What to Add to Your Baby Registry
By: Rosemari Ochoa
Tags: Baby, Newborn, Registry, Parenting, Baby Products

“Must Have” Baby Items You Might Not Know

Here are some of the best things that worked for us the first 6 months+ of our daughter’s life.

Doona stroller system — the bestest best best best thing ever. Worth every single penny. We traveled so much and even now that a full kiddo and not a baby, I still miss it.

She loved her Doona almost as much as I did!

Baby Bay — We loved how the Baby Bay let Elena be close to us but still in her own space. Our other pricey item that was very much worth it.

Her Baby Bay attached to our bed

Exercise ball — Still the best way for others to get her to sleep (and the second best way for me, after the boob)

— Still the best way for others to get her to sleep (and the second best way for me, after the boob) Glider — You will spend so many hours in this thing. Make sure it’s comfortable! Nursing stools are a thing I didn’t learn about, but I might have really enjoyed them.

— You will spend so many hours in this thing. Make sure it’s comfortable! Nursing stools are a thing I didn’t learn about, but I might have really enjoyed them. Nursing tanks — Make sure you have these on hand if you want to breastfeed these before you deliver. And then again make sure they fit well and don’t pinch your armpits (or anywhere else) too much.

— Make sure you have these on hand if you want to breastfeed these before you deliver. And then again make sure they fit well and don’t pinch your armpits (or anywhere else) too much. Baby carrier — At the beginning it was great. Then it got a bit awkward until she was about 12 pounds. Then it was tons of fun again. We have a wrap (the Boba), a carrier (I loved the Ergo and then the LillieBaby, AJ loves the BabyBjorn One), and a water sling wrap to wear her in the shower, pool, ocean, etc. Many cities have a program where you can go to monthly meetings and check out a bunch (like 100+) of carriers. You can become a member for like $60/year and check out a new carrier every month to try out a bunch. We did that until we found the LillieBaby and then we got it at one of their second hand sales.

At a protest, me wearing the Ergo and A.J. ready to take over in the BabyBjorn One

Changing pad — one you can bring with you and lay down anywhere

— one you can bring with you and lay down anywhere Electric heating pad — Take the pad, wrap the shirt you wore the previous day in it, and use it to warm up the bassinet before you lay the baby down

— Take the pad, wrap the shirt you wore the previous day in it, and use it to warm up the bassinet before you lay the baby down Mattress cover for your bed — Even if you aren’t bed sharing, the baby will probably spend a ton of time in your bed. Get a mattress cover to make changing spit up and pee or poo’d on sheets as easy as possible

— Even if you aren’t bed sharing, the baby will probably spend a ton of time in your bed. Get a mattress cover to make changing spit up and pee or poo’d on sheets as easy as possible A beautiful floor pad — We invested in one from Little Nomads and while I love the pattern, it has peeled a ton. I’m always very surprised how much adults love it and how much more ready they are interact with her on it. I’m also glad I purchased something appealing to the eye, since I will still be looking at this for years to come.

Little Nomads play mat

Digital clock — I had no idea how much I’d need this. I thought my phone would be enough, but it’s not. We got a digital clock with the time, temperature, and humidity level and it’s been incredibly helpful each and every night, even now years later. Helpful hint: Make sure it can be battery powered so you don’t have to worry about the cord.

— I had no idea how much I’d need this. I thought my phone would be enough, but it’s not. We got a digital clock with the time, temperature, and humidity level and it’s been incredibly helpful each and every night, even now years later. Helpful hint: Make sure it can be battery powered so you don’t have to worry about the cord. Baby Box — Denver Health sent us one for free and it’s been perfect to take different places for napping and containing the baby. After she was too big, we used the mattress (topping with a changing pad) as padding for a floor changing station.