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Oh, Baby!

10 Must-Have Baby Registry Items for 2023

Looking to start your baby registry? Add these top 10 items that are must-haves for when your baby comes. Be prepared from a car seat to baby clothes.

By Hannah Purvis

When planning a baby shower for yourself or a loved one, it’s a great idea to set up a baby shower registry! Not only do baby registries allow friends and family to shower those expecting with baby gifts, but they can be a great way to organize who is bringing what. With the help of a baby shower registry, they can have everything needed to walk into the exciting new journey of parenthood prepared, or at least with some extra diapers and teethers.

What is a baby registry?

Start by compiling a list of all the things you know you’ll need for a new baby, then visit our portal and create the online registry. This user-friendly tool can be sent out to all of the baby shower attendees and utilized as a platform to fund everything thats needed.

When to start creating a registry?

Create this registry a few weeks prior to the event! This gives all attendees the chance to look it over and make sure they find the perfect way to contribute.

How Many Items to Include in Your Baby Registry?

There is no wrong answer to this question, though we recommend including quite a few items of varying price points! If you’re primarily planning on sharing your registry with Baby Shower attendees, we advise including twice the amount of items, as the party headcount. If you’re creating a generic baby registry with the goal of sharing it widely to your network of friends and family, most registries will typically include 100-150 items.

parent to be holding sonogram
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Items to Include on Your Registry

Below are some must have baby registry items that we feel are incredibly important for new parents. Some of these may be items that the parents want to pick out for themselves, therefore the registry can be set as ‘cash to couple.’ This will allow guests to fund the item, while giving parents the freedom to choose the specifics. We recommend at least 20 items on your registry ranging in price. Allow for as many things as there are guests at least and consider giving multiple spots for certain items like diapers. After all – you can never have too many diapers!

1. Diapers and Wipes

A perfect addition to any baby registry is a diaper category! Here you should account for different size diapers that the parent(s) can use over the first few months. You may even consider cloth diapers or a reusable diaper option for the more eco-friendly family!

Baby bath products
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

2. Car Seat

A car seat or a baby carrier is a very useful gift that will be used right away when traveling with their bundle of joy. Potentially coordinate with someone gifting a stroller, as sometimes strollers pair with a detachable car seat, depending on the brand.

baby in car seat
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

3. Stroller

There are so many stroller varieties new parents can consider, that it may be a good idea to check in to see what style they want. Since it's something they'll use almost every day, it's a good idea to make sure it's what they're looking for and has all the right functionality.

mother taking her baby for a walk in a stroller outside
Photo by Steven Abraham on Unsplash

4. Portable Changing Pad

An important registry item that will be valuable to many new parents when they're out and about, is a portable changing pad. This baby gift will provide ease for changing anywhere and cleanliness, knowing it belongs to you.

baby with blanket over head. Recommend updating with an image on a diaper pad
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

5. Diaper Bag

A diaper bag makes for a great baby shower gift! You can get stylish with this and choose one that offers both functionality and fashion. There are so many unique diaper bags in different carrying styles online right now, the options are endless!

diaper bag
Photo by K8 on Unsplash

6. Baby Bathtub

A baby bathtub and bath toys are great shower gifts because of their practicality. You know the baby will get immediate use out of this! While there are so many other baby gifts you may initially gravitate towards, try to remember which ones they'll need and use within the first few months with their little one.

baby bath toys
Photo by Vytis Gruzdys on Unsplash

7. Assorted Baby Clothes

Baby clothes -- what may universally be the most fun baby gift to give. Picking out baby clothes in a variety of sizes can be a useful and thoughtful gift to new parents, as they will grow out of things quickly. While it's fun to throw in some over-the-top outfits, try to remember the basics as well. Onesies, baby socks, bibs, swaddling blankets, and baby-safe laundry detergent will all be beneficial gifts for the baby's arrival!

assorted baby clothes in closet
Photo by The Nix Company on Unsplash

8. Bouncer/Play Pad

A fun baby registry item is a bouncer or play pad. This is definitely a gift item that will get an extended use and contribute towards early development during formative years. While they won't be using this gift right away, it will provide a lot of mental stimulation and entertainment for their little one within their first year!

baby activity play set
Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

9. Crib Mattress

A crib mattress is a great gift that will likely need to be coordinated with anyone gifting a crib, or with the family if they already have one. Make sure to read up on the best type of crib mattresses for babies and consult with the parents ahead of time to make sure the gifted mattress matches their needs.

New Mom
Photo by Ömürden Cengiz on Unsplash

10. Baby Monitor

A common item on every baby registry checklist is a baby monitor, and it's for good reason. Available with a variety of price ranges and features, this is absolutely a “must have” item for all expecting. Whether they’re techies looking for the latest in AI or just want the basics, we’d highly recommend adding this gift to every baby registry. This gift is incredibly useful and can help give new parents peace of mind when their baby is sleeping and out of their direct line of sight.

baby laying on a blanket
Photo by Yan Ots on Unsplash

So What Are You Waiting For?

While these are our 10 must have baby registry items for new parents, there are so many more amazing items that could make great gifts. Consider cash gifts or a gift card for the family to purchase things they may not have considered for the registry, or for when they need to restock on formula & diapers. And if you’re feeling ambitious, try group gifting for a larger, more expensive item that you know would be a valuable gift. No matter what you choose to give, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness and well wishes!

Luckily, if you're in the planning seat and in charge of setting up this baby registry, you've come to the right place. Celebration Wishes makes it easy to create a great gift list for your loved ones, all baby essentials included. Start setting up your registry today and be sure to share it with everyone attending the shower!

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