By Leah Eagle

One of the truly fun things you get to do during your pregnancy is to create your baby registry.

Registries have changed a lot over the years. You can now choose to create one at physical stores or online (or both!).There are also sites like Babylist.com where you can choose products and it will show what stores they are available and keep track of it all in one spot. 

As you've probably seen, there are so many baby products out there to choose from. There are some items that you really need and some that you really don’t. Olli+Lime has done the research and compiled a list of the top 10 products to add to your registry. 

1. Diapers (and wipes too!)

There is no limit on how many diapers you’ll need for your baby. They go a lot, and newborns will go through as many as 10 to 12 diapers each day. Depending on how quickly your baby grows, you may or may not be in the newborn size for very long. Make sure to register for a variety of sizes, including 1’s and 2’s so you can have them on hand when you’re ready to move to the next size. As for the brand, you’ll have to figure out what works best for you and your baby, which may take some time. However, one of the most popular ones for newborns are Pampers Swaddlers. And don’t forget to add wipes too. They may be the item you go through the fastest!

2. Sophie the Giraffe Teether

Sophie is a natural teether that originated in France over 60 years ago, but she is still as popular as ever. It’s not only an adorable giraffe, but is made from 100% natural rubber (rather than plastic) and is a perfect size and shape for babies to hold. They can also chew any part of this toy, but the ears, horns, and feet are made with thicker rubber for extra gnaw-ability. Sophie also squeaks when you squeeze her. Cleaning is easy with a damp cloth. To prevent trapped moisture inside Sophie, just cover the squeaker hole while cleaning. She may just become your baby’s first bestie!

3. Organic Burp Cloths

Burp cloths are not only great for putting on your shoulder after you feed your baby, they can also come in handy to wipe their mouths during feedings, runny noses, drool or come in clutch when messes happen. It’s good to keep several on hand so you’ll always have a clean one nearby. You’ll want to not only have them at home, but also on the go, so make sure to pack them in your diaper bag when taking your baby out. Clean burp cloths are a must to have ready on the daily.

4. Boppy Nursing Pillow + Cover

Not only does this nursing pillow help provide support feeding (both breast and bottle)​​ it can be used for things beyond feeding time. It can multitask as babies grow through their first year. Other uses include: propping (3 months+); tummy time (6 months+); and sitting support (9 months+).

It’s also a good idea to register for multiple covers, so you can always make sure there is a clean one ready to go.

The Boppy is completely machine washable, including the pillow, the pillow cover and the slipcover.

5. Sleepsack Swaddle

If you’ve never swaddled a baby before– it can be a harder task than you may think. Luckily, advances have been made in this category and there are now

SleepSack Swaddles have made the process a whole lot easier. They have all of the  benefits of a traditional swaddle, but in a much simpler and foolproof design. Swaddling is basically wrapping a blanket securely around your baby so that they are unable to wriggle out and interrupt their sleep. There are options in the Sleepsack Swaddle to place your baby with their arms in, hands-to-face, or with one or both arms out. inverted zipper to make middle-of-the-night diaper changes easy breezy. Just unzip, change and put them back to sleep; no need to unswaddle.

6. Baby Carrier

If you want to keep your baby close to you for extended periods of time, there are plenty of baby carriers on the market to choose from. Newborns as small as 7 pounds can be safely worn in a carrier, and most can hold up to 30 pounds, so these can be a good investment on your registry. Carriers allow parents to do other things while still keeping the baby close. Other options of wearables include wraps, slings and backpacks. Benefits of baby wearing include closeness and attachment with your baby, providing them with a safe and secure environment and being able to do tasks while still holding them.

7. A sound machine

Sound machines have come a long way and don’t provide only white noise these days. They are available with features including a nightlight, sounds and songs that can be downloaded to your phone. It combines all of the devices that you need into one easy-to-use device. It can also provide a soft light for midnight newborn feeding sessions. As your children grow, it offers wind down stories for preschoolers and a wake up function for older children. Hatch is one of the most popular brands, and parents can control all the functions by using an app on their phone.

8. An activity gym/playmat

These can provide your baby entertainment from tummy time to sitting up and beyond. Babies get visual stimulation from all the different items included that they can look at and also tactile stimulation with the toys they can touch. Both can encourage your baby to explore and learn. They can also teach play skills to allow them to engage their curiosity. The padded surface provides a cozy spot for your little one to spend some playtime or supervised tummy time each day.

9. A bathtub or bath seat

While many of us may have grown up getting bathed in the kitchen sink, there are now a plethora of baby bathtubs available. Some babies love bath time, some are indifferent and others just don’t care for it. Figure out the bathing routine that works best and make it as easy and relaxing as possible for your baby. There are sink inserts that can turn your sink into a mini bathtub. Basin tubs are standalone tubs that can be placed in the bathtub or sat on the counter. Bath supports let your baby be in a reclined position. Most baby bathtubs have a newborn portion that can be removed and be used as your baby grows. While you’re adding these to your registry, make sure to also put in for some baby bath, baby shampoo, wash cloths and hooded towels!

10. Gift cards

For people who still don’t know what to get as a gift, make sure to include gift cards on your registry too. This way, you can buy whatever you want, or buy items you didn’t receive from your registry. They’re also good to have on hand when you need to make trips to the store to replenish your stock.

Make sure to register for items in a variety of price ranges. While friends and co-workers may spend around $25-$50, family will likely want to spend more, so make sure there are plenty of options to choose from! 

Did you know all Olli+Lime products can be added to your registry via Babylist.com? Simply open up the product listing and click "Add to Babylist" to get started! 

Select your design with transition in mind. A great pillow transcends the singular room and has the flexibility to fit in any room. Choose fashions that are neutral & work within Home Décor. Make sure that the size is small enough to be safe for baby but large enough to fit on a couch or into that toddler bed. And finally—for the greatest flexibility, make sure it has a pillow cover which provides the ultimate transitional opportunities.

For safety purposes always remove decorative  pillows from your baby’s crib prior to nap or bedtime.

OLLI+LIME Twig Pillow

Blankets – Buy Large.

Large blankets aren’t ideal in the crib at first, but they are ideal for tummy time and “hang out” on the floor time. They also have the added benefit of transitioning into the toddler room adding comfort to the new big boy or big girl bed. Larger blankets are also luxuriously decadent for Sunday snuggle time on the couch for you and your baby!

OLLI+LIME Weave Blanket

Shelves – Pick Simplicity and Mobility.

One thing that is true within any nursery is the need for space. Simple, easy to install shelves provide quick and easy storage and decoration solutions while decluttering and providing places for your nursery décor to set. When selecting shelves choose neutral colors that work in the balance of your house as well as those that will fit as a transitional piece within a toddler room. Once its job is done in the toddler room, it can move into your “dining/bar area” – see below “dressers” for how this dining/bar area comes to life.

BabyLetto Dottie Book Shelve System

Dressers – Yes They Can Grow Too!

OK….so not every solution is inexpensive, and your nursery dresser may just fit into this category, knowing that this firm structure has the greatest need and likelihood of spanning the test of time. Select a dresser that is made from solid materials that also meets your own personal home style, the solid material will give you the option to refinish the piece down the road. Also find one that gives you solutions that meet your needs such as doubling as your changing table or storing your diapers during the baby years and holding those favorite toys and stuffies in the toddler years. This piece can transition into your dining room as storage for glassware and potential move into that earned and greatly needed “bar space” (hint: read “shelves” section above for complete bar design solution)

Babyletto Palma WB Dresser

Rugs – Mobile Luxury

Nothing transforms a room more quickly or easily than a rug. Selecting a luxe rug not only dresses up any nursery, it also provides instant comfort during those middle of the night moments. Choose rugs that complement your nursery while adding a smidge of design or color that can carry throughout your home. Select a size that is compact enough that it still fits when you transition into a Toddler room as well as meeting a need next to your favorite lounge chair within your home.

Kroma Carpets Light Grey Round Rug

Wall Décor – Customization is Timeless

Who doesn’t like looking back on baby photos or moments that have defined their life? Selecting customized timeless pieces are a great way to capture those time capsule moments that never get old. Just as appropriate and meaningful when your kiddo is a baby to when they head out of the home, selecting those pieces that timestamp the early days will stand the test of time within their room and your household over the generations.

OLLI+LIME Modern Birthday Wall-Art

• lighting - making sure the image is properly lit helps with the definition of the subject
• shadow - in the same way, having well defined shadow adds real depth
• contrast - the interplay between the two helps define the image and give it real punch