Disclosure: This post may contain opportunities for me to earn compensation. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you
Minimalist Baby Registry of What You Actually Need
Every new parent seems to get caught in the baby equipment trap, including me. The amount of baby equipment we bought and used minimally for our oldest could sink a ship. We didn’t think we’d have a third kid, so we had given away all our baby equipment after the first two. This was the list we bought the third time around, and I would still trim it down if I had to do it all over again.
1) Best Stroller. I lived in the city for the first two kids so this stroller works well in the city. My husband insisted that the stroller recline because he hated it when his darling’s head rolled forward when asleep. He also insisted on a 5-point harness strapping system. I needed a stroller that could collapse with just one hand, a necessity when you are holding your child and still have to collapse the stroller. An added bonus is the strap that allows you to carry the collapsed stroller on your back and still carry a baby. I hit situations on the subway where connecting subway stops required traversing several flights of stairs because there was no elevator. I also like a light stroller. This one is about 6 pounds.
When we visited NYC, we noticed all the moms used this stroller. So, a caveat: this is a great stroller for city living. Works fine for suburban life, too. There are other great strollers that are less expensive, but this worked for us.
Maclaren Volo Stroller, $130.
Best Double Stroller. I had a Maclaren double stroller but didn’t love it because it was very wide, very heavy, and hard to open and close. If I had to do it over, I would splurge on the Phil and Ted’s Sports Stroller. It’s all-terrain, streamlined, and just so cool. Moms at her baby music class raved about it. This might be an item I’d suggest putting on a baby shower list so that everyone chips in for one big present, and at $539, it’s expensive!
2. Best Car Seat. Hands down, the safest car seat is the Britax Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This is the car seat I should have bought the first time around and used for all three. Again, not the cheapest at $209, but very safe and LASTS. I only used convertible car seats for my first two. I broke down and bought the Peg Prego infant car seat system with the car seat that snaps out and into a stroller so my little darling could sleep undisturbed. I didn’t have this for the first two. I think that it really depends on your baby. My first was a sound sleeper, so it was fine to physically remove her from her convertible car seat and put her into a stroller or Baby Bjorn. My second was a light sleeper, so having an infant car seat that snaps out was helpful. I borrowed this from a friend and used it for only about 6 months. The usefulness of an infant system can be priceless, but the longevity is short, so I’d suggest trying to borrow one if you can. The upside is also that you can get rid of it by returning it to the owner the minute you are done.
3) Best Baby Carrier. Baby Bjorn. Yes, a little confusing to figure out, but we used this a lot, and my babies loved being in it. Not true for all babies, especially active babies.
4) Best High Chair. Peg-Perego makes a nice sturdy one, but it is a little pricey at $197.99. We had a less expensive one for our first two, but I should have bought this one first and used it for all three. My friend raved that this high chair is the best splurge she has ever spent on baby equipment. The Chicco Caddy Hook-On Chair is also great if you have a thick, sturdy table to attach it to. It’s very space-efficient and easy to clean.
5) Best Breast Pump. Medela. If you need to pump at work in a time-efficient way, the more powerful and more expensive one is worth the money. I didn’t need to pump that regularly, so the less powerful, $100ish one was fine, just a little slow. This one is about $273.99.
6) Baby Exersaucer. I don’t have a specific preference, but I will say that it was a lifesaver from about 4 months until her darling walked, but the minute after that, the exersaucer needed to go. I recommend borrowing if you can. It’s still a little pricey, takes up a ton of space, and you only need it for about 6 months or so.
7) Infant Bathtub. I definitely needed one, but I can’t remember which one I used. The only thing I remember is that her infant tub was big and difficult to store, as she had the world’s tiniest bathroom. But again, I recommend borrowing if possible because you don’t need it for very long, and it does take up a decent amount of space.
8) Bundle Me. Now that it’s chilly out, I remembered how useful Bundle Me was. It fits on an infant carrier bucket or the Maclaren stroller and probably most other strollers. It’s like a sleeping bag for a baby. It’s especially nice when your baby falls asleep, and then you go indoors because it’s easier to open it up so your baby doesn’t get too hot, versus taking the snowsuit off. The only thing is that it lasts from infants to around 2 years old, depending on how long your child is.
9) Saving for your baby’s future. Are you debating between a Custodial Roth IRA versus a Uniform Gift to Minors Act account (UGMA)? It’s never too soon to start saving for your baby’s future. Here is more information about these two options to stash funds for your child’s future.
Not Necessary for Me … But Other Moms Swear by It
1) Bouncy Seat. I owned three different ones at one point, and my babies hated every single one. A complete waste of money and space for me, but some of my mom friends swore by it. So I would advise trying to borrow to at least see if it’s worth the money and space. Otherwise, try alternatives like a baby swing that can potentially keep your baby entertained with motions that mimic parents’ rocking movements.
2) Crib. I abide by Drs. Sears and Sears and Co-slept with her babies. I do not know any mom who nursed for 12 months or beyond without co-sleeping with their babies; however, one mom from my college freshman dorm just emailed that she was able to do it. But for me, I do not function very well when sleep-deprived, and my babies were not great sleepers at night until they were weaned. A crib was not necessary for me, but I am a strange anomaly. My babies went straight to regular beds. I realize that this is unusual, but I can’t advise on the perfect crib, having never used one.
3) Baby Monitor. Nope, didn’t really need it, but I also lived in VERY small spaces, so it wasn’t necessary. My sister loved the video baby monitor, but she’s a techy type.
4) Pack and Play. Nope, never used it. Other moms found it immensely helpful, but I didn’t have space and never missed it. I hear these are great to have when traveling to use instead of a crib.
5) Baby Walker. My oldest LOVED the walker, but sadly, after a week or so, her pediatrician told her to nix it. Seems it contributes to lots of accidents and delays your darling’s brain development for gross motor skills. Something about your child not being able to see his feet as he moves scrambles their brain and delays their ability to walk.
To examine any of the items listed, please click on image of item.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Parenting Village on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Great list! We barely used our baby monitor s Arjun was just in the next room and his cry would wake us up anyway. Thanks for linking up to #BabyBrainMonday x
Thanks Harps!! I never used my baby monitor much either but my sister got the video baby monitor and found it very useful.