Building your baby registry checklist in 2025? It’s a wild mix of excitement, overwhelm, and 2 a.m. Googling.
Let’s make it easier. In this guide, you’ll find:
- 10 thoughtfully chosen essentials that real parents rely on
- What to skip (because your time, money, and energy matter)
- Answers to your biggest registry questions
You don’t need everything. Just what helps you feel ready. Let’s build your 2025 registry with clarity, calm—and a little heart.
10 Must-Haves for Your Baby Registry Checklist
1. A Travel System That Keeps Up With You
From the first pediatrician visit to stroller walks that save your sanity, a good travel system is your ride-or-die. It’s a car seat that clicks into a stroller in one easy motion—because no one wants to wake a sleeping baby just to change wheels. Bonus points if it folds one-handed while you juggle a diaper bag, coffee, and baby.
2. A Car Seat That Lets You Breathe Easy
Your baby’s first ride home is a big moment. You want a car seat that’s safe, secure, and makes you feel confident every time you buckle up. Look for one with easy installation, a snug fit, and enough cushioning to cradle your little one’s floppy newborn head. It’s not just gear—it’s peace of mind.
3. A Crib That Grows With Your Baby
They’ll start tiny, curled up like a comma—but before you know it, they’re standing up, chewing on the rail. A convertible crib lets you adapt as they grow, going from crib to toddler bed with just a few changes. It’s one of those investments that makes sense now and later.
4. A Nursing Pillow You’ll Use Daily
Feeding a baby isn’t as easy as it looks in photos. A great nursing pillow brings the baby up to you, not the other way around—saving your arms, shoulders, and sanity. And when you’re not feeding? It moonlights as a tummy time prop, back support, and even an occasional lunch tray stand-in. You’ll use it. A lot.
5. A Baby Carrier That Feels Like a Hug
Some days, your baby needs to be held all day. Other days… you need to do literally anything else. A soft carrier wraps them close to your chest while freeing your hands for coffee, errands, or just remembering who you are. It’s like giving your baby a hug—with shoulder straps.
6. A Monitor So You Can Stop Tiptoeing
You’ll check on your baby more times than you can count—just to see that tiny chest rising and falling. A video monitor helps you do that without hovering. Look for one with clear audio, night vision, and maybe an app that lets you peek in from the next room (or restaurant).
7. A Diaper Bag That Holds It All
Think of your diaper bag as mission control. It needs to hold diapers, wipes, snacks, a change of clothes (or two), and your keys and phone—without turning into a bottomless pit. Organized compartments and easy access are lifesavers when you’re out and about and baby’s having a moment.
8. A Glider or Rocking Chair for the Long Nights
Feeding. Rocking. Cuddling. Snoozing (if you’re lucky). You’ll log a lot of hours in this chair. Get one that supports your back, cushions your arms, and moves smoothly even when you’re half asleep. Your future self—nursing at 3 a.m. with one eye open—will thank you.
9. A Playard That Travels Well
Nap here. Change there. Play anywhere. A foldable playard is your on-the-go nursery that sets up in seconds and fits just about anywhere—from your living room to your parents’ guest room. Bonus points for versions with built-in bassinets or changing stations. One zip, one unfold, and you’re golden.
10. Swaddle Blankets That Go the Distance
These aren’t just blankets—they’re burp cloths, stroller covers, nursing shields, superhero capes, and occasional last-minute towels. Soft, breathable, and endlessly useful, swaddles are the Swiss Army knife of baby gear. Trust us—you’ll reach for them a dozen times a day, and still wish you had more.
FAQs
1. When should I start creating my baby registry checklist?
Most parents start building their baby registry checklist sometime between the end of the first trimester and the halfway point of pregnancy—typically between weeks 12 and 20. This gives you enough time to research options, compare brands, and add items gradually without pressure. Starting early also allows you to take advantage of registry perks, welcome boxes, and exclusive discounts. Plus, if you’re planning a baby shower, having your registry ready by the time invitations go out makes things easier for guests. It’s totally fine to start small and update as you learn more. Think of your checklist as a work in progress, evolving with your needs and your baby’s timeline.
2. How many items should I include on my baby registry checklist?
There’s no magic number, but most baby registries include somewhere between 70 to 100 items. This typically covers the essentials—like a crib, car seat, and diapers—as well as a few convenience items and fun extras. Start by thinking about your daily routine and what you’ll need for feeding, sleeping, diapering, and getting around. Then layer in items like clothing, books, and keepsakes. Your baby registry checklist should reflect your lifestyle, budget, and available space. You don’t have to add everything all at once. Instead, add what you’re sure of, and leave room for updates as you gather more advice or discover must-haves you didn’t know about.
3. What are the best 40 items to include in a baby registry checklist?
The best 40 items to include in a baby registry checklist are the ones that support your everyday life as a new parent. Start with cozy nursery must-haves like a crib, mattress, soft fitted sheets, a bassinet for those first nights, and a rocking chair you’ll spend countless quiet hours in. Add feeding essentials—like bottles, a nursing pillow, bibs, burp cloths, a breast pump, and a high chair for later. Diapering? You’ll want a changing pad, plenty of diapers and wipes, rash cream, a diaper bag, and yes—a diaper pail you’ll be thankful for at 2 a.m. Bath time gets easier with a baby tub, gentle shampoo and lotion, soft towels, and washcloths. For heading out, include a car seat, stroller, pacifier clips, car seat blanket, and even a little “baby on board” sign. Round it out with baby clothes like bodysuits, sleep sacks, hats, and socks—plus health essentials like a thermometer, humidifier, nasal aspirator, Vitamin D drops, and gripe water.
4. What are some baby registry items I don’t really need?
It’s easy to get swept up in cute or trendy items, but not everything marketed as “must-have” ends up being useful. Items like wipe warmers, bottle sterilizers (if you already have a dishwasher), diaper stackers, and fancy changing pad covers often go unused. You also don’t need tons of newborn clothes—babies outgrow them in just a few weeks. The best baby registry checklist focuses on practicality, not novelty. Choose items that fit your space, daily habits, and budget. Ask other parents what they loved versus what collected dust. Remember: less clutter means more calm, especially during those early, sleep-deprived months.
A Final Word (from one parent to another)
There’s no such thing as the “perfect” baby registry checklist. Every family’s needs, routines, and baby quirks are different. But these ten items? They cover the basics with heart, function, and flexibility.
As you get ready for one of life’s biggest adventures, trust your instincts. Choose what brings you ease, what supports your baby, and what feels right in your gut. That’s your true registry.
What’s on your baby registry? Got a tip or must-have you swear by? Drop it in the comments—we’re all in this together.
