If you are expecting a baby, you may be stressing over the little things that you need to get before the baby comes. During this period, you may feel overwhelmed by the process of setting up a baby registry. This is understandable as babies need a lot of stuff, and it can be tough to know where to begin when compiling your list of all the essentials for your baby. Hence the reason for a baby registry.
A baby registry checklist can help make your life much easier as it tells your eager friends and family which gifts will help you out the most. It also enables you to keep track of all the baby gear before the baby arrives. Because of this, we have compiled all the things you will need to do and have before the baby arrives, ranging from big-ticket items to everyday essentials like diapers and wipes.
How Does a Baby Registry Checklist Work?
A baby registry checklist is a list of all the items that a parent-to-be would like to receive as gifts. By using a baby registry checklist, the parents are assured of getting everything they need to welcome their new addition.
Naturally, baby registry checklists are usually organized by a store ad can either be set up as an online baby registry checklist or a physical one. Some registries allow the parents-to-be to create and combine a list from multiple retailers. Some registries also offer additional perks, such as price matching, free returns, a welcome box of freebies, and a completion discount on some items.
When Should You Make a Baby Registry Checklist?
There is no specific time set for one to create their baby registry checklist. Most online baby registries allow one to set their private mode- this feature enables you to discretely add items in those first few months of pregnancy, before announcing your news to friends and family.
If you are planning on having a baby shower, you should complete your baby registry checklist before sending out the invitation to give your guests to give them enough time to choose a gift for your baby. During pregnancy, one may be sucked in by the pressure of having a new baby. It is common for most parents to forget to include some basics in their baby registry checklist. You don’t have to feel pressured when looking for what to include in your baby registry checklist.
Main Sections of a Baby Registry Checklist
In as much as there are so many things, you could get for the baby, having a baby registry checklist that focuses only on what you need to take care of the baby is very important. Here are our top pics that you should include in your baby registry checklist:
Bathing
Bath time is not all about making sure your baby is clean. Research shows that multisensory experiences are important in helping your baby’s growing brain. As a parent, you must be very careful when cleaning your child. It is therefore important that you have the following on your list:
- Faucet cover
- Washcloths
- Baby tub
- Rinsing cup
- Baby-safe body lotion
- Soft hooded towel
- Simple bath toys
- Bathtub spout cover
- Baby-safe body wash and shampoo
Bedding
New-born babies like to be swaddled, and as a new parent, you must ensure that you take care to wrap your baby before bed tightly. You also need to make sure that your baby has a nice and comfortable place to sleep. The following are some of the things you should include in your list:
- Crib mattress
- Two fitted sheets
- Waterproof mattress protector
To ensure that you follow the safe sleeping practices for your baby, stick to just a fitted sheet in the baby’s crib without any bumpers, stuffed animals, pillows, or blankets
Clothing
Whether the baby is born during hot or cold weather, protecting your baby from the elements is all about preparation. As a new parent, you must be well prepared before the baby comes. There are several things to include in your baby registry checklist, including:
- Two soft hats
- Four sleep sacks
- Baby-safe laundry detergent
- Two sun hats
- Two snowsuits with mittens and booties
- Two light sweaters or zip-up hoodies
- Four bibs
- Five swaddling blankets
- Ten long-sleeve onesies
- Eight leggings or elastic-waist trousers
- 12 pairs of socks
- Eight pairs of footed pyjamas
Make sure to have different sizes of the clothes as most babies grow out of newborn-size clothing quickly. You also must consider the season and how old the baby will be in various types of weather.
Diapering
Getting ready for a new baby means being prepared to take care of them in every aspect as soon as they arrive. During the first few days after being born, the baby will have to use some essentials that are very important in making sure that they are always clean. Newborns are very fragile and should be handled with much care when cleaning them. Some of the key items to include in your baby registry checklist include:
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Diaper pail
- Baby wipes
- Diapers
- Diaper cream
Feeding
Feeding your baby should be your number one priority as a parent. There are several things that you must register for, for your baby. If you are not planning on breastfeeding the baby, make sure to get the items with a star next to them:
- High chair*
- Several bottle brushes*
- Baby bottles and nipples*
- Bottle drying brushes*
- Breast pump
- Nursing pillow
- Nipple cream
- Extra pump parts
- Nursing cover
- Breast milk freezer bags
- Nursing bras
Nursery Furniture and gear
Every person has a different opinion about sleeping arrangements, but no one can argue this: you need sleep, and so does the baby. Just as you’d want to feel comfortable when in your bed, you should make sure that you make the place as comfortable as you can for the baby. Some of the items to include in your baby registry checklist include:
- Baby books
- Crib
- Bassinet
- Baby monitor
- Light dimmer or night light
- Rocking chair or glider
- White noise machine
- Changing table
Playtime
Playtime is very important in a child’s development as it contributes to the given cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Playtime also offers the parents an ideal opportunity to engage fully with the children. Due to the various benefits associated with a baby’s playtime, as a new parent making sure that your child has enough items to play with is important. Some of the items you should consider buying for the baby include:
- Activity mat
- “lovely” blanket
- Teething toy
- Soft baby book
- Swing seat or bouncer
- Rattles or maracas
- Soft or wooden stacking blocks
- Organic cotton stuffed animals
Travel Items
- Stroller
- Baby carrier
- Infant car seat
- Travel crib
- Play-yard
- Portable changing pad
- Stroller bunting for cold or rainy weather
Other Must-have items
- Thermometer
- Silicon bulb
- Baby-safe nail trimmer
- Rubbing alcohol pads
- Saline nasal drops
What Not to Add to Checklist
There are some things that you may feel like adding to your baby registry, but they may not be as important as the ones listed above. You may, however, decide to buy them later as the child grows. They include:
- Baby wipe warmers: In as much as you may want to add baby wipe warmers to your registry, it is not necessarily important, and most parents report never using the one they registered for.
- Crib Bumpers: During the first few months or the first year of your baby, you will only need a fitted sheet in the crib, meaning you don’t have to put pillows, crib bumpers or stuffed animals in your baby registry.
- Dressy clothes: Unless you have important events in the baby’s first few months, it is good to stick to cute basics as baby clothes need to withstand the daily split-up and diaper blowouts, i.e., endless hot rinse cycles.
- Baby shoes: Infants don’t need shoes as they haven’t started walking yet. For now, it is important to stick with inexpensive booties or socks.
Free Checklist Templates
You can download our ready-to-use baby registry checklists to make your work much easier.
Conclusion
Baby registries are becoming more and more popular today. The idea of creating a list of the things you would like to receive used to sound odd and tacky, but now it seems like a favor to those who wish to give out gifts. For any parent, having a list of all the things you would like to have for your new addition is a must. Being prepared to take care of your new addition is undeniably worth the time and hustle.