What to Register for If You’re Postponing Your Baby Shower
Delaying your shower? Here's a sample registry for when you’re past the newborn phase—and beyond.
By Babylist Team
From virtual showers to sip and sees, baby showers are looking a lot different these days than they did in the not-so-distant past.
But a postponed shower doesn’t have to mean a canceled one. You’ll still need plenty of stuff for your older baby and toddler–so holding off on your shower until your little one is a bit bigger may not be such a bad idea after all.
These registry must-haves are perfectly suited for your older baby and toddler. Check out our sample registry below to figure out what essential items to add to your list.
On-the-Go
As you move past the newborn phase, you’ll want to focus on products that make getting out and about with your older baby and toddler a little bit easier.
As your little one gets older and you’re traveling more frequently, a compact, lightweight stroller is key. The Aer is one of our all-time favorites. Weighing in at less than 14 pounds, it breaks down easily with one hand and can be carried right over your shoulder. It’s also really comfy and maneuvers easily.
Joolz Aer + Lightweight Stroller - Sage Green
You don’t need a jogging stroller, but if you’re a runner or someone who likes to get outside with your family, we promise you’ll never regret adding one to your registry. The Urban Glide 2 is easy to push and steer and guarantees a smooth ride for your little one regardless of the terrain.
Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller (Discontinued) - Dark Shadow/Silver Frame
Wraps and slings are perfect for newborns and smaller babies, but as your little one grows, you’ll want a more structured carrier that can be worn multiple ways and will take you through the toddler years. This one can be worn four different ways and will work until your baby is about three years old. We also love that it’s lightweight and really easy to get on and off.
Babybjörn Baby Carrier One Air - Black 3 D Mesh
Most babies outgrow their infant car seat around one year of age. Adding a convertible seat to your registry now means you’ll have it ready to go when that time comes. The RAVA ranks high on our list for its exceptional safety features, ease of installation and comfort factor.
Nuna RAVA Convertible Car Seat - Caviar
You really can’t go wrong with any type of wagon–but this souped-up version takes everything we love about a classic wagon up a few notches. Part stroller, part wagon, it’s super versatile and can go from pavement to the grass to the beach and beyond. It holds up to two kiddos, and you can even snap in your car seat.
Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon - Wayfarer
Nursery
Since you most likely already have nursery basics like a crib, bedding, blankets and a dresser or glider, you’ll want to focus on things you’ll want as your little one moves from the infant phase to an older baby and into toddlerhood.
It’s safe to use a loose blanket in your little one’s crib once they turn one. We love the Dream as baby’s first blanket because it’s a bit heavier and warmer than a traditional swaddle blanket but is still light and small enough for your toddler to manage.
Aden + Anais Cotton Muslin Dream Blanket - Map
Once your baby starts to show signs of rolling over, it’s time to ditch the swaddle and move to a wearable blanket–often called a sleep sack. This cotton option from Halo is lightweight and breathable but will still keep your little one warm and cozy all night long.
Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket Cotton - Heather Grey, Small
Babies are tiny, yet somehow their stuff can easily overwhelm your home. Add some extra storage to your registry now–we promise by the time your little one is a bit older you’ll have plenty of things to put in it.
Pehr Pom Pom Storage Pint - Happy Days
As your baby gets older, you might notice them playing favorites with a stuffed toy or a lovey. (Just remember no toys or plush animals in the crib until they’re at least one year old.) Slumberkins are super soft, super cute and each one comes with a matching board book.
Slumberkins, Inc. Kin & Book Bundle - Bigfoot's Self Esteem
Feeding
Newborns are all about the breast or the bottle, but older babies? Solids is where it’s at! Since starting solids requires a decent amount of stuff, adding these items to your registry will help defray your out-of-pocket costs.
The high chair you choose can be pretty dependent on your particular taste and how much space you have in your home. The Joovy Nook, however, is one of the best seats that works for lots of different families. It’s easy to clean, folds compactly for easy storage and has a clean, modern look.
Joovy Nook High Chair - Charcoal
Many families also choose to register for a portable high chair. This clip-on option is great to take to restaurants, to grandparents’ houses, on vacation or even to use at home.
Inglesina Fast Table Chair - Black
Absorbent bibs made from materials like cotton or muslin work well for catching milk spills in younger babies. When your baby starts solids, though, you’ll want something a bit sturdier and more water resistant to repel the bigger messes that real food brings, and these bibs from Bumkins are the absolute best. They do a great job keeping your baby and toddler clean(ish), and they’re easy to wipe down.
Bumkins SuperBibs
There is no shortage of sippy cups to choose from when it’s time to make the transition. The Zoli is a stand-out, though, for two reasons. There’s no valve, making it easy for first-time sippers to figure it out, and there’s a weighted straw that moves to wherever the liquid is.
ZoLi BOT Weighted Straw Sippy Cup - Ash Grey
Simplify the plates and bowls you’ll need for feeding your little one and register for this all-in-one mat instead. It’s made of food-grade silicone and suctions right to your table or high chair tray.
ezpz Mini Mat - Lime
These unique utensils are a great way to help your little one figure out self-feeding. They’re designed to work with the natural hand grip of your toddler and will make the transition from finger-feeding to utensils a little easier.
Grabease Utensils
These glass “blocks” make storing your little one’s food safe and easy. They work in the freezer or the fridge, are stackable and are safe for the microwave and dishwasher.
OXO Tot Baby Blocks 12-Piece Freezer Storage Container Set - Teal
Did someone say snack time? If there’s one thing we know about older babies and toddlers, it’s that they love snacks–and who can blame them? This stainless snack container offers a nice alternative to plastic and does a good job of minimizing the mess.
Munchkin Snack+ Stainless Steel Snack Catcher - Assorted (Colors May Vary)
Health and Safety
An older baby is a more mobile baby–and that means you’ll need baby proofing supplies and other items to help make your home a safe space once baby is on the move. You’ll also want to think about bath safety and changing first aid needs as your little one gets older.
You can use a baby gate in lots of places, like at the top or bottom of your staircase or in the doorway of a room you don’t want your little one to have access to. This one is easy to open with one hand, our favorite feature.
Munchkin Easy-Close Metal Gate
Outlet covers have come a long way. These will protect those tiny, curious fingers while also looking good.
Bink Dots Safety Plugs (24 Pack) - White
As your little one starts to crawl and explore, you’ll suddenly notice all of the sharp edges around your home that somehow escaped you before. We’re big fans of these silicone corner covers because they offer great protection from bumps and bruises and aren’t too much of an eyesore.
Bink Bumpy Mini (4 Pack) - White
These versatile door latches can be used in many different places, from bathroom or kitchen cabinets to drawers and even the toilet seat. They’re easy to open and close and make any space much safer.
Munchkin XtraGuard Dual Action Multi-Use Latches - 2
Larger pieces of furniture–things like bookcases, dressers and even TVs–pose a huge risk to toddlers and even bigger kids. These anti-tip straps take a bit of work to install, but they are an absolute must. If you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, see if you can get a local handyman or baby proofing service to help.
Bebe Earth Furniture and TV Anti-Tip Straps (8 Pack)
It’s fine to use your baby bath tub or sink insert for as long as your little one is comfortable in it. When you make the move to the regular tub, this bathtime essentials kit will help to make the bath safer for your baby or toddler and more comfortable for you.
Skip Hop Moby Bathtime Essentials Kit - Grey
A rectal thermometer reading is the best, most accurate way to take your child’s temperature throughout the first few years. But that gets tougher as kids get older–so you’ll want to have another type of thermometer on hand, too. We recommend the Kinsa ear version as it’s easy to use and links to your smartphone.
Kinsa Smart Ear Thermometer
Clothing
It’s disappointing to miss out on registering for cute newborn basics. But try not to worry too much–baby and toddler clothes are pretty cute, too!
There are few things cuter than a baby in tiny little sunglasses. These are great to throw in your diaper bag for when your little one starts venturing out of the stroller and into the big, sunny world.
Roshambo Baby Polarized Baby Shades - Black, 0-24 M
Speaking of the sun, a wide-brimmed sun hat is never a bad idea, even if you live in a cooler climate. This one stays securely on your baby’s or toddler’s head thanks to the chin tie, and it’s made from quick-drying material in case it gets wet.
GREEN SPROUTS Brim Sun Protection Hat - Grey, 0-6 Months
These handmade leather mocs are just right for your older baby as they begin exploring the world around them. Once they start walking, though, you’ll want to get them a shoe with a more substantial sole.
Freshly Picked First Pair Moccasin - Stone, Size 0 (0-3 Months)
Toys and Books
Toys and books become even more important as your little one gets older and is able to play and interact much more than during the baby days. Our favorites below will get a ton of use over the years.
An activity center is perfect for an older baby. We like this one because it converts to a play station for standing babies and finally to a toddler table.
Skip Hop Explore & More 3-Stage Activity Center
These bath toys will hold your baby’s attention, yet are just as much fun for a toddler to play with, too. We love that they’re made from non-toxic materials and come with their own drying bin.
Ubbi Bath Gift Set - Original
Trains, blocks, LEGO, puzzles, arts and crafts, you name it–this multi-functional table handles it all. It’s the perfect go-the-distance toy for any playspace that will take you from toddlerhood through the big-kid years.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Multi-Activity Table
Packed with bright, colorful photos and 100 simple words, this sturdy board book makes a great addition to any book shelf.