Essential Baby Registry Items
A Doula’s Guide to Getting Started
When it comes to creating your baby registry, you might feel overwhelmed by all the options out there. As birth doulas, we are often asked what essential items new parents truly need. It can be so confusing knowing how to differentiate what you want from what you need in order to prepare for the arrival of your little one. How do you put something together without overloading on unnecessary gadgets or missing something vital, especially when you have no clue what you’re doing! That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the basic, must-have items that we believe, from the perspective of both mother and doula, will set you up for success as you enter parenthood.
This guide is designed to help you form the foundation of your registry. While there are many other items you might choose based on personal preferences or your unique parenting style, these essentials will cover your core needs. In this blog post we’ll further explain the purpose behind why we chose certain items and go into detail on things we believe are helpful to know. Let’s dive in!
Find the full registry guide, here!
1. A Comfortable Place for Baby to Sleep (even those that co-sleep)
We love this beautiful bedside sleeper! You can get the bassinet add on if you’d prefer to have rails around the entire structure. This is a great option if you want baby close to you without fully co-sleeping. Particularly when it comes to those late night feeds, this sleeper is a convenient option to just reaching over and grab baby, no need to get out of bed!
We understand that there are those who choose to safely co-sleep with their little one. However, we still feel this bassinet would be helpful to you! This recommended sleeper we selected has an option to add “rolling casters”. Adding these wheels to your bassinet can add a huge convenience to you during the day. For example, when your little one is sleeping and you’d like to get things done around the house, you can still wheel them to the room with you! We understand many hours of the baby sleeping will be safely tucked on mom, but it is good to keep in mind that babies typically spend 16-18 hours a day sleeping in their first few months. With that being said, it is nice to have a quality place to put them when your arms are occupied by other things around the house!
2. Planning for postpartum care - It’s just as important as baby prep
These essential items we have listed in full on the registry guide are SUCH an important part walking into motherhood. As you prepare for your baby’s arrival, it’s essential to also plan for your own postpartum recovery. The weeks following childbirth are a time of significant physical and emotional healing, and taking care of yourself is just as important as preparing for your baby. Many new parents forget to include items for their own recovery on the registry, but having the right tools can make a huge difference. Setting yourself up for success in the postpartum period by knowing what exactly you should ask for, ensures you have the support you need while you focus on healing and bonding with your baby. By including these essential items in your registry, you’re not only preparing for your baby’s arrival but also creating a foundation for your well-being during a vulnerable and transformative time. Ultimately you tending to your needs benefits baby getting the absolute best version of you!
In the guide we list a fund to contribute toward a cleaning service. When you’re a new parent, your days are consumed with the demands of caring for your baby – feedings, diaper changes, naps, and constant bonding. This can leave little time (or energy) for other tasks, especially keeping your home clean. Scheduling a cleaning service a month or so postpartum can be an incredibly helpful way to give yourself some much-needed relief during this busy and sometimes overwhelming period. It can just take a bit of pressure off, allowing you a little more space to adjust to this huge transition as a family. In the Bozeman area here are a few cleaning services available to us to give you a place to start:
3. Baby Clothes & Sleep Sacks (What in the world is a TOG?)
We won’t get too deep into baby clothes, since this is an area you can add so much flare based on gender, personality and style you are going with! We would recommend getting 5-7 basic bodysuits or rompers, and about 4-6 footies (we love the convenience of zip or magnet footies!). There are varying opinions when you get into the topic of baby clothes, brand, fabric, etc. But have you ever seen “TOG” when looking at sleep sacks, blankets, or other baby clothing items online, and wondered what in the world you’re suppose to choose?
TOG stands for “thermal overall grade” and is essentially the thickness of a sleep sack and how warm it will keep baby. So…what temperature do you keep your home? You want to base the TOG you buy your child off of the temperature of their sleeping environment. Thanks to Family Sleep Institute, we included a picture of their recommended clothing layers and TOG size based on room temperature.
4. Feeding Supplies, creating a “Baby Cart”
Feeding can be one of the most time-consuming parts of caring for a newborn, so having the right tools and support can make all the difference. One of my favorite resources as a nursing mom, was my “baby cart”. Making one of these carts has so many benefits. Mainly, that it can travel around the house with you! You won’t feel bound to one corner of the house where all your things are that you want during a feeding session. Once you consolidate all those items to your baby cart, you can feel the freedom to be in different areas of the house, which ultimately can benefit your mental health as well! I highly recommend getting this ready and personalizing your own cart. Here is how I’d recommend organizing it:
Tier 1: Easy to grab for mom & baby: Consider getting organizers such as these to make it easier as you put the different levels together! For this first tier, think easy to grab items not just for baby, but for mom too! Items that you’d want while breastfeeding and/or pumping. For mom things like snacks, books you might want to read, a place for your drink, electrolyte mixes. For baby some ideas might be a pacifier, a journal where you record feeds, a light (also included in the feeding section of the registry guide), a milk collector. Any item that you find yourself wanting during a feeding session, this is a great spot for it!
Tier 2: Breastfeeding and nipple care items: If you are pumping, this is a great place to store your pump and all the parts that go along with that. Also, think any nipple care items like your silverette’s, nursing pads, nipple creams, anything you apply to your nipples after a feed!
Tier 3: Baby diaper changing gear: For this lower level you want anything that will help you after feeding baby! Diapers, burp clothes, blankets, and extra outfits (when the inevitable blowout happens).
5. Doula Support
Asking for support toward your doula fund is a completely reasonable request on your baby registry! Hiring a doula can be an investment in a positive, empowered birth experience, but for many, it may seem like an additional expense. The reality is, while doulas aren't typically covered by insurance, their presence can make a significant difference in your labor and delivery experience. Asking for financial help to cover doula fees on your baby registry is an opportunity for your friends and family to contribute to something truly invaluable—a smoother, more supported birth experience.
When you include a doula fund on your registry, you’re not only investing in your own well-being, but you’re also giving your support team a chance to be a part of something meaningful. Instead of giving more physical items that may quickly be outgrown or forgotten, your loved ones can give the gift of a calm, informed, and empowered birth, which lasts a lifetime!
In short, a doula offers a level of support that cannot be replicated by any baby gear, and asking for contributions toward this service is a reasonable, thoughtful request that could lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling birth experience.
Conclusion:
Creating the perfect baby registry is all about preparing for your baby's arrival while also setting yourself up for a smooth and supported transition into parenthood. From choosing a bassinet to planning for postpartum care, every decision plays a role in your comfort and confidence. At Ezer Birth, we believe that every birthing person deserves a nurturing and supported experience to grow in the confidence of the design of birth and beyond into motherhood. That's why we've created a custom mock registry to help guide you in choosing the essentials that will make your early days with baby a little easier. Whether you're a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, let us help you build the foundation for a supported and fulfilling journey into parenthood. Explore our mock registry here, and feel free to reach out but filling out an consult request if you have any questions on what doula support could look like for you!
While this registry list includes the basic essentials that we recommend, there are certainly many other items you can add based on your living situation, personality, and family needs! You may want to add items like a white noise machine, baby monitor, or specific toys depending on your plans for sleep, and your living situation. This guide is just a starting point for your baby registry, but trust yourself in knowing what will work best for your family. The most important thing is to prepare for the journey ahead, and with these essentials, you’ll be off to a great start!
Remember: You don't have to get everything at once. Take your time, and enjoy the process of getting ready for your little one!