When I was registering for my baby shower, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. Thankfully, I had a few close friends who were already moms that helped me out, plus my own mom, of course (although times have changed, I was in cloth diapers as a baby!). I also used Amazon’s “must-have” baby registry checklist, which was super helpful. I wanted to write this blog post for any new moms who are just looking for the basic necessities. I definitely learned that it is easy (and common) to go extremely overboard. As long as your baby has these basics, you can skip a lot of unnecessary purchases.

My absolute #1 recommendation for your registry is the Halo bassinet. Both of my girls lived in this thing for the first few months of their lives. It is the perfect height to be next to your bed while you are still in the “watching for every breath” phase (I promise this will pass!) and it is so comfortable for the baby. I added this mattress cover for extra protection and sheets, which made the bed even more soft and comfortable (and these items obviously make it easier to keep the mattress clean). I loved this bassinet because I had c-sections for both of my deliveries, and the swivel design and see-through sides made it so easy for me to check on the baby without having to get up. My girls also wore Halo swaddles to sleep from newborn through almost two years old! They come in multiple sizes and different materials, some are cozy for winter and others a lighter weight for summer.

My next recommendation would be a pack-and-play. This one that I have linked is so soft and comfortable for the baby and has a side organizer for diapers, wipes, ointments, toys, burp cloths-AKA the many things baby will need that would be all over your living room if you did not have this organizer ;) We had our Halo bassinet in our room for bedtime and the pack-and-play downstairs for the daytime which worked out great. A swing is another must-have item that we also used downstairs for relaxing time that would often turn into nap time. I had this classic one that my kids loved, but I know these fancy ones are much more popular these days. Another awesome place to lay baby down is an activity gym, which is great for tummy time and entertainment. I also loved this vibrating chair for while I was cooking dinner or I would even bring it into the bathroom while I was taking a shower. This chair is also a must-have once they can hold their head up. Having these portable places to set your baby down and keep them safe are a total lifesaver.

Of course, you will want to set up a nursery for your new baby (nesting is so real), but I must warn you that if you are anything like me, that nursery will be a diaper-changing room for a few weeks/months until you are ready to not sleep in the same room together ;) I went with the Delta Children’s 3-in-1 crib for both of my girls because it is classic looking and of great quality. You will need a crib mattress (I did a lot of research before choosing, this one is double-sided for newborn and toddler age and is non-toxic), mattress cover pad, and sheets. We also got the matching changing table to go with it. You will also need to get a pad for the changing table with a cover and some protective liners (because babies are gross sometimes). I was very happy with this purchase. The girls both have their cribs converted into full-size beds now, and the changing station on the top is removable, so they now just have those as dressers with a cute small mirror above. It’s not something you think about when you are creating a nursery, but when it’s time for a big kid bed, it’s nice to only have to buy a mattress and a crib conversion kit. You will also want a camera in the baby’s room to keep an eye on them. We love these ones from Wyze. They are super affordable and there is an app for your phone so you don’t need a separate monitor.

To complete your nursery, you will want a rocking chair with an ottoman. My absolute favorite memories with my babies were made in this chair. I also absolutely recommend this Munchkin diaper pail for diaper changes (also register for liners because you will need lots of them!). Lastly, if you are having a girl, both of my little princesses have these chandelier lamps in their room and absolutely love them even now that they are older. You will also want a sound machine and nightlight, this one is a combo of both that is perfect. You will also want a bookshelf and lots of books! I totally recommend asking for books instead of cards so that you have a nice library already started for your little one before they arrive :). I gift this box set of books at basically every shower I go to because my girls both absolutely loved these books, and still do!

Once you have registered for your nursery items, you can move on to travel. You will obviously need a car seat and a stroller. I absolutely loved this travel system from Graco I know there are much fancier options, but this one is comfortable (I did add on a pad for when they were tiny newborns) and I absolutely loved the stroller that it came with. We had the regular travel system before upgrading to the jogger, and that stroller was not my favorite. It did not maneuver well and the baby would feel the shock of every bump on a walk due to the plastic wheels. The jogger is much higher quality. Even if you're not jogging (I never jogged once with my babies, just used it for walks), you need this stroller.

You will also need a diaper bag and a travel changing pad. This diaper bag is great for babies because it has insulated pockets for bottles, an organized diaper and wipes compartment, and it even has stroller straps to make it easily accessible. For a changing pad, I really like this one because it holds diapers and wipes inside so you can just grab this one thing and go instead of lugging your whole diaper bag (perfect for traveling). If I gift a diaper bag or changing pad for a shower, I love to include Aquaphor and Butt Paste (yes, this is a real thing) because EVERY baby needs these items (best new mom tip- for diaper rash, layer Aquaphor with butt paste layered on top for every change). A package of diapers is a nice addition (I love Pampers Swaddlers for newborns) and I recommend Water Wipes for newborn babies since their skin is so sensitive. You can even include items like a baby thermometer, Infant Tylenol/Motrin, nail clippers, and a nasal aspirator, which are always great items to keep in a diaper bag.

For feeding, whether you are breastfeeding or using formula, you will most likely need bottles. Every baby is different, my oldest loved these Comotomo ones and my youngest hated them and preferred these Dr. Brown ones. Both are popular options. We also used a bottle warmer. I couldn’t find the one we had on Amazon and I honestly didn’t love mine, but this one has great reviews! On the topic of formula (I don’t know why this is a touchy subject) obviously fed is best, I’m not sure how that became a debate ;) I nursed my girls for the most part, but we did use formula from time to time and I absolutely loved Enfamil Gentlease. I got some great advice from a lactation consultant when my first daughter was born and she said with ANYTHING for babies, whether it is formula, diaper wipes, etc… always go with the gentlest option. I think that is very wise since babies are so tiny and fragile. Both of my girls tolerated this formula well (obviously all babies are different) but if you are confused about where to start, I think this is a really great option. On the topic of feeding baby, burp cloths will also be a necessity :). For nursing, please check with your insurance because you can most likely get a FREE breast pump. This milk storage kit also makes a great gift. For nursing, I also loved the Brest Friend pillow. Especially if you have a c-section, this thing is a God-sent. It makes nursing your baby so comfortable, I absolutely loved it. Also, not every mom wants to offer a pacifier, but my oldest was attached to this one and I do like to give it as a gift.

My favorite gift to give for baby showers is a baby bath full of towels, washcloths, baby shampoo/soap, lotion, a brush & comb set, a rinse cup, and bath toys! I got this idea from my mom who would do this for family members and wrap it all up in a big bow.

This is also cute to do with a laundry basket and some baby detergent, dryer sheets, sleepers (I prefer to give 0-3 month size), sports-themed onesies, or cute outfits. These themed gifts are always a hit! Other great gift ideas are “My First Year” photo albums, hand & footprint sets, sentimental picture frames, or embroidered blankets (if you know the baby’s name). These are really nice things to register for in case no one thinks of it on their own, you’ll get some nice sentimental extras besides the things you absolutely need.

Registering for these items should have you well on your way to having a cozy little nest for your baby once they arrive. It can feel so overwhelming when you are pregnant and hormonal and want to have every last possible thing you could ever need, but I promise this is enough. All babies do is eat, sleep, poop, snuggle, repeat :). They live in soft comfy pajamas so you don’t need to go crazy on outfits. They just want to be clean, snuggled, fed, and put to sleep. You will find yourself wanting only these exact same things in your first few months together. Enjoy them. They will be the most precious days of your life, and trust me- they really do go by so fast.