Starting your baby registry can be SO fun, but also SO overwhelming! You have the opportunity to make a wishlist of everything you want for your new baby, but the possibilities seem endless. Of course, you can add things you want all day long, but what are the items you are going to be truly glad you have once your sweet bundle is here? As a newborn photographer in the Frederick, MD, area, I have the joy of working with so many sweet bundles and their families. I love working with new parents and their new babies, and I love to help them in any way I can. So, here’s a list of those baby registry ideas in Frederick MD to help make life just a little bit easier. 

Baby Registry Items You Won’t Want to Skip!

As you’re making your baby registry, it can be helpful to think of items in terms of bigger categories and then select items from there. The main categories you’ll want to keep in mind are baby gear (basically baby transportation), feeding, sleep, diapering, and hygiene/first aid. Once you have these, you’ve covered the basics, and from there, you can have fun adding whatever else brings you joy. One strategy that some moms have recommended is not overloading your registry with clothes because people will probably go ahead and buy clothes for your baby anyway – they’re just too cute to resist! 

Baby Gear

Car Seat

Arguably THE most important item for your baby is a carseat, because you can’t take your baby home from the hospital without one! Look for seats that meet or exceed safety standards recommended by experts like NHTSA or AAP. Find a seat that can grow with your child and is easy to install. Don’t forget to check compatibility with your car for a snug fit! 

Stroller

There are a lot of different types of strollers out there, so take into consideration your lifestyle and environment as you choose the right stroller for you. If you live in the city, you may prefer something lightweight and easy to maneuver. If you plan to grow your family quickly, you might want to get a stroller that easily converts into a double stroller. Or if you walk and run a lot, a jogger might be the best fit. Do your research, and enjoy taking that baby out and about!

Baby Carrier

Baby carriers like the Ergo Omni 360 are so practical and useful in so many different scenarios. You can use them all the way from infancy to toddlerhood, carry your baby in the front or the back, and they are a great option for getting around with your baby if you don’t want to lug around a stroller. Ergo Baby has a great quiz for choosing the best carrier to suit your needs and desires.

Baby Wrap or Sling

Baby wraps or slings are perfect for snuggling your baby close if you want to do a lot of babywearing. They are great for when your baby is fresh and you’re out and about but want to keep baby close. 

Diaper Bag

My biggest recommendation here is to register for a backpack-style diaper bag, because your hands will already be full!

Feeding

High Chair

It may seem like a long way off, but your precious baby will be ready for a high chair before you know it, so make sure you’re ready!

Boppy Pillow

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, boppy pillows can be so helpful when you have a newborn! This U-shaped pillow is helpful for feeding your baby because it provides support and comfort for both you and baby while helping with proper positioning for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.

Bottles

There are many kinds to choose from, so it’s good to register for a couple different ones, since you don’t know what your baby will prefer. Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, it’s a good idea to register for bottles. That way, you have them just in case of an emergency or in case you change your mind and decide to start incorporating bottles. 

Bottle Accessories

If you’re getting bottles, you may as well get a bottle brush and a bottle drying rack so you have everything you need.

Nursing Supplies

Items to consider registering for to assist in your breastfeeding journey are nursing bras, nursing camis, nipple cream, breast pads, and nipple shields.

Sleep

Crib

A lot of cribs these days are 4-in-1, meaning they convert into different size beds as your baby grows. So convenient! Don’t forget to include a mattress, mattress protector, and cute crib sheets! Make sure to follow current safety guidelines when choosing a crib, too.

Bassinet or Co-sleeper

Most parents choose to start out with a bassinet next to their bed and then move baby to the crib later. If you plan to do this, be sure to include a bassinet on your registry! You can also register for a co-sleeper if you prefer that, and you’ll have easy access to baby in the night!

Pack ‘n Play

Pack ‘n Plays are some of the most useful baby items! They are great for baby to sleep in and play in, and you can take them anywhere – even outside! They’re also great to keep in your living area with the bassinet and changing table features while the baby is a newborn. Just don’t forget to include sheets on the registry.

White Noise Machine

Many parents use a white noise machine as an aid to help baby get to sleep and stay asleep. Sound machines can help you recreate the sleep environment your baby is used to, even when you are on a trip and away from home. They also mask any loud noises from the rest of the family and help keep baby asleep. I highly recommend!

Swaddles

Infants sleep best when they are snuggly swaddled, replicating womb life. Swaddling a baby well can actually be kind of difficult, but the good news is that there are now swaddles with velcro and zippers to help make your life easier. I recommend trying out a few different kinds and then returning the ones that don’t work for you and buying more of the ones that do.

Diapering

Diapers and Wipes

Whether cloth or disposable, diapers and wipes are a great item to include on your registry. You know you’re going to need them, so it can be helpful when people give you a little boost and help with diapers at the beginning. Make sure to register for a few different sizes.

Changing Table or Dresser

If you plan to use a changing table or dresser with a changing pad on top, this is a great high price tag item to include on your registry. Remember to also register for a changing pad and covers.

Diaper Pail and Inserts

Diaper pails help keep the stinky smells contained and provide a quick and easy place to throw away diapers, right in the baby’s room or wherever you plan to regularly change diapers. Some diaper pails require special inserts, so if you opt for that kind, then you’ll want to register for inserts as well. 

Diaper Cream

Be ready for diaper rashes by having diaper cream on hand ahead of time! There are many kinds to pick from, like Aquaphor, Burt’s Bees, and Earth Mama.

Hygiene and First Aid

Humidifier

Humidifiers can work wonders in helping a congested or coughing baby sleep. Such a helpful thing to have on hand when your little one doesn’t feel well.

Baby Bathtub

There are a lot of great bathtubs out there that grow with the baby and that you can use in the sink or in the tub. These are great to have on your registry!Baby Towels and Washcloths

Baby will grow quickly, so don’t overdo it with the baby towels, but a couple are great to have on hand in the early days! And baby washcloths are soft and small enough for those tiny little rolls and crevices.

Fingernail clippers

Don’t forget fingernail clippers for your little one! It is unbelievable how fast those tiny little nails grow. It’s worth having a good quality pair since it’s not the easiest task to cut those little nails.

Shampoo, Body Wash, and Lotion

How cute is the idea of baby toiletries? Honest Company has wonderful shampoo, body wash, and lotion that are free from all of those harmful extra ingredients. You won’t need to use lotion on baby for the first few weeks, though; their skin is adjusting to the outside world.

Consider a Newborn Portrait Session on Your Registry

If you use Babylist for your registry, there is an option to create a cash fund. This is an easy way to request a newborn photoshoot on your baby registry. What a great gift! I may be a bit biased, but there is something incredibly special about newborn photos. The earliest days of your child’s life pass by all too quickly, and parents I work with are so grateful to have those moments captured as beautiful keepsakes they can look back on and treasure as baby grows. If you are in the Frederick, MD, area and looking for a newborn photographer, I would love to chat. Feel free to check out my work here, and send me a message if you have any questions or would like to get a session on the calendar! 

Now that you have made it through this list of baby registry ideas in Frederick MD, I hope you have a better handle on the things you’ll want to include on your registry. Try not to get bogged down by all the options, and remember that personal recommendations from friends are a great way to whittle down your choices as well! Happy registering!