Baby registry checklist: what to put on your baby registry

A good baby registry checklist covers six areas: sleep, feeding, diapering, bathing and health, getting around, and clothing. Start with the must haves for the first three months, add a few bigger items guests can give together, and include a cash fund for diapers and childcare, the costs that keep coming.

This list is meant to be trimmed, not copied whole. Every family, home and budget is different, and a lot of baby gear is optional. Use it to make sure nothing important is missing, then keep your registry focused so guests can easily find something useful.

Sleep: where will the baby sleep?

• Crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards
• Firm, flat mattress that fits snugly
• Two or three fitted crib sheets
• Wearable blankets or sleep sacks (instead of loose blankets)
• Baby monitor (audio or video)
• Blackout curtains and a white noise machine, if your home is bright or noisy

Feeding: what do you need for breast or bottle?

• Bottles in two nipple flows, plus a bottle brush and drying rack
• Breast pump, milk storage bags and nursing pads, if you plan to pump
• Nursing pillow and a few nursing bras
• Burp cloths (more than you think) and bibs
• Formula dispenser, if using formula
• High chair, spoons and bowls for later (around six months)

Register for a small set of bottles at first. Babies can be picky about nipples, so it is better to try one brand before stocking up.

Diapering: the item you will buy most

• Diapers in several sizes, not just newborn
• Wipes, diaper cream and a changing pad with covers
• Diaper pail or lidded trash can
• Diaper bag with a portable changing mat

Diapers are the clearest case for a fund rather than boxes. Babies outgrow sizes fast, and a stack of newborn diapers can go unused. Our guide on how many diapers you need has estimates per size so you can plan a diaper fund.

Bathing and health essentials

• Infant bathtub or bath support
• Soft washcloths and hooded towels
• Gentle baby wash and lotion
• Digital thermometer recommended by your pediatrician
• Nail clippers or file, nasal aspirator
• Basic first aid kit for babies

Getting around: car seat and stroller

• Rear-facing infant or convertible car seat (you need it to leave the hospital)
• Stroller, or a travel system that pairs with the car seat
• Baby carrier or wrap
• Car window shades and a backseat mirror

These are the expensive items and the best candidates for group gifting. Split the stroller or the car seat into shares so several guests can contribute, rather than hoping one person buys it.

Clothing: how much do you really need?

Babies grow quickly, and you will likely receive clothing as gifts anyway. Register for basics in a range of sizes, leaning toward 3 to 6 months and up.

• 7 to 10 bodysuits and 5 to 7 sleepers per size
• Socks, mittens and hats for the season
• Swaddles or swaddle blankets
• A going-home outfit

Baby registry must haves vs nice to haves

Postpartum and parent essentials people forget

A baby registry is not only for the baby. The first weeks are hard on parents too, and a few items for recovery and rest make a real difference. Friends and family are often happy to cover these, especially when they are named clearly on the list.

• Postpartum recovery kit, comfortable robes and slippers
• Large water bottle and easy snacks for night feeds
• Meal delivery or a meal train for the first few weeks
• House cleaning for a month after the birth
• A lactation consultant session, if you plan to breastfeed
• Babysitting so the parents can rest or have a date night

How to organize your baby registry so guests can shop easily

1. Cover every price point. Include gifts under $25, around $50 and $100, and a few bigger items in shares, so every guest finds something.
2. Put the essentials first. Guests tend to buy what they see at the top. Lead with the car seat, sleep items and diapers.
3. Be specific when it matters. If you researched a particular car seat or bottle, name the model so guests do not guess.
4. Explain your funds. A one-line note on why you want a diaper or childcare fund helps guests feel good about giving cash.
5. Update it after the shower. Remove what you received and add what you still need, since many people give after the baby arrives.

Send the registry link with the shower invitation or put it on the shower page, and let a close family member answer questions for guests who prefer to ask someone directly.

What to skip on a baby registry

Items parents often say they rarely used include wipe warmers, special baby laundry products, lots of newborn-size clothes, shoes for babies who do not walk yet, and multiple specialty gadgets that do one thing. When in doubt, leave it off and buy later if you need it.

Should you add a cash fund to your baby registry?

More and more parents do. A cash baby registry lets guests contribute to things a store cannot ship: diapers over the first year, postpartum meals, a night nurse, childcare, a college savings start. It also lets you choose the exact car seat or stroller model after reading reviews, instead of returning duplicates.

• Diaper fund for the first year
• Stroller or car seat, split into shares
• Postpartum meal delivery
• Babysitting or date nights for the parents
• Nursery furniture
• College savings

Guests wondering what to give can read our guide on how much to spend on a baby shower gift, which you can also share with family who ask.

How to build your baby registry in one place

With Presentou you can create a baby shower registry that mixes gifts at a set price, big items split into shares and "any amount" funds. Guests pick a gift and send the money straight to your Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, Cash App or bank, with no account needed. Presentou never holds the money and charges no fee on gifts; building is free and publishing is a one-time $19 for 12 months.