A Practical Baby Registry for Single Parents

A postpartum doula offers emotional and physical support, helps with baby care and can be a listening ear when you’re adjusting to this huge life change. Registering for a few visits (or even just one) can bring comfort and confidence in those early weeks. In a similar vein, if you’re open to overnight help and have folks who want to pitch in financially, this can be a game-changer. A night nurse (or newborn care specialist) can take over those tough night feeds or fussiness stretches, giving you a chance to rest. (You can set this up by creating your own cash fund!)

Taking care of yourself can feel like a luxury during the newborn phase. Registering for a home-cooked meal means one less thing on your plate (literally). It’s also a gentle nudge for your people to organize a meal train, so you’ve got warm, nourishing food without having to make it yourself.

Laundry, dishes, floors…they don’t stop, even when you’re postpartum. Registering for a house cleaning service (or even just a favor from a friend with a vacuum) can make your home feel a little more orderly—and give you time to focus on healing and bonding. 

Whether it’s for a nap, a grocery run or just 30 quiet minutes, having someone you trust step in for a bit can be the recharge you need. Register for this like a gift card, but the currency is time and support.

If you’re navigating work and solo parenting, childcare can be one of the biggest ongoing expenses. A registry fund lets friends and family contribute in a meaningful way—especially for folks who want to help but aren’t sure how.

Sometimes you don’t know what you’ll need until you’re in the thick of it. This is a “just-in-case” coupon—a way for friends and family to raise their hand and say they’re here to help. Whether it’s a ride to the pediatrician, walking the dog or just someone to text at 2 a.m., they’ll be ready when you are.

This playard doubles as a safe sleep space and a place to set your baby when you need a moment. It has added features like a changing station, bassinet and it’s easy to move around the house. A bunch of useful products wrapped into one portable (and rather affordable) product.

Multi-purpose gear is a win when you’re handling everything solo. The Sway2Me works as both a swing and a portable bouncer, giving you two options in one. “I liked this more than a rocker because it felt more versatile,” Kailie shared.

An activity gym that grows with your baby through their different stages of development is a great registry add. It’ll serve as a spot to lay your baby down when you need both hands, and its engaging colors and features will keep them occupied during tummy time.

This lightweight stroller and infant car seat combo includes the Joie Ginger stroller and the Mint infant car seat, making errands—like doctor’s visits or grocery runs—easier to manage. The stroller folds with one hand, and the car seat clicks directly into the frame. You can also use the Mint car seat without a base, since it has a built in LATCH system. Most strollers are only safe to use with babies once they can sit up unassisted, which is usually around five or six months old. But the Ginger’s stroller seat also converts into a pramette (a bassinet-style setup), so it’s newborn-friendly without needing to buy an extra bassinet or leave your baby in the car seat for long stretches of time.

If someone else will be helping with drop-off or pickup—like for daycare, errands or just giving you a break—having an extra infant car seat base can make things a lot easier and safer. “My mom kept a base in her car in case she needed to pick up my daughter,” says Kailie. “It made everything smoother when someone else helped with childcare.”

Bonus tip: Some parents leave the car seat at daycare, so whoever’s helping with pickup doesn’t have to worry about installing anything last minute.

Once your baby outgrows their infant seat—usually around 12 months or when they hit the seat’s height or weight limit—you’ll need a convertible car seat. This one from Graco is a favorite because it’s easy to install and lasts from four to 120 pounds, so you won’t need to upgrade for a long time. For solo parents, fewer installs and long-lasting gear = a big win.

When you're driving solo, it can be stressful not seeing your baby in the back seat. That’s where a back seat mirror can help. This one from Sprucely has a shatter-resistant mirror that pivots 360 degrees, so you can keep an eye on your baby through your rearview mirror. It’s easy to install and stays secure with durable straps.

While some carriers are labeled for newborns, it can be tough to get a secure fit when your baby is still tiny (and you’re brand new to babywearing). The Solly wrap takes a little getting used to, but many parents love it for those early weeks when baby is adjusting to life outside of the womb and just wants to be close. It’s soft, cozy and especially helpful for soothing or contact naps. (Pro tip: Solly has a whole library of helpful, easy-to-follow tutorials to teach you how to use the wrap, and they also offer free 1:1 consults to help troubleshoot!)

There are lots of great baby carriers out there (and we break them down in our Best Baby Carriers guide), but if you want one that works from the newborn stage into toddlerhood, the Tula Explore is a standout. It fits babies from four to 45 pounds—roughly birth to four-years-old—and offers multiple carry options: inward-facing, outward-facing (once your baby has strong head and neck control, usually around five to six months), and back carry.

Solo parenting means naps don’t always happen at home, especially when you have errands to run and things to do. A portable sound machine can help your baby sleep through car rides, stroller walks or whatever else the day throws your way.

A well-organized diaper bag is a must, especially when you’re managing everything on your own. This backpack from KeaBabies is roomy, easy to organize and keeps your hands free—so you can carry your baby and the snacks, bottles, wipes, etc.

A hands-free pump can be a game-changer when you need a moment (or five). If you’re planning to breastfeed, this one’s worth considering. Already have an insurance-covered pump? This can be a great second option to add to your feeding toolkit—especially as a group gift.

A reliable manual pump is a handy backup for quick relief or on-the-go pumping. It’s lightweight, portable and doesn’t require any cords or batteries (so you can use it anytime, anywhere).

If you’re planning to breastfeed, the Haakaa is a super handy way to collect extra milk while you’re nursing. It’s a great hack for building a freezer stash so someone else can help with feeding, too.

This nursing pillow offers firm, wraparound support to keep you and your baby in a comfortable position. The Deluxe version adds extra padding and a pocket to keep essentials (like burp cloths or a water bottle) within reach.

Think of this as a Keurig for formula—it mixes and warms bottles at the push of a button. Perfect for late nights, early mornings or anytime you need a break. “The Formula Pro was a lifesaver when I had to start combo feeding,” says Kailie. “With my oldest, I breastfed for seven months, then switched to formula when I went back to work. If I’d known more about combo feeding, I think I could have stretched it longer.”

No two feeding journeys look alike, and a bottle warmer may become an essential part of your feeding routine. “I also remember keeping a bottle warmer in my room to help with middle of the night feeds,” Kailie shared. This one is perfect for keeping in your room since it uses air instead of water to gently warm expressed breast milk or formula—less mess, more convenience.

Babies can be picky about bottles, and it’s hard to know which one they’ll prefer. This box lets you test a few favorites (including a Dr. Brown’s anti-colic option, which many lactation consultants and parents swear by) before committing to a full set. It’s a simple way to save time (and dishes) while you figure out what works best.

Washing bottles again? This washer helps save time and sanity by doing the dirty work for you. “We have the Baby Brezza bottle washer. And that seems like it was honestly made for Dr. Brown's parts,” Kailie said. Also add the detergent and descaling tablets to your registry so you have everything you need.

Simple to use and easy to clean—two things you’ll appreciate when you’re handling meals on your own. Unlike most high chairs, this one features silicone straps that make wiping down take just seconds. It also converts as your baby grows, turning into a chair you can pull right up to your table. When you need your space back, the whole thing folds up making it a great fit for smaller kitchens or apartments.

This zippered swaddle keeps your baby snug and secure—without the stress of tricky wrapping. Easy to use and machine washable, it’s a practical pick for tired nights.

This lightweight bassinet is simple to set up and keeps your baby close by at night. The mesh sides improve airflow and give you peace of mind since you can check on your baby with just a glance.

This simple white noise machine offers soothing sound without fussy settings. It’s easy to use in the middle of the night and a solid pick for helping your baby (and you) drift off.

This video monitor gives you a sharp, reliable view of your baby, whether you’re in the next room or checking in from your phone. With WiFi access, it’s easy to share viewing with a grandparent, babysitter or anyone else who’s helping out.

Diapers are one of the most useful gifts you can get. Some parents even organize diaper raffles, where guests bring different sizes—so you end up stocked for months. “I know families who didn’t have to buy diapers for six months to a year after their shower,” Kailie says.

Stocking up on wipes is always a good idea. They’re not just for diaper changes—you’ll use them for quick cleanups, sticky hands and the million little messes that pop up every day.

Diaper changes don’t always happen at the changing table. This portable mat folds up small so you can stash it in a diaper bag, car or even your living room floor. It gives you a clean, padded surface for changes anywhere—because messes don’t wait until you’re home.

This portable caddy keeps everything you need in one place and the built-in light is especially handy for middle-of-the-night changes. Keep it stocked with a few diapers, wipes, cream and a few spare things (like a change of clothes, poop bags or burp cloths) and you’re ready for whatever.

Diaper rash can happen to any baby, and it’s tough when you don’t have the right cream on hand. This box gives you a few different options to try, so you can find what works best for your baby and avoid those late-night, last-minute orders.

You’ll change a lot of diapers in your baby’s first year. A diaper pail isn’t a must-have but it can make tossing soiled diapers (and containing the smell) when you can’t run outside to the bin much easier.