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I'm expecting my first kiddo in April 2022 (eeeep!) and recently discover how daunting it is to figure out what exactly you'll need for your baby — not to mention the process of narrowing down which brand to go with! Luckily I've done a lot of digging, so here's to hoping some of my research will mean less work for all of your other parents/ parents-to-be!
1. A two-pack of soft and stretchy sheets in an array of adorable patterns you can count on to fit most pack-n-play mattresses and stay put without annoying bunching.
Promising review: "Do they make these in adult sizes? These are the softest sheets I've ever felt in my life. They are SO soft, perfect for cold or warm nights. I've purchased two packs now and they are the only sheets that fit our Graco pack-n-play PERFECTLY. They also sell these for cribs and bassinets, which I will likely purchase!" —Kate
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in six print combos).
2. A shopping cart cover to create a barrier between your kiddo and all of the unseen germs lurking around — certainly can't hurt during *times like these* and will also prevent them from, literally, sucking on the cart itself (babies are wild).
Promising review: "Love! I was in the market for a nice shopping cart cover. My newest baby definitely is one that puts everything possible into his mouth, so a shopping cart cover was a must this time around. It easy to unfold and fold up. A little tricky to put on the first time but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It seems to be fairly padded. Covers a standard Walmart cart thus far. I believe it will work for high chairs as well. I do wish it came with its own toys. I would definitely recommend for children who are comfortable sitting up on their own." —Alicia
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three styles).
3. A 2-in-1 silicone feeder pacifier you can use to introduce your baby to new foods (yuuuum!) and help soothe painful gums (teething, fun!). You can fill it with frozen fruits, veggies, or milk and take a sigh of relief when you see how much your kiddo enjoys it.
The set contains two feeders, two large silicone teats, two medium silicone teats, and two small silicone teats.
Promising review: "This is amazing!! I am such a germ freak, so the mesh ones were not going to fly with me. The fact that this entire thing comes apart to sterilize is wonderful. Then add the different-size heads for it; great for those just starting foods. My little one has two teeth and absolutely loves this thing. We use frozen cut-up fruit and veggies and he goes nuts. Keeps him occupied for hours!! Definitely recommend. 😀" —Danielle Fox
Get a set from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two styles).
4. A too-cute baby bathtub you'll have a *whale-y* good time using. Added bonus? It can be used in a tub instead of a sink (which grosses me out for reasons I can't quite explain).
Promising review: We have a newborn and absolutely love this tub for her. The sling supports her perfectly. The size of this tub is perfect, big enough that my 3-year-old fit in it (when he insisted on trying it out) but small/compact enough that its not obnoxious to store. If you have a standard size bathtub, there is plenty of room to hang this on a suction hook inside the tub to store (and this Skip Hop tub has its own storage hook to make this simple to do). This is the fourth baby bath that we have owned/tried and it is hands down our favorite. I have no complaints, absolutely love it!!" —E
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
5. And a coordinating whale-shaped kneeling pad you can plop next to the tub and save your knees from the inevitable pain you'd likely feel after squatting for an hour during your baby's bath time.
Promising review: "I love this whale mat. I have back problems and it makes kneeling down easier on my knees and back. Another very cool feature is the velcro yellow tab at the end. Right after bath time, I just hang it up on the shower curtain rod to dry. So simple. I also have the matching whale 'cup' that is designed for pouring water over kids/toddlers/babies in baths. It's adorable and functional as well. It just makes bath time less of a chore and more ergonomic. Did I mention how cute this is?" —Spoonie32
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
6. Plant-based konjac bath sponges that'll actually make bath time *so* much fun. Apologies to your rubber ducky.
Promising review: "My 2-month-old always cried during baths, I thought she was the only baby who hated bathtime! I bought these sponges because she has cradle cap and wanted something soft enough to use on her head but strong enough that it’ll get rid of the cradle cap. Well, I ended up using the sponge on her whole body and this was the first time she enjoyed bath time! I think she didn’t like the feel of the rags I was using but likes the sponges instead. This was definitely worth buying!"—Angie
Get a set of three from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three styles).
7. A caddy starring Mickey Mouse you'll easily be able to attach onto your stroller and fill with all the many things you'll need for an adventure outdoors with your little one.
Promising review: "Love this system, it’s been so useful. My daughter was already a toddler by the time I got this bag but it’s been amazing. We use the little bags for important items we don’t need all the time like hearing aid accessories, inhaler, and first aid kits. And the biggest bag for snacks." —Jessica Thorton
Get it from Amazon for $78.99 (available in four styles).
8. Newborn-sized pacifiers (who knew they came in sizes?!) with cute lil' designs on them you can count on to look adorable in photos and keep your kiddo content.
These Mam Pacifiers are said to be ideal for breastfed babies. They also come with a self-sterilizing case you can use in the microwave! When you need to size up you can check out similar pacifiers for 0 to 6 months, 6+ months and 16+ months
Promising review: "These pacifiers are the only pacis that my 5-month-old baby will take. We've tried EVERY brand and she likes these the best. I do recommend getting the pacifiers with the colored designs and not white. The white pacis seem to get lost easier." —Molly L Reed
Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.69 (available in five styles).
9. A Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy that'll entertain your fussy babe with catchy melodies by the likes of Mozart, Vivaldi, and others as well as exciting and twinkling lights.
Promising review: "The best baby distractor EVER! Every person with a child must have this toy! I had about five tucked in various places in case one got lost. My son loved them from basically birth and sometimes it would distract him for hours of noncrying! (Heaven for a new mother.) Of course, in the beginning you have to keep pushing the button for them but compared to swinging him in his car seat that was easy! Then we he got older he would spend entire car rides just playing with this one toy. I give it to everyone I know who has a baby." —NH-Mommy
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
10. A Skip Hop changing pad with a darling mobile above it to keep your antsy kiddo distracted while your handle the dirty work. Sigh, being a baby is *so* much better than being an adult.
I got this for my best friend for her baby shower and since her little one has come along it's quickly become one of her favorite products! Her daughter loves staring up at the mobile and doesn't fuss as much when getting changed. She also loves that's it's very simple to clean — a big bonus!
Promising review: "This changing pad is the best thing I’ve bought for our nursery. This is my second baby and with my first we had a traditional changing pad with covers. The Skip Hop changing pad is soooo much easier because I am not constantly changing and washing the covers. My baby loves looking at the mobile and it is so stylish in the nursery." —MelM
11. A splurge-worthy Bugaboo Fox 3 bassinet and seat stroller set you'll pat yourself on the back for selecting once you realize how lightweight it is and how smooth it rolls along the sidewalk.
This is the main stroller we decided to go with — and not just because it's pretty to look at (shout out to the many color options!). It was extremely easy to put together and only took my husband about 30 minutes. It's simple to disconnect the bassinet (and I assume the same for the car seat) with the click of two side buttons. Overall it's very versatile and comes with a handful of useful accessories you can tack on to your registry as well! For example, I registered for the footmuff insert to keep my tyke nice 'n' snug during winter outings.
Promising review: "This stroller is an absolute dream! We used to have just a standard stroller with our first baby, and the wheels were SO loud and bumpy on any sort of crack, but the Fox 3 doesn't jolt or make any noise. It even handles grass easily too! I don't know how they do it, but it's amazing! We took the bassinet out for a stroll, and baby loves to look out the mesh windows — genius! The leather handles feel luxurious, it turns on a dime, and folds and stores easily too. I wish the instructions had some words to go with them, but we were able to figure it out and put it together rather quickly. I'm so glad we took a chance on this one. Worth every penny!" —JulieP
Get it from Bugaboo for $1,299 (available in six colors).
12. A Halo Swaddle that can be worn in three different ways, guaranteed to keep your mini-me comfy and cozy at all times. Added bonus? You won't need to fret over learning how to flawlessly swaddle them before bed.
This swaddle is perfect from birth to 6 months, allows for easy diaper changes, and (most importantly) immobilizes their little arms so they can't accidentally scratch themselves.
Promising review: "Love these! Used them with my first and it was a lifesaver. It helped her sleep so much better that I always had several on hand just in case there were any accidents. I plan to use them again with my daughter when she’s born. Definitely a must-have!" —Timmons3516
Get it from Target for $24.99 (available in newborn–S sizes and 17 styles).
13. A set of muslin swaddle blankets with so many uses you might not even realize just how versatile they can be until you get your hands on one! One of these blankets can work, of course, as a swaddle, a nursing cover, a stroller cover, or as a play mat.
Promising review: "Oh my gosh how I love these blankets! My son is 9 months old and I've been using them since he was brought home from the hospital. He was born in August (and I'm from Alabama so the heat was extreme) and was able to swaddle him in these without him burning up. They are very thin and allow for air flow, but not so thin that it won't keep a newborn warm. My son still loves to cuddle with these blankets. They've held up very well over the last 9 months. I haven't had any problems at all with them. They are fine in the washer and dryer with baby clothes. And they are super, super soft." —Brittany Osgood
Get them from Amazon for $54.95 (available in 28 styles).
14. A Moby Wrap Baby Carrier featuring Winnie the Pooh and all of his Hundred Acre Wood buddies — great for anyone who wants to keep their baby close while also attempting to get some stuff done around the house.
This one is a great option as it is made of cloth so it's easy to adjust to fit parents of all shapes and sizes.
Promising review: "This is not the first Moby wrap I have used. There are several reasons why I really like this wrap. First, the color on this one is beautiful and definitely gender neutral. I love that because you can get one with your first baby and use on the next one with no issues. The fabric is nice and soft and very stretchy. I also really love that I can wear it, so can my husband and even my teenagers can wear it. This makes it really versatile. It washes well and I did a stain test and it came out cleanly. It stores super flat and fits in really small spaces. It even fits nicely in a diaper bag incase you might need it. Overall I can't say enough good things about this wrap." —Nicocallie
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two styles). If Disney isn't your thing you can choose one from an array of other colors, also for $49.99.
15. A wooden walker little ones will love using as they learn to toddle about on their own — it also has plenty of room to store their fave toys for the ride.
Coco Village is a small business founded by actual parents that have a goal of providing families with premium-quality toys. I have this ready and waiting for my little guy — my husband loves that the wheels are covered with a thick layer of rubber that won't destroy our new wood floors.
Get it from Coco Village for $129.99.
16. A starter set of Chicco Duo Newborn Hybrid Baby Bottles with glass on the inside but plastic on the outside that'll ensure your baby's milk will only touch pure glass. This means no gross smells, aftertaste, or discolorations over time!
Inevitably, it'll be up to the baby which bottle brand they enjoy most. My husband and I figured we'd start off with this set — we liked that the bottles are made of both plastic and glass and that they have an anti-colic valve built-in. They're also dishwasher safe, can be used in a bottle warmer or sterilizer, and are free of BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates.
Promising review: "We love this bottle and these binkies! We’ve wanted glass bottles for forever, but don’t love the idea of a fragile bottle that can’t be dropped. This is the perfect in between. We try to limit our use of plastic as much as possible, ESPECIALLY in something we’re eating or drinking from. We’re really happy to have found this Chicco product." —Josh Y
Get the 8-piece set from Amazon for $46.99+ (also available in a 10-piece set and in pink).
17. A muslin play mat covered in woodland creatures (so cute!) you'll be able to easily pack up and take with you wherever you go so your baby will always have a comfortable spot to lounge or play.
Get it from Pottery Barn Kids for $69.
18. A classic lovey for you baby to snuggle with — the best part about this one is that it'll get soft even after you wash it (which you'll *definitely* need to do).
Just remember do not let your baby actually sleep with this in their crib until they are 12 to 18 months old.
Promising review: "This is the third lovey we have purchased for our 6-month-old. I am very pleased with it. It is more of a security blanket with a head (it lays flat with the head in the middle of the square). We needed something now that our baby is trying to self soothe with busy fingers. It works great with the breathability of the blanket (he likes to rub it on his face) and the satin trim. Will likely be buying another one so if it's lost we will have a spare!" —Maureen DeWitt
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four styles).
19. A pack of body suits that, incredibly, snap at the shoulders — perfect for any new parent who is a bit weary of scrunching their teeny tiny newborn's arms in and out of sleeves.
I have these for my baby and cannot wait to test them out! It seems like a no-brainer that baby body suits be made this way and I cannot believe I hadn't come across them sooner! The design of these body suits allows you to dress your baby from the bottom-up, which will make diaper changes go a lot smoother (hopefully). Tabeeze is a woman-owned small business that sells 100% GOTS-certified organic baby bodysuits.
Get a set of six from Tabeeze for $134 (available in white or multi colors and in sizes newborn–6 months).
20. A modern high chair from Stokke that'll transform into a perfectly-sized mini chair as your child grows. They'll be able to use it right up against your kitchen table to dine alongside the family and it'll look great alongside your other furniture.
This high chair can really do it all. It holds up to 300 pounds (!!!) and it has an adjustable seat and footplate positions for the utmost comfort. Additionally, when your tyke outgrows the need for a highchair you can remove the pieces to turn it into an actual chair for their play room!
Promising review: "We have had such a wonderful experience using the Tripp Trapp highchair for our first two kids that we knew without a doubt we would be getting one for our third baby! We love how versatile this high chair is and how it truly grows with you from first foods to mature eaters! My older boys can get in and out of the chair so easily and we love the adjustable features so that you can customize the high chair for each child. There is a reason why the Tripp Trapp is so famous — it is truly above any other high chair on the market!" —Esther
Get it from Target for $269 (available in three colors) or from Stokke for $199+ (available in three styles and seven colors).
21. An outfit (or two) to bring your baby home from the hospital in, you'll be glad you planned ahead when you realize you're going to want to take precisely one million photos of them that day.
In my forever on-going research about how to *try* to do this whole newborn thing somewhat right, I've seen multiple times that it's a great idea to pack at least two outfits to take your little one home from the hospital in. It's suggested to have both newborn and 0–3-month sizing on hand just in case! I love the gender neutral waffle knit options from 2sweetcheeks, a woman-owned small business based in Richland, Washington that sells super soft baby apparel.
Promising review: "Okay, I really didn’t want to spend so much on a newborn outfit, but I could not stop coming back to this piece. It’s gorgeous. It was everything I wanted. So I just did the thing and ordered it. This piece surpassed my expectations! We have accumulated some nice pieces for baby boy, but he doesn’t have a single piece this soft. This is the most buttery, squishy outfit! The color is gorgeous and the quality is everything we wanted. The most perfect going home outfit. I’m so glad I just went with my gut, and got what I wanted. I’m obsessed!" —jacklynpwest12
Get it in mint blue from 2sweetcheeks on Etsy for $49.50+ (available in sizes preemie — 24 months and with or without a hat). There are many other colors available as well!
22. A DockATot Deluxe+ Dock you'll love for how versatile it can be — plop your baby in there for some much-needed tummy time, for supervised lounging, playtime, or a quick diaper change.
This is another great item you can add accessories to! There's a cabana kit for parents who want to take their DockATot outdoors (available for $65 and in four styles), an array of toy arches and toys you can attach for even more fun, and a travel bag (available for $90) for when you and tyke are on-the-go.
Promising review: "This is our second one purchased. First one was given to a family member. I would call it the sisterhood of the traveling DockATot because so many family members reused my first one. I am pregnant again and decided to get a brand new one and wow is it gorgeous! I will forever recommend the DockATot to parents of babies." —Lindsey M.
Get it from Buy Buy Baby for $175.99 (available in 15 styles) or DockATot for $175 (available in 30 styles).
23. A washable rug, so when your mini-me inevitably spits up or pees on the carpet in their nursery you'll be able to pop it right into the washing machine.
My baby's room is going to be a mix of space/Disney decor, so this rug was the perfect addition. It seemed like a no-brainer to me after realizing I could literally wash it at anytime without having to scrub stains away by hand. They have a ton of Disney rugs and Star Wars rugs that might be perfect for your baby's room!
Promising review: "I love this rug so much! It’s perfect for kids and pets, and it’s so easy to keep clean. I actually use it where my kids eat and it hasn’t gotten stained at all. 100% would recommend!" —Ashley C
Get it from Ruggable for $99+ (available in 10 sizes and 3 styles).
24. A one-piece rash guard swimsuit in a fabulous print to help protect your mini-me from the sun's harsh rays (it has UPF 50+ sun protection) and make changing them while out at the pool super easy (shout out to the zipper!).
I love this Janie and Jack rash guard since it's chlorine resistant and made from recycled plastic bottles! The little ruffles in the back are absolutely darling and the zip front is ideal, for sure.
Get it from Janie and Jack for $44 (available in sizes 0–24M).
25. A Boon drying rack with a surprisingly chic design that'll provide you with the perfect spot to dry your little one's bottles and accessories without ruining the entire look of your kitchen.
BuzzFeed editor Chandni Reddy and mother-of-two is a big fan of this drying rack:
"Is it possible for a drying rack to be life changing? Why yes, it is. I caved and bought this grassy patch after my kitchen started to look an episode of Hoarders. This thing instantly organized my kitchen by creating a dedicated spot for baby stuff. Bottles, pump parts, sippy cups...this bad boy can hold a LOT (at least six bottles and four cups at once) and dries everything quickly. Did I mention it's a heck of a lot more cheerful and stylish than your regular drying rack?"
Promising review: "Newborn twins are a mess. They took over our house within moments of coming through the door. For this type A mama, it was a horrifying side effect of the two most precious things in the world. A friend gave us one lawn at our shower and we promptly hopped on Amazon and bought a second to manage the sheer volume. The lawn and the accessories are a convenient and cute way to keep your bottles and pump parts organized. There is ample space in one for one baby's needs." —Lacey
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
26. An infant toothbrush shaped like a banana that'll help train them on dental hygiene while helping them soothe this sore gums when they're teething. Win-win!
Promising review: "My baby LOVES this teether!! I bought it for him when he was 3 months old (he started teething around 2 1/2 months) but it was hard for him to hold things since he was just starting to grab. This banana teether was very easy for him to grasp and put in his own mouth. The grip is great, it's very ergonomic for a baby and I love the feel of the silicone. Other teethers he would only use for a minute or so and get fussy or frustrated, but this teether can keep him occupied for a while! Also sometimes if he's getting fussy while biting it, I'll take it and just gently brush his gums with the end and he loves it, sometimes he laughs haha. I've also gotten so many comments and compliments on how cute he looks chewing on his little banana. I now recommend this to all moms who have a teething baby." —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $6.79.
27. Closet dividers, because you'll likely find yourself with an entire range of sizing in your baby's clothes that'll be a headache to organize. You can add these into their closet and stop trying to recall where the 3 to 6-month outfits begin and end.
I got these for my baby's closet after realizing I had stocked up on a variety of sizes. It'll be super easy to clip them over the bar in the closet and then easily see which clothes are newborn-sized versus which are 0 to 3 months. I went with a neutral theme so they can be passed down to someone else or used with my next kiddo, but there are *tons* to choose from! Carrie Dee is a small business based in Syracuse, NY that sells nursery closet dividers.
Get them from CarrieDee on Etsy for $7.95+ (available four sets and two display size options).
28. A reversible hooded jacket to save some space in your tyke's closet while also giving you *two* different style options to play around with. Who doesn't love a 2-for-1???
Feetje is a small business based in Holland that has been up-and-running for 40 years! They only recently were introduced to the US but have been selling their clothes in The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Spain.
Get it from Feetje for $33 (available in sizes 3 months–24 months).
29. A 72-page memory book for the ambitious parent who actually wants to make an attempt to take note of all their kiddo's milestones as they happen.
Promising review: "This book is well-made with thick pages and very cute artwork. It has monthly pages for the first year and pages for many first holidays. It has pages for hand- and footprints, various photo pages for mom and baby during pregnancy and lots of 'firsts' pages. It has extra pages for miscellaneous photos, an envelope attached to the rear book cover and a full blank lined page for additional notes." —C. Pollard
Get it from Amazon for $29.97.
30. An aesthetically pleasing play gym you can count on to please millennial parents who have primarily registered for neutral-colored items (ahem, me).
If only our parents understood we don't want over-the-top, brightly colored items in the nursery. Sigh. This adorable play gym also comes with an option to add a tent so your tyke can play with it for years to come!
Get it from Lalo for $135+ (available with or without the tent attachment and in four colors).
31. A portable high chair seat to clip onto any table, a must-have for anyone planning to dine out with their baby or, at least, bring them to Grandma's for dinner.
This lil' seat can be used with tables up to 3.3" thick. It's collapsible, washable, and has a storage pocket! I added this to my personal baby registry and already know it'll definitely come in handy when visiting friends — I may even just leave it in my car to use on a whim as needed.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these chairs! I run a daycare and use them every day! They clean so easily with just a wet towel. The material is thick and sturdy and they screw very snugly on the table! I have seen reviews from people saying the belt is not tight enough but I have never had that problem with all ages of children. My number one choice of high chair! Plus they fold down and can be put in the storage bag attached very quickly and easily. I have used many kind of high chairs but these are the best, space saving and great for travel." —katy
Get it from Amazon for $79.99 (available in eight colors).
32. Eco-friendly infant sneakers you can toss directly into your washing machine after your little one toddles directly into mud, a puddle, or any mess they magically seem to find within the two seconds you take your eyes off of them.
Promising review: "These shoes are absolutely adorable! They are very stylish but also incredibly comfortable for my four month old. The shoes are very soft and well made. I love that the shoes have the appearance of laces but that they don’t need to be tied. They were so easy to put on that my baby did not fuss at all and he never tried to kick them off. I highly recommend these shoes and would purchase another pair in a different style for my baby as well as purchase a pair for a friend or relative." —Essma R.
Get them from Amazon or JuJuBe for $40 (available in sizes 3–12M and five colors).
33. And a set of too-cute teethers shaped like fruits you'll adore because they're BPA-free and can be frozen to truly help soothe your tyke's gums. Then run them through the dishwasher to freshen them up after they've been covered in drool.
Promising review: "These are the best teethers!! My baby loves how easy they are to hold. The stick really helps her have a good grip so she can bite down even more! Plus, the different fruits have different textures! Also love how you get several different teethers. AND, love that they are made of food grade silicone because they are easy to clean/sanitize! Such a great deal for the price! We loved them so much that we got a set for her younger cousin because teething isn't fun! Added tip: stick them in the fridge for a cooling sensation for baby!!" —Rebecca
Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99.
Your little one admiring all the lovely new things you bought for them:
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