Baby Registry Checklist 2024: Your Ultimate Guide (2024)

Pregnancy

Baby Registry Checklist 2024: Your Ultimate Guide (1)

NEW MODERN MOM

7/17/23

|

Written by:

Barbara Mighdoll

Seriously, a baby registry checklist of everything you need. Here's what I actually used from my baby registry, what I returned and what I wish I had included.

Updated: July 17, 2023 with my tried and true, latest and greatest products for baby!

Skip ahead to the checklist

Perhaps the most overwhelming process in pregnancy is figuring out what you need to keep this newborn baby alive and thriving, and what’s necessary to keep you, Mama, sane! There are so many baby product categories and thousands of options within each. I referenced blogs and so many new mom friends' personal baby registry checklists to figure out what I needed to include on my own baby registry.

But gosh there are just so many questions with a first baby and as a first time Mom! Do I really need that? What’s the difference between all these products? How many of each do I need?

I wanted to avoid overstocking on gadgets and other things like toys, but my friends with kids told me my original baby registry was too short and I in fact did “need that bottle warmer”… so I ended up bulking up my checklist, and well, I’m glad I did.

Use this guide as your all-encompassing must have purchase list for baby – even if you are buying items yourself it's super helpful to have a running list of everything you need. Don’t just think of your baby registry as something you need for your baby shower. Instead, think of it as your own personal pregnancy purchasing checklist to make sure you have everything you need for newborn baby’s arrival. Even if you are purchasing most of these on your own, just mark items as purchased on your baby registry so you have a complete baby checklist and feel prepared!

See Also
Baby Registry Checklist (+ Free Printable) by a Mom of 3! - Paisley & Sparrow

Let’s get started: What is the best baby registry?

I preferred to have a single link for my baby registry vs. setting up multiple options. Babylist is a universal baby registry just like Zola is for wedding registries. Of course you can do individual baby registries: Amazon Baby Registry, BuyBuyBaby, Target, Walmart, etc. but I wanted to take the simplistic approach.

Reasons I chose Babylist:

  • Babylist button extension on your web browser makes it quick and easy to add items
  • 15% baby registry completion discount
  • 9 month return policy for items purchased directly from Babylist
  • Add items from any store including Etsy
  • Ask for favors like home-cooked meals or babysitting
  • Set up cash funds for childcare, doula, diapers or even takeout meals

When should you start?

I am the queen of checklists. Writing down what I need to do keeps me calm. If you’re like me, I wanted to get started right away. There is not a “too early” to start your baby checklist, but there certainly is a “too late.”

Because of first trimester anxieties and wanting to make sure my pregnancy was healthy, I started my baby checklist in the beginning of my second trimester.

How far out should you plan for?

I recommend 6 months. Why? A few reasons: One, while some stores like BuyBuyBaby have great 365 day return policies, others have more limited return options. Two, there are plenty of items you’ll need to get you started with your baby for the first 6 months so you should prioritize stocking up on these first. Three, you need to get to know your baby and what preferences he or she has, not to mention your own preferences will evolve and change over the first months of your baby’s life as you get the hang of this Mama thing.

Think of the milestones you’ll encounter over the first 6 months of baby’s life and pick items that you’ll need to get through them. The exception to this would be clothing, since your babe may outgrow 6 months clothes before actually turning 6 months, I think it’s safe to stock up on some essential 6 to 9 month clothing options.

What big ticket items should you include?

There are a few newborn baby items that are worth the splurge. Invest in a good every day stroller, compact travel stroller, travel crib, infant car seat, diaper bag, soft-structured carrier (maybe even one for Dad and one for Mom), the Keekaroo changing pad, baby monitor, Bjorn bouncer, Lovevery play gym, and the Ollie Swaddle.

The items I’d skip if I did it again:

  • Bottle sterilizer (takes up so much space and you don't actually need to sterilize anything!)
  • 4moms rockaroo (Caden wasn't a fan, Willow is. Find one on FB Marketplace instead)
  • Car seat cover (use a muslin swaddle)
  • Portable changing stationkit (use a changing pad and travel wipes dispenser)

The items I’d include if I did it again:

Your Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist

Swaddles, Sleep Bags & Blankets

Baby Gear: Loungers, Carriers, Bouncers & Bassinets

Travel: On-the-go necessities

Check out my 9 tips for newborn baby’s first road trip + how to pack for it

Clothes & accessories

  • Drool Bibs
  • 6x Pacifiers
  • 2x Pacifier Clips
  • 2x Loveys
  • Newborn
    • 2x zipper footies
    • 2x onesies
    • 2x hats
  • 0-3 Months
    • 3x gowns
    • 3x zipper footies
    • 1x zipper romper
    • 4x short sleeve onesies
    • 6x long sleeve onesies
    • 4x leggings/pants
    • 6x Socks
    • 2x Snap booties
    • Hat
  • 3-6 Months
    • 4x zipper footies
    • 4x zipper romper
    • 4x short sleeve onesies
    • 6x long sleeve onesies
    • 4x leggings/pants
    • Hat
    • Socks
    • Snap booties

One of my favorite brands is Kyte Baby! Their bamboo onesies, rompers & footies are so buttery soft. Get $10 off your purchase.

Feeding

Bath Time

Diaper Changing

Nursery & Decor

First Aid

Toys & Books

For the Parents

  • Full size diaper bag
  • Mini diaper bag (budget-friendly, splurge)
  • Weekender bag
  • Baby’s First Year Book
  • Food Delivery Gift Cards

That’s a wrap. Reminder: this is not your “minimalistic” baby registry checklist, this is everything you need to feel settled in your pregnancy knowing you are prepared for your newborn baby. That said, I tried to keep this as simplistic as possible for the first 6 month necessities. So go on Mama and get that baby checklist going, you’ll feel better once it's all in one spot, I promise!

Baby Registry Checklist 2024: Your Ultimate Guide (2)

Author

Barbara Mighdoll

I live in San Francisco with my husband, Jason, toddler, Caden, one year old baby, Willow, and Bernese Mountain Dog, Bear. I previously held multiple VP of Marketing roles at tech startups before deciding to take the leap to build New Modern Mom full time in an effort to find fulfillment and flexibility in my life. I also was a fitness instructor in an earlier life. I created this space to curate the best products and real advice on pregnancy, motherhood, cooking, travel and more to make doing it all for ambitious moms like me a whole lot easier.

See author's posts

You may also like...

Hospital Bag Checklist: A Minimalistic ApproachEverything You Need to Thrive in the Third TrimesterThese Are the Best Mom Backpacks for TravelPlay Box Subscription Showdown: Lalo vs. Lovevery

See Also
Best Baby Registry Checklist & Must-Have Items | PampersBaby Registry Checklist 2021: Your Essential GuideThe Minimalist Baby Registry Checklist — Simple Living ToolkitThe Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist
Baby Registry Checklist 2024: Your Ultimate Guide (2024)

FAQs

How much of everything do I need on my baby registry? ›

How Many Items Should You Add to Your Baby Registry? First-time-mom baby registries typically include between 100 and 120 items. This should be more than enough to cover everything you will need for your baby.

See More ›
Is there a universal baby registry? ›

Universal registry: Babylist is a universal registry, which means that you can add any product from any store, whether it's at a major retailer like Amazon or a small online boutique.

Read On ›
How many items is too many on a baby registry? ›

When creating a baby registry, it's essential to balance having enough items for your guests to choose from without overwhelming them. A good rule of thumb is to have various items at different price points, so guests can choose what they feel comfortable buying. Generally, 100 to 120 items is a good range.

View More ›
How far along should you be to make a baby registry? ›

You can start early or wait. 20 weeks is a good rule of thumb if you're planning on adding gender-specific things. When should you share a baby registry? If you plan on having a registry, it's good to share your registry a few weeks in advance.

Get More Info Here ›
Is it bad to put expensive items on baby registry? ›

It's Your Registry

Conventional wisdom says to put whatever you want on your baby registry and not to worry about what other people think. If someone wants to buy an expensive gift, let them. If they don't, they can purchase something less expensive.

Learn More Now ›
Should you put diapers on baby registry? ›

We recommend adding a few packs of newborn-sized diapers and a few in size one. You may want to add a few different brands, too, so you can figure out what works best and buy more from there.

Get More Info Here ›
Where is the best place for baby registry? ›

There are several top baby registry sites available, each offering unique features and benefits. Some of the most popular options include Babylist, Amazon Baby Registry, Target Baby Registry, Buy Buy Baby, and Walmart Baby Registry.

Read The Full Story ›
Does Costco have a baby registry? ›

Create a wedding or baby registry at MyRegistry.com to add gifts from Costco and any other store in the world! Embarking on a journey to create a registry for your wedding or baby shower? Look no further than Costco!

Keep Reading ›
How many newborn diapers do I need? ›

The answer to the question “How many newborn diapers do I need?” is fairly straightforward. Newborns may use up to 10 diapers per day. Of course, every child is different, and days can vary, so think about it in terms of weeks and plan for close to 70 diapers each week.

See More ›
What is baby registry etiquette? ›

It doesn't matter if the store provides them or your shower host hand writes them in calligraphy, mentioning a registry in your invitation is like directing guests to buy you a gift—and that is a definite no as far as etiquette goes. “Your registry should just be passed along by word of mouth,” advises Swann.

View Details ›

Should you put clothes on your baby registry? ›

You can definitely add some baby clothes to your registry, especially if you have a style you gravitate to or have your eye on a specific coming-home outfit. Blankets are a good add, too, including a few swaddle options or something cozy to use in the stroller. But don't go overboard.

Tell Me More ›
How many diapers to ask for on registry? ›

For a newborn, it's advisable to register for around 2-3 large packs of newborn size diapers, as babies can go through 8-10 diapers a day in their first weeks.

Show Me More ›
When should you tell people about your baby registry? ›

By 28 weeks: Share your baby registry

But again, it really comes down to what feels right for you. To some, sharing a registry early on their pregnancy can feel a little tacky. On the other hand, you want people to have enough time to look through the registry and choose their gifts.

Tell Me More ›
When should I have a baby shower? ›

When do you have a baby shower? Baby showers can be held at any point but are typically held four to six weeks before the baby's due date. This timing is late enough that the pregnancy is well along but likely early enough to avoid the baby arriving beforehand and disrupting the party plans.

Get More Info Here ›
How much stuff should I have on my registry? ›

The number of items you should include on your registry depends on the number of guests you're inviting! The rule of thumb is to include a little more than 2 gifts per number of guests invited.

Show Me More ›
How many items do I need on my registry? ›

How many gifts should be on my wedding registry? This age-old question has couples scratching their heads and overthinking their lists, even consulting guides on wedding registry etiquette so they don't appear greedy. But a good rule of thumb is to multiply your guest list by two to get a rough number of gifts to add.

Discover More ›
How many items should I put on my registry? ›

Guests prefer to have plenty of options when it comes to shopping your registry. Having at least two gifts per guest will give them the ability to find a product they feel great about purchasing. It's also recommended to continually add gifts to your registry leading up to your big day.

See More ›
How many wipes to ask for on registry? ›

On average, you can expect to use around 200 to 300 wipes per month, depending on how often you need to use them and how messy your little one tends to get. When you are trying to figure out how many baby wipes do I need on a monthly basis is essential for ensuring you never run out.

Discover More ›
Top Articles
Oma's Authentic Beef Rouladen Recipe – German Beef Rolls
Basic Quiche Recipe (Any Flavor!)
The 9 Fundamentals of Drawing Realism
Drawing Fundamentals: The Definitive Guide (2024) — How To Practice Drawing
Latest Posts
Lemon Curd Raspberries Liege Waffle Recipe
Cabbage Casserole Recipe
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 6164

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.