If you’ve started building your baby registry and immediately felt like you needed a spreadsheet… welcome.
Somewhere between “newborn socks” and “WiFi-enabled bottle warmers,” it becomes unclear what you actually need and what the latest momfluencer simply wants you to buy.
So let’s simplify.
A good registry isn’t about having everything. It’s about having the few things that make daily life easier once the baby arrives.
French parents tend to approach this with a little more restraint: fewer gadgets, more essentials (and the knowledge that you can add/buy things later...)
Here’s a calmer way to build your list.
What to put on a baby registry
When people search what to put on a baby registry, they’re usually not asking for 47 products. They’re asking: what will I actually use at 3 a.m.?
So let’s start there.
1. Diapering essentials you’ll reach for every day
You will change a lot of diapers. A lot.
So this category deserves the most thought. But that doesn't mean that it needs the most stuff.
Register for:
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diapers (a few sizes, not only newborn)
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soft cotton pads or reusable cloths
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a simple, protective diaper balm
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refills of the products you’ll use constantly
A giftable set is a beautiful place to start:
👉 La Petite Crème Gift Set (perfect for new parents)
And if you want to be truly practical, refills are the unsung hero:
👉 La Petite Crème Refills (the gift you’ll thank yourself for when you realize the diaper lotion is empty)
2. Sleep basics (keep it boring)
Babies do not need a nursery that looks like a catalogue.
They need:
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a safe sleep space
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a few fitted sheets (register for multiples)
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sleep sacks instead of piles of blankets
That’s it.
3. Feeding support (not feeding perfection)
Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, combo-feeding, or figuring it out as you go:
Register for:
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burp cloths (more than you think)
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a comfortable feeding pillow if you want one
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bottles only if you plan to use them
Don't overthink it, feeding is enough work already!
4. A few genuinely useful toys (not dozens)
Babies don’t need entertainment. They need connection.
But one item that parents consistently use? A simple play gym.
The Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym is one of those surprisingly universal “we actually used this daily” products.
It’s not fancy. It’s just… useful.
5. Getting out of the house, easily
You don’t need every travel gadget.
Register for:
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a diaper bag you (and dad) actually like carrying
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a baby carrier (life-changing for many parents)
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a stroller that fits your actual life (not your fantasy life)
One good setup is enough.
6. Postpartum comfort (yes, for you)
A registry can include support for the person giving birth.
Consider adding:
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cozy pajamas
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nipple balm or recovery items
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meal delivery credits
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anything that makes home feel cozier
This is not selfish. This is survival.
7. The most underrated registry item: duplicates
Register for extras of what you’ll truly use:
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crib sheets
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cotton pads
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diaper care essentials
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refills
The boring gifts are often the best ones, you'll see.
Petites pensées
A baby registry isn’t a test or an attempt to predict every possible need that you and your baby will have.
It’s a small collection of support for the early days - the ones that are beautiful, exhausting, ordinary, and brand new.
Keep it simple and remember that you can add, ask for or buy the rest later.