Expecting your first baby is a wonderful and exciting time! Life is about to change for the better, and you are glowing from the inside out! Growing a tiny human is hard work, but creating your baby registry and deciding what things you will need to care for your new little love can be even more overwhelming. Top baby registry items are plastered all over the internet and can make you feel like you need everything under the sun to keep your baby happy and alive. As a mom of two, I am here to ease your stress and tell you that you do not need hundreds of baby items to be a great parent. Here are my top baby registry items you will actually use that both my husband and I loved and used over and over again.

My Top Baby Registry Items You Will Actually Use

1. The first item on my top baby registry items list is a baby carrier. We loved the 360 Ergo Baby Carrier, but any will do. My daughter was not a fan of the stroller at first, so carrying her around in the Ergo Baby carrier was our only way to get out and about. It gave me freedom to walk with her in places a stroller couldn’t go, and it was also very useful for airport travel. Similar to that is the Solly Baby Wrap. It is the same idea of being able to carry your baby around hands-free, but with a softer feel. We loved this product more for in-home use. I would put my babies in the Solly Wrap to prep meals, bounce them to sleep or do light housework.

2. The second item on my top baby registry items list is, of course, a stroller. This is a must-have baby item, and the choices are endless. My general recommendations for a stroller are to find one that is easy to fold, has the option for a double if you are planning to have more than one child, and can accommodate your car seat to make outings easy. We chose to purchase the Uppababy Vista and were very happy with it for the five years we used it.

3. The third item that must be on your baby registry is a car seat. Since we had the Uppababy stroller, we chose to purchase the Uppababy Mesa car seat to make things easy. We were very happy with this car seat. Some things to keep in mind when selecting a car seat are the safety information, how easy/light it is to carry around, if it can fit with your stroller, that the fabric/padding can be removed to wash (trust me on this one) and if the base is easy to install.

4. A playard is a definite must-have on any baby registry. We used ours for visits to the grandparents, trips and even for our second baby to sleep in while we transitioned our daughter out of the crib and into a big girl bed. We have held onto our playard past our kids needing it, as it has been helpful for friends and family to use for their children when they come here to visit. We chose to purchase the Nuna Sena Playard and love how sturdy and strong it is. I always felt like our kids were safe in it, as they were very active and loved to try to climb out.

5. The next item on my top baby registry items list is spit-up blankets and wash clothes. You can never have too many of these items! As a new parent and even beyond, you are always wiping up spit up and all kinds of other messes. We kept these items in all areas of our house for easy access at any time.

6. A white noise machine is one of the items on my top baby registry items list that we could not live without as new parents. We used a sound machine every night and during naps with both our kids to help them sleep, and it was very helpful. This became even more useful once our second child was born to help the kids from waking each other up in the night. We loved the Dreamegg White Noise Machine for regular use, but also had a sound machine App on our phones for on the go.

7. Your family and friends will no doubt want to buy clothes for your baby. They are so cute and little, how can you resist? On your registry request, zipper sleepers, as your baby will basically live in these for the first few weeks and maybe months. They are easy, cozy and cute! Be sure to avoid sleepers with buttons, as you will not want to be fussing with these in the middle of the night when you and your baby are both tired. I still love Carter’s pyjamas for my kids. They are great quality, wash well, and they have lots of adorable prints.

8. The Halo Sleep Swaddle and Sleep Sack quickly became a favourite in our house and is now one of the items on my top baby registry items list. I buy these as a gift for almost every baby shower I attend and cannot recommend them enough. They are high-quality, soft and durable. You will want a velcro-style swaddle for the first few months until your baby is rolling to keep them cozy and sleeping well while they are still experiencing that newborn reflex.

9. Diapers and wipes are always a great baby registry item, especially for a second or third baby. Register for a variety of sizes and stock up for the months to come.

10. The final item on my top baby registry items list is a diaper bag. When choosing a diaper bag, make sure to choose something that fits your style but is also durable and can stand up on its own, so it is not tipping over while you are trying to change a huge blowout! Another tip for diaper bags is to find one with great organization to keep things in their place and easy to find and grab when needed. Remember to find one that is not too bulky or heavy, as you will be carrying it around every day.

I hope my top baby registry items list will help you on your hunt to find the items you would like to register for. Remember that you don't need it all, just because society, social media and friends say you do doesn’t mean you do. Think about how you want your life to look with your new baby, and register for items that will help you live that way. Happing shopping!