I'm a Registry Consultant, and These Are the 13 Baby Products I Swear By

A regular kitchen trash can will not contain what's coming. The hands-free step lid matters more than it sounds like it would—your hands are going to be full of baby, a wipe and a dirty diaper all at once, and the last thing you want is to also be wrestling a lid. It also uses a self-sealing system paired with a baking soda puck to lock in odors, so opening the lid doesn't send a wave of smell across the room. And let's talk about emptying it: reaching down into a top-loading pail to fish out a bag is its own special kind of unpleasant. This one empties from the front instead, plus it has a built-in cutter to snip the bag when it's full, so you're not fighting with it on top of everything else.

Handwashing bottle parts at 11 p.m. is nobody's idea of a good time. This countertop machine washes, dries and sterilizes bottles, pump parts and pacifiers in one cycle, which buys back a chunk of time you'll want for literally anything else. It also has its own built-in water tank, so unlike some other models that need a direct drain tube hooked up to your sink, this one can sit anywhere on your counter.

This isn't the kind that stays put on top of a dresser—it's the portable kind, and that's exactly why it earns a spot on this list. Made from premium, water-resistant vegan "leather," it wipes clean in seconds and comes with you everywhere: the trunk of the car, the floor for a quick change, post-bath, a different house for the weekend, even tossed into a suitcase for a trip.

Public changing tables at restaurants, airports and everywhere in between can be questionable, and you may not want to lay your baby down on one without a liner unless you have to. These disposable pads give you a clean barrier between baby and a surface you know nothing about. It's one of those products you never knew you needed and now can't live without. Toss a few in the diaper bag and you'll always have one on hand.

The first time I bathed my newborn, we were both in tears. A bath seat like this one (plus a little warm washcloth draped over baby to keep them cozy) does the trick. It cradles baby securely so you actually get two free hands and a much calmer bathtime for everyone involved. I recommend this to every client, regardless of whether they're planning to bathe baby in the sink or the big tub—it fits in most farmhouse sinks, which is a detail people don't think to check until it's too late.

So many parents I work with tell me they want to steer clear of the bright colors and flashing lights, and stick to something more aesthetic. And then, without fail, they see how entertained their baby gets on this thing, and they cave. This is the playmat behind the "purple monkey" song that's gone viral with parents everywhere—you'll be humming it while you do the dishes, whether you like it or not. Consider yourself warned, and register for it anyway.

People love this one because it actually fits in with their living room decor instead of looking like, well, baby gear—but it's just as functional as it is good-looking. Side-to-side motion with five speeds helps soothe babies who like movement, so you have a safe place to put your little one down when you need your hands free.

Once baby can sit upright on their own, which happens quicker than you'd think, a hook-on chair lets them join you at the kitchen island, at grandma's house or anywhere else a full-size high chair isn't practical. This one has an adjustable footrest, giving baby a safe, steady place to rest their feet, which pediatric feeding experts recommend for mealtime safety and comfort. I even bring mine to restaurants.

You'll want your hands free at some point in the first year—probably within the first week. This is one of the few "big ticket" items on this list I'll recommend without hesitation, and it comes down to the why. The ergonomic, pressure-relieving design is genuinely comfortable for extended wear, the settings adjust easily, and the 3D mesh keeps things breathable no matter the season. It also supports front-inward, front-outward and back carry positions, so it grows with baby instead of getting outgrown in a few months.

So many parents tell me the mirrors just don't do the trick. You're straining to see baby, which is its own kind of stressful and honestly a bigger distraction while driving than just glancing at a screen. A camera clips onto the headrest and gives you a real-time view of baby without the twisting and squinting. It also comes with night vision, which makes it far more functional than mirrors once it's dark out. It's a small addition that gives a lot of peace of mind on every drive.

Whether you're heading to grandma's for the weekend or across the country, a lightweight travel crib gives baby a familiar, safe place to sleep anywhere you land. This one weighs just 13 pounds and has a large sleeping area that rests directly on the ground, so there's no weight limit to worry about. An easy side zip door and a washable mattress make it simple to use night after night. You'd be surprised how many travel cribs come with mattresses you can't wash or odd dimensions that make finding sheets a headache. This one uses a standard playard size, so crib sheets are easy to find.

I'm a firm believer that you don't need anything too fancy for your bassinet—no built-in motion, no white noise required. The real standout feature here is the ability to lift the bassinet off its stand for portability, plus removable wheels, so you can keep baby close to you throughout the day, not just overnight. It also has a zip-down wall for easy access, and it's just really pretty in a room.

A lot of people ask me if it's really worth it, or whether they should look at other models, since it feels like everyone gets the Nanit. But everyone gets it for a reason. It's easy to travel with, thanks to their flex stand and travel case, and parents love the comfort and convenience of being able to check on baby from their phone from anywhere. I also love the little memories and moments it captures along the way, and it's reassuring to know it uses 256-bit AES encryption, the same level of security used by banking apps, to keep your data and video feeds private.