Baby on a Budget

The Boba Wrap works for babies from birth (including preemies), and the incredibly soft material includes a 5% spandex content, making the wrap easy to use for beginner and advanced baby wearers alike.

The carrier can be used with babies as small as eight pounds—without an infant insert—and grows with your baby until they are 25 pounds.

The SnugRide Click Connect 35 is a great infant car seat option. It goes up to 35 lbs, so most babies can use it for more than a year, and it is really lightweight. Remember, if you are a two-car family, register for an additional base for your second car.

This infant car seat and stroller in one is a great deal! The Key Fit 30 is one of the most popular car seats because it’s so easy to install and to carry. And the stroller doesn’t skimp on extras like a big basket for toys and bags, an adjustable handbar and a parent cupholder. The major drawback is that it only comes in one color.

If you aren’t going to be strolling over rough terrain and want a stroller that easily folds and fits anywhere, this could be your answer. One drawback for the newborn stage—you can’t connect your infant car seat, so you won’t use this until around six months when baby can easily hold up their head. (That’s where a great carrier comes in handy.)

Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat can be forward or rear-facing for up to 40 lbs. This super-affordable convertible car seat also boosts a slim width so that you can fit three across a standard back seat. The seat pad is entirely machine washable too.

The Play ‘n Play is a travel crib, playpen and so much more.

Your crib doesn’t need to be the most expensive thing in the nursery. This is a great crib that gets the job done. And with two heights and removable side, it can be adapted into a toddler bed too.

Parents love this firm foam mattress because it’s a great value for the price.

Babies spit up. It’s a fact of life. Luckily these absorbent burp cloths can help keep you dry. This is four-pack, and we recommend registering for two.

This three-pack of longsleeve bodysuits will keep your little one warm—and they’re pretty cute, too.

Two hats and two pairs of adorable pajamas to keep baby cozy.

This five-pack makes it easy to have lots of bodysuits at the ready when your little one arrives. Register for them in a few different sizes to cover baby’s first year.

Add a rainbow to baby’s wardrobe.

These will keep little toes warm. Plus they’re all white so you won’t have to worry about finding a match.

This sun hat has a huge brim, and the band around the head has a toggle so that it grows with your baby.

The Boppy breastfeeding pillow curves around your waist to hold your baby while you are nursing, making it so much easier on your arms and shoulders.

The Philips Avent is a great bottle whether you are feeding your baby formula or expressed breast milk. This bottle starter kit comes with four bottles, a trainer cup, formula dispenser, pacifier and bottle brush.

If you are only going to be pumping occasionally, a hand pump is a good and inexpensive solution.

Bibs don’t have to be fancy, and this 10-pack will do the trick.

This popular high chair is easy to clean and easy on the wallet too.

Pampers Swaddlers are the preferred brand at most hospitals, and parents love the wetness indicator strip. Register for some newborn, size 1 and size 2 diapers, since you will need them all in the first six months.

It has a funny name, but parents swear by its healing powers. This 16oz jar will last a long, long time.

Skipping a dedicated changing table and putting a changing pad on top of an existing dresser or other surface can save money. Then use a changing pad cover over it so it will get dirty instead of the changing pad.

These versatile waterproof pads can be a lifesaver! Use them on top of your changing pad cover, as an on-the-go changing station, for tummy time or many other uses.

Babies poop, and poops smells. This diaper pail won’t make those problems go away, but it will minimize their impact. Note: Diaper Genies do require specific refills that make the cost add up.

Some parents skip a diaper bag altogether and use a backpack or purse that they already have, but if you’re out with baby a lot, a diaper bag with lots of pockets can be nice to have.

It fits in your sink, has a sling for newborns and grows with your baby. What more could you want? And the price is just right. (Also, a tub is an easy thing to skip.)

This ultrasoft 10-pack of washcloths is great to have around for bathtime and beyond. (You could also skip this and use your own washcloths on the baby.)

This body wash-and-shampoo-in-one is a great choice for your baby’s first soap. Since babies don’t get that dirty anyway, an elaborate toiltery set may be overkill.

What’s cuter than a baby? A baby in a duck towel. A hooded towel is both cute and practical for keeping them warm after bathtime (though your regular towels will work too).

This first aid kit has all of your essentials (thermometer, nose aspirator, nail clippers) as well as a brush, comb, toothbrush and more.

This is a great inexpensive audio monitor so you can listen in on baby when they’re sleeping. If you’re interested in a video monitor, the Anmeate monitor is an inexpensive option.

Simple and stylish, this activity mat can be used from birth and is easy to take to grandma’s too.

Little babies love to grab this tiny ball.

This is one of our favorites, but we suggest adding a few of your family favorites to your registry too. (And don’t forget: you add requests for preloved books to your registry!)