How’s a first-time mum supposed to know what to put on her baby registry? Check my baby registry essentials with a handy checklist!

Being British, the world of baby showers and baby registries is all a little new to me! Unlike my American and Canadian friends, who grew up with them as a normal custom. It wasn’t until I moved to the Caribbean that I went to my first one. 

Once I got my head around the idea, I loved it. What’s not to enjoy about getting together with girlfriends to celebrate the imminent bundle of joy and enjoy some brunch etc. (Even if I still struggle with some of the games…)

I was lucky enough to have some of my favourite people offer to organise a get together and it was such a wonderful day out with the girls! It was wonderful to feel so loved and very supported by lots of fantastic women.

The problem with all of this though is that, as a first time mum, you have absolutely NO idea what you need to put on your baby registry gift list! I had lots of excellent suggestions from mum-friends and I did so much reading online, but I honestly found the whole thing a little overwhelming! Luckily the Amazon Baby registry has a handy checklist to follow which provides a little guidance, and I’ve put together a little round-up of my baby registry essentials! 

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MY BABY REGISTRY ESSENTIALS

Travel: TRAVEL SYSTEM | BLANKET | CAR MIRROR | STROLLER ORGANIZER | ROCKIT | BABY CARRIER |

Diapering: DIAPER BAG | CLOTH DIAPER SET | DIAPERS | PORTABLE CHANGE MAT | CHANGE PAD | WIPES | WET BAG | DIAPER BIN |

Bath Time: BABY BATH | HOODED TOWELS | WASH SET | WASH CLOTHS | SINK BATH | KNEE SUPPORT | BATH TOYS |

Feeding: 5oz BOTTLES | BIBS | STERILIZER | NURSING PILLOW | BOTTLE WARMER | HAAKAA | STERILIZING POUCHES | BOTTLE DRYING RACK | BREAST PUMP | MILK STORAGE BAGS | INSULATED BOTTLE CARRIER |

Bed Time: SWADDLE | BASSINET| MUSLIN SWADDLES | PACIFIERS | WHITE NOISE MACHINE | WIRELESS BABY MONITOR | BASSINET SHEETS | MOBILE |

Misc: ACTIVITY MAT | SWING/BOUNCER | CLOTHES | THERMOMETER | INFANT FIRST AID KIT | PACK n’ PLAY | FLOOR MATS |

Travel Items

Maxi Cosi Travel System – 

I did a lot of research before I decided on the Adorra travel system by Maxi Cosi. I knew that I wanted a travel system for ease and convenience. My second criteria was a lay-flat bassinet option. I don’t want baby Barefoot in the car seat for any longer than necessary (car seats are not safe for baby to sleep in), so a lay-flat bassinet is perfect for when we’re out and about.

This one comes in some really cute colour combinations, although we went for the standard (read: practical) black. 

Travel Blanket –

This Aden + Anais blanket is just the most beautiful design, I couldn’t resist it. While it isn’t cold where we are (the Caribbean) I know that it will be really useful when we travel (and for when we are out and about in places with cold a/c). The A+A products are always really soft and get softer with frequent washing.

Car Mirror –

Not particularly glamorous but infinitely practical – a car mirror is a must when traveling with your baby in the back seat. This one is a good Amazon basic.

Stroller Organizer –

I’m lucky that my travel system does come with a big storage area underneath, a cup holder (essential!) and a zip-up insulated pouch. But I wanted something to hold my phone and help me stash a few extra bits and pieces within arms reach. This stroller organizer should do the job perfectly!

Rockit –

I’d seen this recommended by various mum’s and was intrigued. I guess that it can’t really be described as an essential (more of a luxury item) but I still think that it deserves a mention. Attaching to your pram it jiggles it for you (so you stay hands-free) to soothe baby when you are out. You can also be attach to your bassinet to do the same thing. The Rockit seems to be something of a hit with everyone that has one!

Baby Carrier –

I’m excited to try some baby wearing when Baby Barefoot arrives. It seems like a more practical solution than always getting the stroller out.

Diapering

Diaper Bag –

I had seen the backpack diaper bags everywhere and decided to give it a go. So far I’m really pleased with it. It’s a good size, the husband won’t mind carrying it and it has some really useful pockets (insulated bottle pockets, side pockets for wipes, wet pocket etc.) I’ll report back again once I’ve got some use out of it!

Cloth Diaper Set – 

We are optimistic about trying cloth diapering, or at least partially cloth diapering Baby Barefoot. The benefits, for us, seem to outweigh the potential difficulties. We know that we won’t be able to do it while at the hospital or that it could prove impractical when we travel – so we have been gifted some disposables too, which is great. 

Change Pad – 

I opted for the Bumbo Contoured Baby Change Pad as I felt like it was very similar to the popular Keekaroo Peanut Changer, but significantly cheaper. I wanted something wipe clean that did not need a change pad cover.

Change Mat –

For on-the-go nappy changes I went with the Skip Hop Portable Changing Mat. It’s a great size and has space for spare nappies, cream and a pack of wipes. Can also be used as a small diaper bag if you fancied leaving the main one in the car and downsizing.

Diapers and Wipes –

The number of nappy changes per day that a newborn needs is, quite frankly, terrifying. You’re going to need a LOT of supplies to make it through the first few weeks (even if you plan on using cloth eventually). We were gifted some boxes of disposables and a generous supply of the Pampers Pur wipes to help get us through.

Bath Time

Bath tub and towels – 

We only have a shower at home so it was fairly essential that we registered for a little tub. I chose the Primo Euro bathtub because it is suitable for both newborns and then toddlers as baby gets bigger (it is large!) I had also registered for the PUJ hooded towels as they are just so big and soft! 

Hello Bello Wash, Shampoo, Lotion – 

Speaking of bath time, I am a huge fan of the Hello Bello line of wash and skincare options. We’ll have to hope that baby is too! Relatively inexpensive and all natural, I picked up the whole collection while I was in the States and registered for more! 

Sink Bath –

For when the baby is tiny (and for travel) the PUJ Flyte will be really handy. The clever design is used in the sink and it’s easy to fold up and take with you.

Feeding

Tommy Tippee Bottles in different sizes and Microwave Sterilizer – 

I plan to breastfeed, but I’m realistic about the benefits of pumping and of possibly needing to supplement with formula if breast milk isn’t enough. So I needed some bottles and a sterilizer. I also picked up some sterilizing pouches to keep in the change bag for when we are out of the house.

Haakaa – 

Speaking of breast feeding – I put the Haakaa on the list. I’ve heard great things from other mum’s. I plan to use it to collect let down milk while breastfeeding. 

Bibs –

Continuing with the beautiful A+A products – I registered for the matching bib set because (a) they are practial and (b) I just couldn’t help myself!

Nursing Pillow –

The Boppy pillow seems to have become something of a baby registry staple. Ideal for offering support during breast-feeding, especially for c-section mums. I bought the boppy without the cover and then added a water-resistant cover and a third-party slip cover with a design that I preferred.

Bed Time

Swaddles and wraps – 

We’re really hoping to swaddle baby Barefoot. Whether he/she responds well to being swaddled, we’ll soon find out. I have a couple of different types on my registry that have been recommended by various mum-friends and hopefully we’ll find one that suits. I have particularly high hopes for this one!

Muslins – 

You can’t have too many muslins, I think that this is baby law! Use them as blankets, nursing cover, sunshade, to mop up accidents, they are the multi-purpose workhouse of the baby arsenal! I registered for some gorgeous Aden+Anais muslin swaddle cloths as I have it on good authority that they are the softest around! 

Fisher Price Bassinet –

My two criteria for our bassinet were (a) that it was small enough to fit next to our bed and (b) that it had breathable mesh sides. There were many that fit this and they came at a lot of different price points.  I picked the Fisher Price bassinet as a mid-range option and it has a couple of additional features which we may or may not end up using (vibrations, lights and music). Ideally I don’t want baby Barefoot to get used to (and then need) all the bells and whistles in order to fall asleep. But I know that there will be some desperate times one night when we’ll need all the help we can get!  

Baby Monitor – 

My mama-friends swear by the Infant Optics Baby monitor so I was more than happy to go with their glowing recommendations. Great video function, night vision, two-way talk and lots of awards and accolades also helped me to decide on this one.

White Noise Machine –

There are lots of apps for baby white noise – but then you have to leave your phone or your ipad with the baby. Friends recommended two great white noise machines. Ewan the Shushing Sheep and the Skip Hop Stroll and Go Portable Sleep Soother.

Miscellaneous

Activity mat and toys – 

I really liked the sweet jungle theme of the Skip Hop Tropical Paradise play mat/activity gym. It also have some cute extras that you can take out and about like this matching stroller toy.

Thermometer – 

Don’t forget the really practical things – items like your ear and forehead thermometer are an essential. If you put them on your baby registry and you won’t forget to get one!

Infant First aid Kit –

We have an adult first aid kit – but I wanted a travel infant first aid kit to carry with us and stash in my change bag. This one was a great option.

Graco Duet Swing –

So one thing that I have picked up from all my mummy-friends is the importance of having somewhere that you can put the baby! An opportunity for some hands-free time when baby can be safely occupied. I chose this swing because you can also use it as a rocker. Hopefully the baby likes one of the functions.

Clothes – 

I kept this minimal – I know that people won’t be able to resist bringing cute tiny outfits. So I added more of the things I really need in place of too many clothes. I added a couple of bodysuits in larger sizes, since I have already received lots of 0-3 month items and hand-me-downs.

Pack n’ Play/Travel Crib –

I was really fortunate to have been gifted one of the Baby Bjorn travel cribs which is going to be a lifesaver when visiting friends and family. It packs up and has a carrying case for ease of transport.

You might notice that everything is gender neutral and mostly in shades of navy, white and grey. While we do now know what gender baby Barefoot is, I didn’t want too many stereotypically gender specific gifts. 

Pin or print my baby registry essentials checklist for future reference!

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY READING: First Trimester Pregnancy Favourites

There is a lot of debate about whether or not you should put the big ticket items on your baby registry (travel system, bassinet etc.) Personally I found that they made for great group gifts and I was lucky to receive my travel system from work, which was a very generous gift. Ultimately you only need to register for what you feel comfortable with – but I found it worthwhile to include them. Even if they are just there as a reminder of what you need, and you buy them for yourself after your baby shower.

Which baby registry essentials do you swear by? Do you have a certain gift that you always get for your friends and mums-to-be? Let me know in the comments.

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