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Registering for baby is a lot of fun -- all those cute onesies! -- but can be pretty overwhelming, too -- all those different types of bottles! In fact, figuring out what you need, and more important, what you don’t need, can leave you nearly paralyzed in the store aisle. (Don’t worry, mama -- we’ve been there!) To help, our iVillage moms spilled on the must-have items that helped them through baby’s first months. Here are their picks.
Diapers
-- 1 large box of newborn diapers (yes, you can register for these! Get enough for the first week)
-- 1 box of size 1s diapers
-- 2-3 packs of unscented wipes (but you can never have too many!)
-- 1 diaper pail (and liners, if required)
-- 1 diaper bag
Bottle Feeding
-- 8 good-quality BPA-free bottles (if you’re bottle feeding, less if you’re breastfeeding)
-- Carrying case that holds ice packs for chilling bottle
Breastfeeding
-- 1 nursing pillow with at least one extra cover
-- 1 good-quality electric breast pump (if you’re planning to go back to work and pump)
-- 1 50-count pack of milk storage bags for freezing pumped milk
-- Nursing cover
-- Nursing pads
-- Bottle brush
-- Drying rack
-- Lanolin lotion
Clean-Up
-- 8-10 burp cloths or a dozen heavy-duty cloth diapers (for when the baby throws up or spits up)
-- 4-5 thick bibs
-- Baby laundry detergent
Bathing
-- Baby bathtub that can sit in a sink
-- 2-4 towels – especially hooded ones
-- 8-12 washcloths
-- Baby shampoo and wash
Playing
-- Vibrating bouncer
-- Baby swing
-- Play yard
-- Baby gym or activity mat
-- Rattles and toys
Health Care
-- Vaseline
-- Baby lotion
-- Diaper rash cream
-- Cortisone cream
-- Infant Tylenol
-- First aid kit
-- Nasal bulb syringe
-- 10-second thermometer
-- Baby nail clippers
Clothes
-- 4-6 socks/booties
-- 14 onesies (7 newborn-sized and 7 size 0-3 months)
-- 7 kimono-style onesies (so you don’t have to pull anything over baby’s head)
-- 6-8 zip-up sleeper
-- 7 pairs of soft pants
-- 1 sweater
-- 4 soft cotton hats
-- Mittens to prevent scratches
-- A few outfits
-- Bunting if it’s cold
Traveling
-- Infant carrier/car seat
-- Infant stroller
-- Baby carrier (like a Moby Wrap or Baby Bjorn)
-- Diaper bag
Safety
-- Monitor or video baby monitor
-- Velcro tabs with adhesive backs (for drawers or small cabinet doors that you don't want to put safety hardware on yet)
For the Nursery
-- Crib
-- Firm, flat mattress
-- Changing table, or dresser with changing table top
-- Changing table pads
-- 2 changing table pad covers
-- Co-sleeper, bassinet, or whatever else you’ll put baby in to sleep in your room
-- Storage cart for diaper changing/bath supplies
-- Bins to store toys, diapers, baby supplies
-- Glider/big comfy chair
-- Nightlight
-- Lullabye CDs
-- White noise CD/noise machine
-- Mobile
-- High chair
Bedding
-- 3-5 crib sheets
-- 4-pack of multi-purpose waterproof pads
-- 3-5 sleep sacks
-- 3-5 swaddling blankets of varying sizes with Velcro
Books
-- Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 5th Edition: Birth to Age 5, from the American Academy of Pediatrics
-- Classic story books and nursery rhyme books
-- Baby book
What was your must-have item after your baby was born? Chime in below!
