Creating your baby registry is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming once you realize how many baby products are out there. Between everyday essentials, viral baby gear, and products every parent swears by, it’s hard to know what you’ll actually use once your little one arrives.

We have a complete baby registry checklist that covers all the categories and basics, but this guide focuses on the true baby registry must-haves. These are the baby items parents reach for constantly during those first months with a newborn, from sleep and feeding essentials to travel gear and everyday baby care products.

To help narrow things down, we’re sharing the top baby registry must-haves we genuinely recommend to new families.

Registry Tip: Focus first on the baby essentials you’ll use every single day, like sleep, feeding, diapering, and travel gear. You can always add trendier baby products later once you learn what works best for your family.

Sleep Essentials

Sleep quickly becomes one of the biggest adjustments after bringing home a newborn. Having the right newborn sleep essentials can help create a soothing, safe environment for your baby while making those long nights a little easier for parents, too.

Creating a safe, soothing sleep environment that reminds baby of the womb can help support better naps and nighttime sleep. To get baby to sleep, every sleep consultant will tell you to have a dark space, a safe space to put baby down to sleep (a crib, bassinet, or co-sleeper), a swaddle (swaddle blankets as well as zip-up baby swaddles like this one from HALO), a sound machine (the white noise is similar to what they heard in the womb), and even a pacifier to help with self-soothing.¹

For safety, be sure to pick a safe crib mattress for your baby (like this one) and have a monitor to ensure baby is doing well. We’ve also found the Owlet Dream Sock Monitor especially helpful for parents wanting additional peace of mind while baby sleeps.

Here are a few baby registry must-haves we consistently recommend for safer, more restful sleep.

• Babyletto Crib
• HALO Basinest Co-Sleeper
• Love to Dream Swaddle
• Hatch Baby Rest+ Sound Machine
• Bibs Pacifier

These next sleep products can be especially helpful for creating a calmer nighttime routine and supporting longer stretches of sleep.

• Naturepedic Crib Mattress
• Nanit Pro Baby Monitor
• Owlet Dream Sock Monitor
• SNOO Smart Sleeper
• SnuzPod4
• Kyte Baby Sleep Sack
• HALO Sleepsack Swaddle

Related: Must-Have Baby Sleep Products (0-6 Months)

Feeding

Breastfeeding

If you’ve decided to breastfeed your baby, some breastfeeding products can make things much more comfortable and easier for you. A few supportive nursing bras and absorbent nursing pads can make breastfeeding much more comfortable during those early weeks.

Trying different breastfeeding positions is also important to release all the milk ducts in your breast and prevent engorgement or even mastitis.^2,3 A breastfeeding pillow can definitely help you stay comfortable when trying those different breastfeeding positions with your baby.

After breastfeeding for a few feedings, your nipples can become chapped. Keep them hydrated and prevent them from cracking and bleeding by using a good and safe nipple balm. Silver nursing cups can also be soothing on your nipples.

Another product we love is a silicone breast pump. These can travel with you anywhere, require no battery or outlet, and are easy to clean! For an electric pump, we love this one (you can read our review of the Motif Duo Double Electric Breast Pump), and you will want to remember to get a good hands-free pumping bra.

Here are a few breastfeeding essentials we personally found the most helpful during those early feeding weeks.

• Kindred Bravely Nursing Bra
• Bamboobie Nursing Pads
• Naturepedic Nursing Pillow
• Earth Mama Nipple Balm
• Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump Gen 3
• Motif Double Electric Breast Pump
• Kindred Bravely Hands-Free Pumping Bra
• Elvie Wearable Breast Pump
• Larken Bra
• LaVie Silver Nursing Cups
• LaVie Warming Lactation Massager

Related: Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Needs

Bottle-Feeding and Starting Solids

Whether you’re formula feeding, pumping, or combining breastmilk and bottles, these feeding essentials can make everyday routines much easier.

Select a baby bottle (or a few bottles for your baby to try), a good bottle brush to keep your baby bottles clean, and a drying rack to let all the bottle parts air dry. You can also use a bottle washer that will both sterilize and dry bottles, pump parts, and other accessories.

When bottle-feeding your baby, it’s much easier for baby to overeat and spit up. I highly recommend these burp cloths since they are super absorbent and can turn into a bib.

The Baby Brezza Formula Pro and Baby Brezza Formula Pro MINI were two of the most helpful products for simplifying bottle prep during busy newborn days. The PopYum bottles are also great for formula feeding on the go. You’ll also want sturdy storage bags or freezer bags for your breast milk.

Then, when your baby is ready to start solids, you can use those burpy bibs while baby is sitting in their high chair. I also like Tiny Twinkle’s bibs. They even have sleeved bibs for when kiddos are wearing a long-sleeved onesie (to protect the sleeves). Both are great! In addition, this first foods feeding set has everything you need for starting solids, and we also love these easy-to-grab utensils and starter cups.

These are some of our favorite bottle-feeding and starting solids essentials for everyday use.

• Emulait Baby Bottles
• OXO Bottle Brush
• Boon Drying Rack
• Copper Pearl Burp Cloths
• Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced
• Baby Brezza Formula Pro MINI
• PopYum Baby Bottles
• aden + anais Burpy Bib

Once baby starts solids, these feeding products become especially useful for mealtime routines and self-feeding practice.

• Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
• ezpz First Foods Feeding Set
• NumNum First Spoon Set
• Grabease Utensils
• Munchkin Miracle 360 Cups
• Munchkin Gentle Scoop Spoon
• Morepeas Six-Way Snack Cup
• Tiny Twinkle Mess-Proof Bib
• Tiny Twinkle Sleeved Bibs
• Bottle Sanitizer
• EveryStep Slim High Chair
• Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro
• Zip Top Reusable Storage Bags
• Medela Breastmilk Freezer Bags
• Philips AVENT Baby Bottle Warmer
• CarePod Humidifer
• Replay Dish Set

Related: Baby Products Parents Wish Had Been On Their Baby Registry

Travel and On-the-Go Essentials

Leaving home with baby can feel quite daunting at first. You might think you need everything in your house, but really, you just need a few key essentials.

If you’re traveling with baby, start with the basics: a properly installed car seat, a safe place for baby to sleep, and a few items that help maintain your routine while away from home. A pack ’n play or travel crib paired with the SlumberPod can create a safe, dark sleep space for naps and bedtime, while a portable sound machine can help soothe baby on the go.

For everyday outings and longer trips alike, having the right gear can make leaving the house feel much less stressful. A stroller or wagon helps with longer walks, and a well-stocked diaper bag makes it easier to handle feedings, diaper changes, and unexpected messes while you’re out. I also absolutely love this baby bottle for formula feeding on the go.

And whether you are leaving town, walking around the block, or even around the house, a good baby carrier is a must! There are so many benefits to babywearing. I love this wrap, this structured carrier, and this ring sling carrier. They are all parent favorites for different stages and needs.

Here are some travel and on-the-go baby essentials we consistently recommend to parents.

• Doona Car Seat
• Travel Crib
• SlumberPod
• UPPAbaby Stroller
• Stroller Wagon
• Diaper Bag
• PopYum Bottles
• Baby Wrap Carrier
• Structured Baby Carrier
• Ring Sling Carrier
• Enya Mond Luna Bag
• Hatch Rest Go

Related: Travel Essentials for Baby

Baby Clothing Essentials

Don’t forget to pick out your baby’s coming home outfit from the hospital. Once your little one is born, you want to keep them covered and cozy because they cannot regulate their own temperature.⁴ Choose soft fabrics when selecting onesies and baby hats. Socks can also keep their feet warm if their onesies don’t include footies. Mittens are also helpful because they prevent babies from scratching their faces. It’s wild how fast their little fingernails grow and how sharp they can be!

• Onesies
• Hats
• Socks
• Mittens

Related: The Best Baby Registry Sites

Newborn Care

These newborn essentials are some of the most-used baby registry items during those first months with a baby. These items are how you care for your newborn. Every baby will need diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a changing pad, a diaper pail, nail trimmers, and a teether/ toothbrush to care for their gums and teeth. You’ll want a handy spatula, too, to easily apply diaper cream to baby. I also love a wipe dispenser because it makes taking the wipes out so much easier. It helps prevent you from pulling out more than one wipe at a time.

These newborn care essentials are the items most parents end up reaching for multiple times a day.

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Munchkin Wipe Dispenser
• Ubbi Baby Wipes Dispenser
• Diaper Cream
• Diaper Pail
• Changing Pad
• Changing Pad and Scale
• Nail Trimmers
• Baby Teether/ Toothbrush
• Baby Bum Brush

Bath Time

You don’t need too much for bath time. First, you need a bathtub that can grow with your baby (like this one or this one), then some safe shampoo and body wash specifically made for babies. You’ll also want a bath rinser that makes washing their hair easier and some hooded towels and washcloths. Keeping your baby’s skin hydrated is essential, and we love this gentle baby lotion that you can apply after their bath. In the beginning, you won’t need bath toys, but after a few months, bath toys become especially helpful for keeping little ones entertained during bath time.

• Bath Tub
• Inflatable Infant Bather
• Shampoo and Wash
• Bath Rinser
• Hooded Towels and Washcloths
• Lotion
• Bath Toys
• Pad Bath Kneeler
• Pillowfort Bath Storage Caddy
• Changing Pad Liners

Playtime Essentials

Playtime helps babies learn, explore their senses, and interact with the world around them. Here are a few baby gear favorites for playtime that help support your baby’s development and keep them entertained.

It’s great to be able to put baby somewhere safe where they can either relax or play. We love this activity center, bouncer, swing, and play mat.

You can never begin reading to your child too early, so get them to love books with crinkle books. Reading to them and showing them pictures is a great activity to do together.

You’ll also realize that babies love to put everything in their mouths. That’s one of the ways they learn. Having a good teether (like this one) that you can put in the freezer when they begin teething is an excellent option.

Babies also love music and rattles. This baby toy plays all sorts of classical tunes for your baby, and this rattle lights up and is a great first toy for baby.

From tummy time to sensory play, these baby toys and play essentials can grow with your little one throughout the first year.

• Activity Center
• Teether
• Crinkle Book
• Rattle
• Toy
• Play Mat
• Swing
• Bouncer

Health and Safety Essentials

Our baby’s health and safety are of the utmost importance. You can create your own first aid kit for your children (which I highly recommend), but if that is too much, the pre-made first aid kit for kids is also a good option. It will contain the essentials that you need for big and small boo-boos.

An item that doesn’t come in first aid kits is a thermometer. I also recommend getting a rectal thermometer for newborn babies because that is the most accurate temperature reading for a child that young.⁵ Your pediatrician will ask for this if you were to call concerned about your baby’s temperature.

Another must-have is saline spray and a snotsucker. Those bulb syringes just don’t get the job done, and these two products really help your baby breathe better!

• NoseFrida Snotsucker
• Saline Spray
• Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit
• KeepGoing Kids First Aid Kit
• Rectal Thermometer
• Thermometer

Every family’s baby registry will look a little different, but these are the baby registry must-haves we find ourselves recommending again and again. Focus on the products that will support your everyday routines, help simplify life with a newborn, and make those early months feel a little less overwhelming.

And remember, you do not need every trending baby product on the market. Start with the essentials, then adjust as you learn what works best for your baby and your family.