Baby Registry Must-Haves of 2025

The minute you plan to take baby anywhere—including home from the hospital—you’re going to need a car seat. You have two choices for your newborn: an infant car seat (typically designed for baby’s first year) or a convertible car seat (this grows with your baby from newborn into their toddler years and beyond). The Nuna Pipa RX Infant Car Seat is a popular pick for its light weight, easy install in almost any type of vehicle, extra safety features and good looks. It also fits a wide variety of babies well.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents room share with their baby (but not bed share) for at least the first six months of life. A convenient bassinet with a small footprint like the Halo Bassinest will help you do just that. The base tucks right under your bed so it doesn’t take up much space, and the sheer mesh sides allow you to easily see baby as they snooze, giving you more peace of mind. The two-in-one design converts the bassinet to a portable nest for around the house. Here are some more options for bassinets with different styles and price points.

Some babies have a harder time transitioning from womb to the world than others. Babywearing mimics the closeness and comfort they once enjoyed on the inside, while allowing you to carry baby hands-free (a lifesaver if you want to get anything done during the day!). This newborn-friendly carrier from Ergobaby combines the softness of a wrap with the structured support of a carrier. It’s smaller, lighter and much easier to get on (a huge plus during those first few months) and can be used until your baby hits about 25 pounds.

A stroller that meets your lifestyle needs will make life out and about with your baby so much easier. While there’s no one perfect stroller out there, there is likely a perfect stroller for you. Refer to this handy stroller cheat sheet if you’re looking for some stroller guidance. The Mockingbird stroller 2.0 is a favorite pick of Babylist parents and editors, as it’s super versatile, easy to fold and sleek-looking.

A play gym is more than just fun—it can also help your baby with developmental milestones. And it’s a great way to keep your little one entertained when you need to get something done. The Lovevery gym was designed by child development experts and features five zones that each focus on a targeted area of play. It grows with your baby through the first year and beyond, eventually transforming into a play fort.

Sometimes the best gift is one you get to pick out yourself! Adding a Babylist Gift Card to your registry means you’ll be able to use it on anything from the Babylist Shop. It can come in handy when you’re planning for baby’s arrival or during postpartum panic-ordering.

Between spit-ups and blowouts, newborns can go through several outfits in a day. Many parents opt for bodysuits for daytime wear because they’re easy, comfortable and downright adorable.

Footies—baby bodysuits with build-in feet—are a baby wardrobe staple. They work for daytime, sleep and can even be paired with a swaddle for nighttime in colder climates. These Sleep & Play footies from Carter’s are well-priced, comfy and easy to get on and off thanks to the zipper.

Babies are born with an involuntary startle reflex called the Moro Reflex. Until your baby is three to four months old, you may notice that loud noises (or even bad dreams) will trigger them to throw their hands suddenly in the air, waking them from sleep. Swaddling your baby helps reduce the likelihood they’ll wake from startling. While you can master the technique of swaddling with a standard swaddle blanket, many Babylist parents choose the Halo SleepSack Swaddle because its foolproof Velcro swaddle wrap design means you won’t have to learn any fancy swaddling techniques to give your newborn a better night’s sleep.

While shoes aren’t necessary for newborns, you should still consider keeping their toes toasty when you head outside in cooler temperatures or if the temperatures drop while they sleep. These socks are soft, stretchy and have skid-proof bottoms.

While you shouldn’t stock up on months’ worth of newborn diapers quite yet (babies grow quickly, and some even wear size ones right from birth), you will want to have at least some on hand so you won’t be stuck scrambling to the store as soon as baby comes home. Super absorbent and durable, Babylist parents chose Pampers more than any other brand when shopping for diapers. (Swaddlers also topped our list when we personally tested 11 disposable diaper brands.) Register for a pack of newborns and size 1s, and consider registering for a diaper fund so gift-givers can help you out with your future expenses.

You’ll soon find that you can’t go wrong with having a stash of baby wipes at the ready in every room of your house. We tested 13 different brands of baby wipes and landed on these Kirkland wipes as the number one pick.

You can use a small trash bag or your home’s main bin for your baby’s diapers, but convenience and odor usually win out here: most parents say a diaper pail in baby’s nursery is the easiest (and least stinkiest) way to go. The Ubbi is sleek, simple and made from steel to help control odors. It also uses regular trash bags (instead of custom inserts you’ll need to purchase separately), another big plus.

Baby wears a diaper 24/7, so a good diaper cream or ointment provides a soothing barrier between their bum and a wet nappy. While there are many diaper creams to choose from, this one is made from zinc oxide (FDA-recognized and proven to treat and help prevent diaper rash) and has a thick consistency to form a protective barrier between the diaper and your baby’s sensitive new skin.

You might be among the folks whose baby takes to whichever bottles you choose. Unfortunately, for many parents this isn’t the case, and they’ll end up trying a few types of bottles before landing on the right one. Arm your registry with this bottle box, which features five popular bottles so you and your baby can figure out which one works best.

Even if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding, there are a lot of reasons why you’ll appreciate having a backup supply of formula on hand. Many breastfeeding parents report that their supply dips occasionally, whether due to illness or hormonal changes (like getting your period). Enfamil NeuroPro Non-GMO is a Babylist parent favorite for exclusive formula feeding, supplementing or for peace of mind for breastfeeding parents.

Whether you plan to breastfeed or bottle feed, a feeding pillow supports your baby and positions them at the proper angle while they eat. It also supports you, giving your arms and back a break during feeds. The Boppy is the original feeding pillow and the perfect combination of soft + supportive. It’s easy to slip on and off and fits a variety of body types well, and the whole thing (including the cover and the insert) is machine-washable for those inevitable messes.

Pacifiers are much like bottles in that your baby is likely going to have a preference, regardless of which one you register for. The Pacifier Box makes it easy to try several brands and styles at once, and you can stock up on whatever your baby likes once they make their preferences known.

You’ll rarely find a new parent without a burp cloth draped over their shoulder. Look for one that’s absorbent and has been proven to hold up wash after wash. These are oversized and six layers of 100% cotton, making them extra absorbent.

We also love these Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Burp Cloths, which are unbelievably soft and also made from 100% organic cotton, with a tri-fold design that makes them easy to fold and store.

You could build your own baby first aid kit (here’s a great list to what to include in a DIY Baby First Aid Kit), or you could save time and hassle and choose a kit instead. The Babylist First Aid Kit was created with pediatric ER doctors, with hospital-grade medical supplies and soothers you’ll want for baby’s first year, including a nasal bulb, baby nail clippers, a thermometer and more, plus info on infant/toddler CPR, fever/medication dosing chart, red flags to call 9-1-1 or go to the ER, and step-by-step instructions written by emergency doctors.

Is the Snotsucker a little strange? (And a little gross?) Yes. Will it become one of your go-tos as a new parent? Also yes. This weird contraption is the best way to clear teeny, tiny nostrils when they’re stuffy—which many newborns are, especially during the first few weeks—or when your baby gets sick. And it’s not as icky as it sounds; there’s a changeable filter between you and your baby’s boogies to prevent the spread of germs.

The womb is a noisy place! It’s a bit like being just below the surface of a pond in the middle of a bustling city. It’s no wonder why babies find it comforting to fall asleep to white noise or a sound machine. The Hatch Rest Night Light and Sound Machine is a favorite because it does double duty: with the touch of a button on the machine (or using the Hatch app on your phone), you can control light and sounds to help baby fall asleep faster and to help you from stumbling in a dark room.

A good baby bathtub gives baby a safe spot to rest while you give them a gentle scrub. If you’re looking for a tub with longevity, there are several that grow with your baby. The most popular registry pick is the Skip Hop Moby Bathtub, which grows with your little one from the newborn days into toddlerhood and features a sling to keep small babies safe and snug during bathtime. This exclusive bundle comes with two more favorite essentials, a spout cover and a rinser.

Another favorite is Lalo’s Bathtime Starter Kit. If you’re looking for a sink insert instead, we like FridaBaby’s Soft Sink Baby Bath.

While you can get away with using the towels you already have on hand, many parents register for infant towels because they’re small and easier to wrap around a little one. Plus, if you plan on washing baby’s laundry separately from yours and with different detergent, it’s nice for baby to have their own.

Washcloths aren’t just for bathtime—you’ll find yourself using them post-mealtime, at diaper changes and to clean up the occasional spit-up too. Look for an absorbent cloth that’ll stand up to frequent washing and is soft against baby’s skin. These Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Washcloths are smooth on one side and have terry looped on the opposite side so you can customize your clean up.

While newborns don’t require soap or shampoo (a gentle bath with just water works fine!), you’ll eventually incorporate a body wash and shampoo (or a combination of the two) into baby’s bathtime routine. Look for a mild, moisturizing body wash and shampoo that won’t dry out skin or irritate eyes. You may also want to use an ointment or a moisturizing cream if your baby’s skin is dry or if you find a short massage calms your little one before bed. This set has you covered with all of the essentials—and more—and includes a hair and body wash, an everyday lotion, an all-over ointment and even a bubble bath. Babylist parents love Tubby Todd for the brand’s dedication to safe, non-toxic and extra gentle ingredients.