They say it takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes your village needs a gentle nudge in the right direction. For such a tiny human, your little one requires lots (and lots) of stuff! Your friends and family want to help you welcome your baby into the world with all the best baby gear, and you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew yourself. So by all means, let your village help. That’s where the baby registry comes in. Your registry will be the guide by which your loved ones help you prepare for your tiny miracle’s arrival. Setting up your baby registry is an exciting milestone in the pregnancy journey, but knowing where to start can be a little overwhelming. To get you started, here are our top 8 baby-registry essentials.
1. Car Seat
The champion, the MVP, the star of the show. We could go on and on, but the car seat is quite possibly the most important purchase you’ll make as a parent. Most hospitals require a properly installed, age-and-size appropriate car seat before they allow you to leave the hospital, so put the car seat at the top of your list. There are several types of car seats out there, so make sure to do your research. If you’re thinking about convenience, the Mico™ Luxe Infant Car Seat will make your hectic life with a newborn go a little more smoothly. If you’re prioritizing longevity, convertible car seats, like the Pria All-in-One, will take you home from the hospital all the way to their first day of school and beyond.
2. Stroller
Second only to the car seat, the stroller is one of the biggest purchases you’ll make before baby’s big debut. Think style, comfort, and ease. Modular strollers, like the Tayla Modular Stroller give your little one the comfort and safety they need while also giving you plenty of storage space and ease of use. Hello, versatility. Like car seats, there are loads of different types of strollers, so keep your lifestyle in mind when choosing a stroller so you get one that fits your needs.
3. Crib
Baby’s gotta sleep somewhere. Whether you go for a crib or a bassinet like the Iora Bedside Bassinet, making sure you have an age-appropriate sleeping area is essential, from the moment you bring baby home. Whatever you choose, make sure it has a firm, flat mattress and bottom to keep your little one snoozing safely all through the night.
4. Rocker
As much as you might want to hold them all day long, sometimes your baby will need a place to hang out other than in your arms or in their crib. Rockers give infants a cozy and safe seat for them to relax in – that can easily be moved into whatever room you’re spending time in. Need to put away that load of laundry that’s been staring you down from the corner of your bedroom? Want to sit down for five minutes in the living room and just do absolutely nothing? (Us, too, if we’re being honest.) A baby rocker, like the Kori 2-in-1 Rocker, gives you the peace of mind knowing your little one is rocking happily close by.
5. High Chair
Mealtime! The high chair might seem like a down-the-road purchase, but it helps to be prepared (trust us). Plus, some high chairs are built for use from infancy through toddlerhood. A high chair with a reclining infant seat, like the Minla 6-in-1, gives you more options when it comes to feeding, and you can use it from day one.
6. Play Yard
It won’t be long before your baby is sitting up and exploring the world around them. Introducing: the play yard. Baby gets a safe place to play (and nap once they inevitably doze off). You get the peace of mind that they’re right where you left them. Portable play yards, like the Swift Play Yard, are easy to fold and super lightweight, so you can bring your LO’s favorite play space with you wherever you travel. Even if you’re just traveling from the sunroom to the living room.
7. Diaper Bag
If you plan on leaving the house with your little one before they’re potty trained, a diaper bag is a must. From snacks to toys, diapers to bottles, milk to food, there are plenty of essentials you’ll need to carry with you when you’re a family on the move.
8. Help and Favors
That village you’ve got? Put them to work! Everyone in your life will mobilize the moment you say that you need help. If you have trouble asking for help or don’t want to feel like a bother, offer for loved ones to give you redeemable chore ‘coupons’ to help you – doing a load of laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, cooking dinner. These are the gifts that allow parents to get some rest, which is what you’ll really want anyways.
Still looking for the perfect products to put on your registry? Don't worry, we’ve got you. Check out the rest of our car seats, strollers, and home products!
