Here are some baby registry items that I used a lot and would totally suggest registering for & crossing your swollen fingers that someone buys them for you. I'm not including diapers, formula, bottles, lotion, wash, or pacifiers because babies are VERY picky about what diapers, formula, bottles and pacifiers they like and you'll probably have to try more than one. I know it'll feel weird not registering for these... but just don't. Let people bring you diapers/formula after the baby is born & you've decided what brand you like (people that have had babies will be more likely to know this is a huge favor/gift).

#1 Wash Cloths
Get plenty. Yes, baby-sized ones. Adult ones are too rough and too thick, making it hard to get into little wrinkly toe crevices.


#2 Burp Cloths
Get plenty, yet again. You can use them for spit-up in the early months, but you can also use them for clean-up after you start feeding solids. You can also make a quick makeshift diaper if you suddenly run out of disposables and panic (cough). People that get fancy burp cloths... I don't understand you. I love you but what are you doing?


#3 Boppy Pillow
Just get one. I hated getting one because I thought it was just a trendy/dumb little pillow. However, I have used this thing religiously (and I didn't even breastfeed). I used it for propping my elbow while bottle feeding, keeping Everly upright after she ate, and now I'm using it to help support her while she's sitting and I even nap on it sometimes because it's comfortable. Ok... could you do those things with a regular pillow? Yes, shut up though they aren't u-shaped & trendy. Moving along...


#4 Zip-up Footed Pajamas
This may be a personal preference, but button-up pajamas kill me. Especially in the middle of the night. Footed pajamas keep you from having to use a blanket, are super cute, and easy to put on and take off.


#5 Toys: Teether & Rattle & Plushie
Everly had a really early interest in toys, probably around 2 or 3 months. For teethers Everly has loved Sophie the Giraffe. For rattles I have a few now, but her favorite one (that she could use REALLY early) was this rattle by Bright Starts. Everly's first plush toy was a small Carter's bear no longer made, which she still adores. Those three toys alone (along with some books) could seriously carry you for a while.


#6 Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chair
Exactly what it sounds like. Sits in a regular dining chair. Takes up barely any room, has different reclining positions, and wipes down very easily. The tray is dish washer safe as well. We like it because if we travel, it can come with us.


#7 Crib Mobile
Ours is a V-tech that lights up different colors as well as plays music. This crib mobile saved us in the early months because we could lay Everly down in the middle of the night and it would lull her to sleep. I would tell you the story about how in the early days I was jealous that the robotic woman singing could soothe Everly better than I could, but let's not go into the postpartum craziness that was my brain, mmk?


#8 Dishwasher Basket
Especially if you have bottles, this (as will a drying rack, not listed here) will come in handy. Seriously, we use it every single time we load the dishwasher. It's a lifesaver because I don't lose all the 9,000 pieces that come with Dr. Brown's bottles.


#9 Play Gym
Everly used this starting around 2 or 3 months. It stimulated her to look up at the toys dangling from it. Probably any of them would do, we used an inexpensive one from Walmart.


#10 Baby Carrier
I'm a huge advocate for wearing your baby. Not because strollers have devil horns or your baby will only love you if you do, though. I do believe it promotes bonding and intimacy between mother & child, but that's going to happen whether you baby wear or not. I carried Everly in her stupid, heavy infant car seat maybe 3 times. How do you all DO THAT? Anyway... baby wearing is easy, quick, and comfortable. I recommend a Moby for youngsters and an Ergo when they're bigger.


#11 Snot Sucker
If your baby is congested or when they get their first cold, this will save your life. Trust me. We like the regular one the hospital will give you (so don't buy one like it) but we also like Nosefrida. Don't be surprised if you get strange satisfaction from suctioning out the snot.


#12 The Eurotub
One side of the tub is for infants up until sitting. The other side can sit a toddler up to 24 months. It's wonderful & holds up well. Worth every penny.


#13 Bibs
Register for lots of cloth ones for drool and spit-up, and a few plastic ones for when your baby starts solids. Get a few cute ones because you know you want to, but function is more important than form here.


#14 Plenty of Crib Sheets
Trust me, you'll change these more often than you're thinking you will. You can only allow your baby to roll around wildly in their own spit for so long...


#15 Blankets
Get thick ones, thin ones, big ones, small ones. You'll use them for swaddling. You'll use them to cover your baby's head from the car to the door of where you're going. You'll use them to sit your baby on in unfamiliar places. You'll use them. A lot.

---

So those are the things I'd definitely recommend. Well, I'd also recommend a live-in nanny that does all the hard work while you paint your toenails and sleep, as well as a massage daily & nightly, but it might not be in your budget.

Trying to decide if you need something? Ask yourself, "How hard would life be without this on a scale of 1-10?" If it's not a 7 or higher, I challenge you to skip it.

What about you other mamas out there? What were/are your must-haves?