Registry Notes: Part I

Things for the first few days and weeks

So…you really don’t need much stuff when bring home your baby. Diapers and wipes, a safe place to sleep, and a few onesies would be the most minimalist version of this list – add in bottles, formula, or nipple cream, depending on how you’re feeding your baby, and of course a charging cord because you’re going to be taking a LOT of photos of this new family member.

And yet! So, so many clients ask me about what to put on their baby registries – so many, in fact, that I’ve started offering “registry review” as one of my doula services!

For some, creating a registry is a way to begin imagining life after the baby arrives. For others, it’s a much needed way to offset the cost of all the baby gear that you will eventually need. And for still others, its a way to make sure that mom’s neighbor Sally doesn’t show up at the baby shower with a giant light up rocking horse that won’t even fit through the doorway of your New York City apartment. Whatever the reason you’re creating a baby registry, below you’ll find favorite, time-tested items that I’ve used with clients, friends, and with my own kids.

An important note: many, many of these items can be found secondhand! Some have a very short window of use, so I always recommend asking friends, checking your local Buy Nothing group, looking on Facebook Marketplace, or asking your doula (people love to pass things along to us)! That said, if you do want to buy new, I’ve included links below. Most are my Amazon Affiliate links, so as an Amazon Affiliate I’ll earn a commission if you click on those (thanks!).

• Place for baby to sleep + pre-washed sheets

  • There are many, many options out there: bassinets, mini cribs, travel cribs – some stroller bassinets are even rated safe for sleep!

• Diapers Etc.

• You may need to try different brands and sizes to see what works for your baby. Babylist has a variety box of diapers, or you can DIY a pack of several brands through Diaper Dabbler.

• You’ll probably also want to have diaper cream on hand in case of any irritation or rashes. Some brands I like: A&D; Aquaphor; Balmex; Earth Mama; Triple Paste

• Wipes, wipes, all the wipes! Here are some brands I like because they have no added fragrance, and are gentle on baby’s skin: Water Wipes; Honest; Pampers Sensitive; Pampers Pure 

• Changing pad: I recommend the Keekaroo Peanut changing pad (or something similar), as it’s much easier to wipe (or, ahem, hose) off than it is to clean a fabric situation. In the beginning you might want to use a burp cloth or swaddle on top so that it doesn’t feel too cold. 

• Rubbing alcohol and Q-tips or cotton balls for cleaning the umbilical stump

• Feeding

  • A nursing pillow, which is also nice for bottle feeding, is great to support babies in their early (read: tiny and not so strong) days. I like the My Brest Friend because it’s firm, and can be strapped higher or lower on the body.

  • If you plan on nursing/body feeding, here are some nice to haves:

    • A Haaka pump has a variety of uses, from catching milk on the opposite side from which baby is feeding, to gently expressing milk before baby latches if letdown is too fast/forceful, to relieving engorgement.

    • Milk catchers that go inside a bra can be good for starting to build up a fridge or freezer supply if baby will be bottle-fed with expressed milk: Haaka Ladybug; Milkies Milk-Saver

    • Nursing pads prevent soaking through a bra/t-shirt. The come in reusable (these were my favorite) and disposable (good for carrying in a diaper bag or purse).

    • Nursing bras and tanks come in so many styles. A few that worked for me and that I’ve recommended for clients:

      • Kindred Bravely has high quality, comfortable options

      • The Bodily Everything Bra was great not only for nursing but also during pregnancy

      • Crossover-style bras (H&M has good ones!)

      • There are combination nursing/pumping bras, and specific pumping-only bras (for hand free pumping) that are nice to have on hand!

• Baby Spa

  • In the early days, you can just use warm water and a washcloth to clean your baby! In fact, before the umbilical stump falls off, your baby shouldn’t take a full-body bath. After that, you can use any gentle baby soap – but the one that has that insanely delicious “baby” smell has gotta be Mustela.

  • Nail clippers/scissors/file. Those babes are born with little razor blades on the ends of their fingers! These Friday Baby clippers are my preferred tool, but you can also use scissors – I’ve always heard good things about the Pigeon Nail Scissor, but any small scissors will do!

• Additional Basics

  • Pre-washed baby clothes: hand-me-downs are especially helpful for these early weeks when babies grow so, so fast!

    • "Kimono style" tops are nice because you don’t have to pull them over baby’s head

    • For footie pajamas, zips are wayyyy better than snaps, especially as the baby gets bigger and squirmier. We also liked the magnetic closure ones.

• Swaddles can be…confusing. The receiving blankets they give you at the hospital can be used to swaddle a baby, as can the larger muslin swaddles (like these Aden & Anais ones). Then there are more structured swaddles, so that you can velcro/zip/snap baby in. The act of swaddling helps keep baby from startling themselves awake (the startle is a reflex they grow out of!).

• I always recommend one or two “baby parking spots” as I call them. My favorites are the Baby Bjorn Bouncer and the Dockatot.