Here’s Our ULTIMATE Registry Checklist

Our gear experts, Gigi Jack and Nina Tooley of Little Lamma, have you covered for any occasion, but "baby" is the language they speak best. Click through for a look-no-further guide to everything you need and advice on what you don't!

Having a baby is a magical, life-changing experience—and, honestly, for all first-time moms, is pretty overwhelming. With thousands of products to choose from and everyone from your mother-in-law to your postal carrier offering unsolicited advice, the task of registering can be daunting.

Give yourself a break, mama, and let us cut through the clutter for you with our ultimate Baby Registry Checklist, designed for a little princess or prince. We've done the legwork for you. We've wasted our money on expensive, useless items, been pooped on countless times, raised our children through trial and error, and the wisdom of the village, and have come out the other side with a tried-and-true list of our favorite items that will cut down on laundry, make your nursery look great, while also saving your back and your sanity. It's an honor to pass our learnings on to you. And, if you're still overwhelmed, don't panic—all you really need when you take your baby home from the hospital is diapers, wipes and a car seat (and two of those products you can steal from the hospital, lol).

If you just want to keep things simple, register for our ultimate gift bundle and we'll make sure you get something fun (and age/stage appropriate, of course) every month.

You'll forget that there was ever a time when you didn't discuss the potty (and what happens in it) with your partner over text, over dinner or before bed. When we finally removed our changing pad from the top of our dresser and put the diaper caddy (read: any basket) in the closet, it felt like we had truly moved to a new stage of life.

You'll probably want to start with Water Wipes (and you'll need a lot). Once you get through that box, you may as well set yourself up on a subscription. You'll be in need of them from now on. In fact, we can't imagine ever not needing them. While you're at it, you may as well register for a Wipes Dispenser. It may seem unnecessary, but trust us when we say you don't want to be messing around with wrestling a single wipe from what is essentially a wily plastic bag while you're changing a diaper. A sleek, simple, one-touch dispenser is far more civilized.

Diapers: The headline here is "trial and error." There are myths about Huggies working better for girls and Pampers for boys (although we've personally found the opposite) and there are quite a few eco-friendly, nontoxic options like Honest Company and Seventh Generation. Two pieces of advice here: First, it doesn't hurt to register for these, since you'll need a LOT. Newborns require 10-12 new diapers every day. Second, try out a bunch of brands. It may take some (unpleasant) experimentation to find what works for you.

There are a lot of stylish, newfangled options out there, but we found great success with the simplest of the bunch! Who knew?! That sling will save your shoulders, neck and nerves from trying to keep a slippery newborn upright. This turns into a really fun time once your kiddo can sit up on their own.

We love all things Tubby Todd. They're mom-founded and focus on what we care about—everything is 100 percent natural and safe for even the tiniest of newborns.

A couple of hooded towels, bath toys, cozy jammies and you're all set! We love this set—and this set to cover all three.

Life works in surprising ways, so even if you're planning on breastfeeding exclusively, it doesn't hurt to register for some bottles and feeding accessories as backup. The first lesson of parenting is: Just like with childbirth, you never know where it's going to take you. (We're slowing learning that we can't control everything!) If you're prepared to let go of expectations and especially the self-judgment that goes along with not meeting them, you'll be a happier parent—and your little one will benefit, as well.

We like the shape and feel of the Comotomo bottle system (because #boobs), and there are minimal parts involved. If you have a baby with reflux (like we both did), Dr. Brown's bottles are great at slowing the flow and minimizing spit-ups. The downside is there are more parts to clean, but if you're getting spit-up 12x day, that won't faze you in the least. And, of course, both of these bottle systems work well with breast milk or formula.

Similar to a dish rack, it's really function first in this category. Luckily, the Boon Lawn drying rack marries form and function, while also taking up a relatively small space on your countertop. The Boon twigs are great for things like nipples, pacifiers and other assorted boob-substitute accessories.

The baby&i silicone bottle brush set may not be the prettiest thing you've ever seen, but it will effectively clean bottle and pump parts, last longer than standard bristle brushes and you can throw it in the dishwasher to sterilize and clean it.

Save your counter space and grab these Medela Steamer Bags to sterilize anything from bottles to pump parts to the pacifiers that inevitably fall out of the car seat and into the dirt. With "high-speed" in the name, the Munchkin bottle warmer gets our vote. That's literally its only job: to warm milk quickly before your baby screams louder than a fire alarm.

First and foremost, prepare to feel like a dairy cow, #realtalk. Secondly, most large insurance companies will cover a great pump, so we say start there! If you need something hospital-grade or extra supplies, this is a great thing to cover with Target, Amazon or Buy Buy Baby gift cards. Most insurance companies will cover the Medela Pump in Style Advanced, along with a full set of parts. Though we were certainly ready to part ways once our breastfeeding journeys were over, all of us used the Pump in Style and found it easy to use and adjust, take to work, use in the car—you name it! If you're looking for something even more portable, we have friends who recently used the Willow Pump and loved it!

In our experience, babies won't spit up unless you've forgotten to throw one of these over your shoulder. KiddyStar burp cloths work well. Register for at least two packs, since you'll always need one on your person and an extra in your diaper bag. Helpful tip: If you have a baby who spits up a lot, buy yourself a few cheap shirts from Target and wear those while you're feeding. Spare any nice clothing from destruction in the beginning.

Even if you don't breastfeed, we recommend buying a nursing pillow because it can help protect your back and encourage better posture while you're feeding your little one. Get an extra slipcover, or just pop a burp cloth on top before you start feeding. Bonus: You can use the Boppy for tummy time when your baby is ready. If you are planning on breastfeeding, this one provided amazing support both for us and for our babes. We found ourselves wearing it around the house more often than we'd like to admit.

Native Wilds' Nest was created by a mom we love, and serves so many purposes: nursing cover, car-seat cover, shopping cart cover. Yes, you should cover the shopping cart whenever possible because trust us, at some point you'll turn around and be shocked to find your little angel sucking on that dirty handle.

Bibs serve multiple purposes, like catching food and absorbing drool. For feeding, we love these waterproof, silicone, roll-up bibs to catch the steamed carrots before they reach your floor. For drool, we love these adorable MatiMati bandanna bibs because they're effective and add a touch of hipster chic to any outfit!

The Stokke Tripp Trapp is a fan favorite. It's stylish and has tons of accessories and add-ons to help the chair adapt and grow with your kiddo. Plus, it's easy to clean, which is super important because food will end up in every nook and cranny!

The Beaba Babycook may seem like a bit of a luxury (and it is)—but trust us, having the ability to steam and mix all in one spot saves time and makes it so easy to make your own purees. In the end, it probably saves money, too. Store-bought baby food is expensive! You could also simplify your life even further and register for a Yumi subscription. They make the same kinds of purees you would make at home (let's be honest, theirs are prettier), but its delivered to your door weekly with adorable packaging that will make you wish they did the same for parents.

Moje Mama baby food containers make freezing purees so simple, and come with two infant spoons. Easy-peasy.

You can try baby-led weaning, homemade purees, store-bought baby food—you just do you! When it comes to what we put our food ON, we're obsessed with Love Mae's bamboo plates. They're made of sustainable bamboo, are biodegradable, dishwasher and microwave-safe, and hard to break even when they go flying across a room (it happens with surprising regularity).

Every friend will swear by a different car seat, a different stroller, the bouncer that SAVED their life. There's a bit of trial and error involved here, as well (your kid may HATE a bouncer)—but these are our true-blues. They made it through multiple kids and even then passed down to friends.

We're big fans of the Uppababy system and recommend their Mesa infant car seat. Its fairly light, clicks into their strollers easily and holds up well. The bases are very easy to install but we would still recommend getting one for each car to make it easier on yourself.

If you're looking for a one-and-done situation, we love the Graco4Ever (cup holders, anyone?). At a slightly higher price point, the plush new Maxi-Cosi Magellan takes you from newborn (as little as five pounds) all the way to 10 years old (and as much as 120 pounds). If you're not into the idea of having a BarcaLounger in your backseat, the Diono Radian has a sleek, narrow profile and is still top-rated for safety.

The Uppababy system has lasted us through two kids with flying colors. We've gotten more than our money's worth here. It looks great, works great and their customer service is also great. (One of our wheels locked up once and they sent us a replacement overnight with no questions asked.)

The Cruz is probably the only stroller you'll need, unless you jog or hike a ton and aren't into a carrier, as it folds down fairly small and is lightweight enough to pop in and out of your trunk as needed. You can have your kid facing forward or backward, and can adjust their seat angle easily with one hand. We added the piggyback board once our second was born and found it easier to manage than a double stroller. The Vista includes a bassinet, if that's more your style, and can accommodate a second seat in case you're planning on another little one fairly soon. Add the snugseat insert for an extra layer of coziness.

You don't really need one until a bit later, but Uppababy and BabyJogger make great versions. If you travel a ton, consider the Pockit, which folds down to fit in a overhead bin.

While not necessary, the Baby Bjorn balance bouncer is a great way to keep your baby safe and occupied when you're hanging around and need to give your back a break. We loved being able to put our second baby in the bouncer while playing with our toddler close by.

This is really a matter of preference given how many there are out there. The Ergo Adapt doesn't require any inserts and can be used from infancy onwards. The crossover strap feature will legit save your back, too.

The Nuna Sena has all you need and is so easy to unfold and refold. It's also a safe, cozy crib alternative, if you don't want to invest in a full-size wooden crib.

We're pretty much obsessed with the Storq Kit Bag. It's not embarrassing to carry around, it's functional and fits into any backpack, whether you get a Fjallraven or a Herschel.

Sounds dramatic! Of course, you want your kiddo to be safe and healthy, always. These accessories felt helpful but not overwhelming and work pretty universally, so it certainly can't hurt to register for them.

You don't NEED one of these, but when you're driving your little bub around and they make a sound, or don't make a sound, or you want to check in on their adorable smile, or check if they're asleep before you stop the car, you'll want to see what's going on back there. Plus, they love looking at themselves. In any case, there are many scenarios for which this mirror will come in handy.

Honest Company has done an amazing job tackling all the essentials for baby-friendly cleaning. As in, you won't hit the panic button if they rub their hands over a just-washed surface and then stick their fingers in their mouth. Register for a subscription and pick the five products you need every month, from dish soap to laundry detergent to surface cleaner.

Believe us when we say you'll find yourself discussing bodily fluids far more than you ever thought possible or necessary—and sucking mucus out of your child's nose through a tube. This kit helps with all the things. Enough said.

You'll want a humidifier if your baby gets sniffly, has dry skin or if you live in a drier climate. Have one handy so you don't have to run out and grab one with a sick baby in tow.

With a large display and a temperature gauge, the Infant Optics monitor keeps you in sync with every little sniffle and wiggle (put. the. monitor. down!). If you prefer to peep at your kid from work (or the other room while someone else is watching your baby), get a Nest and log in from your phone or laptop.

Let's be honest: You'll be spending A LOT of time in this room for the next several months (years?!), so it should be a place where you feel calm, happy and comfortable. Even if you don't have an extra room to make into a nursery, you'll want to outfit the closet, alcove, etc., with some personal touches to make it feel like dedicated baby space. Beyond a safe place to sleep and a cozy spot to sit and snuggle with your new babe, the extras are really for you at this point (toddler opinions come later)—so pick things you love!

Start with a smart investment that will last for the next five years, or even longer if you have a second. The Kalon Studio Caravan Crib converts into a lovely toddler bed once they're ready to crawl out, then a daybed or couch down the road. And it comes in a wide variety of colors.

The Lullaby Earth lightweight mattress will save your back when you're changing the sheets often in those early days. By "often," we mean that you'll be dealing with bodily fluids quite frequently at god-awful hours like 2:30 and 4 a.m. Buy at least two mattress covers so you don't have to wait around for the laundry to finish before getting the job done.

Don't waste your time and money on "baby furniture"—any dresser will do! You'll use it for storage, and once you're done with diapers, you can style the top for the perfect #shelfie. In the meantime, the Keekaroo changer is a must! You can pop it on top of any flat surface and secure it with the attached straps. You won't need a changing pad cover (hello, less laundry) and can wipe it down with baby-safe cleaning wipes whenever necessary (read: several times per day).

We love the Nurseryworks Sleepytime Rocker with a sumptuous, real leather pouf or vegan leather pouf as an ottoman, which (trust us) will become a doll stage, Lego base or jumping spot down the road!

The Swaddle UP is genius for nighttime by giving them a little room to move while still feeling secure, and the zipper makes it super easy for late-night changes. The Miracle Blanket swaddle wrap looks like a straitjacket, but is incredibly comforting to most babies and is easy enough to wrap up in the middle of the night when you're functioning on one brain cell. For more a more versatile and chic option, Clementine Kids' swaddles (Polka Dots, Clementines, Citrus Stripe) are so soft and can be used for literally anything. We know a certain 3-year-old who still uses one as her nap blanket at preschool, or as a cape/gown/picnic blanket (depending on her mood, haha).

Winter will be here at some point, but instead of cranking the heat up or stressing over whether it's safe to use a blanket, try a sleep sack. Between the time when they're rolling over and when they're able to stand, these come in very handy. They also prevent early climbers from swinging their legs over the side of the crib! This one also includes a lightly weighted pad on the chest to mimic a comforting hand (because as cute as your baby is, your comforting arm will get tired) and adjustable shoulder straps so you don't have to worry about sizing.

We're longtime fans of Liz Libre's illustrations and Lizzy Ott's interiors, so when they came together to design a line of baby essentials, we were sold! We love the thoughtful, playful, design-minded patterns and soft, organic cotton fabric. Their sheets wash and wear really well, too!

While not a necessity, a mobile is a great way to add some interest to a nursery and give little ones something to look at as they doze off to sleep. There's no need to find one that moves on its own, natural, gentle movement is better for tiny eyes. We're partial to the Flensted Balloons! They're designed and made in Denmark with incredible attention to craft and detail, by a family-run business who's been perfecting their craft for three generations.

We're crazy about Fiona Walker's new Felt Animal Heads and the underlying ethics of the company. Plus, who wouldn't want to wake up to this goofy face every morning?

People love buying baby clothes. You can stock up on basic onesies, leggings, etc., with Amazon gift cards. (We love the Burt's Bees sets!) Register for things you really love, so that it feels like an actual present when you open gifts—not like you just went on an obligatory Target run (with your family and friends watching).

Some lessons we learned the hard way: Gowns are great and make nighttime changing easier. Kimono-style onesies are best for the first few weeks when they don't want things going over their head. Zippers > snaps > buttons.

Here are some of our favorite sets:

• Organic Cotton Keepsake Set
• New Baby Basics
• Sunshine and Rainbows
• Baby Seal Set
• Arctic Adventure

Once again, toys at the beginning stages are mostly for you. Your babe will mostly sleep, eat and you-know-what for the first couple of months. A rattle or lovey, a couple of things that make you smile on the bookshelf—and you're basically all set. See below for things that look good on a shelf and will also keep your kiddo entertained as they start being more in tune with their surroundings.

Who doesn't love a koala? These rattles are made with beautiful, soft linen and are great for snuggling too.

We prefer to keep things simple in this category. You want something that's easy to move around, will keep an infant and older baby entertained, and hopefully doesn't make you cringe every time you look at it. Ikea makes a great activity gym that's easy on the eyes.

We love Candylab cars. They start off looking great on your bookshelf, then a sitting baby learns to roll them forward, then they come to life for your toddler, who plays with them endlessly. A wooden stacking toy has a similar effect, and looks equally lovely in the nursery!

Once your kiddo starts to show some interest in standing (praying for you that this doesn't happen too early), an activity cube is a great way to keep them entertained and give them something to hold onto.

A push/pull toy is a fun way to introduce blocks—and, also, #physics.

Board books are the way to go for the beginning. They're also great to chew on, grab and throw! Some of our faves: "B Is for Bear," "Baby Duck," "Cozy Time," "Little Lamb," "Tiny Town."