Hey new mommas, poppas, family, and friends of the new bundle of joy!  First off, congratulations! A new baby is a wonderful gift in anyone’s life, and we are excited to help you along this journey.   There’s a lot of preparation to be done when it comes to welcoming a new little one into the world, and sorting through all the latest and greatest baby products can take a whole lot of time. We’ve compiled a baby registry list that includes all the essentials, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything when it’s time to bring that little ray of sunshine home!   What is a baby registry?   A baby registry is basically a list of products you’ll need and/or want for baby. You can send your registry to family, friends, and baby shower guests, so they know exactly what you want, and can keep track of what others have already gotten you.     Why do I need a baby registry?  A baby registry makes it a breeze for other people to help you celebrate your baby. New babies need a decent amount of gear, and gifting can take away some of that financial burden. Registries help prevent getting multiples of things you don’t need more than one of, and they can also serve as a personal list to help you keep track of what you have and don’t have as you’re preparing for baby.         Where should I make my baby registry?  There are a ton of different options when it comes to making your baby registry. This includes store-specific registries, universal baby registries, and even baby registries for cash that let people gift you money.  Be sure to check out the perks of each registry. These can include completion discounts, extended return periods, free samples, group gifting, and more. Make sure you look into your options and see what benefits will help you out the most — and it doesn’t hurt to sign up for more than one!    Here are just a few popular baby registries:   Amazon Baby Registry  Babylist Baby Registry  Bed Bath & Beyond Baby Registry  Buy Buy Baby Registry  Costco Baby Registry  Crate & Barrel Baby Registry  IKEA Baby Registry  Kohl’s Baby Registry  Pottery Barn Kids Baby Registry  Target Baby Registry  Walmart Baby Registry    When should I make my baby registry?  Feel free to start your baby registry whenever you want. A lot of registries let you set your list to “private”, so you can start getting prepared even before you’ve made your announcement. Most future moms start diving in when they’re around 12 weeks along. Building a baby registry can take a good amount of work, so it never hurts to start early. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to research your new purchases. Plus, you’ll want to allow your guests enough time to pick out the perfect gift.     What should I put on my baby registry?   We’ve compiled a list of everything you’ll need for baby — and left out the inessentials.       Bathing  Baby tub  2-4 soft hooded towels  Soft washcloths  Baby-safe body wash and shampoo  Baby-safe body lotion  Simple bath toys  Faucet cover  Baby hairbrush      Bedding  Keep blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, and stuffed animals out of baby’s bed – these items pose safety hazards.  Waterproof mattress protector  2-4 fitted sheets  1-2 washable crib mattress pads  4-6 soft, light receiving/swaddling blankets (for when baby is being held, not during sleep)  1-2 heavier blankets (cold climates — again, only for when baby is being held, or to cover baby in a stroller or car seat)      Clothing  Make sure to register for plenty of different clothing sizes. Most babies outgrow newborn sizes pretty quickly, and some babies won’t even fit in a newborn size off the bat. Also keep the weather and seasons in mind.   10 leggings or elastic-waist trousers  4-10 pairs of footed pajamas  4-10 pairs of socks or booties  4-8 short-sleeve onesies  4-8 long-sleeve onesies  4-8 snappable undershirts  8 pairs of non-footed pajamas  3 light sweaters or zip-up hoodies  3 sleep sacks  2 sun hats (summer baby)  1-2 bathing suits (summer baby)  1 snowsuit, bunting bag or fleece suit with mittens and booties (winter baby)  1 soft hat  1 outfit to come home from the hospital in  Baby-safe laundry detergent  No-scratch mittens  2 blanket sleepers (winter baby)  To wash all of this, you’ll also need to grab some baby-safe laundry detergent, and stain remover. You’ll also want to wash and set aside a full newborn outfit for your birthing bag to bring baby home in.       Diapering  Diaper pail and liners  Diapers  6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers  2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers  Baby wipes  Diaper cream  Cotton balls and swabs  Changing table or changing pad with safety strap  Diaper bag  Washcloths      Feeding  Breast pump  Check to see if your insurance covers one  Extra pump parts  Breast milk freezer bags / milk storage bags  Nursing pillow  Nursing bras  Nipple cream  Nursing pads  Nursing cover  10-16 Baby bottles and nipples  4-ounce and 8-ounce  Several bottle brushes  Bottle drying rack  Highchair   Dishwasher basket for small items  4-8 bibs  Burp cloths  2-4 pacifiers  Formula  Highchair  Pacifiers and clips      Medical  Baby nail clippers  Thermometer  Rubbing alcohol pads  Suction bulb  Petroleum jelly and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)  First aid kit    Dohm Classic white noise machine Nursery & Furniture  Crib, Cradle, or Bassinet  Crib mattress  Rocking chair, glider, or armchair  Night light  White noise machine  Baby monitor  Baby books  Baskets or bins for storage  Cool mist humidifier (warm mist breeds bacteria)      Playtime  Swing, seat or bouncer  Activity mat  Soft baby book  Soft or wooden stacking blocks  Teething toy  Rattles or maracas  Organic cotton stuffed animals  Blanket  Play yard with bassinet    Baby Soother with Voice Recorder sound machine Travel  Infant car seat or convertible car seat  Stroller  Stroller bunting for cold or rainy weather  Baby carrier or baby wrap  Portable changing pad  Travel crib or playard / pack ‘n’ play  Travel sound machine      What should I not put on a baby registry?  Don’t let marketing fool you – there are plenty of things you don’t actually need for your little one. Here are some baby products you can skip.   Crib bumpers: Crib bumper pads are often found in baby bedding sets, but the AAP strongly advises against them. They can lead to suffocation, strangulation, and SIDS. Your baby only needs a single fitted sheet in their crib or bassinet — that means no pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals either.   Wipe warmer: Instead of using a wipe warmer, you can always hold the wipe between your hands to warm it up a little. Your baby's bottom will be clean whether the wipe is warm or not.   Dressy clothes: Babies are messy. Like, really messy. It’s better to stick to basics that are easily washed and that you aren’t super attached to.   Drop-down cribs: The CPSC banned the manufacturing of drop-down cribs in 2011. If you’re getting a secondhand crib, make sure it follows these safety standards.   Lots of toys: Your baby has plenty of time to collect toys and trinkets. It’s nice to have a few things, but there’s no need to go overboard. Plus, you’ll probably get a lot of toys as future gifts during the holidays.  Baby shoes: Ugh, they’re so cute! But your baby doesn’t really need shoes until they start to walk. Plus, they’re pretty difficult to get on their tiny feet. It’s better to stick with booties and socks at the beginning, unless you really want one pair of cute baby shoes for pictures.       Don’t Worry, You’ve Got This!  Hopefully we’ve helped quell some of your anxieties when it comes to preparing for baby. Just remember, you already have the most important item in your toolbox — you!  For more new parent life hacks, head over to our Instagram!    SHOP SOUND MACHINES FOR BABY    Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your sleep or your baby, please contact your healthcare provider.    Related Blog Posts:  How White Noise Can Help You Sleep During Pregnancy The Best Sleeping Positions for Pregnant Women Top 4 Baby Sleep Essentials How to Establish a Sleep Routine for Your Baby    Sources:  The Bump, Your Ultimate Baby Registry Checklist HealthyChildren.org, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained Mint Arrow, The BEST Baby Registry List Ever (2021 Update) United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Final and Proposed Rules, Full-Size Cribs VeryWell Family, Are Crib Bumper Pads Safe for Your Baby? What To Expect, Baby Registry Checklist: Exactly What to Put on a Baby Registry