Registry Recommendations - the Master List
Since we are now expecting Baby #2, I have been digging out the newborn gear, looking at what we need to restock on, and of course - shopping for Baby!
I get so many requests from new Moms for what to put on their registry, or what I’ve liked for certain categories, so I thought I’d finally put everything together into one post!
NOTE - this post is not sponsored, but I am going to use affiliate links, so if you plan on shopping any of these items and you follow the links I post, I could make a small commission. I would truly appreciate anyone shopping these links, but I am only posting products I have used and liked so of course - this list doesn’t include every product out there!
Nursery
Monitor
We have this one - we wanted one that had its own screen since we have a nanny. We even take it with us when we travel and no issues so far!
Crib
Nursery (we are keeping all the same decor and furniture for Baby Girl) - heres a pic of the nursery where you can shop all of it!
Quinn’s new room (we got the toddler bed convertible kit too!)
Crib Mattress
Pretty simple! I have heard a lot about the Newton, but we have never tried it. I follow a lot of sleep safety tips and wrote a whole post on it here - so I didn’t feel like it was necessary, but I think it gives people a lot of peace of mind - so to each their own!
Bassinet
Here is ours! We had Quinn sleep in our room for the first 3 months (I know not everyone does this, but it was so helpful for all of the feedings, and made us feel better to have him close to us in the beginning :) ) This particular bassinet fits well right next to the bed, but we kept it up against the wall.
Education for Parents aka Books/Resources
Overall scheduling/sleeping - this book was SO helpful when Quinn was a newborn
Basic medical info & sleep schedules - we are a schedule family! It really makes planning our days so much easier, even though its never perfect.
Feeding
Breast Pump
Don’t forget to check with your Insurance to see if they will cover some or all of your breast pump, a lot of them do!
I got this one - it was nice that it came in that bag because I had to bring the pump to and from work, and even use it in my car sometimes
Travel pump (long dinners/date nights, sporting event, etc - it really came in handy)
THIS IS MAGICAL - I’d use it on one side while nursing from the other, or even in desperate situations when I didnt have the hand pump and was out - so many mamas recommend this!
Accessories
This bag is a lifesaver. No one ever told me that you could refrigerate pump parts in between pumping, instead of washing them multiple times a day. So I put the parts in here throughout the day, then wash them at night to get ready for the next day.
2nd set of parts is always helpful!
Bottles
We used these, you can get different stage nipples as Baby gets older and can drink faster! We felt they were the easiest to wash, hold, and use compared to others we have tried!
Bottle/Dish Washing
Burp Cloths/Bibs
First of all, I had NO IDEA how many burp cloths we needed haha. Like A TON. Quinn spit up and spilled soooo much that this was the #1 thing I was ordering while on Mat Leave. Now we are stocked up, and these are my all time favorites. I love to get them for friends with babies on the way!
Formula
I breast fed for about 6 months, and then switched to Holle Baby Formula. I encourage everyone to do their own research on formulas because there is so much that goes into it, but from what I read, German standards are higher than US and this brand was the most similar to breast milk.
Pacifiers
Nothing crazy here! Quinn stopped using a pacifier pretty early which I feel lucky for (we never had to wean or work to get him off the paci - he just wasnt interested)
Sippy Cups
Lots of different ones in this house - I feel like if you keep changing it up, they wont get attached to just one kind.
Budget (milk and water cups)
More expensive but cute themes and seriously lasts - also a cute gift idea for a friend with a little one!
Real Food - Disclaimer: I totally thought I would be one of those moms who made their own whole, organic, fresh baby food - but I was not. I actually returned the baby blender I got from my registry, and signed up for a Meal Delivery called Little Spoon, but unfortunately Quinn didn’t like any of the “baby blends”. For Solids, we have been loving Raised Real - its a great way to switch up your veggies for kids - otherwise I was just doing carrots/corn/green beans.
Plates - these are the GOAT - they stick to the table, are easy to clean, have dividers and are microwave and dishwasher safe - legit couldn’t ask for anything more haha
Bowls - we use this almost every day - cheerios, yogurt, fruit - whatever. And it comes with a lid and spoon and they just feel so soft and nice!
Safety/Health/Grooming
Thermometer - not sure I am any authority here but we like this one in the ear!
Hair Brush - this one is by far the best! Quinn loves using it himself lol.
Sleeping - I have a dedicated post on this here!
Bathing
Soaps & Shampoo
Diapering
Dresser/Changing Table - see my posts above about our nursery and Quinn’s new room
Changing Pad
We use this in the nursery - seems pricy but totally worth it. Comfy, sturdy, they cant roll off it that easily and sooo easy to clean (which is VERY important haha)
And have this one downstairs as a second
Wipes - we only use these! They are one of the most “natural” and don’t dry out easily. I set up an Amazon automatic delivery so we are never without!
Gear/Travel
Diaper Bag
Have this one
Pros: really cute, lightweight, backpack or over the shoulder style, lots of pockets
Cons: since its a flap on top that covers the side, sometimes things can fall out when its not fully zipped. Might be smaller than others
Lots of my friends have this one
Pros: huge, lots of pockets, looks like leather, can be worn backpack or over the shoulder style, comes in small and large
Cons: heavy! plus all the stuff you’re carrying. fairly large/bulky
Toys/Activities for home
Activity Mat - just got this one after eyeing it for Quinn. SO cute and fun with lots of great add ons to aid in learning!!
Kicker/Mat - so many hours on this one haha
Play Mat - so good for when baby starts walking aka falling! This is a bit pricey, but it was worth the investment for us. We keep it permanently in our Living Room and people seriously thing its just our rug until they actually walk on it. Its wipe clean and so soft. I have had a few pieces peel, but when I let the company know, they shipped me replacement tiles, so I think the quality is there! You can build it for different shapes and sizes too.
Car Seats
Infant - we loved how this integrated perfectly with our stroller - its durable, a trusted brand, and lots of other people have it so its easy to use or teach others to use :) Plus you can remove all the fabric to wash! I found soooo many cheerios under it when I just did this haha.
Convertible/Toddler - snagged this at the Nordstrom sale last year and I think theres another one on sale this year. It is great… super comfy and easy enough to get Quinn in and out of ! He gets a lot of naps in this bad boy if we let him!
On Sale ($100 off regular price) here!
Carriers
Newborn/Infant - this one is great when Baby is really little. They fit in so snug and its perfect to cook and clean in while they nap or just watch you! I love it, and the fabric feels like lululemon quality.
3+ Months - I feel like this is just the gold standard, tried and trusted baby carrier - we loved it and once I started wearing Quinn more often I was amazed at how much more I could do! Great if you live in cold weather places too because you can wrap your coat and arms around them when you’re outside :)
Seats
Dock A Tot - great to put on the bed or couch while you are cleaning or just hanging out, keeps the littlest ones still and they can take little cat naps in it (not recommended for overnight sleep)
Bouncer - this one was soooooo useful for us. I would put Quinn in it to watch him while I showered if he wasnt sleeping and I was desperate, and eventually he’d sit in it and just play or watch me cook/clean/do whatever.
Swing - Quinn wasnt a swing guy so we didnt use it much, but saving for baby Girl because you never know! Lots of kids take great naps in these guys (also not for use overnight)
Chair - great to keep them seated & gain head control (they need to already be able to have some and hold their head up before you use it) - We used this for first feedings, and on the island (we have a big one so he had plenty of room not to fall off) while prepping food so he was right by us. Obviously not a place to leave the baby if you are not right there!
The best high chair! We use this way more than our big one, its perfect for a kitchen island. If you have a big island, you seriously dont even need a standalone high chair. This is way easier and yorue right by Baby!
Activity Center
We have this one - its currently flipped to a table and Quinn eats every meal at it.. legit doesnt even use his high chair anymore, but eventually we will turn it back into the little activity center for Baby Girl to sit and play in. Quinn will probably be very jealous lol.
Our In Laws have one like this for when we visit - super cute and fun for little ones who cant walk yet!
Strollers
Everyday - This is our exact stroller. There’s a reason why its so popular… so good for the city, handles bumps and turns great, lots of room underneath for all your essentials, and great accessories that go with it! You can also make it a double for when you have more than 1! It is heavy - so not the best to travel with if you’re alone… but if you have help its great, you can hang other bags off it and use it like a luggage cart!
Travel/Umbrella Stroller - we looooove this stroller. Its a little pricier than most “umbrella” strollers, but its really high quality, and we use it for way more than just traveling. You can also purchase adapters to use it right away with a car seat!
Jogging - this is great for jogging but also for uneven terrains like the beach or a park/grass. We love it!
Sleep while Traveling
Pack n Play -- of course this is what we use when we travel with Quinn, but we also kept it downstairs when he was a baby, so he could take naps safely (not in the middle of the couch), and then when he started to move around it could hold him for a bit if we need to run to the bathroom, unload the dishwasher, etc. A must have!
Have extras of anything Baby/Toddler? Donate to Share Our Spare to help local families in Chicago that need you! Click here to find their drop off schedule for when you can donate new or gently used clothing, and new items like diapers, wipes, formula, etc!!
