Something I love about being a Northern VA newborn photographer is that I get to share advice, tips, and tricks with new moms based on many conversations with my sweet clients over the years and my very own experiences as a mom. Did you know that nobody has any actual idea of what should be on their baby registry? Most of the time, everyone’s just winging it! So, let’s talk about it! Here are 20 must-haves for your baby registry.
When Should I Make A Baby Registry?
Before we get into what you need on it, let’s talk about when you should make a baby registry in the first place! This is a common question I’ve noticed moms having. You don’t want to do it too soon and have it forgotten about. However, doing it too late may mean you don’t get your items on time! So, what’s the best time?
If you’re waiting to find out the sex of the baby, then you’ll have to wait about 20 weeks. Sometimes, doctors are able to tell sooner. If your kiddo is as stubborn as mine was (and still is), 20 weeks sounds about right. However, if you want to at least start with the gender-neutral items, most moms say get that list ready by the 3-month mark! Start building it slowly over time, but definitely have it up and mostly ready between maybe 3 and 4 months! Most moms prefer to wait until at least 3 months just because this is when they’re considered “in the clear.”
Where to Register Your Baby?
As far as the “where” goes, this is really up to you! You can even have more than one baby registry if you’d prefer, but that can get hectic. I recommend picking a place that has an abundance of options that fit everything (or at least almost everything) you’ll need! Some popular stores will be Amazon, Target, Walmart, and boutique baby stores in your area if you have any! The point is to find a store that has all of the baby necessities in one place, so you don’t have to make multiple!
I personally love Babylist because you can add multiple items from different stores onto one registry, making it easier than ever to put all of your wants in one place!
What to Put on Your Baby Registry?
Onto the whole point of today’s post and one of my favorite pieces of info to find out about as a Northern VA newborn photographer: what to put on your baby registry!
The easiest way to go about this is to give you all a bullet-point breakdown of everything you’ll want to put on your registry. I don’t want to leave anything out, so let’s get into it! You may find mixed opinions on the big ticket items (some believe those do not belong on the baby registry), but some people will surprise you!
The Must-Adds!
- A car seat that can be adjusted as your newborn grows
- At least one stroller, preferably with some storage space like netting or cup holders
- Your first crib, along with crib mattress and sheets
- Bottles, breast pumps, and formula
- Diapers and wipes
- Newborn clothes like onesies
- A baby bouncer or rocker
- A baby tub along with baby-safe body wash and shampoo
The Good to Add’s!
- A baby monitor
- Extra baby clothes like PJ’s, holiday outfits, etc.
- Bibs for feeding
- Burp cloths
- Newborn bathtub and toiletries
- Pacifiers
- A first aid kit for the baby and maybe some newborn nail clippers
- Cute baby toys (keep those limited)
- Baby safe nail trimmer
- Thermometer
- Nose Frida
- White noise machine (my go-to magic tool for every newborn session is the babyshusher)
Wrapping Up: What’s Going on Your Baby Registry?
Whether this is your first baby or your third, creating a baby registry is exciting! If this isn’t your first baby, you should already have some of the items at home. Registries are a way for your loved ones to share in your joy and feel like they’re a part of the process. By the way, gift cards make fantastic gifts as well. Whether it’s a gift card from Amazon or even a gift card to help pay for baby’s professional newborn photo shoot, I know that you can’t go wrong with that. I cannot wait to hear all about what you put on your registry during our newborn photography session in Northern VA!
Want even more resources? Check out some of my other posts below:
- Top 5 Best Prenatal Massage In Northern Virginia In 2023
- Hospital Bag Checklist: 16 Must-Have Best Items For Delivery
- Adorable Washington D.C. Newborn Photographer: 2022 In-Home Session
Stephanie Honikel is a distinguished DC & Northern Virginia newborn photographer, specializing in maternity, baby, and family photography. With a keen eye for capturing timeless moments, she has been recognized as one of the Best Maternity Photographers in DC for 2024 and Best Newborn Photographers in Alexandria, VA in 2024. Stephanie’s work emphasizes safety and emotional connection, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed session experience. She offers a full-service approach, including professional hair and makeup, wardrobe options, and custom artwork. Reach out today to book your session!
Wow, these are some great tips on what to put on your baby registry. Thanks.
These are amazing ideas, I bet it’ll help a lot of people who are going to a baby shower
This is a great list! So many resources tell you to purchase things that you really don’t need!
I would have loved to have this list when I was shopping for my nieces when they were babies. Such wonderful and practical ideas!
This is such a handy post for moms-to-be. I know I wasn’t sure what to have on my list!
Great post Steph! Super helpful for those expecting moms who need a little help with what to add to their list! I’d also add a bottle rack to air dry all those bottles! Ha!
Such a wonderful post for the new mom, I know the landscape has changed so much these days.
the baby shusher is a life saver !! So many friends rave about that one
It is good to know just what to have, and be able to focus on those and not end up with items you don’t need. I love how many awesome baby products there are out there – a lot has changed since I had my firstborn 15 years ago!