Creating the Perfect Baby Registry: Must-Have Items for New Parents
My Favorite Products for New Parents: Calgary Family Photographer
Congratulations on this exciting journey into parenthood! As you prepare for the arrival of your little bundle of joy, creating a baby registry is truly essential to ensure you have all the must-have items for this brand new chapter in your life. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming sometimes to determine exactly what you need.
In this post, I have curated a list of the top must-have items for new parents to include in their baby registry. From practical essentials like diapers and onesies to innovative gadgets that make parenting a breeze, I’ve got you covered! Get ready to embark on your parenthood journey fully equipped with all the essentials. Let's dive in and create the perfect baby registry together!
The Importance of a Baby Registry
Creating a baby registry is more than just a fun activity for expectant parents. It’s a practical and efficient way to ensure that you receive the items you need for your baby, while also making it easy for friends and family to choose gifts that you truly want and need. By creating a baby registry, you can avoid receiving duplicate items or items that don't align with your personal preferences.
A baby registry also allows you to plan ahead and budget for the essential items your baby will need in the first few months of life. It will help to prioritize your purchases and ensure that you have everything ready before your little one arrives. Additionally, many retailers offer discounts and perks for items purchased from a baby registry, making it a cost-effective option for new parents.
Choosing the Right Baby Registry Platform
When it comes to choosing the right baby registry platform, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you want a platform that offers a wide selection of products from many reputable brands. This ensures that you have access to the best and most reliable items for your baby.
Another important consideration is the ease of use and functionality of the platform itself. You will want to look for a baby registry platform that allows you to easily add and remove items, update quantities, and organize your registry into different categories. It should also provide you with the option to add items from multiple brands, giving you the flexibility to choose products from your preferred brands. All of these companies listed below will provide a wide range of products to ensure that your nursery will be stocked with everything that you will need!
I highly recommend the following Baby Registries:
Must-Have Items for the Nursery
The nursery is where your baby will spend a significant amount of time, so it's important to create a comfortable and safe environment. When it comes to must-have items for the nursery, there are a few essentials that should be at the top of your list.
First and foremost, a crib is an essential item for your baby's nursery. Look for a crib that meets safety standards and has adjustable mattress heights to accommodate your growing baby. A comfortable mattress and fitted crib sheets are also important for a good night's sleep.
Another must-have item for the nursery is a changing table or dresser with a changing pad. This provides a dedicated space for diaper changes and keeps all the necessary supplies within reach. Look for a changing table with storage space to keep diapers, wipes, and other essentials organized.
A glider or rocking chair is another great product to add to your baby registry as it will provide a comfortable and soothing space for feeding and bonding with your baby.The gentle rocking or gliding motion of the chair can have a calming effect on newborn babies and really help to soothe fussy infants, making it easier for them to fall asleep and relax.
A white sound machine such as a well know brand called the Baby Shusher can also be helpful in creating a calm and sleep-friendly environment for your little one. I use the Baby Shusher in all of my newborn photography sessions as it truly helps to calm and soothe baby until they fall into a deep sleep!
Essential Baby Gear for Feeding and Diapering
Feeding and diapering are two activities that you will be doing frequently as a new parent, so it's important to have the right gear to make these tasks as easy and convenient as possible. When it comes to feeding, a high-quality breast pump is a must-have item for breastfeeding moms. Medela has numerous models, upgrades and options such as a manual breast pump or a portable double electric breast pump with Maxflow technology. You will want to look for a pump that is efficient, easy to use, and portable for on-the-go convenience which is why my go to was the portable double electric breast pump.
If you plan on bottle feeding, consider adding a bottle sterilizer and bottle warmer to your baby registry. My personal favourite brand is Philips Avent for all of these types of feeding items. Avent's products are known for their quality, ease of use, and focus on safety. The brand often incorporates feedback from parents and medical professionals to continually improve its offerings which I feel is super important. The devices I noted above will help to make it quick and easy to sterilize and warm bottles, ensuring that your baby's feedings are safe and comfortable. And don’t forget the Philips Avent baby bottles, extremely helpful for having dad or grandparents feed your brand new baby while you recove postpartum.
When it comes to diapering, a high quality diaper pail is a must-have item to control odors and keep your nursery smelling fresh. Look for a diaper pail that is easy to use and has odor-blocking features. The Diaper Genie is a brand I have used for over a decade, during the years when my boys were babies and still today in my studio client changing room to seal up all those newborn baby diapers used during my newborn photo sessions. The newest Diaper Genie’s even come in an assortment of colours to match and coordinate with your baby’s nursery.
Safety Items for the Home and Car
Safety is a top priority when it comes to caring for your baby. There are several safety items that should be included in your baby registry to ensure that your home and car are safe and secure for your little one.
First and foremost, a great functioning baby monitor such as the VTeck Video Monitor is essential for keeping an eye on your baby while they sleep. Look for a monitor with video capabilities and features such as temperature monitoring and night vision. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you can see and hear your baby at all times.
Another important safety item is a certified and approved baby car seat. For our boys, we went the Britax Brand and I loved how we were able to grow with this brand easily. They offer newborn car seats, toddler car seats, multiple accessories for on the go and are truly a luxurious brand and very well designed. Car seats for our little ones is one item I did not compromise on so be sure to look for a car seat that meets all safety standards and is suitable for your baby's age and weight and it goes without saying, it's also extremely important to ensure that the car seat is installed correctly and fits securely in your vehicle.
Other safety items to consider adding to your baby registry include baby outlet covers and baby gates. These items will help protect your baby from potential hazards around the house.
Clothing and Accessories for your newborn
When it comes to clothing and accessories for your newborn, comfort and practicality are key. Babies grow quickly, so it's important to have a range of sizes and styles to accommodate their changing needs.
Start with a collection of onesies and newborn sleepers in various sizes. These are easy to put on and take off, and provide comfort for your baby throughout the day and night. Look for onesies with snap closures or envelope necklines for easy diaper changes.
When it comes to accessories, newborn hats and newborn baby socks are essential to keep your baby warm and comfortable. Look for hats that provide sun protection and socks that stay on securely. A few pairs of scratch mittens can also be helpful to prevent your baby from scratching their face.
Must Have Baby Care Products and Health Essentials
Keeping your baby clean and healthy is a top priority. When creating your baby registry, be sure to include essential baby care products and health essentials. First and foremost, diapers and wipes are must-have items for any new parent. Look for diapers that are soft, absorbent, and gentle on your baby's skin. Consider including disposable diapers for convenience and cloth diapers for an eco-friendly option.
Other baby care products to consider adding to your registry include baby shampoo, body wash, baby lotion, and diaper rash cream. Look for products that are free from harsh chemicals and fragrances, and are specifically formulated for your baby's delicate skin. My go to brand for all baby care products is definitely Aveeno!
Health essentials such as a baby thermometer and nasal aspirator are also important to have on hand. These items will help you monitor your baby's temperature and clear their nasal passages when they have a stuffy nose.
Toys and Developmental Items for Baby
Toys and developmental items are not only fun for your baby, but also play a crucial role in their growth and development. When it comes to choosing toys for your baby registry, look for items that are safe, age-appropriate, and promote sensory development.
For newborns, consider adding a few soft and cuddly toys that provide comfort and stimulation. Look for toys with different textures, colors, and sounds to engage your baby's senses. An activity play mat is also a great item to include in your registry. These provide a safe and interactive space for your baby to explore and play.
As your baby grows, consider adding toys that encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development. Look for toys that can be easily grasped, stacked, and sorted. An assortment of baby books are also a wonderful addition to your baby registry. These incredible baby books help to promote language development and create a special bonding time between you and your baby.
Some of my favourites that I read to our boys when they were first born include:
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
And let’s not forget that parenting can be tough, so do also take a look at some of my favourite parenting books that offer insight into all the milestones that will take place during your baby’s first year along with helpful tips for parenting from the day your little one arrives to when you are sending them off to University. I found all of these books to be extremely helpful while raising our boys and should you think there is a book that I’ve missed that needs to be considered, I would love to hear from you. Just leave me a comment in the notes!
What to Expect - Baby’s First Year
What to Expect - The Second Year
The 5 Love Languages of Children
The Whole-Brain Child - Nurturing Your Child’s Developing Mind
Raising Good Humans: Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind & Confident Kids
Creating a Personalized Baby Registry
Creating the perfect baby registry is an exciting and important part of preparing for your baby's arrival. By including these must-have items in your registry, you can ensure that you have all the essentials to make your journey into parenthood as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Remember to choose a user-friendly and versatile registry platform that offers a wide range of products. Take into consideration the specific needs and preferences of your family, and don't forget to include practical and thoughtful gift ideas for your friends and family.
It’s important for me to note that I am an affiliate for some of the resources on this page, which means I will receive a small commission when you purchase an item using a link provided. That commission helps to keep my business growing strong and I only endorse products and services that I have used myself or continue to use. I hope that having all of these carefully curated products in one place can help you in finding these items a little easier!
As you embark on this new chapter in your life, know that you are fully equipped with the knowledge and resources to create the perfect baby registry. Enjoy the process of selecting items for your little one, and get ready to embrace the joy and challenges of parenthood with confidence. Happy registry building!
Next Up:
CREATING LASTING MEMORIES WITH NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY!
When you invest in a professional photographer, you deserve a luxury newborn photography experience with high end professional products to show off the beauty of your final portraits! I provide a full-service photography experience by working closely with you to not only create images that reflect your family’s unique story but to also help to guide you on how best to display your updated family photos throughout your home. My studio offers a variety of different print formats to select from when choosing your family photography artwork to ensure that your final printed images suit your personal style and photographic needs.