Baby Registry 101: The Best Baby Registry List…Part 2

Traveltime

• Baby Carrier – Butterfly Becco Baby Carrier: This is great to use when you need free hands. It also has great reviews on Amazon. I will say that Charlotte didn’t like to be in this when she was a newborn, but she started to love it once she had more control of her body and could see what was going on around her. I loved using this contraption on shopping trips to Target and the grocery store or even for a nice little stroll in the neighborhood when I was feeling like a work-out. I still sometimes use this at 15 months since she’s still not walking yet (more on that here).

• Baby Stroller: We have the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 stroller (see picture above). It is absolutely gorgeous! However, it was a very generous gift. This is a luxury stroller, meaning that all of its parts are sold separately, from the cloth color/cover to the cup holder. While I love our Bugaboo, it is very large and has two different parts, the seat and the base. When you are using the carseat carrier with this stroller, the Bugaboo is ideal because you are only dealing with the wheels/base and an infant carrier adapter (see picture below). But when your baby is big enough for the regular stroller seat, this is a huge chunk of space in your trunk. Another con is that it has a very small storage compartment, but it works for us, because we keep everything in her bag and attach it to the handle of the stroller. We are currently looking for an umbrella stroller. I’ll keep you posted on what we find.
• With that being said, it’s probably smarter to register for an umbrella or jogging stroller that has a drink holder and snack tray for your growing baby. Also consider your traveling situation. If you travel often, try to find a compact stroller that is small enough to carry with you everywhere. 
• Here are a few more stroller options that I love and have heard great things about:
• Uppababy Vista: This is similar to the Bugaboo, looks-wise, but less expensive than the Bugaboo. It also folds up all together.
• BOB Revolution Jogging Stroller: This stroller has three wheels and is ideal for outdoor adventures. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this one.
• Chicco Cortina Stroller: Ali has this stroller and loves it! It also is very affordable. This stroller is also compatible with the infant carrier I’m about to tell you about. 

• Infant Carrier – Chicco Keyfit 30 car seat: This is the infant carrier/carseat we used and loved. It was researched thoroughly to be one of the top rated and safest infant carrier there is. 
• Another great option (although pricier) is the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30. It also has great reviews for safety.
• Be sure to register for the infant carrier adapter to go with whichever stroller you have chosen. Most strollers will have the Chicco adapter since it is one of the most popular infant carriers on the market. 
• Piddle Pad: This little thing is a major necessity. It goes inside the infant carrier. If your baby ever has a “blow out” while in the carseat carrier, it makes it much easier to clean. Trust me.
• Car Seat Protector Mat: You’ll want this if you find the need to preserve your seats. 
• Auto mirror: We have a Fisher-Price auto mirror, one with a remote control, although we’ve never used the remote control. The specific one we have has been discontinued. However, whatever mirror you get, just make sure it works for your car. The mirror we have isn’t nearly big enough, but I’ve managed to make it work. I’m really loving this one by BRICA. 
• Diaper Bag: —I used the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Diaper Bag. I can’t find the particular style I had chosen, but the new patterns for this bag are so pretty. This bag is big,
  but it holds everything you will need for a newborn and is washable. It even has a fold-out mat
  for diaper changes. I loved this bag so much. I now use the Vera Bradley baby backpack since Charlotte is older and doesn’t require as much to lug around. Looking back, this backpack probably would have done the job from the get-go. 
• The Mommy Hook: I use this with our stroller or to connect our backpack to a shopping cart. Love this thing. 
• Infant Carrier Toys: You’ll probably want some little toys you can hang from the car seat handle. You can find these anywhere baby items are sold. 

 Playtime

• Links – Sassy A-Z Letter Links:  You will use lots of these to attach toys to do different things. I chose the letter links because alphabets = educational. Right? 
• Tummy-Time Play Mat:  We registered for this Fisher Price tummy time mat, and Charlotte ended up loving it! She played on this thing until she started learning how to crawl (7 months).
• Exersaucer or Jumper: While both are nice, you probably only need one or the other. We chose to go with the Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper since Charlotte loved kicking her feet so much.  She started using this at 4 months old.
• Baby Toys: You’ll want baby toys that make noise and light up. You’ll probably only need a handful. Thankfully, the good old marketing people let you know on the packaging the desired age for use. I had picked several for ages 0-6 months. 
• Board Books: There is never an age too early to start reading to your baby. You’ll want to get the board book version of whatever childhood favorites you love. Why board books? So your baby can chew on them of course. And because they don’t rip. One of my favorite authors for these board books is Sandra Boynton. 

Essentials

• Diapers – Pampers Swaddlers: Pamper’s Swaddlers diapers have a yellow line that turns blue when your baby has a wet diaper. I LOVED these! Everything about them was perfect. However, once your baby fits into size 3 diapers, I recommend Huggies Little Movers because they have a waistband in the back of the diaper to hold in the goodness of poo. You’ll appreciate that. It’s the little things.  
• Diaper Trash Can – Playtex Diaper Genie Elite: I love this little thing. It holds in the smell and is convenient to have next to the changing table. You’ll want to be sure to add the refills to your registry, too. And just an FYI, Target sells a generic version of these for about three dollars less.  
• Changing Pad & Cover: We have a changing station for Charlotte, and have a simple changing pad and found a changing pad cover to match our nursery. You will most definitely be able to find something to coordinate with whatever theme you choose. We also use the Koala Baby Plush Sheet Saver as a reinforcement over our changing pad cover, because explosions do happen. 
• Wipes: I love Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Baby Wipes. They are thick and soft, just what you’ll need changing diapers.  
• Diaper Cream: Good old fashioned Desitin does the trick. Register for the tub and you’re pretty much set for life. The formula is thick and always does the trick for a mild case of diaper rash. I also have found Dr. Smith’s Diaper Ointment to work really well.  
• Safety 1st Deluxe Baby Healthcare & Grooming Kit: Hairbrush, comb, infant nail clippers, nail files are some of the essentials included in this kit. This kit will come in handy more than you’ll know.
• Bath Wash and Baby Lotion: I LOVE the Noodle & Boo brand. The Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash was our go-to at bath time.  It’s a little pricey, but it’s the only thing that didn’t irritate Char’s skin, and the scent from Noodle & Boo is a little piece of baby heaven. I also love their lotion, leave-in-conditioner (Charlotte has always had really long hair), and the Ultimate Cleansing Cloths. 
• I also highly recommend the California Baby Calendula Cream; it’s a miracle worker for sensitive skin. I used this when Charlotte was just a newborn and had lots of dry skin. 
• Baby Sunscreen:  You can’t use this until 6 months and up, but the Babyganics brand sold at Babies R Us is great. You’ll be glad to have this on hand once summertime rolls around for your baby’s first outdoor adventures. Just remember, a baby shouldn’t be exposed to the sun for the first 6 months or so. 
• Baby Bathtub: We actually had a few versions since we were lucky enough to get some things that we didn’t register for. Be sure that whatever you do put on your registry that you get a bath tub with a sling/hammock for the infant stage. We used this version. You won’t immerse your baby into the water until after his/her umbilical cord stump falls off. I have also heard great things about this Angelcare Bath Support option. The cushion pad that I’ve seen on Pinterest also has rave reviews. 
• Disposable Washcloths: These are so easy to use for first baths; all you do is wet, use, and toss. Huggies is the brand I use (but for some reason they have been discontinued which is a bummer because they’re great), but these from Babyganics look to be a similar option.  
• Soft hooded towels and wash cloths: Register for a few of these. I think I own about seven hooded towels and several washcloths.  

• Hamper: Baby laundry will soon become a big part of your life. This little contraption will fill up all. the. time. This is an absolute necessity. We bought ours at Pottery Barn Kids. 
• Baby Laundry Detergent – Dreft: I have the detergent AND the stain remover. You can get poo stains out of anything if you spray it with the stain remover and wash immediately.  Check to make sure stain is out before drying; if it’s not, then just spray and wash again. A lot of mamas rave about the Honest laundry detergent and stain remover; I personally have not tried them though. 
• Soft blankets: You’ll need these to bundle up your little baby in his/her nap places, stroller, or for playtime. Some of my favorite gifts were personalized blankets. 
• Storage baskets: We have lots of these in different sizes from Pottery Barn Kids, but storage options will totally depend on how you want to organize your nursery. Just know that these are super helpful in storing all of this STUFF.
• Pacifier clips and case: If your baby takes a paci, you’ll definitely want a pacifier clip and case. I would register for a couple of both. 
• Little Remedies New Parents’ Survival Kit: This kit sold exclusively at Babies R Us is ideal. If you don’t register for this be sure to register for everything that is included. You’ll want the saline drops for stuffy noses, the mylicon drops for gas, and the infant pain reliever (acetaminophen). Also included in the kit is a nasal aspirator. 
• Temporal thermometer – Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer: This is a forehead scan and is perfectly safe for your baby. It makes taking a temperature super easy. Our pediatrician’s office uses this kind as well.  
• Nasal aspirator – Nose Frida Snot Sucker: You’re welcome. Because there are some things that you will ONLY do for your baby. This is one of them. 
• Vick’s Vapor Rub: You’ll also need this when your baby gets his/her first cold. You rub a little bit on the bottom of his/her feet, put them in their footed pajamas, and it should help them breathe a little easier. 
• Humidifier – Vick’s Cool Mist Humidifier: We used this when Charlotte was an infant and would become a little congested. We then found use in this when she got her first cold. It was and still is a definite necessity. 
• Clothes Hangers:  You’ll need lots of these. Especially if you have a girl. Duh. My favorite are these velvet covered hangers. 
• Clothes: I had a February baby, and she lived in her pajamas. At night, she slept in a onesie and a SwaddleMe swaddle (as seen in this post). Carter’s is by far my favorite baby brand; they can be found at many different stores, too. They run pretty true to size, and I always went by the weight/length for sizing, not the months. I would put the basics (onesies, pant sets, footed pajamas, socks, and mittens) on your registry. 
• High Chair & Cart Cover – Itzy Ritzy Sitzy: I’m still the mama that uses this high chair and shopping cart cover. Even though it’s sometimes a pain to put on, the one I have for Charlotte adds extra comfort for the little babe when eating out or when going grocery shopping (or Target shopping). Once Charlotte was old enough to sit up on her own and was strong enough to control her upper body when in a shopping cart or restaurant high chair, this was and still is a necessity.