Momma Manual: Registry Checklist for All New Moms

Momma Manual

Registry Checklist for All New Moms

Sift through all the frou-frou and discover the must-haves!

When I was registering for my first baby I had no clue where to start.  The store was more than willing to provide me with a 14 page guide with 1 million options.  I had no time or patience for that.  Every time I asked a friend it was a whole new litany of required garb.  This list is intended to serve as a “must-have” collection of items that every Momma needs.  None of the frou-frou.  Just the necessities!  I have separated it into categories to make it easier to use.  This list covers infants 0-6 months old.  As a side note: I did not include furniture such as cribs, changing tables, gliders etc.  Those are larger purchases typically made by the parents / families and not included on a registry.

HEALTH / SAFETY

(1) Temporal Thermometer – Ok, Mommas.  Little bitty will unfortunately be under the weather at some point.  It may not be until he / she turns 5 and enters Kindergarten but it is bound to happen!  So, you need to be prepared.  I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to try and take a baby’s temperature under the arm at 3:32 a.m.  Get a temporal thermometer!  You won’t regret it!

(2) Reliable Video Monitor – This will be an extremely worthwhile investment.  You are looking for the following functions: the ability to pan / zoom; the ability to speak to your child (almost as a walkie-talkie); plus you will definitely want sound AND picture.  I use Summer Infant products but others are great as well.

(3) Safe Stroller / Car Seat System – I cannot stress how important research is for these items.  Spend some time with your partner discussing your priorities as it relates to this purchase.  The “style” of the product should not be your first priority.  Our stroller / car seat “must-haves” were: high safety ratings, excellent customer reviews, comfortable for baby, and LIGHTWEIGHT.  Also, many companies are offering multiple attachments for stroller systems these days.  These actually come in handy.  We use Britax, in case you care to know.

(4) Bulb Syringe – this is a less than exciting item but you have to have it!  When that precious baby spits up you are going to want to help him clear his airways.  Plus, this thing will come in handy once they reach toddler stage and have a stubborn runny nose.  My girls lovingly reluctantly refer to their bulb syringe as “Squeegee.”  We use him quite often…  ** The hospital will actually provide you one for free so you may wish to wait and help yourself to a free one.**  Plus, my pediatrician said the syringes provided at the hospital are better than any you could buy in a store.

(5) Cool Mist Humidifier – Literally every single time we head to the pediatrician he always asks, “Are you running a cool mist humidifier in the room?”  You would think it would be on the chart by now.  I digress.  Apparently, these are becoming must-haves for nurseries.  You can break the bank with these or head in the economical direction.  We found a great deal at Walgreens.  That’s a plus for us because now when we are in the store picking up prescriptions, etc. we can snag some extra filters.

(6)  Nail Maintenance Kit – Mani / pedis begin the second little one arrives.  You need a quality nail kit.  Several of these kits come with thermometers, hairbrushes, etc.  The one I linked to even comes with a convenient travel bag.  They offer these in blue and green, too ; )

(7) Dapple Bottle Cleaner – Lifesaver is all I’m gonna say.  Not to mention that it is ridiculously safe.  I wouldn’t let your child use it as their lunchtime beverage but a few accidental sips aren’t gonna send you straight to the ER, according to their label, that is…

DEVELOPMENT

(1) Interactive Play Mat – After a few weeks Baby is going to be ready to explore.  You need a safe and stimulating environment in which they can do so.  The more colorful, the better.  I also got my children a piano mat -They love that thing!

(2) Tummy Time Toys – Mirrors, soft mats, etc.  Honestly, any blanket you have around the house could serve as a tummy time mat so do not feel the need to spend a great deal of money here.

(3) BOOKS – it is never too early to introduce your child to reading!  Read to them often.  Interact with them.  Have conversations with them.  THIS is how they develop language.  This begins as soon as they are born.

FEEDING

NOTE: Feeding is very personal.  First, you will need to decide if you will breastfeed or bottle feed.  Both are great options!  I have separated this list into two categories to help you narrow down your immediate needs.

Bottle Mommas:

(1) Bottles, obvi ; )

(2) Bottle Cleaning Materials: Brush, drying pad, etc.

(3) Formula Dispenser – Oh my goodness.  If I had had one of these with my first little girl my life would have been amazing.  I call these “Keurigs for Kiddos.”  Instant formula.  No fuss.  No muss.

(4) Bottle Warmer – This is not a requirement.  In fact, some moms prefer not to ever warm bottles so that babies can get adjusted to cold cow’s milk faster when the time comes.  I purchased one and used it religiously just as a comfort thing for my girls.  They preferred warm milk and it only took a minute or two to get them ready.

Breastfeeding Mommas:

(1) Lanolin – Got. To. Have. This.  Get several tubes.  For real.  Ouchies if you don’t…

(2) Breast pads – These make you much more comfy throughout the day and save you from embarrassing grocery store milk-letdown-soaking-your-shirt experiences.

(3) Nipple shield – I would consider looking into these.  I used them with my second baby and the experience was much easier.  She latched almost immediately with the use of a breast shield.  Consult your lactation assistant if you have any questions.

(4) Breast Pump  If you are serious about breastfeeding you are definitely going to want to invest in a pump.  Medelas are very popular but there are several great options.

(5) Bottles for refrigerated breastmilk.

(6) Bottle Cleaning Supplies – brushes, drying mats, etc.

DIAPERING

(1) Diapers – This is really your preference but we used Pampers Swaddlers during the day and Huggies OverNites for night time.  We found each product to be the best as far as comfort and dryness.

(2) Diaper rash cream – There are so many options here.  Pick whichever one meets your needs.  We used Desitin.  But I hear that Boudreaux’s Butt Paste works like a dream as well.

(3) Changing Pad and Liners – You can go super expensive here or reasonable.  Realize that this pad will be used often but very briefly each time.  It does not need to be extravagant and certainly does not need to be fancy.  Poop will be in DIRECT contact with this product multiple times throughout the day.  This is an area where I think it’s wise to save some cash…

(4) Diaper Bag – Ok.  I am addicted to handbags so I got really excited about the idea of a diaper bag.  I bought trendy ones, cute ones, etc.  Waste. of. money.  At the end of the day I decided on a backpack.  Why?  When you are carrying a child in one hand, pushing a stroller with the other and lugging groceries, the last thing you need is another bag.  Backpacks are genius.  Throw it on your back and forget about it.  It also helps your posture.  Here are some really cute options: HERE and HERE

NOTE: I think diaper pails are a gigantic waste of money.  I truly do.  Half the time, they are either not working properly, overflowing or just plain useless.  I used two different brands and literally experienced hypertension as a result of each purchase.  So, after each diaper change I collect the diapers in a used shopping sack (from Wal-Mart, Publix, etc.) which I promptly double-tie and store in a larger trash bag outside of the room that we dispose of each evening.  It is a complex system but it works and there’s no lingering smell in the nursery.  If after my lengthy diatribe, you still choose to partake in a diaper pail, I hear Diaper Genies are legit.

BATHING

(1) Safety Tub – When baby is really little she will not be able to sit independently while you bathe her.  Get one of these.  It makes bathtime so much easier.

(2) Bath Thermometer – Can’t burn Junior!  This is incredibly handy when you are in a hurry and don’t have the time to keep sticking your elbow in the water.

(3) Soap, Shampoo and Lotion – This is entirely personal.  Babies can have finicky skin so you may need to be flexible about this purchase.  My girls’ skin respond entirely different to soap products.  As a result, I use Johnson & Johnson products with my first baby and Aveeno for my second.

(3) Hooded Towels – You could go super fancy here but why?  Who is going to be in the bathroom while you bathe your child?

(4) Washcloths – Be very economical here.  But you will need some tiny washcloths for baby.  Thick washcloths are not beneficial.  I use Spasilk products because they are extremely lightweight and just the right texture / comfort ratio to cleanse baby’s skin adequately and quickly.  If you want to go a little fancier, aden + Anais have some really great ones, too.

* SIDENOTE: This would be considered “frou-frou” but I did purchase a small heater to use in the bathroom when I am bathing the babies.  It makes it more comfortable for them.  You can find them for relatively inexpensive.  However, PLEASE use caution if you decide to use one.  Always keep them unplugged when not in use and out of babies’ reach at all times.

COMFORT

(1) Swaddle Blankets – I recommend at least two packs of these.  You may even want to consider swaddle sheets for the crib.  There is nothing softer and babies LOVE them!  As a side note: I also invested in wearable swaddle blankets.  It made the swaddle process so much easier.  Babies want to be bundled up tight when they are first born.  These are great tools for doing just that.  These are my go-to baby shower gift.  Moms usually have not heard of these or are surprised to learn that they need them so it is a fun bonus gift for them!

(2) Swing – MUST HAVE.  Babies have been comfy cozy inside you for 10 months.  They are accustomed to being held tightly, warm and moving as you move.  A swing replicates every single one of their familiar environment characteristics.  There are countless styles, options and brands of swings.  You can spend lots of money here but I would suggest purchasing one that is reliable.  Also, invest in one that has music.  This is a plus.  If you are short on space, they make space-saver versions which can be very useful as well.  Just note that these may not come with all the bells and whistles.

(3) Pacifiers – Yep.  I listed pacifiers.  This is entirely personal.  There are people who vehemently resist the use of pacifiers and I get it.  I totally do.  But, if Little Bit is havin’ a nasty fit, a pacifier and some extra love is often the solution.

CLOTHING

(1) Onesies – you will want to purchase at least 12-15 of these.  They usually come in packs of 5-6 so a few packs should do the trick.  Your newborn will literally live in these for a few months.  There are a million different style options and patterns.  Go to town, fashion inclined Mommas!

(2) Footed PJs – These puppies saved my life!  My daughters wore these daily.  I never had to worry about them getting cold and they were a breeze during diaper changes.  As a tip – purchase the ones that use zippers.  The ones with snaps all the way up the baby’s torso are panic inducing at times.  Infants are not keen on lying perfectly still while you tenderly fasten 14 snaps…just a heads up.

(3) Hats – The hospital will recommend that you keep a hat on your baby for the first few weeks of life to help maintain their internal body temperature.  I would not invest a lot of money here but two or three would be a wise investment.

(4) Socks – You will need a few pairs of these if you choose to use onesies rather than footed pajamas.  The added benefit of footed pjs is there’s no need for socks!

NOTE: I saved clothing for last.  This means it is the LEAST important category.  I literally went crazy when I learned I was having a little girl.  I mean, I created a closet for her as if she was the cover model for Vogue for at least 5 years.  You know what?  Total waste of money.  T-o-t-a-l.  We all have these grand intentions of being extremely social in life but the truth is we have to do what is best for our child.  That means, for at least their first few months of life you will be much like a hermit tethered to your home.  That’s perfectly ok though.  More snuggles for you!  All of this means that investing in a ridiculously fashionable wardrobe for an infant is sadly just a waste.  Take my word for it.  If you want to create a tiny fashion diva or divo I would suggest holding off until they are at least a year old to start filling the racks.

Well, that’s it.  Hopefully, this list will help you when you set out to create your registry.

What are some of your “must-haves” for baby?