Bringing a baby into the world is magical, and a *little* overwhelming. With so many products, “must-haves”, and opinions flying around, building your baby registry can feel like studying for a final exam. But breathe easy, mama! We’ve got you.
In this guide, we're simplifying the process with real advice from our LS community, expert-backed tips, and plenty of Little Sleepies faves to get you started.
Whether you're creating your first baby registry, curious about what’s new for baby number two (or three!), or shopping for a parent-to-be, you’re in the right place.
First Things First: What Is a Baby Registry?
Think of a baby registry as your pre-baby wish list that includes all your must-haves (and nice-to-haves!) for your newest arrival. It’s your way of saying “Here’s what we need!” so your village can help you prepare with love. Many caregivers create a registry as a checklist to help themselves stay organized, too!
You can create your baby registry on popular platforms like Amazon, Babylist, and The Bump so your loved ones can easily shop. (Psst... Little Sleepies is available on both Amazon and Babylist for easy adding!) You can even start a registry right here with your Little Sleepies account.
When to Start a Baby Registry
While there’s no right or wrong time to start your baby registry, many parents begin building theirs after the 12-week mark — once they've shared the special news with friends and family. There’s no hard-and-fast rule, so start when it feels right for you!
That said, you’ll want to have it ready before your baby shower invitations go out (around 28–32 weeks), so guests have plenty of time to shop.
Starting early also gives you time to compare options, read reviews, and make thoughtful choices for you and your growing family.
What to Put on Your Baby Registry: Must-Have Categories
Now for the fun part! We consulted the experts and chatted with real caregivers from our LS community (hi, superheroes!) to help narrow down what actually matters when it comes to baby registry must-haves. The result? This list of the best advice and items all in one place! Here’s a simple breakdown by category.
*Note: Quotes are from caregivers in our Facebook VIP Group, where you should absolutely head as an expecting parent!
Baby Registry Essentials for Sleep
A good night's sleep? To be honest, it’s a far and distant dream. While we can’t promise eight solid hours, these baby registry essentials for sleep are designed to help everyone catch more zzz’s:
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Crib — Look for safe, sturdy models that can convert to a toddler bed.
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Bassinet — Great for co-sleeping and keeping baby in your room!
“The best thing I purchased was a bedside bassinet, one that connects to your bed.” ~ Kirstin G.
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Crib mattress and fitted sheets — Breathable is best! Bonus points for waterproof covers that make middle-of-the-night messes easier to clean up.
“I absolutely love Little Sleepies crib sheets and swaddles! I wish I would have bought more of them.” ~ Kelsey S.
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Little Sleepies Zippies — Designed by a mama to have all the features you need: buttery soft, with double-zippers for easy diaper changes.
“All the zippies! Newborns only need jammies.” ~ Lauren S.
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Little Sleepies Sleepy Bags — Our safe sleep solution that replaces loose blankets once your baby outgrows their swaddle (and starts rolling over!) and keeps baby cozy all night!
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Swaddles — These help soothe your newborn and tame the startle reflex. They also make for the perfect hospital or newborn photoshoot outfit for baby! If you’re new to swaddling, here’s our helpful how-to guide.
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Hatch Rest Sound Machine — We love this one because it combines white noise, nightlight, and time-to-rise alerts in one sleek device.
“I always recommend our Hatch! Our 5 year old still uses hers and we bought a second to keep in our room. They're wonderful!” ~ Katie Y.
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Baby monitor — Video, audio, or both! Go with whatever helps you rest a little easier while baby dreams.
Baby Registry Essentials for Feeding
Nursing, pumping, or formula-feeding can quickly become an all-day affair! Here are some essentials our LS fam swears by to help make feedings smoother:
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Bottles and nipples in various sizes — Babies can be, well, particular… so try a few to see what makes your little one happiest!
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Nursing pillow for comfy feeds — These are revolutionary for bottle or breastfeeding to support your arms (and sanity) during those long feeding sessions. Our LS community loves the Boppy Pillow!
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Highchair (for later!) — It may seem early, but you'll be so glad you registered for it when solid foods enter the chat. Our LS team loves Lalo for their versatile designs!
“All the big items were things that grow with her. Convertible crib. High chair that can be a booster seat. Instead of a bouncy seat, I found one that rocks that can be used in toddler years even.” ~ Jenny L.
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Burp cloths — Soft, absorbent, and ready for every spit-up surprise. …You’ll want a lot of these.
“A million burp cloths. Literally one million! Can never have too many.” ~ Emily T.
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Bottle washer — A must-have for keeping bottles squeaky clean and baby’s tummy happy. Our community loves the Baby Brezza!
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Nursing bras and tops — Because moms deserve comfort, too. Don't forget to register for a few! Our Two-Piece Button Down Sets are also designed to be nursing-friendly, and are perfect for wearing on top.
“Nursing bras! Everyone thinks of baby needs, but rarely moms.” ~ Madeline M.
Baby Registry Essentials for Diapering & Bathing
These diapering and bathing must-haves are registry all-stars designed to keep messes manageable and moments a little more magical:
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Diapers (newborn size & up) — Stock up on a mix of cloth and disposable to find what works best for you.
“Definitely do a diaper party!!! We have so many diapers in the next sizes we're set for a bit!” ~ Lauren D.
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Wipes — You’ll go through more than you think. Keep a few packs in every room, car, and diaper bag.
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Changing table and cover — Portable or stationary, a wipeable cover makes cleanup quick and easy.
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Baby bathtub — Look for one with a newborn insert or sling to keep your little one supported and secure during bath time splashes.
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Diaper cream and spatula — Barrier creams are a must, and an applicator makes things way less messy!
“The Tush Swiper! It has universal pieces for any tube of cream. It cleans up so easy and I never have to get butt cream on my fingers or fumble with a spatula. This will forever be one of our go to baby gifts now.” ~ Logan A.
Baby Registry Essentials for Clothing
Baby clothes that are comfy, stretchy, and cute, with features to make those early days a little easier? Yes, please. These tiny clothes give big heart eyes and even bigger moments of joy:
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Little Sleepies newborn bundles — All of our LS faves are available in swoon-worthy sets! They’re perfect for gifting, hospital bags, or your first mommy & me photo.
“A matching set for mama and baby in the hospital!” ~ Sakora T.
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Little Sleepies Infant Gowns — Designed for dreamy comfort and quick diaper changes, these gowns are a game-changer.
“The baby gowns were amazing for our son. We only had one or two so I ordered like 5 more. By far when he was a newborn our favorite thing to have him in.” ~ Brianne S.
“LS Gowns, makes midnight diaper changes a dream” ~ Cameryn B.
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Hats and mittens — Keep tiny heads warm and stop those sharp little nails from scratching. Our Zippies and Infant Gowns have built-in fold-over mittens for this reason!
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Socks or booties — Perfect for chilly toes and great for layering during cooler months.
Baby Registry Essentials for On-the-Go
Adventures big and small are easier with the right gear. From stroller outings to car seat snuggles, here are our community’s baby registry essentials for on-the-go newborn life:
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Infant or convertible car seat — Choose one with top safety ratings, that’s easy to install.
“I wish I had registered for a car seat for when the baby got bigger. We only registered for an infant carrier and base.” ~ Jill S.
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Convertible stroller — Great for daily walks, errands, and weekend adventures.
“The mompush stroller! I love that it can be a bassinet, parent facing, and world facing! It’s also got a huge bottom for storage of bags which is nice!” ~ Elayna M.
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Car mirror or camera – Being able to glance back at baby gives you peace of mind during every ride.
“The one thing I loved with my first and my current infant was a mirror for in the car so I could see the baby while I was driving. I even got the one with lights for night!” ~ Abigail C.
“A camera for in the car!! Loved mine and wouldn’t go without one ever again!” ~ Jordan M.
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Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Bag Backpack — Chic, functional, and full of pockets to keep you organized.
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Travel changing pad — From the car to the park to that random rest stop, it’s a must-have for changes on the fly.
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Stroller fan — A wrap-around portable fan keeps baby cool on hot days and even came in handy for breastfeeding, according to our LS fam!
“A small portable fan, like the ones you wrap around the stroller. I used it constantly when breastfeeding then on the stroller for walks and even now as they are getting older for hot days!” ~ Stacie C.
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Baby carrier — Perfect for snuggly strolls or multitasking around the house. You can even do your skincare routine!
“I LOVE my tushbaby carrier! I found other carriers to be a pain to get on and off and adjust, especially by myself so I just didn’t use them but this one is so easy and I don’t go anywhere without it now.” ~ Kaylee D.
Baby Registry Essentials for Health & Safety
Newborn snuggles? Pure magic. Newborn sniffles? Not so much. Keep your little one feeling their best with these essentials every new parent should have on hand:
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Baby thermometer — A reliable digital thermometer is a must-have when navigating those first fevers and late-night worries.
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Manual snot sucker — It might sound a little... intense at first, but so many in our LS community swear by it. The Nose Frida is a fan favorite!
“I got a (manual) snot sucker at my baby shower and swore I'd "never touch that nasty thing" and it's been our savior so much.” ~ Alex R.
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Electric nail file — Baby nails grow fast and scratch even faster! An electric file keeps them safely trimmed without the worry. Our LS fam loves Momcozy!
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Infant medicine basics — Stock up on newborn must-haves like gas drops, saline spray, gripe water, and teething tablets.
“GAS DROPS!! No one prepares you for the newborn gas pains, it’s a lifesaver.” ~ Hanna W.
Baby Registry Essentials for Nursery
The nursery should be their sanctuary… calm, cozy, and stocked with a few helpful extras! Here are the items and thoughtful touches our LS community swears by:
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Glider or rocking chair — Trust us, you’ll spend *a lot* of time here, so choose one that’s comfy! Add an Oversized Cloud Blanket® for those late night feeding sessions, too.
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Red light nightlight — A soft red glow is perfect for midnight feeds and diaper changes.
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Wheeled cart — Perfect for bedside essentials if baby’s sleeping in your room instead!
“A cart with wheels! We stocked it with diapers, wipes, extra clothes and bassinet sheets, and breastfeeding supplies and keep it in our room” ~ Apryl G.
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Mini fridge — A genius hack for stashing pumped milk, metal nipple covers, or bottles, so you’re not (always) trekking to the kitchen at 2 a.m.
“We put a mini fridge in our daughter’s nursery so I didn’t have to run to the other side of the house at 2am to get her a bottle. It works great and now at 2, it’s still in her room and we keep it stocked with water in case she gets thirsty in the middle of the night. It’s the gift we buy all our friends.” ~ Kaleigh R.
Bonus: Add a play gym like The Play Gym or the chic Lalo Play Gym for early tummy time and sensory play!
Sweet-to-Haves (But Not Necessities!)
Not everything needs to be a must-have. Some things are just nice-to-haves. If you’ve got the space or wiggle room in your budget, consider these extras:
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Wipe dispenser — Not essential, but nice to have for one-handed diaper duty and quick cleanups.
“Ubbi makes a weighted wipe container. We thought it was dumb until we realized how awesome it is! I buy it for all baby showers!” ~ Dionicia M.
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Bottle warmer — A handy helper for late-night feeds, though a bowl of warm water does the trick just as well.
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Pacifier sterilizer — Convenient for the paci-obsessed, but definitely not a dealbreaker.
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Rainbow stacker toy — This toy adds a playful pop of color to your space, and it’s great for motor skill development.
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A postpartum doula — Not a product, but a priceless resource
What to Skip
We asked seasoned LS parents what they *wouldn’t* register for again, and they didn’t hold back! Here’s what landed on most “could’ve skipped it” lists:
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Wipe warmers — Some swear by it, others say it’s a waste of time.
“I wouldn’t get a diaper trash can or wipe warmer.” ~ Brittney B.
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Bottle prep machines — These fancy gadgets tend to go unused.
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Baby swing and bouncer — Some parents swear by them, others found they took up space and didn’t get much use.
“The baby swing was one of the more expensive items that we registered for and one we barely used!” ~ Lindsay McClelland, VP of Brand Marketing
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Baby walker — These tend to be bulky and short-lived.
Tips for Building a Baby Registry
When building your baby registry, many parents from our LS community said to think beyond the newborn days. Add items for upcoming milestones, like teething toys, baby-safe utensils, and clothing in bigger sizes (because those growth spurts sneak up fast). Mix up price points so everyone can find the perfect gift, and don’t forget about you!
Postpartum recovery items totally belong on your registry. As always, lean on your village. Continue to ask friends and fellow caregivers what they *actually* used, and read our blog post, “What We Wish We Knew as New Mamas,” for even more real-talk tips from Team LS.
“If you LOVE an LS print BUY THE SIZE UPS. More than you think you need. Because my kiddo is super sad he's too big for his Counting Stars to match mommy and daddy.” ~ Rachel H.
You’ve Got This!
And remember: you don’t need it all! Just the right things for *your* baby, *your* family, and *your* lifestyle. Use this guide as your go-to when building your registry, and if you’re feeling stuck, come back to check it off, one by one!
Want to win a $50 LS gift card? Share one of your baby registry must-haves (or something you’d skip) below. We choose one lucky commenter each month!
