Baby Registry Review: One Year Later
When I was pregnant with Edie, I made it my life’s mission to be as prepared as I could possibly be. For me, that meant extensive online research to make sure we had all the right stuff — but not too much stuff, either. I read every “Must-Have Baby Items” article, poured over posts from trusted bloggers and influencers who were mothers, and scrolled through hundreds of product reviews. I ended up with what felt like a manageable registry of about 50 items, including some things that we purchased for ourselves.
Now that we’ve made it through our first year as parents, I feel like I can give an accurate opinion of all the baby stuff we used. Below I’m sharing what we loved, what we didn’t really love, and what we didn’t register for but ended up needing.
First, some tips about the registry itself —
We chose to use BabyList.com as our main registry. It’s got some cool features:
You can add items from any store with a website — even small shops and Etsy storefronts.
When you add an item, it automatically shows all the stores (and prices) where that item is available.
You get to organize your items in the exact way you want guests to see them. You can sort them into categories, pick the order of the categories on the page, even pick the order of the items within a category. You can also mark priority items as “must-haves”, or choose to keep some items private if you plan to purchase them yourself but still want to keep track.
You get a “Hello Baby” box, full of samples and free products for baby.
I called the BabyList registry our “main” registry because, while that’s the one we shared with family and friends, I also made private registries at individual stores (Target, Amazon, and BuyBuyBaby). Most places give you a “registry completion” discount to use after baby arrives, so anything you plan to purchase on your own — including postpartum supplies, snacks, anything really — add it to your registry first! You also get welcome boxes full of samples and coupons, which is a nice bonus.
Okay, now on to what you’re really here for: the scoop on all the baby gear.
I tried to keep this short and sweet, but apparently I have a lot of opinions and advice. I split it into categories so as not to overwhelm you too much. Let’s dive in!
BABY GEAR
SnuggleMe Organic Baby Lounger
Verdict: 👍🏻
This was our saving grace in the first few weeks/months after having Edie. She absolutely loved her "donut", and it was the perfect safe spot for her to hang out when we needed to have our hands free.
Graco DuetConnect LX Swing + Bouncer
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
This did the job. It’s kind of bulky and needs lots of space to swing, but it bought me so much hands-free, cry-free time that it's worth having a giant piece of baby equipment in your living room. We didn't want to put up the money for the sleeker mamaRoo we had our eye on initially because we weren't sure a baby swing was necessary, or if Edie would even like it, but we ended up running to Target one afternoon to grab this cheaper version out of desperation.
Nuna Pipa Car Seat + Base
Verdict: 👍🏻
I was working at Pottery Barn when I got pregnant, and used my employee discount to get this car seat from Pottery Barn Kids. And I have to say, as one of the pieces of baby gear that got the most use during her first year of life, I’d probably pay full price to buy it again. It’s incredibly lightweight, has an extra pull-down “Dream Drape” to keep the sun and/or nosey strangers out, and has a great safety rating. Tens all around.
4moms Breeze Plus Playard
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is another piece we purchased for ourselves, so I feel confident in telling you that it is absolutely worth every penny. It works triple duty: a bassinet and changing station for the tiny newborn days, a full-size crib to live in your bedroom for when your baby is too young to sleep away from you but too long to fit in the bassinet (tall genes 🙋🏼♀️), and a travel crib for trips, or for when you move twice before they even learn to crawl. (What? Is that just me?) It takes literally one motion to set up or break down, you don’t have to wrestle with it to get it back into its carrying case, and it looks sleek and modern. Another item I’d buy again.
Joovy Qool Stroller
Verdict: 👍🏻
The PB store I used to work in was at an outdoor mall, and I started stroller-watching before we actually even got pregnant. The most popular stroller by far was the UppaBaby Vista, but when we went to the store to test it out, we fell in love with this Joovy stroller instead. It has so many more features, the same modern minimal design, and costs about HALF as much (especially if you catch it on sale). Plus, you can get adapters to attach just about any brand of car seat which is super handy when they’re small. (I just found this video comparing the UppaBaby and Joovy, if you’re curious!)
ErgoBaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier
Verdict: 👍🏻
Great carrier, easy to use by yourself, and feels so secure! I run warm AND had a baby in the summer, so I got the Cool Air Mesh version. Bonus points for the zipper pocket to store your phone and keys.
Solly Baby Wrap
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
I wanted to love this. I had dreams of wearing my beautiful baby strapped over my beautiful outfit, wandering an open-air market of some sort. In reality, it felt impossible to get her secure enough that I wasn’t afraid she’d slip out with every step, but not so tight that I wasn’t afraid she’d suffocate in there. And, wearing it, I looked like a popped-open can of crescent rolls. Maybe with more practice I could get it to lay smooth and fit tight?
Bumbo Baby Seat
Verdict: 👍🏻
I was lucky enough to find this at Goodwill ($4!) before I got pregnant, so I snagged it and tucked it away for the future, but if I hadn’t this probably would have made the registry. It’s not necessarily an essential baby item, but I love that it helps baby sit up from a young age, once they can hold their head up reliably. Edie was never very content just laying on her back, so this really made her happy.
SkipHop Activity Mat
Verdict: 👍🏻
The exact play mat we got isn’t sold anymore, but there are lots of them on the market. Edie really liked the striking black and white contrast of this one as a newborn, and the arches provide a little bit of a protective barrier from rowdy (but well-meaning) dogs.
Jolly Jumper
Verdict: 👍🏻
This wasn’t on our registry; we bought this when we moved into a small apartment with a 5 month old and no space for her to play, and it ended up being a lifesaver. I was hesitant to spend the money on it (it felt a little expensive for what it is), but it made her endlessly happy to be “standing” and moving! She loved it so much we took it with us to grandparents’ houses and on vacation. Also, it’s washable, which is very important because it also happens to be great at encouraging other types of movements as well (💩).
Joovy Spoon Walker
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is another item that, while so useful for us and our situation, probably isn’t essential for everyone. We bought this shortly after moving into our house, and for us, having a safe place to put Edie that let her be independent while keeping her away from tools and renovation projects was worth the money and extra piece of baby gear to store.
DIAPERING
SkipHop Changing Pad
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is the more affordable cousin of the popular Keekaroo changing pad. It’s made of soft foam and is completely wipeable — no changing pad covers to wash. It’s not very heavy, though, so it tends to scoot around a little if you don’t attach it to the dresser top (not enough for it to be a safety concern). We never attached it because we’ve moved around so much, but other than having to readjust it from time to time it’s never been an issue. (PS — the mobile is removable.)
Ubbi Wipes Dispenser
Verdict: 👍🏻
“But don’t wipes come in a dispenser? Can’t you just use them out of the package?” NO. And anyone who tries to tell you that can get. out. It has non-slip rubber feet and a weighted plate, making grabbing a wipe one-handed no biggie. If we ever have another baby, I will definitely be buying a second of these to keep in the living room with the changing supplies.
Ubbi Diaper Pail
Verdict: 👍🏻
What sold me on this was that it worked with any old garbage bags, no special ($$$) bags required. It also has a locking feature so that certain curious little babies can’t start rooting around in yesterday’s stink. It is a diaper pail, so eventually it will start to smell, but I’ve found that keeping charcoal bags nearby and the giving it the occasional sunbathe help keep the stench at bay.
Gathre Micro Mat
Verdict: 👍🏻
I bought one of these for a friend and decided to treat myself as well, and I ended up using and loving this so much. I kept it in the living room for diaper changes (or sometimes just for her to hang out on, she LOVED it). I really like that when it inevitably gets some sort of bodily fluid on it, it’s easy to wipe clean.
Water Wipes
Verdict: 👎🏻
These wipes commit the cardinal diaper-changing sin: they aren’t interlaced. That means when it’s 3am and you’re trying to get a diaper changed as quickly as possible so A) baby doesn’t start screaming and B) you get to go back to sleep, you open the wipes dispenser and the edge of a fresh wipe is NOT at the ready. So you have to go pinching around, looking for the edge of the next wipe, and then you accidentally pull out three wipes instead of one, and you lose very valuable time. Lots of other brands do the “pure” wipes well and interlace them, so try those instead. We like Hello Bello and Pampers Pure.
Hello Bello Diapers
Verdict: 👍🏻
When I was pregnant, we received lots of different brands of diapers as gifts, and it was really nice to be able to try them all out and decide which worked best for us. In the end, Hello Bello diapers were our favorites and we’ve been using them exclusively for months now. They are hands-down the softest diapers I’ve ever felt, she’s never had a leak, and they’re hypo-allergenic and eco-friendly.
Overnight Diapers
Verdict: 👍🏻
I don’t know how I went so long without overnight diapers. Somehow, I didn’t know they were a thing until several months into Edie’s young life. They really do help keep baby comfortable all night; I swear they helped her get longer stretches of sleep (and still do).
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Verdict: 👍🏻
I’m not saying the fact that Edie has never had a problem with diaper rash is all because we coat her bum with this before bed every night, but I’m not saying it’s not.
Arm & Hammer Diaper Bags + Dispenser
Verdict: 👍🏻
Yes, these are basically dog poop bags for your baby. But you never want to be the person that tosses a rank diaper in a dressing room trash can without one. Not cool, mom.
FEEDING
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
Verdict: 👎🏻
This one was a big ol’ flop for me. I tried it twice, hated it twice, and never touched it again. A regular bed pillow or two worked way better for me, although if I ever have another baby I might give the Boppy a try.
Haakaa Breast Pump
Verdict: 👎🏻
This is not so much a “pump” as it is a “milk-catcher” for the side you aren’t nursing on. The internet loves this thing, but I just couldn’t get it to stay on its own. And, when you’re new to nursing, having to hold this on one side and try to get a baby to latch on the other is just exasperating. It also never really caught enough milk that made me feel like the struggle was worth it, so I just started tucking one of my trusty cloth diapers (coming up below) into my bra to catch leaks.
Avent Manual Breast Pump
Verdict: 👍🏻
This little thing is so handy. If you breastfeed, you might find that your baby doesn’t always eat as much as your body thinks they should, and it can be quite uncomfortable. You can always use the electric pump you get through your health insurance, but sometimes it’s nice to not have to do the whole big setup. And, this is great for keeping in your diaper bag for pumping on the go. My only complaint is that the handle is so. dang. squeaky. I used to have to get up and go hide in the half bath across the hall to use this so it wouldn’t wake Edie. I wouldn’t be opposed to trying a different brand for that reason, but I do recommend having a manual pump in general.
Side note about electric breast pumps — your insurance usually gives you a few brands to choose from, and aside from reading reviews and getting recommendations from friends, one of my deciding factors in picking mine (I got the Medela In Style) was that it was the brand my hospital used. Your recovery room will likely have one for you to use if you choose, but even if you don’t use it, they encourage you to take the parts home because they can’t be reused by the next person for sanitation reasons (everything but the pump machine itself, so hoses and bottles and such). It’s super helpful to have two sets of pump parts, so when one set is dirty or drying from being washed, there’s another set ready to go. Something to consider!
“The Everyday Mother” Baby Tracker
Verdict: 👍🏻
This little book was a lifesaver in the first few weeks of Edie’s life. Nobody tells you that doctors expect you to keep track of every feeding (time, amount, and duration), every diaper, every nap, every tummy time… they want to know EVERYTHING. Thankfully, I was gifted this notebook, so I tasked Jason with jotting down times while I nursed (a great dad job!) and had this handy at every doctors appointment.
Boon Lawn Drying Rack
Verdict: 👍🏻
I saw this on every “must-have” baby item list, but in green. I was so happy to find out it came in white! It looks much nicer to have out on the kitchen counter. Even if you don’t plan to bottle-feed, this rack is great for drying out breast pump parts or, down the road, sippy cups.
OXO Bottle Brush + Stand
Verdict: 👍🏻
The same thing goes for this bottle brush — even if you don’t end up bottle-feeding much (or ever), it’s great for breast pump parts and sippy cups.
Avent Glass Bottle
Verdict: 👍🏻
Edie only ever drank from a bottle a handful of times, but for those times that she did, these worked great. And, it’s easy to find nipples in various sizes at your local target, for when you realize you’re going to need to bottle-feed your three month old but only have size one nipples. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, the holes in the top come in different sizes, so tiny babies don’t get flooded with more milk than they can handle and older babies that eat more don’t have to work as hard for it.) If you’re planning on bottle-feeding a lot, to the point where your baby will eventually hold their own bottle, these might not be for you; they’re glass so they’re a little heavy.
Fisher Price Spacesaver High Chair
Verdict: 👎🏻
This wasn’t actually on our registry, but was a thoughtful gift from a family member and we used it for months (until we replaced it recently). The idea is great, but I gotta say, this just creates more mess and more work. The seat cover isn’t wipeable, so we stopped using it. The food mess is almost never contained to the tray insert, so you end up having to wash the insert PLUS the whole huge tray after every meal (and it does not fit easily into a standard-size kitchen sink). Food gets trapped in every nook and crevice — and there are many — as well as underneath the base, so you have to take the whole thing off the chair to clean under it regularly. And, it really doesn’t “save space” so much as it makes you down a dining chair.
Stokke Tripp Trapp
Verdict: 🙌🏻
We just recently caved and put up the money for this fancy-schmancy high chair and OH MY GOD I wish we’d had this from the start. The simple design and clean lines make it so easy to wipe down after messy meals (which is every meal, let’s be honest). And, it has a foot rest, which Edie loves — I think it’s more comfortable and makes her feel like she’s sitting in a “big” chair like the rest of us. You can also get a tray table with it, but I prefer to just push her up to the kitchen table to eat with the rest of us. Once she’s bigger, the baby seat attachment comes off and the chair seat and footrest can be lowered as she grows. And, for teenie babies, you can get a “newborn set” accessory that allows you to keep them close while you enjoy a meal with both hands. Revolutionary.
NURSERY
Eufy Video Monitor
Verdict: 👍🏻
This monitor has THE clearest picture of any monitor I’ve ever used (for babysitting, etc.) and I love that the display shows the time and room temperature. Eufy also has some top-notch customer service — our first monitor had a glitch that they’ve since fixed, and they sent us a brand new monitor (camera and all) for free.
Rohm White Noise Machine
Verdict: 👍🏻
This sound machine is overall pretty great. It’s tiny, puts out a lot of sound, and can be used cord-free for naps on-the-go. It’s one weird quirk is that you can’t turn it on while it’s plugged into the charger. Which means, since I leave it plugged in to make sure it lasts all night, I have to unplug it, then turn it on, then plug it back in. At least, that’s the case with mine, maybe it’s a fluke? It’s a little annoying, but not enough to make me buy anything else.
Honeywell Fan
Verdict: 👍🏻
Our pediatrician recommended running a fan in the room where Edie sleeps, for air circulation to help prevent SIDS, and we happened to already have this one. We’ve used it every night since she was a newborn, and I like that it doesn’t oscillate so air is never blowing directly onto her. It also adds an additional layer of white noise, which is nice.
Burts Bees Crib Sheets
Verdict: 👍🏻
These are the softest sheets ever; Edie always nuzzles her face on them as she’s falling asleep. We have two of them and I recommend having at least that many so you always have a clean one to swap out, and aren’t left waiting for the dryer at nap time.
Milliard Two-Sided Crib Mattress
Verdict: 👍🏻
This mattress fits super snug in the crib so I’m never worried about her little arm slipping down and getting stuck, and she’s slept great on this for 6+ months now. It also has a removable cover, so I imagine if there was an accident of some sort that made it past the mattress pad, it would be easy to clean. No complaints!
Sealy Waterproof Mattress Pad
Verdict: 👍🏻
Provides protection without the noisy plastic-y crinkle sound. Again, no complaints.
Real Simple Kids’ Flocked Hangers
Verdict: 👍🏻
I have an aversion to plastic hangers, and I love that these are miniature versions of the hangers I use for myself! I also bought a pack of these clips for attaching bloomers, skirts, and pants.
Closet Dividers
Verdict: 👍🏻
You’ll probably start collecting clothes in a range of sizes, so these are great for keeping them organized. I used my label maker (🤓) instead of the marker for a cleaner look.
Drawer Organizers
Verdict: 👍🏻
These are perfect for sorting diapers, creams, socks, hats, hair bows, pacifiers… you name it. Babies need a lot of stuff.
Convertible Crib
Verdict: 👍🏻
Picking a crib is a super personal choice and completely depends on your design tastes and needs, so I almost didn’t include it in this list, but I figured since I’m already linking every other baby thing we’ve used, why not? We picked this one because we liked the minimal look and it was under $100, and we felt like there were other items we’d rather put our money towards that would get more use. And this one’s been great! It’s very sturdy and I like the low profile, it makes it easy to lay Edie down without having to bend awkwardly over the railing.
BATH/HEALTH
Puj Infant Tub
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
Meh. It got the job done, mostly, but it never really worked the way I feel like it was intended to. Our bathroom sink was too small, but our kitchen sink was too big. I do like that it doesn’t take up much space to store, and unlike the big bath flower things I’ve seen, this doesn’t absorb water and opens up flat to dry. I’d give it a 6/10.
Mommy’s Helper Inflatable Tub
Verdict: 👍🏻
This wasn’t on our registry, but it should have been! We bought this when Edie was around 5 months and learning to sit up, and I really think this helped with that. This was a real turning point for bath time too, when it actually became a fun playtime for her.
SkipHop Bath Essentials Kit
Verdict: 👍🏻/👎🏻
The rinser is great, and has a rubber visor that helps keep soapy water out of baby’s face. The kneeling mat and elbow pad, however, stink to high heaven already, and we’ve only been using them a few months. Not exactly what you want from a product designed to be used near water. I’d skip registering for the whole set and just get the rinser and spout cover separately.
Hooded Towel
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
We received one of these as a gift, and while it’s adorable and we still use it to this day, it’s not something I couldn’t do without. If you’re looking for a way to pare down how much baby stuff you have in the house, this is it.
SpaSilk Newborn Washcloths
Verdict: 👍🏻
Regular washcloths felt too rough when Edie was a newborn; these are thin and just a little nubby, perfect for getting tiny babies clean gently.
Comb + Brush Set
Verdict: 👍🏻
I threw this set into the cart almost as an afterthought, but it does the job. Edie outgrew the brush pretty quickly (we got three babies worth of hair with that girl), but we still use the comb today.
DermaFrida
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
This is a bath brush intended to help clear cradle cap, and I feel like it would probably work great on a baby that wasn’t born with a thick head of hair. But Edie was, so this just sort of rubbed her hair around instead of reaching her scalp.
NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator
Verdict: 👍🏻
This sounds gross, I know, but it’s SO much easier and more effective than the bulb syringe you get from the hospital. Plus, Edie fought this way less because you don’t actually insert this into their nose, just press it up against their nostril.
MediFrida Pacifier Medicine Dispenser
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
We only used this once or twice, but they don’t fight it being put into their mouth the way they do a regular syringe. But, you can’t get as far back in their mouth with it to make sure the medicine goes down the throat and isn’t spat right back out. This might be worth it for babies that don’t mind the taste of medicine, but this never fooled Edie.
NailFrida Nail Care Set
Verdict: 👎🏻
I could not for the life of me get these to cut Edie’s nails. I gave up and have just used regular nail clippers since she was tiny, and they work just fine (just make sure yours are smaller-sized and not the kind you could cut rope with like my husband likes to use 🙄).
Oogiebear Cleaning Tool
Verdict: 👍🏻
This little tool is perfect for baby boogers and clumps of earwax. No one warned me about just how much ear wax babies have when they’re little!
Digital Forehead + Ear Thermometer
Verdict: 👍🏻
This works, seems accurate, and I like that I can always double check in the ear if I feel like she’s too wiggly to get a clear forehead reading. It’s simple to use, too; Edie loves to “take” our temperatures after she’s done with hers. Just be aware, you can’t use forehead scanners on babies until they’re a little older (ask your pediatrician for their age recommendation).
Honeywell Humidifier
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is one of those “you don’t need it ‘til you need it” items, so it’s good to have tucked away for sick days. We also used it a few times in the winter when we had the heat running, just to make sure the air didn’t get too dry in her room at night.
CLOTHING
Gerber Side-Snap Shirts
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is an item I wish had been on our registry! We got a few freebies from the hospital, but immediately bought more once we were home. In those first few weeks their little umbilical cord is healing and sensitive, and standard onesies can irritate it.
Newborn Socks
Verdict: 👍🏻
Perfect for tiny feet — and hands! Socks stayed on her hands so much better for me than mittens. And I liked having all white so I didn’t have to sort them into pairs.
SwaddleMe Original
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is a great swaddle for when baby is tiny. It holds them tight, and is just velcro (no zippers or snaps), making getting baby in and out for diaper changes in the middle of the night quick and easy.
Halo SleepSack Swaddle
Verdict: 👍🏻
This swaddle is great for when baby gets a little older. Their legs have more freedom, and you can swaddle with arms in or out but still get that tight, swaddled “hug” feeling.
Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit
Verdict: 👍🏻
We bought this secondhand because we weren’t sure if it would work for Edie, but she loved it and slept so well in it that we bought another in the next size up. It made transitioning her from swaddles to sleep sacks much easier.
GENERAL
Natursutten Pacifier
Verdict: N/A
Edie never really took a pacifier so I don’t have any opinions on specific pacifier types or brands, but I would recommend having a few different types on hand just in case.
Gerber Tri-Fold Cloth Diapers
Verdict: 👍🏻
STOCK UP ON THESE. We didn't actually use these as cloth diapers, but they make the best burp cloths/drool rags/milk-leak mops/blowout protectors. We registered for five packs of these, and used them all! We kept them stashed around the house, in her diaper bag, in the car, on the nightstand, everywhere we might need to grab one quick in an emergency. We got some “regular” burp cloths as gifts but used them maybe once; these were just that much better.
Hudson Baby Swaddle Blankets
Verdict: 👍🏻
Like the cloth diapers, these come in handy for so much more than swaddling. I love that these come in packs of multiples, so if one gets dirty or is in the wash, you've got backups. We had at least six and used them all.
Banana Teething Toothbrush
Verdict: 👍🏻
We ended up buying this for Edie when we was a few months old; she loved it then and loves it now. It's a great teether, super easy for tiny hands to grasp, and it's small enough that they can easily get it into just the right spot on their gums. And it doubles as baby's first toothbrush once those teeth pop through!
Art Cards
Verdict: 👍🏻
Edie loved chatting with these. They were the first things she really interacted with because she could really see the contrast — wait, make that the second. Her first love was our black ceiling fan.
ACCESSORIES
Stroller Organizer
Verdict: 👍🏻
This caddy has so many places to store your stuff, and I love that there’s a pouch you can detach and take with you if you need to leave the stroller in the car or at “stroller parking” at the zoo. The cupholders are standard size, though, so leave your Yetis at home.
Stroller Fan
Verdict: 👍🏻
This is a must-have no matter what time of year your baby is born. Eventually, it will be summer. I’m currently contemplating getting a second one to aim at myself on walks. Oh, and it comes with a USB cord so you can plug it into a backup battery (like for your phone) if it runs out of charge.
Backseat Mirror
Verdict: 👍🏻
There are so many backseat baby mirrors online, but this particular one had great reviews and is a little cheaper than most. And after more than a year of use, I can vouch for its effectiveness. The headrest clips and the swivel mount are just as firm and secure as ever, so the mirror stays exactly where you position it and doesn’t droop over time.
Car Window Shades
Verdict: 👍🏻
I figured with tinted windows and the car seat canopy, I wouldn’t need this item. But, I was wrong, and a few weeks after she was born we caved and ordered this set from Amazon. They also double as nice privacy screens for nursing in the back seat!
Car Seat/Nursing Cover
Verdict: 🤷🏼♀️
I don’t dislike this item, I just didn’t find it very useful. My car seat had a visor that pulled down to cover baby, and most of my “public” nursing was done in a dressing room or the backseat of my car. And the handful of times that I felt like I needed a cover while nursing, I just used a swaddle blanket. Overall, this is something that just added to the baby clutter for me, and I could’ve done without.
There you have it! And of course, as I’m sure you’ve heard before, every baby is different. What worked great for Edie might not work as well for your baby, or even for our next child. But hopefully sharing my experiences helps you decide what will work for you!