Friday Favorites: Baby Registry Favorites

 

Recently, a few friends have emailed me asking for some of my favorite baby items to add to their baby gift registry. I decided to put together a list of my favorites. We’ve had 2 babies & I’ve seen what’s lasted & what has not. I have tried many {TONS} of gear in the past 3 1/2 years. We plan to have more babies, so I am still on the lookout for new gear to try. If I missed an item/ category you are curious about, please leave a comment & I will try to help. My registry didn’t include any of the items below (except for the Boppy & Bjorn carrier). These are my “can’t live without items” & the top 25 things I suggest registering for:

1. Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play

Both girls slept in this until they could roll over. We had a bassinet, but neither of them would sleep flat on their backs. 

2. Miracle Blanket

We had to watch a YouTube video to figure out how it worked & my parents thought it was an evil looking baby straight jacket, but my kids loved it. I started using this once they were about 1 month &   started coming out of their regular swaddle at night. 

3. Bjorn Bed

You can read more about why I love this bed in this post. 

4. Sound Machine

This becomes really key when you have more than one kid & they wake each other, but it’s great to soothe babies to sleep too. 

5. 2 or 3 different types of pacifiers

If you plan to use pacifiers, register for 1 pack of 2 or 3 different brands. Many people say “my baby won’t take a pacifier” after only trying 1 brand. Maggie tried 3 before finding one she liked. I recommend the Soothie & the MAM brand. 

6. 3 Sprouts Storage Bins

They hold up, are lined for easy wipe down, fold down totally flat & are perfect for the piles of baby laundry. Then, later on, they become the ultimate way to clean up toys FAST. They are really cute too.

  

7. Ergo

Took me a long time to get an Ergo. They are worth the money & super comfortable, especially to carry bigger babies/toddlers. 

8. Bjorn Carrier

My curious kids always liked to “face outward” so the Bjorn was key. I think the Bjorn & Ergo are totally different, but would recommend getting both.  I had the original style, but Julie has the new “Carrier One” & loves it. 

9. Stokke Scoot

I’ve tried a few (ok more than a few) strollers over the past few years. For a single stroller, by far, my favorite is the Stokke Scoot. It’s easy to use & fold. I love that you can easily switch having the baby face you or out. Maggie is 3.5 & still comfortably fits in it. It’s also really easy to push & clean. 

10. Snap ‘N Go

Make sure you get one that fits the infant car seat. Sometimes, babies fall asleep in the car & will stay asleep if you pop them into this thing & walk around the store, into a restaurant, etc. I never thought of that when I registered! 

11. Tons of  Baby Toiletries 

You go through these a lot faster then you think. Also, when shopping, people often like to find little items on your registry to add to their gift. I promise you can’t have too much baby shampoo. You can even register for a few different brands to try them out. My favorites: J&J Baby Wash, Aveeno & 7th Generation

12. Stokke Tripp Trapp

This item will take care of highchair, booster, & then right up until they leave for college. These chairs are also easy to clean, look nice at the table & can seat your adult guests when baby is in bed! Be sure to register for the Baby Set, tray, and cushions along with the chair. You can read more about my love of the Tripp Trapp in this post. 

13. Stokke Poncho

Super soft & slides right over the baby’s head after bath. Alex still puts this on after bath, despite the fact that it only goes down to her belly button now. 

14. Good Towels

Try & find towels that are not super thin & are big enough to cover them past the first few months. The Stokke towels & the Aden + Anais towels/wash clothes are my favorite. They both stay really soft after a ton of washing. 

15. Boppy & covers

We used the Boppy for nursing, tummy time, hanging out & now for pillow fights. Get extra covers because they get dirty multiple times a day. 

16. Diapers 

You’re going to need quite a few of these. I wish I registered for diapers. Register for newborn, size 1 & 2. Those little kiddos grow pretty fast! While you’re at it register for some wipes too. 

17. Humidifier

Register for one, so the first time the baby needs it, you don’t have to take a sick baby out to hunt for one (like I did). 

18. Extra crib sheets & changing table pad covers

Babies will pee, poop & spit up on everything. The changing table pad & crib sheets take the brunt of it (and your clothes will too). It’s a lot easier to have a few back ups than to do wash multiple times a day.

 

19. Sofie the Girafe & Other Toys

I refused to register for Sofie or even buy one for my 1st. I couldn’t imagine how a baby toy could be worth over $20. Well, I was wrong. Alex & every other baby I’ve ever met loves the thing. Maybe even register for 2 in case one gets lost or attacked by the dog. Register for a few toys. Again, people love things to add onto their gifts & your baby will love having bright, fun toys to enjoy.

20. Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets

I love the blankets they give you at the hospital. We used those, along with the Aden + Anais blankets. They make swaddling easy & they are light/ made of muslin.

21. Baby Bjorn Spoons 

We’ve used a ton of different spoons. These are amazing & later on make feeding themselves easier. The Baby Bjorn bowl & cups are great too. 

22. Medela Steam Bags

Even if you don’t use the breast pump, these bags are the best. They last for a while & I put everything in them: pump parts, bottles, toys, pacifiers, etc. I was very prone to thrush so these bags were really key.  

23. Aden + Anais Dream Blanket

If they made this just a little bigger, I would definitely have one on my own bed. It is super soft, warm & holds up to lots of washing. It’s also big enough to grow with the baby. Maggie is 3.5 & it’s still a good size for her to sleep with. 

24. Pajamas in sizes up to 18 months 

People always look to get clothes off a registry, but then once the baby is born everyone will give you clothes as gifts.  If you are going to register for clothes, pick pajamas & get lots of sizes up to at least 18 months. You’ll eventually need them! 

25. The next size car seat

Speaking of things you will eventually need: the next size carseat. I wish I thought to register for this. They grow out of the infant carrier before you know it. Also, most car seats (like Britax) can be used pretty early on.

I think my biggest mistake when registering was trying to go for the best price. I didn’t do much research ahead of time & also didn’t think about what an investment a lot of these products should have been. If you plan to have a few kids, make sure you register for products that look like they will last for years, because that’s how long you’ll be using them. Quite a few products I put on the list above are from Stokke. I have found this brand to be outstanding in quality & their warranty is awesome. 

2 Places to shop that you might not think of:

JCPenney: Their new Giggle Baby line is amazing. Also, if you’re not familiar with Giggle itself, check that out too!

Etsy: from personalized items to great nursery accents, you can find great things (at great prices) on Etsy. 

 

 

A few things I got that I never used:

Wipe warmer: My kids survived cold wipes

Bottle warmer: Used hot water in a mug

Diaper pail: I got 2 & tried them both, but throwing stinky diapers right into the outside garbage cans seems easiest

I don’t have a ton of pictures of my “gear” but thought pictures of when Maggie & Alex were teeny tiny would be more fun. While you’re registering, one last thing: enjoy each & every item you use with your precious babes. They grow way too fast!

I was not compensated in any way for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.