A registry checklist like this should be used as a starting place since what works best for your family will depend on several considerations, such as:

• What space Baby will be sleeping in the early days
• If you’re looking to buy just the necessities early on and more items items over time as they grows
• If you’ll be borrowing any baby gear
• If you want items that are versatile and can grow with your baby
• If you want to splurge on a few items, if you want to stick to a strict budget or any number of other factors.

Think of this as a list of suggestions, not a be-all, end-all list of absolutely everything you need. When picking out all of this baby gear, there’s no right or wrong, only what works best for your family. And when you do get this gear, make sure you read the product instructions to learn how to register and use the products safely.

Remember that baby products should only be used in the manner intended and recommended.

Sleep

• Bassinet, bedside sleeper, or crib and mattress
• Sheets and waterproof mattress pad (at least two sets of each in case of accidents)
• Baby monitor
• Swaddling blankets

Soothing

• Rocking chair or glider
• White noise machine
• Humidifier, fan, or air purifier
• Nursery light
• Pacifiers
• Swinging, rocking, bouncing, or vibrating baby seat 

Travel

• Infant car seat (including a car seat base if you get a car seat model that needs one, plus an extra car seat base if you have more than one car)
• Stroller (an alternative is a car seat/stroller combo like the Doona)
• Diaper bag and travel changing pad
• Wet/dry bag to store dirty clothes or diapers
• Baby carrier, sling, or wrap

Diaper duty

• Changing table
• Changing pad and changing pad covers (at least two can be helpful in case of accidents)
• Diapers, wipes, and diaper balm
• Diaper pail and trash bags or pail liners

Clothes and linens

• Dresser or other space to store clothes (often changing tables include plenty of drawers for clothes storage)
• Hamper
• Gentle laundry detergent (dye and fragrance-free)
• Clothes (starting with Newborn or 0-3 months sizes)
  • Onesies – short and long sleeved
  • Soft pants with covered feet
  • One piece outfits that zip, button, snap or magnet together
  • Pajamas or sleep gowns
  • Seasonal garments like sunhats, swimsuits, rompers OR cardigans, soft hats, stroller bunting or a snowsuit
  • Wearable blankets for cool overnights
  • Booties or socks made for newborns
  • Keep in mind that this is one area where you’ll likely receive TONS of unrequested generosity. You’ll easily be able to buy what you need or want as time goes on and baby grows, as long as you have the basics to start.

Feeding time

• Nursing pillow and nursing pillow covers (at least two can be helpful in case of accidents – like leaking milk, spit up, or other messes)
• Breast pump and accessories (if breastfeeding)
• Formula (if formula feeding)
• Bottles, nipples, and bottle accessories (such as bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer, dishwasher bottle basket, bottle drying rack, and milk storage bags)
• Burp cloths
• Bibs
• Nipple cream
• Nursing pads and nursing bras

Baby body care

• Bathtub
• Baby body care products (such as gentle scent-free shampoo, body wash, and lotion)
• Baby grooming products (such as comb, soft brush, toothbrush, nail file, nail clippers)
• Baby first aid items, such as thermometer (a rectal thermometer and another if you like, such as an ear or temporal thermometer), nasal bulb, saline nasal spray, and even infant acetaminophen (but you’ll always want to check with your pediatrician before giving your little one any medicine)
• Washcloths
• Hooded baby towels

Fun and play

• Playpen, play yard, or portable crib
• Play mat or activity gym (ideal for when Baby still does a lot of laying on their back or for getting in some important tummy time)
• Baby seat or lounger
• Teethers, rattles, and other baby-safe toys
• Books

Safety

• Carbon monoxide and smoke detector

As Baby grows

• Another car seat intended for a bigger baby (keep an eye on the height and weight restrictions for your infant seat, they vary from brand to brand. As soon as they outgrow any specification – it’s time for a new seat!)
• High chair
• Bowls, plates, baby utensils, and cups
• Baby proofing products
• More clothes, toys, and books (for your little one as they grow to be not-so-little anymore!)

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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• Baby shower planning

• Register for gifts every baby needs: Plenty of gifts are useful for boys and girls, like bottles, diaper genies, rockers, and more.
• Choose a multicolor theme: Make your invitations and decorations with polka dots or stripes to incorporate lots of cheery colors!
• Make it seasonal: Focus on the time of year when planning your baby shower–maybe create a winter wonderland or a sprightly spring theme to welcome your bundle of joy!
• Incorporate animals: Every little boy or girl loves cuddly lions and friendly teddy bears–you can have a zoo theme to play on a collection of baby animals or decorate each table with a different animal!
• Think about classic childrens’ books: Do you have fond memories of Curious George or Dr. Seuss? Use one or more of these stories as a theme for your baby shower.

Even if you and your partner choose to postpone the sex reveal until after your shower, your friends and family might pester you to find out. Let everyone know you are simply hoping for a happy and healthy baby and they will surely follow suit.

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• Registry checklist: Just what do you need?
• Baby shower planning

Planning a baby shower

Every party starts with an invitation, and baby shower invitations usually give a nod to the party’s theme. This can be anything, from Curious George to springtime flowers, that fits your taste. You can decorate according to a theme or a set of colors you enjoy. Most baby showers serve small refreshments but not a full meal. As a token of gratitude, the hosts can distribute party favors or sweet treats for the guests. Many baby showers include games, like guessing the baby’s due date or tasting baby food, and of course, time to unwrap gifts!

Creating a gift registry

Registering for baby gifts helps your friends and family select items you like while minimizing duplicate gifts. You can register at a store that includes all the essentials, like baby clothing, feeding items, and travel gear, so that your guests can provide you with gifts you find useful and necessary. Make sure you include items in a wide price range to accommodate different budgets.

Modern baby shower trends

• Going green: Paperless invitations, second-hand gifts, and plants as party favors are a great way to conserve and recycle!
• Sex reveal: Settle the boy vs. girl debate by announcing the contents of a sealed envelope from your healthcare provider!
• Cash registry: If you and your partner want to have more control over the baby supplies, you can ask for contributions to larger gifts or a fund for general baby supplies.

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• Registry checklist: Just what do you need?
• Practical ideas for the baby shower list

Sara LindbergFreelance writer focused on health & wellness

Do you ever find yourself looking at the pile of gifts at a baby shower and wondering, “How can one baby need so many onesies?” Not to mention the blankets, booties, hats, and mittens. While the majority of the items you see on a baby shower registry certainly have their place in the home of a newborn, there is also a different wish list to consider shopping from before you attend your next party. And if you happen to be the expecting parents, consider asking for one (or all) of these non-traditional baby shower gifts the next time someone asks what you want. You might be surprised how willing friends and family are to purchase gifts just for you! 

• Meal delivery service and/or homemade meals: Though considered a luxury by many, a subscription to a meal delivery service definitely has its place in the home of new parents. On the other hand, if you would like to prepare a few home cooked meals that can be eaten right away or put in the freezer for a later date, consider making up a week’s worth of meals and delivering them to the new parents’ house. Make sure to provide freezer-safe storage containers and bags.
• Professional cleaning services: The last thing a new parent has time or energy for is cleaning the house. Gifting one or two sessions with a professional cleaning service that can be used whenever they like, or offering to clean for them yourself can be a great way to offer a break.
• Pampering package for mom: If you think mom will use it, buy it. Body lotion, dry shampoo, robe, slippers, lip balm, cleansing towelettes, neck pillow, heating pad, gift certificate for a pedicure, and of course lots of dark chocolate.
• Basket of activities for the older kids: Older kids need something to do when mom is busy nursing, napping, or getting caught up on things around the house. Make a basket of activities for an older child with items such as books, coloring sheets, crayons, puzzles, small building toys, stuffed animals, dolls, cars, and puppets. As an added bonus, most of these items can be used while the child is sitting right next to a parent.
• Photography session: As new parents, you can never have enough pictures of your baby. And while it’s easy to snap a photo with your phone anytime your little one does anything adorable, what’s often missing from a baby’s keepsake book are shots of the entire family. Consider buying a complete package that includes sitting fees and a few different sized portraits.
• Date night + babysitting coupons: Many new parents will balk at the idea of leaving their baby with a friend or family member. However, once they get a taste for what a night out alone is like, it’s pretty much a guarantee they will be asking for more. That’s why dinner out with babysitting services included, is one of the best gifts you can give new parents.
• Postpartum recovery basket: The last thing parents want to do when they get home from the hospital is go shopping for supplies. Especially when those items include giant maxi pads, new underwear, a doughnut to sit on, and an industrial size bottle of ibuprofen. Pick up the diaper bag on her registry and fill it with all of these postpartum recovery supplies. She will be forever grateful for this much needed gift.
• Notes of encouragement for mom: This might not seem like much of a “gift,” at first, but any mom will tell you those first few months wreck havoc on your self-esteem and confidence, and there’s nothing quite like a few words of encouragement from other moms who have been there. Ask family and friends to write handwritten notes of love and support for mom to read in those first few weeks. Tie a bow around each one and place in a basket she can use later on. Tell her to pick one each day to read, and then tape the notes on the wall as a constant reminder of the love and support that surrounds her.  

About the author:
Sara Lindberg is a freelance writer focusing on parenting, health, and wellness. She is passionate about all things fitness and health and loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and son. 

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• Hosting a gender neutral baby shower

• Guess That Baby!: Guess That Baby! requires every guest to bring a baby picture of herself, so you should include this information in the invitation. Pin up each picture on a board, and assign each a number. Every guest should try to put names to (tiny) faces, and the one with the most correct guesses wins!
• Pin the Sperm on the Egg: Just like a PG-13 version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, all you’ll have to do is diagram the female reproductive system on a sheet of cardboard paper, design your own sperm pins, and let the ladies send the swimmers as near to your waiting egg as possible, closest one wins!
• Diaper Pass: Similar to Hot Potato, just fill up a (clean) diaper with melted chocolate, turn on the timer or some music, and let the goopyness begin!
• Paint-a-Onesie: For this game, you’ll need to buy as many white onesies as you have guests (or more, you never know about those rowdy baby shower crashers, after all), and enough pens, crayons, markers and paint for all participants to design and decorate their very own onesie! Granted, you get to keep all of the onesies, but they’ll work hard on it anyway.
• Don’t Say “Baby”: Yup, it’s as simple as it sounds – all you have to do is not say the word baby! Each guest should be given a diaper pin or some other token at the beginning of the party, and if you hear somebody say “baby”, you can call them out and get their pin! Whoever has the most pins by the end of the party, wins.

The bottom line

Baby showers are more than an opportunity to get some free stuff – with the right guests, and the right activities, your baby shower will go down in the history books!

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• Baby shower planning
• Registry checklist: just what do you need?