Looking for the secret non-registry baby gifts that moms actually NEED? We have 9 of them to share today, along with why they rock. Subscribe to the baby newsletter for the latest to your inbox.

As we excitedly await the arrival of our baby in a few months, I can’t help but look at all the adorable baby finds from here and all over the web. If you follow the blog, you’ve already seem how obsessed I’ve become over knotted baby gowns, knotted baby hats, rompers, handmade baby gifts, and these super-soft baby blankets.

Those are all cute and all, but there are definitely a few things every new mom needs — whether it is your first baby, second, third, etc. — and I like to call these non-registry baby gifts.

Sure, some of them can be added to a registry, but most of the time new moms overlook these must-have baby registry gifts because they don’t know how awesome, tried-and-true, and very necessary these essentials really are. And that’s why they’re non registry baby gifts: you don’t find out how much you really need them until you buy them yourself after the baby arrives.

I’m buying all of these things myself in preparation for our baby, and I’m not one who likes to buy things she doesn’t really need. So rest assured, I adore all of these products and hope you will, too.

If you want to buy these non registry baby gifts, you can click on an image or link underneath the photo to shop.

Let’s get started! Awesome must-have baby gifts await! Enjoy!

These are also my tried-and-true non registry baby gifts I like to send to anyone expecting. I love these products and accessories so much, and I wish I knew of them before my first baby arrived.

1. Diaper Rash Cream by Boudreaux, Extra Strength

Okay, hear me out: Butt Paste, for lack of a better name because that’s what it is actually called, is wonderful. It is positively amazing. It is… okay, you get the idea. When you’re up in the middle of the night and your baby is crying and crying and you reveal diaper rash and it just won’t go away, this stuff is the BEST.

It isn’t just great for diaper rash. It creates a protective barrier on skin and I’ve used it on chapped skin before, too. I’ve tried many diaper rash creams, all promising to deliver. But you know what? Stop messing around and trying all kinds and hoping it works through the night when you can get the one that really does.

And it starts healing on contact, so baby can start feeling better.

I buy this for everyone I know having a baby. It’s just something you need to have in your bathroom cabinet and is an essential for our list of non-registry baby gifts.

2. Ultra-Soft Cardigan and Shaping Leggings

There are few gifts for the new mom that bring comfort quite like the attire at Kindred Bravely. I have one of their thyme chunky knit cardigans and black high-rise leggings and it is singlehandedly the best outfit I wear on the regular, particularly for the fall season. The leggings are so comfortable and flattering; I can bend over to pick up my son, play on the floor, do laundry, clean, etc. and I feel confident and stylish. It pulls everything together so well pre- and post- maternity.

You can shop their comfy clothing for maternity and postpartum wear here.

3. Baby Booties That Stay on Baby’s Feet

Okay, next up: baby booties. Yeah, I know. You probably already put this on your bridal registry, some other brand that looked cute in the big box chain, or a dozen baby socks that are so teeny-tiny. Those are great and all, but if you have strong soccer-player-strength kickers like me, those tiny socks won’t stay on long.

And once your baby starts to discover, hey, let’s take these off, it’s over. :)

So, instead, arm yourself against babies going barefoot in cold weather and driving you crazy with these baby booties that won’t fall off.

They have a snap closure, which is a pretty tough code for babies to crack. :)

If you don’t like the price of these, you can opt for another style from any of these brands. Most of them are amazing. I have a pair of Zutanos, which is why I recommended them and I’ve seen how awesome they are first-hand.

I recommend one thing: size UP. They’ll last longer and it’s always fine to have extra in the bootie, but once they get too tight it’s game over (and you’ll be scrambling to get the next size up!)

There are many colors available here. When I purchased mine, I chose gray because if I have a future boy or girl, I can keep using them. I’m on my THIRD baby with these booties and I can’t wait to use them.

Bonus? They come out great in the washing machine.

4. Light-Up Lullabye Toy

This one’s a toss-up: your baby will either love it or hate it, but I’m going to bet there’s a better chance they’ll love it if you use it right from the beginning. We constantly used this GloWorm (or if you prefer, the Seahorse is great, too) to calm our firstborn and set the stage for sleep time. I swear it helped give him the indication that it was time for bed or a nap. At the very least, he loved the lullabye sounds and the way it glowed, watching it until he fell asleep.

Whenever we went on a trip, we HAD TO HAVE this in our bag or we honestly questioned if we would EVER get him to fall asleep. Ha! I’m sure we would’ve, but as a first-time parent you are used to the same routine. This toy travels well, the lullabies it plays are super-sweet, and it is perfect for snuggling with babies. 5 stars, all day, everyday. Get yours here. It’s worth every penny.

5. Pack-and-Play or Baby Bassinet Travel / Folding

You may be thinking, hmm, I don’t really need a pack-and-play or a baby bassinet because I don’t travel. Do you camp? Do you plan on ever going to a hotel?

Unless you truly never travel, never ever, will never spend a night over at grandparents’ houses or a friend’s house or a relative, then fair enough, you can skip this one. But I really think you should still hear me out on this.

A pack-and-play OR a baby bassinet THAT FOLDS UP FOR TRAVEL (very important here) is something that needs to be on every baby registry, and frankly, are the best non-registry baby gifts in this list.

I personally love the baby bassinets for travel, since they are more lightweight, easier to pack, and smaller than a pack-and-play for travel. Plus, we used ours for bringing the baby out to the living room to sleep or take naps, so we could be around him more and have a place to set him down safely that was protected (that wasn’t his crib, all the way in his bedroom).

A baby bassinet that folds up is key here: we used ours (although it was a rocker at the time, but the new styles are just as great for travel) for camping, which was awesome as a place for the baby to sleep next to us in the tent. We were especially happy having one when we went to hotels on trips, or even taking over to grandparents’ houses for a quick nap or overnight.

A bassinet will last a shorter amount of time than a pack-and-play, due to weight restrictions (most recommend baby can sleep in it up to 20 or 30 lbs., depending on the brand).

A pack-and-play will provide you with a few years’ worth of stress-free travel, knowing that you have a place for your baby to sleep that is completely safe (no blankets, of course) and protected. This is especially important when your baby is a toddler and starts running around everywhere and you need to put him or her in one place for a second to run to the bathroom (TRUTH!)

Personally, I recommend both. But if you have to pick just one, I’d say go for the bassinet. It is more comfortable, actually is INTENDED for sleeping in, and won’t kill your back because it is higher off the ground. Plus, you can use it in your bedroom when your baby is first born, so those middle-of-the-night feedings are so much easier.

It does NOT need to be expensive. I really like this one and it’s under $75:

For a pack-and-play, here’s a great suggestion. Again, no need to get fancy. You can get the bassinet attachment kind if you’d like, but I never tried it so I’m not sure if it’s worth it. For the price of this one, I think it’s great that you get the top bassinet/changing area with it. Bonus.

6. Baby Bibs That Actually Absorb

I’ve tried a LOT of bibs because, spit happens. Most of the bibs I’ve found are terrible. The really cute decorative ones are usually the worst, but they’ll make due when you’re celebrating a holiday or something and it adds to the outfit (I get it!)

Sure, they catch a few drops here and there, but they are barely protective of baby’s clothes and, c’mon, you’re going to use a LOT of bibs for feedings. Couple that with most bibs shrinking up in the dryer or not coming out clean in the wash? Drove me crazy.

But for realistic bibs that you’ll actually use and enjoy day-in and day-out, get a practical solution.

Well, it did, until I found these! These baby bibs have an absorbent top portion that actually catches milk AS IT FALLS. It’s brilliant. I buy these for everyone I know having a baby. And they wash up amazingly well and look great, even after several months.

That’s all I have to say about these. Go get them. You won’t regret it.

7. Waterproof Crib Mattress Protector

You will, without a doubt, wake up in the middle of the night at some point and realize that there was a huge accident. Pajamas, sheets, blankets + pillow (if baby is a toddler), etc. will be soaking wet. Sometimes, you’ll even find your little one spit up, or threw up all over the crib. You’re tired, your child is upset because they’re all wet, cold, and probably hungry, and you’re like, omg, not now! Please, not now!

Ha! But there’s really never a good time for a bed accident, right?

But there’s some good news: if you prepare with these amazing crib mattress protectors (buy two, one for use and one to have on-hand for changes), you’ll be ready for anything. And your crib mattress won’t get totally destroyed. Get them here.

Be sure to also have a bunch of extra (even if they’re cheap, whatev!) crib sheets at-the-ready for changes in the middle of the night.

This crib sheet is great to have on-hand and is super-duper soft.

You can get it here.

8. Wet Bag

You DO have a wet bag, right?

I didn’t. And then when I realized it existed, I was like where have you been all my life?! A wet bag fits in your diaper bag and you’ll be freaking happy to have it when you really, really need it.

A wet bag is for the total blowout of an outfit that you love, which happens at the most inopportune time, and you need somewhere quickly to store it so it doesn’t stink, won’t totally destroy your car, and won’t completely obliterate your diaper bag. Check, check, and check.

A wet bag is also for the common diaper-miss action, where the entire pair of pants your baby is wearing is soaking wet and you realize you probably needed to make the diaper a bit more snug. Or he or she is ready to move on to the next size of diaper. Or something. But it’s wet, you need somewhere to store it, and fast — this bag to the freaking rescue.

This bag is also a bonus to have on-hand for when you go swimming in the summer, and you need somewhere to put baby’s cute little swimsuit. I even toss my swimsuit in it.

Here’s the kicker: it’s very minimal for travel, fits in your diaper bag, glove box, whatever, and it washes up perfectly in the washing machine. I have one and swear by it.

There are a ton of really cute designs to choose from here.

9. Portable Diaper Changing Station / Pad

And last but not least, add this to your diaper bag. You’ll be somewhere, at some time, and need to change your baby’s diaper in an inconvenient location. The beach? Camping? The back of your car at the mall? A hotel room? The list goes on. This changing station can hold a few diapers, wipes, but most importantly, is a clean and sanitezable place you can change baby in a flash. I’ve changed baby diapers with this portable changing station on the ground, in the back of my car, at hotel rooms and at friends’ houses, in the woods, on sand, in a tent… you name it. This thing is worth it and you can buy it here.

And there you have it: the most important baby must-haves and non-registry baby gifts you will need. I could go on, but these are the toppers of my list. You’ll already have the usual things — diapers, bottles, teethers, cribs, etc. These are the things no one ever thinks to put on a baby registry, but totally should.

Be sure to add these on your baby registry here!

What would YOU add to this list of non-registry baby gifts? What is a product you discovered that helped? Tell us in the comment box below!

Hope it helps!

xo
Emma