Baby Registry Must-Haves

Getting everything you need for your new baby can be daunting, even more so if you’re a first-time parent. You may feel overwhelmed by all the items that you see advertised in baby stores. But some items are crucial to get you started on your path to parent and need to be included in your baby registry.

We believe that creating a baby registry shouldn’t be stressful. This is why we have compiled this comprehensive guide to the ultimate baby registry must-haves. We also take a look at the difference between wants and needs and discuss essential items that are often overlooked.

So read through our guide below, and the accompanying baby registry example,  before planning your baby registry. Even if this is your first child and you don’t know where to start, it’ll help you identify exactly what to include.

What This Article Covers:

Top Baby Registry Items 2022

List of Essential Baby Registry Items

Baby Clothes Appropriate for the Season & Climate

You should include five to ten bodysuits that are appropriate for the climate and season that your baby will be born.

Our soft and cozy knitted newborn clothes, and all of our knitted onesies for babies, are ideal for including in your winter baby registry checklist.

baby registry must haves 2022

Cotton is a natural, breathable material that keeps your baby comfortable in the heat of summer. This makes our cotton baby bodysuits, with their fun prints and details, suitable as items on your summer baby registry as well.

Protective Clothing for Sensitive Skin

These are items that protect your newborn’s delicate skin, such as hats and beanies. 

When taking your baby out in the sun, always put a hat on their head to protect them from the sun’s UV rays. And in the colder weather, a snug beanie will keep them warm and cozy. 

First-time moms often overlook these items, but they are essentials for any baby registry. We offer cute newborn baby boy hats and some awesome hats for baby girls too. 

While newborn babies don’t wear shoes, their little feet need to be kept safe and warm too. So be sure to include some socks and booties in your baby registry list. 

Soft, Comfortable Organic Cotton Blankets 

Every baby needs a couple of blankets, so be sure to include these in your registry list. 

What is important to remember is that your little one will have soft, tender sensitive skin. And blankets need to be soft as well as hypo-allergenic. We have the best soft baby blankets, available in several fun themes. 

must have baby registry items

But blankets don’t only provide your baby with warmth. They also offer comfort, both physical and emotional. Our organic cotton lovey blankets for babies will soothe and comfort the fussiest newborn to toddler. 

Sustainably Made, Eco-friendly Baby Gifts 

Our range of organic cotton baby bibs and charming but natural baby gifts will be appreciated by moms and babies. They are unique and part of our commitment to sustainability and environmental issues. 

We even have the best infant baseball toys for your soon-to-be sports star.

Registry Items that Are Perfect for 2022

These days, there is an increasing need to be sensitive to changing attitudes and perceptions. And we are proud to offer products that meet this need. 

With this in mind, you may want to include the following in your baby shower registry list in 2022. 

Adorable but Empowering Baby Clothes 

Gone are the days when maternity clothing had to be frilly, or boys or girls had to wear a certain color. 

If you are expecting a little girl, you’ll be pleased to know that we offer an exclusive range of feminist baby clothing that doesn’t cater to outdated attitudes. Gender-based stereotypes are learned when we are little. So the best time to prevent this is when your children are infants. 

baby registry checklist 2022

This is why we are proud of our range of girl-power-themed onesies, rompers, toys, books, and accessories. They are guaranteed to delight any feminist expecting a baby girl.

An Element of Fun

Parenting is a serious responsibility, but don’t lose your sense of humor. And you can bring some fun into the baby registry with our cute cactus print baby clothes. But don’t forget a cute, knitted cactus toy to go with it. Unlike a real cactus, this one is safe for delicate little hands to play with.

Get your baby to love fruits and veggies right from the start, by including an adorable avocado onesie for baby. Or get the avocado onesie gift set, which includes an avocado knit onesie, a soft-knit avo rattle toy & a matching bonnet hat.

Our fruit and veggie-themed bodysuits and blankets are colorful and fun and will inject a bit of humor into your baby registry.

Gift Sets

If you are reading this to get an idea of what to buy an expectant mom, we recommend one of our delightful elephant-themed baby gifts. And our Elephant baby gift set includes an elephant, giraffe & tiger rattles, a book, a stuffed animal toy lion, and a red heart blanket. Everything a baby loves in one package.

what to put on baby registry

An animal theme is always popular, for boys and girls. And there is a wide range of jungle animal-themed toys and clothing to choose from.

Our newborn baby gift set is another winner. Lovingly handmade in Peru with the softest organic cotton, this adorable whale-motif set includes a knit romper, hat & rattle. 

Baby Registry Items for a First Time Mom

If you are a first-time mom, your baby registry needs will differ from second baby registry must-haves. This is because someone who is having their second or third child may still have several items that are fit to reuse, whereas you are starting from scratch. 

So here are the most essential items that you should include in a baby registry for first-time moms.

Newborn Diapers 

These may not be the most glamorous items, but you will certainly need them, and plenty of them. They should be high up on your baby registry list. Remember though that babies grow, fast, so include diapers from newborn size up until age 6 months at least. 

Baby wipes are not only useful for diaper changes but for general clean-ups of your baby’s face and hands as well. They should preferably be non-scented, alcohol-free, and dermatologically tested.

Diaper Cream & Baby Wipes

Babies wear diapers constantly, and diaper rash is a reality that many new parents face. A layer of diaper cream will create a protective barrier between your baby’s delicate skin and a wet diaper. Choose a trusted brand of zinc-oxide diaper cream to include on your list. 

A Practical but Attractive Baby Supplies Bag

This is an item that new moms often forget to include, but it is one of the must-haves for your baby registry.

It should ideally have a waterproof lining, and the exterior should be made of a washable fabric. A bag with a comfortable shoulder strap is a must-have for new moms to keep all of their baby’s essentials in when going out.

Some Soft Toys

Playtime is essential for your baby’s happiness and development. But a newborn will need very different toys than an older child. Colorful, soft-knitted toys are the best choice for a newborn. Baby animals are particularly popular.

Newborns like to put things in their mouths. So toys should be soft, non-toxic, and without small fixtures that may be a choking hazard. Include a few toys like our adorable handmade stuffed animals

must haves for baby registry

A Comfortable Baby Carrier

Babies like to feel close to their moms and dads. Wearing a baby carrier not only helps your baby feel safe and protected but also frees up your hands so you can go about your day while giving your newborn some bonding time. 

So don’t forget to include this in your list, as it is one of those must-haves for your baby registry that you will get a lot of use out of.

A Baby Bath & Bathtime Essentials 

To make bathtime easier, include a specialized baby bathtub on the registry list. And don’t forget to add hooded baby towels, baby washes, and shampoos, as well as washcloths. 

Baby bathtime products are specially formulated for their sensitive skin and are therefore must-haves for your baby registry list.

Baby Bottles and Formulas

Baby bottles are another essential item, as well as cleaning brushes and spare bottle teats. Additional items may also be included, such as a bottle warmer, or bottle sterilizer.

Burp Cloths, Bibs & Pacifiers

These items are invaluable for a new mom, and as they will need to be constantly rotated to clean the used ones, several are needed. Not all pacifiers are the same, so choose ones that are certified safe for your baby to use.

baby registry items

Breast Pump

You may be intending to breastfeed your baby, but sometimes you’ll need to express milk, for example, if you are returning to work outside the home. In this case, a good electric double breast pump will be your new best friend.

Baby Registry Wants vs Needs

Are you a true minimalist? You may want a minimalist baby registry that fits your minimalist approach. And a true minimalist knows the difference between wants and needs. 

But it can be difficult to keep this in perspective amidst all the excitement of your newborn’s impending arrival. 

There’s a big difference between what you need for your baby and what you want to have. The needs are determined by things that are needed by your infant child. And the wants are purely items that you want your child to have because you like the look of them. 

Let’s take a look at some examples:

Needs

Focus on needs when deciding what to put on the baby registry. 

Your baby needs clothes, blankets, diapers, a crib, and a few other essentials. These are items that you cannot do without. They provide warmth, comfort, and practical help in caring for your infant. These are needs, not wants, and are perfect for including in your baby registry.

His/her clothes and blankets must be of the softest organic cotton. We have everything you need for the best organic baby registry

Wants

Wants should only be considered after addressing the more essential needs.

You want your baby to have special outfits, cute toys, etc. While these are not necessarily essential, they enhance your experience with your newborn and are important too. But do not make them the main focus of your baby registry, especially if this is your first child.

That being said, the best baby registry toys are ones that play a role in sustainable living.  By including handmade items, organic cotton, etc you will be doing your part to encourage eco-friendliness and sustainability. 

Only include toys that are made of materials that are certified non-toxic for a safe and environmentally friendly baby registry.

What to Buy Yourself and What to Put on Your Baby Registry

best baby registry items

Some items are better to buy yourself. Such as those that are “wants” and not needs. But even some very essential items are probably best to buy yourself. 

So how do you know what's better to put on the registry, and what’s better to buy yourself? Here are some simple guidelines for a practical baby registry checklist:

Items to Put on Your Baby Registry

The essentials are often also overlooked baby registry items. But why is this? Expectant moms, particularly first-time moms, tend to get caught up in cuter items like clothing and toys.

Put essential items that your baby cannot do without on your baby registry. These include items that are needed for dressing, cleaning, feeding, or transporting your baby. 

Also include any items that are needed to keep your newborn baby safe, such as a baby monitor. And for when your baby starts crawling, baby gates and outlet caps. 

Include a range of items at various price points, so that your friends and family can easily find an option that is of great use to you but also fits their budget.

Items You May Want to Buy Yourself

Remember those cute clothes and toys. Unless you are very specific about the styles and colors you want in your baby registry clothing checklist, it may be best to choose these yourself. But there are much more important items you may prefer to buy yourself.

A Bassinet

Your newborn baby will spend most of his/her first few weeks sleeping, as this is when your baby grows and develops. So you want to be sure that you get a bassinet for your baby to sleep in.

A bassinet or crib will provide your baby with a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and can be kept in your room so that they are close to you. This is especially important during your baby’s first six months. See it as part of the decor, and get one that fits into your color theme. 

A Versatile Stroller

The stroller is an essential item to make taking your baby outdoors easier. Whether going for a stroll in the fresh air or going out shopping, it needs to be practical and versatile. This is an item where you need to get the very best quality that you can afford.

top baby registry items 2022

As this tends to be one of the more expensive items, and only you know what the right one for your needs will be, it may be best to buy this yourself. Consider your lifestyle when choosing a stroller. Models that can fold make putting them into the trunk of your car a breeze.

A Baby Car-Seat

Another very important item that expectant moms don’t think of first is a car baby seat. If you don’t yet have one, this is something that you will definitely need. Even if you do not drive, if your baby needs to be transported by an au-pair or a family member, they will need one of these.

You must buy the very best quality, safety-tested car seat that you can afford. You will be entrusting this piece of equipment with your baby’s life. Don’t leave it to chance. Buy it yourself and buy the best you can. 

Baby Registry Checklist: What You Really Need

To recap, these are the most important items that you really need to include in your baby registry. Although you may prefer to buy the first three yourself, they are all must-haves for your baby registry.  

  • Car Seat
  • Stroller
  • Bassinet
  • Clothes
  • Blankets
  • Baby Carrier
  • Baby Bath
  • Diapers, lots of them
  • Baby bottles and possibly a breast pump

Baby Registry Example 2022

Do you need some inspiration for your registry? A baby registry needs to be easy to read and follow. Make things simpler by organizing items into categories. Include items in each category at different price points. 

Here is an example of what a baby registry should look like. When you create your own baby registry checklist, include the brand names, types of materials, styles, and colors that you prefer.

must have on baby registry

A Basic Example of a Baby Registry List

Nursery

  • Bassinet
  • Baby mattress and pillow
  • Baby sheets, blankets, and pillowcases

Baby Gear

  • Baby carrier
  • Stroller
  • Diaper bag
  • Baby car seat
  • Bouncy baby seat

Feeding Supplies

  • Double electric breast pump
  • Baby bottles
  • Bottle sterilizer
  • Formula
  • Burp cloths
  • Bibs
  • Pacifier
  • Feeding chair
  • Baby bottle cleaning brushes and  drying rack
  • Baby bottle warmer

Bathtime Essentials

  • Baby bath
  • Hoodie baby towels and washcloths
  • Baby bath washes, soaps, and shampoos

Clothing

must have registry items baby

  • 5-10 bodysuits or onesies
  • Socks and bootees
  • Hats and beanies
  • Mittens

Diapering

  • Diapers, from newborn size through to 6 months
  • Waterproof diaper changing mat
  • Zinc-oxide diaper cream
  • Non-scented, hypo-allergenic wet wipes

Toys

  • Mobile toys
  • Stuffed animals
  • A playmat
  • A teething ring and teething gel
  • An organic baby rattle 

baby registry must have

Safety & Security

  • Baby monitor
  • Baby gates for the bottom of the staircase
  • Outlet caps 
  • A nightlight

Conclusion

Now that you know what you need to include in your baby registry, you can confidently prepare your registry checklist. Focus on the items that you need to fit your lifestyle and your newborn baby’s needs. 

And above all, have fun with it. With so many exciting products available, you'll find things that both you and your baby will love.

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