If you’re about to welcome a new baby into your home, it can be easy to get sucked in to thinking you need everything the stores sell. The truth is, babies don’t need much, and you can make your life easier without filling your house with stuff.

If you’re planning to make a baby registry, the best thing to include are the things you need and use and leave off the unique things that you know you really can function without. You don’t want to get a wipe warmer instead of burp cloths. And it might go without saying, but if you’re part of a church or another community, ask around! If there are other moms you know who have babies a little older than yours, they are probably happy to pass on clothes and other baby items.

Don’t forget that you can also get some great freebies just by signing up for a registry.  Check out our round-up of Baby Welcome Boxes to see if it might be worth creating other registries to get free items!

20 Baby Registry Must Haves 

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
This stuff is amazing for diaper rash. You will want to have several containers on hand for as long as baby is in diapers!  Think upstairs and downstairs, car… seriously.

Baby Wash and Shampoo
When you’re washing baby in those early months, you want to make sure you’re not using anything to irritate that sensitive skin.  

Infant Tylenol
Since Tylenol is the only pain reliever you can give infants under 6 months, you’ll want to make sure you have some of this on hand (but make sure to check with your doctor before giving any to your baby).

Swaddlers / Sleep Sacks
It took me more than one child to discover the wonders of swaddling. There are lots of options out there, but I like the Halo Sleep Sack Swaddle the most.  You can thank me later.

Digital rectal thermometer
The most accurate way to take an infant’s temperature is rectally, so for now avoid the fancy thermometers that look like the ones at the doctor’s office and get a simple, digital rectal thermometer.  If this bothers you just wait till the little person gets here.

Nail clippers
Baby fingernails are surprisingly sharp, so make sure you have a way to keep them short!  You do not want to tackle this job with adult nail clippers.  It’s a tricky task.

Car seat + stroller combo
There are so many options in this category, so do your research and decide which one you want—but you absolutely have to have a car seat, and it’s nice if it’s one that will easily snap into a stroller. 

Tip: If you plan to do daycare go ahead and splurge for an extra carseat base if you have two cars.  You won’t always have the same person pick them up.

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