This blog lists everything you need to build the perfect baby registry from a mom of two and someone who loves to be as prepared as possible.
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Nursery
Crib: When deciding which crib you want for the nursery, think about any future use you will want out of it! Plenty of cribs transform into toddler beds and even twin or full-sized beds which will last through all stages of your child's life!
Chair (Rocker or Glider): I originally had a lazy-boy recliner in the nursery (and I did love it) but it was huge and didn't leave us enough room for activities.. so I found this glider by Dutalier it is small but still so comfortable.
Dresser/Changing Table: We tested out lots of dressers to find one that was tall enough for us to comfortably change Adalynn's diaper on top (my husband is 6'2 and I'm 5'9. In the first nursery we used a the hems dresser from IKEA and the second time we opted for a smaller version called the björksnäs. Chek out my blog post Nursery Dresser Organization, where I discuss all the ways to organize your nursery dresser!
Black Out Curtains: I HIGHLY recommend having black-out curtains in your baby's room (and yours if you are room-sharing). I'm all for baby learning to sleep in bright lights as well as napping in the sunlight during the day. But at night, you want baby to sleep in a DARK room *not to mention, they may sleep longer if the sun isn't coming through in the mornings!
Sound Machine/Nightlight: We used the Hatch, which is a combo of both a sound machine and nightlight and our favorite for nighttime sleep. The nightlight is perfect for middle-of-the-night awakenings and the white noise is adjustable, so you can make it the perfect volume. It plugs in, so no need to worry about it dying and shutting off in the middle of the night like wireless ones do!
Decor: I found a beautiful diaper caddy to keep on top of the dresser to store diapers and wipes. I also tried to make even the ugly things pretty, like our white diaper pail, using a wicker basket as a hamper, and hiding the cord to our baby monitor with this cord hider from Amazon!
I wanted the nursery to feel bright and open (even with the lack of sunlight), which is why we opted for white everything... EVEN OUR RUG! This one is from Ruggable and is stain-resistant, and can be washed in the washing machine! Use my code FUNJESSICAH10 for 10% off at Ruggable.
Storage for Everyday Items: I'm all about creating successful systems so I invested in baby hangers, size dividers, drawer organizers, stacking drawers, and labels. The system was thought about carefully so that it was established in a way that was easy to modify (like easily switching labels) and also would grow with Adalynn as she gets bigger and her needs change.
Storage for Less Used Items: We have bins established at the top of her closet for items that we don't need easy access to, like memorabilia, outgrown toys & clothes, and clothes that don't fit yet. I use these fabric bins from Amazon and these label clips in our first nursery and opted for these plastic bins in the second!
Storage might not be a NECESSITY, but I promise you if you establish a successful system, your life will be a lot easier.
Sleep
Those first few months, you may be room-sharing with your newborn. Sharing a room makes nighttime feeds SO much easier than walking across the house 3-4 times a night! That being said sometimes this doesn't work for every family and that's OK too!
With our first baby, we used a bassinet like this one, which is great for smaller spaces. For our second baby, we chose a bedside sleeper. I love the idea of my baby being within arms reach of me!
For mattresses, I highly recommend looking into non-toxic mattresses that are made without flame retardants. The Newton mattress is a very popular choice!
I would recommend asking for mattress protectors and these fitted sheets.
PRO TIP - I had a heating pad on hand to use during those first few weeks... here is why:
Baby would always fall asleep nursing, so while I nursed, I had the heating pad in the bassinet warming up the mattress. I would remove the heating pad and then lay baby down on the warm surface (which mimicked my body heat and made transferring into the bassinet a whole lot easier!
Other sleep-related items you may want to add to your registry are swaddling blankets, newborn velcro swaddles, sleep sacks, and/or sleepsuits! (These zipper sleep sacks are a game-changer if your baby likes to keep their arms up!)
When we brought Addy home from the hospital, we continued to swaddle in a muslin blanket like the hospital did for weeks!
As she got bigger, we switched to the Halo Velcro Swaddle, which made diaper changes so much easier.
Eventually, Addy got to the age that she no longer needed to be swaddled (and was rolling around) so we switched to the Kyte Baby Sleep Sack. Every baby is different, so it may take a few tries to figure out what works for them and for YOU!
Bathing
Bath time for us means filling up the tub and mom and baby climbing in and bathing together. When Addy got bigger, we started putting just a couple of inches of water on the bottom of the tub and laying her down so she could kick around (and keeping a very close eye on her).
A couple of bath items I DO love are a brush/comb and TOYS! You can find all the bath products I would recommend on my Amazon Baby Bath List!
Feeding
I'm not an expert in bottles, formula, or pumping because we did 99% breastfeeding in our home. However, when it comes to bottle feeding, I do recommend a non-toxic glass baby bottle.
Cleaning: We did have things to clean and sterilize but our dishwasher had a sterilization feature and that's what we used. It also had a small top rack so we never needed a dishwasher basket; we just used the top rack for small items like pacifiers. When using the dishwasher, we ALWAYS choose a safe, non-toxic dish detergent (these are my current favorite from Puracy).
As for bottle cleaning, I would ask for a cleaning set with different brushes and a drying rack!
Burp Cloths: I recommend these white cloth diapers as burp cloths because they are SO SOFT and absorbent.
Highchair: I don't always recommend splurging, but when it comes to a highchair, I have to recommend the best one out there- The Nomi! The Nomi High Chair is ergonomically designed to provide support and freedom to move—the best foundation for developing your baby's motor skills. It seamlessly adjusts to grow with your baby and is super easy to clean. We love that it's table height, and she eats right with mom and dad, fostering positive meal habits right from the start!
Feeding Supplies: Cups, Plates, Bowls, Utensils, Mats, Bibs, Storage. We chose to take a Montessori approach to baby-led weaning, which means using REAL materials from the beginning. Plates? Ceramic. Cups? Glass. Utensils? Silver. You can find all my baby-led weaning must-haves here!
You can also check out my blog about Baby Led Weaning!
Nursing & Pumping
Nursing Pillow: The Boppy pillow is much more flexible, so it's GREAT for nursing older babies, propping them up, supporting them as they learn to sit, AND travels well. (We took it on the plane with us to Florida!). My Brest Friend is VERY structured and supportive, which made it easier to nurse my newborn. It also has a clip and attaches around your midsection so you can stand and nurse or even just use it to support the weight while rocking baby to sleep.
Nipple Cream: Pick something non-toxic and natural cause your baby WILL be ingesting it while eating. I used Earth Mama's Nipple Butter.
Milk Catchers: I used the Haakaa and the Haakaa ladybug and I liked having both. When Adalynn was eating from one side, I would have either the ladybug tucked in my bra or the Haakaa attached to the other breast so that I wasn't wasting everything that was leaking out. This is actually how I gathered most of my "freezer supply".
Speaking of freezer supply, you'll need some type of storage for the freezer. These can be disposable plastic bags or reusable storage bags!
Pump & Accessories: On a few occasions, I needed to pump. I was gifted a Medela In Style Pump and it worked great, although I have nothing to compare it to. I have heard amazing things about their manual pump.
For ALL the breastfeeding information and tips, check out my blog post- New to Breastfeeding? Start Here.
Diapering
Diapers & Wipes: If you decide to have a diaper raffle at your baby shower, make sure you specify what brand of diapers you prefer! That way you don't end up with a bunch of different brands, some of which might not work for you or your baby. I recommend Hellobello diapers and Honest wipes as a non-toxic option! If you prefer the cloth route- Esembly baby! Use my code JESSICABB to save 20%
Changing Pad (Covers & Liners): We love this Bumbo changing pad because we don't have to worry about a cover or liner- plus, it's cute! We simply wipe it down once a day to sanitize it, and we're good to go.
Diaper Pail & Refill Bags: This is the one we use and love!
Diaper Rash Cream: I recommend Earth Mama's diaper balm, which is made with quality, non-toxic ingredients.
Gear
Car Seat & Stroller: I wanted a full travel system (a stroller that allows us to attach the car seat directly to it). We ended up getting the Bugaboo Fox 3 Travel System which comes with a bassinet, normal stroller seat, and a car seat that are all interchangeable, which makes a new mom's life so much easier.
Backseat Mirror & Window Shade: In the car, we love this mirror so that when driving, we can look back and see baby, and this window shade keeps the sun out of her eyes.
Diaper Bag- This is one of our most used items and I truly do love the Itzy Ritzy diaper bag. It's an organized mom's dream, with all the pockets to hold everything you could ever need! Check out this video to see what I store in the diaper bag and how I organize it.
Baby Wrap & Carrier- I am a HUGE SUPPORTER of baby-wearing. I never wanted to put Adalynn down, but I still like getting things done, so this was the best of both worlds. Now there are lots of different wraps (and as an influencer, I was lucky enough to get to try a variety, so I'll share my thoughts). For a complete breakdown of different baby carriers, click here.
Moby Wrap: I love the way this wrap tightly held my newborn, who was just a few days old. Unlike other wraps, this completely conforms to the baby for a super snug, tight fit. It's a learning curve, and make takes a few times to get the hang of it, but it's very worth it.
Ring Wrap: The ring wrap was my second investment because of how easy it is to put on. It is snug, just like the Moby but can be put on in seconds which is great for when you need to get baby on you quick for short periods of time (like running into a grocery store!)
Ergo Carrier: This seems to be the most common of all the wraps, and we love it with our older baby. I started using this around 4 months, once Addy was really strong. Click here for the Ergo Carrier we use and love!
Swing/ Bouncer/ Activity Gym/Mat: The activity gym is a fun addition for around 6 months! When it comes to an Activity mat, we used this one from Lovevery and it's amazing! I also recommend a baby bouncer, I know the BabyBjorn bouncer has incredible reviews.
Baby Care
Nail File: Nail clippers are terrifying. Instead, I use this electric nail file to easily and safely trim baby's nails without the worry of clipping too far.
Pacifiers: Babies all have different preferences, so I would encourage you to buy a few different kinds. Addy loved the Nanobebe pacifiers.
Humidifier: Especially during the winter and when babies are sick... you'll want a good humidifier. This one is my favorite because it's so easy to clean!
Nasal Aspirator: You've probably heard of the famous Frida snot sucker, but the real game changer is this electric nasal aspirator that *lightly* sucks everything right out of babies nose! Use it in combination with Saline Spray or breast milk to loosen up the mucus before sucking it out.
Nose Picker: I know this sounds useless, but sometimes those boogers will be taking over the nose and your big fingers won't help. A nose picker is a safe way to remove the boogers from the nostrils (as long as you are carefully using it to remove them without going too deep).
Thermometer: When baby needs their temperature taken, it's really important to get an accurate reading. This needs to be done in the rectum or under the armpit. The Kinsa Smart thermometer is so helpful as it links up to an app on your phone where you can keep family member profiles, and track symptoms, and it even will alert you when you should call a doctor or go to the ER.
Medications- A few places I love for medications and supplements are Earthly Wellness (use code JESSICA for 10% off your first order) and Dr. Green Mom (code JESSICAHAIZMAN for 10% off) because they make everything without any harmful additives and quality ingredients. I would also swap out baby Tylenol for Genexa!
I created an Amazon list with a variety of things that I keep in our medicine cabinet and another Amazon list with items I have in our first aid kit.
Grab my First Aid Kit & Medicine Cabinet Guide for tons of helpful information and product recommendations to use from birth through childhood! Everything from diaper rash, cold & flu, allergies, and eczema, to constipation, ear infections, bug bites, and more!
Clothing
You would be shocked by the amount of things you DON'T need for baby.
My biggest recommendation is to wait. Maybe as for some basics, but as baby grows, you'll learn more about what you like to dress them in, what fits well, etc.
Now something that you DO need is a non-toxic detergent and stain remover. Don't buy the products marketed towards babies.. instead invest in a good option that is safe for the whole family. Brands like Thieves and Mollys Suds are wonderful and safe for babies. Then for stains... you HAVE TO BUY THIS STAIN REMOVER. I swear it's magic... I've used it on every type of stain imaginable and it's worked on it all. (including a poopy set of pajamas that I left in a bag for 3 months and then washed)
Entertainment
Books- Babies put everything in their mouths, so we loved the chunky board books (rhyming was most enjoyable for me) or the indestructible books that babies can chew on and they will never rip! Here is my list of the most recommended baby books to add to the nursery!
I recommend searching around a little and picking out a handful of fun baby toys and teethers!
Winter or Summer Babies
Adalynn was born right in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. If you are due to have a winter baby, I would highly suggest you add a few winter items to your registry! Some of the products I asked for and used are listed below and you can check out my cold weather gear Amazon list here!
If you're having a summer baby, I would recommend adding some of these products to your registry and you can check out my warm-weather gear list!
Download my free Warm Weather and Cold Weather Guide for product recommendations you will use from infancy through toddlerhood!
Travel
If you're looking for a lot of the travel items I use and love check out my Amazon travel list.
Travel Crib & Sheets: If you plan to travel with your baby, I HIGHLY recommend asking for the Guava Travel Crib. We not only used it for nighttime sleep when traveling but also at friends' homes, outside as a play space, and in a shaded area on sunny days! It's SO light (only 14 lbs), carries like a backpack, and is insanely easy to set up and take down.
While traveling, we also always have a travel changing pad (we honestly keep this in our car at all times).
Check out my travel blog where I dive into EVERYTHING I learned while traveling with my baby/toddler.
I also created a FREE travel guide with SO MUCH information that will prepare you to travel with your baby and toddler (mostly) stress-free!
I hope all my experiences and recommendations help you build the perfect baby registry!
Always, Jess
L E T ' S B E F R I E N D S!
