The No-Stress Baby Registry

Babies are not too complex – truly! In the early days, they eat. They sleep. They make dirty diapers. And repeat. Occasionally the adult humans want to go places, and the baby comes along. Oh, and the baby needs something to wear! I’ve broken the registry down into the critical areas to give you a place to start. Babies are different, and their tastes are as varied as those of grown-ups. There will be some measure of figuring things out for yourself! But you have to start somewhere, and I’m going to make it easy on you.

Start with this foundation, then customize as your budget, lifestyle and enthusiasm permit. 

I don’t need details, just take me to the checklist…

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Sleeping

Your baby needs a place to sleep, but it doesn’t have to be fancy. The American Pediatric Society now recommends that babies sleep in their parents’ room for the first 6 months of life, at least.  Portable bassinets and sidecar co-sleepers are both good options. We were not fond of the Fisher Price Rock N Play Bassinet. For my money, I’d probably try the Tiny Love 3-in-1 Cozy Rocker Napper (affiliate). If you have the budget, I think the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper (affiliate) looks amazing.

You’ll want some high-quality blankets. The Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle (affiliate) are classics, with adorable (and elegant) designs, a larger size than standard receiving blankets and excellent breathability. These have been going strong in our house for almost 6 years. The muslin version is more sturdy, while the bamboo version is softer but more delicate.  

I recommend buying one HALO SleepSack Cotton Swaddle (affiliate). If your baby likes to be swaddled, this swaddle blanket makes an incredibly secure swaddle and is very easy to manage at 2 am. If your baby loves being swaddled, switch to the Miracle Blanket Swaddle (affiliate) when baby is about 3 months. You can thank me later. I’ve also tried the Woombie (weird) and the Love to Dream Swaddle Up (nope!).

White noise can be handy to help babies fall and stay asleep, but there’s no need to buy a fancy machine. Just download a track or install an app – this is cheap and portable!

When you move the baby out of your room, you will probably want a crib. Buy one that’s affordable and well-rated. We bought ours at Target. Don’t place too much value on the convertible feature, especially if you plan to have multiple kids close together. This does not have to be high end. Your crib will also need a crib mattress. For warmer climates, buy 2 organic cotton and 2 muslin fitted crib sheets. For cooler climates, add 2 flannel crib sheets. Most crib mattresses are waterproof, but it’s nice to have a slightly padded waterproof mattress cover as well.

Another key item when your baby has moved to his/her own room is a video monitor. The features we really like are talk-back (you can talk to baby over the monitor) and the ability to add multiple cameras.  A music feature is 100% unnecessary. The Infant Optics DXR-8 is well-rated, extends up to 4 cameras and offers pan and zoom functions. It looks like a solid choice. 

That’s it – your baby is ready to snooze!

Eating

My number one recommendation is that you acquire a comfortable chair and ottoman. This may seem optional. It isn’t. You will spend hours upon hours in this chair. If you have the budget to splurge, do it on this item. Buy wisely and you will use for multiple children. Padded arms are key. We got a storage ottoman for a foot rest. It was great for storing those frequently- needed items (diapers, wipes, burp cloths) and doubled as an easy place to change baby in the early days.

It’s helpful to have pillows to support your arm while feeding the baby. You could get a Boppy, My Breast Friend or just use some throw pillows. You will also want a truckload of burp cloths. Buy a few packages of plain prefold cloth diapers and never think about this again. We are still using ours to clean up random messes!  

If you plan to feed your baby formula or your baby will be in childcare, you’ll need bottles. Even if you want to nurse exclusively, I recommend having a 1-2 bottles just in case. Get a few different brands in the smallest size. This is highly variable so DO NOT commit to any particular brand early on. My breastfed kids both liked Tommee Tippee, but there are many other choices.

Whether or not you’re planning to nurse, you will probably want an inexpensive manual breast pump and some breast pads in the early days. The manual pump is an absolute lifesaver if you’re engorged.  It’s simple, and you can probably figure it out at 2 am. (Don’t be like me and melt the tubing on your electric pump!) I used Lansinoh disposable pads and really liked them. Others love Bamboobies reusable pads, but I did not have a good experience with them.

If you’re nursing – and your baby will put up with being covered – an inexpensive nursing cover is handy. Get something lightweight because it will be HOT under there in the summer. Some kids hate these, but the investment is low enough that I still recommend getting one.

Pumping

For now let’s cover the basic items you’ll want to have. A double electric breast pump is essential. Most insurance companies offer a free pump, but the options aren’t always stellar. Check with your insurance for a list of choices! I used and liked the Medela Freestyle. I also used the Medela Pump in Style as a backup, but did not like it as much. Bonus: Target carries Medela parts and they are still the most common, should you lose or forget them. Spectra has been growing in popularity, but I have not personally used this pump. You’ll need the parts and storage bottles that go with your pump (hint: it’s never bad to have extras).

To store milk without filling your whole refrigerator, the Lansinoh milk storage bags are perfect for fresh or frozen milk. Medela Quick Clean bags are amazing for cleaning most plastic baby items in the microwave (including pump parts and bottles, but also pacifiers or other toys). Medela has handy wipes that are great for cleaning parts or bottles when you’re on the go. Finally, I highly recommend a hands-free pumping bustier – this allows you to get stuff done while you’re attached to the pump. Send emails, eat lunch or watch videos of your baby!

Diapering

This section is perhaps the easiest. You need diapers. We loved Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive. Start with two packages – newborn and size 1. These diapers have a handy strip down the middle to tell you when the diaper is wet, and they never bothered our babies’ sensitive skin. My sister and friends swear by Water Wipes. We love Aquaphor for almost every skin irritation, and Boudreaux’s Butt Paste for the really tough rashes.  

To contain the diaper smells, I recommend a Diaper Genie (the lowest end is fine). An Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail Puck will help neutralize the smell.

Something to Wear

Babies need some clothes, and this is an area where family and friends typically step up. My babies typically wore footed sleepers day and night during cooler months, and onesies with footed pants in warmer months. Baby socks never stayed on, so I didn’t bother with them. Kimono-style tops are wonderful for very tiny babies, so definitely pick up a few of those. Otherwise, they’ll need a sun hat for summer, a warm hat for winter and bibs. So many bibs.

Bathing

You’ll need a few items for baby’s bath time. My kids loooove their personalized hooded towels from Etsy. If you buy 2 for each kid, they’ll last well into elementary school and the kids adore having their own towels. It’s great to have a bunch of washcloths, so buy a few packages. Make sure they aren’t tiny. Finally, we really liked the Primo Infant Bath Seat. It’s plastic, so it’s very easy to clean and has rubber feet so it doesn’t move around. We usually put a washcloth on the seat for a little padding, and then could easily wash baby down in the bath. It also has a small enough footprint that a toddler can also fit in a standard-sized bathtub with the baby seat (and baby)!

Going Places

First and foremost – if you’ll be driving, you need a car seat and base. I suggest a base for each car and one infant seat. We used the Chicco Keyfit 30 through 5 years and 4 kids without a hitch, so I think it’s a great choice. We did have to put it in the middle seat in smaller cars, though. Some parents decide to start with a convertible seat, which is safe for infants through preschoolers. Most parents, though, choose to use an infant seat for babies because of their portability – no need to wake a sleeping baby if you don’t have to! A car mirror is also nice to have. It’s one of those things that I would have called totally optional before baby and 100% required after baby was born. Sometimes you really REALLY want to know that baby is OK back there. 

A stroller is nice to have for walks, but there are many different types of strollers suited to different situations. Buy or borrow an inexpensive Snap n Go stroller until you understand your stroller needs, then you can research more pricey options. We loved our Mountain Buggy Terrain for suburban and minor off-trail use. Urban dwellers like the Uppababy Vista, City Mini and Bugaboo Bee3.

Babywearing is a wonderful way to keep your baby close and carry a baby in situations where a stroller isn’t ideal. We’ve used baby carriers from the subways of NY to the mountains of Colorado, and everywhere in between. Wraps and ring slings are great for newborns, and soft structured carriers are extremely convenient and functional when they are 3 months+. We’ll do a full post on this soon!

Finally, you’ll want a lightweight bag to carry your baby items. Don’t overthink this one.  I like a cross-body messenger bag best since it’s compatible with wearing baby on the front or back, but this is pretty individual! Many parents like to use a backpack for its comfort and the ease with which you can pass it between parents. A travel changing pad like the Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station is also indispensable. The changing station holds a few diapers, wipes and has room for some grocery bags (to contain wet/dirty items) and a change of clothes.

Everything Else

Rock N Play or similar baby seat: The Rock N Play Sleeper is lightweight, foldable and an all-around great place to park a baby. 

Nasal Aspirators: Make sure to steal the blue one from the hospital! Buy the Nose Frida if you get desperate.

Night Lights: Buy a million. Buy stock in night lights. I had zero nightlights in my home before becoming a parent, now I have one in every room.

Pacifiers: Some babies like pacifiers, some don’t. Try whatever they give you at the hospital, plus a few more if you can afford it. If your kid likes Soothies, buy a few Wubbanubs (Soothie pacifier with a small stuffed animal attached).

Thermometer: Many pediatricians ask for rectal temperature, in which case an inexpensive rectal thermometer is perfectly fine. Braun Ear Thermometer also works well.

Gentle Tear-Free Shampoo: We’ve had good luck with Burt’s Bees kids line.

Toys/Books: Don’t worry about this – people will give these to you!

Saline Drops or Spray: This is used to help loosen up the mucus in a stuffy nose – use in conjunction with the nasal aspirator!

That’s it! You’re done! Congrats! Now to sit back, relax, and wait for baby to make an appearance….