The Baby Registry Survival Guide

🍼 Feeding

You’ll do this roughly 8,000 times a day.

Burp cloths (register for a lot — then double it)
Bibs — won’t need these for a few months, but when you do - YOU DO!
Bottles — pick one to two brands to start; your baby will choose a favorite
Bottle brush + drying rack
Bottle warmer — we tried the whole warm water in a mug thing and it’s fine if you have the time. But when you’re sleep deprived and your tiny human wants milk and wants it NOW — the bottle warmer becomes a game changer.

Breastfeeding? Also add: breast pump (your insurance may cover one — *free is a great price*). Add nursing pads, nipple cream and a nursing pillow.

❌ Optional Skip: Sterilizer. I can’t live without our baby brezza, but most moms say a dishwasher works perfectly fine! What works best for your family is ALWAYS best.

🚼 Diapering

Welcome to your new full-time hobby!

Diapers — a range of sizes, but don’t stockpile newborn (they grow fast!)
Wipes (you cannot have too many)
Diaper cream
Changing pad — strap it to a dresser you own = free changing table

❌ Definitely Skip: the wipe warmer. It’s basically a bacteria spa for your wipes and I don’t think I used a single warm wipe. What I did do was toss two bags of wipes worth into the trash because they dried out before I could get to them. I really do wish I used mine!

😴 Sleep

The currency your whole house now runs on.

Safe sleep, no jokes: baby sleeps on their back, on a firm flat surface, with nothing soft in there — no pillows, bumpers, or blankets.

Bassinet or crib + firm mattress
2-3 fitted sheets
3-5 swaddles or zip-up sleep sacks
White noise machine (you’ll thank me later!)
Blackout curtains (this will change your life - trust this tired momma)

👶 Clothes

Do your best and resist the tiny outfits. RESIST.

Onesies (short + long sleeve)
Sleepers — you can never have enough, but make sure to get the zipper kind, never ever get the snaps
Baby socks — despite vanishing immediately, you’ll need an endless supply to keep their tiny feet from getting too cold
Hats — get a variety of sizes. My teeny tiny baby didn’t fit most of hers until she was 3 months old and they are super important for regulating temperature
One “coming home” outfit for all your cutesy photos

❌ Unfortunately, Skip: baby shoes (those adorable little feet won’t be walking, so they become very cute keepsakes and that’s it) and a mountain of newborn-size clothes (they grow fast).

🛁 Bath & Grooming

Baby bath tub (just buy the simple one - it’ll make life incredibly easy)
Gentle baby wash + hooded towels
Soft washcloths
Grooming kit — so much easier than putting together all the individual items
Nasal aspirator — the NoseFrida is disgusting, but it works and your baby would thank you if they could speak.

🩺 Health & Safety

The short list of things that will have you thanking your lucky stars at 2am when chaos hits.

Baby thermometer
Infant acetaminophen, gas drops, saline drops, and Vitamin D
Basic first aid kit
Baby monitor

🚗 On the Go

The big-ticket items — let people gift these!

Car seat — an obvious, truly non-negotiable. Install it before the baby arrives!
Stroller — try to find one that pairs with your car seat (often called a “travel system”)
Baby wrap + carrier (I would actually get both! Wraps are easier for the newborn phase and pretty inexpensive. The carrier will be key when they get a little bigger)
Diaper bag — a backpack that you love will also do the trip just fine!

The Bottom Line

You won’t get this perfect — and that’s fine. You’ll panic-order something at 11pm like the rest of us. Your baby doesn’t need a flawless registry. They need to be fed, clean, warm, rested, and loved by someone who’s already doing their homework.

That’s you. You’ve got this. 💛