15 Surprising But Practical Items to Add to Your Baby Registry

Cleaning the dishes is the last thing you’ll feel like doing after a day of endless feeding and diaper changing. Stocking up on some paper plates and (maybe even plastic utensils) gives you the option of just tossing your dinnerware out instead of cleaning it yourself. This is especially helpful if, like me, you spend your newborn’s naps washing bottles, pacifiers, and pump parts. I didn’t need to add anything else to the mix, and found paper plates to be extremely helpful. Worried about the environment? This particular set is compostable and more eco-friendly than plastic. 

You might have time to make yourself a cup of coffee, but drinking it hot? That’s a different story. As a new parent, you'll find that you’re constantly placing your mug down to help the baby, only to forget about it and return 45 minutes later to something cold and kind of miserable. I personally found this Yeti Rambler to be a lifesaver. It kept my coffee or tea hot for hours and didn’t feel so bulky or heavy that it was annoying to carry around. I also loved the convenient handle, which made it easier to hold or grab when I was already holding my baby. 

If you plan on pumping and have either registered for a specific pump or received one through insurance, it’s definitely worth it to ask for some extra parts. I remember getting my own Spectra pump and, within a week, realizing the parts it came with were absolutely not enough. Pump parts need to be thoroughly washed after every single use and if you’re pumping during or after every feeding, well… that’s a lot of hand washing. A few extra sets gives you some extra time between washing parts.

In those first few months, you should expect to wake up multiple times throughout the night to feed your baby. Whether you’re breastfeeding or using formula, having a stocked mini fridge in your room is a big convenience. Keep it full of bottles of ready-to-drink formula or breast milk so that when baby wakes up, you don’t have to trek to the kitchen. You can also use it to store milk that you pump in the middle of the night, or even as a spot for some healthy snacks to munch on during that nighttime feed. It might eliminate your need to leave your cozy bedroom completely.

Staying hydrated is really important during the postpartum period, but having a spare hand to pick up your water bottle is easier said than done. Reusable straws were one of the first things I ordered after having my first daughter. I found drinking water to be so much easier when I could sip out of a cup or water bottle instead of picking it up to drink, especially when pumping. This pack comes with a few size and shape options, as well as cleaners.

If you had a vaginal delivery, then ice pads are a must-have. The hospital should send you home with some ice pads, but it will never quite be enough. I found that these Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads were something I used at least once a day. The cool feel lasts up to 30 minutes and offers much-needed relief for any pain. They offer full, comfortable coverage and stick to your underwear so they don’t move around.

Even if you get a sterilizer, these Medela MicroSteam Bags are worth adding to your registry. They’re great for quick sterilization in the microwave, and you can get up to 20 uses out of just one bag. They’re ideal for anything that needs to be sterilized, like pump parts, pacifiers, and bottles. I especially loved them for on-the-go sterilizing, whether we were traveling or at our family’s homes.

Few things are more nerve wracking then when your baby gets their very first fever or similar illness. This usually ends up happening in the middle of the night, when most pharmacies are close and you can’t run out to get medication. Pediatricians typically recommend infant acetaminophen for babies just a few months old, so it’s definitely not a bad idea to register for some so that you have it when you inevitably need it. Genexa makes a clean version without artificial sweeteners, preservatives, dyes, parabens, or common allergens.

Waking up in the middle of the night to feed or comfort your little one is tough. Night lights keep your room or the rest of the home dark enough to keep your baby from waking up too much, while also allowing you to see what you’re doing. These stick-on night lights have a motion sensor so they’ll go on when you’re moving around. They give off a pleasant soft light and are great to use in the bedroom, the nursery, in the hallway so you can see as you stumble into the kitchen… wherever you need a little extra light in the middle of the night. 

First time parents are often so busy caring for their baby that they end up ignoring their own needs. That means skipping meals and just going hungry until you can remember to order takeout. Registering for some high protein snacks is a good way to keep both partners full and satisfied without any effort at all. Perfect Bars are refrigerated protein bars that contain about 17 grams of protein and are filling and nutritious. They won’t replace a meal, but they will keep you from feeling starving until you have time to sit down and actually eat. And, bonus, you can easily hold them while holding the baby.

Whether you plan on having guests over to meet the baby or you just want to feel a bit more put together for yourself, a few cute loungewear sets are great to have. I love this Zesica set because it’s versatile (it’s not only meant for postpartum), yet the cropped top still makes it really easy to nurse without taking the shirt off. It’s super comfortable and cute enough to wear in front of other people.

You would be surprised at how often newborns need to be changed throughout the day – there’s always a blowout, too much drooling, a feeding mistake, or just a lot of spit-up to contend with. A wet/dry bag like this one is a great spot for holding onto their wet and dirty clothes when you’re out of the house and can’t throw them in the laundry until later. This Alvababy option is a two piece set.

Parents can say goodbye to the days of ever wearing a clean shirt. If your baby is around, you will get covered in some combination of spit up, milk, or drool. And your baby’s clothes will be even worse. Register for a baby-friendly portable stain remover that will help you keep things more clean even when you’re out. Dreft’s travel size spray will get rid of the most obvious stains until you can throw the clothes in the laundry. 

Sometimes you’ll find yourself sleeping on the chair in your baby’s nursery, and sometimes you’ll find yourself nap trapped in the living room unable to move around much. Whatever the case, you might want a phone to scroll through and keep you entertained – or just something to allow you to keep an eye on the time. A portable phone charger, like this Anker phone bank, allows you to keep your device charged and alive at all times, even if you’re no where near an outlet. And it’s great to keep in your diaper bag as well.

Cleaning your house will be the last thing on your priority list once you have a newborn to take care of. That said, that doesn’t mean you’re going to love how your house looks when it’s messy. Registering for a robot vacuum might seem silly, but it’s going to come in handy more times than you can count. The iRobot Roomba is a classic option. You can set a timer to have it vacuum at the same time each day (so you can arrange it around baby’s nap time), meaning your floors will always be clean, even if you don’t have time to do it yourself. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.