It’s hard to know just what what to buy before baby gets here. So I’ve made it easy with a FREE downloadable Baby Registry Checklist.
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Hey there girlfriend! Congratulations on getting prego! Having a baby can be very exciting, but it’s also overwhelming. It’s hard to know exactly when and how to get started.
Well, I have done a lot of the hard work for you. As a mama of two, I’m sharing easy baby registry checklist to help get you started. There are lots of things I could add to this list, but I kept it to the main essentials that you need.
When To Start Planning
Having a baby is expensive and it takes lots of preparation. My best advice is not to wait until the end. As a mommy of two preterm babies, you just never know when your baby will get here. My advice is to do a little every week. As you may already know, you feel so terrible in your first trimester so you may not feel well enough to start prepping for baby. In your last trimester, you will be very uncomfortable with every passing week. You probably won’t feel like setting up a nursery in the last month or two. Therefore, my advice is to do most of the work in your second trimester when you feel relatively good.
Tips
- Ask close family to go in together on big gifts or compile gift cards
- Consider buying unisex colored items for future children
- Don’t add too many clothes to your registry. You won’t have to twist anyone’s arm to buy you lots of cute clothes, even if it’s not on the registry.
- You may omit breastfeeding items if you are exclusively formula feeding. However, you may want to consider keeping bottle feeding items on your registry even if you’re breastfeeding. Pumping allows daddy and other family members to relieve you from nursing.
- Don’t be afraid to register at as many stores as you want. Most stores offer a completion discount shortly after your shower date passes.
- Your registry should include everything you need for the first year.
Where to Shop
Babies R Us, used to be the go-to place for baby registries. But with that gone, you may need to spread your registry over several stores. My favorites include:
Baby Registry Checklist
Feeding
- Kid’s Utensils
- Sippy Cups
- Bottles
- Sterilizer
- Bottle Warmer
- Breast Pump
- Milk Storage Bags
- Pacifiers
- Nursing Pillow
- Nursing pads
- Plates
- High Chair
- Travel Highchair
- Burp Cloths
- Bibs
- Bottle Drying Rack
Sleeping
- White Noise Maker
- Swaddles
- Receiving Blankets
- Stroller / Baby Blankets
- Pack & Play / Play pen or Travel Crib
- Baby monitor
- Crib Mobile
Bedding
- Bassinet
- Fitted Crib Sheets (3)
- Crib
- Crib Mattress
- Water proof Mattress cover
Other Nursery Items
- Diaper pail
- Diaper pail bags
- Nightlight
- Changing Table
- Basket for Nursery Items
- Changing pad
- Nursery Rocking Chair or Glider
- Changing pad covers (2-3)
Out of the House
- Stroller
- Car seat
- Car mirror
- Diaper bag
- Car seat cover
- Baby carrier
Bath, Health & Hygiene
- Bath tub (with Newborn Insert)
- Washcloths
- Hooded Bath Towels
- Bath Toys
- Baby Toiletries
- Faucet / Spout Cover
- Bath Mat
- Grooming Kit (nail clipper, file, brush, etc)
- Medicine Dropper
- Thermometer
- Humidifer
- Baby Vapo Rub
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Desitin or other Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream
- Infants Tylenol
Other
- Teethers
- Plush toys
- Activity Gym
- Swing
- Jumper
- Walker
- Books
- Rattles
- Bouncer
Clothes (in every size)
- Bodysuits (Onesis) (10-15)
- Socks (7-10)
- Newborn hats (2-3)
- Sleep & Play (10)
- Sweaters / Jackets (2-3)
- Dressy Outfits (1-2)
- Soft pants (10-15)
I hope you have a wonderful and safe pregnancy! In the comments below, I’d love to hear if you’re expecting a boy or a girl and what you are most excited about. Congratulations!