Congratulations on your exciting news! You’re expecting a new bundle of joy in a few months, and it’s time to create your baby registry. What you put on your baby registry is up to you and it really depends upon your situation, lifestyle, and parenting plans. If you’re a first time parent, odds are you will need just about everything for your child. This can range from safety gear and car seats all the way to organic European baby formulas and trendy pacifiers. If you’re a parenting veteran and have children already, you may not need as many necessities. Veteran parents can often go with items they need to stock up on or new items that are gender-specific. Whatever your situation, creating a registry should be fun and should encompass what you feel your baby deserves.

Car Seat

If you own a car, the most important item on your baby registry is going to be the car seat. Without it, you won’t even be able to take your child home from the hospital. Car seats ensure that your new bundle of joy is safe while you are on the road and also protects them in the event of an accident. If you don’t already have one, it is a good idea to place one on your registry. For a highly rated budget car seat that is suitable for infants, we suggest the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat. For those who are looking to spend a bit more, the Britax Convertible Car Seat is another top-rated choice. For additional savings, you can purchase the car seat with the stroller combination this way you are getting a stroller as well. It is important to choose a car seat that not only fits your car but one that is rear-facing and has an appropriate newborn insert for extra security. Your fire department, police department, or even the hospital can help you make sure it is properly installed at no extra cost.

Infant or Convertible Crib

Obviously, you will need a place for your child to sleep. If you have limited space then purchasing a smaller crib or pack and play may be beneficial. Many pack-and-plays now come with a bassinet for your child to sleep in when they are smaller. There are many cribs that are specifically crafted for newborns such as the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib. Unless you plan on having difficulty getting your child to sleep alone later, it is usually not ideal for your child to share a bed with you. If you prefer for your little one to be as close to you as possible, we suggest putting a co-sleeper like the Snuggle Me Organic or the Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper on your gift registry.

Newborn Diapers

All babies need diapers; it’s up to you as the parent to decide whether you will use cloth diapers or disposable diapers. Once you have figured out which diapers you want to use you can also place these on the registry to help out with beginning expenses. Huggies and Pampers are two of the most well-known brands on the market. For parents who are interested in choosing a more eco-friendly brand, Honest diapers and Andy Pandy organic bamboo diapers are both great companies to place on your baby registry. Putting more than one size of diapers on the registry will help ensure that extra diapers don’t go to waste. Since babies grow quickly during their first year it is ideal to ask for more than one size diaper. Also add a diaper bag, rash cream and wipes to the registry since they go hand in hand.

Feeding Supplies

Moms who plan to breastfeed or bottle-feed can benefit from adding feeding supplies to their registry. Bottles are a great need to put on the list since there are online registries now you can actually put the exact bottle type that you prefer to feed your baby with There are many bottles sizes and shapes as well as brands to choose from. You can add several newborn specific bottles as well as bottles that your infant can use as they grow. Think ahead when it comes to feeding because children grow faster than you can blink! If you’re breastfeeding then you can put pumps, nursing pads, and cover-ups (for public feeding). Depending on where you place your registry you can also add formula to the registry to cut down on beginning feeding costs. There are several healthy brands to choose from such as Lebenswert European baby formula and Holle organic baby formula. Both brands are full of essential vitamins and nutrients that are important for newborns. They also have several stages that can grow with your child. Make sure to ask your friends to choose either the first stage or a gift card for future baby formula purchases to ensure that you always get fresh formula when you need it.

Infant Clothing

Most parents have started clothes shopping even before the shower, and often times those guests who don’t follow the baby registry will purchase clothes for your child. Asking for extra undershirts, onesies, and sleepwear is a great idea. Most likely your child will not be out and about at such a young age, so requesting a few lounge clothes can also be quite beneficial. Always keep in mind that many guests will not get the exact items you put on your list. If you place a summer dress on your registry, they may choose a style or design they prefer but still, make sure it is a summer dress. There is also no harm in asking for a gift receipt in the event that you get duplicates or wrong sizes.

Final Thoughts From Mommy Formula

Of course, not everyone will follow the registry, some will get things that they feel the baby needs and others will get things simply because of how “cute” it is. Preparing a list of necessities is important so that you can cut down on beginning costs and not have so much shopping to do for the baby. If you have everything you need for your child then you can alter your registry to get the cute odds and ends items that you want. Enjoy making your registry special for you and your new bundle of joy.