Top 5 Baby Registry Essentials: What I’m still using one-year postpartum

As soon as people know you’re expecting a baby they start telling you what they bought and loved. Let’s be real, 90% of that stuff, you don’t need! I didn’t even open my perfectly curated hospital bag that every mom blogger told me to pack. Not once!

So, if you want a realistic list of baby items you will use and love, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Pack n’ Play

When I say I use this everyday for everything, I mean it! We got the 3-in-1 so it came with a changing table, bassinet, and the actual playpen. We’ve used it since night one. It’s compact enough to fit beside your bed, easy to assemble (and disassemble), lightweight and compact for traveling, and the best part…it’s not entirely tragic looking!

Bonus feature: When folded up, it fits perfectly inside the IKEA Billy Bookcase. We keep ours tucked away in there when not in use.

Source: Graco Pack n Play

2. Cloth Diapers

Talk about old school! My mom used these as actual diapers…no thanks. But, they are amazing for literally everything else. Let us count the ways:

• Burp cloth
• Face & nose wipe
• Spit-up cleaner upper
• Soft towel for bath time

And when baby outgrows, they are THE BEST for dusting furniture.

I call this a win-win product. Get a pack.

Source: Gerber Cloth Diaper – 10 Pack

3. Avent Bottles

I was one of those preggos who adamantly said to everyone, “I’m gonna breastfeed the first year”. Yeah, that lasted about 6 weeks before I accepted I had a low supply and my baby wasn’t getting the nutrients she needed. We bought a pack of these bottles and some formula and never looked back. Get the larger size so baby can grow into it. They’re simple, easy to clean, and very affordable!

Source: Phillips Avent 11 ounce Bottle – 3 Pack

4. Bottle Drying Rack

If you’re using bottles, a breast pump, pacifiers, toys, literally anything that needs cleaning, you need this drying rack! It comes in various sizes, depending on your needs. We go through four bottles a day and the mid-size one has been perfect.

Get the white one, it’s more aesthetically pleasing than the neon green one (why do they even make it in that color?).

Source: Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack

5. Uppa Baby Stroller

I know, I know…the price. I had such a fun time convincing my husband we needed this. But where there is a will, there is a way! I’ll list out the pros for you and you can just read this out loud to your partner and say “Kim said so”:

QUALITY – This stroller is SO well made and glides like a dream. You need a smooth ride for the baby. IT’S FOR THE BABY! You can easily convert this to a double stroller if needed – and yes, it will last through multiple children.

EASE OF USE – It folds up in one motion, lightweight enough to put in the back of your vehicle without pulling a muscle, and all the material parts are machine washable.

ACCESSORIES – It comes with a large storage case, the bassinet and “big girl” seat as I call it, a mosquito net, a rain shield, and there’s a ton more you can buy separately.

And the main feature, it’s soooooo pretty!

Source: Uppa Baby Vista 2

So there you have it, my top 5 things you will actually use from your baby registry through at least the first year. My motto is always, “quality over quantity”. You want to make that initial investment to save in the long haul.

Questions or comments? Share with me!

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