Hi friends, it’s Courtney here! I recently shared a tour of my son Forrest’s nursery, and today I’m sharing my baby registry tips and inspiration as promised. Creating our registry was fun but also overwhelming—there are so many options and it can be hard to know what you truly need. If you’re expecting, I hope this guide helps you simplify decisions and provides gift ideas for people who want to help a new parent.
Below I’ll list the specific items we chose in each category, but first a few practical tips for setting up your registry.
Tips for Setting Up Your Baby Registry
I created a Babylist registry and also set up Amazon and Target registries. I added items to Babylist that aren’t sold at Amazon or Target (like Etsy items), then linked my Amazon and Target registries to Babylist so I could share a single, comprehensive link with family and friends.
You can create a registry entirely on Babylist and add items from any store, but I preferred separate Amazon and Target registries linked to Babylist for a few reasons:
- Registry perks – Each store offers perks such as welcome boxes and completion discounts that can be helpful after baby arrives.
- Fewer duplicate gifts and clearer buying process – Amazon and Target registries felt more straightforward for gift-givers. With Babylist redirects, people sometimes forget to mark items purchased, which can lead to duplicates.
- Thank-you notes – Amazon and Target registries made it easier to see who purchased what, and sometimes provide addresses to help with thank-you cards.
Completion Discount Tips
Both Target and Amazon offer completion discounts. Amazon’s completion discount was especially flexible: a 15% discount you can use on many eligible items within a limited time window around your expected arrival date. To use it, add the item to your registry first, then add it to your cart from the registry page so the discount is applied. We used this often before it expired.
Target also offers a 15% completion discount but with fewer uses, so it’s worth saving it for larger purchases rather than small items.
General Thoughts and Encouragement
We tried to be intentional with what we added, mindful of budget for both ourselves and for loved ones buying gifts. Babies require many items, but it’s easy to confuse trendy or aesthetic “must-haves” with true essentials. Decide what matters most to you—some items are worth splurging on, while others work perfectly well at lower price points. There’s no one-size-fits-all registry; your choices should reflect your needs and values.
How Much Clothing to Register For (and tracking what you have)
Deciding how many sleepers to register for felt stressful. We aimed for about ten sleepers per size to reduce laundry frequency. Sleepers with two-way zippers were our go-to those early months. For going-out outfits in older sizes, we added a few nice outfits in addition to sleepers.
Keeping an inventory note on my phone helped immensely. We received many hand-me-downs and listing what we already had by size made it easier to register for what we still needed. I also washed and sorted clothing by size before the baby arrived to streamline transitions.
My Baby Registry Favorites
Note: These are our personal favorites and fit our budget and needs. This list isn’t exhaustive and some families will have different priorities.
Baby Carriers
Carriers we liked include an all-position carrier for newborn to toddler, a cozy newborn wrap for around-the-house use, and a lightweight striped wrap we used frequently. Practice with carriers before baby arrives and save tutorial links on your phone for easy reference.
Baby Sleep
We use a portable sound machine every night; the compact size and clip make it versatile for stroller or nursery use. For sleeping, we chose a breathable mesh swivel bassinet that could attach to our bed and swivel for easy access. We used fitted bassinet sheets and waterproof pads—two of each is ideal. Our baby used the bassinet for about four months.
For swaddling, we loved an organic cotton swaddle with internal velcro and a zipper—easy to use and adjustable for arms-in or arms-out. Muslin swaddle blankets worked well as lightweight blankets and for bath time. Sleepers in organic waffle knit with two-way zippers were our everyday pajamas, and a couple of sleep sacks were used nightly.
We chose a non–Wi-Fi baby monitor with good video, motion and noise alerts, two-way audio, and pan functionality. A flexible clip helped mount the camera in the nursery.
Our crib is a simple, sturdy option with soft patterned crib sheets. For the crib mattress we chose a breathable, washable, Greenguard Gold–certified mattress and used waterproof mattress pads. A small silicone touch night light was invaluable for quick, soft illumination during nighttime checks and in the hospital bag.
Baby Lounge
A portable bouncer and a supervised lounger were daily favorites for the first months. They provided safe, comfortable spots for supervised rest or play and are machine-washable or have removable covers.
Diaper Bag & Changing Items
A portable changing pad for the diaper bag, a wipeable foam changing pad for the changing station, and a simple lightweight backpack-style diaper bag were practical choices. A diaper pail that accepts regular trash bags was useful for odor control without specialty refills. Other helpful items: a diaper cream applicator, a wet bag for messy items, and a few extra changing pad covers.
Toys and Books
Simple, development-focused toys were favorites: a small wooden piano, a muted-color kick-and-play piano, hanging rattle toys, soft crinkle books, high-contrast soft toys, and stacking cups. Board books and soft activity books were great for early engagement.
Baby Feeding
We preferred glass bottles and kept silicone sleeves as an option. Muslin bibs in multiples were essential. A bottle warmer, a sterilizer that also dries, a dish basin for soiled parts, a bottle brush set, and soft burp cloths were all helpful. For early seating we chose a booster seat/floor seat that can attach to a regular dining chair rather than a full high chair for now. Silicone bibs were handy for messy meals.
Bathing
We tested a couple of baby tubs and ended up preferring the one that felt safest and easiest to use. A soft lamb hooded towel, a gentle silicone brush for cradle cap or eczema, a wooden hairbrush, and a gentle baby wash completed our bath setup.
Storage
Drawer organizers, slim baby hangers, and wire baskets with handles helped keep small items and pump parts organized around the house.
Car Seat and Stroller
Choosing a stroller and car seat felt daunting, but a practical set that included an infant car seat, stroller, and bassinet provided great value and convenience. We liked a lightweight stroller that was easy to fold and a car seat that clicks in and out—features we use all the time. A car seat mirror is helpful for monitoring a rear-facing baby in the car.
Baby Care
Useful baby-care items included one-piece silicone pacifiers, a clear pacifier holder, pacifier clips, a transparent silicone nasal aspirator, nose/nail/ear tools, a handheld snot-removal device many parents recommend, baby nail clippers, and a reliable stain treater spray.
Gift Ideas
Keepsake items make lovely gifts: a baby memory book, a baby journal, an instant camera for capturing moments, soft activity books, a cozy baby quilt, and easy-to-wear slipper socks or booties. These items make sweet, meaningful presents for new parents.
Postpartum
Postpartum items that were helpful: supportive postpartum shorts, a better peri bottle than the hospital version, Tucks pads (or a generic equivalent), a donut pillow, perineal ice packs, nursing cups, reusable nursing pads, a milk-collection device like a Haakaa with a base, and a few cozy pajama sets with pockets. And don’t forget snacks—easy-to-grab bars and bites are lifesavers those first weeks.
Last Advice
Prepare as much as you can, but remember that you can still order items after the baby arrives. Amazon and local stores will be there if you discover you need something you didn’t plan for. Do what feels right, and don’t stress about having everything perfect before the big day.
I hope this guide was helpful—feel free to share it with anyone who might find it useful!
- If you missed my son’s nursery tour, you can find it on my blog.
- Follow me on Instagram to see more daily life and home updates.
- You can find more of my posts, including apartment and house tours, on The Inspired Room.
