Rosie Pope’s Baby Registry Must Haves

Baby Registry Must Haves

With the plethora of amazing equipment, gadgets and toys available it is often very difficult to navigate through the baby registry landscape.  Many future parents ask me what I think are the best things to register for and what things can simply wait until your baby is no longer a newborn.  I have compiled a general list of ten things I think are must haves for any baby registry, so even if you are in a last minute panic you can be sure to have everything you need for day 1 and many more days after that!

Most of all remember that the main thing about being prepared is to make your life easier while giving you the confidence to be able to enjoy your new arrival.  Of course many have done just fine without all the equipment but the right things can certainly help make your life easier, and I’m all for that.  Keeping this in mind, really if you have a way to feed your baby, a safe place for them to sleep, some clothes and unlimited amounts of love you are really all set.  However, life is hard enough as a parent so why not make your life a little easier with these must haves.

My Ten Registry Must Haves

• Car Seat with Snap in Stroller Frame:  You will almost certainly need to bring your baby home in a car and a safe car seat is a must.  Also, nothing gets a baby to sleep faster than a wee walk around in a stroller so be sure you have a way to push the car seat around with out needing to transfer your baby and all that excess equipment!

• Bassinet / Co-sleeper or Pack n’ Play: Your baby most likely won’t sleep in the crib right away.  Most people feel more comfortable having their baby closer and sleeping in their bedroom.  However, they need a safe place to sleep so a bassinet or pack n’ play is a great option.  In addition, a bassinet with wheels is a great thing to have as you move from one room to another during the day and you want to keep your baby close by.

• Swaddle Cloths:  Everything your Grandma said is true when it comes to swaddling.  It really does help your newborn baby sleep longer and feel safer, so be sure you have safe swaddle cloths and know how to swaddle.  If you didn’t learn in a childbirth education or parenting class, be sure to get one of the nurses at the hospital to teach you before you leave, they are usually swaddling pros and if you get home and need a refresher you can check out the MomPrep video tutorial on swaddling with MomPrep Expert Rosalie Hunt, RN.  The other brilliant thing about swaddle cloths is they can also be used as burp clothes, light blankets, stroller covers during a nap, breast feeding cover and many more uses which will cut back on all that spending and registering for other items.  Check out my exclusive collaboration with Aden & Anais only at Buy Buy Baby. 

• Endless Supply of Sterilizing Steam Bags:  You are going to be doing a lot of sterilizing over the next 12 months so be sure to make your life a little easier with sterilizing steam bags that allow you to sterilize bottles, pacifiers, breast pump supplies all in a few minutes in the microwave.

• Interference Free Monitor:  No matter how small your home or confident a parent you are having an interference free monitor really helps you worry a little less.  These days there are so many phones and internet connections and handheld devices that are worth splurging a little to be able to hear your wee one clearly on the monitor.  Whether you buy a video or sound only monitor is a personal preference and you have to ask yourself whether being able to look at your baby all the time will calm your nerves or make you more nervous.  Having a temperature gauge on the monitor is also helpful as the ideal temperature of the nursery is 68-72 Degrees.

• Baby Jungle Gym:  This is actually one of the activity toys it does make sense to buy for your newborn.  Being able to stimulate your baby with colors and sounds is very important and a jungle gym is an excellent place to do so.  It is also wonderful for beginning tummy time.  The other activity centers like bouncers will all come in handy but you won’t need them until about 6 months.

• Safe Bathtub: As soon as the umbilical cord stump falls off you are going to want to start to give your baby a bath.  This can be a wonderful bonding time especially when followed up with a baby massage. It is important to feel confident and be very careful and so a safe baby bathtub is a great way to start. If you are nervous about the first bath you can watch a MomPrep video tutorial on bathing with MomPrep Expert Rosalie Hunt, RN.

• Bibs and Comfy Clothes:  You can never have enough bibs as they save your baby’s outfit, which means less laundry!  For bibs I prefer 100% cotton that button/fastens at the sides as Velcro can rub on your baby’s neck. Bibs that snap at the back can be difficult to attach or detach (especially when your baby is sleeping as the bib must be removed).  Side snaps are easiest.  You will also need a supply of bodysuits, leggings, cardigans/sweaters, socks, coveralls and sleepers (plus whatever adorable thing you want to dress them in for pictures!).  I really advise parents to buy these based on the amount of laundry that you want to do and keeping in mind your baby is going to change outfits at least 2 times a day and often 2 times at night during those early days with diaper leaks and spit ups. When designing Rosie Pope Baby I made sure to think about all that laundry and make your life a little easier while still making you smile with adorable outfits.

• Safety and Grooming Kit: This should include diaper rash cream, thermometer, nail files, baby safe clippers, and soft hairbrush.  Babies tend to come out with long and rough nails and you’ll want to file them down in the hospital.  It is also important to have these pieces at your fingertips when you first bring the baby home from the hospital.  You’ll certainly add to this little kit of necessities but this will start you off in good stead.

• Baby Carrier:  I am a huge fan of baby carriers especially if you already have a toddler.  They are a great way to keep your baby close and safe but also be able to move around and use your hands.  While you probably won’t use one in the first days, they are great to have at hand the moment you are ready.  Try and get one that best accommodates your lifestyle.  Some things to consider are whether you want one that works for both you and your partner given your different sizes, forward and backward facing, long lasting (up to high weights) or just for babies in the first year.

Don’t Go Crazy Buying…

• …Bottles and Nipples:  It is hard to know which ones your baby will like and so best to start with one or two before buying the whole collection.

• …Bouncers, Walkers and Other Toys: Your newborn won’t be using them straight away and they take up a lot of room.  It is best to purchase as you need and again as you learn about what your little one likes.  If you would rather add these to your registry so your friends and family can help you pay for them, keep in mind that babies really do have different preferences. I suggest polling as many of your friends as possible before committing to a certain type of activity center.

• …Buying Diapers:  Many people stock up on newborn diapers and find their baby grows out of them before they finish the supply.  While a newborn may use as many as 300 diapers in the first month they also gain weight quickly and so may need a bigger size before the month ends.

• …Many Different Strollers:  While the average number of strollers per household in the United States is three, it is hard to know which one or ones best fit you and your baby’s lifestyle.  Start with one and then move up to others if and when you find you need one.  When you make your first stroller purchase think of what is important to you the day your baby comes home and find one that best fits those needs rather than trying to buy a stroller you think will be good for the long haul.  Whatever you start with, you will almost certainly end up with an umbrella stroller.  It may not be fancy but it sure is practical when you want to fold it up and throw it in the trunk of your car!

Hope this takes a little mystery out of baby registry and while these are the bare bones of any registry, they are my “can’t live withouts”! Follow along on Instagram this week to see more from me and my “Coveted Registry” lists. It’s your baby registry with a twist. 

Tags: baby registry, preparing for baby, rosie pope