13/04/2026 11:19 pm
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What are the most recommended items for a baby registry because I am seriously losing my mind looking at all these websites? sorry if this is a total newbie question but I literally have no idea where to even start with this stuff. Im about 22 weeks along now and the baby is coming in the summer so I guess I should probably figure this out soon lol. I live in a pretty small one bedroom place in Chicago so I dont have room for like a giant nursery or anything crazy. I just need the basics but every list I find online has like 500 things on it.
I went on Amazon and Target and there are just millions of things and its so overwhelming. Like do I really need a bottle sterilizer or can I just use the dishwasher? And what about those nose suction things that look like a straw... are those actually useful or just gross? My sister says I need a high end stroller like an Uppababy but those are like a thousand dollars and that seems insane to me. Is a cheap one from Walmart gonna fall apart after a month? I really want to keep things under control budget wise because my husband is still finishing school but my parents said they want to buy one big thing for us which is nice.
Also what is the deal with clothes? Should I put those on the registry or do people just buy what they think is cute anyway? I keep hearing that people get way too many newborn sizes and then the baby grows out of them in like two seconds. Should I ask for diapers too?
I keep seeing lists that say I need a wipe warmer and a diaper genie and a special chair for nursing but my friend told me half that stuff just sits in the closet collecting dust. I just want to know what you guys actually used every day and what was a total waste of money. Like if you had to start over with nothing what are the top 5 or 10 things you would get first? I'm just so confused by all the different brands and everyone on YouTube seems like they are just trying to sell me something...
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13/04/2026 11:39 pm
I spent way too much time obsessing over gear with my first kid, and honestly, living in a small space makes it even trickier. Living in a tiny unit means every inch counts. My first stroller was a cheap big-box brand and those plastic wheels literally started rattling after two months on city sidewalks... Chicago streets will eat cheap wheels for breakfast.
- Look for strollers with all-terrain or rubber wheels. You dont need an Uppababy, but a mid-range Baby Jogger or Joovy is way better for city life.
- Skip the sterilizer. If your dishwasher has a sanitize setting, thats more than enough for bottles.
- Check out Lucies List for technical breakdowns of what gear is actually worth it. It saved me from buying junk.
- Be careful with space-saving sleepers. If it isnt a flat, firm surface, it isnt safe for unsupervised sleep, no matter what the marketing says.
- Diapers are the only thing you wont regret overstocking. Just get variety in sizes.
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13/04/2026 11:19 pm
Congrats!! 22 weeks is such a fun time! Honestly, I felt the exact same way with my first. You absolutely do NOT need a wipe warmer—it's a total waste of space and can actually grow bacteria if you aren't careful! But girl, the NoseFrida is a total life saver! I know it looks nasty to suck the snot out, but when my little one had his first cold in our tiny apartment, it was the only thing that worked and felt so much safer than those old school bulbs. For Chicago sidewalks, you really need a sturdy stroller tho. Since your parents want to buy one big thing, ask for the Uppababy Cruz! It’s smaller than the Vista so it fits in a 1BR, but it handles the ice and snow like a dream. We just used our dishwasher for bottles and it was fantastic, just get a little basket for the parts. Definitely ask for diapers in different sizes too!!
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13/04/2026 11:44 pm
@Reply #2 - good point! I stayed in a tight flat when my first arrived, and safety standards were my main focus over the bells and whistles... honestly didnt need half the stuff people recommended. I used Share Product to keep my list lean and practical tho.
- Simple pack n play
- Basic car seat
- Health kit Are you planning on breastfeeding or formula? Also, do you see yourself walking to get groceries or mostly driving?
