Baby Registry Essentials: Everything you need for your baby from 0-6 months

Written By Sogol Motiey

Big Ticket Items

  • Crib

  • Co-sleeper (i.e. Dockatot)

  • Bassinet (US) / Moses Basket (UK)

  • Stroller / Pram

  • Car seat

  • Dresser w/ changing mat or changing table

  • Nursing chair

Baby Clothes

  • 3-4 Newborn hats (newborns need them all the time, since they can’t regulate their own temperature)

  • 2-4 Newborn kimono style shirts (to allow umbilical cord on belly button to breathe)

  • Sleeping gowns / Baby bundlers make night time diaper changes much easier than a lot of snaps, especially during newborn phase

  • 4-6 Plain white onesies

  • 3-4 Lounge pants

  • 4-6 Footed onesie pajamas (I prefer front-opening onesies with zippers. Buttons take too much time, especially when baby is 4+months and more fidgety)

  • 2-4 Onesie style t-shirts

  • 4-6 Pairs of socks (people obsess over buying you socks, because they’re so small and cute, but these Zutanos are the ones you really want - buy a few different sizes until they start walking based on age/season)

  • 2 Pairs of scratch mittens, to keep baby from scratching face

  • 2 Cardigans or jackets, more in winter

  • Bunting bag or snowsuit for winter baby

  • 2 Outfits for dressing up (optional)

  • Laundry detergent for infants or eco, non-scented, plant-based detergent

Sleep / Baby Bedding

  • Crib:

    • Crib & crib mattress (for a good quality mattress in the UK check out Little Green Sheep)

    • 2 Waterproof mattress covers/liners

    • 2 Fitted Sheets

  • Bassinet / Moses:

    • Mattress

    • Mattress protector

    • 2 Fitted Sheets

  • General bedding:

    • 3-4 Muslin Swaddles (I love the Aiden & Anais ones. Don’t worry, you will learn how to swaddle your baby! These are the best - stretchy and soft, the easiest to use to swaddle. I personally do not like the ones that have velcro. You will use these Aiden & Anais swaddles a lot in the beginning to swaddle, then later as blankets, to cover the pram when they’re napping, etc.)

    • 3-4 Sleep Sacks (for 6+ months - these are basically blankets that zip around them like sleeping bags - aka sleep suits) - there are SO many, and every baby is different. Get a couple to start with:

      • Halo Sleep Sack Swaddle in fleece (2) - cozy for when it’s cold, and baby is transitioning out of being swaddled (meaning baby’s arms will be out of swaddle out bc they can now move themselves from back to belly/belly to back - get size 6-12 months or larger)

      • Magic Merlin (1) - This is the best for transitioning out of the swaddle; the 6-9 month version is good. For babies that move onto their bellies and aren’t yet able to transition onto their backs this is good because it’s weighted and keeps them on their backs!

      • Any Merino Wool Sleep Sack (2) - After 6 months this is seriously the best quality to get. Get two of the 2-24 month size ones. Merino wool is great because you can use it year round as the wool regulates the temperature. Be sure to not throw this in the dryer. That’s why you need 2!

    • White Noise Machine (optional)

    • 2 blankets (optional, to have on-hand)

    • Dockatot (optional, to move baby around house during newborn stage and place in crib for naps)

    • Lovey / Comfort toy

    • Travel crib - We LOVE the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib. It’s a must, but only available in California. Lightweight, easy & packs into a backpack. A good European brand travel crib is Baby Bjorn

    • Pacifiers

    • Baby Monitor - We used the Cloud Baby Monitor mobile app (need 2 mobile devices) when our daughter was 8 weeks old and we were traveling. When we returned home, we bought the Nanit. Let’s discuss this, though. You may not need one right away, or ever, given your home situation.

    • Mobile Sound Machine - here’s a mobile one to attach on the pram, which we love.

Diapering

  • If you are using re-usable cloth diapers:

    • Several dozen (4 or 5) cloth or re-usable diapers

    • 8 waterproof covers

    • Snaps, Velcro or safety pins to secure re-usable diapers

    • couple dozen washcloths for cleaning baby’s bottom

  • Eco-friendly disposable diapers (go for all-natural, no plastic!), such as Mum & You - click here for £10 off in the UK

    • Two packages of newborn-size diapers (it’s better not to buy too many in advance in case your baby is large or grows quickly)

  • Eco-friendly baby wipes (go for all-natural, no plastic!), such as Mum & You - click here for £10 off in the UK

    • use cotton balls and warm water the first month

  • 1 Diaper pail, 2 Diaper pail liners, Diaper spray

  • Changing pad

  • Baby ointment, coconut oil (anti-bacterial) or other barrier cream to prevent rash

  • Near/on changing table: diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, lotion, diaper plastic bags to put soiled diapers in before putting in large trash can (since we didn’t get a diaper trash can)

Bottles, Bibs & Burp Cloths

  • 2 silicone bibs

  • Min. 4-6 burp cloths

  • 1 starter-kit narrow glass baby bottles (We love Dr. Brown’s!)

  • Silicone pacifiers

  • Digital ear thermometer

  • Digital rectal thermometer

  • Nursing pillow(s)

  • Infant swing

  • Activity mat / play gym

  • Baby carrier

Bathing & Hygiene

  • Newborn-to-baby bathtub (or use a large dishpan in the sink, or take baby in the bath with you)

  • Baby soap or cleanser, and lotion - or just coconut oil and olive oil in the beginning

  • 2-3 towels with hoods

  • 12 washcloths/small towels (bamboo is soft), not used on baby’s bottom

  • Baby soft-bristled hair brush

  • Bath toys

  • Banana toothbrush for teething

  • Nasal aspirator - Nose Frida or Pro Rhinel - it’s a must!

  • Vitamin D drops, Paracetamol, Probiotics, Gripe Water - you don’t have to put this on your registry or wish list, but it’s helpful to ALWAYS have this at home in case of emergency

  • Nail file-electric (you can bite their soft nails in the beginning, but once they start to strengthen I prefer using an electric file than an actual clipper, to prevent injury)

  • Burp cloths - You go through a few a day! I love the Aiden & Anais ones because of quality and these clip behind their necks and can be used as a bib when they’re older

Accessories

  • Laundry hamper

Feeding

  • High chair - love the Stokke Trip Trapp, because it looks nice, is easy to clean, and grows with the kid; if you’re going for it you’ll also want the baby set and baby cushion

  • Cups, spoons, plates (buy later, after 5 months when baby starts eating solids)

  • Bottles - I like Dr. Brown’s narrow glass bottles. Get the newborn and a preemie nipple set for the beginning (helps pace newborn feedings to copy the breast)

  • Bottle drying rack - I like this OXO Tot one because it’s a space saving one!

  • Designated bottle brush

  • Travel drying rack / brush set

  • Silicone bibs

Baby Holding Devices

  • BabyBjorn Bouncer is fantastic - doesn’t rely on mechanized swinging / motion which is better for learning to self-sooth

  • Jumperoo - We got this at 5 months, and our daughter never liked it. Some babies love it - it takes up loads of space!

  • Baby Swing - we never got one but many people do.

Books & Toys

  • Play gym - we have this one by Lovevery. It was developed by developmental specialists, so has activities for every age, but there are good cheaper ones available (Baby Einstein is a great brand)

  • Stroller toys

  • Sophie the Giraffe

  • Wheel Toy

  • Books - I wanted not only the classics, but also books to teach empathy, kindness, all-inclusivity, etc.

Breastfeeding

Definitely get your pump before you deliver; you might need to use it early on to help establish your supply. There are many pumps out there, I’d consider starting with a good hospital grade pump, like the Medela Symphony to rent. Ask your partner to order yours when you first go into labor. For travel, I bought the Elvie, but you don’t need one right away (and not 100% sure I recommend the Elvie. I have a love hate relationship with it!)

If you’re breastfeeding, you don’t really need any equipment. Some nursing mothers like to have these items:

  • Breast pump

  • Lots of bibs and burp cloths

  • Milk storage containers

  • Nursing pillow

  • Nursing bras (if buying before baby is born, buy one cup size larger than your pregnant bra size)

  • Breast pads (disposable or washable)

  • Ointment for sore nipples

If you are formula feeding:

  • Lots of bibs and burp cloths

  • Bottle and nipple brush

  • Formula (be sure to check expiry date and note the lot number in case of recalls)

Other breastfeeding items you may need:

  • Haaka - nice to have at home when you're engorged in the boob you're not feeding from. I used it a lot in the mornings in the beginning to catch a few ounces of milk dripping out. I know some women who have exclusively used the Haaka as their pump (that's crazy to me but all women and pregnancies and motherhood are different!) Watch a youtube video on the best way to use it when you need it. I also used it when I was trying to stop breastfeeding!

  • Nursing cover

  • Nipple cream - Lansinoh - Buy 2-3 bottles in the beginning. Use it loads!

  • Pumping bra - I forgot this, and it was not have to have to hold the flanges in place until my bra arrived…

  • Nursing shirts

  • Stuff you won’t need immediately, but later on for storing milk:

    • Cooler bag

    • Ice packs

    • Breastmilk Storage Bags

Sogol Motiey
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