What do you really need on a baby registry as a first-time parent? In short, you’ll need some essential baby gear, as well as items for feeding, the nursery, and everyday care. The list of absolute essentials may be shorter than you’d expect. That said, the final list will depend on your family’s needs, preferences, and how you plan to care for your baby.
What Is a Baby Registry Checklist?
A baby registry checklist is a list of items for your baby that family and friends can buy for you. Most people set up a baby registry checklist ahead of a baby shower or a few months before the birth of their child. A baby registry helps ensure you don’t receive items you don’t want or duplicates, helping ensure you’re ready for your little one’s arrival.
How Many Items Should Be on a Baby Registry?
A comprehensive baby registry typically contains between 20 and 40 items. This covers all the basics you’ll need for the nursery, feeding, everyday care, and essential gear. By limiting the list to must-haves, you can ensure you’ll get everything you need to take care of your baby.
Baby Registry Must-Haves by Category
When putting your baby registry checklist together, it’s easier to think through categories of your baby’s needs.
Gear Essentials
For safety and convenience, you’ll need some basic gear to manage life with your baby.
Two major items are a car seat and a stroller. From that first car ride home up until your child is big enough for a booster seat, you’ll need a quality car seat. For the early days, you’ll need a car seat that’s appropriate and rated for newborns. You may choose a travel system that includes a car seat and stroller all in one.
A carrier or wrap and a diaper bag are other baby registry essentials. Especially during the newborn stage, having a carrier or wrap makes outings easier to manage.
A good diaper bag can last throughout your baby’s diapering days. When choosing a diaper bag, consider your baby’s changing needs. At first, you’ll need it to stash diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, and possibly bottles. Eventually, you’ll also want room for toys, snacks, and a water bottle.
Finally, add at least one baby seating option to your baby registry checklist. Whether you go for a bouncer, a swing, or a seat, it’s nice to have somewhere to dock your baby.
Feeding Essentials
The biggest feeding item you’ll need is a high chair. Today, there are many options, from high chairs with a built-in tray to models that allow your little one to join you at the table for meals.
In the early days, you’ll also need bottles and burp cloths. When choosing bottles, avoid choosing all the same nipple size and shape. Instead, either choose a variety or wait to test out what your baby likes before stocking up.
A nursing pillow can make breastfeeding much more comfortable, especially in the first few months when your baby is small.
Nursery Essentials
When setting up your baby registry checklist, consider setting a theme to help guide your decisions for nursery essentials. Choosing a crib bedding set or two can help keep a consistent style and create a cohesive look in your nursery. Then, you can flesh out the style with decor items such as a mobile, a lamp, and decorative plush stuffed animals.
Other baby registry must-haves for the nursery include a few sets of crib sheets. Having several sets ensures you’re always ready in an emergency. Some other bedding items to add to your checklist are baby blankets and wearable blankets.
Many families also find a baby monitor helpful for keeping an eye on the baby while they’re sleeping. Many of today’s monitors also double as sound machines, which can help your baby fall asleep.
Also consider adding items that are helpful for organization in the nursery, such as storage baskets and hampers. With so many small baby clothes, diapers, and gear to organize, having plenty of baskets helps make it easy to find what you need.
Finally, consider needs for your changing area, such as a changing table, changing pad, and changing pad covers. Some people also add bigger items like the crib, glider, and bureau to the baby registry while others prefer to purchase those items directly.
Everyday Care Essentials
Babies go through lots of clothes and diapers, so you’ll definitely want to build a stash of both. As you choose items, don’t lock down on one size or style. You never know what type of diaper will work best for your baby, so consider requesting several brands.
When requesting clothes, it’s also wise to choose a variety of sizes and styles. You might pick only a few newborn outfits, and then request some 3-6 month or even 6-9 month outfits. Babies can also be picky about what styles they find comfortable, so request different varieties like footless and footed pants or zipper and snap pajamas.
For bathtime, be sure to add a few essentials such as a bathtub and hooded towel. You may consider adding baby shampoos or soaps. However, keep in mind your baby may have skin sensitivities, so it’s best to limit how many you request until you can test out what works best for your baby.
Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have: What to Skip
Some baby items sound good in theory, but in real life aren’t that useful. Here are some items to think through carefully before adding to your baby registry must-haves.
| Skip It | Why | Wipe warmers | The warmth quickly disappears from the wipe when you remove it from the warming device. Plus, some experts warn that wipe warmers may grow bacteria and mold, meaning they’re really not worth the trouble. |
|---|---|
| Bottle warming devices | A saucepan with hot water will do the trick and won’t require another outlet. Or, you can use warm water to mix your formula. |
| Baby food makers | These are basically glorified blenders or food processors. You can achieve the same outcome without buying another special device. |
| Shoes for infants | Baby shoes fall off so easily that you’ll probably just lose them. Socks are the way to go until your baby is older. |
| Multiple seating options | A rocker, a Bumbo, a high chair, a swing, a carrier...there are so many seating options for infants! Try picking just one or two, so your house isn’t inundated with baby gear. |
| Too many newborn items | Some babies are born big and can’t even wear newborn clothes! Even babies who are born average-sized can only wear newborn clothes for a few weeks. So, err on requesting only a few newborn-sized items. |
What Does a Baby Registry Cost?
The total cost for a baby registry depends on the number and quality of items you select. We recently researched the prices of the following baby items at low, mid, and high-end price points:
- Car Seat
- Stroller
- Carrier
- Diaper Bag
- Diaper Pail
- Swing
- High Chair
- Bottles (4)
- Burp Cloths (1 pack)
- Nursing Pillow
- Crib Bedding Set
- Storage Baskets (2)
- Changing Pad
- Changing Pad Cover (1)
- Mobile
- Monitor
- Crib
- Glider
- Bureau
- Diapers (200 count)
- Clothes (4 sets of pajamas)
- Bathtub/bath seat
- Hooded baby towel
| Baby Registry Costs in 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Low | Mid | High End |
| $1126 | $2059 | $4974 |
When Should You Start Your Baby Registry?
The best time to start your baby registry is in your second trimester. At this point, you have about six months before baby’s arrival. So, getting your baby registry going will still give you some lead time to set up bigger items, wash baby clothes, and put your nursery together.
After you set up your baby registry, take some time to review it ahead of any baby showers. Make any adjustments to the items you’d like to receive as you get closer to your due date.
Baby Registry FAQs
What is the most important item on a baby registry?
The most important item on a baby registry is a car seat. You’ll need a car seat to bring your baby home from the hospital, so be sure you get one ahead of your baby’s birth. Other essential baby registry items include baby bedding, clothing, and diapers.
How much should a baby registry cost?
A baby registry typically costs about $1100 on the low end and up to $5000 on the high end. The cost of a registry depends on how many items you include and the quality of items you request.
Do I need a registry if I'm not having a baby shower?
You can still create a registry even if you're not having a baby shower. Many close friends and family members will still want to give you gifts, and a registry makes it easier for them. Plus, a baby registry helps ensure you get items you need and avoids duplicates.
What should I NOT put on my registry?
Most importantly, avoid putting any unsafe items like crib bumpers or baby walkers on your baby registry. Also, avoid gimmicky items that aren’t useful in day-to-day life, such as wipe warmers or newborn shoes. Finally, be sure not to add too many baby clothes or diapers in the same size.
Build Your Registry With Lambs & Ivy
Are you ready to create your baby registry? Be sure to include quality baby bedding, mobiles, and nursery decor from Lambs & Ivy. Get inspired by our nursery themes to build a cohesive baby registry of items that complement each other. We wish you the best on this exciting journey of growing your family.
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