Are you expecting and your not sure of what must-have baby items to add to your baby registry or purchase? Check out our must-have essentials needed for baby and mom-to-be.

I know how overwhelming it can be when you’re expecting your first child, or even a second, third, etc. as times change and there are always new products on the market.

As a parent, you want what is best for your child and it’s always helpful to either ask friends/family or to do some research!

I am a mother to an almost 2-year-old sweet boy and am expecting another little boy in May of 2020! My baby shower for my firstborn was in April of 2018 and I registered at Target and Amazon. I won’t be having another baby shower and will be reusing all of my items for baby!

FYI: This is an in-depth list of items that I believe are must-haves. I have either used or still use these items for my son and will continue to use them for my second baby who will be arriving in May 2020!

This list isn’t intended to intimidate you because I know how intimidating it can be to register and buy items. You do not need every single item however these are the items that worked best for my family and I hope it will give you guidance!

I didn’t plan on listing every single baby item that I used such as blankets, diapers, wipes, lotions, soaps, etc. but if you are interested, leave me a comment below and I’ll be more than happy to provide those to you!

Some of the below links are affiliate links. Please review our disclosure policy here.

I’m excited to share with you my must-have baby items that worked for my family and I hope it helps yours too!

TRAVEL/GEAR

~ Ergobaby Carrier: This carrier was a lifesaver! I used and STILL use this carrier. I have a bad lower back, and it was very comfortable to wear, easy to put on and my son loved it.

Places where a stroller is inconvenient, the carrier comes in handy. We also like to go for hikes/walks and the carrier was essential.

Babywearing at the grocery store is great, especially when you can’t put the car seat inside the carriage because you have no room for items!

There are 4 ways to wear baby and the weight requirement is between 12-45 lbs however you can use the carrier when the baby is a newborn with their newborn insert which I did use. Highly recommend this item.

~ Graco Modes Click Connect Travel System: I love our stroller. It gets used a lot! The wheels are big, not cheap and I can push the stroller on the grass no problem.

It comes with an infant car seat and base. We registered for an additional base in case my husband needed to take the baby

However… now that I am due with baby #2 and my son is almost 2 years old, this stroller is not ideal for our family. I was and still am upset that I didn’t think about this beforehand 😪 . I hadn’t read any advice about a stroller like the advice I am going to give you now and let me tell you, it’s SO important!!!

Please keep in mind, if you plan on having a second child, like me, and your first may be under a certain age to be able to walk alongside you such as hold your hand, hold the stroller, etc. then this stroller or many others may not be for you!

I wish I thought of this sooner because the stroller was gifted to us at our baby shower and was expensive 😏 . We’re now looking for a stroller that holds the car seat and our son … an all in one stroller.

I found one that I really want to purchase which you can view here. If anyone has used it or has any others they have used, please share it in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!!! I’m not due until the end of May 2020 so we have a bit of time. We’ll have to sell our current stroller because we have zero use for it once baby #2 comes.

~ Baby Car Mirror: 100% necessary! You’ll want to see the baby while your driving. This mirror is a great size, very easy to install, and it has a 360-degree pivot for full maneuverability.

The only issue is that it doesn’t have a light and I hadn’t noticed this until we drove at night. I dislike how I cannot see my son at night when driving. I ended up purchasing strips of LED lights to stick to the mirror and it works great. So keep that in mind!

~ Graco Quick Connect Portable Napper (Pack & Play): Due to the lack of storage space in our home, we decided the pack and play would be best for us for several reasons. It easily folds and can be stored (comes with a zipper bag to store).

I decided I did not want a bassinet. It would just be another thing that I would have to find storage for and babies outgrow that in under 2-3 months.

The pack and play came with a bassinet and changing table station that is placed on top so that came in handy. Our bed is a king-size and it is very high, so the pack and play worked well when I had to grab our son during the middle of the night. Our son outgrew the bassinet in under 3 months, so it worked out well. The bassinet and changing table station are easily removable.

The pack and play transitions as baby grows. I was able to have our son take naps, sleep throughout the night, lay down while playing with his activity gym (before he could sit up on his own) and sit up and play with toys (before he could crawl).

It is portable and has wheels to push around the house which is so convenient. I could clean, cook, etc. while my son was entertained with his toys and easily keep an eye on him knowing he was safe. It is also super easy to clean! Also if you travel (non-plane trips, this is great to bring with you!)

~ Diaper Bag: I registered for 2 diaper bags which were the Skip Hop Take-It-All Diaper Bag and the Multi-Function Backpack Diaper Bag.

I chose a backpack style in case my husband needed a diaper bag to use (I knew he’d prefer a backpack style). As our son got older I transitioned to the backpack because he required fewer essentials; which I still use the backpack. It holds just as much as the skip hop bag which is already spacious enough so I was excited about that.

Both diaper bags came with basic changing pads which worked great but I did get an additional changing pad which I will list below and explain why.

I’m the type of person that likes to carry extra essentials “just in case” and both bags worked awesome for me. The skip hop diaper bag has 11 pockets and 2 large exterior zip pockets. It also has 2 insulated side pockets that fit extra-wide bottles which were amazing.

I love how it had many pockets and zippers, that was my favorite and trust me when I say this bag was stuffed with items 🙊!! It was easy to carry either on my shoulder or as a crossbody. I still use the skip hop bag when we travel for a weekend getaway because it holds a lot and it’s super easy to clean/wipe down.

The backpack has 12 pockets and zippers too. It’s comfortable to wear and isn’t too bulky. It has two side zipper pockets: One is insulated and the other is meant for wipes. The wipes zipper pocket has a hole so you can easily open the wipes package without having to fully take it out. It also came with a changing pad and sundry bag which I used to place his bottles and now his snacks/food with or without an ice pack.

Both of the bags would easily fit in the storage basket of my son’s stroller.

Not sure what to pack in your diaper bag? Read What to Pack in Your Diaper Bag for an Outing with Baby.

~ Skip Hop Changing Station Pad & Diaper Clutch: Most diaper bags come with a simple changing station, however, I preferred to purchase one. I liked this changing station because it was a clutch, so it was convenient to place a diaper(s), wipes and anything else in the pockets. It straps onto your wrist if you are out and about instead of carrying a diaper bag into a bathroom and/or room. The material of the pad makes it very easy to clean.

The changing pad has a front zipper for personal items and mesh pockets inside the pad that holds diapers, creams, wipes, etc. It comes with a red, translucent wipe case if you prefer to put your wipes in the case. It also has a section of the pad that zips off (the pockets/clutch section) for use of just the pad. Oh and I also liked how it matched my skip hop diaper bag 😊!

~ Boba Wrap Baby Carrier: This carrier is convenient to use at home while your baby is small. If the baby is fussy you can “baby wear” them around the house while you get things done.

This carrier was definitely an at-home carrier for us. My son was born in the summertime and the carrier wraps a few times around your body, and you get hot easily! Especially when the baby is against your body, so it worked out well for my at-home carrier. The ergo was used outdoors, longer travels, etc. especially when my son got heavier, it was more convenient.

Both carriers had their purpose and I love BOTH of them. Looking forward to using them again for baby #2. Don’t be intimidated when watching the video on how to put on the boba wrap – just a few tries and it’ll be a breeze to put on, I promise!

~ Nursing Cover: I love how this cover is versatile. It can be used to cover you and baby while nursing, a shopping cart-cover, high-chair cover (at restaurants, etc.) car seat canopy and/or stroller cover.

The nursing cover is small and compact to carry in a diaper bag. It folds easily into a small bag they provide and is easy to wash. The cover is breathable certified organic cotton, hypoallergenic, high UV protection factor and free from AZO and formaldehyde.

I used this cover when I was nursing, over the car seat and as a high-chair cover when we went out to eat. It’s very easy to put on when nursing, lightweight and stretchy enough where you can see baby while nursing. As my son got older, he tried to take the cover off, but it’s long enough where he couldn’t expose us.

~ Brica GoShop Shopping Cart Cover: I use this cover every single time my son is in a shopping cart. It fits the Target carts perfectly so that is a plus! Some other carriages, the cover can be a bit too big or just a tad bit too small but I still use it and it works great. It securely locks onto the carriage for safety and has a strap to secure the baby in the seat.

It is equipped with a smartphone pouch and toy loops. Lastly, it folds easily and neatly to store in your car for future use.

BATH

~ Summer Infant Baby Bather: This bathtub is convenient if you lack storage space in your home or dislike the fact that the large baby tubs do not fold. I chose this bathtub for my son due to a lack of storage in our home. It can be stored easily in our bathroom closet.

I knew if I got a baby tub that does not fold, we would have to take it out of the tub to shower then put it back each time. Once my son could sit up, where would I store this tub???

This was essential for our household and it may not apply to everyone but maybe it’ll apply to you who may have the same situation as us … or maybe you just prefer to not have a big non-foldable tub. It also worked great when my son was a newborn because it reclines in 3 different positions.

HEALTH/SAFETY

~ Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash: Highly recommend this ointment. We’ve been using this ointment since our son was a few months old. He is very sensitive and we apply this often.

It seals and protects the baby’s bum the next time they poop so it will not irritate and also heals. We purchased the 16oz container and it lasts a long time.

~ Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water: Gripe water helps to relieve occasional stomach discomfort from gas, colic, fussiness, and hiccups.

It is made with organic ginger and fennel and has no added sugars, alcohol, artificial flavors or colors, and free of the top 8 allergens.

~ Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Cough Syrup and Mucus Reducer Liquid: Zarbee’s products are amazing and a must-have baby item. This syrup helps break up mucus and relieve coughing. The organic agave and ivy leaf extra in the product help clear mucus. My son loved the flavor and never gave us a hard time when we gave it to him.

Keep in mind though, babies under 2 years, it is recommended they do not have honey and Zarbee’s has cough syrup with honey for older children. Be sure to get the “baby” cough syrup without honey – linked above.

~ Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Chest Rub: Another product of Zarbees that is amazing. This is a small container, however, a little goes a very long way.

Best to apply on chest, back of neck and bottom of feet. The soothing chest rub has eucalyptus, lavender, and beeswax. It is petroleum-free and can be used on infants 2 months+.

~ Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer: This thermometer is to be placed in the baby’s ear and you will get a reading in under 5 seconds. I absolutely love it!

SLEEP/NURSERY

~ Boppy Original Newborn Lounger: This was a lifesaver for me! I work from home and was able to have my son next to me laying and/or sleeping on the newborn lounger.

Another good use was to place it inside of the pack and play to have the baby propped up while you are trying to cook, clean, etc.

I purchased a cover for my lounger in case my son spit-up. They didn’t have many to choose from two years ago but now they have a lot of cover options! You can check out the cover I registered for here.

~ Swivel & Gliding Chair with Storage Ottoman: I searched high and low for chairs and read many reviews. I knew I wanted a swivel and gliding chair for my son’s nursery but was being picky with the style/design. I fell in love with the DaVinci chair and liked how it came with the storage ottoman. This chair had good and bad reviews but I read more good than bad.

The only “bad” about the chair was that it makes a squeaky noise after using it a while and I have yet to hear that on my chair (have had it since April 2018).

Uses for the chair were to pump, breastfeed my son, rock my son to sleep, read books, etc. This chair has a 360-degree swivel motion and forward and backward gliding.

It also comes with a lumbar pillow for additional back support which is awesome. I’m 5’3 and the pillow helps give me a little front boost so I’m not sunken back into the chair but can still have my feet touch the floor.

~ Logitech Wireless Camera: I had purchased this camera a year prior to getting pregnant because I wanted to watch my dog while I was at work 🤣! Obsessive dog mama hahaha!

I didn’t need to register for a baby monitor however I love this camera. It has great quality, zoom in feature, and great nighttime visibility. Easy to install on your phone and notifies you on every movement which I love.

FEED/NURSING

~ Sore Nipples Remedy: HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! I cannot brag about this remedy anymore than I already do to family and friends. This remedy works on sore or cracked nipples. Even if you don’t breastfeed but have sore nipples, this will work for you.

Experiencing breast pain from sore or cracked nipples? Read Sore Nipples Remedy.

~ Bamboo Reusable Nursing Pads: These pads come in 3 sizes, 14 reusable pads in various colors and have a contoured shape-wear design. They are super absorbent and soft. The mesh laundry bag is provided for easy washing.

I originally purchased the Lansinoh disposable pads and wore them for a week and had to stop. My skin is sensitive and they were irritating my breasts causing them to be red and very itchy. I ended up purchasing the Bamboo Reusable Nursing Pads and did not have any issues. I used them a lot so it was convenient to have reusable, inexpensive nursing pads.

~ Philips Avent Glass Bottles: Breastfeeding mamas highly recommended the Avent bottles to help the baby avoid nipple confusion.

It has an ultra-soft nipple that closely resembles/mimics the breast and is wide-breast shaped. They have 3pk-8oz bottles and the 3pk-4oz bottles available.

We do not have a microwave (personal preference) and I did not want to heat up plastic bottles or have another product on my counter aka bottle warmer. I felt as though the bottle warmer was an unnecessary product and another thing to store.

I would pour the breastmilk into a bottle from the storage bag and warm up the bottle on the stove by using a small, rounded saucepan half-filled with water. It would warm up the bottle quickly.

~ Haakaa Manual Breast Pump: In addition to the Spectra breast pump I had, I would also use the manual breast pump. It’s made with 100% Food Grade Silicone and BPA, PVC, and Phthalate Free.

Not going to lie, I thought how the heck does this thing work? Well, it works! When you are nursing baby on one breast, you can have the manual pump on the other collecting milk.

The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump was a lifesaver, especially at night when I didn’t want to get up to pump multiple times. I purchased 2 of them and would use them often.

~ Graco 3-1 Convertible High Chair: This high chair reclines, has 5 height positions and adjustable footrest. I love this high chair because it grows with the baby from infant to toddler. The chest straps (5 & 3 point harness) support the baby, especially at a younger age.

My favorite part of the high chair is that you can remove the seat and strap it to a chair. It is easy to clean and the seat cover is easily removable to wash in the washer.

The white/cream colored tray can pop off to easily clean off food. Always a plus when a product is easy to clean! The design matches our pack and play. It folds for easy storage – another plus!

Keep in mind, I didn’t list every single item I’ve registered/purchased for my son such as diapers, wipes, changing pad, changing pad cover, crib mattress, sheets, clothing, etc., however, if you are interested in the brands I used, let me know in the comments.

I hope that this list of must-have items helps you in making your decisions on what to register for or buy for baby. I love every product listed and as mentioned above I either still use it or will use it again for baby #2 coming May 2020!

If there are any must-have baby items you have used that you think are great, let us know in the comments below. I’m always interested in hearing what products others have used!