There are so many amazing products available these days, it can be overwhelming! If you’ve ever been to Babies R Us, you know that there are tons of options out there. But what do you really need for your new baby? Here are 10 registry must-haves:

1. A Place to Sleep

Everyone automatically thinks of a crib, but that isn’t your only option. Newborns wake up every couple hours, so many parents choose to keep the baby nearby at first. There are co-sleepers that attach to your bed, bassinets, Moses baskets, and all kinds of options. One of the latest products available is the Graco Dreamglider, which serves as a glider, vibrating chair, and bassinet all in one!

 

2. Baby Carrier

Here’s my personal tip: You don’t need a stroller right away! Especially if you’re going to babywear. I wore my daughter everywhere (so much easier than a stroller once you get the hang of it) and it was so convenient. Bonus: baby carriers are often cheaper than strollers! There are many options – soft structured carriers, ring slings, wraps, and so much more. Check out a babywearing class near you to learn about all your options. (Local to OKC? The Changing Table offers classes & help on choosing the perfect carrier for you!)

 

3. Baby Clothes

Here’s the truth about newborns: they usually don’t wear those super cute outfits you see! Sleepers and onesies are so much easier so those become your go-to items. Register for ones with zippers not buttons, because when you’re changing a diaper at 2 am you really don’t want to be messing with buttons. And don’t bother registering for many clothes – people will buy them for you whether you register or not! Everyone loves cute baby clothes.

 

4. Diapers and Wipes

You knew this was coming, right? Babies go through A LOT of diapers and wipes. If you’re interested in saving money (and helping the environment) you could look into cloth diapers (Local to OKC? The Changing Table offers cloth diaper trials to see if you want to invest in purchasing your own). Of course, there are tons of eco-friendly diapers on the market now, and there’s nothing wrong with staying with the traditional Pampers or Huggies. Just remember to not open all the diapers when you get them. Babies grow quickly, and most retailers are more than willing to exchange smaller diapers for larger ones.

 

5. Feeding Essentials

Whether you are planning on breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, you’ll need some basics to get started. Some babies are super picky about their bottles, so you don’t want to get a full collection of one kind. Register for 2 or 3 kinds of bottles so you can figure out what works for your baby. Then you can buy more once you know what works!

 

6. Car Seat

This is a non-negotiable! There are several options available, from convertible car seats that will grow with your baby to the basic infant car seats you typically think of. Do your research and choose a car seat with great reviews that complies with all safety regulations. If you don’t know how to choose, ask for help! And consider having a professional install the car seat for you, or stop by your local fire department and have them make sure you installed it correctly yourself

7. All the Swaddles

Most babies LOVE to be swaddled. Some moms prefer the traditional swaddle blankets like aden+anais, while some swear by the sleepsack swaddles or cocoon swaddles. You won’t know what you and your baby like, so pick up one of each to try out.

 

8. First Aid Essentials

It’s heartbreaking to think about, but your baby will get sick eventually. Instead of running out in the middle of the night for infant Tylenol or a thermometer, prepare now. Start with the basics (thermometer, nasal aspirator, gripe water, etc) and then you can add more as you need it.

9. Postpartum Care

Depending on where you live, you can probably register for postpartum care! So many women prepare for their birth and for baby, but they forget about caring for themselves after birth. You can hire a doula who will come to your home and help with breastfeeding and postpartum care, as well as light cleaning/dishes. (OKC friends, you can find a postpartum doula at the Thrive Mama Collective!)

10. Newborn/Birth Photography

Another great non-traditional registry option is to register for newborn and/or birth photography! Ok, I might be a bit biased but this is definitely a must-have. A portrait of your newborn is so much more valuable then yet another newborn outfit they might wear once or twice. Click here to add gift certificates for birth & newborn photography to your registry. 

 

And on that note, just a reminder that if you’re looking for a birth or newborn photographer in the Oklahoma City area, contact me! I’d love to talk to you about booking a session for you – or for a loved one that you want to purchase a session for.

 

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