My Holistic Baby Registry: An [Intentional] Approach to Shopping for Baby
There are so many points throughout a pregnancy that make you pause and it really sets in that HOLY COW THIS IS REAL.
For me, making a baby registry was one of those “omg, I’m going to be a mom” moments. Creating a baby list is exciting! It’s fun! It makes it all feel so tangible & real!
annnnnd creating a baby registry was also…. a lot. *nervous laugh* To be honest, making a baby registry was a LOT more challenging than a wedding registry to me…. so much more to research! So many items! So many price points! So many opinions! What does a baby actually need?
Annnnnd, while I will say that it was tempting to just find a “pre-made” registry, sign up for any old thing, & just say “good enough”… that doesn’t really jiiive with me. As a former pediatric ICU nurse, doctorate of integrative health, sustainability-minded, finances-focused, and self-proclaimed thrift queeeeeeeen, I knew I wanted to approach my baby registry with INTENTION.
Basically, I wanted quality (but not too expensive). I wanted sustainable & nontoxic items (without being “perfect” or overboard obsessed). I wanted everything we needed (…but nothing we didn't)
… and this can be a hard balance to strike! because as a first-time mom, you don’t REALLY know what you need— but you also want to be prepared.
Not to mention, the maternity world can be a very materialistic and consumeristic arena. There are so many messages out there telling you that you NEED this or you can’t live without THAT — but I really did just try to get still and think of what we actually needed (with a few extra splurges to make our lives easier), and invest in some quality pieces that would stick around for years to come (with this baby and future little ones!).
To boil my strategy down, I wanted quality when it mattered (and cheap or secondhand when it didn’t.) I looked for organic and nontoxic when it would have a big impact, but was open to other options, as well. I wanted items that would make our life easier (but didn’t want 943804032 “gadgets” that we would never use).
The end result? I researched (and researched…and researched…), and I can confidently say EACH item on this list was added with intention!
This goes without saying, but these are just MY picks— everyone has their own needs, considerations, budget, and situation. You do what works best for YOU!!! There is no “one right way” to preparing for a baby, and I encourage you to use this list in a way that fits you and your life! … I’m SO excited to share allllllll of the ins-and-outs with you today!
But FIRST — the general rules of my approach to building a sustainable, intentional baby registry.
my tips for creating an [intentional] baby registry
tip #1: start with the BASICS (you can always buy more later on!)
I went into this with the approach that I’d start with the basics and buy more things when (and if) I need them, especially since this is our firstborn. This meant I focused a lot on the boring, everyday things like burp cloths, the crib, the stroller, bottles, diapers, carseat, things I KNEW I needed— and buy more quality “investment” items of these basics since I KNOW we will use them.
While I absolutely did get a few fancy “gadgets” and very cute [but not 100% “necessary”] baby outfits, I really did try to focus on the ESSENTIALS first… and then reminding myself that I can always buy the “extra” things later on *if* I need! This approach has given me a really solid foundation (of things I LOVE for the “basics”) and then space to adapt and add on if I need more items or fancy gadgets after baby is born.
tip #2: used is a GREAT option (when ya can!)
When considering what we needed for baby, we recognized a lottttttt of opportunities to buy things secondhand or get hand-me-downs from a loved one! Between my older sister and sister-in-law (thank you, Jenna & Jamie!), Facebook marketplace, and online thrift shops, here were soooooo many ways to find and buy used items to save money, reduce waste, and have a more sustainable approach.
It may feel awkward, but just ASK moms in you’re life if they’re getting rid of anything — they may say no (which is totally fine!), but they alsoooo may be happy to pass it along for a greatly reduced price (or for free!). When people gave us stuff, they were helping us save money and reduce waste– and we were helping them get rid of things they no longer needed. While every situation is different, we personally would thank the generous mamas with a little gift card/thank you note, and then head home with our brand-new-to-us items! (Not to mention, it’s so heartwarming to feel the love & generosity of the beautiful mommas in my life).
I know it’s not realistic for every situation, but, if possible– getting secondhand items and clothes can be such a money-saving & sustainable way to stock up for baby!
tip #3: invest in quality where it counts (and were you value it).
As you make your way through this list, you’ll see some of the items are expensive. *nervous laugh*. But, I feel GOOD about it! For me, there were a few items where I knew I wanted the best option, and was ready to put my money where my mouth is! So, for things like our stroller, baby monitor, diaper bag, etc., there are DEFINITELY cheaper options out there— but I knew those were items I wanted quality that would last. (I also thought a LOT about what could transition from one kid to multiple— for example, our one baby monitor can easily transition to 2 different cameras/views for when we have 2 kids, the diaper I chose can transition from 1 kid to 2, etc. )
This will look different for EVERYONE! Maybe for you, a nice stroller isn’t important, but a nice high-chair is. Maybe you really care about clothes, but don’t care as much about a crib– determine where YOU want a “splurge” more quality item, and then make the other things more reasonable.
tip #4: try to be as nontoxic and sustainable as possible (without going overboard about it).
Here’s the truth— there are a LOT of nasties in kids mattresses, clothes, toys, carseats, etc. (examples: formaldehyde, water resistant chemicals like PFAS, PVC, VOCs, BPA, phthalates, flame retardants, etc.). This IS important to be aware of because baby’s bodies are smaller and so their toxic load, detoxification process, etc. is proportionately smaller.
I knew going into this process that there was NO WAY every item was going to be ~perfectly~ sustainable and nontoxic, but I tried to just be mindful & do my best! I paid special attention where it mattered more — like mattresses, fabrics, baby washes, things in direct contact with baby’s skin, etc…. but I didn’t want to feel stifled and overly-obsessed with this because 1) I would drive myself crazy 2) nontoxic products are often much more expensive (wooommp, womp), and 3) I FULLY know & trust we can’t protect our children from everyyyything in life… and that’s 100% okay!
So, in summary, a lot of these items are organic and nontox, but not everything…and I’m juuuuuuuust fine with that!!! As with all things in life– I believe in living in the grey. Doing the best I can, but not being overboard craaazy about being “perfect”.
tip #5: consider saving money in advance (if you are able!)
I know this may not be realistic depending on your timeline & specific situation, but I HIIIIIGHLY recommend it if you are thinking of having a baby “someday”. A few years ago, Adam and I started a savings account specifically for newborn baby registry and automated putting a few bucks in there each week. (We do this with SO many financial goals— travel, home projects, etc. We just enter how much we want to save in the app Qapital & it automates your savings for you with a few bucks per week. I’ve used it for over 5 years, and it’s my favorite financial app EVER. Not being dramatic at all, it has truly changed my life & finances for the better. Download it here! ).
While we were NOWHERE near ready for kiddos when we started automating our savings into the baby registry savings account, we felt pretty sure we would have kids “someday” so we just started saving passively (literally just $15 per week)…… and the end result was a few thousand dollars when we were shopping for our registry! It was SO NICE having this financial cushion and it allowed us to invest in a few really qualitypieces (as mentioned above), spend strategically, and get what we wanted without feeling stressed about money. Highly, highly, highly recommend proactively putting small amounts of money away for a “someday” baby registry if you are able!
tip #6: think of what YOU will use.
I did so much research as I was putting my list together, and with all of the information I was gathering, I found myself getting sucked into a bunch of items that didn’t make sense with our lifestyle (and therefore ultimately did NOT make it on the list).
So my advice here is to think through what YOU will use in your life. If you live in the city and walk everywhere you’ll need different things than if you live in the suburbs and drive everywhere. If you have multiple kids your needs will be different than if this is your firstborn. Don’t get lost in all of the options out there– stay aligned with YOUR life & YOUR needs. There is almost “too much” out there in terms of baby options— just keep it realistic & stick with the basics that fit YOUR life!
tip #7 : just register for it!
honestly, when making my baby registry, I was a bit embarrassed and shy to list out some of the more particular, expensive items I registered for. In fact, I was close to not even adding some of the spendy items to the list at all because I felt so self-conscious! While I do value quality & nontoxic items, I also never want to seem like a diva… and didn’t want anyone to feel pressured to buy these spendier items!
Going into my baby shower, I was mentally planning that many of our “smaller” items may be covered at the shower, and then Adam and I would end up buying the bigger stuff ourselves afterwards. And, that was just fine! However, I ended up being blown away by the generosity & love & support shown to us at our shower. Truthfully, many of our bigger items WERE purchased by friends, family, and loved ones…. how. stinking. generous. It makes me a little teary just thinking about it!
It was a great reminder that your loved ones WANT to know what you want. If they want to get you a big gift, they can! By intentionally creating a gift list, YOU are getting a gift you love and THEY don’t have to waste time wondering what you want. When you send them a list of items you are interested in, you are taking the guesswork out of it for that person, AND getting a gift you will LOVE. Win-win! While I originally hesitated to add the “big” items to my registry because I felt self-conscious, I am so happy I did!
tip #8: remember, people existed without all of this stuff for a lonnnnnnng time.
Perhaps my biggest tip…. at the end of the day, I found it comforting to remember that people lived & raised kids without all of this STUFF for a lonnnnnng time. ;) While I love innovation & so many of the BRILLIANT baby products that make parents’ lives easier— it’s also comforting to remember that people lived without all of these gadgets for the entirety of history. And as long as your baby has a place to poop, food & nourishment to grow, and a safe place to sleep— everything else is technically extra :)
That said, while that fact can be comforting, I am totally open (and excited about!) so many of the fancy “extra” things!!!! But, I guess… I just don’t feel dependent on them if that makes sense. Because even if I don’t get every item I registered for and don’t have all of these gadgets and gizmos aplenty, I’m confident that I can get by and adapt (and also buy things I need along the way). You don’t need everything! (especially right at the beginning).
Alright folks, with those six quick tips outta the way, I have one favor…
Now, for the fun stuff! A step-by-step list of everything I bought, registered for, or considered in making my holistic, intentional baby registry! I wanted this post to be super easy-to-navigate & user-friendly so I’ve broken it into categories, specific lists, individual items, and provided links/details of why it made the cut. As per usual, these are my 100000% honest thoughts & things I genuinely will be using in my own life. Like, this is literally my exact baby registry & I hope the added thoughts, context, & links make it easy on ya!
…. and I’ll be real— this post took a LONG time… like, so dang long *nervous laugh*
So, if you don’t mind, I would be SO grateful if you shopped through the links and coupons I share in this post. Some (but not all) of them are affiliate links that give me a small commission on each purchase and *directly* support this little small biz of mine. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but using my tracking links you are directly supporting my small business :)
As always, you do you! No pressure! But just know I TRULY appreciate when you use my affiliate links and coupons! You are what helps this lil small biz to grow :)
So, all of that to say— let's dive in! ENJOY, MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND! Simply scroll, explore, and see what is relevant to YOU!
Without further adou, let’s gooooooo!
the official list of kate’s baby registry must-haves
the big ticket items
okay, the BIG BOYS. These were the most expensive investments of the baby registry & where I did most of my research. I am a little self-conscious to share this section, because many items we bought are quite spendy! You can DEFINITELY find cheaper options out there. But, for us, we intentionally invested in a lot of our “big ticket” items and got what we reallllllly wanted since these are staple items we will be using with this babe (and future little ones!). While I love saving money, I am totally fine investing in a few key pieces that are really quality. These were items that we saved up for, and we are so excited about our choices!
Crib: I looooooove our crib! We got the Babyletto Sprout, which is a convertible 4-in-1 crib that evolves with baby and goes from crib to toddler bed. It’s gorgeous, it totally fits our mid-century vibe…I LOVE this crib. grows with them when they’re a toddler, it’s gorgeous, timeless, and will grow WITH them…. I love this crib. :)
Nontoxic Baby Crib Mattress: This was something I was really diligent about getting a nontoxic option since baby sleeps directly on it, and so many matrresses are covered in chemicals, flame retardants, etc ! We got the Newton Baby Mattress — it’s breathable, completely washable (PUMPED about this), and uses no foam, glue, latex or springs so I can be sure baby is getting a comfy, cleeeeeeean sleep. (Pssssst…click here for $30 off! Not sponsored, but I got a refer-a-friend discount link after I purchased!)
With the nontoxic mattress, I also wanted to get organic sheets and an organic mattress protector. Again, baby is sleeping on these and making direct contact with these fabrics, so sleep is an area where I really prioritize organic and nontoxic products.
Bassinet I lucked out here — we are buying a used snoo secondhand for a great price!! In case you didn’t know, the SNOO is the Cadillac of bassinets. it helps rock your baby, promotes quality sleep, plays white noise… ammmmmmnd it’s also very expensive. For me, I personally wouldn’t have bought a SNOO full price– but I am SO HAPPY about buying one used! (Like, SO pumped.) Even from using my sister’s when babysitting, it is baby sleep MAGIC. I swear it helps baby sleep sooo well, and if anything feels worth investing in… it’s good sleep (for both baby and me!). So, while we couldn’t necessarily budget for a full-price fancy bassinet, just wanted to pass along that (in my experience), they do seem to work GREAT, and buying used (or even renting one!) can be an option that works and can be more budget-friendly!
That said…. if we hadn’t found a cheaper, used SNOO option, I would have 100% gotten this babybay Original bedside sleeper. This allows you to safely sleep next to baby without co-sleeping. It’s made of nontoxic products, solid-wood, it’s gorgeous, timeless, and this is definitely what I would have gotten for a more “normal”, non-snoo bassinet. (Just in case— here is another version of that “bedside” basinett— doesn’t look like it’s nontoxic materials, unfortunately, but it’s cheaper and very cute/functional!)
Car Seat: After a LOT of research, we decided on the nuna pipa lite for our carseat, and are sooooo excited about it! This one is ranked the lightest on the market, and my thought is— if I am going to lug around a carseat for this kid (and future kids!), it feels WORTH IT to invest in light-weight, easy-to-carry option. Not to mention, it’s ranked incredibly high for safety AND utilizes nontoxic ingredients (Nuna is the only carseat company that is entirely flame retardant free, PFAS-free, and no waterproofing materials… YASSSS!). I knew I wanted something (first and foremost) SAFE— and lightweight and nontoxic, if possible— and this is absolutely it!
Since we’re on the subject of carseats, here are a few other items we got related to our carseat:
Stroller adapter: We also got an attachment piece that allows us to clip the Nuna directly into the stroller we picked (more on that below)
Mirror for car: A simple add-on so I can check in on baby while we’re driving
Video monitor : They think of everything these days, don’t they? This is a simple camera system that you install in your car so you can easily see how baby is doing without having to turn around or look in your rearview mirror. Is it a need? Not really. But I thought it would be really nice to have.
Carseat “wrap”: A way to block the sun, unnecessary light, encourage baby’s rest, etc. I liked how this one buttons so you can open easily to peek without unwrapping the whole thing!
Added after the fact, but after Miles outgrew his first infant carseat, we got this one for his next step up! We chose it due to it’s rotational abilities (SO much easier to put him in and out), and it’s long-term use!
Glider: Okay, you guys, you know I’ll always be honest with you— and this glider WAS gifted to us (eeee!). Truly one of the first big “gifted” things I’ve ever accepted, but I prooooomise, this is my genuine review (I wasn’t even “required” to share my thoughts on it in this post). Trust me when I say— this. glider. is. amazing. It’s like sitting on a cloud…. but, like, a cloud that has amazing back support & automatic recliners, & an extra-wide sitting space, and just SO. COMFY. Adam and I had actually originally bought another ~very aesthetic~ glider at first and it was…. fine. Very cute, but just definitely not as comfy as we hoped (It didn’t recline, didn’t have a head rest, etc.).
So, when Nurture& reached out to me and offered a glider for the nursery, we were soooo excited— because we were lowkey disappointed by the one we bought, this one is sooooo much better, more functional, more comfortable— and it’s made of nontoxic material! It’s definitely an investment piece, but when you consider all the hours we’ll be sitting there breastfeeding, rocking our little one, reading to our child (and future children!), how comfy it is, all of its features (like a charging port and sustainable materials)…. it’s a gem. We love it! and thank you so much, Nurture&, for the gift! We can’t imagine a more comfy place to snuggle our little!!! (Nurture& was nice enough to give a coupon for ya! FOUNDATION50 saves ya money!)
Stroller This is what I personally spent the most time researching because there are a TON of options, pricepoints, styles, etc., and I really wanted to get it “right”. This was a huge purchase for us because I KNOW we will get so much use out of it (we are big walkers!). You can spend a few thousand and get luxury or spend a hundred and get a good stroller, or spend like $75 and get a cheap, but ok one. . I personally wanted something in the middle: a nice investment piece since it was something we’d use a lot (we love our walks to the lake…to the park…to the grocery store…), but I didn’t feel the need to get THEEEE top of the line.
The few strollers I debated between were:
The UPPAbaby: If you know, you know. This is obvi the *cadillac* of strollers, and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like it (every parent I asked LOVED theirs), but I just cooooouldn’t justify spending that much money on our stroller! That said, if you are looking for quality, beautiful stroller, that can grow with your family, and you have the budget for it— people LOVE this stroller. It seems amazing!
The Bob Jogging Stroller: This is for active terrain and running (which is amazing for our lifestyle!) but it’s a bit more limited in use (can’t use it before baby is about 7 months, can’t transition to 2 kids, etc.) I think I am going to look for a used jogger on Facebook Marketplace later on (if we need!) because it IS awesome in so many ways— but just wasn’t the most logical choice for us & how we intend to use our stroller. (NOTE: after the fact, we did get a BOB for running and o.m.g. it is a dream. so smooth. so easy to manuveur. SO WORTH IT!)
Otto Foldable Travel Stroller: we ended up getting this one on sale for a lightweight/compact stroller to have in our car, and travel with! Haven’t used it yet, but just wanted to share that I ordered it, and I’m excited about it!
Doona travel carseat/stroller combo: Okay, while we don’t have this, my sister does and I just think it’s SO COOL that I wanted to pass it along! If you are a big traveler (or live in a city), I think this Doona Travel car seat/ stroller combo is brilliant— super space efficient, can be used as BOTH a carseat and a stroller, and you don’t need a base for the carseat it in the car so it’s great to travel with. It also has a fold-out stroller option which is sooooo convenient! The downside is that you can only use this until the baby is about 1 year, but this would be great to register for if you have a lot of travel plans, live in a city, or just want a quick 2-in-1 carseat/stroller option!
….annnnnd the one we picked, MOCKINGBIRD! And finalllllyyyy we landed on the Mockingbird single-to-double stroller, and we are. so. excited. After I looked at allllllllll the strollers (and drove myself crazy) the Mockingbird Single-to-Double stroller hands down seemed like the best option for us. I don’t want to be so blunt, but it’s basically the “knock off” of the UppaBaby :) :) It’s a quality investment piece, has all the features you need (the sleek design, smooth wheels, AMAZING storage under the crib, ability to expand to 2 kids, etc.), but not $7590284398203840. It’s not the hiiiiighest luxury of all luxury, but DEFINITELY still quality, stylish, & built to last! We love it (Adam has been “practicing” pushing it around the house and our driveway, hahahaha). Long story short— after a lot of debate, we feel superrrrr good about our choice!
STROLLER EXTRAS: You don’t need these, but we did grab a few extras— the mockingbird basinett (cannnnnot wait for newborn rides in this!), a fuzzy warm layer, and a cozy hand-muffs for those Minnesota winters!
STROLLER STORAGE: We also got this over the door stroller holder for simple storage when our stroller isn’t in use!
CARSEAT / STROLLER COMBO: We also love that we can plop our carseat directly onto this stroller with this attachment :)
our pick for stroller!
has everyyyyything ya need (but nothin’ ya don’t), super smooth ride, stylish finishes, AND expands to 2 kids easily :) We are SO happy with it!
breastfeeding & pumping
Silver nipple covers: Okay, hear me out. Your nipples ARE going to get sore with breastfeeding, and one of theeee best holistic hacks for this is applying sterling silver. Sterling silver is a great antibiotic, that can reduce inflammation, infection, and irritation, and it’s just a simple thing that can make a lot of difference. I got these, and I can’t wait to use them to help cope with any nipple irritation.
Breast pump: PRO TIP: Check with your insurance to see if your breast pump is covered! I got mine at a really affordable rate through my insurance. (Such a simple phone call that can save you hundreds of dollars!). There was a lot of options that were fully covered for 100% free by insurance, but I paid a bit extra for the Elvie Stride, which is a hands-free electronic option. I know it’s a gamble to go hands-free, but I was willing to risk it! It seems SO nice to be able to move & not be tethered to a wall outlet 24/7. ’ll let you know what I think! (If you’re looking for another option, a lot of moms in my life also really recommend the Spectra S9 so I’ll add the link to that here! This is what I would’ve gotten for a more “traditional” plug-in pump)
Breast milk bags: I got these milk storage bags because they are BPA free :)
Frozen breast milk portions: These are so great & brilliant — you can freeze your breastmilk in one-ounce sticks which is perfect for portioning out so you can be sure of the amount and not just have an estimated amount in each bag that may or may not be usable. This allows you to much easier “ration” and utilize your breast milk! LOVE IT.
Glass bottles: I was soooooo passionate about this: I will not be using plastic bottles with my baby. When you heat up plastic bottles that allow for chemicals, microplastics, phlatates, etc. to heat up and, subsequently, be consumed by through the milk baby. Obviously, glass IS more of financial investment, but this was so important to me so I went for it! After a love of research on glass bottles, I ultimately got these in 3 oz and 6 oz sizes.
Nontoxic nipple balm: Be prepared to hear about this specific cream 8392874928 in this blog post. It LITERALLY is the miracle, do-it-all-er for breastfeeding, baby skin, postpartu woes, etc. For nipple irritation, I got the Primally Pure Baby Balm. You already know I LOVE this as an eye cream, method for managing dry winter skin, stretchmark prevention, etc.— but if you read the reviews, it’s also apparently a miracle worker on sore, chapped nipples! Nontoxic relief, yes plzzzzz.
Breast cover (and scarf…and poncho…): I got this Natural Cocoon shawl from We Are Amma for feeding and pumping in public. I’ve seen it in person and it’s so cute, so soft, and it offers a chic option to cover up if you’re in public. For me, I’d rather have one breastfeeding cover that I LOVE than multiple that I just feel eye about.
Breast hand pump: This is a hand pump that you put on one boob to catch letdown while you’re feeding or pumping with the other. We all know that breastmilk is nature’s gold, so I wanted an easy way to catch it and not let it go to waste! (There’s also this one with a lever for if I’m traveling or need quick relief if I’m not with baby.)
Bottle brushes: Ya got bottles, ya gotta clean ‘em! These silicone cleaning brushes help keep bottles clean and ready to go.
Bottle warmer: This feels like a bit of a luxury, but it seems soooooooo much more convenient than heating up water, putting a bottle in to make milk, and making sure it’s at the right temperature. This is just a one-stop shop: you put it on your shelf, put the bottle in, and it will warm it to the right temperature. Ahhhhhhhhh.
Breast massagers: These are heated little massagers that shake the milk ducts and allow for more efficient milk release. They think of everything these days, don’t they?!?! I am personally PUMPED about these!
Chest freezer: We didn’t buy this new, but found one on Facebook Marketplace to store breastmilk & lots of freezer meals for postpartum. We’re excited about it!
Breastfeeding pillow: What can I say? It’s a must. We got one gifted as a hand-me-down from my sister (woohoo! Thanks, J!), and I had also bought another one on etsy that is GORG. I am so happy with it.
Back up formula: I like having a plan. In the event that my milk supply isn’t great or something goes wrong with that, I just wanted a formula on hand as “back up”. And, of course, knowing me, I spent wayyyy too much time looking into which one had ingredients I felt good about. With baby formula, I tend to look at European formulas because they have much stricter standards than what is allowed in formula here in the US. I personally went with this one. Maybe I’ll need it, maybe I won’t, but regardless I’m glad to have it on hand.
baby clothes (!!!!!)
To be honest I didn’t register for many baby clothes because I’d prefer to buy them myself and register for more practical items as gifts. But, in general, I am really attracted to BASIC pieces that are more gender-neutrual that we can reuse with future kiddos. I wanted a lot of basic items (onesies, zip ups, etc.) and then bought 2-4 “cute” outfits per baby size. I figure— they’ll probz be hanging out in basic items at home 24/7, but then having a few cute options is so fun for more “special” days! I tried to build a base of simple, timeless, versatile (but CUTE!) staples— and then a handful of more fun & playful & “special” items per stage! Here’s how I did it:
Hand-me-downs: We hit the older sister jackpot, but we’ve gotten SO. MANY. amazing hand-me-downs from my sister and sister-in-law (thank you, thank you, thank you, Jenna and Jamie!) and I’m so excited. Even if you didn’t happen to hit the generous older sister jackpot, some great places to look are garage sales, FB marketplace (people will often sell a “lot” of baby clothes at once for a super cheap price), family, friends, etc. Again, just inquire to moms in your life if they’re looking to get rid of anything, offer to buy them or give a thank you “giftcard” and call it a trade! Sustainable, reduces waste, and both parties get a lil sumthin’ sumthin’ :)
Ebay, online thrift shops, etc.: I have gotten soooo many amazing baby items (think baby Patagonia, oshkosh overalls, more “trendy” baby pieces….) on sites like this! Saves money & allows you to get some “splurge items” at a reasonable price! It allows me to get more fancy/expensive items for baby— but at a reasonable price! (juuuuust wait until you see his lil Patagonia snowsuit, omg).
But for new clothes, here are our go-tos: of course it’s awesome to buy everything used, but I wanted to also get some NEW pieces & items I was really excited about for our lil one! here is primarily where I shopped from!
H&M baby’s “conscious collection”: This is the MOVE, you guys. I truly think they have the cutest stuff (and their new conscious collection is made out of sustainable, recycled, and/or organic materials!). My advice here would be to wait for sales and stock up! This has been my favorite place to shop for baby stuff.
GAP: This is another great option. I particularly like their organic options, but I also got some non-organic staple pieces!
Target: lots of goodies! you can also search for organic items from here :)
Zutano fleece booties So, honesty hour, I registered for ZERO baby socks. I honestly think they’re so annoying — they always fall off, they end up everywhere… I just didn’t want them, hahaha. My mom has bought these fleece booties for everyone in the family’s baby showers & the moms LOVE them. They stay on great and they’re so cute so I opted for a few pairs of these instead of baby socks.
Fleece hangers: Gotta make room for all those tiny clothes in the closet!
baby clothes
this is my go-to place for baby clothes, gender-neutral items, & STAPLE pieces (that are more elevated & cute!)
bathtime (and nontoxic skincare!) items for baby
Bath cradle: We got this bath cradle, which has such a smart design! It’s smaller than other portable baths (I hate bulky stuff), and the water comes through the bottom so it keeps baby nice and warm. Brilliant!
This towel: It looks like a fox. Enough said. So cute.
This brush set: To comb their little hair (!!!!!!!!!)
Control the flow baby rinser: I have given a lot of baby baths after working in the pediatric ICU, and I think this is brilliant. It allows you to pour water over the baby’s head without totalllllly dumping a full cup on them with no control — they really do think of everything!
Bath temp rubber ducky: This thermometer is a rubber ducky that allows you to make sure the water temp is at a good, safe spot when you’re bathing baby — cute AND practical!
Primally Pure Baby Bundle: guys, GET. THIS. If you want nontoxic products for your baby’s bath & skin, look no further. This one set has everyyyything ya need — and it’s at a discount :) I really recommend this! It includes a baby bar, baby oil, and baby balm to keep your little one clean with high-quality products. This is everything I will be using on my baby’s skin! Coupon: KATE10
Organic washcloths and towels: Again, it goes right on the baby’s skin so I went with organic washcloths and organic towels! I also got all white so that I could easily clean them and they’d be cohesive.
nontoxic baby skincare bundle
If you want nontoxic products for your baby’s bath & skin, look no further. This one set has everyyyything ya need — and it’s at a discount :)
diapers (we’re doing CLOTH, you guys…)
We are doing cloth diapers! AHhhhh– I am kind of nervous to even type that because it feels like such a “commitment” to share our intention for cloth & could totally change our minds. But that’s okay! We are totally open to the fact that we won’t do it “perfectly” (for example, we’ll probably use disposable diapers when we travel, go to a friend’s house, or are out and about, etc.) and plans may change— but, as of right now, we’re going to do cloth diapers as much as we can! And we feel great about it! nontoxic for baby, saves sooo much money, AND sustainable for the environment! Here’s what we picked up:
Essembly Cloth Diapers: After a ton of research, I knew I wanted this as my primary cloth diaper. They’re SO cute, so easy, and reading the reviews made me feel so good (especially all the ones that said they are “blow-out proof”… YASSSS!!!). I was also drawn to how great their sizing is— with all the button options, the diapers can grow with your baby. AKA you don’t have to buy 832749328 “sets” of cloth diapers every time they grow! these are designed to grow & expand with your little one! I got 5 “outers” and about 15-20 inners, and I am SO EXCITED. (Essembly was nice enough to pass along an affiliate coupon for you guys! Save 15% with the coupon KATE15 !)
GroVia Organic All-In-One Diaper: This is my secondary cloth diaper option. These are what they will transition to when they are a bit older and less bulky. I like this brand because they are a bit more “slim fit” (instead of two layers, they’re just one.). These won’t fit newborn, but they’re thinner and more sleek so I’m looking forward to using these in supplement with essembly^^ when baby is a bit older. Essembly will be my “main” cloth diaper (so excited!), and these will be used supplementarily!
Diaper pail: I like the design of this one because it seals the stink in, and I’ll put the cloth bag for our dirty cloth diapers inside here.
keekaroo peanut changer: I like that you can easily wipe this one down, don’t have to clean fabric all the time, plus it’s so cute!
“extra” items for easier cloth diapering: I am having trouble linking specifically to these items, but I basically stocked up on a lot of essembly’s “extra” products (like the cloth diaper laundry bag, wet bag, etc.) to help make my cloth diapering experience a lot more seamless!. Reminder that my affiliate coupon 20KATE will save ya some money on all of these! :)
Disposable diapers: We got a few hand-me-down from my sis and sis-in-law of sizes they’re no longer using. So great! This is what we’ll use when we’re out and about & don’t feel like using cloth.
Water wipes: You don't need all that extra stuff (and chemicals) to wipe your baby’s bottom! These are just water — I love how simple their ingredients are.
Baby balm: Primally Pure’s miracle worker again! I’ve heard it’s also amazing for diaper rash. I got one canister for me & my skin, and one canister for baby & his skin :)
Wipes pull dispenser This is not something that’s *necessary*, but I wanted to keep the wipes out on our changing pad and having a sleek design and something that makes it easy to pull wipes out seems worth it to me! It allows you to easily pull one wipe at a time instead of a whole clump :) I honestly think for that reason alone it will SAVE money in the long-run!
Diaper caddy: I love this gorgeous diaper caddy for keeping everything organized! (I also was tempted to get this option as a diaper caddy, but quite expensive to justify for a diaper caddy, ha! …. but I think it would be soooo beautiful if it was sitting out in living room/other area of house… TBD :)
our pick for cloth diapers
After a lot of research, we are going with Esembly Cloth diapers. They seem SO user-friendly (…annnnd save so much money & are better for the environment)
infant first aid items:
You know me! As a former pediatric nurse, these items are huuuuuuugely important to me.
Thermometer : Definitely get one with a rectal option for infants — it’s the most accurate!
Emergency choking tool: We actually bought two of these to have on hand for first bites. As I mentioned, one of my most “anxious” thoughts around kids is them choking (i think we all have our “things” and this is mine!). Having these gives me SUCH peace of mind. These are amazing— they allow you to dislodge food if baby is choking. I PRAY I never have to use them, but simply owning these is giving me sooooo much peace of mind.
NoseFrida: This allows you to clear out mucus from baby’s nose.
Windi : This helps to release trapped gas if baby is experiencing digestive discomfort!
Nail clippers and files: A must-have for those little hands!
Pacifier medicine infuser: This allows you to infuse liquid medicine into a pacifier so baby sucks on it. Genius!
Meds & vitamins & probiotics, oh my!: I am currently still researching which medications I want in my baby first aid kit. Eye-ing up medication options with clean ingredients (AKA they have the active ingredient, but without all of the additional additives, chemicals, and colorings). I will update when I make my final pick!
Make sure to check back on this section! I’ll update this section with clean medicine and my holistic first aid kit as time passes.
first bites
SO excited about this set for baby’s first bites of food. Made with FDA approved non-toxic, BPA free, food grade silicone.
baby’s first bites:
Organic muslin bibs: For those first bites of food! I think this is such a cute set of bibs made with organic muslin material to protect baby’s clothes.
Over the top “smock” bibs: I also got these little smocks, soooooo cute and helpful for messy meals.
Lalo plate, spoons, cups, etc.: For baby’s first bites and sips! I like that they’re silicone and nontoxic, and they’re very cute (I love the colors!)
Lalo high chair: There are definitely cheaper high chairs out there, but since it’s sitting out all the time and essentially is something that’s part of your room’s ~aesthetic~ for the foreseeable future, I wanted something that was chic, cute, and high-quality. It’s made out of nontoxic materials and converts to a children’s play chair for YEARS of use. It also looks super easy to clean, I love the look of it, and it has great reviews, so I went for it!
Milk to Meals cookbook: You know my love for cookbooks, and I’ve been WAITING for the day I could buy this one! This cookbook is all about transitioning your baby to whole foods in a healthy way. I’m soooooo pumped about this.
Silicone Feeders: These are absolutely brilliant for when baby is taking their first bites of food! (I’ve also heard of freezing food in them & using them for teething relief!). I’m personally very nervous about choking and aspiration with babies, and this allows you to put food in a silicone case with small holes so baby can chew around & get the taste/small parts of food without the risk of getting a chunk that’s too big. I think these are sooooo smart.
Teether: I think this specific brand is brilliant because the part they chew on is cold, but there’s a part of it that *doesn’t* freeze so it allows baby to hold it without getting their fingers cold.
pacifier: I got these and then this cute lil clip with it!
a functional high-chair (that isn’t an eyesore…)
we are SO excited about this. Bonus— it comes with other legs so that it can transition to a general kid chair :) The hardest part was picking what color we wanted, ha!
around the house & out and about
DockATot: A great place for baby to lounge and set down while you do other things! This is something I'm buying secondhand as full price just feels expensive.
DockATot cover: A DockATot isn’t nontoxic, but I got an organic cover on Etsy and I think it’s so lovely. I love the color, and it’s overall a better material for baby to be on.
snuggle me organic: Many people get either or the dock-a-tot OR the snuggle me organic, but I will be buying both secondhand for a great price! They are essentially the same thing, but just different forms. The snuggle me organic is…. well, organic. It’s beautiful materials, buuuut baby will outgrow it quicker as it is a smaller size.
Baby Bjorn carrier: This was the option we chose for a sturdy carrier (for baby’s first hikes, eeeee!).
Wildbird Sling carrier: Our casual, cute, everyday, “more loose”, out & about carrier. I think this is SO CUTE. Cannnnnot wait to wear it :)
Konny Baby carrier: And finally, our happy medium carrier! While I haven’t used it yet, if I only could’ve gotten one carrier, I probably would’ve gotten this. This carrier is the perfect blend for me — it’s made of cloth and is more flexible with a more casual “wrap style” in front, but it also has more secure/formal back support than a lot of wrap carriers. It really seems like the best of both worlds for baby wearing!
Medium padded mat (for playtime, tummy time, etc.) We picked up this one from Gathre. This was another investment piece — you do not need this, and I could have found a cheaper option, but I looooooove the aesthetic of it. It’s something I would be happy to have in my living room, and I know we’ll get a lot of use out of it not only for our first kid, but in the future with our other kids. It's beautiful, so comfy, and amazing for baby to lay on.
Travel pack and play/crib: For trips, going to see grandparents, etc. This one is maaaaaade for travel — it packs up in a nice case and is easy to move around.
Diaper bag: One of the things I had soooo much fun researching was different diaper bags, I knew I was okay with investing in one as we will use it for years to come— I wanted something that was at least semi-cute, gender-neutral (for both adam & me to wear), and great “extras”. This one has a COOLER pocket for breast milk, a changing station, amazing pockets/storage, etc. They thought of EVERYTHING, and it’s so beautiful. I LOOOOVE it.
technology & gadgets
Baby monitor: This is one of the things where I knew I wanted exactly what I wanted. It does not connect to wifi which I love, since I have some security concerns about recording my baby and people being able to hack in. No wifi also means you can use it everywhere, no wifi glitches to worry about! You also don’t need your phone to watch the videos which was important to us (it has it’s own separate screen to watch on). ALSO, you can easily purchase a super affordable camera down-the-line for our 2nd kid and you can watch BOTH kids on the same screen without multiple setups (long-term purchase mindset. I’m so glad we got it!
Sound machine: Sound machines are CLUTCH for baby sleep, and this one is portable for when we’re out and about!
Hatch sound machine: Annnnnnnd a sound machine for use in our room. I’ve heard moms RAVE about this one, and both my sister and Adam’s sister use it as their sound machines. As baby grows, you can set timers for the Hatch to glow different colors at different times of day to signal to your toddler if it’s okay to get out of bed or if they should keep sleeping. Genius!
fabrics & swaddling
This is another category where I try to be more nontoxic and organic since it’s right on baby’s skin!
Organic burp rags: Ya can’t have enough of these!
More organic burp cloths: again… can’t have enough :)
Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: People SWEAR by this for when baby is transitioning out of swaddle. And I’m a fan of anything that helps baby sleep better!
Organic Waterproof Crib Pad: For those late night accidents — a must-have!
organic sheets for crib: got a few of these organic sheets for the bed!
Nontoxic Baby Crib Mattress: Again, I was really diligent about getting a nontoxic mattress option since baby sleeps directly on it, and so many matrresses are covered in chemicals, flame retardants, etc ! We got the Newton Baby Mattress — click here for $30 off! Not sponsored, but I got a refer-a-friend discount link after I purchased!
Embé Babies Swaddle Sack: Love this swaddle wrap! to baby a cozy lil baby burrito :)
Additional swaddles: Looooove these from Target! I registered for these and these.
Muslin organic bibs More cozy, organic items for baby. I love these!
aesthetic baby toys???
I KNOW I’ll probably be eating these words later, but I don’t want a ton of junk and plastic toys everywhere— especially during the newborn stage when they don’t really need them. I’ll definitely take the toy evolution it as it comes, but here’s what we’re starting with!
Books: Books, books, books! This is what I was most excited about! For my baby shower I asked for books instead of cards (HIGHLY recommend!), so we got a great start on our lil library! I’ve also gotten a tonnnnnnn of used books from Amazon (they will literally be like $1-$4 dollars each! just search “used” next to a book title). Can’t wait to read to our little one!
Love Every toy subscription: I. am. so. excited. about. this. This is a Montessori-based, developmentally-appropriate approach to play. Every few months, Loveevery sends toys that perfectly match up with your baby’s age and stage. I bought this myself, and I’m so pumped about it! (Pssssst…click here for a coupon! Not sponsored, just a refer-a-friend deal!).
On the ground playset from Etsy: I thought this one was sooooooo beautiful and, black and white is visually appealing to newborns!
teether: I feel like ya just NEED a sophie, ya know??? All my nieces & nephews LOVED chomping on this thing when their sweet lil teeth came in, and I had to get one of my own!
That’s it! So this is just what we started with for toys. I KNOW they’ll accumulate with time, but for now, I feel really good about the Loveevery subscription (truly everything ya need), the few toys our family got us, and lots and lots of books! We’ll let it grow & evolve as it comes :)
developmentally-appropriate toys
LOVE how this takes the guesswork out of which toys are “right” for baby’s learning & growth stages. Every few months you get a shipment of montesorri-based toys designed specifically for that age.
baby registry items for mom (because you deserve it!)
I know how important it is to take care of myself, so I wanted a lot of postpartum recovery options. I registered for these, and I am SO happy I did! Feels so good to be “prepped” for the postpartum, recovery phase!
Hospital gown: A dress for labor and delivery! It has all the buttons/easy access for things like IVs, breastfeeding, epidural, etc.— but just more comfy than those hospital gowns :)
Peri-spray bottle: I picked this one because it can be used upside down and at an angle so it’s *actually* practical.
Disposable diapers: Diapers for mom! From reviews I read, these are the perfect amount of tightness and they aren’t thick or bulky, so I thought it would be worth it to get a pack.
Earth mama postpartum care bundle: This comes with a variety of clean-ingredient things to soothe the postpartum body.
Baby balm: Ya know how on the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” the grandpa is OBSESSED with Windex and thinks it’s the cure-all for everything? That’s CLEARLY how I am with this baby balm— I think I’ve mentioned it 5 times with different uses in this blog post alone, hahahah. Whether it’s chapped nipples, sensitive skin, the peri area, or stretch marks, I know I’ll put it on everyyyyywhere in the postpartum period (just read the reviews– it seems like a miracle)
8392479387-in-1 uses…
For mom AND baby. From a diaper rash to sore nipples to stretchmark prevention, this nourishing balm is a game-changer for pregnancy & postpartum. Plus, it’s so dang affordable (only $18) and it lasts FOREVER
And there you have it!
Phew! This post was a DOOZY, but I was so excited to share the items we’re picking up for our sweet firstborn! I hope this post made it simple for you to think through and shop for items for your little one.
And, I just want to say one final time— there is no one “right” way to prepare for your baby, no “perfect” item or shopping list, no budget requirement, or NEED to do things a certain way— you do YOU & what works for your life, your budget, your family, and your little one!
Was there anything that surprised you? A product you want to try? Or something you LOVED for baby that you didn’t see here? Let me know in the comments! Everyone has such a different approach/thoughts, and I’d love to hear yours!
Love,
Kate
your next read…
Another monthly round-up is here! 8 specific (and random) items I used & loved in February! From my go-to wine subscription (for over 5 years), Miles’ baby book, an #aesthetic candle lighter, and more— there’s some GOOD stuff in here!