Building the Perfect Stress-Free Start - What to Include In a Baby Registry

First category in what to include in a baby registry are the essential Baby Gear

1. Newborn Crib and Mattress

• When selecting a sturdy and safe crib, and a comfortable mattress for baby, ensure the crib is up to safety standards.  Throughout the years, there are certain designs that are no-longer recommended and cannot be sold, or even re-sold as second hand items. 
• Be sure to check Canadian safety guidelines as different countries have their own set of safety requirements for newborn safety in providing a secure sleeping environment for your newborn.

2. Changing Table and Diaper Essentials

• One of the key activities you'll become an expert in as soon as baby is born-  will be changing lots of diapers!  Babies are experts in their own way in the never-ending cycle of sleep-eat-diaper change. 
• To ensure you have all the diapering essentials, you'll want to include a changing table or changing pad,  along with essential diapering items such as newborn diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and a diaper pail
• Diaper pails such as Diaper Genies are better than regular garbage cans as they are designed to conceal smells. This will help keep odours pleasant for longer until then next garbage disposal day. 

3. Car Seat and stroller

**This item can often be forgotten if parents are not sure what to include in a baby registry. So make sure to take note of this! **

• Whether you drive or live in a more convenient location without the need for a car.  You will often find a click-and-go type of stroller to be beneficial - especially in the early months when you can leave baby in the car seat while travelling between locations. This way baby can sleep nice and sound without interruption their nap while being transported from location to location. 
• Brands such as Britax, Graco have excellent click-and-go stroller systems that are easy to use!
• When purchasing car seats, be such to check for expiry date. It is important to purchase from a reputable store as they will carry car seats that meet safety regulations and can recommend suitable seats for your vehicle. 

Clothing and Nursery Essentials

4. Baby Clothes and Onesies

• It is always nice to stock up on soft and comfortable baby clothes in various sizes. Onesies, sleepers, and cute outfits for different seasons are essential for your baby's wardrobe.
• When baby is still developing their neck support, you will find outfits that do not require putting baby's head through the collar to be easier to dress your little bundle.  This is what we like to recommend to our Toronto newborn photography clients as well in how to prep for a newborn photography session.

5. Swaddle Blankets and Sleep Sacks

• All babies love to be swaddled. If you have been to one of our Toronto newborn photography sessions, you will know being snuggled nice and warm is incredibly useful for awake or fussy babies! We love swaddling babies for older newborn sessions as well as for photographing newborn with siblings. 
• Swaddle blankets and newborn sleep sacks come in various shapes and sizes. You'll want to find ones that are each to together, while giving you a secure and comfortable wrap around baby. We have found velcro swaddles are best as it is convenient to put on and take off, yet sturdy for wiggly babies.  If you have a baby hoodini who is an aspiring escape artist - try using 2 swaddles to keep baby snug.  Be sure to dress baby is less layers if you decide to do this so they do not overheat.

6. Nursery Furniture and Decor

• One of the most exciting things to do is to decorate baby's nursery! You can look for tips on how to decorate a nursery. From adding in a rocking chair, to wall art decor, and additional storage for convenience, there are so many themes and colours to choose from. Have a great time creating a lovely environment for baby to grow up in. Be creative, but specific in terms of colours and theme when deciding what to include in a baby registry so your guests know what to purchase for you.

This blog is getting lengthy - so we'll leave the list to this point for now. We will have a part 2 of what to include in a baby registry! Stay tuned!

Creating a baby registry is an exciting step toward welcoming your new bundle of joy. By putting together a comprehensive list, you'll be well-prepared for the early days of parenthood. Remember to regularly update your registry if you have a change of mind, communicate your preferences with loved ones - try to be specific if you have something in mind, and enjoy the process of preparing for this special chapter in your life. Happy registry building!