How to tackle your first baby registry | The 10 Items you need & a few more!

When it came time to start our baby registry, I felt beyond overwhelmed! I knew nothing about changing diapers or breastfeeding a newborn. Being that this is our first child there was so much to learn, and so many burning questions. I ended up just delaying the process because I didn’t want to face the music or nipple cream.

So what do you need and how do you know what you need when you haven’t even held your baby in your arms? I started making a list. I asked my new mommy friends, read a lot on google, and read other bloggers advice. The reviews on most items are more than helpful and honest.

It turns out a majority of the general population will say that you do not need much at the beginning other than an excellent bassinet, your boob, a pump, and diapers. The rest will come with time, and each child has his or her unique likes and dislikes. My takeaway, keep all the baby shower receipts!

I would also like to are a few thoughts on where we decided to register and why. We ended up going with Crate and Kids (formerly Land of Nod), Pottery Barn Kids, and Target.  I wanted a place where my mother’s aged friends could walk into the store and order an item or possibly even walk out with it wrapped in hand.

All three have excellent return policies with or without a receipt and offer you a fulfillment discount to use towards anything you have left on your registry. We purchased our glider and crib, and I was able to use the discount on both pieces! The most significant selling point for me personally was that these gift cards each work at their respective store’s family of brands. So anything purchased at Pottery Barn Kids can be used across any of the brands same for Target and Crate and Barrel! Such a win for everyone!

I ended up straying away from BabyList only because John and I found the overall user experience to be less than thrilling. I know that is most likely not the popular vote, but I found registering at three different locations was more comfortable for us and our registry needs. Go with what works best for you! These are all just a suggestion.

1. CARSEAT – I spent a lot of time researching car seat options. I ended up loving the Nuna System based on reviews and the fact that Pottery Barn Kids carries the entire lineup. In my opinion, the car seat is the most critical item on the list. I went with the Nuna Lite. I added an extra base so we could pop one in John’s car and not have to order two car seats! These guys are expensive! Do the research and be sure you have it installed correctly so your new fragile family can all head out the hospital doors together.
2. STROLLER – I am smitten with our stroller! I was initially leaning towards the Uppa Baby, but Nuna is the first to come out with a rival stroller called the Demi Grow! I love that this one would accommodate baby #2 should that be in the future, either way, it is a beautiful stroller, and it is a lot more affordable than Uppa, and has rave reviews! The mommy bloggers out there take their reports with severe conviction! Also, this stroller and car seat are both available at Pottery Barn Kids so it was the perfect item to add to my registry!
3. DIAPER CHANGING STATION – I cannot tell you how excited I am about this find. One of my mommy friends of two beautiful boys said to me about this Diaper Changer. Not only does it not require extra sheets or changing covers, but made of a soft material that provides the perfect area to change those diapers multiple times a day especially at 2 in the morning when you are delirious!
4. WHITE NOISE – If you have not read the Happiest Baby on the Block, then add it to your summer reading list if you are expecting! I have been using a white noise machine for years as I am the worst sleeper around. Theories have proven that a newborn wants to be back in the womb for what they call the fourth trimester. The swooshing and loud noises are what makes them happiest so grab yourself a white noise machine, there are a million options. I have a travel version, large version, one that clicks onto the stroller, white noise is a win! I am a big fan of these and have shared them a few times. Every room in our house has one; I even have one packed in my hospital bag! 
5. BASSINET – I thought long and hard before leaping the right bassinet, and after much deliberation, I went for the Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet. I will confess that I purchased this on a steal of a deal over a holiday and I set it to ship closer to our due date in mid-July. They offer customers a money back guarantee, so I wanted to be sure it did not arrive too early! The Snoo was developed by the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block (I have talked about this book before) and it includes a built-in white noise machine, a swaddle, and movement. There is also an app to track your babies sleep cycles.  SOLD! I cannot wait to tell you more about it!
6. GLIDER – There is a lot of discussion surrounding which is right for you, a glider or rocker for your nursery! My most significant piece of advice is to go in and sit in every single one you are considering. I registered for two different gliders originally, and after much reading, sales associate feedback, and personal testing I landed on this one and ordered it in a high-performance fabric so it will hopefully last. They also offer legs to transform this custom piece into a chair post-baby needs. *I would order this early as it can take some time to arrive, mine is still in transit!
7. OWLET SMART SOCK– There are conflicting feelings on this little tiny and expensive technologically advanced smart sock, but I know myself, and I think it is going to be a game-changer. I find myself checking in on the poodles to see if they are breathing. I can only imagine how many times I would do this with a baby! I am already a terrible sleeper, and I worry a bit too much so I am rolling with this and cannot wait to try it out. I read a ton of reviews, and it appears some of the kinks worked out so I will keep you posted as time progresses. This sock tracks your sleeping babies heart rate, oxygen, and alerts you if something is wrong.
8. SLEEP SACKS – Hospitals, Baby Classes, and new parents all swear by these Halo Sleep Sacks. I am pretty sure the hospital even sends you home with one of these bad boys! They help take the guesswork out of swaddling and make your life a little easier! Replacing blankets that can cover your babies face and cause issues, the sleep sack keeps baby safe while immobilizing him for sounder sleep. And they come in multiple color options too!
9. BOUNCER – There one million bouncers so where do you even begin? Start reading and watching videos and ask around. Every single kid is different so keep your receipts, for instance, most recommended the mamaroo but after a lot of conversations, I have heard conflicting feelings on this expensive swing. Most say that by the time you are ready for it the kid is growing out of it, large to store, and not all babies are fans of this swing. So I returned it, and instead went with this one. My biggest takeaway was the fact that it stores easily, lightweight, no cords or plugs required, and it grows with your child. For the money, it makes sense that this is an item you can use until the child is 2!
10. BABY MONITOR – I love this monitor! Probably my most researched item of all the items in the above list! 340 reviewers gave this five stars, hard to achieve! The video is clear during day and night, the zoom feature allows you to get up close and personal on baby, and the battery lasts. Of course, everyone has issues about something so find what works for you! I also love that it is chic and has two lenses.

A few others to mention:

PACK N PLAY, ERGO BABY CARRIER, MUNCHKIN PAIL, DIAPER BAG, DOCK-A-TOT, NIGHT LIGHT, HIGH CHAIR, DRESSER, TOPPER, CRIB, CRIB MATTRESS, MILK STORAGE BAGS, MILK SAVER, HANDHELD PUMP, BOTTLE STERILIZER, BOTTLE WARMER