god send and saved my sanity with all 4 if my babies: a baby swing. Get one that plugs into the wall vs uses batteries because you will have to change them every month or two. It is the greatest invention ever!

This is longer than I intended.....

Many of the things mentioned are things I would say skip. I have a 7 year old and a 2 year old.

Boppy/breast friend pillows were never used with either of my kids. I had one, never used it. I used a regular pillow but found nursing in my recliner was best.

Diaper genie is a space and money suck- walk the diaper to the trash.

Skip the wipe warmer- my sister got me one. I used it with the first, couldn’t be bothered to use it with the second.

Skip the baby bath tub. Get a small laundry basket and put it in the tub with the baby in it.

I also did not use a baby seat type thing. I always held my kiddo or put them down on a blanket on the ground for tummy time.

As mine got a bit older, we liked the jumperoo.

A swing is iffy. My daughter loved it, son hated it.

LOVED my ergo carrier. Worth every penny!

I used a regular backpack for a diaper bag- plain old jansport.

Diapers! Every size. Heavy on the 2’s and 3’s. Very few newborn- maybe 1 jumbo box? If they’re on a target registry, she can exchange them for the size she needs. I registered for diapers and didn’t need to buy any for the first 18 months!

Neither of mine liked to be swaddled.  Those were a waste.  We did use the sleep sack part tho.

Newborn gowns are cute but again, not necessary.

Skip the cute mittens too!  Babies need to feel their environment.

Have her register everywhere! I got a free bottle at Target and it’s the only one we used for my son. We seriously only used ONE bottle. I worked and pumped at work and dad gave him bottled while I was gone.

As for a pump... Medela is my preferred brand. I got a free Ameda from my insurance and used it all of one time. My Medela was used by my cousin for her 2, by me for my 2 and my sister for her 2. As far as I know it’s still going strong 12 years in! Have you daughter see about getting a free pump from her insurance. She will need storage bags for pumped milk.

I would make sure she registers for the big stuff... car seat, stroller, high chair, etc. And when she’s in the store, she can look at other things that she might like or need. My dd had a baby almost 11 mos ago (she’s the best thing ever). She registered at Target and Babies R Us. About 90% of the gifts she received were NOT on her registry. So my daughter got stuck with a lot of duplicates and things she just didn’t like or need. Her trunk was full of go backs. So be prepared for that. She also did a diaper raffle and she is still using the diapers she got. My dd also swears by the Up and Up brand diapers (Target). She just didn’t like them in the smaller sizes. (Newborn, 1, etc).

We are pretty baby minimalist and didn’t have a very large registry. With an apartment I’d be concerned about storing too much stuff (and it’s easy to get sucked into the trap of thinking you need special stuff for EVERYTHING). I agree with trying out a stroller- also pay attention to how small it folds up and if it will easily fit in the trunk of their car. I have a Bob jogging stroller that I absolutely love but it’s a beast. I highly recommend a Tula carrier over a Moby or Baby Bjorn. Better quality and easier to use for a variety of people. If her insurance covers a breast pump I recommend the Spectra as a first choice, Medela second and everything else third.

Still mostly the get what you are given system here I think.

the "coat" that attaches to the infant carseat was so much easier than trying to put a coat on a baby, or trying to keep a blanket over the carseat.

the little plastic links were so handy in the stroller when he got to the "throw everything on the ground - it's so funny" stage. they didn't get lost.

sleep sacks. easy access.

I love diaper genies in the houses where I nanny. I can keep a hand on the kid and stuff that diaper in the genie. sometimes it is a long way from changing area to trash..and the smells...sleep sacks are the bomb...