🍼 Baby Registry Review: What I Loved & Left

I think I’m an upgraded 90s mom. I grew up without a lot - our parents didn’t have curated registries, Instagram reels of “must-haves,” or a thousand articles about which wipes were best for eczema-prone butts. Honestly? I kind of envy that.

But when we brought our little guy into the world, I also really appreciated having a few smart tools in our corner. I love simplicity, I want stuff that actually works, and I don’t have the time (or sleep) to figure out overly complicated baby gear at 2 a.m.

I like things that are analog, intuitive, and ideally multi-use. Stuff that can grow with your baby. Stuff that doesn’t break or go in the landfill after three months. And above all, I want to feel like I’m not being buried by “stuff” I don’t use.

We also travel. A lot. All of our family is out of state, and we still wanted to camp, see friends, go to rugby games. Our son took 12 round-trip flights in his first year. I didn’t want to pack everything. I needed a process, not a playroom of gear. I don’t need fancy brands - I need purpose.

I built our Amazon registry thinking we’d use everything… spoiler: we didn’t. Some things earned a permanent spot in our routine; others never made it out of the box. The rest? We’re still figuring it out: one blowout, nap, and Amazon return at a time.

Sleep & Soothing

✅ AMKE 3 in 1 Baby Bassinet

This was our MVP for sleep. No tech, no fancy apps, just a cozy little spot next to our bed where Leon would sleep soundly. Set him down and he actually stayed asleep. Highly recommend for keeping your sanity.

✅ White Noise Sound Machine

This little sound machine goes everywhere with us. The Hushh is compact, easy to clip onto the car seat or stroller, and gives just enough white noise to help Leon sleep through basically anything (looking at you, airport announcements). We’re so used to it now, it’s part of our nap/bedtime routine—even in the car or on the go. Total game-changer for travel and small-space living.

❌ Larex Baby Swing

Looked nice, didn’t work for us. Leon just slumped into it like a sad sack of potatoes. Returned it within days.

Carriers & Wraps

✅ Boba Baby Wrap

This wrap made me feel like a mom ninja. Soft, secure, and a lifesaver when Leon just wanted to be held (read: all the time). Perfect for those early snuggly days. Can't deny that I watched the 'how-to' video 1000 times but saved to used again for baby #2!

✅ Baby Tula Carrier

Once he hit about 3 months, we switched to the Tula for more structure and support. It’s great for walks and travel, and still comfy for both of us.

Clothing Tips

• Only buy onesies with TWO zippers. No one has time for 3 a.m. full outfit changes.

• Sun hats only for the first few months, most others won’t fit yet.

  
  

Diaper & Bath Stuff

✅ Evolur Eva Changing Pad

We didn’t want to keep washing a cloth cover every time there was a blowout (so… basically daily). This changing pad is waterproof, stain-resistant, and easy to wipe clean. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, so we move it around the house as needed. No weird smells, no laundry pile-up, just simple and functional.

❌ Fancy Diaper Pail

I wanted to love this shiny, sleek diaper pail. A lot of people do—and we even sold ours on Facebook Marketplace in two seconds flat, so there’s definitely a fan base. But for us? The smell got trapped in the steel after 7–8 months and it just wasn’t worth the hassle. We switched to a small trash can and never looked back.

✅ Baby Bath Towels

We ended up using just 3. Soft, easy to wash, and didn’t shrink into washcloths like some others. The rest? Returned.

✅ Coconut Oil over Aquaphor (and every other fancy cream)

We received so many creams, some organic, some fancy, all with long names that sounded official. But in the end? We just used a giant tub of plain coconut oil. We used this one (link)—it's cold-pressed, unrefined, and USDA certified organic. It was better for Leon’s butt, my hands, and our budget. Less waste, less guesswork, more simplicity.

Feeding Gear

✅ Comotomo Bottles

Simple, soft silicone, and easy for Leon to hold as he got older, a solid go-to.

While you’re at it, grab the larger sizes too. The nipple flow increases as your baby grows (who knew?). It took me a minute to realize the difference. Look for the tiny pinprick holes on top. Easy to size up when they’re ready for more flow, and Leon started holding these himself pretty early on.

❌ Mason Jar Bottles

I wanted to love these, truly. They felt eco-friendly, less plastic, and kind of cool in that crunchy, minimalist way. I know some people use them and swear by them. But I wasn’t in the headspace to tinker with lids or seals or awkward weights. I returned them. Still, if you're in a DIY mood or want to try them out, they might work for you.

Play & Development

✅ LOVEVERY The Play Gym

Easy sensory play that doesn’t feel like a carnival exploded in your living room. This one’s simple to set up, easy to wash, and actually affordable compared to other high-end options. It kept Leon entertained during tummy time and beyond, and it folds down when you want your floor back.

Travel & Outings

✅ Diaper Backpack

I didn’t want a travel diaper backpack, figured I could just use any old backpack. And honestly, I probably could have… but this one surprised me. It has cold storage, a spot for the changing mat, smart pockets, and makes it way easier to keep all the baby stuff organized and accessible. Glad we ended up getting it.

✅ Portable Changing Pad

One of the smartest things we bought. It has pockets for diapers and wipes, folds up like a clutch, and makes changing on the go so much easier.

Once we got comfortable with diaper duty, this was sometimes the only thing we tossed in the stroller (bold, I know). We also kept one in the car just in case. Perfect for travel, airport bathrooms, quick errands, basically anywhere life happens.

✅ Travel Baby Bottle Drying Rack Set

This little setup made cleaning bottles and pump parts on the go so much easier. I kept it in the diaper bag and used it in airports, cars, wherever. A small thing that saved my sanity.

✅ Travel Bassinet

We took this everywhere—road trips, overnights, even just downstairs for naps. Sets up in minutes and folds up flat. If you plan on moving around at all, this thing is clutch.

✅ Stroller/Car Seat Travel Bags

Get ‘em before your first flight, these keep your gear from getting banged up in transit.

To be honest, I didn’t even think about them until my good friend Kristina recommended them. Total lifesaver. They’ve protected our gear so far and fold down easily when not in use, perfect for travel.

You can find my FULL Amazon Baby Registry List HERE.

*Links above are amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use and love.

We went with Amazon the first time - fast, simple, and easy to update during those 2 a.m. feedings. This time around, I’m trying Babylist. I've also browsed Target, Walmart, and other baby registry sites along the way. Every mom’s different, so try what works for your life (and your sanity).