Pregnant Chicken's Kick-Ass Sample Baby Registry

I’m a big fan of this stroller because it has the bells and whistles of a high-end stroller but for half the cost. They sell them directly to consumers so you’re cutting out the middleman and the store markup you get with other strollers. It’s great on all types of terrain and you can add a second seat if you have another child down the road. (Note: This stroller won’t be available for purchase until February 2023, but you can preorder now at hellomockingbird.com.) If you’re not in the U.S. or have someone who wants to splurge, I’d recommend the UPPAbaby Vista. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, I’d go for the Graco Modes Pramette stroller.

This handy organizer clips onto the handle of your stroller and keeps things like your phone, keys and wallet within easy reach. You can also unclip the bag easily so you’re not fiddling with straps and hooks when you want to take it off.

I’m a big fan of this Ergobaby carrier because it’s easy to use and simple to adjust, which means many people in a family can wear it—even if they aren’t the same size. Plus, it doesn’t require an infant insert and has four carrying positions. If you’re looking for a more wallet-friendly option, check out the Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier.

You can go down a rabbit hole with car seat research, but if you want a tried-and-true car seat option that will work for most people, you can’t go wrong with the Chicco KeyFit. It can fit on most strollers (you may need to buy an adapter) and your baby can ride in it until they are up to 35lbs.

If you live somewhere cold, it’s worth having a car seat cover to keep your baby toasty in and out of the car. This one is safe for car seat use because it covers like a shower cap and doesn’t go behind your baby, which is unsafe in a crash.

It is a universal law that the sun will always be beaming in your child’s face no matter what direction you’re driving in. This shade attaches to the window to protect from bright, harmful rays without obstructing your view and stays put even if you roll the window down. Window clings are great too—just steer clear of the roller sun shades as they are a dangerous projectile in a crash.

This affordable cover is a lifesaver when it’s hot out and the inside of your car (and car seat clips) feel like a Las Vegas sidewalk at high noon. It fits most car seats and keeps it 26 degrees cooler than without the sun blocker.

If you started with an infant car seat, your baby will eventually graduate to a convertible car seat (be sure to check height and weight limits on your infant seat to know when you’ve maxed out). This car seat is among the easiest to install and will take your child all the way up to a booster seat.

This classic is a bit of a splurge but the low-tech design relies on your baby’s own movement to generate a natural rocking motion so no batteries are required. If you want something a little more wallet friendly, I’d go for the 2-in-1 Bouncer & Rocker Duo.

There are plenty of beautiful cribs out there, but the IKEA Sundvik adheres to all safety standards and has an unbeatable price. It even converts to a toddler bed.

Many people tout the breathability of this mattress, but it’s the washability I love. You can hose it off in the shower (hello blowouts), and it can be used as a toddler mattress as your child gets older.

You don’t have to go nuts buying crib sheets but have at least one extra in case there’s a 3 am “incident.”

I didn’t add a lot of clothes here because you really don’t need much for a newborn, and people ALWAYS buy clothes. I would recommend adding sleepers to your registry because it’s what your baby will wear 90% of the time. I like these zipper sleepers from Carter’s Little Planet because they are inexpensive and organic.

You can easily spend hours researching the perfect monitor, but Vtech is a reliable brand, and this model comes with a large video screen making it a great option for most families.

I didn’t have room for a glider (::sad trombone::) but when I asked readers who owned one if they thought it was worth buying, 76% said ‘Yes, I love it!” Personally, I’d get one that isn’t too “babyish” so you can use it in other rooms down the road.

This is a bit of a splurge, but I love this cradle. It’s lightweight so you can move it from room to room, and the rocking motion is so sensitive that the slightest movement will trigger it so your baby can soothe themselves when they get a little fussy.

Swaddles are very personal both to you and your baby so it’s nice to take the four most popular (and safe) styles out for a whirl to see which ones you both like.

Heed my words when I say “get a sound machine.” This one is one of my favorites because it has so many sound varieties, and the sound is rich and non-looping. You can also go for the Rest+ if you’d like to combine a light and audio monitor, but I don’t think the sound is quite as good.

This playard is a snap to set up and comes with a bassinet and a change station. It is great for travel and you could even use it instead of a crib or bassinet if you’re feeling sassy.

I prefer an inexpensive padded change pad with a cover over some of the more pricey molded pads. It isn’t cold for your baby to lie on and it’s covered so it won’t get stained.

I didn’t need as many of these as I thought I would—you could probably get away with two. There are tons of nice designs out there and you can get cheap and cheerful ones as well. I like the patterns Copper Pearl has, and their fabrics are bananas soft.

These are nice to have when you know you’re dealing with a complete up-the-back pooslosion and you need hazmat containment. I had one or two by the change table, a couple in my diaper bag and an extra one in the car.

Diaper bags are a very personal thing so have fun with picking one! I like this bag because it’s affordable, durable, lightweight and made from recycled plastic bottles. Most people would feel comfortable carrying it around, plus, it has built-in stroller straps and can fit a 15” laptop.

Babies go through a lot of diapers, and I found I rarely changed my kids on the change table unless it was a full blowout. This caddy is portable to go from room-to-room and has light in the handle so you can see what you’re doing at night.

I like this diaper pail for a couple of reasons. It’s hands-free so you can just use the foot pedal to drop the diaper in. It’s plastic so it won’t rust or dent like a metal pail AND you can use regular bags instead of inserts if you want to. If you are going to use cloth diapers you’ll need to get a cloth liner for it.

This is a sampler of some popular diaper brands so you can see what works best for your baby. If you register for other diapers, register for size one and two. Babies outgrow the newborn size really quickly (I had giant babies who never wore them).

If you plan on cloth diapering you’re definitely going to want to add them to your registry. They have plenty of benefits but upfront cost isn’t one of them. They come in so many amazing styles and patterns and I can totally see what people who decide to use cloth are passionate about!

Definitely add this to your registry regardless of whether you use cloth or disposable. It’s great for friends and family who want to “top up” their gift (or just want to give money) and it will always be useful because babies poop….a lot.

Most diaper bags come with a change pad so you don’t have to get this, but it is nice to have all the essentials in one spot to toss in your stroller, car or tote.

These can hold all kinds of nightmares, like poo-smeared bodysuits or barfed-on hoodies that require a T-shirt cannon to launch into a volcano. They are essentially dog poo bags and serve a similar purpose.

These bags have so many uses. I’ve used them to store an extra baby outfit, hold pumping gear or to seal up rinsed clothing waiting to be thrown in the laundry.

I wouldn’t register for too many toys because people tend to give you those regardless, but I do love Lovevery Playkits. Each Kit is based on your baby’s age and contains two months of playthings crafted using organic cotton, FSC-certified sustainably forested wood and baby-safe materials. I love their Play Gym too.

You’ll probably get a lot of books as gifts (expect 400 copies of Goodnight Moon) but this is an amazing subscription service that sends you books and activities that teach kids empathy, the importance of diversity and gender equality. The gems they find are incredible.

I am a firm believer that you can never have too many books (baby or otherwise) so if you’re okay with secondhand finds, this is a great way to let friends and family know.

If you have the space for it, you’re going to want some type of activity center (or “circle of neglect” as my friend refers to it). This one is nice because it has lots of activities and is light enough to move from room to room. I also like that there isn’t too much doodaddery around the top so it’s easy to lift your baby in and out.

You probably don’t need to register for a lot of teethers, but this one is a nice addition for anyone who might like to group “feeding gear.” This company uses 100% recycled plastic—primarily from milk jugs—to make safe, eco-friendly toys, and they wrap it all in environmentally low-impact packaging. Their whole line is amazing.

Yes, this is a splurge, but the patterns they have can be used for many years and it doesn’t look like a carnival exploded in your living room. These are great for preventing noggin thumps (it’s the sound you hear right before a pause, then crying), and they clean up with a quick wipe. If you’re looking for something a little more wallet friendly, check out the Skip Hop floor tiles.

I found that there are two times in a baby’s life when they are terrifying to bathe—when they are a newborn and it’s like washing a slippery wet chicken, and then when they can just sit up but tend to topple over easily. This tub takes care of both these issues with the newborn sling and the sit-me-up insert.

This 4-piece bundle includes everything you need to wash a baby. The set also includes their All Over Ointment, which has a cult-like following.

You don’t have to get special washcloths for a baby, but these are a little bit smaller for the nooks and crannies. Plus, it’s nice to have something separate for the baby so you don’t find out your husband’s been washing his bits with them.

You can use a regular towel for babies, but the hood is nice when they are little and get cold really quickly. These are great for bundling them up easily right out of the bath.

You spend a lot of time tub-side when you have a baby, and this bundle has the kneeler and the elbow rest to make your life easier. For your baby, there’s the spout cover to prevent head bonks and a hair rinser for less shrill shampooing.

I wouldn’t go nuts adding bath toys to a registry, but it’s nice to have a few in case someone wants to get you a “bath bundle.” I love these buckets because they are a ton of fun and don’t get filled with gross scuzz like some bath squirters can.

This set comes with the Nose Frida (this snot sucker sounds gross but it’s magic), the Windi (fart pipe), Nail Frida (it has a window so you can see what you’re cutting) and the Upside Down Peri Bottle for postpartum (it’s so amazing and other companies knock it off all the time).

Newborns don’t need much in the way of baby proofing, but you want to start thinking about what needs to be done when you aren’t sleep deprived and before they start doing the dangerous stuff. Baby gates are pricey so they are a good registry item to add.

These outlet protectors are nice to have in place before your child decides to see what happens if they put the metal fork in the plug outlet. This company also makes attractive safety gear including window pull clips and table corner protectors.

This is a fantastic thermometer that isn’t just for kids. It’s fast and reliable and you can sync it to an app on your phone if you want to track a fever. They have a few versions, but I like the no-touch forehead thermometer for squirmy kids.

I love this highchair. It’s cheap, lightweight and easy to clean, and I will forever recommend it to new parents as the best highchair. If you want a splurge, I would recommend the Nomi high chair because it’s ergonomic perfection and you can use it forever.

If you opt to use a pacifier, I recommend getting this sample box so you can see what your baby prefers. Once they show a preference you can go out and buy a million because they disappear like hair ties.

Even if you don’t plan on pumping, this is a good gadget to have on hand if you’re lactating. Not only is this manual pump great for pumping, it’s handy for collecting milk on the side you aren’t feeding on, or helping with a clogged duct.

This one is great for breastfeeding and bottle feeding. It can also be used as a chill spot (not sleeping) for your baby to hang out in and as a head bonk preventer when your baby starts sitting up but still falls over.

These can be used as a nursing cover, car seat cover, shopping cart cover, burp cloths and more (my friend wore hers as a skirt when her baby had a blowout on her lap). They come in a ton of patterns and colors.

Get cheap and cheerful burp cloths because they are used for so many thankless jobs from barfs to face wipes.

Like pacifiers, babies can get picky about what bottles they like. This box contains five favorites so you can see which one works best for everyone.

If you are formula feeding, this is a great instant warmer. For me, the warming is more of a pain than the dispensing. Unlike the Formula Pro Advanced, this maintains the water temperature so you don’t have to wait for it to heat up. I would prep all the bottles with the correct formula powder then just add the water right before a feed.

Formula-mixing pitchers reduce clumps and air, and air is no bueno.

There are so many nooks and crannies that need cleaning with bottles, pump parts, etc. so this set is very useful. The basket keeps things like soothers and caps from going MIA in the dishwasher and the brushes get into those hard to reach spots.

Even if you aren’t bottle feeding this rack holds a variety of fiddly things that are hard to keep upright on a typical drying rack.

Just fill the bags with feeding items and water, pop them in the microwave to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria from bottles, nipples, pacifiers, teethers, small toys and breast pump accessories.

ezpz makes high-quality, food-grade silicone feeding products with help of a Pediatric Feeding Specialist. The Tiny Spoons have sensory bumps on the spoon bowl that activate sensory awareness to decrease gagging and choking. The Tiny Cup can be used from 4+ months and has a weighted base and tactile bumps that provide topple resistance. The bowl has a suction feature to help it stay put, and it fits most highchair trays.

These organic cotton bibs are super soft and absorbent, with a knit terry backing. They have a lap-shoulder design, so they’re easy to get on and off right over your baby’s head, but baby can’t yeet them off as easily as with snaps and Velcro. Just make sure you don’t leave them unattended in them.

This cool little tray is made from high-quality, platinum-grade silicone, a single portion of frozen food is easy to pop out and they’re also microwave, dishwasher and oven-safe.

Never underestimate the value of someone taking your dog out for a long stroll when you don’t have the time or the energy to do it yourself.

Don’t limit yourself to just baby stuff. “Not vacuuming” is right up there on the list of things that are helpful when you’re taking care of a newborn around the clock.