10 Baby Registry Must-Haves For New Parents

Since becoming a mom, I’ve received a gazillion emails asking my opinion on just about every baby product under the sun. I guess that’s what parents do, right?! Research, research, research! Where would we be without a community to help us navigate this thaaang called parenthood (whether on the interwebs or IRL)?! I remember when I was building my baby registry at Babies ‘R’ Us I had no clue what to put on it and YOU guys sent me all of your recos (thank you, thank you, thank you!) I take recommendations very seriously so I tried almost everything you suggested and decided to pay it forward by sharing my thoughts on baby registry must-haves for new parents:

1. Diapers

Yup, you should definitely have diapers on your registry because — frankly — it’s what you’ll need the most when your little bundle arrives (Little L went through 12-15 diapers a DAY as a newborn). I love Huggies Little Snugglers and find they keep his skin clean and healthy so I put a few boxes on my registry. The diapers are fragrance and lotion free and have a handy wetness indicator so we know exactly when he needs to be changed. If I could go back in time I’d also throw my hubby a diaper party — it’s a great way to stock up and get partners involved in baby prep festivities. Fun fact: the average child has more than 10,000 diaper changes in their lifetime — gulp. Do NOT overlook this everyday essential on your registry list!

2. Wipes

Is it weird to have wipes on your baby registry? Nope. Your registry, your rules. The people attending your shower or sending gifts to welcome your LO just want to give you something you actually need. And trust me, you NEED good wipes. I’ve tried a few brands and nothing comes close to Huggies Natural Care Wipes. They’re hypoallergenic, fragrance and alcohol free, gentle and have the perfect amount of moisture to do the job (others are dry and not as effective in my opinion).

3. Breastfeeding Pillow

I wasn’t sure if I’d need a breast pillow (one because I didn’t know if Little L would take my breast and two because I thought I’d just hold him in my arms), but I put it on my registry just in case. Thank God I did!! I definitely needed support to prop up Little L during feedings — especially in the first three months when he was teeny tiny and would fall asleep on the boob. I used the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow, but now I wish I opted for the Jolly Jumper Baby Sitter Nursing Cushion because it’s multi-purpose (helps infants sit up, good for tummy time and is more useful for feeding as they get older).

4. Baby Bottles

I breastfeed Little L, but still need to use bottles for the days/nights when I’m away for work. I also have to top up his feeds with formula because I just can’t keep up with his ferocious appetite so I’m glad I had bottles on my registry. I tried both plastic and glass bottles (various brands/nipples many of you recommended) and found that he loves the Philips AVENT Natural Glass Bottles the most. Every baby has their own preferences though so a registry is a great place to put a few different brands you want to test out!

5. Nursing Cover

Breastfeeding in public is… interesting! Some people love it and feel comfortable feeding without covers while others seek privacy in washrooms. The Peanutshell Nursing Cover I have grants me the right amount of privacy I need to feed Little L on the go (public transit/parks/malls etc.) I wish I knew about the Itzy Ritzy Nursing Happens Infinity Scarf because I’ve heard it’s really convenient since you can just wear it around your neck and don’t have to take it on or off!

6. Receiving Blankets

Quite possibly one of the most versatile and utilized baby products out there! I’ve used my receiving blankets for swaddling, as a towel, burp cloth, nursing cover, change pad, picnic blanket — the list goes on and on. Almost every mom who sent me recos had receiving blankets on their list. You honestly can’t have too many since babies are messy little creatures. We have tons of Koala Baby Receiving Blankets which are the perfect size, 100% cotton flannel (so they’re warm) and machine washable.

7. Diaper Pail

Although a diaper pail was highly recommended by pretty much every mom who sent me their registry list, the brand was hotly debated. Some swear by the Diaper Genie and some prefer other types of pails. I personally love my stainless steel Ubbi Diaper Pail which is a bit more expensive, but most of my mom friends are team Diaper Genie so I’m def outnumbered.

8. Chew Toys

You gotta put something fun on the registry! I had a few Sophie items on mine for the friends and family who wanted to gift Little L toys. He (like every other child on the planet) LOVES Sophie. She’s made with natural rubber and paint, is easy for his tiny hands to grasp and squeaks. Just make sure to read the care instructions and don’t immerse her in water to avoid mould buildup inside.

9. Stroller Hanger

Another item I didn’t think I needed, but can’t live without. My girlfriend got me the Handy Hook for our stroller and I religiously use it on all of our walks. I usually hook my purse on it for easy access, but when I go shopping it becomes my third arm for grocery bags. Put this bad boy on your registry — it’s a great item under $10 for those people who want to get you something useful but may not have a large budget to play with.

10. SleepSack

I can not say enough good things about the incredible, miraculous Halo SleepSack. It was honestly the key to undisturbed sleep for the first four months at our house! The wearable blanket kept Little L cozy and prevented his arms from flailing mid-air. And since he could wiggle out of pretty much anything, we really appreciated the velcro swaddle to keep our Houdini tucked in. I highly HIGHLY recommend putting a few sizes on your baby registry.

Ok, I know I said top 10 baby registry must-haves, but there are a few more items I really REALLY love so I thought I’d throw them in this post too: BabyBjörn Carrier One, WubbaNub Pacifier, Boon Drying Rack, NoseFrida, Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Soothing Seat, Skip Hop Diaper Satchel and lots of Koala Baby Burp Cloths. I suggest adding those to your baby registry list as well to give your friends and family a good variety of items/price points to choose from.

Also — do yourself a favour and download the new Babies“R”Us Registry app (avail via iTunes or Google Play) to create and update your registry. It makes life so much easier as you run around prepping for a new baby!! But if you like doing things in person, you can also reserve an appointment with a Baby Registry expert who can provide helpful guidance (I used this service A LOT when building mine). Oh, and since babies are expensive, I also recommend taking advantage of the amazing Babies“R”Us sales whenever they roll around. Their upcoming Baby Fest promotion runs from September 15-21^st  — wooooot Jumbo packs of Huggies Little Snuggers Diapers and Natural Care Wipes will be 40% off! I know I’ll be stocking up.

This post was sponsored by Huggies® Canada and Babies“R”Us. As always, all reviews and opinions are my own.