You’re having a baby! Congratulations!!! It’s time to create a baby registry which, if you ask me, is one of the most fun parts of being pregnant. It brought me so much joy to scroll through the tiny, adorable baby items and dream about what our life would be like with our little one. Now that baby Noelle is 5 months old, we’ve had time to test everything out, decide what we loved and hated, and buy even more stuff! I did all of the researching and testing-out so you don’t have to! I wrote these recommendations just as if you and I were sitting across from each other chatting over a cup of coffee. I hope you find them helpful!

As far as the actual registry, we primarily used Amazon. Some perks you’ll enjoy are a welcome gift box, free shipping, thousands of products to choose from, 90+ day return window, and two registry completion discount codes for 20% off anything from your registry! We used the completion discount to buy things we needed but didn’t get from my baby shower, and then a few months later for new items we discovered that we needed. You can also use Amazon to create a diaper fund.

Travel System
Uppababy Vista V2 (stroller) & Mesa (carseat)
Before I was even pregnant, I heard rave reviews about the Uppababy travel system. But I had sticker shock when I saw the $1,400 price tag! It must have been fate, because I was gifted a gently used Mesa carseat and paid just $450 for a gently used Vista V2 stroller with the bassinet and rumble seat attachments. Now that I’ve spent some time with this travel system, I would spend $1,400 for it any day because I think it is worth every penny! The stroller is super lightweight and easy to fold and unfold. It also steers like a dream! The bottom storage compartment can hold so much. I even use it to store groceries while I shop– I don’t need a cart! There are two attachment spots, so the stroller could fit 2 babies, 2 kids, or a baby and a kid. All of the attachments (carseat, bassinet, rumble seat) easily click right in and out of the stroller at the push of a button. No lie, I can take out the stroller, unfold it, unclick Noelle’s carseat from the base and click her into the stroller in less than 10 seconds. It makes getting out of the house a breeze! We also got some handy accessories that I love, like the leather handle bar covers, carry-all storage organizer, and snack tray. Since the carseat clicks right into and out of the carseat base, we purchased two extra (one for Borys’ car and one for my mom’s car). It’s so much easier than detaching and reinstalling the carseat to go into different people’s cars.

Sleep
Dream On Me Skylar Bassinet
Some people will tell you that you don’t need a bassinet and to just use a pack n’ play. I strongly disagree! From the night we came home from the hospital, I loved having baby right next to me– just an arm’s reach away. This bassinet pushes up against the side of your bed and has a drop-down side that unzips. We just leave it down all of the time so I have easy access to her, which is especially handy for replacing pacifiers that have fallen out in the middle of the night or just letting her hold my finger. It comes with a safety-certified mattress, so you just need sheets. Also, this bassinet is large, so baby Noelle still fits inside with plenty of room even at 5 months old!

Burt’s Bees Baby Bassinet Sheets
We liked the Burt’s Bees brand 100% jersey cotton sheets in white (easy to bleach, since they’ll get covered in spit-up). I recommend buying two or more sets of bassinet sheets because you’ll be washing them pretty frequently.

Satin Bassinet Sheets
We eventually switched from cotton sheets to satin sheets in an attempt to help hair grow back on her bald spot. Haha! I really think these sheets are helping.

Ollie Swaddle
From birth to 3 months, swaddling is absolutely essential for baby to get good sleep. We tried several different swaddles when Noelle was a newborn, including the Swaddle Me and Halo. Once we tried the Ollie swaddle, we knew it was just what we needed. It came highly recommended by Cara from the Taking Cara Babies course and is super simple to use. You just lay it out flat, put baby in the middle, pull one side tightly over the baby, pull the other side over, velcro it, and tie the bottom in a knot. Swaddling with blankets is not easy, but using the Ollie is a breeze! It’s tight while still being stretchy, is breathable, and secure. Baby Noelle had a tough time breaking free from this one.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit
Once baby turns 3 months old, it’s time to transition to a sleepsuit or sleep sack. At this age, baby may be able to roll over in the night, so we want them to have their arms free to prevent suffocation. Several of my friends recommended this sleepsuit and we are obsessed! The cotton version is cool to the touch so baby won’t overheat. It gives baby enough compression to calm them (like a swaddle did) and help them feel secure, while still having control over their limbs. An added bonus is that baby looks like the cutest little marshmallow puff while they’re in it! We zip Noelle in her sleepsuit each night, place her in the bassinet, and she’s out like a light! It comes in two sizes (3-6 months and 6-9 months), so we plan to use these suits until she outgrows them.

Hatch Rest+ Sound Machine
This little device is powerful! It works as a sound machine (it gets super loud, which is great!), night light, clock, audio monitor (you can hear what’s happening in the nursery), and time-to-rise indicator (light changes color to let toddlers and kids know when they can get out of bed). Everything on the Hatch is controlled by touch on the device or through the Hatch app on your phone. On the app you can change the colors, sounds, volume, brightness, set timers, and use the audio monitor feature. Once Noelle gets older, we’ll definitely be using the time-to-rise indicator to help her learn when to stay in bed and when it’s time to get up!

Owlet Sleep Sock 3
Out of ALL of our baby gear, this is the one item I couldn’t live without. The Owlet gives me immeasurable peace of mind. We put the little sock on her foot before bedtime each night. It tracks her heart rate and oxygen levels, and will alarm if they drop to an unsafe level. There’s a base station that sits on my nightstand and is lit up green if all of her stats are healthy, blinks yellow and plays a lullaby if baby is wiggling and it can’t get a reading, or flashes red and loudly sirens if stats drop. Some parents have complained about getting too many false alarms, but we have never had one! The Owlet app, itself, is amazing! It lets you watch baby’s stats in real time and tracks their sleep in a graph. I know that Owlet recently had to change the app’s capabilities, so it may not alarm when O2 or heart rate drop or track certain metrics anymore. (But if you already had the app installed, the features will stay.) I would check and make sure it currently has all of the features you want! If you really want the alarm feature and Owlet still isn’t offering it, check out the Snuza Hero SE (clips to the diaper and tracks breathing), Sense-U (also clips onto the diaper), Nanit system, or Angelcare system. BUT, I understand that this isn’t for everyone. For some moms, this may increase their anxiety instead of calm it. Do what works for you and helps you sleep at night.

DXR8-Pro Video Baby Monitor
This monitor system is just what we were looking for! For safety purposes, it doesn’t connect to wifi. My favorite features are the high-def 5″ LCD display, ability to move camera angle and zoom through the monitor, and colorful volume display (color changes based on how loud baby is). The monitor is easy to use, has a loud speaker, and even tells you the time and temperature of the room.

Baby Monitor Mount
This handy little mount is easy to install. You just push the springs apart and it clips right onto the edge of the crib– no drilling involved!

Storkcraft Crib
I chose this crib for its classic look, excellent reviews, and because it’s convertible. It can be used as a crib, toddler bed, daybed, or full bed, so I know we’ll be using it for a long time. Our particular model is the Solstice but it can be tricky to find. I linked the Rylan below, which is very similar and has all the same features.

Newton Crib Mattress
It’s pricy for a crib mattress but this is another product that gives me immense peace of mind! It’s 100% breathable, so baby can bury their face into the mattress and still breathe normally. I tested it out myself– it’s true! You can also hose the mattress off if it gets dirty, which is cool. Haven’t had to do that yet!

HonestBaby Cotton Crib Sheets
In order for the Newton mattress to stay 100% breathable, you need 100% cotton sheets. These sheets are nice and soft. I chose white because it’s easy to bleach spit-up stains out of and it serves as a nice backdrop for pictures I take of her on her back in the crib.

Swings, Bouncers & Activity Centers

Graco DuetSoothe Swing & Rocker
Oh, the swing saga. I WISH we had this swing when Noelle was a newborn. It took a lot of trial and error to find a swing she enjoyed. First we tried the Munchkin Bluetooth Swing and she hated it. Then we tried the Mamaroo and she hated that, too. On a whim, I bought a used Graco DuetSoothe Swing off of Facebook Marketplace and Noelle just so happened to love it! Victory! I think she feels more secure in this swing and enjoys the big side-to-side motions. It’s a relief to have somewhere to put her while I wash dishes or get ready in the morning. It also has some cool features like a vibrating seat (if you choose to turn that on) and the ability to detach the swing portion and use it as a rocker on the floor!

Baby Bjorn Bouncer
We were gifted a hand-me-down Baby Bjorn bouncer and baby Noelle loves it! It gives her plenty of support and can be used with babies from 8-29 lbs. I have her toy bar attached and she loves to bounce and play with the toys. The cover is removable and washable, which is nice, and the bouncer folds up completely flat so it’s easy to store and transport. The price is a little steep, but you can find lots of good dupes on Amazon!

Skip Hop Activity Center
We tried other activity centers (like the cute Finding Nemo one), but this one is perfect! I like that it has the adjustable base plate on the bottom so baby can stand (versus dangling), which is better for their little hips! All of the toys are removable and you can switch where they’re located. Noelle finds the toys really fun and engaging. There’s also a little light-up piano that can sit on the base plate or up on the tray. Another great feature is that the activity center can be converted into a table-top activity center or just a little table when baby gets older. They even sell chairs to go with it!

Baby Carriers
Ergobaby Embrace
It took me 5 months to discover it, but I finally found a carrier that I love! I highly, highly recommend it! This one combines the ease-of-use and structure of the Infantino Flip with the softness and comfort of the Solly. I wish I had this from day one! Noelle loves to be held, so this lets me hold her while getting stuff done. She also takes her longest naps in carriers. This one is designed for babies that are 8-25 lbs.

Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier
This was the first carrier we used and is designed for babies 8-32 lbs. At $20, it’s very affordable and I liked how structured it is. I was too scared to put our teeny tiny newborn in a wrap– I was worried I’d do it wrong and she would fall out. It’s not the most comfortable carrier, especially as she’s gotten bigger, but it’s definitely secure and it’s easy to use. One thing I didn’t like was where the buckles are placed. Noelle tended to turn her face to the side to sleep in the carrier, so her face always ended up pushed against the buckles. However, there are 4 different ways to position baby with this carrier. You can even wear the carrier like a backpack! So we will definitely be holding onto it, just to have options.

Solly Baby Wrap
This is a wrap-style carrier. So basically it’s a super long piece of fabric that you learn to wrap around yourself to hold baby. There are lots of instruction videos on YouTube. I just could never figure it out or get it quite right. It was always too tight or too loose, and I never really felt like Noelle was secure inside. But I do have friends that LOVE this wrap and swear by it, so to each their own! This wrap can hold babies 8-25 lbs.

Feeding
Comotomo Baby Bottle Bundle
These bottles are awesome! They consist of two pieces: the bottle and the nipple/cap. This makes them so easy to wash– much, much easier than the 5-piece Dr. Brown’s bottles full of valves and straws. The bottles are flexible and made of silicone. They’re dishwasher and microwave safe. The bundle comes with collars (the colorful rings in the pictures) and 3 different levels of nipples. Once baby is ready to progress to a nipple with a faster flow, simply pop the old nipples out of the collars and insert the new nipple.

Gerber Good Start Gentle Pro Formula
We tried so many different formulas prior to finding this one. Noelle was having gas pains and was spitting up tons. I actually paid for a personalized formula recommendation from The Formula Fairy and this was her number one suggestion based on Noelle’s symptoms. She said it’s one of her favorite formulas on the market because of how gentle it is and how well most babies tolerate it. As soon as we switched, I saw a huge improvement in Noelle’s tummy issues. You can also use the generic equivalent found at Walmart called Parents’ Choice Tender formula. It’s about half the price!

Muslin Burp Cloths
These burp cloths are big, soft, and absorbent! I chose white ones so I could bleach the spit-up stains out.

Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher
This pitcher saved me during maternity leave when we spent the whole day at home. Just add water (up to 32 oz.) and the corresponding amount of powder formula. Use the handle on top to mix all the formula, then stick it in the fridge. When you need to make a bottle, just pour the pre-prepared formula into baby’s bottle! Formula is good for up to 24 hours in the fridge. An added bonus is that pre-prepared formula has no bubbles, so it can help reduce gas and spit-up for baby!

Formula Dispenser
I have one of these in my diaper bag at all times– it’s perfect for formula feeding on the go! I portion out servings of formula in the little containers. They all connect and I just move empty ones to the bottom of the tower once I use them.

OXO Tot Bottle Drying Rack
This drying rack holds so much! We actually have two of them side-by-side on our kitchen counter at the “bottle station.” Two side-by-side hold 8 bottles, 8 nipples, 8 caps in a cup, syringes in a cup, a big tub of formula, and all of our baby medicine and supplements. I like that ALL of our bottle supplies are contained on these racks, which frees up counter space for us.

Dr. Brown’s Bottle Brush
This little brush is just what you need for washing bottles! The top is a sponge and the rest has bristles, so it gets bottles clean quickly with minimal scrubbing. It has a suction cup holder at the bottom and the brush pops in and out. We have ours suctioned to the side of the sink. We used the same brush for 3 months and it held up great– we just decided to get a new one for sanitary reasons.

Little Remedies Gripe Water
We used this a ton when Noelle was a newborn and having tummy issues. Gripe water is not a medicine, but more like a natural remedy. It works to relieve baby’s gas, colic, and hiccups. You just give it to them in a syringe. Noelle loved taking gripe water because it tastes sweet.

Mylicon Gas Drops
Noelle likes taking these, too, because of the yummy flavor. Luckily, these drops are powerful and work almost instantly to relieve gas pain! You can give them to baby up to 12 times a day, which is awesome!

Abiie Beyond Wooden High Chair
We chose this highchair because of its minimalist design. I feel like so many highchairs on the marketplace are big and clunky with fabric and all sorts of nooks and crannies you have to clean out. This one has an adjustable seat and foot rest, and the tray detaches for easy cleaning. It actually holds up to 250 lbs (wow!) so it can be used as a regular chair at the dining table once your child is older. These are the high chairs we use during feeding therapy at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, so you know they’re good! The cushions and chairs come in lots of different color combos. You can even order extra cushions and switch out colors if you want!

BEST First Stage Spoons
These spoons have shallow, flexible silicone bowl which makes them perfect for feeding babies. Noelle is able to get all of the food off of the spoon since the bowl is flexible, and she enjoys gnawing on it. They hold up well in the dishwasher, and I’m always a sucker for those cute colors!

Munchkin Suction Bowls
Did you know that you should portion out only the amount of baby food you plan to use in that sitting? Once a spoon has touched baby’s mouth, it shouldn’t go back into a baby food jar/container unless it’s all going to be consumed in that sitting. Germs from the baby’s mouth can cause bacteria to grow in the food. We don’t want that! We often portion small amounts of food into these bowls during feeds. My favorite part is that the bottom has suction so it sticks to the highchair tray! I don’t have to worry about Noelle batting it off the tray and making a mess. So nice!

Silicone Bibs
These little bibs have a pocket to catch any food and or mess and are super easy to clean.

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Food Storage Containers
These containers are great! They’re sturdy, stackable, and I really like the storage tray that comes with them. OXO makes these in smaller sizes, too!

But what about a bottle warmer? We never even tried using one. The first bottle we gave Noelle was cold and she took it right away. There’s actually no medical reason to serve bottles warmed, unless baby is a preemie and can’t spare the extra couple calories it takes to digest cold milk (vs. warmed).

Diapering
Huggies Little Snugglers
I did SO much research when it came to diapers. We also tried out several brands (like Pampers, Honest, Millie Moon, and Kirkland’s), but that just confirmed to us that Huggies really are the best! Noelle very rarely has blowouts and I’m certain it’s because of the pockets located at the waistband and around the legs. The structure of the diaper just makes it hard for them to leak. Huggies are super absorbent and are gentle on skin. My favorite place to buy diapers in bulk is through Target! They’re always having deals where you spend $100 on diapers/wipes and you get a $25 gift card, or spend $75 and get a $15 gift card, etc.

Pampers Sensitive Wipes
I also did a lot of research on wipes! These wipes are the best! They’re always moist (a dried-out wipe is useless) and they are fragrance-free, which is the healthiest option for baby. Just trust me and use these wipes!

OXO Tot Perfect Pull Wipes Container
This wipes container is a must-have! You just set a stack of wipes inside the container and then place the weight on top. This weight holds the wipes in place, but also has a hole in the middle for pulling the wipes out. Wipes are easy to pull out and don’t get stuck together. To open the container, you just push down on the lid and it pops right open. This container also keeps wipes nice and moist.

Dog Poop Bags
Companies make bags specifically for diapers, but they always end up costing more. We just use regular dog poop bags for poopy diapers, both at home and on-the-go. Yes, we bag every poopy diaper at home! It makes a huge difference– our diaper pail never smells!

Dekor Diaper Pail
I love this diaper pail. It’s minimalist, the perfect size, and holds about a week’s worth of diapers. My favorite feature is that it’s hands-free, so you just step to open it. It does a great job containing smells and it’s easy to change out the bags. The other popular pail on the market is the Ubbi but it’s not hands-free (which I think is an essential feature when you’re juggling a baby and a dirty diaper)!

Dekor Diaper Pail Refills
Yes, the Dekor does require special bags but it is so worth it for the convenience and smell factors! Noelle is 5 months old and we’ve only gone through one box so far. You can get way more bang for your buck with this off-brand.

Resinol Diaper Cream
Noelle recently had a bad case of diaper rash following a tummy bug. We tried several other brands of diaper cream/paste (like Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, A+D, and Desitin), but nothing worked as well as Resinol. When I took Noelle to the pediatrician, she asked what cream we were using. When I told her ‘Resinol,’ she said that that’s a great, strong cream.

Bumco Diaper Rash Cream Applicator
This little gadget is just what you need for applying diaper cream. Just scoop the diaper cream onto the spatula, spread it generously on baby, then wipe the cream off the spatula with a wipe. You definitely don’t want to have to use your fingers to spread diaper cream on baby’s sensitive areas– so messy! The spatula even has a suction cup on the bottom so it stands up straight on the changing table. It’s great!

Baby Changing Basket
I considered several other trendy changing pads like the Keekaroo, Hatch, Little Tikes, and Skip Hop changing pads. I even went so far as to buy the pink Little Tikes pad but it was so big and ugly. Haha! I loved the dainty look of the woven basket changing pads but was worried since they weren’t technically wipeable like the other brands. Then I thought of using Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners! We just put those on top of the pad and change them out when they get dirty! So much easier than some other brands where you have to take the entire cover off (like a fitted sheet).

Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners
Like I said above, just put these on top of your regular changing pad and change them out once they get dirty. They’re white so they’re easy to bleach, and waterproof so you don’t need to worry about leaks. I keep one of these in the car, too, in case I need to change Noelle in my car.

Huggies Little Swimmers Swim Diapers
I never even thought of registering for swim diapers until we needed some! We are always going over to my parents’ pool and Noelle likes to sit in the hot (warm) tub with us. Tiny swim diapers are sometimes hard to find, so shopping on Amazon is your best bet. Swim diapers aren’t absorbent, so their main purpose is to contain any poop so it doesn’t get into the pool.

iPlay Snap Reusable Swim Diapers
As Noelle has gotten older, we’ve shifted to these reusable swim diapers. I just toss them in the washing machine after we use them. I will say, though, it is a *pain* when she poops in them. It’s only happened twice, but still. I recommend sizing up!

Bathing
OXO Tot Tub OR Boon Naked Tub
This tub is perfection! It folds up almost completely flat, so it’s easy to store! This was an essential feature for us, since our house only has 1 tiny bathroom. We hang ours on the shower head by the built-in hook. When you’re ready to use the tub, just push down on the middle to pop it open. Then fold the legs into position. This tub is just the right depth– not so shallow that baby gets cold easily. It also has a plug/drain in the middle so you can easily let the water out. 10/10 recommend this tub! We got ours from TJ Maxx, actually, because it’s not on Amazon. But the Boon Naked tub is very similar and has all of the same features.

Hallo Baby Bath Sponge/Cushion
Newborns are too tiny even for baby bath tubs. They need some extra cushion! That’s why this bath sponge/cushion is perfect. Just lay it down where you plan to lay baby and place baby on top of it. It makes their baths more comfortable (instead of slipping and sliding on hard plastic) and keeps them propped up at the right angle. It also absorbs some of the water, so it keeps baby warm during their bath. We used this until Noelle was about 4 months old. This set I’ve linked also comes with little sponges, which we still use for all of Noelle’s baths!

Munchkin Bath Rinser
This is one of those things I thought was silly (can’t you just use a cup?!) until I received one as a gift. The plastic portion of the rinser/cup actually bends, so you can press it against baby’s head while you pour water so it doesn’t get in their eyes. I like that it has a handle, and we also use it for storage of Noelle’s bath sponges and toys.

Munchkin Barnyard Friends Bath Toys
These little bath toys are adorable and the perfect size for baby hands to hold. I chose the farm animal set because I like to practice animal sounds with Noelle during bath time. She thinks it’s hilarious! There’s also this adorable ocean animals set! Just know, with most bath toys, you need to plan on replacing them every 3-4 months because they’re susceptible to getting moldy inside.

Luvable Friends Hooded Baby Towels
These cute little towels are the perfect size! They work for Noelle as a baby, but I know we’ll be able to still use them once she’s a toddler. They’re soft, and I like that they have a hood to keep baby warm. There are so many animal options to choose from: duck, panda, elephant, bunny, fox, koala, dog, lion, monkey, lobster, moose, penguin, raccoon, and unicorn!

Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath Soap
This bath soap has been great for Noelle’s mild eczema. I read dozens of reviews to find the best soap for her skin. I do also really like the Tubby Todd Regular Bundle (get 10% off here!) but it got to be too pricy over time. I highly recommend their All Over Ointment for baby acne, though!

Diaper Bag & Supplies
Freshly Picked Convertible Classic Diaper Bag
I am absolutely obsessed with this diaper bag! I researched diaper bags incessantly while I was pregnant, and this bag was ultimately the winner. It’s beautiful, high-quality, and holds SO much! The 10 pockets are perfectly placed on the inside and the outside to optimize storage. It also comes with a changing pad. I actually use this bag as my everyday purse, too. It holds that much! Freshly Picked bags come in lots of color choices, but I went with the Tan one. I even bought a cute pink tassel off of Etsy to clip onto the zipper.

Bumkins Waterproof Wet Bag
I use this for soiled clothes and burp cloths. It’s easy to wash between uses.

Bumkins Zipper Bags
Since I also use Noelle’s diaper bag as my everyday purse, I use these to hold MY products (like medicines, hair ties, breath mints, and a Tide-To-Go pen).

Munchkin Pacifier Wipes
These little wipes clean pacifiers, teethers, bottles, toys and utensils on-the-go with the power of baking soda! The wipes are baby-safe, s you can give items right back to baby after you wipe them down. Noelle constantly drops her pacifiers and toys on the ground. It’s so easy to just wipe them down and hand them back to her.

Swaddle Blankets
Any brand you like is fine, but be sure to always have a swaddle blanket in your diaper bag! You never know when you’re going to need one! I always regret forgetting to pack one at the most inopportune times, like at the doctor’s office when baby is only in a diaper.

Nursery & Organization
Cube Storage System
I’m a big fan of cube storage! I think it optimizes the space in your closet. We have a big cube storage system on the floor of Noelle’s nursery and her clothes hang on a horizontal bar over the top of it. This gives us storage in the cubes, on top of the system, and on each side of it.

Storage Cubes
I love how cubes conceal what’s hiding inside. It makes your storage look polished. The cubes are also soft, so I don’t have to worry about Noelle getting hurt by pulling them out.

Storage Cube Labels
These labels are perfect for cubes! You can write right on them or make labels with your printer, label maker, or with vinyl. They slide right onto the bottom of the handle and stay there securely.

Redi Shade Easy Lift Trim-At-Home Blackout Shades
All of the baby sleep courses stress the importance of having baby sleep in a pitch-black room. These blackout shades are fantastic! I really wanted to use pretty curtains in Noelle’s nursery– not ugly black-out curtains. So now I have the best of both! These shades fit inside the window and either stick or screw right to the top. You can even trim them to fit your window, but the standard size fit our windows perfectly. The shade is easy to pull down and push back up. We just use a curtain rod and regular curtains over the window, since these shades are so powerful at blocking out light.

Laundry Hamper
So many people forget to put one of these on their registry! I like this one because it’s skinny and small– perfect for about a week’s worth of baby clothes and burp cloths. It’s perfect for our teeny tiny closet. It has wheels on the bottom and a drawstring closure on the top.

Velvet Baby Kids’ Hangers
I’m one of those crazy people who needs ALL of my hangers to be identical. I stocked up on these velvet kids’ hangers and they are great. The velvet grips little baby clothes well and the hangers are sturdy. Since these hangers are so thin, they save space in the closet. That means room for even MORE baby clothes!

Laundry Clips
A lot of baby Noelle’s clothes are top/bottom sets. I use a clip to attach each bottom to the hanger that the top is on so they stay together. This makes getting dressed easy!

Closet Size Dividers
These are a closet organization must-have!

Hyacinth Storage Baskets
Not a necessity, but I love the way these baskets look and was surprised by their quality and durability. We have four of them sitting on a beautiful gold etagerie shelf in Noelle’s nursery. They mostly hold toys and swaddle blankets.

Floating Shelves
If your nursery is like ours and short on floor space, resort to wall space! These floating shelves are classic-looking and perfect for holding picture frames, stuffed animals, and plants.

BabyRelax Swivel Glider/Recliner
Oh, how we love this glider! It is the comfiest one we tested out… by far! It rocks, swivels, and reclines! I didn’t know how much we would come to love the reclining feature, but I’m obsessed! Can’t say enough good things about this one! It does tend to go in and out of stock on Amazon. We bought ours from Target for $369. Click here to see it on Target.com!

Acrylic Bookends
Definitely not a must-have, but I love the way that Noelle’s rainbow color-coordinated books look with these bookends.

Toys
Sassy Play Gym
I love this play gym! It’s absolutely adorable with all of the black & white and pops of rainbow colors. But beyond looks, this play gym is super functional. I had no idea how much babies love black & white patterns until we had Noelle– and this play gym is covered in them! She would just lay under the toys on in this play gym and stare and stare and stare at those black & white patterns. And I didn’t mind– it was great for her visual development! She eventually started batting at the toys and I think the exciting patterns were motivating for her to play with! This gym is easy to assemble and disassemble and can be stored in the slim box it came in. The arms are flexible, the dangly toys detach so they can be moved around the arms, and the mat itself is machine washable! This came in handy because our dog also loved laying in the play gym. Haha! Another thing I love is that the mat of this play gym is that it has monthly development guides printed right in the center, giving you ideas of ways to play with your baby using the play gym! It also comes with a rainbow-shaped tummy time pillow.

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick and Play Piano Gym
This is one of those toys that I thought was *so* gaudy and said I would never have in my house. Well, I was wrong. Noelle is absolutely obsessed with this thing! Baby can lay on the mat under the bar of toys and kick the musical, light-up piano with their feet! It plays all sorts of fun songs (that I now have memorized– haha)! Noelle hates tummy time, but she’ll tolerate it if she’s propped up staring at the piano. The gym can be reconfigured for older babies and toddlers, too. I know we’ll be holding onto this thing for a long time! Just buy this! Your baby will thank you… I promise!

Contrast Cards
Like I said above, I had no idea just how much babies love black & white contrast and patterns! Noelle would stare at these pictures and smile so big. It was adorable! She truly was mesmerized by them. You need these!

Baby Paper
Another thing babies love… crinkle paper! Any time this toy would crinkle, Noelle was so surprised and delighted! This is basically a sheet of noisy crinkle paper with a black & white fabric sewn on top. I keep this in my diaper bag and it’s a great toy/distraction on the go!

Sassy Tummy Time Mirror
Just a great little tummy time mirror. It has black & white, which is a plus for baby! It easily props up and is lightweight (so it wouldn’t hurt baby at all if it fell over onto them).

Toy Bar
This toy arch/bar can be attached to just about anything! We’ve attached ours to her swing, the Baby Bjorn bouncer, the stroller, the carseat, and the bassinet. The bar has adjustable clamps on each end. The toys jingle when baby bats at them and are colorful and engaging. The toys are also detachable, so you can switch them out with other ones you have on hand.

O-Ball
Easy for baby to grasp with all the little holes and great for teething. I look forward to using this for turn taking and rolling the ball back and forth once Noelle gets a little older.

Sassy My First Rattles Set
Rattles are awesome for teaching baby cause and effect (shake the rattle to hear the sound) and to work on grasping skills.

Fisher-Price Soothe & Glow Seahorse
This little seahorse’s belly glows while it plays lullabies. I usually use this to distract Noelle for a few minutes if I stick her in the crib while I need to go to the bathroom or run and grab something. She is instantly mesmerized by the light and music as soon as I turn it on.

Fisher-Price Rock-A-Stack & Blocks
This set comes with a shape sorter, blocks, and a stacking ring. All of these basic toys are excellent to use for fine motor skills like pinching, grasping, inserting objects, as well as following directions! We’re not quite there yet with Noelle, but we will be soon!

Skip Hop Activity Center
Once baby is about 4 months or older and can hold their head up, they are going to love this activity center! The toys are cute and engaging and you will appreciate some hands-free time for baby to play in a safe container. It has an adjustable footplate so it grows with them and it even converts into an activity table, then a regular table. Many of my friends’ kids still use the table for coloring, puzzles, etc. This is a must-buy!!!

For more baby toy suggestions, check out my Baby Toy Guide blog post!

Pacifiers & Teethers
Avent Soothies Pacifiers
This is what they gave us in the hospital and it’s actually the only brand Noelle every accepted.

Wubbanub
These tiny stuffed animals have Soothie pacifiers attached. Now that Noelle can grasp objects and move them around, it’s super easy for her to stick her pacifier/Wubbanub back in her mouth with this! We have the flamingo and duck versions.

Manhattan Toy Winkel
This was one of the first toys/teethers Noelle played with. It’s great for them to practice grasping and easy for them to hold. She still enjoys playing with and chewing on this one.

Itzy Ritzy Lemon Teether
It’s just so cute! And Noelle really liked all of the different textures. You can also pop baby’s fist inside so they don’t drop it.

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder
Stick ice cubes or frozen fruit inside these mesh bags and let baby chomp away.

Nippii Freezable Teether Pacifier
You fill this paci with water and stick it in the freezer for baby to suck/chew on.

MAM Mini Cooler Teether
This one is pre-filled with liquid. Just pop it in the freezer and give it to baby. I like that it has a clip in case she drops it and a handle that isn’t cold so she can hold it if she wants to.

Teething Tubes
These were great, especially for when Noelle’s molars started coming in! Since they’re so long, they can really reach the back of their mouth. While they’re not as cute as some of the other teether options out there, they probably work the best!

Hygiene & Medicine
Genexa Acetaminophen Fever & Pain Reducer
I started out by using Tylenol (or the Little Remedies version below) for pain relief. A mom friend recommended trying Genexa and now it’s all I’ll buy! I like that it is “cleaner” with no artificial fillers, has no dyes (better for baby and prevents stained clothes), and has a yummy blueberry flavor. Buy the Kids version instead of the Infant version (same exact formula/strength) to get double the medicine for the same price. It just doesn’t come with a syringe, but you can use one you already have at home. Make sure you read the dosage instructions.

Little Remedies New Baby Essentials Kit
The kit includes gripe water and gas relief drops (good for upset tummies), infant fever and pain reliever (compare to Tylenol), saline drops (good for loosening boogers), and a nasal aspirator (good for sucking those boogers out now that they’re loose).

Baby Orajel
Just rub a pea-sized amount of gel on baby’s gums up to 4x per day. I like that it comes with daytime and nighttime gels. The nighttime version also includes chamomile for relaxation.

Baby Healthcare & Grooming Kit
This little kit includes so much for the money! You’ll find a digital thermometer, nasal apsirator, finger toothbrush, medicine dropper, tweezers, electric nail trimmer, round-tip scissors, nail file, nail clipper, hair comb, and hair brush. My favorite part is the electric nail trimmer! It’s like a dremmel and files baby’s sharp nails right down without the fear of cutting their skin with clippers. Super easy to use!

Fridababy 3-Step Cradle Cap System
Cradle cap causes crusty, orange, scaly patches on baby’s head. Personally, I think it’s yucky and try to get rid of it ASAP! Fridababy’s 3-step system is the perfect solution. Loosen the flakes with the Flake Fixer Mask, remove the flakes with the sponge/brush/comb, then hydrate baby’s scalp with the Flake Fixer Scalp Spray. Works like a charm!

Books
The pediatric speech-language pathologist in me can’t help but recommend a few books for your registry! Reading (even from newborn age) is wonderful for your baby’s language development!

Crinkle Books
These are an awesome way to introduce baby to books! Baby will love the crinkle sound, feeling, and sensation. They’ll eventually learn to turn the pages themselves and chew on them. Noelle always has a crinkle book with her in the car seat.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
This book is a classic and one of my favorites to use in speech therapy. It’s simple and repetitive, which makes it perfect for learning.

First 100 Words (Bright Baby)
The bright, colorful book is chock-full of basic vocabulary words. Label the pictures as you point to each one.

No No, Yes Yes
All of Leslie Patricelli’s books are simple and repetitive– again… great for learning!

Pop-Up Peekaboo Farm
This is more than just your average lift-the-flap book! These flaps reveal big, intricate 3D animals that move as you lift each flap! There is a whole series of Pop-Up Peekaboo books but this one was always Noelle’s favorite.

For more book recommendations, see my Best Books for Babies blog post!

Miscellaneous
Shynerk Car Camera
This little gadget is one of my favorites! We tried a car mirror, but it was SO hard to see Noelle in the rearview mirror– especially if the sun was shining in certain directions. I saw a friend had this camera so I decided to give it a try. You attach the tiny camera to the headrest, like you would for a baby car mirror. Then a small wire runs from the backseat up to your console, wear a screen attaches. It was really easy to set up and helps me keep my eyes on the road (instead of straining to see her through my rearview mirror). Get this camera!

Stroller Fan
This is a must for Florida babies! The arms bend to securely hold the fan onto any handlebar. It blows strong and easily charges with a USB plug.

Portable Sound Machine
This little sound machine was a lifesaver when I had to run errands during nap time. It gets really loud and plays white noise. I would clip it to her car seat while I used the stroller and she would fall right asleep.

Baby Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noelle wears these to church every week! They cancel the noise so well that she sleeps during the service– no matter how loud worship is!

Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Cleaner
This powerful stain spray has removed EVERY stain I’ve used it on: poop, vomit, strawberries, baby food, diaper cream, makeup, the list goes on and on. Babies are messy, so you’ll be grateful to have such a good stain remover.

Baby Girls Nylon Headband Bows
If you have a baby girl, bring on the bows! These little bows instantly complete any outfit, even just a onesie. These bows are attached to a stretchy headband, and the bows are the perfect size. The headbands are stretchy and even still fit Noelle at 5 months.

Baby Girls Clip Bows
More bows! Once baby can reach her head, she’s going to want to pull those cute headband bows right off. These clip bows have been great! They stay in even better if you use these tiny hair ties to make a ponytail first.

Baby Girls Hair Ties
Clip bows will stay in even better if you use these tiny hair ties to make a ponytail first.

Newborn Knotted Gown
These knotted gowns are so easy for baby to wear in the newborn days. They’re soft, stretchy, and just tie at the bottom (which makes diaper changes a breeze). They also look cute and put-together in pictures.

Gerber Onesies
You can never go wrong with a plain white onesie! I wish I had registered for more of these in the beginning.

Things I thought we needed, but didn’t work for us!
Baby Mittens
Noelle got them off immediately. It was easier just to keep her nails trimmed with the drimmel.

Baby Socks
Noelle also got these off immediately. Despite what your mom might tell you, babies don’t *actually* need to wear socks (unless you’re outside in cold weather, which we are not).

Baby Newborn Hats
Baby hats can actually be dangerous in warm climates. Being too hot is more of a problem than baby being too cold. Being too warm is actually linked to SIDS. It’s important for baby’s head to be uncovered so hot air can escape through their head to control their body temperature. Skip these!

Bottle Warmer
We never even offered Noelle warmed bottles. She took them cold from the get-go, which makes our lives so much easier. There is no reason to warm a baby’s bottle, unless they refuse cold bottles. If you can get baby to accept cold, just go with it!

Forehead Thermometer
I wanted to love this but the readings were wildly inaccurate. I would get readings all the way from 97.1 to 103.8 all within a minute of multiple scans. I finally became fed up with it when Noelle had an actual fever from COVID (which we discovered via rectal thermometer) and this forehead thermometer wasn’t picking it up.

Baby Carseat Cover
These can cause baby to overheat, which like I said earlier, is very dangerous! This would work great as a nursing cover, though!

SwaddleMe Easy Change Swaddles
These weren’t secure enough for Noelle. She always wiggled her arms out. Also, we didn’t feel like this swaddle made diaper changes that much easier. We recommend the Ollie swaddle!

Breastfeeding
I put this section at the end because I don’t feel that I’m the most knowledgeable source on breastfeeding. We tried nursing and pumping for about 2 months, but it didn’t work for us. However, I can tell you what products we used during our short breastfeeding journey.

Elvie Pump
Meh. That’s all I have to say about these pumps. They are very discrete (you just stick them inside your bra), which is nice. I was also really excited about the prospect of being able to pump while walking around instead of being attached to a machine plugged into a wall. I did a lot of research before buying this pump and the main thing I liked about the Elvie vs. the Willow (their competitor) is that the milk collection cups are reusable (compared to needing milk bags for each pump session with the Willow). Some people complained about these pumps not being very powerful and I think I agree. I was never able to get more than 2 oz. per breast with these pumps. I’m sure there were other factors that went into that, but sometimes I wonder what I could’ve produced with a hospital grade pump.

Elvie Stride
This is the pump/system I wish I would’ve gotten. It’s a fraction of the price and more powerful. It does have tubing and a hub that you clip onto your waistband, though, so it’s definitely not as discrete as the Elvie. My friend has this pump and loves it!

Medela Quick Clean Pump Wipes
These are super handy if you don’t have time to give your pump parts a full wash between sessions. I used them when I didn’t have the energy to clean all the parts of my Elvie (which was A LOT of parts). I could see these bring really helpful for moms who pump at work!

Sarah Wells Cold Gold Breastmilk Cooler Bag
I ended up returning this because I stopped pumping before I went back to work. But, I did do a lot of research on breastmilk cooler options and feel confident that this bag is a great choice! First of all, it’s beautiful and comes in lots of different patterns. It has strong insulation and can fit 4 bottles (or about 15 plastic milk bags). It would be perfect for pumping at work, storing your milk in the fridge, and toting it home each day.

Sarah Wells Pumparoo Wet/Dry Bag for Breast Pump Parts
Another Sarah Wells recommendation! This waterproof bag is perfect for storing your pump parts at work or on-the-go before/after you’ve cleaned them. It even comes with a drying pad so you can lay your parts out to air dry.

My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow
Our nursing journey was short-lived, but I did like this nursing pillow. It velcros around your waist so it feels very secure and it also has a storage pocket on the side for a water bottle or your TV remote. The pillow itself is very structured, almost like a shelf, and gave a lot of support.

Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
If you plan to breastfeed, you can almost guarantee that your nipples will eventually get sore, chapped, or bloody. This ointment is soothing and protective. Also, it’s safe for baby to ingest if you happen to still have some ointment on your nipples before your next feeding session.

I hope that this post and these recommendations have been helpful to you! Please comment below if you have any questions!

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