Anonymous wrote:OP, I am guessing by your post you want actual brand names and specifics.

What's essential is subjective but here are some things we loved the most:
Wubbanub pacifier (it stays in)
Nose Frieda - really helpful for baby's first cold
Boppy Lounger and/or a bouncer for setting baby down (we splurged on the Bjorn bouncer, but you really don't need to - the cheaper ones work just as well)
Diaper bag - there are a lot of good affordable backpack ones on Amazon, especially during COVID I wouldn't spend a lot on this
Burp cloths - I loved the Burt's Bees ones, just the right size, buy more than you think you need
Oxo Tot Bottle Brush and Drying Rack
Changing pad - I liked the Skip Hop wipe clean one
Diaper Cream
2-3 Crib Sheets
Diaper Pail - I like the Ubbi
Marpac Portable sound machine
Hatch sound machine - it's not a necessity, but it's great
Rectal thermometer

See, this is the problem. I completely disagree. I hate those things. Nuk and MAM stay in!

-Get a baby nail filer instead of clippers! So much easier for the tiny phase.

-Kimono style bodysuits/tops for the first month or two when their head is especially bobbly. And zipper sleepers. Anyone who prefers snaps is insane to me! Also if you’re particular about clothing style, I think it’s best to register for a few things so people will buy off your registry instead of random stuff they think is cute. OR even if they are inclined to buy random stuff they think is cute, they’ll have a sense of what you like.

-I personally wouldn’t register for big boxes of any diapers, instead buy a few smaller packs of newborn or size 1 diapers and try them out to see which brand works best for your baby. We landed on Honest after trying 5-6 of the competitors and I’m glad we didn’t just register for huge boxes of pampers which weren’t as good of a fit on our baby’s body type and led to more leaks.

- Tubby Todd All Over Ointment. This stuff is magic, some people swear by it for baby acne (though that clears on its own) but we are now in the face scratching phase and I can’t keep up with his nails. Tubby Todd clears up little scratches and blemishes instantly overnight- it’s seriously a miracle!

- Cradle Cap scrubber- Frida makes one but there are cheaper brands as well. Your kid will likely get cradle cap and I had literally never heard of it before baby. You will he happy to have it on hand.

- Temporal thermometer which is so much easier than a rectal. We have both and if I’ve ever been nervous about a fever, so easy to use the temporal one. We keep the rectal one on hand if we need a more accurate reading if he were to actually run a scary fever. Thankfully haven’t needed to use it yet.

- Gas drops/mylecon - we used Little Remedies. But especially in those first 6-8 weeks when their tummies are suuuper immature and they are grunty little gassy sleepers, this did wonders for us before bed.

- Portable sound machine for car and stroller (we have the marpac hush).

- Some sort of baby wrap or carrier suitable for the newborn stage. Some babies want to be held 24/7 and won’t be put down for a nap during this stage. This at least allows you to eat or go for a walk. Lifesaver for my little Velcro baby! We used the Solly wrap in the early days and love our Beco Gemini baby carrier now.

OP, I am guessing by your post you want actual brand names and specifics.

What's essential is subjective but here are some things we loved the most:
Wubbanub pacifier (it stays in)
Nose Frieda - really helpful for baby's first cold
Boppy Lounger and/or a bouncer for setting baby down (we splurged on the Bjorn bouncer, but you really don't need to - the cheaper ones work just as well)
Diaper bag - there are a lot of good affordable backpack ones on Amazon, especially during COVID I wouldn't spend a lot on this
Burp cloths - I loved the Burt's Bees ones, just the right size, buy more than you think you need
Oxo Tot Bottle Brush and Drying Rack
Changing pad - I liked the Skip Hop wipe clean one
Diaper Cream
2-3 Crib Sheets
Diaper Pail - I like the Ubbi
Marpac Portable sound machine
Hatch sound machine - it's not a necessity, but it's great
Rectal thermometer

Basic essentials for the few months:

Safe place for baby to sleep
Diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
Feeding items- either boobs or formula, bottles and bottle brush
Hygiene items- Baby bath tub, baby wash and lotion, nose sucker, nail clippers and thermometer
Several onsies and sleep and plays
Safe way to transport baby from hospital and to ped appointments- for most people this is a car seat

Everything else is personal preference and convenience. Of Course post people have much more than this list (including me!!) but this is the absolute minimum you need for baby firsts weeks.

OP, if you read past threads you'll see that many lived without things that others consider must-haves.

It's all very subjective, and the actual NEEDS are minimal.

babylist.com/balanced-bellies Here is our registry made by midwife, Doula and pediatrician.

There is SO much stuff you can get and its hard to really know which items you will find yourself using. I was newly pregnant when covid broke out and Emily Oster wrote a column on pregnancy in the time of covid that had a shopping list of the essentials. It helped me get started and in retrospect was a pretty great list. https://emilyoster.substack.com/p/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19

Id add a bathtub, pacifiers and someplace to safely put the baby down (boppy lounger, baby bjorn, whatever you choose).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Books, it's good to put them on a registry so you don't get a ton of duplicates.

Otherwise, I would stick to clothes and toys on the registry and not basic needs. But you can make a private registry and then buy things from that when you get the discount code.

What?! No way. Complete opposite.

I think it's a cultural thing. The big items are too expensive and not "gifty" enough. Except for grandparents, who might say "we want to buy you a stroller" or whatever. But I know for a lot of people more expensive baby gifts are the norm and so are big registries. Like weddings and wedding gifts, I think it varies by region and by family.

OP: if you find out and announce the sex, you will receive mostly clothes. Especially if it’s a girl. It’s just the way it is.

Things I received (the sex was a surprise, so we got no clothes)
Our stroller (we were shocked someone actually bought the Uppa vista for us!)
Nice diaper bag
Oxo wipe container (not warmer)
Nice baby towels
Aden and anais swaddles
Changing pad covers
Water proof mattress covers x 2
Sheets
Dohm sound machine

Anonymous wrote:Books, it's good to put them on a registry so you don't get a ton of duplicates.

Otherwise, I would stick to clothes and toys on the registry and not basic needs. But you can make a private registry and then buy things from that when you get the discount code.

What?! No way. Complete opposite.

Books, it's good to put them on a registry so you don't get a ton of duplicates.

Otherwise, I would stick to clothes and toys on the registry and not basic needs. But you can make a private registry and then buy things from that when you get the discount code.

Everyone has different opinions. My two most used and favorite things after two children are the Owlet (some complain about false alarms and making them more nervous, I never had issues), and the Baby Brezza (some complained about cleaning the machine and dispensing issues, I never had those issues either) was a lifesaver for both formula fed babies.

What I wish I got was a high chair without any leather. Pick something you could wipe down easily.

You can do a search on this forum.

There are many options. Like, a sound machine. Some swear by Hatch, others love dohm.

Some will say you NEED a swing, others will say their baby never used it.

A place to sleep, including any bedding you need

Stroller

Car seat

A diaper bag

A carrier

Basic bath stuff

Basic hygiene stuff (baby nail clippers, bulb syringe -- you can usually just register for a little kit)

Some clothes (mostly 0-3, focus on sleepers and footed pajamas as that will be your earliest need)

I am an expectant FTM and have been working on my registry.

What are the must-haves?