Talk to any mom and they'll agree that finding the perfect items for your lifestyle and your baby can be a challenge, but so worth it! There are so many different brands, products and things you need as a first-time mom that it can be overwhelming and intimidating. Trust me, I get it! It's important to fill your registry with items to make your life and your baby's life easier – because being a new mom is hard enough! Below I've outlined 50 of my top baby registry essentials that I have added to my list.
In a hurry? Shop this Baby Registry Essentials list on Amazon, here!
Baby Gear
Since your newborn baby will be spending so much time in car seats, strollers, and cribs, it will make your life SO much easier to invest in high quality items that will stand the test of time. These items can be expensive, but it's important to buy quality products that you can rely on to keep your baby safe in the long run. You don't want to have to worry about replacing your baby gear a few months in. And honestly, if you want to get things done as a new mom (aka have your hands free!) the right baby gear is essential.
UPPAbaby Mesa Infant Car Seat
A car seat is one of those baby products that will be used every single day and needs to be a product that I trust completely to keep my baby totally safe if necessary. It's the only infant car seat with a tightness indicator so I know it's installed correctly and tightly! It's the first naturally fire-resistant car seat and has side impact protection which will keep Baby Hodges head secure if something were to happen. This car seat is also compatible with the Vista stroller (I see you UPPAbaby, just making life easier all around)!
UPPAbaby Vista Stroller
One of the best things about this stroller is how flexible it is for the needs and demands of daily life with a newborn, or even multiple kids. It comes with a bassinet and sun shade, so I can walk while soothing Baby Hodges and (trying) to get him to nap, then it transitions with a forward and parent-facing toddler seat. It's one of those things that's totally worth the investment because you won't have to buy something else a couple years down the road. Not to mention, it has an extra large basket to carry all the things as well as a 100% leather handle so it feels classic.
Bumble Ride Speed Jogging Stroller
A lot of you know my husband David runs which is why I knew we needed a jogging stroller for him to have Father-Son bonding time during his runs! It has an all-wheel suspension and air-filled tires so I don't have to worry about Baby Hodges bouncing around and David can run at any pace he wants.
4Moms Breeze Portable Crib with Changing Station
Seriously so easy, only one push opens and one pull closes. The travel bag makes it portable for me to take anywhere and it has a removable bassinet and changer so I can change Baby Hodges wherever I am!
4Moms mamaROO Bouncer
This bouncer is amazing, it replicates five different natural movements of a momma. It's so calming for the baby because provides a contained, moving environment similar to being in my arms. I love that I can change the motion, speed or song (yes, it can connect to my phone to play music!!) right from my phone.
Clover and Birch Play and Activity Gym
Ya'll, have you ever seen a cuter baby gym? Literally so stylish, I love the modern and neutral design. The aesthetic of natural wood is so soothing so it won't overstimulate my little one with a zillion flashy pieces, and the grabbing toys are interchangeable.
Snuggle Me Organic Lounger
Totally organic, this lounger is a great place for my little one to kick and coo and honestly just be dang cute while letting me be hands free!
BabyBjorn Baby Cradle
I love this minimalist-esque baby cradle, its fits perfectly into the design aesthetic of so many styles and will be amazing for keeping our little one sleeping peacefully (we hope!!). The cradle has a springy rocking motion similar to a stroller and is the perfect place for Baby Hodges to sleep in the early months when he's taking frequent, short naps. I can keep him by my side and get work done!
This pregnancy and nursing pillow has SO many 5 star reviews! It’s unlike any other pillow on the market because it can be adjusted to almost any shape. There are heavy-duty buttons on the 4 corners so that you can fold the pillow into the best shape for sleeping or lounging. It has a memory foam core that molds to your body + a washable cover that is also super soft. Tons of moms use it as a pregnancy pillow and then keep using it for nursing and even tummy time. It’s amazing!!
Bath Time
Bathtime with a baby at first can be daunting, but it can also be one of the sweetest, most intimate times and one of the best bonding experiences with your baby. At first, it's easy to see how delicate and vulnerable our newborns are, especially when you're holding their tiny bodies, gently washing their little feet, rubbing their tummy or shampooing their fine hair (if they have any at all!). Until you get used to it, bathing can be a bit scary, that's why you need good products to make sure it's safe, easy, and a little less overwhelming.
Baby Patent Aqua Scale 3-in-1 Digital Baby Bath
Guys this is the most incredible baby bath, it automatically monitors the temperature of the water (which takes stress of worrying if it's too hot off me!) and records weight! Many baby tubs only last for a few months but this baby bath lasts until little ones are two years old, so you already know you're getting your money's worth from this bathtub.
Copper Pearl Ultra Soft Wash Cloths
These are ultra soft and ideal for protecting Baby Hodges' delicate skin! They're made from bamboo fiber which, in addition to being super soft, means they're also very absorbent – say hello to less drool all over!
Feeding
Who knew there were so many accessories needed to nourish your baby?! Thankfully, most health insurance covers the cost of a breast pump or a percentage of it because this is a vital part of feeding your newborn. A breast pump allows you to pump breast milk ahead of time to give you greater flexibility while ensuring that your baby is fed at all times. Pumping allows you to have a stress-free date night with the hubs and to be flexible while you are on the go, at work, or traveling. And with pumping, you will need lots of clean baby bottles on hand which calls for bottle specific cleaners and a drying rack.
Because you'll spend so much time nursing and pumping, comfortable, high-quality nursing essentials are a must-have.
Dr. Browns Natural Flow Original Baby Bottle
This parent favorite baby bottle has unique internal venting for better digestion and it helps preserve the vitamins and nutrients in the milk, so you know your baby is getting all the good stuff!
Smilo Baby Newborn Bundle
The Smilo Newborn Bundle is filled with the best products for a great start to feeding your baby. It includes three small bottles, three pacifiers, three newborn pacifiers, a fabric clip and pacifier, a baby blanket, two bottle brushes, three stage 0 newborn flow nipples and one stage one newborn flow nipple. Yeah, like I said, all you could need of the best products to have a great start to feeding as a new momma.
Nook Organic Niche Nursing Pillow
Let's face it, I'm going to be spending hours upon hours in this new season of life nursing and bottle feeding so I'm going to need it to be as comfortable as possible. Nook's organic nursing pillow will make those seemingly endless hours more comfortable for me and my little one.
I love this high chair because it's portable! Whether we're traveling or going to a restaurant, Baby Hodges can come with David and I anywhere and we won't have to worry about if they have high chairs.
Willow Wearable Breast Pump
This. Product. Is. Amazing. Seriously, game changer. It allows me to be able to pump anywhere, anytime quietly. Can I get an amen, hallelujah?! It allows me the freedom to go about my day without having to stop what I'm doing and spend endless minutes sitting on the couch pumping when there are zillions of other things I need to do.
Baby Brezza One Step Sterilizer Dryer
The Baby Brezza Formula Pro automatically makes warm formula bottles in seconds and you already know I'm all in for anything that will save me time in this next season! You don't have to measure or mix formula, it does it for you with a perfect consistency without air bubbles. This will be my lifesaver for date nights and anytime I need someone to watch Baby Hodges early on!
Another one of those amazing time savers, this bottle drier automatically sterilizes and dries all my baby bottles with the push of a button, killing 99.9% of germs. Less time spent cleaning and waiting for bottles to dry by the sink = happy momma.
Nursery
This will be your sanctuary and your baby's safe place. It needs to be relaxing for you and the baby where you get to enjoy the quiet (and not so quiet) moments. Reliable and comfortable products are a necessity here to give you peace of mind when you leave the room. I recommend a sturdy and safe crib, video baby monitor, and sound machine to soothe your little one to sleep.
Project Nursery 5″ High Definition Baby Monitor System
As a first-time mom, you know I'll be constantly checking my baby monitor. I love that the mini monitor lets me watch Baby Hodges from anywhere in my house.
Marpac Dohm Classic Sound Machine
I'm down to try anything that will help Baby Hodges sleep better and eventually through the night quicker and so many mommas have deemed this a nursery must. It has natural and soothing white noise that masks background noise to help Baby Hodges get to sleep faster!
Karla Dubois Wooster Convertible Crib
The minimalist design of this crib is perfect for any contemporary, modern space. It's just a classic, clean line, pure white crib. It's a timeless and stunning centerpiece for any nursery to compliment any design aesthetic.
Hatch Baby Grow Changing Pad
Ya'll, this is the ultimate changing pad. It tracks my baby's weight, how much it's drinking at each feeding, his growth and more and I can see it directly on my phone! Even if I'm out running errands or am working, I'll get notifications if David uses it!
Nook Pebble Crib Mattress
I love that every bit of the Nook Pebble Pure mattress is organic and extremely breathable. This is super important because Baby Hodges will be sleeping on it every night until he's in a big-boy bed and skin is the body's largest absorbing organ. It keeps my little one comfortable and chemical/toxin free!
Accessories
Now here's the really fun part! It's easy to go wild buying the cutest dress-up clothes and a million onesies, however before you spend all your money there are a few things to keep in mind: 1. Babies. Grow. Fast. Chances are they'll outgrow that cute Sunday morning outfit within a few months, and 2. You will get plenty of fun baby clothes and onesies as gifts from just about everyone! Here are my top picks to have your little one stepping out in style from day one.
Kyte Baby Onesies
Environmentally friendly with the cutest patterns, I'm about it. The fabric Kyte Baby uses in their onesies is 97% bamboo. Bamboo fabric is breathable, for comfort in any temperature (enter the insane California summer heat), and absorbs & evaporates humidity better than any other fabric available.
The Ollie Swaddle
These adorable swaddles have so many benefits – they ease the transition from the womb, promote self-soothing and encourage calmness, help maintain the perfect position and improve development! They also help me as a first-time momma with their opening at the bottom for easy diaper changes and velcro to easily wrap Baby Hodges perfectly as he grows!
Little Giraffe Chenille Baby Blanket
This blanket is so soft and cuddly. It's gentle for babies sensitive skin and will be perfect to soothe Baby Hodges to sleep anywhere. I'm sure this blanket will be coming with us everywhere!
Skip Hop Pronto Signature Changing Station
An on-the-go diaper changing pad that could easily be mistaken for a purse? Yes, please! You never know when or where your baby will need to be changed, I'd prefer to always just be prepared. It also helps keep the germs and bacteria off my little one no matter where I need to change him!
Baby Tula Free to Grow Carrier
As excited as I am to gain some arm strength carrying Baby Hodges everywhere (especially when he gets older but still loves to be held), I'm thankful to have found a carrier to take off some of the pressure because Lord knows there's enough already! Not only is the Baby Tula Free to Grow carrier adorable, it lets me carry around my little one in every position and has padding placed specifically for the baby and me!
Solly Baby Classic Wrap
I've heard from so many moms how much of a lifesaver the Solly Baby wrap is! It'll help so much when I have a million things to do around the house but want to keep Baby Hodges close, or honestly when my arms are so tired from holding him from hours on end and I just need a little break. It gives me the freedom to be nurturing and loving while also taking on daily life.
Bumbo Floor Seat
I love this product, many parents consider it an essential and I totally see why. It let's Baby Hodges sit upright while we play with him, read to him or feed him!
Wubbanub
How cute is this pacifier?! Just picturing Baby Hodges holding the little cuddlers attached to these pacifiers makes my heart melt. So easy for him to grab and play with, and the animal helps me keep track of where it is (pacifiers are small, guys – they're like the baby version of bobby pins)!
Smilo Baby Newborn Pacifier
The shape and fit of a pacifier affects ultimately affects how a baby's teeth will come in later in life, that's why I love these newborn pacifiers from Smilo Baby. They help prevent crossbite and encourage development of suck, swallow and breathe mechanisms – promoting straight teeth before they're even teething (talk about the pressure of braces from birth haha)!
Care and Safety
Nothing is more worrisome than being a first-time parent with a sick baby. It's easy to feel helpless because your baby can't tell you exactly what's wrong. That's why it's key to have different care and safety products on hand to help relieve their discomfort the best way you can.
Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
I love this humidifier for so many reasons, it makes it easier for Baby Hodges to breathe easily through the night (especially because newborns only breathe through their nose), it runs quietly for 24 hours which means one less noise to wake him up which makes momma happy, it relieves cough, cold and flu symptoms, and antimicrobial material in the base helps reduce mold and bacteria by over 99.9%!
Fridababy Nose Frida
I've heard time and time again to get the Fridababy Nose Frida vs bulb aspirators because, as weird and gross as they sound, they actually work! It's doctor invented and recommended which means it's sanitary and safe for me and Baby Hodges!
Owlet Smart Sock
Ya'll, this thing is the coolest. It tracks my baby's heart rate or oxygen levels and will notify me if these levels go outside of the preset zones. I know newborn moms who have woken up every hour just to make sure their baby is still breathing, so I am VERY thankful the Owlet Smart Sock will help me rest easy (if only for a little until Baby Hodges decides it's time to wake up!).
These are my top product picks as a first-time mama! I hope this list helped you put your registry together. Comment your favorites below and if there are any must-haves for first-time parents that I missed!
To download the Ultimate Baby Registry Essentials Checklist, enter your info below!
Shop the Ultimate Baby Registry Essentials!
Pin these Baby Registry Essentials for Later!
