If you are reading this blog post, you are likely to be pregnant with your first little one or expecting more to join your family. Congratulations! These are our most used items from our ultimate baby registry checklist. It is a collection of essentials which will help you craft the perfect baby registry or give the best gift to your expecting friends and family.
Ideally, our family would like to reuse as many items as possible from one baby to the next. These are some big-ticket items, and some fun ones too, which we could not live a day without!
These are the top used items on our baby registry checklist which will have your essentials covered. Plus, they will be useful for future babies!
Sleep – Mika Micky Beside Bassinet
The Mika Micky is a bedside bassinet, which also can be transported easily between rooms. It can be used as stand alone bassinet or connect direct to a bed.
The bed connection allows for easy middle of the night nursing sessions. The Mika Micky is the bed we utilized until little one could roll over. We had her exclusively contact nap or sleep in the Mika Micky until she transitioned over to a crib full time.
This transportable bassinet not only moves easily on wheels but can be broken down within a matter of minutes (making it a good travel crib). It comes equipped with items to attach the bassinet to the bed and the crib mattress fit for an infant.
Though it does not come with a fitted sheet, the mattress has a waterproof cover. The cover is not loud when little one moves while sleeping. These are the fitted sheets we loved as they fit the mattress like a glove.
Bed and Nap time – Swaddles
Though swaddles are a topic of controversy (for safety reasons), we utilized them and loved them for our little one. Some little ones prefer to sleep with their arms free and others like to be a cocooned in.
The startle reflux often affects this for children and can wake them up easily if their arms and legs are not ‘contained’. We had a variety of swaddles throughout the first year.
The first sleeper we had was this one. This velcro was gentle enough not to startle our little one during middle of the night diaper changes. After little one started showing signs of rolling over, we implemented the “arms out” swaddle.
During the four month sleep regression (or sleep progression as we like to call it), we started utilizing the Merlin Suit. This Merlin Suit has a little extra weight to help suppress the startle reflux but not completely eliminate it. We transitioned out of the Merlin Suit because it was too warm in our house for her to sleep in it.
6+ Months – Sleep Sacks
After sleep swaddles, we transitioned into a this sleep sack. The sleep sack is similar to a swaddle, but legs are zipped together and arms are free to move from the shoulder down.
Our daughter stayed in this until we were ready to change her crib into a toddler bed. We then transitioned to a walking sleep sack as we knew she connected sleep with a zip up sleep sack and did not want to change her into zip up pjs for her naps.
As our daughter (almost 2 YO) is not a fan of blankets yet. Thankfully, sleeping sacks are a grown up version of the swaddle and can grow with a little one through time to provide comfort and security.
To keep the price of low, we did not buy different TOG swaddles / sleepers / sleep sacks. We kept our house a consistent heat and provided different layers and thickness of pajamas. This worked well for us and was a great way to save money!
Transportation – Stroller and Carseat
Our ‘big’ purchase was the UPPA Baby Vista 2 Stroller and Mesa infant car seat. We chose the UPPA Baby brand because of how diverse the pieces are, their reliability and the ease for transitioning between car, stroller and home.
The stroller and carseat were our most expensive purchases but it definitely worth it when comparing the items to other modern pieces where weight and installation are a focus. We did purchase the infant insert for our stroller though it came with a free bug net and rain screen protector.
We did debate on getting the Doona Infant Stroller, but knew we would not utilize this with a second little one due to the weight and not being able to utilize the attachments with another stroller.
Our only regret was not purchasing the double stroller (the ‘Cruz 2’) because it would have allowed us to easily walk with two (or more).
Feeding (Milk) – Breast Pump and Bottles
While not a glamorous item for a baby registry checklist, breast pumps can be a good idea. In today’s day and economy, it is not always an option for a caregiver to stay home and be with their little one without returning to work.
Children often go to childcare or daycare centers while mothers return back to work a few short months after birth.
I am lucky to work part in person and part remote. Because of this, I utilized a breast pump to continue by breastfeeding journey upon completing my maternity leave for my first little one.
Though we can not reuse the breast pump from my first pregnancy due to the amount of hours I pumped on it, I will purchase the same brand.
My favorite breast pump was the Spectra S1, which I received FREE through insurance. Also on my list of items for breastfeeding was the ladybug Haaka, burp cloths, and the Boppy nursing pillow. The ladybug Haaka which was helpful to catch milk letdown during the first few months where milk supply is at an all time high. There are a variety of breast pumps to fit each persons needs and breast size.
Provided little one takes bottles, we will provide breastmilk in them while I am away at work. We like these Dr. Brown’s Bottles as they have a similarly shaped nipple to mom and have additional filters to help reduce gas as much as possible.
Additionally, all we have to purchase is a new set of nipples for the bottles – which is less than $10 total!
Feeding (Solids) – Skip Hop 4-in-1 Highchair
The Skip Hop 4-in-1 high chair is a staple in our household. We did a lot of research on an ergonomic high chair and baby led weaning for our little one. Our goal was to feel confident from the beginning of the journey. Additionally, we wanted a chair which could grow with little one.
The highchair can convert into four different styles. While our daughter (almost 2 years old) is utilizing it as a booster seat at our dining room table, we will covert it back to a high chair for our next little one. After all the kiddos are done using the chair, we can transition it into a toddler chair. If you would like to read more about essentials for a baby led weaning journey.
Teething Must Haves – Teething Sticks
These teething sticks were essential in our first few months. Our daughter utilized them to map her mouth which helped her with exploring food while baby led weaning.
These were also great for teething and to help little one understand depth perception with items in her hand. Side note, they may become a “spit flinger” when little one pulls them out of their mouth and flings the spit directly at your face as they grow older.
Toys – Mushie Stacking Cups
Toys are a must on a baby registry checklist! We received the Mushie Stacking Cups during our baby shower. Two years in and these stackable cups make a frequent appearance in our toy rotation.
Whether these are built into a tower and knocked over, used for stacking practice, or placed within the bathtub, they are a versatile toy. Also, they can be fun for outdoor (or indoor) water play because of the holes at the bottom of the cups which allow water to pass through slowly.
Bathing – Bathtub and Bath Soap
This foldable sink bathtub is one item we will use for our little ones to come. It fits perfectly within our bathroom sink and can easily hang on the side of the washing machine to dry.
The foldable sink bathtub was a great size from birth until 5-1/2 months. At this point, we transferred our little one to the bathtub as she had outgrown the sink bathtub and was able to sit independently for a short period of time.
Our favorite bath soap was Babyganics Unscented Shampoo and Foaming Body Soap. This soap doubled as a body wash and hair wash for our little one. Ranking a ‘3’ on EWG, we are confident this soap is a good fit for what is readily available. This soap lasted our family 20 months of use due to spaced out bath time routines.
Diapering and Elimination Communication
This baby registry checklist item is one for further into the first year and beyond- potty training. During the first few months of our little ones life, we used disposable diapers full time.
I researched cloth diapers but felt overwhelmed so we began elimination communication to meet in the middle. Around nine months old, we started introducing the OXO potty chair to practice elimination communication. Our first little one became diaper free by 18 months old.
We saved a lot of money by purchasing our diapers and wipes through Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club has the ‘off brand’ of Pampers Diapers and Costco has the ‘off brand’ of Huggies Diapers, at a fraction of the cost.
Additionally, instead of utilizing a diaper genie or diaper pail, we purchased unscented potty bags and tossed them in a dollar store trash can which was taken out daily. We also had a diaper bag, changing pad and diaper cream on hand.
Laundry – Stain Spray
While not a fun item on a baby registry, stain spray is an essential baby product. My favorite stain sprays include Miss Mouth’s Messy Spray and Puracy Stain Remover.
Miss Messy Mouth’s Spray is wonderful for messy blowouts to fruit stains. It works best at stains from berries and other acidic foods. Simply spray and watch the magic happen before your eyes!
Once children roll around in the dirt a bit more and happen to get into oily or chocolate items, we prefer the Puracy spray. It works best on set in stains whether it be from outdoor play or a messy meal. We even use it when my husband or I get stains from cooking (or grilling!)
Wifi-Free Baby Monitor
A wifi-free baby monitor may be a must-have item on a baby registry checklist. For this reason, we purchased the Infant Optics baby monitor. As a bonus the DXR-8 Pro version can be connected to multiple cameras. Plus, it was ‘free’ from Buy Buy Baby due to our prior purchases (looking at you – stroller and carseat combo!).
Our top reason for picking this camera is because it does not connect to wifi. While it would be great to check in our little one while one of is not at home, we do not like the thought of other people potentially hacking it.
Additionally, it stays charged for hours, has a 180 degree view and was relatively cheap compared to others on the market. To keep her sleeping well, we used a sound machine on the white noise setting to help ensure the best sleep possible.
Clothing
Because we purchased gender neutral clothing and will have our next little one during the same time of the year as our first, we will be reusing as much clothing as possible!
We have clothing which was purchased first hand, items which were passed down by family members and items from Goodwill or Facebook marketplace. Clothing is an easy item to reuse if it was taken care of – plus they grow out of it so quick it barely has any wear and tear!
Prenatal classes (Including breastfeeding course)
Our final baby registry checklist item is – prenatal courses. Though not typically ‘given’, people can contribute money towards them. From breastfeeding to infant CPR, how to install a carseat to postpartum recovery, there are classes for everything to help new parents feel comfortable with their new baby. Prenatal courses are important!
For breastfeeding, I took this course through Karing for Postpartum, by Karrie Locher. I have mentioned her page before on my blog about getting a free breast pump. This course, combined with following her Instagram, helped me have a successful breastfeeding journey for just shy of 18 months! I will be reviewing this course again prior to having our next second child and pray this breastfeeding journey goes well.
MamasteFit Review
I took a Childbirth Education Course through MamasteFit for my first. Because my little one came earlier than anticipated, we made it up until the pushing section. My husband and I dedicated 30 minutes to an hour a few times a week before my first pregnancy. I felt prepared for what labor entailed never having witnessed one before.
I will be reviewing this course again with my husband to ensure we are knowledgeable about labor and delivery. Even though I have given birth before, I am excited to go into this pregnancy with more knowledge and a few months of pelvic floor therapy to help aid in an even better labor experience and postpartum recovery. For postpartum recovery after my first, I used MamasteFit’s Postpartum Return to Fitness program.
This pregnancy, I did purchase the MamasteFit Prenatal 40 week fitness program as I throughly enjoy their other courses and programs. This program has five home gym workouts per week, though I manage to complete three regularly.
I alternate between one upper, one lower and one pelvic floor focused day. I combine the pelvic floor day with one of the cardio from upper or lower days. Additionally we walk as a family 2-3 times per week and average at least 12k – 20k steps per day. I will say there is an immense difference in a first pregnancy to subsequent when it comes to overall daily movement!
Baby Registry Locations
There are a variety of great places to host a baby registry. Most major stores including Target, Amazon and even sites like Babylist have great options for baby registries. Certain sites, like the Amazon Baby Registry, will reward you with a completion discount so you can receive a percentage off your favorite baby registry list items.
What items will you reuse from one pregnancy to another? Share in the comments below!
Joaquin Riley