Before You Build Your Baby Registry, You Need to Read This

When I was pregnant with my first, I did what I think every first-time mom does.

I researched everything.

I watched the YouTube videos, read the blogs, compared products, booked consultations at baby stores… if there was a way to research it, I probably did.

And honestly? I’m glad I did.

I ended up with products I genuinely loved, products I still recommend to friends, and almost everything I’ll be using again with baby number two.

But somewhere along the way, I also realized something.

The baby industry is really, really good at convincing you that your newborn needs everything.

Every week there’s another “must-have.”

Another gadget that’s supposed to help your baby sleep.

Another viral product everyone suddenly can’t live without.

Before you know it, your registry has hundreds of items on it, you’ve spent thousands of dollars, and you’re wondering how babies survived twenty years ago.

Especially with the cost of living these days, I think it’s worth taking a step back.

Instead of asking yourself…

“What should I register for?”

Try asking…

“Will this actually make my life easier?”

Because those are two very different questions.

My Philosophy on Baby Products

I’m not someone who believes you need the cheapest version of everything.

But I also don’t think expensive automatically means better.

I believe in buying intentionally.

I’d rather spend money on something I know I’ll use every single day than buy ten cheaper things that end up sitting in a closet.

Especially now.

Everything is expensive.

Which is exactly why I wanted to put this list together.

This isn’t a list of everything your baby could possibly need.

It’s the products I’d happily spend my own money on all over again, and products I have recommended to friends and family who have thanked me over and over for these recommendations.

The ones that earned their place in our home.

The ones I’ll be pulling out of storage for baby number two because they worked so well the first time around.

If something didn’t make my life easier…

It won’t be on this list.

Sleep

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that safe sleep matters so much more than having the “perfect” nursery.

A good bassinet, comfortable swaddles, a quality sound machine, no-wifi baby monitor and fitted sheets are the things we reached for every single day.

Everything else was just… nice to have.

Products I love:

• Bed Side Bassinet with Adjustible Height

• Hatch Sound machine

• HelloBaby Baby Monitor

• Muslin Swaddles

• Bassinet Muslin Sheets

Feeding

Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, pumping, or doing a combination of all three, every journey looks different.

What worked for me may not work for you, and that’s okay.

These are simply the products that made my feeding journey easier.

Products I love:

• Nursing pillow

• Earth Mama Butter

• Bottles

• Burp cloths

Diapering

This is probably the category where I kept things the simplest.

A good changing pad.

A diaper pail.

Quality diapers and wipes.

That’s really it.

You don’t need every diaper gadget the internet tells you to buy.

Products I love:

• Changing pad

• Diaper pail

• Diaper Caddy

• Huggies Diapers

• Huggies Wipes

Bath & Health

These are the things I actually reached for when I needed them.

Some of them you hope you won’t use often… but when you do, you’ll be so glad you have them.

Products I love:

• Baby bathtub

• Baby thermometer

• Nail file

• Frida - Cradle Cap System

• Friday - Medicine Pacifier

On the Go

These are the products that left the house with us almost every single day.

If I was spending money anywhere, it was on products that made leaving the house easier.

Because let’s be honest… that’s usually the hardest part.

Products I love:

• Mesa Infant car seat

• Uppababy Vista Stroller

• Portable Sound Machine

• Structured Baby carrier

• Wrap Baby Carrier

• Diaper bag

Clothing

This might surprise you…

You really don’t need as many newborn clothes as people think.

Babies grow incredibly fast.

I focused on soft, comfortable basics that washed well and held up over time.

Simple sleepers ended up being our uniform.

And honestly… I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If I Could Give Every First-Time Mom One Piece of Advice…

Don’t let social media convince you you’re behind.

Your nursery doesn’t have to be finished.

Your registry doesn’t need 200 items.

You don’t need every viral baby gadget.

Your baby isn’t going to remember what brand of bassinet they slept in.

They’ll remember being loved.

If I had to start all over again tomorrow, these are the products I’d buy without hesitation.

Everything else?

I’d wait until I actually needed it.

Babies have a funny way of teaching us that less really can be more.

⸻

Shop My Baby Essentials

I’ve linked everything I genuinely use, love, and would buy again. If you’re building your registry, I hope this helps you spend a little more intentionally and skip some of the overwhelm.

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