An Urban Moms Guide to Baby Registry
Written by: UrbaMama

I have been asked several times from my pregnant friends and Urba Baby customers, what do I register for? So with that said…I have decided to write a baby registry 411 list for you.

Registering for your baby can be an overwhelming experience especially when most baby registry checklists have over 100 items on them! Seriously, do you need all that stuff? NOPE!

I can honestly say, that the first time I registered for my first baby I broke down crying in the crib section of Babies R’ Us picking out the bedding. So yes, I was totally overwhelmed. Now that I am a mom and am expecting baby #2 this summer, I thought that I could help ease the stress of registering for your baby shower by sharing some of the “must-have” items I couldn’t live with out during the first year. You certainly do not need everything on this list or any list for that matter, but this is what I liked, why I liked it, and what I used on a daily basis.  Hope this helps when you are trying to register and eases your mind!

1. Car Seat: Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat – We loved ours and it’s one of the safest on the market (Ask to try it out in your car before you buy it!)
2. Stroller: Baby Jogger City Mini – We loved this because it’s lightweight, easy to use in the city, durable, one hand closer, which for moms & dads will make it easier when your trying to go up and down stairs or have your hands full; I am going to get the double one for the new addition.
3. Swing: Lifesaver for the first several months (6 months) – great for naps and to put the baby in when you are trying to keep the house etc. in order.
4. Snuggle Nest: Great for naps, we used ours on the bed between us a lot! Our son did sleep in our bed at the beginning and this was great because it protects them.
5. Boppy: I had three of these and slipcovers that I would wash non-stop – great for nursing, cradling the baby in and holding the baby so your arms don’t fall asleep.  When they get older you can use it for support to prop them up and sit up. I even had one in my car and took one on the plane when we traveled!
6. Breast Pump: If you plan to nurse I would highly recommend the Medela Freestyle Hands Free Pump – it was awesome and super easy to use! I liked the Medela bottles for storing the milk too!
7. Pacifier: If you choose to use them (we loved it because it soothed him) every baby is different but our son loved the MAM ones.
8. Bottles: I would recommend Medela, but again all babies are different so I wouldn’t buy many at first because you might end up wasting them like I did and he didn’t use them at all for us! I was a nursing queen 24/7 for the first year!
9. Baby Food Processor: You don’t need this right away but if you want to make your own baby food then I would recommend the Baby Bullet. I actually bought the Beaba, which is great but the bullet is so much easier to use.
10. Nursing Bras: BRAVADO all the way! You will live in these bras 24/7! I liked the seamless one.
11. Nursing Pads: I liked the Lansinoh brand the best – thin and they don’t show through your bra or shirt. If you want something organic I would suggest the Bamboobies washable nursing pads.
12. Nursing Cover: To have some privacy while you nurse I would recommend getting one of these. Bebe Au Lait or Hooter Hiders work great and I am also a big fan of the Molly Ades Nursing Poncho!
13. Bouncer: Great for when you need to take a shower, when you cook, clean;  it’s just a great safe place for the baby to be.  We used it a lot!
14. Swaddle Blanket: The Miracle Blanket all the way!! The gift of sleep!!!
15. Bassinet: For about the first 3 months we used this in our room, but again he slept in our bed swaddled in Boppy or snuggle nest a lot – just being honest.   I would recommend trying to get your baby into the crib sooner rather than later though (with this one I am going to do it sooner than we did with our 1^st son because parents need to get some sleep).  We did do a semi-cry out method with soothing with our son to transition him into his crib and I don’t regret it for a second because you can’t function as a parent if you don’t get sleep!
16. Fitted Hats, Booties, onesies, and scratch mitts: You’ll use these a lot! All of those cute outfits that they will wear once or never are just not practical when they are newborns. We love Kicky Pants Footie PJs with scratch mitts – they are AWESOME! Our son still uses the coverall version at 22m and sleeps like a gem because bamboo regulates their body temperature better than cotton; UrbaDada swears by them! We carry a brand called Westcoast Baby and their booties, mitts and hats are fantastic and actually stay on!
17. Socks: Trumpette socks are the best and the only socks that stay on!
18. Bedding: Bumpers are not allowed in the crib – so don’t buy one. All you need is a fitted crib sheet and bed skirt. Nothing else can go in a crib; no pillows or stuffed animals etc.
19. Crib: We bought ours both times at Beautiful Beginnings.  We bought the convertible cribs so that they can change into a toddler bed and then a full size bed.
20. Changing Table: You’ll need a changing table, changing pad and changing covers (get at least 2-3 of these); the blowouts will happen and you’ll need to wash them!
21. Diaper Container: We have a diaper genie, they are really all pretty hard to use to be honest, we use it because it contains the smell the best but I have the hardest time changing it out – UrbaDada always has to change it out for me. 
22. Diaper Caddy: I like the JJ Cole Diaper Caddy.  Simple, easy to use, has a drawer, changing pad etc.
23. For Winter: JJ Cole Bundle Me for your stroller and car seat, the BabbaCo Beep Beep Snuggle Fleece (it was perfect for going to dinner and keeping them asleep and covered so people don’t touch them etc.) and Zutano has the best hats and mittens for babies.
24. Toys: Get the Sophie The Giraffe toy!  Everyone has one because it’s awesome! Newborn babies do not need many toys at the beginning so basic rings, teethers and rattles are all good.
25. Rocking Chair: This should be comfortable enough to sleep in! I am serious! We slept in our rocking chair non-stop. We got ours custom made at Beautiful Beginnings and it was worth every penny.
26. Play Mat: Something for tummy time, and floor playtime that stimulates their senses – lots of color and music.
27. Diapers and wipes – you do not need a diaper wipe warmer or bottle warmer.   I liked Pampers Swaddlers with the indicator stripe (it turns green when they pee!) and Huggies wipes; you’ll find what you like, it’s just personal preference.
28. Diaper Bag: I bought a designer one and never used it. Go simple and easy to use – we love our Ju-Ju-Be Be Tween diaper bag.  Don’t go too big or you will end up carrying way too much stuff and also get something you’ll both want to carry (you only need one). With two I am going to get the backpack version of the Ju-Ju-Be bag we have.
29. Carrier/Wrap: This again is personal preference but I LOVED my ERGObaby carrier and UrbaDada liked the Baby Bijorn. The Bijorn hurt my back and was hard for me to put on by myself whereas the ERGObaby was more comfortable (sits on your hips evenly) and is easy for me to use on my own. We have both! I didn’t use a wrap with my first son but I might with this one so I would recommend you try the Baby K’Tan or Moby Wrap if you want to go this route. Also, we sell a brand called RoSK and it has an awesome blanket that ties onto your carrier or stroller (other blankets just fly off if the wind blows ,“Windy City”) so I would recommend this for sure, plus they have a NEW Sun Cover UPF 45+ too!
30. Travel Crib: Get the Bijorn Travel Crib, pricey but way better than a pack n’ play.
31. Bath Tub: Get whatever you think you will like, no specific one is better. Get some hooded bath towels with washcloths. I like Zoe Organics Skincare, Episencial or just basic Johnson & Johnson will work. Get a temperature tester and cover for the faucet too!
32. On The go stroller: McLaren snap and go.  We used it a lot! Keep it in the car and you can snap your car seat right in and go.
33. Baby Monitor: Summer Infant worked great for us.
34. Wipes: We use the Johnson & Johnson Baby Hand & Face wipes (you can clean the baby, sanitize high chairs, clean binkies etc.)
35. Safety/Health: Nail clippers, thermometer, etc.
36. Parenting Books: Baby 411 – This will save you many calls and trips to the doctor, it answers all of your questions and get Dads Pregnant Too (great for the daddy!)
37. High Chair: You won’t need this right away, so you don’t need to register if you don’t want to; they have some many different kinds out there. You can also get the claw type that hook right onto your counter and take up less space.

Add-on’s: Basket for the dishwasher, brush for the bottles, Nap Nanny and Dapple cleaning supplies (We use dapple everyday in our house!).

Add-on’s for Mama: A Hot Mama Gown for when you are in the hospital and want to look & feel fabulous and Chewbeads which is wearable, but fashionable, teething jewelry (necklaces & bracelets), for moms but awesome for babies too!

Well Moms and Dads…I hope this list helps you when you are registering for your little one(s). Wishing you all the best during your pregnancy and delivery!

Sincerely,

UrbaMama

Founder of Urba Baby

P.S. When you have a tot be-sure to check back for my “UrbaMama Tot Must-Haves List”.