20 Random-But-Useful Baby Registry Picks That No One Tells You About

Babies are absolutely perfect...until one claws your face (or their own) with their freakishly long nails. Nothing quite prepares you to see a sweet, innocent infant with nails that won’t quit. They need to be cut, but no way are you putting anything sharp near their squirming digits. This is where this handy dandy electric nail file comes in. Sure, it might look like it might be used for, err, something else, but I guarantee this thing’s utility will outweigh its appearance. Note: The file pads are choking hazards; so keep away from baby at all times and keep track of the pads.

Take it from executive editor Alexia Dellner, you need these blinds on your registry (and in your life). "Before having kids, I thought I would be the type of mom who would happily take her baby everywhere and not worry too much about whether or not they napped or how. After actually having kids, I quickly realized that sleep is everything—for baby and for mom!" she says. "But that doesn't mean you have to sit at home all day! I simply pack these handy blackout blinds with me to friends' houses or on trips, quickly hang them up on any windows and that's it—hello, sweet sleep. I even hang them up during the summer months when light creeps in extra early through my regular blinds and I swear it helps both my kids sleep in longer."

You might do a double take when your pediatrician says you can introduce solids. If you’re like me, you might even try to convince yourself that baby can consist on milk alone until they’re 18. Transitions into the unknown for new parents and caregivers can be stressful. And if you’re postpartum or trying to think of a feeding plan on three hours of sleep, you might need a little assistance. I initially dipped into Solid Starts—a baby-led weaning resource—through their free First Foods Database (wanna know if you can feed lotus root to your 6-month-old? Check the database!). But I used the free resources so often, I eventually decided to bite the bullet on the bundle that includes guides like “50 Fantastic First Foods for Baby,” “25 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Baby,” “100 Dinners for Babies and Toddlers” and more. When I need some inspiration for baby meals (and family meals!), I still frequent my Solid Starts bundle!

You will buy more Aquaphor and Butt Paste than you thought possible in your time as a parent. But once you’re in the throes of it all, will you really splurge on an over-$100 baby lotion kit? No. But, I tell you, if you can get someone one else to flip the bill on it, this one is worth it. For one, it includes the secret weapon every changing table needs: the All Over Ointment. Let’s just say…no one reallllly preps you for baby acne, but this stuff comes in handy during those early days and definitely through the seasons when eczema might show up. The rest of this set is gentle, high-quality and useful—especially the Baby Massage Oil, which this mama uses on herself (shhh).

Again, there is nothing more angelic than a newborn. But that won’t keep your infant from a nasty stuffy nose that they do not have the fine motor skills to eradicate. This, my friend, is up to you. And while you probably didn’t think parenthood involved sucking out mucus from a squirming baby at 3 a.m., at least this random, but oh-so useful device makes it way more convenient.

And while you’re at it, might we also suggest the Frida Baby Windi to ease belly discomfort? "The Windi saved our lives," raves commerce editor Olivia Dubyak. "My son was such a gassy and constipated newborn and at the peak of his witching hour he would be his gassiest and this gave him so much relief."

Whether you’re planning on breastfeeding or not, having this silicone thing on hand really can’t hurt—it’s far cheaper than an electric pump, and it still does a great job expressing milk without overstimulating your supply. Basically, you stick it on your boob, and it helps express milk through simple suction. In the early days, I had one ready to go at all times as my supply runneth over. And when I weaned, it helped relieve milk without stimulating more production. Warning: You will inevitably spill one over. It will be OK.

Fifty percent of your first three months will be spent worrying if your baby is too hot or too cold. You carry blankets in your stroller, so why not a rechargeable fan? The octopus-leg design makes it easy to attach to a stroller bar, but impossible for your baby to detach it. Be warned, however, when baby inevitably discovers what fun the button on the back can be.

For the uninitiated, “puffs” are the colloquial term for the extremely popular, largely nutritionless baby snack. You might decide that you are never giving your baby puffs because your baby will only eat whole foods. But…at some point, your pediatrician will probably recommend that you begin introducing common allergens. This might send you spiraling—especially the fact that preventing these allergies requires serving them up on the regular. Mission MightyMe Puffs were designed so that caregivers can introduce these allergens in a stress-free, yummy way. You’re probably gonna give the kid puffs, so why not have them pull double-duty? Plus, your baby will probs gobble them up. (Mine does.)

Speaking of puffs, you’ll want a place to keep those snacks handy at all times. Now, I’ve tried my share of snack traps, but this one is just so…pretty. Look at the colorways! But there’s a lot else going for it—like you can use it to quickly steam veggies in the microwave or pass it over to your toddler to self-feed. It’s made of non-toxic, BPA-free food-grade silicone; it’s dishwasher-safe, and the suction cup on the bottom actually works (unlike so many other products that promise a good suction but don’t deliver on it.)

Whether your 9-month-old is throwing sweet potatoes on your new blouse or exploding sweet potatoes up their tush, stains are inevitable. But Rachel Gulmi, PureWow’s Operations Director, Branded Content has found a solution. Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Remover. “I am obsessed with this stain remover. I’ve used it on everything from fruit stains to spit up to blowouts. The non-toxic formula is gentle enough for babies, but powerful enough to not leave any trace of a stain. I love it so much that I even use it on my clothes.”

“What is time?” you might ask yourself as you burp your baby as the sun rises…or is it setting? Up is down, left is right, and how the hell are you supposed to know when your next feeding is? PureWow's software engineer Michelle Varat tells me how she kept it all straight: “I received an Echo Dot when my daughter was born and have used it everyday since. The first year I primarily used it to time feedings and play lullabies. Now, we use it to set timers for transitioning and Encanto dance parties.”

OK, so you probably already have a baby bathtub on your registry. But you probably don't have this baby bathtub. Here's why you should: It comes with a silicone-like sling for newborns that's quick drying (read: no mildew), a rotating shower head and it grows with baby through infancy to toddlerhood. No wonder it boasts over 800 five-star reviews.

"Both my kids are old enough now to bathe themselves but I still remember how slippery and stressful bathing a wriggly baby can be!" says Dellner. "That's why for my third kid, I'm investing in this bathtub that comes with a soft sling to keep baby safe. I also love the shower head feature—both my kids had cradle cap so being able to use fresh water to clean off the flakes in addition to the included brush on the shower head will be a big help."

PureWow's vice president of editorial Candace Davison is a fan of this clever infant bottle that is designed to grow with baby. "It's pretty cool how the top transitions from baby bottle to sippy cup to standard straw to grow with your kid and make the investment more worthwhile," she says. Parents also love that it's plastic-free, easy to clean and not an eyesore. Feel free to add a couple to your registry—you can mix and match bottles, lids, sleeves and accessories so you're sure to make good use out of 'em.

To help your baby learn the difference between day and night, you're going to want to keep their room dark for nighttime sleep. But what to do about those inevitable middle-of-the-night diaper changes? Enter: JolyWell, a touch control night light that emits a barely-there glow to keep things dark and cozy but with enough light for diaper changes and feedings. There are seven colors to choose from, plus one warm light color. “This was actually recommended to me by another PureWow editor,” says senior food editor Katherine Gillen. “It’s super portable and turns on and off with a tap, is dimmable, rechargeable, and has a color change setting (we use the red color).”

"I will never go without my diaper cream silicone spatula," jokes Gulmi, saying she can't change a diaper without it. Whether you're squeamish about touching a baby's bottom or you just don’t want to get your hands sticky (and trust me—it doesn’t matter which brand you use, diaper cream gets everywhere), this duo will come in handy. The large spatuala is big enough to get to the bottom of any diaper cream jar, while the mini spatula is ideal for diaper changing on the go thanks to the handy travel case. "I have one in my diaper bag and another in every room in the house!" adds PureWow's senior director of brand strategy Liana Iglesias.

Fact: You can never have too many pacifiers. And these glow-in-the-dark ones are especially useful. "When I first got these it was by accident, and then immediately thought they would be a distraction to my son as he fell asleep," says Dubyak. "But he hardly notices it and they ended up being a huge help for my husband and me since we don't have to blindly feel around trying to find the bink when he wakes up fussing and can see it glowing (usually behind the crib)."

With all the prep for a new baby, mom's needs often get forgotten—which is why this all-in-one kit comes in super handy. Trust us, you may not immediately recognize the need for an upside down Peri bottle (so soothing) and instant ice maxi pads, but having them all packaged together in an easy-to-reach for place post-delivery will make life that much easier. Add to that a no-frills delivery and nursing gown, no-slip socks, all organized into a caddy that can sit atop your toilet? This kit—and all that comes included—is truly a postpartum essential.

Before you write this off, listen up: We actually found a diaper bag that is chic and functional and...doesn't look anything like a diaper bag (or a diaper bag that's really just a backpack—also annoying). This sling style from City Mouse is designed to de-bulk your life, but also fit the essentials so that you stay prepared. At just 13 inches in length, it's equipped with a lanyard for your keys, a mesh pocket for diapers, credit card slots and even comes with its own changing sheet. There's also a bonus pocket on the back and a magnetic closure so it's easy to access the things you need on the go. The best part? How pretty it is—we love the range of designer straps that give you the chance to mix and match to meet your own personal style. In fact, it's so stylish you can totally continue to carry it once you graduate from the diaper stage. Now, that's an investment worth making.

Being a new mom can be overwhelming. Being a new mom who's breastfeeding? That takes it to another level. After giving birth, not only was I absolutely parched 24/7, but my brain was—to put it kindly—scrambled. Making nutritional decisions was out of the question, which is why when a friend sent me a trial pack of Greater Than, I was relieved. These drinks are basically nutrient-packed (electrolytes, essential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants) elixirs that take care of mom and baby, designed to support your supply and your body as you find your mom-legs. Plus, everyone else in the house likes it too.

Between all the spit-up and the blow-outs, babies produce a lot of laundry. And wouldn't it be nice to throw all that clothing into something as beautiful as this pom pom hamper? “I have no idea how I'm going to stay on top of three kids' laundry needs once baby comes, but at least with this hamper I can look as something pretty while the clothing piles up," says Dellner. "I also love using baskets and hampers for toy storage around the house so this will come in handy once baby moves on from diapers to Duplos."