Baby Shower Registry Checklist: Everything You Actually Need (and What You Don't)
A baby needs surprisingly few things in the first weeks of life. The challenge is that those things cost money, take up space, and come in approximately 900 variations online. This checklist cuts through the noise: category by category, here's what to put on your baby registry, how much of it you need, and — just as importantly — what you can safely skip before your friends start panic-buying novelty items off your list.
In this checklist
1. How to use this checklist
Every family's situation is different. A first-time parent setting up their nursery from scratch needs more on their list than someone having a second baby who already owns half this kit. Use this as a framework, not a mandate.
Throughout the checklist, items are flagged as Essential (you'll genuinely struggle without them), Highly recommended (most parents are glad they have them), or Nice to have (useful, but not a crisis if they don't appear at the shower). The "What you don't need" callouts are honest — they'll save your guests money and save your living room from clutter.
If you're building a registry and want your guests to find everything in one place, a universal baby shower registry lets you add items from any store — Amazon, specialist baby retailers, local boutiques — all on a single shareable list. No guest should have to visit five different websites to buy you something.
Quantity tip: When an item has a recommended quantity, list individual items to allow multiple guests to chip in. Don't add "10 muslin cloths" as one gift — add ten separate entries, or list a multipack at a low price point. Guests love checking something off.
2. Sleep essentials
Sleep — or the lack of it — defines the first months of parenthood. Having the right setup makes a meaningful difference, and this is one category where quality matters more than price.
What to add to your registry
- Bassinet or bedside sleeper — Essential. A separate sleep space in the bedroom for the first 3–6 months. Choose one that meets current safe sleep guidelines. ($80–$300)
- Cot/crib with mattress — Essential. You'll need this by 3–6 months. Buy a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly with no gaps. ($150–$600 for the cot; $60–$150 for a quality mattress)
- Fitted cot sheets (x3 minimum) — Essential. Blowouts and spit-ups happen at 3am. Three sheets means you can always have one on the bed, one in the wash, one clean. ($10–$30 each)
- Sleep sacks / wearable blankets (x3) — Essential. The safe alternative to loose blankets in the cot. Get a couple in different tog ratings for different seasons. ($20–$50 each)
- Swaddle wraps (x4–6) — Highly recommended. Muslin swaddles double as everything: shade cloth, feeding cover, spillage catcher, impromptu toy. You cannot have too many. ($10–$20 each)
- White noise machine — Highly recommended. Genuinely life-changing for newborn sleep. A dedicated device is better than a phone app at 3am when someone needs to call you. ($30–$80)
- Baby monitor with video — Highly recommended. Audio-only monitors are fine; video gives you peace of mind without disturbing the baby to check. ($60–$200)
- Waterproof mattress protectors (x2) — Essential. Mattresses are hard to clean. Protectors are not. ($15–$40 each)
What you don't need: A wicker Moses basket. They look wonderful in photos, weigh almost nothing when empty, and require you to bend completely in half to lay a baby down. At 4am with a screaming newborn, you will hate it. A bedside sleeper with a drop-down side is a far more functional choice.
3. Feeding
Whether you plan to breastfeed, formula feed, or haven't decided yet, you'll need supplies for all possibilities. Don't over-commit to one approach before the baby arrives — have the basics for both.
What to add to your registry
- Breast pump — Check your insurance or health cover first. In many countries, breast pumps are partially or fully covered — no need to put a $300 pump on your registry if it'll be provided. If you're buying one, an electric double pump is worth it. ($80–$350)
- Bottles and teats (starter set) — Highly recommended. Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, having a few bottles on hand is practical. Pick one brand and start there — you can always try others. ($30–$60 for a starter set)
- Bottle steriliser — Highly recommended. Electric steam sterilisers are the easiest. Microwave versions work too and cost less. ($30–$100)
- Bottle brush — Essential. The cheapest item on this list and completely indispensable. Get two. ($5–$15)
- Nursing pillow — Highly recommended. Useful for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and tummy time. The C-shaped wrap-around styles are especially versatile. ($40–$80)
- Milk storage bags (box of 50) — Nice to have. Useful if you're pumping and want to build a freezer supply. ($15–$25)
- Burp cloths (x10 minimum) — Essential. This is one where "more than you think you need" is genuinely the right advice. Thin muslins double as burp cloths. Add both. ($5–$15 each)
- Bibs (x10) — Essential when solids start, but also immediately useful for drool and spit-up. Look for snap or velcro closures, not ties. ($3–$10 each)
- High chair — Nice to have now, essential by 6 months. Some parents prefer to buy this themselves so they can try it in person. ($80–$350)
- Formula dispenser / formula starter kit — Nice to have. If you're formula feeding from day one, useful to have on hand. If you're trying breastfeeding first, hold off. ($15–$30)
What you don't need: Every bottle brand ever made "just to see which one baby prefers." Buy one starter set. If it doesn't work, you'll know quickly and can try another. Five different brands is just expensive clutter that takes up a whole cupboard shelf.
4. Nappy & diapering
You'll get through a lot of nappies in the first year. The setup around changing doesn't need to be elaborate — functional and within arm's reach is the goal.
What to add to your registry
- Change mat (x2) — Essential. One for the nursery, one portable for downstairs or travel. Get a waterproof, wipe-clean cover. ($20–$60)
- Nappy bin / diaper pail — Highly recommended. A dedicated sealed bin in the nursery is much better than walking to the kitchen bin at midnight. ($40–$100)
- Nappy cream — Essential. Nappy rash is when you'll be most grateful you have this. Keep one upstairs and one downstairs. ($8–$20)
- Unscented baby wipes (bulk pack) — Essential. You'll use more than you think. Unscented and fragrance-free is gentler on newborn skin. ($15–$40 for a bulk pack)
- Nappies — size Newborn (1 pack) — Essential, but don't overstock. Newborns grow fast. One pack of newborn size is enough to start — most babies move to Size 1 within weeks. ($15–$30)
- Nappies — size 1 (2–3 packs) — Essential. This is where most babies spend the most time early on. ($15–$30 per pack)
- Changing table or topper — Nice to have. A dresser with a changing topper can serve double duty. Some parents just use a mat on the floor — both are fine. ($50–$250)
- Wipes warmer — Nice to have. Cold wipes on a newborn in winter are a shock to the system for everyone involved. Whether it's a priority is a personal call. ($25–$50)
Quantity tip: Ask for nappies in multiple sizes, not just newborn. Guests love buying a practical consumable — but a box of newborn nappies becomes useless within weeks. Sizes 1 and 2 are the most useful to stock up on early.
What you don't need: A full changing station with built-in storage, sound machine, and mood lighting. A waterproof mat and a clean hand are genuinely all you need for a nappy change. The elaborate furniture is a nice-to-have at most.
5. Bathing & grooming
Baby baths are small, quick, and happen more often than you'd expect. The grooming kit doesn't need to be extensive — but a few things are genuinely non-negotiable.
What to add to your registry
- Baby bath tub or bath seat insert — Essential. Newborns can't sit up, so you need support. A sponge insert or angled tub keeps them safe and your hands free. ($20–$60)
- Hooded towels (x3) — Essential. A towel with a hood keeps their head warm and makes wrapping up after a bath much easier. Three means you're not doing laundry after every bath. ($15–$30 each)
- Baby wash and shampoo — Essential. Fragrance-free, tear-free, and gentle on newborn skin. A simple two-in-one formula is fine to start. ($8–$20)
- Baby nail file or soft nail scissors — Essential, and often underestimated. Newborn nails are sharp and they'll scratch their own face constantly. An electric nail file is gentler than scissors for nervous first-timers. ($10–$25)
- Nasal aspirator — Essential. Unglamorous. Absolutely necessary. Babies can't blow their own noses, and a blocked nose at feeding time is miserable for everyone. The manual squeeze-bulb type works fine; the parent-powered suction types (like the Frida NoseFrida) work better. ($8–$20)
- Baby comb and soft brush set — Nice to have. For those who arrive with hair. ($8–$15)
- Digital thermometer — Essential. When the baby has a temperature at 2am, you do not want to be guessing. An underarm digital thermometer is accurate and non-invasive. ($15–$40)
What you don't need: An elaborate baby spa gift set with seven products in decorative packaging. You'll use one wash and one cream. Everything else will sit under the sink until you donate it. Practical beats pretty every time.
6. Clothing
Here is the uncomfortable truth about newborn clothing: your baby will outgrow the newborn size in approximately three weeks. Possibly two. A wardrobe full of tiny outfits they'll never wear is a genuinely common regret. Put the right things on the registry and save your guests from buying you beautiful things your baby will never fit into.
What to add to your registry
- Onesies / bodysuits — sizes 0–3 months and 3–6 months (x6 each) — Essential. Snap-crotch onesies are your uniform for the first year. Add more 3–6 month than newborn. ($8–$15 each)
- Sleepsuits / footie pajamas (x4–6 per size) — Essential. Babies live in these. Get them in 0–3 months, 3–6 months, and 6–12 months. ($10–$20 each)
- Scratch mitts (x4 pairs) — Essential for the first weeks. Newborns flail and scratch their own faces with surprising force. ($5–$12 per pair)
- Seasonal layer — lightweight jacket or knit cardigan (x2) — Highly recommended. Babies can't regulate their temperature well. A simple top layer for pram trips or air-conditioned spaces is useful from day one. ($15–$35 each)
- Hats (x3) — Essential for newborns, especially outdoors. ($8–$15 each)
- Socks (x6 pairs) — Essential. Babies kick socks off constantly. Having many pairs means you always have one. ($3–$8 per pair)
What you don't need: Novelty outfits in newborn size. The dinosaur costume, the tiny tuxedo, the pumpkin suit — these are adorable and will be worn once, if at all, before being outgrown. If guests want to buy something fun, suggest sizes 6–12 months or older so there's actually a chance of wearing it.
7. Travel & out-and-about
Getting out of the house with a baby requires more equipment than a weekend camping trip. Getting this category right early makes a real difference to your quality of life in the first year.
What to add to your registry
- Pram or stroller — Essential. This is one of your biggest purchases and worth significant research before committing. Consider: urban vs suburban use, whether it needs to fold small for public transport or car boot, whether a pram-to-stroller conversion suits you. ($300–$1,500)
- Car seat (infant capsule or convertible) — Essential. See the "What to leave off" section below for important caveats on this one. ($150–$600)
- Baby carrier or wrap — Highly recommended. A carrier means hands-free movement around the house or on walks. Ergonomic carriers are better for both hips; ring slings are easier to adjust. Structured carriers suit different body types — test one before buying if possible. ($40–$200)
- Changing bag / nappy bag — Essential. A bag large enough to hold nappies, a change of clothes, wipes, a bottle, and everything else you'll carry everywhere. Backpack-style are popular for sharing between two parents. ($40–$150)
- Portable change mat — Highly recommended. Folds flat in the bag, rolls out when you need it. Most change bags include one, but check before adding separately. ($15–$30)
- Pram rain cover — Nice to have if you live somewhere rainy. Often sold separately from the pram. ($20–$50)
- Pram sun shade / UV cover — Nice to have if you live somewhere sunny. ($15–$40)
What you don't need: A matching travel system purely for the aesthetic. If you already have a car seat or a pram you love, there's no need to buy the entire coordinated set just to have matching pieces. Compatibility matters; colour coordination does not matter at all when you're trying to collapse a pram in the rain.
8. Play & development
Babies don't need much to play in the early months — their own hands are genuinely interesting to them. That said, a few well-chosen items make life easier for the adults who need to put the baby down occasionally.
What to add to your registry
- Activity play mat with arch — Highly recommended. Tummy time, visual stimulation, batting at hanging toys — this gets used daily from very early on. ($40–$120)
- Baby bouncer or rocker seat — Highly recommended. A place to safely put the baby down when you need two hands. Electric ones vibrate; manual ones you rock with your foot. Both work. ($60–$250)
- Soft toys (x2–3) — Nice to have. Babies can't really interact with toys until about 3 months, but they'll get attached to a comfort toy. Small, washable, no detachable parts. ($10–$30 each)
- Board books (x5–10) — Highly recommended. It is never too early to read to a baby. High-contrast picture books are especially engaging for newborns whose vision is still developing. ($8–$15 each)
- Baby swing — Nice to have. Some babies are soothed by swinging; others aren't. A borrowable or secondhand swing is worth trying before buying new. ($80–$200)
- Playpen / activity centre — Nice to have, and more useful from 6 months when the baby can sit up. Hold off on this one unless you have space for it. ($80–$250)
What you don't need: Three different bouncers, rockers, or swings. Some babies love one type; some hate all of them. One is enough to start. If it doesn't work, you can reassess. Owning every variation doesn't increase the odds of finding the magic solution.
9. Parent survival items
This is the category that doesn't appear on most registry checklists and should appear on all of them. The person growing and then delivering a baby has needs too — and a lot of those needs are poorly catered for by well-meaning guests who default to baby clothes.
What to add to your registry
- Nipple cream — Essential if breastfeeding. Lanolin-based creams (like Lansinoh) are the standard recommendation. ($12–$20)
- Nursing pads — reusable or disposable — Essential if breastfeeding. Leaks are a fact of early breastfeeding life. ($10–$25)
- Postpartum care kit for the birthing parent — Highly recommended. Peri bottles, maternity pads, ice packs, witch hazel — the recovery kit that nobody likes to discuss but everybody needs. Pre-made kits exist; alternatively, add individual items. ($30–$80 for a kit)
- Hands-free pumping bra — Highly recommended if pumping. Holding a pump to your body while it runs is not sustainable. ($25–$50)
- Meal delivery gift card or freezer meal contribution — Highly recommended. The greatest gift you can give a new parent is food that requires no effort. A gift card to a meal delivery service is genuinely appreciated. ($30–$100)
- Comfortable nursing or feeding pillow for the sofa — Nice to have. Separate from the C-shaped nursing pillow — this is for longer feeding sessions on the couch. ($30–$60)
Don't skip this section. Many parents feel awkward listing things for themselves on a baby registry, but this is exactly the right place for them. Friends and family who want to support the whole family — not just buy another sleepsuit — will be grateful for practical suggestions.
10. What to leave off the registry
Just as important as what to include is what to leave out. A few categories are better handled outside the registry entirely.
Car seats — research and buy yourself
A car seat is one of the most safety-critical purchases you'll make for your child. The right model depends on your specific car, your baby's weight, how the seat is installed, and current safety ratings. This is not something a well-meaning aunt should choose for you based on what was on offer. Research the options yourself, choose the model, have it professionally fitted, and — if you want help with the cost — ask for a contribution to a specific item rather than leaving it as an open gift.
Personalised items — check before listing
Personalised items are lovely, but they require your name choice to be final before the shower. If you're still deciding, leave personalised gifts off the list or confine them to things that work with initials rather than full names.
Duplicate gear
If you already own a baby monitor, a bouncer, a carrier, or anything else from a previous child or a generous loan from a sibling — remove that category from your registry. You don't need two. Trust yourself to know what you already have.
Clothing in newborn size (beyond the basics)
List a few newborn basics, but don't fill the clothing section with newborn outfits. Most babies outgrow them within weeks. Ask for sizes 3–6 months, 6–12 months, and 12–18 months instead.
Items guests can't assess quality on
Generic "baby toys" or "baby clothing" requests without a specific item linked are hard for guests to action sensibly. Every item on your registry should link directly to what you want — brand, model, and size — so there's no guesswork. A universal registry makes this easy: paste the URL from any store and the details populate automatically.
For a deeper look at building your registry from scratch — including when to start, how to share it, and how to keep every gift a surprise — see our guide: How to Set Up a Baby Shower Registry.
Frequently asked questions
How many items should be on a baby shower registry?
Aim for 1.5 to 2 gifts per guest. For a shower of 30 people, that's 45–60 items. Baby registries work well with a range of price points — plenty of low-cost consumables like nappies and muslin cloths means every guest can find something in their budget, while a few higher-cost items give groups the option to pool together on something bigger.
When should I set up my baby shower registry?
The ideal time is around 20 weeks into the pregnancy — or at least 4–6 weeks before the shower. Getting it live early means guests have time to browse and order (especially useful for international guests who need delivery time), and it gives you the space to properly research bigger purchases like prams and car seats before adding them rather than just picking the first thing you find.
Can guests from other countries buy from my baby shower registry?
With a universal registry, yes. A universal registry lists items from any online store, and guests in any country can view everything and buy from a retailer that ships to them — or find a local equivalent of the same product. Single-store registries (like an Amazon-only list) don't work well for international guests who may not have access to that store. Adding products from multiple stores, or including Amazon links that cover multiple locales, helps everyone.
Should I include a car seat on my baby shower registry?
You can list a specific model, but most safety experts recommend buying the car seat yourself so you can properly research the right fit for your car and have it professionally installed. If you do include it, specify the exact make and model — never leave it as an open "car seat" request for a guest to interpret. Another option: ask for a contribution toward a specific seat rather than listing it as a straightforward gift.
What if I'm having twins — do I need everything doubled?
Not everything. You'll definitely need two car seats and two safe sleep spaces. Having two bouncers or rockers is genuinely useful when both babies need to be put down at the same time. But you don't need two play mats, two bath sets, or double the nappies on the registry (guests will add those separately). Focus on doubling the items where you'll genuinely need two at the same time, and keeping everything else as a single quantity.
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