Overwhelmed by the number of baby products out there?
We've done all the research for you to find the most non-toxic, beautiful, and effective products. No need to pore over product comparisons.
All you need is this one curated list.
First question: where do I register?
The most common baby registry websites include Babylist, BuyBuyBaby, Walmart and Amazon. I would recommend Babylist because the functionality is good and it allows you to add items from any store, unlike the other three. While Amazon is tempting, it's a bit overwhelming and can get tricky with shipping (people tend to be on autopilot with Amazon and make mistakes when shipping to a new person). Babylist is tailored for this use case, so it's the best choice.
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Starting a registry early lets you keep a list of the items you're considering as you do your research. You can start it now and hide it from the public until you're ready to share. You can also always add items as you go!
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Now, to the fun part...
Travel
01/ Stroller
So many opinions on strollers! It's actually pretty simple. There are basically four top stroller brands out there: Uppababy, Bugaboo, Nuna and Doona (I know...these names). For your main stroller, the most popular brand, and my top choice, is the Uppababy. Within Uppababy, you have two choices: one that will convert to a double stroller if/when you have baby #2 (the Vista), or a compact model (the Cruz). They both accommodate a bassinet, chair or carseat as your child grows, but the Vista can fit two children at once. On top of your everyday stroller, if you travel a lot you may want a travel stroller. Doona has made a name for itself with its travel stroller.
Pick one between the first two, and decide if you need a travel stroller:
Full Size Stroller
Top pick: The Uppababy Vista V2 is the stroller of all strollers. Impeccable design, four configurations, seamless folding, and several colors. If you plan to have multiple kids, this is it. The Bugaboo Fox is a close second.
Compact Stroller
The Uppababy Cruz V2 is a smaller and lighter version of the Vista, but won't accommodate more than one child. It has all of the impressive design elements of the Vista, just a bit smaller. Bugaboo's Lynx is their compact version.
Travel Stroller
The Doona Car Seat to Stroller is designed to be compact and perfect for travel. It works as a carseat but easily converts into a stroller just by flipping the legs out. Don't forget the carseat base if you're using a different carseat for everyday. My favorite travel stroller that grows with your child would be the Uppababy Minu.
02/ Stroller Accessories
Get a cupholder and organizer - it'll save you on walks. It's also worth getting a carseat adapter so you can easily bring the stroller frame on outings and just plop the carseat into the stroller.
Recommend getting all three:
Cup Holder
Worth it for your walks - you're going to need free hands more than you think you will! Uppababy sells one for the stroller. Bugaboo version. Nuna version.
Carseat Adapter
When you're out and about and traveling by car, it can be really useful to use your carseat as Baby's seat in the stroller, especially early on. Uppbaby makes a universal adapter that works with several carseats. Bugaboo version.
03/ Carseat
Especially in the beginning, you'll be carrying your baby in the carseat quite a lot - and, often, one-handed! You want it to be safe, of course, but also light and easy to carry. The Nuna PIPA RX and Nuna PIPA Lite R are both excellent carseats and the top recommendation. The 'Lite' is ever-so-slightly lighter but otherwise the same.
Recommend getting all three:
Carseat
Nuna makes the lightest carseat on the market. The PIPA Lite R is the latest version of their "lite" carseat line. It's excellent and what we'd recommend. If you want the larger version, the PIPA RX is the newest model. Don't forget a second base if you have two cars.
Carseat Base
One base comes with the carseat purchase, but you may want a second if you have two cars.
Carseat Mirror
This will help you check on baby while driving solo. Another $20 life-saver. This model is a best-seller and has been vetted for safety in crash testing, but they're all pretty much the same.
04/ Carriers
You'll be carrying your baby until s/he is about 7 or 8 months old and, surprisingly, babies get pretty heavy pretty quickly! You'll want at least one good carrier for you and/or your partner for day-to-day activities where you won't necessarily want a stroller and for recreational activities like hiking. If you're only buying one carrier, the BabyBjorn One Air is the way to go.
Get at least one:
Soft + Stylish Carrier
The Zeitgeist carrier from Artipoppe is one of the more popular and attractive carriers out there if you care about aesthetics. It's actually also very soft, comfortable and easy to use. One downside is that it's not designed for front-facing carry, but some people still use it in that way.
Sturdy + Stylish Carrier
The Mission Critical carrier is a cool and functional carrier for those looking for a more rugged style - the carrier a piece of baby gear that often gets dads jazzed up. This one's ergonomically designed for forward- and backward-facing carry and is easy to put on.
Most Versatile Carrier
The BabyBjorn One Air is the most versatile carrier you can get. It comes in attractive colors, works for bodies of all sizes, is light and comfortable to use, and allows for several ways of carrying. It's an excellent carrier and can be used for everyday but also more sporty activities. Highly recommend.
04/ Baby-Wearing Wraps
Baby-wearing has had a resurgence in the last couple of decades and can be quite helpful in soothing your baby (and giving you some freedom to get things done) in the first couple of months. The Solly wrap is our top recommendation.
Pick one:
Fabric Wrap
The Solly wrap is the most popular because it's soft, light and stretchy, making it easy to use and comfortable for Baby. It also comes in nice patterns. The Moby and K'tan are also popular, but Solly is our top pick.
05/ Travel Accessories
The Nuna SENA Aire is on the pricier end, but an excellent pack-n-play. It has a changing table attachment and is incredibly well-made. You can use it as a crib or play pen (or both!) on the go. Would also recommend a travel mobile and travel sound machine, both of which can also be used on a stroller or carseat.
Recommend getting all three:
Pack-n-Play
The Nuna SENA Aire is our favorite pack-n-play. It's high-quality, sturdy, has a changing table attachment and comes in attractive colors. Families also like the Guava Lotus for travel, since it packs into a backpack.
Travel Sound Machine
The Rohm travel sound machine has three sound options, is battery-operated and rechargeable, and has volume control. The world-famous "Shusher" is also well worth the $35. Somehow, it works miracles, especially in the early months.
Travel Mobile
While not a huge fan of bright colors in the nursery, when you're traveling, you'll want whatever is going to grab Baby's attention. This simple mobile is a hit, for whatever reason. Hang it on a stroller/carseat or even give it to Baby to hold. If you need to up the ante with music, this is great; it has music and comes in muted colors.
06/ Diaper Bag
Long gone are the days of the unattractive diaper bag, or even the diaper bag itself. Tons of brands have tried to renovate the diaper bag and there are a number of cool options out there. I opted out of the diaper bag altogether and threw a ToteSavvy organizer in a Clare V tote bag I already had. This also makes it easy to transition your bag from a diaper bag to a normal-human bag when you're going out on your own. Highly recommend.
Pick one:
ToteSavvy Organizer
These come in several sizes and colors. The Deluxe model fits a standard, large tote well. Stick it in a Clare V or Cuyana tote and no one will ever know it's full of diaper rash cream and burp cloths. And you'll still feel like your old non-mom self!
Dagne Dover Backpack
If you're looking for a bag specifically for baby travel, this is a great option. It has all the bells and whistles of a traditional diaper bag, but is understated and attractive. It's soft, lightweight, comes in three colors and has endless pockets!
Birdling Bags
Birdling is a smaller brand that makes excellent bags for parents. They have several colors and styles, but the Backpacker and Day Tripper tote work best for diaper bags. Their entire line of bags is fantastic and has a classic look. They've recently become very popular, so you may have to get on a waitlist.
Diapering
01/ Diapers
It sounds silly, but diapers are very personal - personal to the parent's preferences and to Baby's skin. It was important to me to find the cleanest non-toxic diapers out there. Diapers sit on Baby's skin all day, every day. The more natural the diaper and the least chemicals used, the better. I did an immense amount of research on this. There are tons of brands out there that market their products as "natural" or "clean." These words are not regulated and many of these companies aren't as clean as they promote themselves to be - don't be fooled. These recommended diapers are the ones that I like most, based on my findings. Get a few bags - you'll go through about 10 diapers a day in the beginning.
Pick one:
Andy Pandy
Top pick: Andy Pandy has the highest standards in non-toxic, natural diapers. Gentle on Baby's skin. Biodegradable and has a subscription option!
Healthynest
Currently the only EWG verified diaper on the market. A newer brand, but gets top marks from the EWG, the most trusted site.
Dyper
Dyper is the most popular sustainable diaper subscription, AND it's available on Amazon. Biodegradable and high standards for clean materials.
02/ Wipes
Again, I was big on non-toxic here. The number of wipes you use a day will blow your mind. Everyone loves Water Wipes, but the Pipette ones are great and clean, too. If you go with Dyper diapers, they'll come with wipes. Get at least 10 packs - you'll go through tons of wipes early on.
Pick one:
Water Wipes
Top pick: The most minimal list of ingredients: water and fruit extract. They're European, which is always a great sign, and affordable.
Pipette
Pipette is an incredible line of baby products. These wipes are non-toxic and have calming ingredient's for Baby's skin.
Dyper
If you subscribe to Dyper, you'll get free wipes! You can also buy separately. These have good ingredients and are eco-friendly.
03/ Changing Pad
Everyone loves the Peanut, but I found it too firm for my baby. It's great for boys because it's easy to clean (they pee!). The standard cushion pad that came with our changing table worked for us. If you go standard, remember to get liners that you can easily toss in the laundry if things get messy - that way, you're not always removing and washing the pad cover.
Pick one:
Top pick: Simple, organic and soft for Baby. Get some waterproof liners to lay over your cover.
Keekaroo Peanut
One of the most popular pads for its sleek design and easily wipeable material, particularly for boys! No covers needed.
If you want to go all out, this pad functions as a scale. It's wipeable foam, like the Peanut, and has an app to track Baby's weight.
04/ Changing Station
In addition to diapers and wipes, you'll need a few more accessories for diaper changing. Even more included in Cleaning.
Wipe Warmer
Top pick: This warmer has an anti-microbial lining and looks sleek. The use of a wipe warmer is a debated topic, but some babies really do prefer it.
"Barrier" Balm
The best $13 you'll ever spend. Using a balm as a "barrier" on Baby's bum at every diaper change will prevent rashes. This works, has non-toxic ingredients and is super-soft. You can also use it on Baby's dry spots, in skin folds, on your hands...anywhere! Hands down the best product.
Diaper Rash Cream
If Baby does develop a diaper rash, this cream is highly effective and non-toxic compared to the bigger brands. All rash creams need is zinc oxide to be effective. This is also soothing on Baby's skin and smells great.
05/ Diaper Pail
This is mostly personal choice. They all work pretty well, it's really about aesthetics and whether or not you want a foot pedal. The Dekor is my top choice because it functions well, isn't offensive looking and has a foot pedal. I would also recommend the Ubbi if you don't want plastic, but it doesn't have a foot pedal. Again, personal choice.
Pick one:
Dekor Classic Pail
Top pick: This pail works really well, is compact, easy to use and comes in a few colors. You need to buy their bags, but they last long and really contain odors.
Ubbi Steel Pail
If you'd prefer metal and don't mind not having a foot pedal, this is a great option. It comes in tons of colors and doesn't require special bags.
06/ Portable Changing
You'll need these when you're on the go. Make sure you have travel sizes of all your balms and ointments, as well.
Skip Hop Portable Pad
Top pick: This is a best-seller for a reason. It's well-made, soft for Baby, and easy to clean. Comes in many colors. Another great option.
Disposable Pads
Having a liner you can easily toss can be helpful to lay on top of your portable pad. These work well and are easy to carry around.
Diaper Baggies
If you don't have a trash can nearby after a diaper change, these will save you.
Feeding
01/ Bottles
Buy a few different types of bottles to trial in case Baby prefers one over the other. These four recommendations are plastic-free and high-quality. If Baby doesn't have a preference, you can use all and alternate.
Recommend trying a few:
Comotomo Silicone Bottles
Top silicone pick: Comotomo makes silicone bottles in two sizes and two colors. Their nipples have vents to prevent gassiness and the wide neck makes them super easy to clean. They're also light and easy for Baby to hold. Overall, our favorite bottle.
Olababy Silicone Bottles
Olababy also makes a good, wide-neck silicone bottle. The nipple shape is unique, but some babies really take to these. It also comes in two sizes and is easy to clean.
Lifefactory Glass Bottles
Top glass pick: These are excellent glass bottles that come in several colors and two standard sizes. They have silicone sleeves to prevent breaking and are easily cleaned. These fit standard nipples; we used Havea natural rubber nipples with these bottles.
Nanobebe Silicone Bottles
These bottles are as lightweight as the other silicone bottles but come in neutral colors and have an angled shape. Babies love this.
02/ Nursing Pillow
A nursing pillow can be a game-changer for breastfeeding moms (or even bottle-feeding moms!). They are super helpful to prop Baby up, and often double as back support when Baby is learning to sit up. Whatever you choose, pick white so you can bleach those milk stains out. These are our top pillow picks, but it may take some trial and error.
Pick one:
Nook Feeding Pillow
Top pick: This is a soft, comfortable pillow made entirely of organic materials. It's machine-washable and comes in many solid colors.
Blessed Nest Pillow
Also made of organic materials, this is a softer pillow that can be moulded around you as needed. It's 100% organic and USA-made.
Snuggle Me Pillow
Often sold out, this pillow is soft, organic, and has a comfortable shape. Ethically and sustainably made, with high-quality materials.
03/ Bottle Prep
If you're pumping or pre-mixing formula, you'll want a bottle warmer. The Tommee Tippee 3-in-1 bottle warmer is our top recommendation as it has several size, temperature and material settings - it looks complicated, but works unbelievably well. If you know that you'll exclusively formula feed, I would definitely recommend a formula mixer. I really can't emphasize this enough. It will make prepping bottles easy, quick and mindless. It is probably the number-one product recommendation for any parent using formula.
Pick one of the first two:
Tommee Tippee 3-in-1
Top pick: This is the bottle warmer of all bottle warmers. Three settings for bottle material, starting temp, and ounces make this a brilliant warmer. It turns off and keeps the bottle warm when it's done. Great product.
Béaba Warmer
One of our favorite brands, Béaba makes a bottle warmer that doubles as a sterilizer if needed. It works with all bottle materials and warms quickly. It's compact and easy to bring on trips.
Top pick: Nothing compares to this machine and, if you are formula-feeding, it will save you an incredible amount of time and stress. This is worth it.
04/ Bottle Washing
While the bulk of what you'll be washing, bottles are unfortunately not the only things you'll be washing by hand - add pacifiers, teethers and toys to the mix, as well. These accessories will make cleaning and sterilizing a bit easier. It's worth emphasizing, the Upang sterilizer is a game-changer if you have enough space for it. It dries, sterilizes and stores all your baby's feeding items, including your pump parts. It's quite large, but will save you tons of time and storage space.
Recommend getting all three:
Best one out there - easy to use, works well, and can be used on all baby items, including pump parts, teethers, pacifiers, etc. It also has a nipple brush hidden in the handle.
Upang Sterilizer
While you may not think you need one this sterilizer will save you tons of time drying, disinfecting and storing feeding materials, especially pump parts. It's large, but worthwhile and can also be used for pacifiers, toys, teethers and solid food gear. It looks nice and is highly functional. Measure it out before buying! If it's not for you, the Béaba bottle warmer works as a sterilizer.
Boon Lawn Drying Rack
Works very well and really the most attractive drying rack you'll find. Get white rather than green so it disappears in the kitchen. Dishwasher safe!
Bottle Soap
Attitude's Baby Bottle Soap is the most non-toxic and effective brand I've found. We love this brand for many of our cleaning needs (they also have a fruit and vegetable wash liquid) and it works very well for bottles and pacifiers. It can also be used in a dishwasher.
05/ Pacifiers
The pacifier debate is still a hot one in the parenting world, but research shows that pacifiers can be very soothing for some babies who really need that extended non-nutritive sucking. If you're baby takes to pacifiers and you choose to use them, these are our top non-toxic recommendations. Also, don't forget to get a clip - pacifiers are constantly falling.
Pick a few in case Baby has a preference:
If you want to go entirely plastic-free, these are the best non-toxic pacifiers out there. We love them. They come in several nipple shapes/sizes and make for great teethers when Baby is a bit older.
A kind of hybrid between the cute-colored type and all-rubber type Havea makes an all-rubber pacifier in a few cute colors. They're excellent quality, non-toxic, and pretty.
06/ High Chair
Your baby will be starting solid foods sooner than you think. These are our favorite, ergonomically sound and well-designed high chairs.
Pick one:
Stokke Tripp Trapp
Top pick: This is a super-popular chair because it can be configured to fit your child from infancy to adolescence. It comes in several nice colors and is ergonomically designed. Make sure to get the tray, cushion and infant cushion.
Lalo
Very similar to the Clikk, this chair has a sleek design and comes in a few nice colors. However, it can also be repurposed into a play chair with shorter legs when Baby gets a bit older.
07/ Solid Feeding
When you're preparing and serving solids, a few, brilliant products can make it very easy, and even fun. In particular, the Béaba food maker might seem unnecessary, but it is life-saving. You can use it for all of Baby's meals and will save you tons of time.
Recommend getting all three:
Béaba Neo Babycook
This is one of our top product recommendations of all. This will make starting (and continuing) solid feeding easy and mindless, and will help you cook perfectly portioned, nutritious and healthy meals for your child. It can cook veggies, fruit, proteins and grains, and can even purée for the early months. Best, it's plastic-free, dishwasher-safe and comes in many beautiful colors. We cannot recommend this more highly. Make sure to get the grains attachment, as well, for pasta, rice and oatmeal.
ezpz Feeding Sets
ezpz makes great silicone feeding sets for babies. They come in several sizes and cute colors, are easy to use and are dishwasher safe. The First Foods set is great, as is the Mini Mat and utensils. You'll need 1-2 sets. If Amazon is out of colors, Maisonette has a great selection.
Bibs
Mushie makes the best feeding bibs - they are soft, made of non-toxic silicone, highly functional and come in cute colors/patterns. You'll only need 2-3 and they're dishwasher safe. If you need a bit more coverage, smocks also work well.
Nursery
01/ Furniture
Nursery furniture is so personal! There are tons of ways to design a beautiful and cheerful nursery, this is is going to be something you'll want to explore based on your taste and home decor. That said, I would recommend you make sure your furniture is GreenGuard Gold certified, which ensures it's tested for harmful chemicals. Whatever you choose, you'll want three standard pieces in your nursery: a crib, a changing table, and a rocking chair. We've included our favorites below for some inspiration.
Rocker / Glider
You'll want a rocking chair or glider. Our favorite gliders are by Oilo Studio. They are well designed and look beautiful. We also love rockers and gliders from RH Baby, and Pottery Barn Kids.
Changing Table
Again, this is going to be very personal and you may or may not want to match it to your crib. Whatever you choose, think about whether or not you want a removable changing topper so the piece can be used as a dresser down the line. Highly recommend drawers on tracks for easier use.
02/ Bassinet and Nap Pod
Before Baby is ready for a crib, you'll probably want him or her in a smaller bassinet, either in your room or in the nursery. For the first 4-6 months, I would highly recommend the SNOO. At first, I was skeptical of the SNOO ("How could I put my baby in a robot to rock her to sleep? How unnatural!"), but after a ton of research, I found that the beauty of the SNOO is that it mimics what babies naturally need and want in order to be soothed: movement and noise. And it really, truly worked for our baby. We used the SNOO in our bedroom at night and our baby was fully sleeping through the night after 3 weeks. Now, this could have been genetics, the SNOO, or just great parenting :) but I can't imagine the SNOO didn't play some role. We could not recommend this investment more highly. It is very expensive, but can be rented or reused for future children. It will actually save you money if you use this in lieu of a night nurse or sleep consultant. Some babies don't like the SNOO, but it's worth a shot if you rent it for a few weeks.
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Because newborns sleep for the majority of the day, you'll also likely want a napping pod of some type to bring around the house with you while s/he sleeps. We used the Design Dua Moses Basket and Snuggle Me Organic pod for naps during the day and the SNOO at night.
Recommend some combination of the below:
Nighttime Bassinet
The SNOO is an incredible bassinet and can really help to soothe your baby to sleep more easily (and longer). It's recommended for babies up to 6 months old but is easily stored for future babies. It's expensive, but can be affordably rented. Don't forget to get the special sheets and swaddles. If you're not into the SNOO, the Halo and mamaRoo are also both very popular.
Portable Nap Bassinet
You'll want a rocking chair or glider. Our favorite gliders are by Oilo Studio. They are well designed and look beautiful. We also love rockers and gliders from RH Baby, and Pottery Barn Kids.
Soft Pod
Soft pods and loungers can be really convenient in the first couple of months when Baby is napping almost all day. Our favorite is the Snuggle Me Organic pod, which fits in the Design Dua baskets and is made of all organic materials. Some love the Dock-A-Tot but I'm not a fan.
03/ Crib Accessories
There are several safety concerns around infant sleep, particularly related to SIDS. The below recommendations are in line with the latest AAP guidelines for infant sleep before the age of one. In particular, the crib should not have a padded bumper or any soft toys or objects, including a blanket, that could cause suffocation or strangulation. While it seems a bit sad, the baby should be on his/her back in the crib and without any other soft objects (pacifiers are ok from a safety standpoint).
Recommend all of the below:
The Newton Baby Mattress is the safest mattress on the market and is entirely breathable - meaning someone laying face-down on the mattress could still breathe. It's made of a soft mesh material that is washable, too.
Safer Bumpers
Traditional crib bumpers are a no-no these days as they're correlated with SIDS. However, safer bumpers have been designed. For babies who constantly bump against the rails, these vertical rail pads are incredible. For babies who get their limbs stuck between the rails, mesh bumpers have become very popular.
Crib sheets
The softest organic crib sheets I've found are from Restoration Hardware in their organic linen or cotton collections. They come in neutral, calming patterns. I also love the sheets from Pehr and Aden + Anais.
04/ Climate Control
Sleep experts recommend specific climate conditions to create a womb-like environment and promote baby sleep. Maintaining a dark, cool environment with white noise can make an immense difference in baby sleep patterns. Experts recommend a temperature around 68-71 degrees Fahrenheit and ample humidity. They often also recommend complete darkness with (louder than you'd expect) white noise. In addition to the below products, which are game-changing, I would highly recommend blackout shades, especially for naps, as the sunlight will disrupt your baby's sleep patterns and make it difficult to keep a good schedule.
Recommend all of the below:
The Hatch Rest+ is the higher-end model between the two sound machines the company produces. This model has several settings that can be mixed and matched to create your baby's favorites, and can also be set on a schedule to help your toddler understand when it's time to sleep and wake up. It's a great product and can be controlled entirely by your phone.
Canopy Humidifier
The Canopy is a smart humidifier that also serves as an air purifier and diffuser. It has several settings, as well as an auto feature, to hit the target humidity level for your baby. It is my top choice as its tech prevents mold, does not use mist and is entirely dishwasher safe. We pair this with a high-quality HEPA air filter by Conway.
Nanit Baby Monitor
The Nanit Pro Smart Monitor is excellent if you're looking for one that connects to WiFi. It is managed fully through a mobile app, includes both video and sound monitoring, and features climate monitoring for temperature and humidify, with alerts. It can be managed by multiple caretakers and provides weekly sleep insights. If you're into data, this is the monitor for you.
05/ Decor
Beyond the essential items, a few sweet accessories in the nursery can really make a room feel special and whimsical for your baby. The below are a few easy ways to add a touch of magic to your nursery.
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Oversized Stuffed Animals
An oversized stuffed animal is a classic item to add some fun to a nursery. Pottery Barn Kids actually has great jumbo plush toys and RH has nice rocking animals.
Play
01/ Large Toys
Especially when your baby is young and immobile, large "contraptions" that support their movement and play can be super helpful. I would recommend an activity gym for the first year, as well as a bouncer for the first six months. You should also have a go-to, soft play mat for your baby to roll and move around as s/he learns to roll over, push up, sit up and then finally crawl!
Recommend each of the below:
Play Gym
Lovevery's Play Gym can be used for the first year and has tons of attachments you can switch out. This is a favorite for a reason and highly recommend. Clover + Birch also has a pretty and smaller one.
Bouncer
BabyBjorn's Bouncer is one of the best newborn products you'll own. Babies love the subtle bounce and upright position so s/he can comfortably hang out and watch whatever you're doing. It also has attachments to keep things interesting for Baby. People also love the Nuna Leaf and MamaRoo, but the Bjorn is small, lightweight, foldable and beloved by babies.
Playmat
Especially for the first few months, Pehr's playmat is my favorite because it's cushiony and soft, but easy to machine wash and fold up. It's perfect for the first few months.