To be clear, the Toys R'Us registry helper is almost completely populated by useless crap. You will also receive tons more useless crap as gifts, simply because you don't know any better. Here is a nice list of the stuff I actually use to take care of my 3 month old son.
Bag Balm/Petroleum Jelly (screw all those other butt balms, this works best)
Diapers
Wipes
Crib
Crib Mattress
Crib Sheets x2
Night Light (for you, not him. It's dark at 3:00 am.)
Simple Sound Monitor
Changing Table
Changing Pad
Diaper Stacker (optional really. Decorate your changing table however you want)
Tiny Trash Can (you do NOT want that much used diaper rotting in a larger can)
Tiny Trash Can Bags
Diaper Caddy for Downstairs (A lifesaver!)
Nail Clippers
Thermometer
Saline Solution
Bath Chair (tubs are useless and take up a ton of space)
Bath Soap
Bath Cup
Soft Hair Brush
Wash Rags x4 (I use one to keep him warm and one to scrub)
Hooded Towels (keeps baby's head warm afterwards)
Cute Outfits (received as gifts)
Warm, Fuzzy Outfits for Sleeping In x5+ (with footies. Remember: He doesn't get blankets so keep him warm at night)
Mittens (if your kid is a scratcher. Socks also work, but that's kind of lame)
Bottles x6+ (Avent 4 oz are the best)
NIPPLES (no one tells you that there are different nipples for different ages and formula types)
Bottle Warmer (the cheapy steam one works just fine. So does 15 seconds in the microwave)
Bottle Brush
Bottle Caddy for the Dishwasher
Arm and Hammer Free and Clear Laundry Detergent (Dreft is fucking expensive and not worth it.)
Burp Cloths (we use the square cloth diapers. Cheap and absorbent.)
Pacifiers (my son hated them so we didn't push them)
Baby Chair for Lounging
Car Seat (save money and don't get the matching stroller)
Spare Car Seat Base for Dad's Car (though the car seats are designed to be installed without one. Read the manual.)
Car Seat Cart (cheaper, smaller, and easier than the damn matching stroller)
A Stroller You Actually Like
Small Diaper Bag:
- Spare Bottle with Water
- Spare Diapers
- 1 1/2" Screw Together Stacking Bead Case with Extra Formula (from any craft store. Seriously, this is my stroke of brilliance. Each compartment holds two scoops of formula and the mouth is the perfect size to fit the bottles.)
- Spare Outfit
- Burp Cloths x2
- Blanket
- Doggy Poop Bags
- Travel Changing Pad
- Travel Wipes
It seems like a big list, but it's really not. You don't need fancy mirrors for your car (nothing your baby is doing is more important than you driving safely). You don't need the giant pack of grooming supplies, the huge first aid kit, the giant sterilizer, or the giant specialized diaper bins. Stay away from the fancy baby monitors. The motion sensor ones are either too sensitive or not sensitive enough. Either way you can't trust them. And the picture monitors are not good enough to show if your baby is breathing. You WILL be getting up every half hour to check on your newborn regardless, so save some money.
You will receive plenty of toys and blankets and outfits, so save your energy on buying those. The only thing you might need are the fuzzy PJ onesies. Save your money on creams, pastes, powders, and lotions. Vaseline works wonders for all of that. Don't buy bibs. Spit up rolls right off them. Cloth diapers work better by far and are easier to launder because they don't stick to everything. A big blanket on the floor works great for tummy time. You don't need a special play mat. I really don't use my Boppy pillow. Maybe I will once he can sit up better on his own.
But again, every baby is different. You do what's best for you.
