Baby Care Basics

Daily life is easier with diapers, diaper balm, wipes, a thermometer, baby nail clippers, a soft wrap or carrier, light blankets, washcloths, and a peri bottle (for when you use the bathroom). A nasal aspirator — and maybe a changing pad or baby tub — will likely come in handy too.
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For Feeding

Whether nursing, pumping, or bottle-feeding formula, having a few bottles, a feeding pillow, nipple cream, burp cloths, and a bottle brush helps. Lactation support can go a long way — milk storage bags if pumping or bottle-feeding, too.
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Sleep Set-Up

A bassinet, crib, or co-sleeper with extra sheets and a swaddle or two is a solid start. You may find a white noise machine or blackout curtains helpful, but the main goal is safe, simple sleep for everyone.
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Clothing

Sleepers (zippers or buttons), onesies, tiny pants, soft hats, and socks — just a few cozy, easy-to-change layers. No need for much — they grow so fast!
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For the Parents

A sitz bath, meal delivery/support, therapy, or postpartum doula hours can all be part of recovery. Put down what helps you rest and heal.
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On-The-Go

A car seat, a carrier, a stroller, and a stocked diaper bag (don’t forget a spare post-blow-out outfit!) help you leave the house prepared.
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To Connect

A few soft toys, board books, or high-contrast cards go far. Babies mostly want to see and hear you.
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‍For Flexibility

You may want to include gift cards, cash funds, or secondhand requests — options that can meet your needs as they come.

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The "essentials" listed above are our invitation to simplify what you think you need, not overwhelm — but even pared-down lists can start to feel like pressure. That’s why we encourage you to think of your baby registry not as a checklist to complete, or a test someone else did really well and now you need to copy it to do well too, but as a flexible guide. You can adjust it to reflect what you value most — whether that’s minimalism, preparedness, comfort, or community support.

Some families find they rarely use items that others swear by. Others discover they need to add things later that didn’t feel necessary at first. And that’s okay. Babies are unique. So are you.

Let this be permission to stay rooted in what feels useful, accessible, and right-sized for your space and season. Maybe that means requesting more secondhand items than new ones. Maybe it’s leaving room for a gift card fund or asking for postpartum help instead of another swaddle.

And just as important: don’t forget yourself. Healing, rest, and support are vital needs — not indulgences. If you’re registering, it’s okay to name what would help you recover and feel cared for.

Decluttering your baby registry isn’t about having less for the sake of it — it’s about making room for what truly matters to you. You know your needs better than anyone else.

And if those needs change? You get to change with them.

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