Baby Registry Must Haves

Disclosure:  I will receive the products below in exchange for sharing this information.

Lindsay Pinchuk, Bump Club and Beyond Founder and CEO, has put together a list of baby registry must haves.

NURSERY AND DIAPERING

Diapers and Wipes

As a new mom you will go through more diapers than anything! It’s imperative to add them to your registry! Make sure you put different sizes on your list so that you have them when baby is ready to move up into the new size. New Huggies Little Snugglers are incredible – softer and more absorbent with a wetness indicator we couldn’t live without as new parents. They’re great for your newborn’s delicate skin. Huggies Natural Care Wipes are my wipes of choice – they have a simple formula and are fragrance free with Triple Clean* Layers that are tough on messes yet gentle on baby’s hands, face and bottom.

Activity Gym/Play Mat

If there is one toy every new mom needs, it’s this one. I am using the same play mat I used with my first daughter. For the first six months it was the only toy we used. This is essential as baby needs a safe place for tummy time and stimulation through play even early on. I love a play mat with a lot of colors, the ability to swap out different toys, and one that comes with a little tummy time pillow. Some of my favorites include:

• Skip Hop Activity Gym
• Kushies Shangrlia Activity Mat
• Tiny Love Gymini Lights and Music Super Deluxe

Bouncer/Baby Swing/Lounger

You need to have a place to lay the baby other than your arms when you come home from the hospital.  You’ll have to go to the bathroom at some point, right?! My recommendation is to start with one baby swing, and as you see the need you can purchase more. Remember, babies only use these items for about 6 months. Some of my favorites include:

• 4moms MamaRoo
• BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance
• Fisher Price Cradle N’ Swing.

Bassinet or Portable Crib

Most often when baby comes home they will sleep with you in your room for a few weeks to a few months or more – it all depends on what works best for you! Since baby will need a place to sleep while in your room, we have a couple of favorites. The Halo Bassinets allows baby to sleep close to you, but safely in its own space. It’s a lifesaver for those middle of the night feedings, as the front bar comes down and you can simply pull baby right into bed with you. We also love the 4moms Breeze, which is incredibly easy to set up and take down, making it perfect for a small space, or even travel.

Bath Tub

The tub you choose is dependent upon where you are bathing baby. I love a tub that is easy to clean, store and grows with your baby. My two favorites that I used with both of my kids include:

• The Boon Naked: The Boon Naked is amazing, especially for city living. You can recline it, expand it, drain it and collapse it…making for simple storage.
• Stokke Flexibath: This is amazing in that it totally collapses flat. You can even pack it in a suitcase. It’s suitable from birth to four years and even has an infant insert to make bathing baby super easy.

Swaddle Blanket

Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets:  I would be lost without these as they are basically used for everything. Not only are we swaddling in them, but we use them for coverage in the swing, car seat, or just to lay on the floor. They double as a nursing cover among a million other uses.

Diaper Pail

Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail by Munchkin:  This diaper pail is #1 in odor control. It won’t break the bank – we have two, one on each floor of our home – for easy disposal of our diapers.

NURSING AND FEEDING

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin and Disposable Breastpads

These were the two breastfeeding products I used most when I was nursing. The Lanolin has helped tremendously with some of the initial pain and the breast pads kept me dry day and night. I found Lansinoh’s Lanolin to work better for sore, cracked nipples, than the prescription product my IBCLC prescribed for me with baby #1.

Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bra

I am a pumper and would be lost without this product. The hands-free pumping bra allows me to catch up on emails, texts or social media while I am pumping, no matter what time of day.

Bravado, the Essential Nursing Tank

I wore the Bravado tanks in the hospital and basically the first few weeks at home. I found these more comfortable than any other tank/nursing bra while at the same time they were incredibly supportive.

Bottles

I both bottle and breastfed both of my daughters. While we’ve tried out many of the brands, the Mixie Bottle is my favorite for on the go when I am using formula. I pre-pack the bottles with the formula inside the closed capsule at the bottom of the bottle. When I am ready to feed, I push the bottom button, and shake up the formula mixing it into the bottle. There is no need for fumbling with the powder or water when I’m on the go anymore. My advice for buying bottles is to get a few different ones and see which one baby likes. Often it is baby who chooses the bottle, not the mom.

High Chair

While you won’t be using a high chair until you start feeding your baby around 5-6 months, it is a great item to register for. A good high chair is easy to clean, store, and is not a complete eyesore in your kitchen. It’s also imperative to find one with a removable tray which you can easily wash or throw in the dishwasher. An added bonus is if the chair grows with your child—which many do! Some of our favorite high chairs include:

• Stokke’s Tripp Trapp
• Nuna’s Zaaz
• phil&Ted’s Poppy
• If you’re looking for a simple, no frills high chair, IKEA’s Antilop is a good option – just make sure to get the one with the tray!

ON THE GO

Infant Car Seat

This is the one item of gear that is absolutely essential – especially if you are going to be leaving the hospital in a car. You can’t leave without it! Infant car seats have come a long way between by first and second baby: they are now lighter, easier to install and even easier to install correctly without a base, which is great for travel or city living. Some of our current favorites include:

• Chicco Keyfit30
• Cybex Aton Q
• The all-new Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35
• The UppaBaby Mesa and the Nuna Pipa

Most of these seats have the European belt path and all have an easy install systems.

Diaper Bag

It’s best to get a separate bag for leaving the house with baby. It’s imperative that there is enough space and pockets for the essentials, but that it is also easy to clean. Some of our favorites include:

• The redesigned Skip Hop Duo
• LeSportsac Ryan Bag
• Twelve Little Courage Backpack

Carrier

I didn’t carry my first daughter that much, but have found that using a carrier with #2 is imperative. It keeps her close and my hands are free to play with my toddler. I’d recommend to anyone going to the store to try out the carriers to find what is best for you. My favorites right now include:

• The soft carriers like Boba Baby Wrap or Baby K’Tan.
• A more traditional carrier like the Ergobaby, Beco Gemini or Lillebaby Complete, all of which can be used from birth with a proper insert and positioning.

Stroller

This is the hardest piece of baby gear to recommend, as a stroller is not a one-size fits all purchase. There are many good options. I would recommend visiting a local baby retailer so they can best fit you for a stroller that fits your lifestyle. Here are some of our favorites:

Travel Systems:

• Orbit G3 Stroller System
• Peg Perego Book Pop Up
• Britax Affinity

Modular Stroller:

• Bugaboo Donkey
• UPPABaby VISTA
• Baby Jogger City Select

Jogging Stroller:

• BOB Revolution

Double Side by Side:

• Bumbleride Indie Twin
• Mountain Buggy Duet
• Baby Jogger City Mini GT

Light-Weight or Travel Stroller:

• Baby Zen Yo Yo
• Quinny Yezz
• Baby Jogger City Mini
• UPPABaby G-Luxe

For more information on Lindsay and to find additional resources for building your registry, visit BumpClubAndBeyond.com. Additionally, visit Huggies.com/samplehug to get a sample to try the unbeatable skin care of Huggies Little Snugglers and Natural Care Wipes.

Is there something you really want that you could never put on your registry? Maybe a post-baby getaway, dream nursery or a year supply of diapers? Submit your wish at Huggies.com/registerwish and if you’re selected as a winner, Huggies will do everything they can to make your wish come true.