After 5 Kids, Here Are the Essentials I’m Still Using From My First (and Only) Baby Registry

As I was washing dishes the other day, I found myself wondering if the word expert comes from the word experience. (All signs point to yes.)

So now I’m wondering: If someone has a lot of experience doing something, even if they’re not good at it, are they an expert? Because if so, I am a laundry expert. You could also call me an expert in shopping for a new baby because I’ve survived through five cycles of doing it. Long before it was en vogue to have newborn accessories that meld seamlessly with a neutral decor aesthetic, I had my first baby and my first (and only) baby registry.

A decade and four more babies later, I can offer my experience with what products from that registry have stood both the test of time and the more rigorous test of outlasting multiple children.

Please keep in mind, this isn’t an exhaustive list of what you’ll need to care for a new baby—just a roundup of staples that get my forever seal of approval.

No matter how you feed your newborn, a good nursing pillow will keep you and baby comfortable. Trust me, you don’t want to add sore shoulders or a stiff neck to your post-baby life.

This bath is as sturdy as the day we bought it and (almost) as clean. It’s a simple design that works for newborns (when combined with a bath sponge) all the way up to toddler hood. It seems big and bulky, but it’s easy to store by hanging on a hook in the shower or just inside your regular bathtub. Its lack of soft and intricate parts helps keep it mildew-free. You can even fit two kids in it, if they’re close in age.

Though I’ve used a couple different kinds, I have found that a baby bed next to me is the best way for me to be able to feed my babies and have them close to me in a way that I feel safe. (Again, this is my personal experience.) I started out with a sweet and delicately decorated one, but ended up using this convertible one by the fourth and fifth babies. If I were to buy one today, I’d probably go with something a bit more minimalist like this classic design.

These have been a huge part of helping my newborns sleep well. I’ve always loved the simple, beautiful muslin ones, and have also used them as car seat covers or blankets to play on in addition to swaddling with them.

Believe me, babies generate a lot of laundry, and when you can wipe down or wash a bib in the sink instead of throwing it in the washing machine, it’s a big win in my book. This type of silicone bib dries quickly and easily. They’re also great for eating on the go because you can clean them with a sweep of a baby wipe.

If you can get your baby used to sleeping in their travel crib, it’ll be so much easier for you to go out and enjoy yourself. You won’t have to mess as much with sleep schedules or rely on less-than-ideal car seat naps; you can put the baby down at your friend’s or grandparent’s house instead. This Baby Bjorn crib is what I use now.

We still use our very first Ergo carrier, and we’ve also added a wrap carrier and this lighter weight, packable carrier to our collection.

Simple and portable has been key for the infant seat that has cradled all five of my babies near me as I cook, work, fold laundry, or shower. Ours is similar to this small footprint, no-fuss option.

This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it there: After 5 Kids, Here Are the Essentials I’m Still Using From My First (and Only) Baby Registry