
Modern Baby Registry Picks That Are Stylish and Functional
Stock your registry with modern products with simple styles, clean lines and smart functionality.

By Latifah Miles
While some baby gear of the past was all about primary colors and lots of plastic, these days, baby products have taken on a modern look that easily slot into your personal style. And when we talk about modern baby products, that can mean a stylish approach to a more mundane category (like an aesthetic bottle), tech-forward features that solve age-old problems or a nice-to-look-at spin on a piece of baby gear that has to sit out in your home (like a high chair or a play gym).
If this is your aesthetic, you can use this guide as a starting point to fill your baby registry with modern products that are as stylish as they are functional for a modern parent-baby duo. And if you're looking for more registry inspo along the same lines, we also have a luxury sample registry, an eco-friendly sample registry and a minimalist sample registry.
Nursery + Decor
This high-tech monitor will easily blend into any modern nursery space and aside from being nice-looking enough to sit out in your baby’s bedroom, it’s a high-quality piece of tech. The Nanit offers crystal clear video and sound and tracks your little one’s sleep and movement.
Humidifier, diffuser and nightlight all rolled into one—this take on a cool-mist humidifier has all your bases covered, especially when your little one is feeling under the weather. The cool mist runs for up to 12 hours and will soothe stuffy noses and dry skin. You can add aromatherapy and the soft glow of the nightlight for even more comfort.
The iconic kid furniture brand Oeuf is known for their sophisticated, modern sensibility—and the Moss Crib will be the focal point of any modern nursery space. It’s sturdy, safe and made of sustainable materials. The convertibility and three mattress heights mean you can hold on to it through toddlerhood. It also converts into a toddler bed as your little one grows. While we are drawn to the playful tomato red color, you can choose two other color options: Peapod or Birch.
When we surveyed Babylist parents, 30 percent of them voted for the Newton Crib Mattress as their favorite (our gear editor and I adore it, too). The unique patented Wovenaire core sets this mattress apart from others on the market. It’s made of 90 percent air and 10 percent food-grade polymer, which allows your baby to breathe right through it for safer sleep. When the inevitable mess happens, the fabric exterior can be tossed in the wash while the core can be rinsed off in the shower.
With a mid-century modern style, this glider features clean lines, soft fabric and, most importantly, a comfortable design for all your rocking and snuggling needs. It also has a USB charging port so you can keep your electronics juiced up while you rock your baby to sleep.
This sturdy dresser can take you from newborn to big-kid years seamlessly. Once the diapering days are behind you, just pop off the changing table topper and use the three roomy drawers to hold all of your little one’s clothes and accessories.
This all-in-one bassinet transforms into a mini crib, full-size crib and a junior bed. The beautiful design features rounded spindles instead of bars and eye-catching arches, giving the crib an elevated aesthetic. When set up as a bassinet, you can use the locking caster wheels to move it around your home safely.
A classic changing pad with a modern twist, this completely waterproof pad easily wipes clean and doesn’t require any additional covers. And it’s nice to look at so you won’t mind leaving it out on your baby’s dresser.
A good swaddle is a new parent must-have. You’ll reach for it for swaddling, of course, but also for stroller shade, a makeshift changing pad and so much more. These large, light and breathable cotton muslin blankets are so versatile and the adorable patterns are irresistible.
On the Go + Gear
The image of a modern travel system, the compact Doona effortlessly switches between a stroller and a car seat with just a push of a button. This fully integrated car seat stroller has a simple and sleek design. According to surveyed Babylist parents, it’s a lifesaver during the first year of parenthood.
The iconic, modern design of Clek car seats is like nothing else on the market. This infant seat delivers on both looks and safety, with best-in-class features like a metal load leg and Rigid-LATCH. The Liing is easy to install and weighs only nine pounds, and the seat comes in three fabric options, including merino.
Newborns and young babies love to feel snug and secure. This lounger was designed to curve around your baby’s back like a hug, helping them feel calm and comforted when they need extra support. It’s made from sustainable, ethically-made materials and is the perfect spot for lounging and relaxing.
Choosing a comfortable carrier for both you and your baby can help you get through the clingy stages in the first year of parenthood. This carrier by WildBird is easy to put on, offers excellent support for your baby (I comfortably carried my daughter for hours at an amusement park in it) and has a simple yet stunning design.
Traditional playards can be cumbersome, clunky and really tough to open and close—but Bugaboo’s Stardust breaks all the rules. This sleek, modern playard unfolds in one second and folds in three (really, we timed it.) It stores upright and flat for easy storage and also features a bassinet insert for younger babies.
Instead of the typical oversized, brightly-colored baby seats, opt for this stylish seat that effortlessly blends into your home’s style. Without batteries or plugs, the seat gently sways side to side using your baby’s natural motion. It’s also designed to grow with your baby—it works from newborn to toddler and eventually turns into a seat for your big kid.
Made of super soft and easy-to-clean neoprene fabric, the Dagne Dover Indi is so stylish that it really doesn’t look like your standard diaper bag backpack. Available in three sizes and a variety of colors, it comes complete with a mesh changing pad and stroller clips. I’ve had mine for about five years, and it’s held up well.
Feeding
The distinctive shape of Comotomo bottles makes them stand out from the crowd, but it’s also what makes them so great. The wide nipple and squeezable base simulates breastfeeding and helps babies to latch on properly. The wide shape also makes them really easy to clean—another big plus.
Your bottle drying rack doesn’t have to be a countertop eyesore or boring. The Boon Lawn will brighten up your kitchen and become a home base for bottles, pacifiers, pump parts and anything else that needs to air dry. It’s oversized to hold lots of stuff and keep everything upright to allow for air circulation. You can add the Boon accessories to hold smaller feeding accessories like nipples and pacifiers, too.
This beautifully simple pillow will help you to breastfeed, bottle feed or even support your little one as they learn to sit up. The minimalist crescent design stands out from other support pillows, and it’s made from GOTS-certified organic cotton fabrics and hypoallergenic fill.
When it comes to high chairs, it makes sense to want one you won’t mind looking at since it’ll be parked at your dinner table. Stokke’s Tripp Trapp high chair is recommended by feeding experts, a top pick among parents and the one our gear editor used for both of her kids. Aside from the stunning Scandinavian design, its functionality and longevity is unmatched. The standout features include an ergonomic foot plate for comfortable seating, an angled seat that allows your baby to sit at the table and when they’re all done with eating in a high chair, it transforms into a standard seat that can accommodate up to 300 pounds.
Speaking of feeding time, an under-the-highchair mat goes a long way in helping speed up your cleaning process after every meal. This water-resistant bonded leather mat from Gathre is beautiful and practical. It can also be used as a play mat or anywhere else you want to add beauty and lessen the mess.
Introducing solids is a messy endeavor and with that can come a constant stream of dirty bibs to your growing laundry pile, which is totally unnecessary. These silicone bibs from AEIOU are just right for catching food before it falls on your baby (and their high chair, your floor and or inside your dog’s mouth). And since these come in pattern-free, gender-neutral colors, you won’t get tired of looking at them.
Health + Safety
Designed for the first 6 months of your baby’s life, this bath seat has a simple, one-piece design and parents absolutely adore it. Compared to other baby tubs on the market, it’s more compact so it’s more likely to fit into a variety of tubs and sinks. The super-simple construction allows it to dry quickly, preventing bacteria from building up.
These hand-mitt washcloths are made from soft bamboo terry cloth and help make bathtime fun and easy. Just like standard baby washcloths, they can be tossed in a load with the rest of your laundry.
Even though you can’t imagine it during those first few months, your little one will be ready to chomp down on something soft and soothing for their aching gums before you know it. This easy-to-hold, realistic radish is made of natural rubber derived from Hevea trees and hand-painted with natural pigments (read: safe to gnaw). And since it’s hole-free, you don’t have to worry about drool build-up or mold.
Clothing + Accessories
We always recommend adding a sleep gown (or two) to your registry. Gowns are great for those early months when you need a simple, go-to outfit that keeps your newborn warm and gives you easy access for diaper changes. This lightweight and breathable gown from Tiny Kind is one of the best.
Stylish, modern and absolutely adorable, these knit booties made from soft organic cotton will keep your baby’s feet warm without suffocating their feet. The elastic ankle band helps keep them in place.
You can never have enough zip-up sleepers. This super soft bamboo sleeper from Kyte Baby is perfect for overnight but works just as well during the day. The stretchy material makes it comfortable for babies and easy to get on and off for you.
Modern style doesn’t have to break the bank. This bodysuit three-pack is under twenty bucks and is available in a few different colors. Bodysuits are a baby wardrobe staple and can be worn alone or paired with pants, shorts or bloomers.
Play
Soft, portable and stylish, this padded mat provides a safe place for your little one to play on any surface. The fabric is removable (and washable, of course) and the mats are free of toxins, phthalates and lots of other yucky stuff. And the colors and patterns will look great in any modern space.
This simple rainbow stacker can be used so many ways. We love it as a nursery accent while your baby is younger and then for playtime as your little one grows. It’s an open-ended toy that will inspire imaginative play for years to come.
A modern and fun way to teach your baby about color, this Pantone-inspired book is a great first addition to your baby’s bookshelf. It introduces nine basic colors and 20 shades of each and is made from thick, sturdy pages that will hold up through lots of reading (and chewing).
Adding some first toys to your registry is a good idea so you’ll have a few things for your little one to explore once the time comes. This geometric grabbing toy is both a rattle and a teether. It’s easy to clutch and the beads make a fun clacking sound when shaken.
Adding some first toys to your registry is a good idea, so you’ll have a few things for your little one to explore once the time comes. This geometric-grabbing toy is both a rattle and a teether. It’s easy to clutch and the beads make a fun clacking sound when shaken.
This minimalist take on the classic baby play gym fits seamlessly into any modern space. Babies love to bat at the high-contrast hanging toys. Once your baby is sitting up independently, the toys can be taken off for individual play.
Babies can’t see color for the first few months of life, so high-contrast, black-and-white books are perfect first reads. This one is filled with sweet baby animals that will capture your little one’s attention and encourage visual development.