This post is all about first time mom baby registry must haves.

When I was about 8 or 9 weeks pregnant I was feeling super nauseous so I took a bath and decided to start my baby registry. I texted my sisters and friends who just recently had babies and asked for their baby registry must haves. I thought I was starting my baby registry way too early but I quickly realized how overwhelming it is as a first time mom and was grateful I didn't put it off much longer!

Although it may be overwhelming getting so many different opinions on what baby products are "best", I thought it was helpful getting recommendations from family members, friends, and by watching videos on YouTube and TikTok. I found that I related to different people on different priorities such as budget, aesthetic, quality, and safety and I was able to create my own perfect baby registry based on the various recommendations I received. Plus if you start early like I did you will have plenty of time to research! I made so many changes to the baby registry items leading up to my baby shower.

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I decided to create my baby registry on Babylist because I appreciated the ability to link items from all different stores as well as small shops like Etsy! Babylist also shows the price at all stores where the item is sold to ensure your family and friends are getting the best deal on the gifts they purchase off of your baby registry. 60 days before your due date, Babylist will give you a 15% off code to redeem on any remaining items on your registry that are sold by the Babylist store. After your baby shower you can create registries at Amazon and Target to add the lingering items that are sold at those stores and get them on sale with the registry coupon! I also added my postpartum supplies to these private registries as well since I was too embarrassed to open these items in front of all of my baby shower guests lol!

Another frequent suggestion was to ask your guests to purchase and sign a baby book instead of a card to build your baby's library. I've been to a few baby showers where this was done and noticed that some of the same books where gifted by several people. I asked my Instagram followers for their favorite baby book and added these to my registry to avoid duplicates. It was also recommended to ask for high contrast picture books that can help with your baby's vision development!

Linked below are all of the book recommendations I received!

First Time Mom Baby Registry Must Haves

Baby Gear

When deciding on a travel system for our baby I really wanted the lightest weight car seat so I decided on the Nuna PIPA™ lite RX Infant Car Seat & RELX Base. I purchased this during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and it was 25% off! I also appreciate that this one has the belt path which allows the car seat to be installed without the base in case we would need to take an Uber or go on a quick drive in a car other than mine or my husband's truck.

My priorities when shopping for a stroller were:

1. compatible with the Nuna Pipa lite RX infant car seat

2. option to convert into a double stroller

3. smooth ride and easy to push

4. large basket to use in place of shopping cart in stores

5. easy to fold and get in and out of trunk

For all of these reasons I decided on the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller with Bassinet. This came recommended by my sister and I plan to purchase it using the 15% off coupon from Babylist.

Stroller fan - I'm planning to take this with me when I go into labor as well.

Car seat cover - can also be used as a nursing cover

Nursery & Sleep

ANGELBLISS 3 in 1 Baby Bassinet - I chose this bedside bassinet for our room based on the ability to unzip the side to have the baby right next to our bed, mesh siding for airflow, wheels for easy moving when I need to vacuum, and underneath storage.

Newton Baby Waterproof Crib Mattress - this is the mattress we chose for the crib in the nursery due to the breathability and waterproof features.

Mushie Extra Soft Muslin Fitted Crib Sheet - I registered for a few of these so we have back up sheets ready to put on the mattress when they need washed.

I registered for 3 different swaddles to see which my baby prefers. The Ollie swaddle was highly recommended by my sister and keeps the baby's arms down so they don't wake themselves up. The Love to dream swaddle allows the baby to put their arms up but keeps them away from hitting their face and the Halo weighted sleep sack provides a similar comforting feeling as using a weighted blanket.

Hatch Rest+ Baby & Kids Sound Machine - this customizable night light and sound machine can be programmed with your phone to set up sleep routines for your baby. I chose this version because it sits on a charging pad rather than being plugged in so you can take it with you to different rooms.

Split Screen Baby Monitor with 2 Cameras - I chose this one because it does not require wifi. I'm not comfortable using a wifi monitor as I've heard stories from people hacking into your camera (I'm sure this is rare, but still scary!) and the unknown long term health effects of wifi. Plus I didn't want to have to use my phone strictly as a monitor. Since this one includes 2 cameras we can set up 2 different views of our baby's nursery and when we have a second baby we can put one of the cameras in that baby's room too.

Graco Pack ‘n-Play Dome LX-Playard - this is what we plan to use in our living room since it has an attached bassinet and changing station. When our baby outgrows the bedside bassinet we will move this to our room and he will sleep in the larger part of the pack n play.

Snuggle Me Organic Lounger - this is a cozy place to lay your baby next to you where you can monitor them. This is not considered a safe sleep space. I plan to use it while I am sitting next to my baby on the couch or the floor.

Diapering

It was recommended to me over and over again to have a diaper raffle at my baby shower. A diaper raffle is where you offer your guests to be entered to win a special prize by bringing a pack of diapers to your baby shower. I wondered if I should register for a specific brand or sizes of diapers for the raffle but everyone told me it wasn't necessary. I was told that it's best to try a variety of different diaper brands to see what fits and works best for your baby. It was also suggested to wait to open the diaper packages until it's time to use them so you can exchange for different sizes if needed. Babylist actually sells a diaper variety pack including 100 size 1 diapers and 190 wipes from The Honest Company, Dyper and Coterie.

Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail - this comes in so many pretty colors!

Keekaroo The Peanut Changer Baby Diaper Changing Pad - I like that this one is wipeable and doesn't need to be washed in the washing machine

Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners - I plan to lay these on the keekaroo for extra comfort and cleanliness while changing my baby's diaper

I registered for two portable changing pads that my husband and I will each keep in our cars. They both can attach to the headrest of a seat in the car. This one is larger and more expensive while this one is smaller and more affordable. I love that you can fit extra diapers, wipes, toys, etc. in them and they also have a padded wipeable mat.

Nursing & Feeding

Stokke Tripp Trapp White Chair with Newborn Insert - this high chair can be used during infancy throughout childhood with its different configurations. I love that I'll have a safe place to keep my baby close to me in the kitchen while I am cooking!

Glass bottle box - I decided to use glass bottles with our baby to avoid chemicals in plastic that can break down with heat and washing. This variety pack includes 4 glass baby bottles from Lansinoh, Dr. Brown’s, Chicco and BIBS which allows you to try different bottles to see which your baby likes before buying multiples of a single brand that your baby may not take.

Nursing cover - I think this will make breastfeeding in public so much more comfortable! You don't have to worry about the cover falling off because it ties around your neck, the fabric is breathable for your baby, and the neutral colors will match any outfit.

Muslin burp cloths - there are so many different uses for these from burping, to bathing, and cleaning. I plan to keep a few of these in my diaper bag to give to people when they are holding the baby in case he splits up to prevent it from getting on their clothes.

Silicone bibs - I like that these catch food that drops and are easy to wipe clean.

Boppy Organic Original Support Nursing - it seems like most women choose between this or the My Breast Friend pillow. I chose this one because it's a little smaller and I like that you can buy different covers for it if you want to change the color or pattern.

Upseat Baby Floor Seat Booster Chair - I chose this over the Bumbo because it is recommended by pediatric physical therapists due to the position of the hips and spine and includes a tray for snacks.

JolyWell Night Light - I think this will be great for middle of the night feedings!

Wraps & Carriers

I registered for a few different carriers! The Solly Baby wrap seems great for the newborn stage to give that skin-to-skin feeling. I think this will be helpful to use around the house so I can hold the baby hands free and still get things done. The Wildbird Ring Sling seems a little bit easier to use and looks like it can hold your baby longer as they grow bigger. I think my husband will really like the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini since it's more masculine looking than the wraps (although I plan to use it also) and the baby can face in or out.

Bathing

Angelcare Baby Bath Support - I chose this one since we plan to bathe our baby in our farmhouse sink. Once he gets too big for the sink we may transition to a smaller baby bath to avoid having to fill the entire bath tub to use this support. I like that it's small and easy to store.

Hooded bath towels - these look so cozy! We also registered for the matching wash cloths.

Bath toys - I like that these can open to clean to prevent mold

Swaddle blankets - I put these ones in the bathing category since I have other swaddles I plan to use for actual swaddling. I think these will be nice to keep our baby warm in the bath. It was also recommended to me to keep one in your diaper bag for doctor visits where you might have to undress your baby.

Play & Entertainment

4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing - both of my sisters used this with their babies and said they loved it.

Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer - this is a more affordable version of the popular BabyBjorn bouncer. I like the appearance of this one better and it includes the toy bar!

Love Every play gym - recommended by so many moms! Colorful and entertaining for baby but still aesthetically pleasing.

Target baby play gym - a more affordable play gym option than the one above

Amazon Wooden baby gym - I like this one as a decor item in the nursery and it will also be good entertainment for the baby while I am cleaning his room, putting away laundry, etc.

Jolly Jumper - I think this will be fun for the baby when he is learning to stand and walk! I like the stand makes it portable to use all around the house or outside.

Skip Hop Baby Activity Center - this was recommended by so many moms as their baby's favorite toy!

Letter puzzle - I just thought this was so cute!

Stacking blocks - another cute toy

Peekaboo Pillow Original - this looks really nice for face to face play as well as tummy time!

Cuddle and Kind doll - these dolls donate meals to families in need and make for cute monthly photo props!

Health & Care

Forehead thermometer

Frida baby sick day kit - includes NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator, MediFrida Pacifier Medicine Dispenser, Breathefrida Vapor Chest Rub and Snot Wipes

Electric nail buffer - clipping baby nails seems terrifying and I think this will be much easier!

Sterilizer - I wasn't sure I actually needed this since our dishwasher also has a sterilizing option but I figured this would be more convenient

Natursutten Pacifier - recommended by orthodontists

Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifier - the most common recommendation from moms (come in different sizes as your baby grows)

Clothing

I didn't register for many clothes because I plan to dress our baby mostly in sleepers and onesies when he's first born. I did however register for this bamboo knotted gown that I think will be his first outfit after he's born. I also registered for baby hats , drool bibs , and paci clips that I will pair with each outfit.