Baby Registry Guide

When creating this list I chose items that I couldn’t live without. Many of these items were passed down from other parents whose judgement I trusted, mixed with items I had researched extensively. I believe in quality with items that are frequently used to minimize the use of having to continue to buy new ones. Many of these items have a high cost turn around for re selling, re using and gifting to other new parents. In the end always go with your gut when buying an item and do what works for you and your baby.

Baby Carriers

Everyone will have a different carrier that works best for them. Like a pair of jeans not all carriers will fit every body type the same. For that reason, I strongly suggest finding a babywearing meeting where you can try these items on in person, even better, try to go once you’ve had your baby. Here are my favorite brands and styles that I believe eliminate the need for buying different styles.

Soft Structured/Ring/Meh Dai

If you only want to go with one carrier, it should be a soft structured. These carriers are a combination of structured, ring and meh dai carriers. It’s a perfect mix of all three. Easy to learn and lightweight.

Happy Baby Carrier- Perfect carrier for quick on and off, it’s lightweight, breathable and small enough for diaper bag. A huge plus is that the waistband sits higher on your waistline making it perfect for petite mothers, and those healing from a cesarean. Newborn into early toddlerhood.

Sakura Bloom- Variety of beautiful slings and soft structured carriers. Soft structured carriers and slings are customer favorites. ‘The Scout’ is perfect for all your daily adventures if you want the function of a structured, and sling carrier. The adjustable waistband is similar to a Meh Dai/ring sling. Newborn into early toddlerhood.

Wrap

Solly Baby wrap- Lightweight fabric makes this standout from other brands. Beautiful prints, and their babywearing support is unparalleled. Perfect for those newborns days up to apx 6 months (12 months).

Structured

Lilliebaby- This is great for long wearing and larger babies into toddlerhood. Baby can be forward facing, side and back carried. A favorite for dad’s as well. Infant (no insert needed) to toddlerhood.

Baby Bjorn Mini- Small, easy on and off. Unclips from the front making it easy for transfer. Infant to 1 year.

Bouncers

BabyBjorn Bouncer- The only bouncer you need. Your baby can nap, rest and play safely from birth to early toddlerhood. It’s a favorite because of it’s ergonomic style that supports the baby's back, neck and head. Plus, no extra gadgets, annoying sounds for overstimulation. It folds up completely flat for easy storage or for travel.

Sleep

Swaddles/Wearable Blankets

So many choices on the market that your best best is to find them used to see what works best for your baby. Here are a few tried and true swaddles that are great to start with.

Swaddle Me- Easy and quick, perfect for those early days and late nights. Velcro closure.

Woombie- This is the swaddle for those first few days home. Easy to use and tight fitting, resembling the womb. Simple zipper closure, perfect for middle of the night changes.

Halo Sleepsack- The swaddle that does it all. Can be used with arms in or out plus it’s a lot harder for their little hands to break out of due to the extra wide and long velcro closures.

Muslin blanket swaddles- Aden and Anais swaddles are the perfect size with beautiful prints and fabrics, but any brand really will do. These are harder to swaddle with and there is room for error which can make them unsafe, but if you have skill and patience they are great. The plus side with muslin blankets are that they can be used for literally anything and everything. *(Look up the burrito wrap for the safest and most effective swaddle).

Woolino Sleep Sack- This sleep sack is worth the price tag in every way. Made from merino wool and cotton this sleepsack is warm, breathable, hypoallergenic and temperature regulating. It can be worn all year round from the ages of 2 months-2 years so you will definitely get use out of this. I have personally used this sleep sack every night on two children and it’s still in very good condition. I do recommend buying one cheaper sleep sack for those nights when your child has an accident but because of the natural “self-cleaning” properties of wool washing frequently isn’t needed.

Cribs/Bassinets

I really believe that you won’t know where your baby will sleep until you have them. Between co-sleeping products, bassinets or cribs there are too many options to narrow it down as a new parent. We can have ideas of what we want, what kind of parent we see ourselves as, but until that little baby is laying on your chest all those ideas can go out the window. To help simplify the process a bit more here are brands that I love and think are worth looking into.

Crib

Ikea Sniglar- Minimalism at its best. This crib is made from 100% beech wood and free of any paints and stains. It’s very affordable and does the job of keeping your baby safe and contained. Downside is it’s lightweight enough so it’s a must to attach to the wall. It also does not come with a toddler bed conversion kit which could be a downside to some.

Babyletto Crib- All of the cribs by this brand are beautiful, well made and non-toxic. You can’t go wrong with any of the styles but if I had to choose one it would be the Gelato. The Gelato is modern, minimalistic and has 4 different styles from full crib, toddler bed, daybed and twin (with conversion kit).

Crib Mattress

New non-toxic crib mattresses keep coming out each year, which is a needed new trend. But truly non-toxic crib mattresses come with a high price tag. Given how long your child will sleep on them it could be worth the investment in the long run. If a non-toxic mattress isn’t an option due to price tags there are mattress covers made from wool that can be placed under the crib sheet.

Babyletto Crib Mattress- These mattresses come in a range of prices all free of toxins and flame-retardant, recycled poly fill to natural coconut fiber.

Naturepedic Crib Mattress- Truly the only organic non-toxic crib mattress on the market with an affordable price tag (as of 2019)- Non-toxic, organic, flame-retardant, and allergy friendly with coil or cotton filling.

Accessories /Gear

Bath Time

I have yet to find products I truly love for bath time. It could be a combination of them outgrowing items quickly or the fact that they are wiggly and slippery little fellas that wards me off. But one thing that I find important in bath products is safety, mold resistance and cost.

Diapering

With the amount of diapers you’ll change the cost of these items can seem staggering but in the end they are worth it.

Keekaroo Peanut changing pad- I never thought I would want a diaper changing pad with a high price tag but after changing diaper everyday, multiple times a day for 3 years straight I can say now, I get it. This was the first one I brought home and with two little ones using it daily for 3 years straight it still looks as good as new. Made from polyurethane foam that’s non-toxic, water and puncture resistant makes this product stand out. It’s comfortable for your little one and easy to wipe clean for you. Extra points for not having to buy any sheets that need extra washing, which can add up in cost down the line.

Ubbi Diaper Pail- Save yourself some trouble and just get this diaper pail. It’s smell proof, uses regular garbage bags and blends in well with minimalistic decor.

Flannel wipes- I don’t know how any parent does without these. They were key in our household for applying bum creams and cleaning without using harsh wipes in those early days. They hold up very well and wash clean with hot water without a ton of shrinkage.

Liniment Cream- Mostly sold in Europe this creme can be used in place of diaper creams and wipes for those early days. It’s a very simple cream made up of olive oil and omegas. It can be used with the flannel wipes and does not need to be rinsed off. I personally never needed diaper rash cream because of this product.

Feeding- birth to toddlerhood

Ikea Antilop High Chair- Nothing beats the price and clean-ability of this chair. It’s extremely easy to wipe clean, which is a major plus for those messy feedings. Buy the inflatable pillow that rests behind the baby for a closer seat.

Keekaroo and Stokke- Beautiful and versatile seats perfect from 6 months- preschool years. With the high price tag it might seem daunting at first but if you can afford it, it’s worth it. Better yet, look for it used and buy any extra parts on the manufacturers website to make it a complete set for your babies age and use.

Green Sprouts Muslin Bibs- Soft and absorbent, all you need for a newborn baby that spits up. I wouldn’t use them for those toddler foods days but they work well for those first few months. If you have a baby that spits up a lot, this is the only bib you need, buy 2 packs and save yourself the headache of changing clothing frequently.

Baby Bottles- I’m not going to give any recommendations here. Because for the most part it will depend on your baby. Go with a sample pack or hand me downs (buy new nipples) to start and go from there.

Nuk Food Masher- Not sure if you want to do purees or Baby Led Weaning? This item made those early days easy for feeding without spending time making pureed foods. Only negative was that it’s made from plastic (BPA free). It’s great for on-the-go, travel and vacation.

EZPZ plate/bowl- Stays put, perfect size for most high chair tabletops and dishwasher safe. These plates have lasted 5 years without any issues thus far.

360 Munchkin cups- Dentist and pediatrician approved baby/toddler cup. Can be used from 6 months on. Spill proof (unless thrown) and easy to clean with only 3 parts to take apart. No other 360 cup measures up to this brand.

Ezpz Open cups- Baby Led Weaning is becoming more popular and the use of an open lid cup as an early introduction supports healthy oral and speech development.

Straw Cups- I’m personally not a huge fan of straw cups because all the tiny parts that are involved in cleaning, plus most are mainly plastic. I also believe each child is different and the transition from breast, bottle to cup is one you can’t predict until you give everything a try,

Table Food Mat- For on the go or even at home, this food mat keeps the space clean and less worry about the table at a restaurant being clean.

Hydro Flask water bottle- Stainless steel, lifetime warranty, keeps drinks cold for 24hrs and hot for 6. This water bottle has a higher price tag on it but has outlasted every other brand with daily toddler use. It’s our family go to for daily outings. Major plus is there is only a straw piece to clean, unlike other brands with multiple pieces to wash.

The Extras

Skip Hop Diaper Bag- I’ve tried tons of different styles and always found a backpack to be the easiest to carry, especially with more than one kiddo. This backpack is lightweight, easy to clean, can hang from a stroller and has enough pockets for bottles, snacks, clothes and diapers.

Playard/Portable Crib- If you travel a lot or value space and ease then the Guava Lotus Travel crib is for you. It’s lightweight, folds up and opens very quickly and the lower zipper makes for easy in and out with a crawling baby.

Playmat/Play Gym- Any type of play mat and play gym will work. I personally love a wooden one that folds up and is versatile with any toys I want to hang. Lovevery is popular but the price tag may be a bit much.

Toddler Years

Toddler play based supplies

Creating a space where toddlers can play and create is key to a cleaner and happier home. Toddler play is messy but it doesn’t have to be stressful. This list is a first step in creating a beautiful fun, play based home for your toddlers.

Toddler year essentials

Kitchen Helper- I have never owned an item that got more use than this. It’s folds up, it has adjustable heights and it has held up for apx. 10 years between 3 different families, it’s perfect. You can find it preowned on marketplaces for much less.

Wobble Board- Any toy that’s versatile from baby years to preschool years is a win. This wobble board can be crawled on, sat on stood on… the possibilities are endless. My kids love to rock back and forth on it or using it as a car ramp. No need for lots of climbing gear when this can be used to climb over and under.

Kitchen Helper Tools- This isn’t a must have but it’s a great tool in dealing with toddler picky eating.