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Baby Registry Checklist

Filter by priority level and customize for your birth type or living situation. Includes must-haves, nice-to-haves, cost ranges, expert notes, and items most parents should skip.

Items Checked Off0 / 38 must-haves

🛏️ Safe Sleep

Firm, flat sleep surface (bassinet or crib with firm mattress)

$80–$400Must-Have

AAP recommends firm, flat, non-inclined surface. No in-bed sleepers.

Fitted bassinet/crib sheets (x3 minimum)

$12–$25 eachMust-Have

Have extras for night changes

Waterproof mattress protector

$15–$35Must-Have

Swaddle blankets (muslin, x3–5)

$15–$50 for setMust-Have

Baby monitor (audio or video)

$30–$300Must-Have

🏢 Apartment tip: Audio-only may suffice in small apartments

🍼 Feeding

Bottles (4 oz, x4–6 of one brand to start)

$6–$18 eachMust-Have

Try one brand before buying many — babies have preferences

Bottle brush and drying rack

$10–$25Must-Have

Nursing pillow (Boppy, My Brest Friend)

$35–$55Must-Have

Also helpful for bottle feeding and tummy time

Burp cloths (x6–10)

$15–$30 for setMust-Have

Breast pump (may be covered by insurance)

$0–$350Must-Have

Check insurance coverage first — many plans cover it fully

Nursing bras (x3)

$15–$45 eachMust-Have

Wait until late pregnancy to size — breasts change significantly

Breast milk storage bags

$15–$25 for 50-packMust-Have

Nipple cream (lanolin or alternatives)

$10–$20Must-Have

👶 Diapering & Changing

Changing pad with cover (x2 covers)

$20–$50Must-Have

Diapers (newborn x1 pack, size 1 x2 packs)

$20–$50 per boxMust-Have

Don't overbuy newborn size — many babies skip it fast

Unscented baby wipes (x4–6 packs)

$5–$8 per packMust-Have

Diaper cream (zinc oxide based)

$8–$15Must-Have

Diaper bag with insulated pockets

$30–$150Must-Have

🛁 Bathing

Baby bathtub with sling/support

$25–$60Must-Have

Soft hooded towels (x2–3)

$10–$25 eachMust-Have

Unscented baby wash and shampoo

$8–$15Must-Have

Baby nail clippers or file

$5–$15Must-Have

Nails grow fast — you'll use this within days of birth

Baby washcloths (x6–8)

$5–$20 for setMust-Have

🚗 Gear & Transport

Infant car seat (rear-facing)

$80–$400Must-Have

Required to leave hospital. Check for expiry date.

Stroller (or travel system if getting infant seat)

$100–$1200Must-Have

🏢 Apartment tip: Lightweight or city stroller often better for apartments/transit

Baby carrier / wrap (at least one)

$30–$180Must-Have

Ring sling for newborn, structured carrier for 4+ months

🏥 Health & Safety

Rectal thermometer (most accurate for infants)

$10–$30Must-Have

Nasal aspirator (Frida NoseFrida or bulb syringe)

$5–$25Must-Have

Saline nasal drops (infant)

$5–$10Must-Have

Infant pain reliever (acetaminophen — for after 2 month vaccines)

$8–$12Must-Have

Ask pediatrician before 2 months old

Baby medicine dropper / syringe set

$5–$10Must-Have

Outlet covers and cabinet locks

$10–$20 for packMust-Have

Not urgent at birth — needed when baby starts moving (4–8 months)

💜 Postpartum Recovery (for Parent)

Peri bottle (perineal rinse bottle)

$5–$15Must-Have

Hospital usually provides one but upgrade Frida Mom version is worth it

Large overnight pads (postpartum)

$8–$15 for packMust-Have

Plan for 2–4 weeks of heavy bleeding supplies

Stool softeners (Colace or similar)

$8–$15Must-Have

Constipation is extremely common post-birth — start early

Witch hazel pads / Tucks

$6–$12Must-Have

Comfortable high-waist underwear or disposable postpartum underwear

$15–$30Must-Have

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Baby Registry Basics: What Parents Actually Use

First-time parents often over-register for items they won't use and under-register for the consumables (diapers, wipes, formula, nursing pads) they'll need in enormous quantities. The checklist above is built on the principle that babies need far less gear than the industry suggests — but the core items matter a lot. Focus on safety, feeding, and sleep first.

The Only 5 Things You Truly Need Before Birth

🛏️1

Safe sleep space

Firm, flat bassinet or crib. No bumpers, wedges, or positioners.

🚗2

Rear-facing car seat

Installed before the due date. Hospital won't discharge without it.

🍼3

Feeding supplies

Bottles and/or breastfeeding support. Breast pump ideally before birth.

👶4

Diapers and wipes

Newborn x1 pack, size 1 x2 packs, unscented wipes x4+ packs.

🌡️5

Thermometer

Rectal thermometer for under 3 months — it's the only accurate method.

Items That Are Often Gifted (Register for These)

These items are expensive and people love to gift them — make sure they're on your registry:

→Car seat / travel system
→Stroller
→Baby monitor
→Breast pump upgrade
→Bassinet or bedside sleeper
→Baby carrier / wrap
→Postpartum recovery kit
→Subscription to diaper service

AAP Safe Sleep Recommendations

  • ✓ Always place baby on their back to sleep for every sleep
  • ✓ Use a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface
  • ✓ Baby sleeps in the same room as parents for at least 6 months
  • ✓ Keep sleep area free of soft objects: no pillows, bumpers, blankets, or toys
  • ✗ Never use inclined sleepers, soft surfaces, or in-bed sleepers (e.g., in-bed bassinet inserts in your own bed)

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start a baby registry?

Most parents start a registry around 12–20 weeks of pregnancy, after the anatomy scan confirms things are progressing well. This gives you time to research items, compare products, and share the registry before your baby shower (typically held around 34–36 weeks). The closer you get to your due date, the more useful it is to have the registry complete.

How much does a basic baby setup cost?

A minimal but complete setup — covering all must-haves — typically runs $1,500–$3,000 in the United States. A mid-range setup with quality gear ranges from $3,000–$6,000. Premium setups can be $8,000+. The biggest variable is the travel system (car seat + stroller) and sleep space. Many items can be purchased secondhand safely — with exceptions: car seats (check for recalls and no prior collisions), cribs made before 2011 safety standards, and any product involved in a recall.

Can I put expensive items on a registry, or will that seem rude?

Including expensive items is completely normal — baby registry culture expects it. Registries serve as a wish list across all budgets. Guests who can't afford individual items often group together (registry group gifting features exist on most platforms). Expensive items like strollers or cribs are often purchased by grandparents or close family. Include items across a range of price points (under $30, $30–$100, $100+) to give everyone options.

What items are actually safe to buy secondhand?

Safe to buy gently used: clothing, burp cloths, swaddles, nursing pillows, bouncers (check for recalls), play gyms, books, and most gear that isn't subject to safety standards changes. Avoid secondhand: car seats (can't verify crash history or recalls), cribs made before 2011 (safe sleep standards changed), breast pumps if they're personal-use models (shared pumps risk contamination), and any item involved in a recall. Check CPSC.gov for current product recalls before buying.

Do I really need a wipe warmer or baby swing?

Neither is necessary. Wipe warmers tend to dry out wipes and create a bacterial growth risk if not maintained properly. Most babies adapt to room-temperature wipes within seconds. Baby swings are similarly hit-or-miss — some babies love them, others don't. If buying new, consider a collapsible or lightweight model to test before investing in a full-size swing.

What does my baby actually need in the first week?

Newborns in the first week need: a safe flat sleep surface (bassinet, crib, or play yard with firm mattress), fitted sheets, swaddles, a car seat to get home, basic feeding supplies (bottles and/or breastfeeding support), diapers (newborn and size 1), wipes, a thermometer, and you. Almost everything else is a convenience item — helpful but not urgent in the first days.

What should I NOT put on my baby registry?

Items experts and experienced parents commonly recommend skipping: crib bumper pads (AAP safety risk), sleep positioners and wedges (unsafe per AAP), newborn shoes (babies don't walk and their feet develop better barefoot), baby food processors (a blender or fork works fine), elaborate changing table stations (a changing pad on any dresser works), and baby formula in bulk before knowing how you're feeding (your experience may differ from your plan).

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