Must

by Katie LeFevre

There's no shortage of innovative and must-have baby products on the market. But with so many items for new parents to pick from, creating a baby registry can be overwhelming.

While it can be tempting to add anything and everything that looks appealing to a registry, you likely won't end up needing (or loving) every item you register for. On the flip side, you’re also bound to look back and wish you had registered for certain must-have baby products. Whether you’ve done your research or are starting to assemble your baby registry, here are 15 tried-and-true must-have baby products you’ll want to ensure are on it.

These essential must-have baby products are born of simple-yet-genius concepts.

Don't let its low price fool you: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a highchair that's easier to clean than the IKEA Antilop. Plus, it's quick to assemble, take apart, and take with you wherever you go. It's a necessity!

Administering medicine to an infant isn't always the most fun task, but it is necessary from time to time. This paci-style medicine dispenser allows you to give medicine seamlessly. It doubles as a regular pacifier and allows the medicine to bypass the taste buds, making the process as simple as it can be for you and your little babe.

The Ollie, which features a user-friendly Velcro closure, makes swaddling any newborn a breeze. Made of moisture-wicking fabric to reduce the risk of overheating, this beloved item grows with your little one to save you the stress of purchasing multiple swaddles in the early days (though you may want an extra for wash day).

This customizable sound machine allows you to select from 11 soothing sounds, endless nightlight color combinations, and unique time-to-sleep/time-to-rise programming. The Hatch also features an easy-to-use app, allowing you to control your kiddo's settings from your phone. This is especially helpful for parents of light sleepers who can't be bothered without waking.

Another clever necessity offering an app for easy programming from any room in the house, this humidifier allows you to monitor your tiny human's room temperature and nursery humidity level. While a humidifier might not be at the forefront of your mind when nesting for a baby, you’ll be glad to have one when your little one's first cold strikes.

This dishwasher-safe pitcher allows you to mix up to four eight-ounce formula bottles simultaneously, ensuring fast access to your baby's next meal with minimal clumping. You might also want to add this product to your registry if you plan to pump, as it's the perfect item for practicing the "pitcher method" before bagging your milk.

A solid carrier is a must-have baby product for navigating the day-to-day. If you’re searching for one that will suit you and yours from the newborn stage well into toddlerhood, look no further than Lillebaby. With excellent lumbar support, mesh lining, and six carry positions, this is the only carrier you’ll ever need.

Family and friends will have different budgets and pricing preferences for gifts from your registry, so go ahead and add a few top-of-the-line items (even if you wouldn't necessarily spoil yourself with them).

Perfect for city dwellers, frequent travelers, or anyone wishing to add a dose of simplicity to everyday outings, the Doona is a one-of-a-kind car seat and stroller all in one. While this is an excellent option for infants up to 35 pounds and 32 inches, you’ll want to plan for a convertible car seat once your baby hits those metrics.

Though an automatic formula dispenser isn't necessary, it's a wonderful luxury that can make your bottle-preparing days a breeze. The Baby Brezza instantly mixes, heats, and dispenses formula in seconds, allowing you to stress less over fidgeting with the can (and all the other moving parts of mixing a bottle).

A wearable breast pump like the Elvie is a dream for pumping mamas. Traditional pumps are bulky and limiting; the Elvie allows you to pump while simultaneously tending to your baby, getting things done at home or work, or even while driving!

Rest assured that your baby sleeps soundly and safely with Newton's breathable crib mattress. Many parents purchase this mattress for its peace of mind, but you’ll also love its washability, softness, and comfort.

Another product praised for the reassurance it gives while baby sleeps, the Dream Sock tracks sleep quality indicators including heart rate, oxygen, movement, and wakings – and provides alerts when your little one's patterns fall outside their normal range. Whether you’re a worry-prone first-time mom or want to track sleep data as precisely as possible, Dream Sock is an invaluable tool for new parents.

A lot changes when you have a baby in tow, including travel. This lightweight, folding travel crib boasts a simple set-up and can be carried like a backpack or luggage-style, making it a perfectly convenient option for taking on the go. Even more, it features a floor-resting mattress, eliminating the weight limit most traditional travel cribs inherently have.

Here are two more hugely beneficial registry items to consider requesting.

Baby registries are all about baby gear, clothes, and, well . . . everything, baby. But mamas are the MVPs in bringing new humans earthside – and must be taken care of too. FridaMom offers postpartum recovery kits for both C-section and vaginal deliveries and a breast care kit. Earth Mama is another excellent option for postpartum care items.

Sure, a meal train might not be the first thing one thinks of when creating a baby registry. However, nothing compares to the gift of homemade, ready-to-serve (bonus points for hot) food delivered right to the front door of any new baby's home. Plus, plenty of people genuinely want to help new parents in ways that are needed in the postpartum phase. Food preparation is one of them.

With an abundance of high-quality, must-have baby products available for modern-day parents, new moms and dads are bound to have personal preferences for all necessities. Still, we can all agree that anything intended to ease the transition into raising tiny humans is golden. The must-have products in our list are some of the most sought-after ones seasoned parents wish had been on their registry. If you’re still building yours, hopefully, this list helps keep you from registry regret down the road.

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