Written By: Miranda Yde
If you’re anything like me, building a baby registry can feel… overwhelming.
There are so many products, and everyone says something different.
So instead of listing everything, I focused on what I actually used in those early newborn days — and some I still use even in the toddler years:
SHOKZ New OpenRun Pro 2 Mini
Okay, so this probably isn’t what you’d think to add to a baby registry—but these headphones have reduced my stress tenfold. I was done with AirPods falling out or constantly getting lost.
The baby and toddler years are incredibly overstimulating, especially if you’re even a little sensory sensitive. What I love about these is that I can listen to music, podcasts, or literally anything I need to stay sane, while still being able to hear my kids in the background.
They’re also surprisingly comfortable—even when I’m lying down, which makes a huge difference during those long, tired days.
Hatch Baby Sound Machine
I originally received this as a gift with my first baby, and I still use it now that he’s 4. I even bought a second one when my daughter was born.
I know it’s a trendy item, but it really does live up to the hype. I love that I can set schedules and routines so it automatically turns on and off without me thinking about it.
During the newborn stage, the low-light setting was especially helpful for nighttime feeds and diaper changes—just enough light to see what I was doing without fully waking either of us up.
Dr. Brown’s Safe Squeeze Nail Scissors
Forget every other baby nail trimmer—just get these. (Frida Baby makes a similar version too.)
I always struggled to see what I was doing with standard clippers, especially on tiny newborn nails. These make it so much easier to see exactly where you’re cutting, which makes the whole process quicker and way less stressful.
I still use them on my 2- and 4-year-old, so they definitely grow with you.
Ubbi On-the-Go Diaper Changing Baby Mat
I’m an easy sell for anything that’s packable, portable, and easy to clean. The bulky changing pad that came with my diaper bag always felt like it took up too much space, and I wanted to keep my bag as light as possible.
This one packs down really small and is easy to toss into a diaper bag—or even a purse in a pinch. I actually keep two: one in my diaper bag and one in my car for emergencies.
The Honey Pot Company – Herbal Postpartum Pads w/Wings
After giving birth, comfort becomes a whole new priority, and these stood out to me because they feel so much gentler than standard pads.
What I especially liked is the herbal infusion. Ingredients like lavender, aloe, mint, and rose create a light cooling sensation that feels incredibly soothing. During postpartum recovery—when there can be soreness, swelling, and general discomfort—that subtle cooling effect was genuinely comforting. It’s not intense, just enough to help you feel a little more refreshed and at ease.
My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
This is a must-have if you’re planning to breastfeed. In those early newborn days, you quickly realize how much time you spend feeding—and how important comfort becomes.
Not only does this pillow help position your baby for a better latch, it also supports your body so you’re not straining your back, shoulders, or arms during long feeds.
I used the My Brest Friend mostly at home, and kept a Boppy in the car so I always had something with me when I needed it.
Love to Dream Swaddle UP
Even though I teach childbirth education for a living… I am a horrible swaddler. Truly. That’s why I’m so grateful for zip-style swaddles like this—no folding, no guessing, no midnight frustration. Just zip and done.
Both of my kids would break out of Velcro swaddles and then wake themselves up with the startle reflex. These made such a difference in helping them actually stay asleep.
I especially loved them in the newborn stage, and later on the transition versions that let you zip off the arms and turn it into a sleep sack—it made that next step so much easier.
Also, my son ran hot, so the 0.5 TOG version was our go-to for a long time. It’s lightweight and breathable, which is really important since newborns can’t regulate temperature well yet.
Savor – Baby Deluxe Box
I had every intention of doing a traditional baby book… but I just couldn’t keep up with it or find the time to sit down and fill it out consistently. Life with a newborn moves way too fast for that sometimes.
Even though this is a bit bulkier, I actually love that about it. It gave me one place to keep everything—ultrasounds, hospital bracelets, little documents, and even birthday cards as my baby got older. Instead of feeling guilty about not documenting everything perfectly, I could just save it, and that felt so much more doable.
It’s helped me hold onto those sentimental pieces without the pressure, and now it feels like a little time capsule of the newborn and baby phase. Something I can go back to and flip through without needing everything to be perfectly written out. Honestly, it ended up meaning more to me than a baby book ever would have.
Kindred Bravely Sublime Simply Nursing Bras
I’m honestly not someone who usually spends this much on a bra, but postpartum completely changed my priorities. I had the hardest time finding something that actually fit well, felt supportive, and still worked with the constant changes in my body. What I loved about this one is how many sizing options they offer—it made it so much easier to find a fit that actually worked instead of settling for “close enough.”
They’re definitely more supportive and structured, and yes, a bit on the bulkier side. I know that’s not everyone’s favorite, especially with the pumping styles, but personally I didn’t mind it. I actually prefer heavier, more substantial fabrics, especially when I’m wearing something all day and night.
Another thing I really appreciated is that they frequently run sales on their website, so you don’t necessarily have to buy everything at full price—you can build up a few pieces over time, which helps a lot in the postpartum budget phase.
If you’re an exclusive pumper or breastfeeding full-time, these became my reliable, everyday bras. They held up well, felt supportive, and made an already demanding stage just a little more manageable.
Education, Community, & Support!
Those newborn days were a blur, but if there’s one thing that made the biggest difference beyond any product, it was the support system I had in place—especially my doula and the community that showed up for me. My Grandma actually payed for my doula as a baby shower gift, and it definitely was more impactful that most of the items I received. That kind of support truly changes everything. It builds confidence, steadies you in the overwhelming moments, and reminds you that you’re not doing this alone.
What I’ve seen over and over—both personally and through my work —is that the time you invest in preparing during pregnancy really does come back to you in postpartum. Learning what to expect, preparing emotionally and physically, and having consistent support already lined up makes those early days feel so much more grounded and manageable.
If you’re expecting and want that same level of support, this is exactly what I help families prepare for through childbirth education and doula services. You deserve to feel informed, supported, and confident going into birth and beyond.
You can learn more about our services and reach out to us here: Services
Prairie Path Birth Co 