Hey Everyone! It's Karli from Rainy Mom Opinions. Do you have the date set for your baby shower and are wondering what to do now? Whoever is throwing you that shower is probably hounding you to get a registry done, right? And you don't know exactly where to start? Well, you are in the right place! Today I will be sharing with you the products I registered for as a first-time mom and the things I actually used when baby came.
When you first see those two pink lines, one of the first thoughts that pop into your head is all the things you will need to buy for the new addition. And this should be a very exciting time of your pregnancy!
But then, you start looking at all the baby products and realize just how much stuff you actually need... The bassinet, the crib, the swing, the burp cloths, the bouncer, the clothes, the diapers, the traumatizing fart tool, and the list goes on and on. Adding up all these items can be a little overwhelming. That's why I am here to help! You can register for just the products you really need. But first, let's talk about what a registry is and how it can really help you save money!
What is a Registry
A shower registry is like your Christmas wish list to Santa Claus... Except it's a wish list for baby stuff to your friends and family. And let me tell you a little secret, I felt guilty as hell putting together that registry! I am a person who doesn't ask for help let alone ask for people to buy me stuff! But, I assure you, people WANT to help buy those items. Who doesn't like to buy baby things? My babies are all in toddler size and bigger now and what I would give to look down that isle of newborn clothing. 🥹
You may also feel guilty for putting certain items on your registry list. But don't! Add the things that you really need (which I'll get into later) even if it is $9 or $90. Members of your family will want to spend more money on your new arrival and your coworkers will want to buy the little things. So, adding a variety of prices is actually a great idea!
Also, the best part about a registry is you get to pick exactly what you want for your baby. You don't tell your friends and family, "I really need socks and mittens and burp rags," and then they go out and pick which ones THEY would like. You get to shop on Amazon, or go into Target and pick out the style, material, color, company, etc. Unless you really don't care about any of that then it would be interesting to see what everyone's styles are. Odds are, you are going to care.
The main reason to not feel guilty about asking for gifts is you won't get every single item on your list. Which means you get to buy those things if you really value them! But, instead of buying all of the stuff, you will just be buying the "left-overs" and your bank account will thank you for that! Let's get into the nitty gritty and see what items I put on my list and what I actually used as a first-time mom. There are quite a few products, so I'll break it down by category. Let's start with bath.
Newborn Bath Products
Bath items are essential to your registry. Newborns don't need baths often, but when they do, you want to make sure you are prepared. The very last thing you want to do is stress about going to the store with a newborn or having someone else pick-up stuff for you. Here are the bath items I registered for as a first-time mom.
You honestly don't need much more than this for baby's bath. Eventually you'll want to buy bath toys and stuff to entertain baby while he's in the bath. But for now, your baby will be perfectly content looking at your beaming face and hopefully they won't be crying too much.
Pro-Mom-Tip: If you don't already know, a swaddle bath can be your easy solution to a fussy newborn bath.
If you don't already have a brand that you love for your baby's soaps, the gift bath sets are great to add to your list. They usually come with a gentle soap, maybe some lotion, and sometimes even a washcloth. But this way you are able to test some brands out to find out which one is going to be best for you and baby.
The microfiber wash cloths are my absolute favorite! They are so soft and gentle on baby's skin. I recommend establishing a rule in your house that baby cloths are only for baby so that their washcloths don't get used for cleaners or chemicals or your husband's weird foot sore that he's been ignoring for months.... Same for baby towels.
I just found this bathtub by Frida that looks really cool. I did not register for this with my first but I will add this to my registry for my second! This bathtub grows with your baby and you can use it from a newborn. The seat/sling is raised for the newborn so that they aren't fully submerged and then it moves down for infants. Then you flip the pad and it has a seat built in for babies that are ready to sit up for baths. It looks very supportive and I can't wait to try it. If you get it or already have it, let me know if you like it in the comments!
So, on your list of bath items should be baby towels, baby washcloths, your favorite soap or a variety of options, and some sort of a baby bath if you desire. Next on the deck is diapering.
Newborn Diaper Items
I registered for a portable changing pad that I saw on Instagram and I am here to tell you, just don't. I did not use this pad at all, almost every diaper bag comes with a changing pad anyways, which I did use quite often when we were traveling or if there was a blowout situation. Although this changing pad looks convenient, it's actually not and the amount of time my child tried using her hands while I was changing her was very minimal.
A changing table pad is very useful even if you don't plan on having a changing table! You can turn any surface into a changing table, the couch, the floor, the coffee table. Really where ever you want to change baby, this pad makes it clean and makes for easy clean up when there's the inevitable soils.
Pro-Mom-Tip: If you are having a planned C-section, or your birth is at risk for turning into a c-section, a changing table that is a little higher than waist height will be your best friend.
A diaper bag can and absolutely should go on your registry list. Find the perfect one and add that sucker. You are going to need it. And
don't fall for this diaper bag. <---- The "bassinet" is useless and too hard to put together in the first place. Plus, it takes up a lot of space inside the bag. Trust me, this space is not worth giving up.
Next is a diaper genie. I personally love my diaper genie. It lives right next to my changing table to make changing diapers a streamlined process and there are no poopy nappies in the main trash making the house less than pleasant smelling. Now, I am a "lazy" mom so sometimes the genie doesn't get emptied as soon as it should, but, it is still a great item for your registry.
Diaper rash cream is also a necessary item for your registry. Even though your newborn might not have a diaper rash for awhile, you want to have it on hand for when they do. Register for your favorite one or if you don't know about any of them, register for a variety of them. Make sure you get a clear cream and a zinc oxide cream. A clear cream is great for rash prevention or if baby's skin is looking just a little dry or irritated. A zinc oxide cream is good at getting rid of a true red rash.
The last item on your registry for diapering should be.... drum roll please.... DIAPERS! Register for the brand you want and the sizes you want to start off with. Typically, newborns need changed about 8-12 times a day. Usually, a newborn will be in newborn diapers for 3-5 weeks. At the very most, you will need 420 newborn sized diapers and they come in a box of 120 or so. So, you could register for 2 or 3 boxes of newborn, then several boxes of size 1 and size 2. I have always wanted to make a diaper cake for a baby shower but I have yet to get the opportunity. But, anyways, register for diapers because you will need them and the less you have to buy the better!
Travel Items
As much as we try not to leave the house with the new baby, odds are, you will have to take her out into the real world eventually. To do this you will need that one very important item which you can't even leave the hospital without, a car seat. Most people will get an infant car seat to start since they are easily portable and much lighter than convertible car seats. You can absolutely register for the car seat you want, even if it's a bit pricey. If it is a travel system (stroller included), that is even better! Most registry platforms allow the buyers to contribute to a larger purchase. So, even if you don't get the item at your baby shower, some people could pitch in to help pay for it and you would just need to pay the remaining balance.
Other travel items I registered for was a car seat cover, nursing cover, and a shopping cart cover. I had my baby in 2021 when COVID was still a pretty big deal, so I was of course paranoid. Even with my next baby, I will still be paranoid as I think most parents are. I used the shopping cart cover countless times for shopping carts, of course, but also high-chairs at restaurants. Have you ever looked at those things?!? There's old food crusted on them, bites taken out of the wood, and strange discolorations everywhere! Yeah, no thank you.
I used the nursing cover a lot as well. I even used it to nurse her in my home when visitors would come over. It is very isolating to be forced out of conversations just because your baby is hungry. I loved this pop-out cover because my baby was getting airflow and I could see her and she could see me. I used this cover in public as well and it worked perfectly. Of course, if you're the type of mama who can just whip them puppies out, by all means go for it! For those of you who wanna keep your bits private, this cover is a great choice.
This car seat key, if you haven't seen one before, is great for moms with long nails or with weak hands. This could also be a grandparent that maybe has a hard time squeezing the crotch buckle. They are very difficult sometimes! This tool slides under the buckle and allows for more surface area to squeeze and open the buckle way easier than before. Having said that, I only used this tool a handful of times and likely would not register for it again. It is a great bonus item if you feel like it is necessary for you.
A shampoo/wash travel kit is not a must to put on your baby list. But, it has been very helpful for me since we are a family that travels from time to time. I love being able to take my baby's wash and shampoo in a nice little travel package. Of course, you can register for any brand of travel kit since most of them do offer one. Some are easier to find in stores though!
A baby carrier is last on the travel list, but honestly, it doesn't need to be in the travel category. A baby carrier of your choosing is 100% necessary for around the house or a quick walk around the block. I did simple chores around the house with baby strapped to my chest and sleeping soundly. It is also perfect for going to the store with baby. Taking an infant car seat into the grocery store is only an option if you don't plan on buying many items since the seat takes up the entire cart.
Pro-Mom-Tip: Going to a family member's house and don't want the baby passed from person to person? Strap baby to your chest before walking in the door. This makes it much, much easier to stick to your guns and allow people to see baby without holding him.
Feeding Baby Items
I am a pacifier/breastfeeding mom, or at least I was for my first and plan to be with my second. If that is not your plan for you baby, your list might look a little different but don't fear. My bonus baby is not a paci baby and didn't choose to be breastfed for very long, so I know what you will need for this path as well. My favorite pacifiers to start are the Soothie pacifiers. They are designed for babies 0-3 months and claim to cause the least amount of nipple confusion. I personally gave my baby these pacifiers while we were still in the hospital and she still took to breast feeding perfectly fine. Of course, every baby is different, but I will be trying this method again with my second.
If you are considering breastfeeding, you should add a Haakaa to your registry. A Haakaa pump is great for saving every drop of your breast milk while baby is eating on the other side. A medical grade breast pump is also something you should consider adding to your registry. However, check with your insurance company to see if you can get a pump 100% free! Typically, they give you a few brands you can choose from.
I put some super cute handkerchief bibs on my registry, and I did not use them and will not register for them again. I did use bibs later on when my baby started eating solids, but these bibs in particular bunch up around their neck and look uncomfortable. Not to mention, bibs are not something you will need in the fourth trimester, so you will have time to find something that works for you.
The bobby pillow was a must for me! Yes, you could just use a pillow, but a breastfeeding pillow is designed to bring baby closer to you in the correct position for breastfeeding. It is also a great pillow to just hold baby hands free when you need to eat. The pillow is also great for older siblings or cousins to hold the baby but not necessarily be responsible for supporting baby correctly. This pillow is just great for so many things I could go on and on.
Even if you plan on breastfeeding, having bottle-essentials is always a good idea. You might not need them, but if you do, you will want to have them on hand. If you plan on bottle feeding, I would register for a couple different brands of newborn bottles. You never know which style your baby will like but more importantly, you never know which style you are going to like. Odds are, your baby won't care too much. But, you might not like how hard one style is to clean over another. Or, you might notice your baby spits up less with one style over the other. Whatever it might be, you want to make sure you have options.
Along with the bottles, you will want to register for a bottle cleaner brush that you only use for your baby's bottles. If you don't have a dishwasher, you might consider registering for a bottle sanitizer. It doesn't have to be fancy and electric unless that's your style. You can get one that goes in your microwave and does the same job. I registered for a sanitizer bag which was great for sanitizing my baby's pacifiers and my pump parts when needed. I also got a microwave bottle sanitizer which I used as well.
The last thing I registered for in this category was Gripe Water. Check with your pediatrician before using this, but my baby got the hiccups several times throughout the day and she spit up a lot. The gripe water helped her when she started to seem uncomfortable from the hiccups. So, I would use it again if needed.
Bedtime Essentials
There aren't many items you will need for baby to sleep. Of course, you are going to need a safe space for baby to sleep. I have never co-slept, so if this is your plan, I do not know if you need anything extra for that other than just you and a baby.
My preference is a bassinet right next to my side of the bed. I want baby close enough that I can hear her every move and sound. I was lucky enough to receive a Snoo Bassinet, but you should register for which ever bassinet you want.
Receiving blankets make great burp cloths. They are my go to for spit up and drooly baby messes because they are soft and blanket like, yet absorbable and lightweight. I also used receiving blankets for swaddle baths since they are easy to wring out rather than an actual swaddle blanket.
I do like the Halo sleep sack for when my baby wasn't in her Snoo. I like that they are warm and hug the arms in, yet the legs are able to move freely to prevent any future hip issues. You should register for a couple different swaddle blankets to see what works best for you and baby.
Baby blankets are a must but more for a cold house or for snuggling them up in their car seat to go outside. There are plenty of uses for baby blankets other than them sleeping with one, since they aren't supposed to do that until they are much older. You will get baby blankets whether you register for them or not. So, if you have one that you really love the material or the color or design, register for that. Otherwise, baby blankets are just one of those top items people buy for showers.
I told you bedtime is easy and quick. Now, let's move on to the last category of your registry which we'll call, the extras. For everyone who is still reading along, thank you for sticking with me this far and I hope you have acquired some tips on what to add to your registry.
The Extras
There are some items that are great to register for that don't really fall into a category. You may want to register for a baby book to add in pictures and hospital bracelets. I did not use my baby book that I registered for so if you don't see yourself using it, you don't have to get one. There are plenty of online baby books nowadays that you can make even when your child is two or three years old and you just haven't gotten around to adding to that dang book. So, don't worry if you're like me and don't see a need for a baby book.
There are several medical items that you can register for that you will need to use eventually even if it isn't from the start. A nasal aspirator is a very important one. My baby had a lot of newborn congestion since I had her via c-section. I used drops of breast milk up her nose and suctioned it out with the aspirator and it helped her a ton! And when your babe gets that dreaded first cold, this tool is absolutely necessary.
Additonally, the Medifrida Medicine Dispenser worked great to give my babies tylenol or Motrin when needed. A humidifier for baby's room is a great idea and perfect for your registry. I also got some use out of the Safety first Grooming kit. I only used the infant nail cutters and the soft bristle brush. I let my child play with the toothbrush that it came with to get her used to the feeling and it helped with some teething pain. Anything you can see needing within the first year of baby's life can go on that list.
The last item on the Extras List is a swing. I registered for the swing that I wanted and got it at my baby shower which was a very nice gift from a family member. I know there is a lot of ill feelings towards "containers" these days, but putting your baby down sometimes is just necessary. I wish I didn't put my first baby down as much as I did, but having a swing was essential for me getting things done or even just eating dinner. She enjoyed the swing, but didn't prefer it over her mama 😊
Well, there you have it everyone! Fortunately, I did use most of the items on my registry. And I registered for the most practical items I could think of as a first time mom, and now I am here to help you make that list as well! It can be very easy to add unnecessary items to your registry, but try to keep it to the items you really need and want so that your friends and family help you get those exact items.
Thanks for being here and let me know what are some essentials you needed that you don't see in this registry list!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you use one of the links to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you!
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