Pregnancy can be an amazingly wonderful time, particularly if you’re expecting your first. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the arrival of your precious bundle, and preparing for your baby’s birth can be a lot of fun. It can also be overwhelming. If you believe everything the “suggested registries” at most stores tell you, you’ll have to take a second mortgage on your house just to afford to outfit your nursery. Rest assured – you really can live without a lot of those items. But what do you need? Take a look at some of our “must-have” registry items.

Safety is crucial when it comes to your crib and car seat

You’ll definitely need a safe place for your baby to sleep. You will want to make sure your baby’s crib adheres to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission’s (CPSC) safety standards. The latest crib standards stop the manufacture and sale of drop side cribs and requires the mattress supports be made stronger. If you are getting a crib second hand, you will want to check to be sure that the crib has not been recalled for safety issues.

A car seat is another item where safety matters. Car seats are required by law, so you’ll definitely need one. There are many fabulous convertible car seats on the market. For your infant, an infant car seat that can be used as a carrier is not necessary, but definitely makes it easier to carry a sleeping infant back into the house after a car ride.

Toiletries, Clothing and Nursing Accessories

It has always been my experience that even though it seemed as though I had dozens of blankets for my daughters when they were infants – it was never enough (particularly after one of those days filled with vomit and blowouts!). Onesies were a wardrobe staple – and registering for onesies (particularly in sizes three months and above) ensures that once your baby zips through her newborn phase, you’ll still have clothes for her.

While I’m on the subject of clothes – I never registered for many. Why? Well, I certainly NEEDED clothes for my baby – but people will buy outfits for your baby, whether you ask them to or not.

When a friend has a baby, I always purchase some medicine cabinet essentials for them – particularly gas drops. I know, it’s not at all glamorous – but when your baby is suffering from his first bout of uncomfortable gas pain (and it happens), it’s almost never at a time convenient to run to the store. Add them to your registry – you’ll be glad to have them on hand.

If you plan on breast feeding, a nursing pillow is a terrific help to better position your baby and make nursing a more comfortable experience. Our editor-in-chief, Ang, swears by her nursing pillow.

Register for bathing materials for your infant – baby shampoo, body wash – those types of things don’t spoil.

What Don’t You Need

While the idea of a wipes warmer surely is appealing – who wants their bottom wiped with a cold wipe? – room temperature wipes are more than satisfactory, and your baby will probably be so relieved to be getting a nice clean diaper, she won’t miss the warmed wipe.

A changing table is a nice addition – but if money or space is an issue, you can easily do without by using a clean soft towel or blanket on a soft and sturdy surface (like your floor or a futon). I changed both of my daughters using a clean blanket on a soft floor, and the added benefit was not having to worry about them falling from a changing table. Then again, perhaps that’s why I went through so many blankets.

Registering for gift cards is okay

It’s okay to not know exactly what you and your new baby will need. Registering for gift cards is fine – it lets you wait until your precious little one is in your arms and you realize that “Oh my gosh, I really need one of those [essential baby product]!” Or, you can hang on to it until Junior hits size 3 diapers and stock up then!

Happy registering! Join us in the forum to discuss what items you consider to be essentials on a baby registry.

Photo taken by SarahB