Every registry checklist seems designed to induce panic. Wipe warmers. Seventeen different swaddle techniques. A diaper caddy for each floor of the house. The reality is simpler: newborns need warmth, clean feeding tools, safe sleep, and a way to be carried. That's pretty much it.
What actually matters in those first months isn't the quantity of stuff, and it's the quality of what's in constant contact with your baby's body. Newborns have thinner, more permeable skin than adults, which means what touches them gets absorbed more readily.[1] That's the lens worth applying when building a registry.
Clothing: Less Is More, and Organic Matters Here Most
For the first three months, seven to ten GOTS-certified organic bodysuits (the Burt's Bees Baby 5-Pack Onesies is a reliable starting point) and five to seven footie pajamas (like the Magnetic Me Organic Footie) is genuinely enough.[2] Babies grow fast, sleep a lot, and don't need a wardrobe, they need soft, breathable layers that won't irritate their skin.
Conventional baby clothes are made with synthetic dyes, optical brighteners, and chemical finishes. Organic cotton skips all of that.[3] Look for flat seams (they don't dig into skin), and avoid novelty prints that can leach dye or shed synthetic microfibers.
What to look for on the label: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is the gold standard for baby clothing. It covers the whole supply chain, not just the finished fabric. An item labeled "GOTS organic" means at least 95% of the fibers are certified organic.
Sleep: Firm Surface, Nothing Loose
The guidance from pediatric safety experts is consistent: firm surface, no loose bedding, face up. Wearable blankets and sleep sacks replaced traditional blankets as the safer option, they provide warmth without suffocation risk.[4]
For sleep sacks, three to five are sufficient, the Woolino 4-Season Merino Sleep Sack works from birth through toddlerhood. Organic cotton or merino wool are the best material options, both breathable and naturally temperature-regulating. For the crib mattress itself, look for GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS certifications, the Newton Baby Crib Mattress carries both. Conventional mattresses can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the foam and chemical flame retardants, and your baby's face will be near that surface for up to 14 hours a day.
Feeding: Get the Plastic Out of It
This is one area worth spending a bit more on. Even BPA-free plastics can leach other endocrine-disrupting bisphenols (BPS, BPF) or release microplastics when heated.[5]
The better options: borosilicate glass bottles (brands like Lifefactory and Dr. Brown's use it) or food-grade stainless steel (the Pura Kiki Stainless Bottle is a solid option). Glass handles temperature changes well, it can go from fridge to bottle warmer without cracking. Stainless steel is lighter and more drop-proof, but check that the brand doesn't use lead-based sealants in the vacuum seal.[6]
For nipples and pacifiers, medical-grade silicone or 100% natural rubber from Hevea trees are the standard to look for, both avoid the synthetic additives in conventional latex.[7]
Simple rule: If it holds food and gets heated, avoid plastic. Four to six glass or steel bottles is plenty to start.
Mobility: One Good Carrier
Baby wearing has genuine developmental benefits, it supports bonding, helps regulate the baby's body temperature, and keeps your hands free. The key safety feature to look for is the "M-position": when carried, the baby's knees should be higher than their bottom, forming an M-shape with their legs. This supports correct hip development and prevents dysplasia.[4]
Carriers like the Ergobaby Embrace and the Tula Free-to-Grow are designed to support this position from newborn age without inserts. You don't need multiple carriers, one that grows with the baby is enough.
The Short Version
| Category | How Many | Material to Look For | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodysuits | 7–10 | Organic cotton, flat seams | GOTS |
| Pajamas | 5–7 | Organic cotton or merino wool | GOTS |
| Sleep sacks / swaddles | 3–5 | Organic cotton or merino | OEKO-TEX 100 |
| Bottles | 4–6 | Borosilicate glass or 18/8 steel | Lead-free verified |
| Burp cloths | 8–10 | High-absorbency, undyed | GOTS |
| Carrier | 1 | Hip-healthy M-position design | JPMA / ASTM |
Everything else, the wipe warmer, the baby monitor with fourteen different sensors, the specialized laundry detergent with seven bottles, is optional. Start with this list and add things only when you actually realize you need them. You'll probably add very little.
This post contains affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.