It is so easy to go ham when setting up your baby registry. Retail therapy is great for combating negative pregnancy symptoms – especially when you’re not actually spending any money!  The truth is that you only need to know a few things before bringing Baby home. What’s more, you and your baby don’t actually need most of the stuff that’s dangled in front of your face from baby companies and corporations.

I promise I’m not trying to hamper your baby prepping joy. By all means, fill your baby list to your heart’s content. Before you add three different types of newborn shoes you’ll never actually use, though, make sure you’ve thought of these essentials that you’ll be glad you have once Baby is finally here.

Wet Bags

It is astounding how wet motherhood is. Waking up with leaky boobs and an even leakier baby means you’re probably going through clothes like crazy. Instead of throwing wet clothes in a laundry pile where the wetness will spread or tossing them in a sink somewhere, put them in a wet bag: their own, contained designated space until they make it to the washing machine. 

Having a spot to put the messes will make a huge difference mentally, believe me. It’s easy enough to empty the bag when you’re ready for laundry, and you can pop the bag in the wash too. A messy situation turns into one that requires very little thought or effort.

If you get a wet bag with a snap strap, you can attach or hang it practically anywhere. I put one in the kitchen, bathroom, and my car for easy clean up wherever I am, and having an extra for when the bag itself is getting cleaned isn’t a bad idea either. 

This one is cute, affordable, and comes in many different patterns. It’s a 3 pack, so you can have more flexibility with where you keep them or have a couple spares.

A Waterproof Mattress Protector

You’ve probably already thought of protecting your baby’s crib mattress from diaper blowouts, spilt milk, and spit up, but what about your own bed? Even if you are not planning on co-sleeping, your baby is probably going to be in your bed for those sweet, sweet cuddles. If you’re anything like me, your bed will become a home base for all things baby.

This means that your mattress, which is undoubtedly more expensive and long lasting than a crib mattress, needs protecting too. Having waterproof protection on your bed will make things like spilt milk, spit up, and diaper mishaps as simple as changing the sheets. It doesn’t hurt to prepare for postpartum messes, either. 

Sureguard makes protective mattress coverings that will keep all wetness out, and they range from crib sized to California King. They have thousands of positive reviews, and you won’t be able to feel the cover through your sheets.

A Good Baby Carrier

Babywearing is coming back in style with a vengeance, but I’m actually not sure why it ever left. There is no better way to take care of all your child’s needs and your own, in my opinion. Babies can sleep, eat, and just exist in a baby carrier while you’re doing almost anything. 

Babywearing is great for those little ones who always want to be held, and especially useful for parents who want to contact nap and tackle chores. As a work from home mom, baby wearing was essential.

If you’re the type of parent who doesn’t like people getting too close or touching your baby (for some wild reason, this is a thing), then babywearing is great for fending them off. Oddly enough, people don’t try getting in a baby’s personal space if it also puts them in your own.

A stretchy wrap (like a Boba or Moby) is great for a newborn, up to around 35 pounds. They are comfortable, and a great way to learn how to wrap your baby safely. You can upgrade to a woven wrap or structured carrier when your babe gets a bit bigger. 

If you don’t want to worry about learning to wrap, though, a Tula is great. You can usually use one from birth to when they’re 1-2 years old, and they have toddler and preschool sizes as well. You can use a Tula for front or back carrying, they’re comfortable, and simple to use. Ring Slings are a popular choice too, although I personally was never able to get the hang of them.

A Portable Baby Changing Pad

One of the most frustrating things about parenthood is that the world is not set up for parents. You will find that although over a fourth of people on Earth are children, you will be responsible for creating a space for them in the world. In this case, that means bringing your own clean surface to put their naked, poopy butt and portable changing pads are a perfect solution.

I would almost always change my baby in the car. Though this was a comfort thing, it was also a cleanliness thing. If you can find a changing table, the chances of it being a place you actually want your baby is very slim. E. Coli, Staph, and even drug residue have a very real possibility of being present on public changing stations. 

The convenient pads typically roll up small enough for a diaper bag or backpack and can be taken anywhere you go. This makes it easy to change your baby whenever you need to, even if that means you’re making use of the ground, which totally happens more than you’d think.

These thin mats are great for a simple solution anywhere, while this portable baby changing mat is lightweight and able to hold some diapers, wipes, and all your baby changing accessories. 

Something Just For Mom

Mama registries should absolutely be a thing. After all, your baby just needs a boob and cuddles and they will be happy. You, on the other hand, are growing a whole person and becoming a new one yourself. Put a few things on your registry just for you.

Think about what will make your life easier once Baby gets here, but don’t feel guilty for putting things that feed your soul. Books or a Kindle Unlimited subscription, self care products, postpartum clothes, bedding, ect. 

Asking for meals or cleaning services is a great move too. The sky’s the limit really, and if people take issue with having Mama items on your baby registry, they have the option to get a baby item or nothing at all. You’re growing a whole human, and that continues for a lot longer than just pregnancy.