Confession: when I registered for my first child, I had a meltdown in the stroller department. I felt so overwhelmed, confused, and intimidated by the products stacked to the ceiling of the store that my husband had to take me to a coffee shop next door so I could regroup!

Moms and dads-to-be, registering for baby items doesn’t have to be so stressful! I wish that instead of roaming the aisles, I had just called another mom and roamed around her house, checking out which baby products she was actually using.

But since inviting yourself over and rummaging through someone’s house might not be an option in 2021, we’ve got the next best thing: real moms’ advice on which products they are currently using and loving for their little ones!

Consider this your virtual visit to a new mom’s house, complete with advice and tips. Come take a peek at the items you should definitely consider adding to your registry!

Read on for their answers–and go ahead and open your registry in another tab so you can edit yours as you read!

The Most Popular Item Overall: Baby Bjorn Bouncer

What real moms are saying:

“This has been an absolute lifesaver for us. My baby loves to bounce away in it!” –Megan P.

“Small, easy to wash, perfect bounce and angle.” –Sarah M.

“Length of use. Not primary colors. Easy to store. Easy to clean. Should I go on?” –Blaire R.

“We called it the ‘poop chair!’ It always relaxed our daughter so much that she pooped or napped!” –Shannon D.

“Everyone needs this!” –Nicole B.

“If you have multiple kids, this is great for bathtime. Baby can be in it wrapped up while you’re drying off another child.” –Jenny D.

I was inundated with recommendations and glowing reviews for the Baby Bjorn Bouncer! This small and sleek chair is the perfect place for baby to lounge and bounce. As mentioned above, you can wash the cover, which is so helpful for spills and messes! I recommend registering for an extra cover so you have one to use while the other is in the wash. Another awesome feature: you can fold the chair in half for easy storage or travel!

Most Popular Lounge/Sleep Item: Snuggle Me Organic Baby Lounger

The moms I surveyed raved about this “docking station,” perfect for tummy time, lounging, and supervised sleep; babies seem to love relaxing in their Snuggle Me Organic Baby Lounger! I only had it with my third daughter, and I found it so helpful to move this around the house and have a cozy place to put her!

Best Sound Machine: Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine Night Light & Time-to-Rise

“I freaking love this thing and use it every day with my son! I love that it has an app so even if I leave the room and decide to increase the white noise volume, I can. It’s amazing. And easy to travel with.” –Grace T.

I’m so sad I didn’t have the Hatch when my girls were newborns: not only does this sound machine provide soothing white noise you can control from your phone; it also gives off soft light you can adjust for middle-of-the-night diaper changes and nursing sessions! As your child grows, you can set a “Time to Rise” light for your toddler to know it’s ok to get out of bed! Genius.

Runner Up: Baby Shusher: The Sleep Miracle

“We didn’t register for it, but someone gave it to us as a gift. It’s a miracle worker!” –Anna R.

The word “miracle” kept popping up when moms talked about the Baby Shusher! The revolutionary Baby Shusher can help soothe your fussy baby by engaging their natural calming reflex. Utilizing an ancient but doctor tested technique, it makes a rhythmic shushing sound that mimics in utero noises and soothes your little one. Whatever works!

Best Monitor: Nanit Plus™ Complete Baby Monitoring System

“Incredible video quality and I love that you can see it on your phone.” –Carly M.

This Nanit bundle comes complete with everything you need to monitor your baby while they sleep! The camera sees everything happening in and around the crib, live streaming to your phone with clarity. And the included Breathing Wear monitors your baby’s breathing motion, simply by reading the customized patterns on the fabric.

Best On-The-Go Accessory: Ergobaby™ Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Baby Carrier

“We’re 7 months in and we still love it for shopping, church, naps, etc.” –Catie W.

For those moments you need to be hands-free, The ergonomic 360 Cool Air Mesh Baby Carrier delivers ultimate comfort and convenience for you and your baby! You can carry your baby in 4 positions and adjust the shoulder straps and lumbar support for ultimate comfort. My husband and I, who are a foot apart in height, easily switched back and forth with this carrier on many trips and errands!

Best Travel Accessory: SlumberPod® Privacy Canopy

“I’m not sure how people travel without it!” –Carly M.

Have you ever shared a hotel room with an infant? It’s not fun. I distinctly remember eating room service in our bathroom because I didn’t want to wake up our sleeping child who was exhausted from a day of travel. Thanks to the SlumberPod, you’ll never have to eat on the edge of the bathtub: The portable SlumberPod Privacy Canopy helps to create a peaceful place for your little one to sleep in their playard, mini crib, or travel crib. It darkens any space, yet leaves enough room for your child to sit or stand up inside.

Best Swing: 4moms® mamaRoo® 4 Classic Infant Seat

“This swing is AMAZING! Especially its car seat motion feature!” –Olivia R.

The mamaRoo Classic Infant Seat from 4moms bounces and sways just like you do when you’re comforting your baby. It’s soft and plush and provides plenty of entertainment with built-in music and toys. Plus, you can control the motion, sound, speed and volume from your phone or any Bluetooth-enabled smart device!

Runner-Up: Graco® Duet Glide™ LX Gliding Swing

“It’s both a bassinet AND a swing–amazing for grumpy babies who love motion. I had it by our bed and it rocks on a timer, then stops, to lull them to sleep. It lays flat for sleeping and tilts up for swinging. It’s the best thing we bought for our girls!” –Rachel B.

The mamaRoo might have 5 fancy motions, but moms love the swing/bassinet combo of the Graco® Duet Glide™ LX Gliding Swing. Your baby can recline in 3 positions and can either glide or swing. Either way, a lot of moms called this bassinet/swing a lifesaver for fussy babies!

Best Bottles: comotomo®

When my second daughter refused to drink out of a bottle, I found myself on a mission to find one she would accept. I think the comotomo® was bottle #4, and I cried tears of joy when she happily drank out of it! Why do babies love these things? Do they intuitively know they’re Italian and expensive? Will my daughter’s taste for luxury carry over into handbags? Am I destined to buy her designer items for the rest of her life?

All kidding aside, the naturally shaped, soft silicone nipples of these comotomo baby bottles are ideal for babies who have trouble transitioning from nursing to bottle-feeding. Consider adding this helpful collection to your registry, as it features multiple bottles and various flowing nipples.

Best Cleaning Products: Dapple Bottle and Dish Soap, Fabric Spray, Laundry Detergent, and Wipes

“This is the cleanest brand I could find for washing baby bottles and clothes.” –Meresa V.

Made with plant-based ingredients and none of the things moms worry about, Dapple Bottle & Dish Soap is specifically formulated to remove the fats, proteins, and carbs left behind by breast milk and formula. The chlorine-free formula of the fabric spray and detergent is gentle on clothes but strong enough to wash away formula, poop, spit up, baby food and more!

Best Bath Products: Mustela® 5-Piece Newborn Arrival Gift Set

“I love the smell of the shampoo, body washes, and lotions!” –Shelly R.

If you’re looking for clean, plant-based products for your newborn’s delicate skin, look no further than Mustela! Moms love that they’re paraben and phenoxyethanol-free, hypoallergenic and specially formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.

Best Blankets, Bibs, Burp Cloths, and Nursing Covers: Copper Pearl

“The bibs are the most absorbent by far! And the swaddles wrap the baby tightly. The patterns are so cute, too” –Caroline H.

“I don’t leave home without my carseat cover! It keeps the car seat dark for naps on the go, and stops strangers from reaching in and touching the baby. I also loved using it as a nursing cover.” –Natalie P.

All of Copper Pearl’s products are incredibly soft and cozy, and the adorable patterns, florals, and solids are unique and on-trend! I am a huge fan of their entire product line and always buy Copper Pearl when I see it on a friend’s registry!

Best Stroller: UPPAbaby® VISTA V2 Stroller

“Chic, functional, just the best!” –Carly M.

You don’t just own an UPPAbaby® stroller, you become obsessed with your UPPAbaby® stroller. At least that’s what I’ve learned from the many, many parents who sing its praises! The UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller is uniquely designed to adapt as your family grows. Boasting an extended canopy, luxurious fabrics and full-grain leather details, this premium stroller can transport up to 3 children while strolling like a single. It might be the first and last stroller you ever buy!

Best Changing Pad: Keekaroo® Peanut Changer

“I love that I can wipe it down, especially having a boy!” –Monet S.

Forget having to throw a changing pad cover into the wash every few days! Keekaroo’s Peanut Changer changing pad makes diaper changes hassle-free for you and more comfortable for your little one. This soft polyurethane pad is water- and puncture-resistant, and the changing surface easily wipes clean.

Best Product You Never Knew You Needed: Baby Bumco® Diaper Cream Brush

Before becoming a parent, you might think, “Why would I need a tool to apply diaper cream to my baby’s bottom?” After becoming a parent, you will say, “I’m so glad I listened to this blogger and I don’t have to live with diaper cream residue on my fingers!” Seriously. This is your life now. The Bumco® Diaper Cream Brush keeps your hands clean, is BPA-free, and even has a convenient suction stand. Trust me–put this little thing on your registry!

Ready to Register?

Hopefully, this list has helped you feel less overwhelmed and more focused on which products are must-haves! For more helpful ideas, check out our Baby Registry Checklist, and head over to RegistryFinder.com to create your registry! And be sure to send your friends and family to RegistryFinder.com, where they can find all of your registries in one place!

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