Baby Essentials   - The Meg and James Edition!
 
Items that are in italics are “nice but not necessary”
Items with a *star are essentials.
 
You can click on the links both on the item in the list (the word is linked) OR you can click on the pictures I put of stuff at the bottom of the page.  Anything with a link has both a work click AND a picture at the bottom. 

I have put a lot of links to products in here but you probably don’t need to include a lot of this stuff on your registry.  People know you need things receiving blankets, baby bath towels / wash clothes and will likely just buy them.   People really like picking out that stuff themselves and if you get things you don’t like, you can always return it (or re-gift).   Might be best to only put on what you want in a specific model (like a diaper paid, or you will end up with a Diaper Genie, or if you really like certain patterns / colours of linens).   You already have most of the bigger stuff so I didn’t put links for that (ie: swing, bouncer chair, playpen that is coming from Erin – but you might want a second one).  All of my numbers for linens and clothes are for one baby.   Remember, these are just suggestions.  You should look at all the colours and styles that are available.  :)  

 
Medical  
Sleeping

  • *A safe place for baby to sleep.  Some parents choose:
    • Crib with firm mattress (with 4 fitted sheets and 1 waterproof mattress protector)
    • Bassinet (with 4 fitted sheets)
  • Sleep sac or swaddling blanket   
  • Audio or Video monitor     (Best to look into this yourself to see what you think would work best for you)
  • Sound machine
 
Diapering
  • Change table, dresser or other safe surface for changing baby (Ideally about waist height.  You should be able to reach everything you need easily for changing baby, including clothing, while keeping one hand on baby at all times.)
  • *Change pad
  • Change pad cover (3) (make sure the cover fits the change pad you choose)
  • Waterproof pads to use on top of change pad cover (pack of disposable or several cloth)
  • *Diapers (2 packs of disposable of at least 12 cloth diapers and covers)
  • *Baby wipes (either  disposable or at least 20 cloth wipes /infant washcloths)
  • Diaper cream 
  • *Container for dirty diapers with lid or a wet bag/pail if using cloth diapers   (You might want to register for two of these – one for their bedroom and one for the living room)
  • Diaper bag
  • *Portable change pad
  • Baby Wash cloths or cotton balls 
  • Portable change station for other areas of the house (ie: basket with a change pad, diapers, wipes and a change of clothes) OR set up another small change table in the main living area
 
Feeding
  • Comfortable chair for feeding baby with a table beside it for water bottle and snacks.  A chair that rocks is a good choice.
  • Several small pillows or a breastfeeding pillow
  • Burp cloths (6) or use receiving blankets for this
 
*If breastfeeding:
  • Comfortable nursing bras (3)  I highly recommend going to Milkface to be fitted for these and buying some nursing tanks that have a built in bra so you don't have to wear a bra.  ;)
  • Nipple cream
  • Breast pads (1 box of disposable or 3 pairs cloth) 
  • Breastfeeding pillow or several small pillows for parent’s comfort and to help position baby.
*If bottle feeding Linens

  • *Sheets for baby’s sleeping area (4) ie: fitted crib sheets / bassinet sheets and 2 waterproof mattress protectors   (Look for some fun crib sheets patterns that you like and match the nursery.)
  • *Receiving blankets X10      You will need quite a few of these because they are used for everything.  Burping, light blankets, extra layer on the change table, spit up, spills….everything!   I picked a gender neutral pattern here but you should go on and see what you like. You want flannel receiving blankets, even though your babies are coming in the summer.  They aren’t for wrapping babies, they are for everything else.   ;)
  • Muslin blankets (for swaddling) or sleep sacks (4)  
  • *Blankets (warm for winter, cotton for summer) (3)
 
Baby clothing items

  • *Diaper shirts (onesies) (8)
  • *Sleepers  - preferably with zippers and two way zippers are awesome!
  • *Socks (4) – use socks on feet and also on hands instead of no scratch mittens
  • Hats (2)
  • Bibs (4)   (these are the best bibs I have ever seen for catching spit up and drool)
  • If summer / warm time of year: bonnet or sun hat (2)
  • Going out outfits, depending on season - pants(or shorts), shirts, sweaters (4)
  • No scratch mittens (2)
  • I found this super cute Winnie the Pooh oufit / blanket set.  
 
Baths
  • *Baby tub (or large dishpan in sink, or bring baby into bath with you – with another person’s help)
  • Mild baby wash 
  • *Hooded towel (2)    
  • Infant wash cloths (10)   (I like these because they are bigger and thicker than the typical baby washcloths)
  • Soft bristled baby hair brush
 
Postpartum supplies for parent:

  • *Peri bottle (you will get one at the hospital)
  • *Pads (Disposable or cloth.  Some people prefer to use Depends)
  • *Large water bottle (2) to keep beside baby feeding area and parent’s sleeping area
  • *Nutritious meals and snacks
  • Squatty potty    (all of the pelvic floor therapists recommend postpartum women use these.  They say ALL people should use one all the time – both women and men.)
  • Eye mask for sleeping (to block out light)  
 
Travel:
  • *Car seat
  • *Baby carrier  (This is a link to the Moby wrap, which I like for newborns but it is a good idea to look into what will be right for you.  The sling is also great for newborns and there are a lot of soft structured carriers with clips that are great as well)
  • *Stroller
  • Sunshade for car windows
  • Bug net for stroller / playpen and sunshade if going outside in warmer months
 
Other:

  • *Dresser or some kind of easily accessible storage for baby’s current size of clothes.
  • Small laundry basket
  • Mild laundry soap
  • Books  (Start reading to your baby right away!  Board books are a good option so they can continue using them by themselves when they get older.)
  • Medium sized bins / boxes to sort baby clothing by size.   (Keep an empty one in baby’s room to put in clothes as baby outgrows them)
  • Night light or dimmable light (preferably emitting red toned light at night)
  • Pacifiers, if using (4)
  • Mobile
  • Humidifier
  • Playgym/mat
  • *Something to put baby down in safely in main living area/floor of the house  (choose item that can be used safely from birth)
  • Bouncy chair that can be used safely from birth
  • Swing
  • Playpen (look for one that has a changing station included ie: pack and play)
 
Not needed for initial newborn stage but nice to have for babies:

  • Baby gates for stairs, cupboard/drawer locks, plug covers
  • Exersaucer / jumperoo
  • High chair (stand alone or one that attaches safely to a chair)
  • Bibs for eating
  • Soft toys and books
  • Tub toys (ensure they do not hold any water inside)