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The Best Baby Registry Gifts

Last updated on March 15, 2024
Best Baby Registry Product

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Baby showers are an important rite of passage, whether you’re the expecting parent or you’re gearing up to celebrate the pregnancy of a friend or relative. Baby registries make the whole process easier, ensuring baby gets the right products while also keeping gift-givers from having to guess.

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

But if you’re preparing your baby registry, you may feel overwhelmed by the many choices out there. There are a few items that tend to rise to the top of parents’ lists, though, whether for their value in keeping baby happy, healthy, comfortable or safe. But there are some important things to look for as you’re building your registry that can make shopping easier.

Technology is becoming a more dominant aspect of children’s products. If you’re considering an item that promises mobile app connectivity, it’s important to make sure the app is available for your type of device. Some may only work for Android or iOS, so check before you add something to your registry.

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

Safety will be top of mind once baby arrives, so make sure there are a few items on your list that will give you the peace you need. Items that could shatter, break or otherwise come apart and hurt your infant are a no-go, as are items with small parts that can easily be accidentally swallowed. You’ll also want to keep an eye on your little one around the clock, so products like baby monitors are always popular on baby registries.

“Don’t be afraid to add big-ticket items,” Kate Desmond, an infant safe-sleep expert and mom of two children, says. “Many of your relatives and friends, including grandparents, can’t wait to spoil your little bundle of joy.”

Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

She lists a pack and play, bassinet, car seat, stroller, breast pump (if your health insurance doesn’t cover the cost, as many do!) and even a crib among the more expensive items she’d recommend including on a registry.

Convenience is also a consideration. Check into the cleaning instructions for any product you add to your registry, whether it’s fabric you can toss in the washing machine or toys you can wipe clean. If you want items to be dishwasher safe, look for that feature as well. Being able to pop a bottle or pacifier into your dishwasher before you run a load will be very valuable during those hectic early months.

Another tip?

“Don’t be afraid to add things that seem really personal,” Desmond shares. “My hands-free pumping bra is still one of the best and weirdest gifts I have ever received. ”

She says to consider adding products to your registry that your baby will need as he or she grows, such as sippy cups or books.

Finally, if you have a diaper brand preference use, your registry to indicate that, Desmond advises.

“You wouldn’t want to receive a whole bunch of Huggies, when you really wanted Pampers for your little one,” she says.

Our Picks For The Top Baby Registry Products

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Infantino

Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier

Add this baby registry gift to your list and you'll be able to keep baby happy and content while your hands are free to read a book or fold some laundry. The carrier can be worn on your front or back with the baby facing either direction. Extra padding keeps the carrier comfortable, while the adjustable straps ensure a custom fit.

Overall Take

Choice of ColorsYou'll find this baby registry gift comes in a choice of gray, light gray, black denim, camo and sandy tan.

 Runner Up

Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light

Hatch Baby

Rest Sound Machine and Night Light

Getting your newborn to sleep will be easier with this baby registry gift. It's a combination sound machine and night light that also serves as a wakeup alarm. Its multifunctionality means your child will still be able to use it throughout childhood. It links to a smartphone app, letting you control it with an iOS or Android device. In our testing,...

Overall Take

Best Sleep AidThis device uses sound and light to help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep.

 Strong Contender

Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome

Fisher-Price

On-The-Go Baby Dome

You'll never leave home without this baby registry gift, which serves as a napping spot and play area in one. The dome features sun protection to help keep your baby safe. The mattress cover is both comfortable and removable, making it easy to keep clean. In our testing, we found that it packed up quickly and easily.

Overall Take

Biggest Bang for Your BuckYou'll get both a play area and nap spot in one with this transportable baby dome.

 We Also Like

Blooming Bath Baby Bath Bathtub

Blooming Bath

Baby Bath Bathtub

This baby registry gift is perfect for bath time. The bath mat comes in the shape of a flower and is super soft against baby's skin. It's designed for use in a sink and is best for newborns to babies age 6 months. You can get the bath mat in blue, yellow or pink.

Overall Take

Cute and ColorfulIncluded with this baby registry gift is a set of four washcloths.

Our Expert Consultant

Kate Desmond 
Parenting Pro and Safe-Sleep Expert

Kate Desmond is a writer and infant safe-sleep expert. She has spent the last eight years working as the marketing director for Charlie’s Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to educate families about SIDS and safe sleep. In that role, she travels around the country learning and educating caregivers and providers on the latest and greatest safe-sleep information to prevent infant death.

As mom to two elementary-aged daughters, she spends hours researching the best and safest products for her own kids. She is quick to get in the weeds with other mamas, and uses humor to cope with parenting woes from potty-training to teaching kids to read.

What to Look For

  • You’ve probably already heard that sleep is at a premium once a baby arrives in your life. The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light can help with that, providing soft light and pleasing audio to soothe your baby to sleep. Best of all, this device can grow with your child, providing alarm functionality in addition to the night light and white noise that’s always welcome in children’s bedrooms.
  • One of the best things about the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light is the quality of the sound. You won’t get that disruptive clipping noise that comes with cheaper sound machines that put the audio on a loop.
  • Every household with infants needs to keep a thermometer on hand. Some thermometers use infrared technology to provide accurate results. There’s also a built-in optional alarm with some models that will alert you if your little one’s temperature reaches fever levels.
  • Keeping an eye on your baby will be extra important in those early months. Consider a car mirror that easily attaches to a rear seat to let you see your baby every time you look in your rearview mirror. Your baby will be able to see you as well, which can keep that all-important connection going when you’re on the road. Most of these mirrors are both simple to install and easily adjustable.
  • For taking your infant on the go, a baby dome can be a great option. It serves as both a handy napping space and play area when on the go. The mattress is padded to keep baby comfortable throughout the day.
  • When you’re shopping for products to add to your registry, you’ll notice more baby products than ever interact with your favorite mobile devices. The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light is one of those items, enabling control through your smartphone or tablet. That means if you need to adjust the light or sound in the middle of the night, you won’t have to sneak into your child’s bedroom. Just pull up the app on your iOS or Android device, and you’ll be all set.
  • In addition to its wakeup alarm, the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light also lets you program the light to change colors at certain times throughout the night.
  • Another handy feature on some baby thermometers is a backlight that changes color based on the body temperature it detects. A red light means that your child’s body has reached a temperature that needs action.
  • Occasionally, you’ll need to wash the mattress pad on the Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome to keep it clean. The pad easily comes off so you can wash it.
  • Safety will always be top priority with any baby product.  Always check for safety features and watch for product recalls.

More to Explore

If you’re loading up your baby gift registry, make sure you put some high-dollar items on the list. A study from Babylist found that the average amount spent on baby gifts is $130, yet about half of all gifts on registries are priced $20 or less. That means unless guests want to buy multiple items, they’re in a bind. The grandparents-to-be are likely to spend the most, whereas younger attendees will look for lower-dollar items. Practicality also rules when guests are considering what to buy. That means that baby monitor is likely to go faster than something like a personalized photo frame.

More to explore