Do babies really need all this stuff? No, not exactly but a lot of these items can definitely make a parent’s life easier and a baby much happier! Make sure to add these gear (travel, play, development, etc) items to your baby registry because they tend to be on the more expensive side and you’ll be surprised at what your generous family and friends are willing to buy you.
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Really the only item on a baby registry that you MUST have is a car seat. Car seats come in two options, infant or convertible.
Although a convertible car seat seems like the best option because you can just purchase one car seat and be done with it, I still prefer purchasing both. I have an infant car seat for a newborn and then we transition to a convertible once the child gets between 9 -12 months.
An infant car seat has a handle so you can easily carry it into places (doctor’s office, restaurants, etc) and it clips right into your stroller (just make sure it is a compatible model!). In addition, your baby will often fall asleep in the car do you want to constantly be waking him or her by getting the baby out of the car seat?
Mom Tip: Target has a car seat trade-in program twice a year (I think it’s twice a year!). You can bring in any car seat or base and get a coupon to use towards the purchase of new baby gear (*there are restrictions). You can use an expired car seat you have, get an old one from a friend, or find one for free on Facebook. Also, I have gotten great deals on car seats during Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping.
Update: Our third baby was a preemie and this is the car seat we purchased. I would absolutely recommend it for all babies! The NICU nurses also commented that it is one of their favorite models.
You also might want to register for an extra base for your car seat if your family will be using multiple cars to transport the baby in.
Another item I put on my baby registry was a car seat cover. It helps keep nosey people’s germs away from your baby plus blocks the wind, rain, etc. If you have a winter baby you will want a cover that provides warmth.
When our kids grow out of the infant car seat we always get this convertible car seat. I like it because it has two cup holders, is super easy to switch cars with, and grows with the child for years to come.
Update: We now have car seat protector mats and you don’t want to know the amount of food and other stains these mats have protected our car from.
Baby mirrors in the car are an essential item for a baby registry in my opinion. Babies face the rear of the car so without a mirror, it is impossible to see them. The few times I have driven a car without the baby mirror I was not happy at all.
Window shades to keep the sun out of your baby’s face are nice to register for too. I like mine because they are so easy to take on and off the windows or even move them side to side depending on where the light is coming from.
You need a stroller – no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Preferably, you will get the stroller BEFORE the baby is born so you can practice with it. I loved taking my newborn for walks. Stroller walks get you out of the house plus provide a little exercise to help your body recover faster.
There are many different kinds of strollers. I prefer a jogging stroller if you have one child because it is easier to maneuver and you can take it on any type of terrain. Never once have I actually jogged with the stroller. I love that the infant car seat just clips in and off you can go. Make sure your car seat is compatible with the stroller you are planning on registering for!
Read More: Infant Car Seat and Stroller Compatibility
When I had our second child I purchased a Sit ‘n Stand stroller. I decided to go with this type of stroller because my toddler prefers not to sit and be confined, there are so many different ways of configuring the two seats, and I don’t like side-by-side strollers. I think side-by-sides take up too much space on the sidewalk (especially because I often walk my dog next to the stroller).
Mom Tip: Get this sippy cup strap, we lost our favorite sippy cup on a walk because our daughter threw it out of the stroller without us knowing and we have used this strap ever since.
Not everyone puts this baby seat on their registry but I was really fond of it for the period of time between when the child can support its head and when he/she can get themselves out of the Bumbo.
We have an older version but the new ones now have straps and some versions have trays!! I used it to feed our baby in when she first started solids and I would cart the seat outside when I needed to get lawn work done.
READ MORE: Your Complete Registry Guide and FREE Checklist
A pack ‘n play is a necessity if you ever plan on having your child sleep somewhere other than your house. We take ours on vacation, to our parents’ homes over holidays to nap in, and we even used it in our own house when painting the nursery.
Furthermore, a pack ‘n play is always good to have on hand if you have friends or family with little ones who come to visit you.
Some parents use a pack ‘n play instead of a bassinet or cradle in the first few months of a baby’s life. They are easy to put up, take down, and transport. Don’t forget to register for multiple sheets (we have two)!
I am obsessed with this baby lounger. It is perfect to lay newborns in and move from room to room. You are not supposed to let babies sleep in it but to be honest sometimes we would let our baby nap in it if we were supervising.
My baby was colicky and this wrap was a lifesaver. I could hold her but still get a bunch done around the house with both my arms free. I would even wear this wrap into the grocery store so I wouldn’t have to bring the car seat in.
Update: Wraps and carriers are must-haves, ESPECIALLY if you have more than one child. I would get absolutely nothing done around the house if I didn’t wear my babies all the time.
Mom Tip: I watched YouTube tutorials and practiced with a baby doll before I had my first baby. The first couple of times were tricky but after that, it becomes a cinch.
I have two carriers; one to use with an infant and another to use as the child gets heavier.
The infant carrier is soft, lightweight, and I even breastfed the baby in it while hiking. A bonus is that it is very inexpensive!
This carrier I have been able to use in multiple positions and for a long time as the weight of the child rests on your hips. You can buy an infant insert if you don’t want two different carriers.
A playmat is great for tummy time and really any time with a baby. The features can help with vision development and hand/eye coordination.
A swing will save you with a newborn. There are multiple positions and speeds as well as nature sounds to calm your baby. Babies will often nap in the swing so you can hopefully nap yourself!
Our babies never took to a bouncy chair, unfortunately, but many of my friends swear by this bouncy chair.
An exersaucer or jumperoo has so many great features. Each comes with tons of toys and music options that can keep your kiddo entertained for a long time. It is great to have before the baby is really walking but you need to confine the child somehow. This jumperoo has a seat that spins like an exersaucer (best of both worlds!).
Although my baby was never really a jumper she loved to twirl in this door jumper. It is very inexpensive and can help you be super productive – I put this jumper in the doorway of our home office whenever I needed to get work done.
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