10. Portable Crib – Dream On Me Portable Folding Crib is Amazon’s choice. The space-saving Portable Crib can be folded for storage or travel. 

11. Cradle – Dream On Me Haven Cradle (& cradle bed sheets) is an Amazon choice. This cradle will rock your baby to sleep or be stationary. 

12. Sleepers – SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper or Baby Delight Bedside Me Bedside Sleeper – for a more comfortable & safer bed-sharing with your newborn. Both Sleepers allow you to bond with your baby at night- soothe, touch or feed your baby – Bedside sleepers are made with heavy sleepers loving parents in mind.

8. Bassinet – Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet has cry detection technology. This Graco Bassinet has vibration, music, soothing sounds & motions. All included with the extra price of this Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet :) 

8. Travel Crib – Graco Pack N’ Play On The Go Playard are a popular choice for travelers.

9. Playard – The Joovy 2 Playard is the mother of all playards! This Joovy Playard  is humongous- way bigger than other playards – and you can do your chores without worrying about your baby playing in the Joovy 2 Playard! Can also be folded for travel.

8. Travel Dome – Fisher Price On The Go Baby Dome are a popular choice for adventurous families. This new Fisher Price On The Go Baby Dome can be used indoors or outdoors. Fold flat if not in use.

CHANGING STATION MUST-HAVES

14. Changing Table – I used our master bathroom counter top as my changing station, just because our master bath was huge & had like 10′ of wasted countertop. (do some women really need these much space for makeup???!) The poor architectural design became my free marble-top changing table! Baby loved the mirror and I loved that the diaper bin was in the bathroom, and not in the nursery! If you don’t have extra countertop space or have no budget, any dresser/table will do. It’s just the changing tables they sell have this “railing” all around so babies don’t fall off. Made for moms who don’t pay attention :) Shop all changing tables from Amazon Nursery to match your baby crib. My  fave design with an affordable price is this Thomasville Southern Dunes Dressing Table.          Image at right >

15. Changing Pad – Summer Infant Changing Pad is still a bestseller 10 years after. There is now a 4-sided changing pad for overprotective moms like me :)

15. Changing Mat – New Summer Infant Changing Mat 2-in-1 convertible design allows changing pad to become a changing mat.

16. Changing Pad Cover – Summer Infant Changing Pad Covers come in tons of designs to match with your baby’s distinct poop smell :)

17. Changing Pad Liners – Get this 6 pack Waterproof Changing Pad Liners. A germophobe’s BFF:)

18. Change Pad Gift Set – Give a Summer Infant Changing Gift Set – includes 1 change pad, 2 change pad covers, & 2 waterproof change pad protectors. 

15. Baby Dresser – If you have a huge nursery room and have money to spend, might as well use a double dresser as a changing table. Storage! Choose your a dresser style at Amazon to suit your nursery style. I love the Evolur Double Dresser Collection from Amazon! They come in different designs. (see images below)

Diaper Plastic Caddy – These were what I used. I used both the Prince Lionheart Dresser Top Diaper Depot & Prince Lionheart Diaper Depot because they were made of plastic. Easy to wash!

Diaper Hanging Storage – This standard Hiccapop Hanging Nursery Organizer is a bestseller.

I really don’t like the triangle designs (wasted upper space) but if you have to go get one, get the stylish ones. Diaper Stacker in Gold Dots & Coral Pink or the Diaper Stacker in Metallic Gold Dots and Mint.

Diaper Stacker – This Animal Diaper Stacker by Levtex Home has different fun animal designs.

Playtex Diaper Genie above. Image by By Jen Rose‘s blog. 

21. Diaper pail – I first used Diaper Trend, (liked it!) if you’re looking for a great diaper pail that uses normal trash bags. But I finally gave in and bought a Playtex Diaper Genie! The  Playtex Genie is the ultimate diaper pail machine! The hands-free mechanism is perfect for germophobes! Buying the expensive refills is the worst part but VERY WORTH IT because those bags are magical :)  The Playtex Diaper Genie now comes in white & 4 pastel colors. Lucky new moms :) 

* START RANT *

Pls do NOT buy the $79 Ubbi. I was an architect & still a designer. I’m all about pretty and these are no doubt the prettiest diaper pail there is- and that’s about it! That is it. I bought the grey one. I didn’t care about the price, as long as it’s pretty! And boy does this pail stink! Literally and figuratively. You have to touch the lid to open it. If you’re a germophobe like me, this is a lot of work to keep us sane. (long story of sanitizing) Odor leaks a little when closed but and it will be wreck havoc once you open the lid. The worst part is- When it’s time to throw the bag- the sharp lid will rip your bag if there are multiple diapers inside. Imagine a bag of poop ripped off????

BABY GROOMING & CARE

27 Baby Soap – Aveeno Baby Wash or give the  Aveeno Bath Time Gift Set.
Shop all Aveeno Baby.

28 Baby Lotion – Aveeno Baby Lotion or give the Aveeno Baby Essentials Gift Set.
Shop all Aveeno Baby.

29. Johnson’s Baby Oil

30. Diaper Cream – Desitin Cream is the best! Don’t underestimated the magical powers of this baby butt cream :)

31. Baby Sunscreen – Neutrogena Baby Sunscreen

32. Baby Thermometer – Infrared Forehead Thermometer or buy from your local Costco.

33. Large tub of Aquaphor Healing Ointment -it’s a moisturizer & great for eczema, w/c most babies have.

34. Baby Health Care & Grooming Gift Set – Safety 1st Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit. I didn’t really use most of it except for the nail clippers & toothbrush. There really is no need to comb their hair if there is no hair. The cradle cap comb is new so that might be a good one! (I gave birth to a cradle cap BLOB with a baby! hahaha) TIPS: Use the medicine droppers that come free with the pain medicines. Buy a separate baby thermometer as the one in here is a crappy one. Nail files. Why the heck would you file the baby’s nails???? The nose bulb syringe. Get the ones they used on your baby in the hospital. (GET=meaning take it home with you…..and ask for extra :P) It’s the best one and it’s free! (well, not really. You technically paid for it….it was probably $100 on your hospital bill that was paid by your geedy medical insurance company…..hahhaha) Anyway, it’s good to have a couple of things from the gift set and well, it’s cheaper to buy the whole set than buying them individually for $5 each anyway.

38. Infant To Toddler Rocker
Check all Baby Rockers / Infant to Toddler Rockers at Amazon.

My favorite Baby Rocker thingy because it’s fun & lasts for about 2 years or so! My kids loved this- from sleeping, to rocking, to reading or just lounging around! This Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker is a super must-have in your gift registry list. The pink Infant to Toddler Rocker is the newer version & the blue Infant to Toddler Rocker below is the older version. (still available HERE) 

43. Baby Einstein Ocean Discovery Jumper

NURSERY ROOM MUST-HAVES

39a. Or this awesome option of adding a fence……Baby Play Mat Foam Tiles with Fence…..because everyone deserves to go to the bathroom.

43. Nursing Pillow – Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner. Boppy Nursing Pillow started it all :) Love this nursing pillow slip cover! Perfect for the Boho chic moms-to-be! Baby not included :)

59. BABY ROMPERS. If you or anyone you know is having a girl (or boy :) ), get these baby girl rompers below from Firsts Impressions at Macy’s! Not essential because it is NOT practical. I repeat. NOT essential. BUT very very cute! So buy them!!!! LOL. They don’t make sense because babies’ first few months are sleeping & eating & pooping (say that again 1000 times) and getting hugged so this is probably for Christmas or Easter when all the Aunts & Grammies are drooling over the bassinet, and for those monthly photo sessions. So if you are in a budget, skip this & buy diapers instead. They’re sooo beautiful you might just want to have your own baby girl……feline, human or extraterrestrial hybrid, the choice is totally up to you :) 

Shop Macy’s Baby for all First Impressions baby girl clothes here. 

60. Baby Toys –  Sensory Toys  | Teething Toys |  Ball Toys | Stacking Toys | Musical Toys | Rattle Toys | Building Blocks | Shape Sorter Toys | Bath Toys | Baby Crib Mirrors | Push & Pull Toys | VTech Toys |

TRAVEL

61. Diaper Bag – Choose your style, shop all Diaper Bags from Amazon. Check out these JJ Cole Diaper Bags. I chose a black patented leather (I splurged!!!!!) because I wanted a diaper bag that didn’t look like a diaper bag (c’mmon, I was single & stylish for years! LOL) & I hate patterns, animals & backpacks. Bottom line is, you need an Xlarge waterproof bag that has tons of pockets! (insulation is a plus). My diaper bag is still alive and now looks like a normal (but shiny!) travel bag for my kids, esp, when we’re pool-bound! I’d say that was my greatest baby purchase! Yes, I’m giving myself a glitter trophy :)

62.  Baby Travel Bag – I don’t like travelling with babies, it’s just doing all these yukky no-fun baby stuff- just in a different location! LOL. But if you must…..get the 3 in 1 Scuddles Portable Changing Station-Foldable Baby Bed-Diaper Bag, easy folding perfect for travel!

………….BUT WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THERE’S MORE!!!!

THE MUST-NOT-HAVE LIST.

You can almost, just almost, forget about this list :) If you have time to laugh, read on!

Baby Shoes – Babies do not walk yet so pls. pls. pls. do NOT gift them baby shoes! It’s a waste of everything! This link is for people who do NOT listen :)

………..I told yah! LOL

Pacifiers – When I was single and clueless with babies, I saw my friend’s baby with a pacifier. I thought there was milk in them coz the baby would cry without it. My friends laughed at me. LOL. After that, I hate seeing babies with pacifiers. I think they make babies look ugly so I didn’t use them for my babies. When babies cry, do you give a pacifier or will you hug them? No brainer :) But if you must, many hospitals recommend Philips Avent Soothie Pacifiers. Buy a bunch because these suckers always end up on the floor :) 

Baby Keepsakes – Here’s a Baby’s Memory Book. But the best baby keepsakes are taking pictures of them. All. The. Time. Every smile, every dreamy smirk, every laugh, every fart :) I had pictures of their monthly birthdays, complete with cake & balloons! Anyway, that footprint on clay is useless and that 7D image looks like either a baby dreaming on a nightmare on Elm St. or its baby Freddie Kreuger himself. 

Rocking Chair – I didn’t like the idea & look of Rocking Chairs. But this 

Emma Rocking Chair by Delta is so chic! Shop all Delta Rocking Chairs!  Go for it if you have the money, or the extra corner in your room, or if you are not creeped out looking at a rocking chair rocking on its own at 2am :) 

Baby Walkers – I didn’t use walkers because I read about the dangers of it! I used this Baby Walking Harness instead, at age 1. Woops…..I’m lying, I practiced them at age 2. hahaha. You know, once they start walking, your life is practically over!….NO SHIT…..I’m not lying.