Registry Must-Haves From Parents Who’ve Been There, Bought That

Becoming a parent for the second (or third) time comes with something unexpected: clarity. You stop caring about what looks cute in a social media feed and start caring about what actually works at 3 a.m. (Spoiler: It’s never the cashmere onesie.) You’ve already ruled out the gear that required two hands, a video tutorial and eight hours of sleep (that you didn’t have). Now you know exactly what earned its place…and what you wish you’d registered for the first time. That’s why parents who’ve been there before give the most trustworthy registry advice. Their lists are shaped by real life: things you can unfold one-handed, clean easily and use while half-asleep. If the gear also looks great sitting in your living room? That’s a bonus. We asked seasoned parents to share the items they relied on most. And throughout, we’re spotlighting our Stokke favorites—beautifully made pieces that look good in your space and actually work in your life.

A lightweight stroller that didn’t slow us down

“We nicknamed our first stroller ‘the tank,’ because it was huge. I loved it, but we would get side-eye every time we went to our city grocery store. And forget about trying to put it in the trunk! By the time our daughter was 6 months old, we realized we needed something more portable. The stroller we got ended up becoming our main one. It was comfortable, easy to roll around and still had just enough space in the basket for grocery runs.” — Laura, 38

Our Pick: Stokke YOYO³ Stroller With Newborn Pack This lightweight, easy-to-fold stroller is designed for use from birth with its soft, supportive newborn pack. Then, once your baby is ready to sit up, shift to the setup for 6-plus months. Its signature compact fold helps you effortlessly stash it in a car trunk, navigate public transit or take it along on flights, while its durable, long-lasting construction is built to grow with your child from newborn through age 4.

Swaddle blankets

“I don’t care how many you have. Get more. Swaddles become everything: makeshift burp cloths, stroller shade, nursing cover, baby gym mat at the park, emergency outfit change towel…the list goes on. You think you have enough and then suddenly every single one in the house is in the wash.” — Jen, 33

A high chair that we used for more than a year

“My first high chair was basically a plastic tower that lived beside the dining table. Once we wanted to eat together, it made no sense. Then a friend told me to get a chair that grows with the child. My daughter is now 8 and still sits in it. Honestly, sometimes guests still perch on it, too, which is totally okay.” — Cindy, 39

Our Pick: Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair With Newborn Set Designed to bring baby right to the table from the earliest days onward, the Tripp Trapp grows through every early stage. With the Newborn Set, even the youngest babies can join family mealtimes in a safe, elevated position. Around 6 months or once your child can sit independently, the Baby Set offers supportive, ergonomic seating. Crafted from durable European beech or oak, the chair is built to last through years of daily use—and with a wide range of color options, it can seamlessly match your home while becoming a long-term piece of family furniture.

A sound machine

“I thought white noise machines were hype, but my son needed that little shhhhhh more than oxygen. We used it for naps, car rides, stroller walks—basically any moment where I was praying he’d fall asleep again. The portable one stayed clipped to the car seat for months.” — Jordan, 35

A baby carrier

“My youngest was basically glued to me for months. The carrier let me grocery shop, brush my teeth and pace the hallway at 3 a.m. He would instantly settle like a little koala, and I could actually get things done.” — Risa, 37

An expandable crib

“I didn’t know these existed! We had a bassinet, we had an infant crib, we had a large crib. It was crazy. With my second, I knew we needed an all-in-one solution since she was sharing space with her big sister. I also recommend looking for a bassinet on wheels. Sometimes, we would move the baby into my office or our bedroom to give the older one space, and so the baby could be close to me.” — Isabel, 40

Our Pick: Stokke Sleepi Mini The Sleepi’s oval silhouette creates a snug, nest-like environment for newborns to 6 months, and with the conversion kit, can grow to a full-size crib and eventually a toddler bed. Built to last from birth to age five and designed with maximum air circulation for comfortable sleep in mind, the crib also comes with smooth-rolling lockable wheels that make it easy to move from room to room.

Takeout gift cards

“At my baby shower, someone gave me an envelope full of restaurant gift cards and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, that’s sweet.’ Cut to the first week home with a newborn, when I couldn’t even figure out lunch: that gift beat any onesie. I now give every new parent the same thing, because nothing—and I mean nothing—hits like a guilt-free, no-dishes dinner.” — Isabel, 35

A portable phone charger

“This is hands-down the most essential item for moms. You’re always running around with your phone, and sometimes, you’re ‘nap-trapped’ in the car. A portable phone charger was key.” — Alex, 40

A baby bouncer

“We had gotten a baby bouncer with all the bells and whistles…and songs. But I hated having to get batteries all the time, and the songs bothered me. Really, a bouncer is great for movement, but the unsung reason why it’s awesome is that it’s a place to put your baby. I loved having her in the bathroom while I took a shower, and it was also great when we were making dinner.” — Desirée, 42

Our Pick: Stokke Yoga Baby Bouncer Designed to feel like the closest thing to being held, this bouncer combines natural, dual-motion movement that can both soothe and gently engage your baby. An ergonomic newborn cushion offers extra comfort in those early weeks, and three recline positions adapt as your little one grows (up to 20 lbs). A secure five-point harness with a quick-release button keeps your baby safely in place, and the removable, machine-washable fabrics make cleanup effortless. It’s an intuitive, easy-to-use spot for your baby to rest, play or simply take in the world.

A bottle-drying rack

“We live in a city apartment, so counter space is basically currency. Having a small, dedicated bottle-drying rack for bottles, pump parts and all the tiny plastic pieces kept my kitchen from looking like a lab experiment. It’s such a boring item, but if you’re pumping or bottle-feeding, it’s one of those little systems that makes the whole day run smoother.” — Kerri, 38

A portable baby tub

“The bathroom in our first house was so tiny, there was no way I could maneuver getting a slippery newborn in and out of the tub. Instead, we used a portable baby bath that was simple to set up anywhere (in our case, the kitchen). Plus, since it was easy to pack up and throw in the trunk of the car, it even made several trips to my parents’ house, where they only have a walk-in shower.” — Kate, 40

Our Pick: Stokke Flexi Bath A foldable, space-saving bath that works from the newborn stage through age 4, the Flexi Bath is designed for everyday ease. It includes an ergonomic Newborn Support insert to keep the smallest babies comfortable and secure, and its lightweight, portable design makes it just as useful at home as it is for travel. A nonslip base and heat-sensitive drain plug add thoughtful safety touches, with an award-winning fold-flat construction to store easily between uses.

A handheld vacuum

“This is so niche, but bottle prep created a shocking amount of teeny crumbs and formula dust. And then, starting solids, there were always crumbs and food everywhere. A little handheld vacuum in the kitchen saved my sanity.” — Erika, 43