The Delightfully Impractical Romper Registry

Baby’s first Converse? Obviously. Look, you know tiny baby shoes are impractical and a waste of money, but how can you resist? These Converse cribster sneakers are so sweet, and they won’t affect baby’s feet as they’re basically like a little slipper to wear — but, you know, adorable.

I just love all the personalized things, especially when they’re done simply like this personalized baseball hat from Rey to Z. Imagine a whole fam of these matching hats, or hanging this one on a hook as you wait on your baby to arrive. You could even use it to announce their name when they’re born.

Is this not the sweetest photo prop you’ve ever seen? This daisy flower and moss crown is so egregiously cute, and I love the idea of keeping it for baby to wear when they’re older and grown as a sweet reminder of how small their tiny perfectly-smelling head used to be. You could easily preserve this in a frame or shadow box as well.

Baby slippers maybe be impractical, but life is short. These soft slippers from H&M have that stretchy elastic band so they’ll stay on baby’s feet, and honestly, they’re kind of perfect if you keep losing socks.

Choosing an outfit to bring your baby home from the hospital in is a huge milestone. It’s something you dream about, imagining your own baby in those footed jammies and tiny cardigans. So it’s 100% worth it to buy something like this take me home gown from Feltman Brothers, even if you know they’re never going to wear it again. You’re not going to get that day back, so whatever outfit you want your baby to come home in, make it happen.

You’ve probably got tons of hooded towels, but do you have a hooded robe in your closet? This baby chick hooded terry robe from Carter’s is too cute to pass up, and I just love the idea of putting your baby in a robe after their bath, even if it’s only going to be on for a 30-second photoshoot.

How silly does it sound to buy a pair of baby sunglasses? But what if the ones you buy actually have UV protection and are really about keeping baby sun-safe and not just looking cute? (Although, trust, baby will look so cute.) Don’t let anyone shame you about buying a cute pair of Babiators — these glasses are polarized with UV protection and also help keep reflections and glares off of water, snow, sand, and ice away from baby. Plus, babies in sunglasses? You can’t argue with that.

You know a baby bonnet will only fit for a few months, and you know you might take it off as soon as it’s time to buckle baby in the car seat, and you know the climate may be all wrong for it — but if you want a sweet, storybook-worthy baby bonnet like the Quincy Mae woven ruffle bonnet from Rylee and Cru, then please do not hesitate. This sweet bonnet is light enough for warm summer days, and it’s perfect for outdoor walks, baby’s first visit to church, or just sitting on the front porch on a Sunday afternoon.

A changing table used to be a common piece of baby gear, but now I feel like I often see this on the list of “impractical” baby items because it has such a specific use. But let me tell you, there was nothing in the world like having a changing table — I used it constantly, and I also just felt this deep swell of joy having such a baby-specific item in my home. The DaVinci Jenny Lind changing table has lasted 11 years in our family — through three babies — and it’s still the easiest way to change my 3-year-old and get her ready for the day.

Babies can’t have blankets in the crib, you know this. And it’s really not safe to let them snuggle with one on the couch or while co-sleeping either, but who can resist buying their baby their very first blanket. This Mongolian cashmere pointelle baby blanket is so unbelievably soft — and easy to wash — and will last for literally ever. It’ll be one of those baby blankets they’re packing off to go to college.

Baby mobiles seem to be on their way out, and I’m not sure why. This is one of those things I daydreamed about buying a baby one day, and I especially love the Joseph Altuzarra hot air balloon mobile from West Elm. Not only is it so sweet to hang over a crib or changing area, but it’s big enough to continue hanging in their toddler and big kid versions of their bedroom.

There are cheap laundry hampers, sure, but like, why not get a little whimsical with it? This bear woven kids hamper from Crate & Kids doubles as storage and decor, and with the handles, it’s so easy to carry to the laundry room when you need to. It’s also incredibly sturdy and — trust me on this — holds a lot of laundry. The lid on top really helps keep it from looking messy in a corner of the room, too.

There are so many new lights and sound machines available now, and everybody has their favorite — but I loved a nightlight as a kid, and I wanted that same comforting, ‘90s glow for my kids. I knew my babies slept best in darkness, but this ceramic moon nighlight is perfect for hallways and bathrooms so you can find your way down the hall at midnight for a feeding, or if baby’s rooming with you, use it in your own room for the most whimsical, soft glow. They’ll definitely appreciate it when they’re a little older and starting to have fears of the dark.

Toy storage seems silly to worry about when your baby is so small that they’re basically the size of any toy you’d put in the box, but this painted toy chest from Pottery Barn Kids is worth the buy. Not only does it help tie a nursery theme and decor together, you can use it to store blankets, crib sheets, stuffies, whatever you want until they’re big enough to fill it themselves. And the personalization? The kind of thing you dream about.

People are going to tell you that Dreft is a waste of money. That you could just wash your baby’s clothes in whatever detergent you’re already using, that there’s really no reason to buy something separate — but maybe they just shouldn’t be listened to. Listen, Dreft is a great choice because the detergent is created with baby’s sensitive skin in mind, but also? It just smells so lovely. I used to daydream about doing my first load of baby laundry and shoving my face into the basket to breathe in that sweet baby smell, and Dreft makes that happen. It’s an absolute milestone worth having and enjoying.

Building our your nursery or space for baby — even if it’s just a corner of your room — is such a dreamy time. No matter how big or small your budget is, whether you have a theme or not, you should always incorporate a little something that feels magical and nostalgic to you, like this 100 Acre Wood map from Etsy. It’s an exact replica of the map inside the original Winnie-the-Pooh books, and it’s just so cute and brings a huge dollop of cottagecore warmth and joy to your baby prep.

It feels very Richie Rich, but heirloom gifts are always such a sweet thing to purchase — or receive — for your baby, and this engraved Reed & Barton race car coin bank is just darling. It’ll last for literal years, and is one of those baby things that you know your child can pass down to their own children. It doesn’t matter that your baby has zero concept of money yet — still worth it.

A wooden rocking horse has always been my can’t-resist baby purchase. There’s something so endearing and whimsical, and this maple rocking horse from Fifth Room is made to last. You can hold your tiny baby on it, but before you know it, your toddler will be rocking with absolute glee — and this rocking horse will become a core memory. You don’t have to wait to buy it if you don’t want to.

You’re going to have a nursery full of board books and those little thin books that are meant for them to chew and try to tear in half, but don’t let your heart miss out on a gorgeous copy of The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh. It’s OK that baby can’t hold it or that they’re aren’t contrast-heavy illustrations for their little unfocused eyes to zoom in on — it’s enough that you love it and remember it and want to read it out loud to them.

A tiny rocking chair is the sweetest accessory for a little one — whether you pop it out on the porch with your own matching rocker or just have it in a corner of their room, it’s such a great piece for them to have as their own. We have a similar rocking chair from our first daughter that’s lasted 11 years through two additional girls, and it’s still their favorite spot to sit while I braid their hair. Personalize this one and they’ll cherish it forever.

Silver baby gifts used to be the norm, and I love the old-fashioned charm of them. This engraved silver beaded baby rattle from Things Remembered is another heirloom toy that your kids will keep forever, and it feels like a sweet nod to tradition and legacy and love. You know your baby can’t play with it and gnaw on it or shake it in the car — but if you want one for them anyway, then go for it.

I’m obsessed with these Mud Pie first tooth and curl treasure chests, whether you keep them out on display or pop them into a trunk or storage. Milestones like this feel so major, but what the hell are you supposed to do with a human tooth? Having an adorable little spot for them justifies your sentimentality.

Remember: this is your journey to document however you want. I have a million photos on my phone of my babies when they were born, but some of my favorite photos are the ones I snapped with our Fujifilm Instax Mini SE Instant Camera. I keep them all in a box in our living room — after I date them on the bottom — and it’s such a treasure trove to look through. These are super easy to slide into a baby book our journal immediately, because Lord knows you won’t be going to Walgreen’s.

There are so many things you’ll want to keep — baby shower cards, hospital bracelets, their first tiny onesie — and this mini classic trunk from Petite Keep is just so lovely for having them all in one place. These are super easy to stack in a closet if you want, but they’re also cute enough to leave out as decor or put on a bookshelf and reminisce whenever you want.

So many baby books feel overwhelming (and, honestly, aren’t that cute), but The Story of You baby book from Artifact Uprising is incredibly easy to keep up with. You don’t have to be a writer to keep your baby’s story alive, either — this journal is full of gorgeous, thoughtful prompts, and with the purchase, you can even order prints of baby photos so they’ll fit perfectly into the pages.

It wasn’t until after I had my first baby that I read a story of a woman who sang “Happy Birthday” to her babies each time they were placed on her chest. Something about that just really stuck with me, and now I want every new mom to consider celebrating her baby’s first birthday when they’re born. This gorgeous neutral birthday crown from Flower Lane would be so fun to pack in your hospital bag and then so special to use for every birthday after.

Much like the birthday crown, going ahead and purchasing this felt happy birthday garland from Meri Meri helps create a tradition right from the beginning for you and your little family. How fun would it be to string this up in your hospital room after you move into recovery? Or have hanging at home when you walk in with baby? Celebrate all the birthdays — especially that first official one.

Maybe you went fishing with your family when you were little. Maybe your partner is a big fisher and has dreams of taking your babe out on the water. Either way, if you can’t wait to buy your little one their first fishing pole, don’t wait. Use it as — you guessed it! — decor, or just keep it somewhere special until your baby is old enough to hold it and use it and make all your motherhood dreams come true.

If you’re a baseball family and you’re dreaming about all those sweet newborn photos of your baby and their first glove, please consider this crochet ball and glove set from Whimsy Crochet on Etsy. It’s just so soft and adorable and would look great as nursery or bedroom decor once the photos are done. I can’t get over how cute the little soft ball is.

Listen, ball pits can be messy. And of course your newborn isn’t ready for one, but if you love the idea of being That Mom and daydreamed about all the fun you and your baby could have with one, go ahead and snag a ball pit and 200 pit balls from Little Big Playroom. Not only do these come in aesthetically pleasing colors, but my girls are now ages 10, 6, and 3, and they still routinely climb into ours. It’s held up so well, and even the balls are still in great shape.

The amount of tiny musical instruments out there for babies is impossible to quantify, from tiny pianos to drums and tambourines, and if you come from a musical family or are just itching for your babe to be a rockstar the minute they’re born, the Loog mini acoustic guitar is irresistible. With just three strings, this guitar is meant to teach kids as young as 3 how to play some chords and get comfortable with the guitar, and it’ll look cute until then.

Every baby deserves a pair of fairy wings, and this sweet rose garden fairy wings set from Little Adventures is built to last. It will work for them from toddler age all the way up to big kid status. I daydreamed about things like rain boots and fairy wings for my girls, and it felt so special to be able to buy them.

Is there anything more classic than a kid and their Radio Flyer red wagon? Of course baby can’t pull this one yet, but feel free to use it as nursery decor or pop them in it for some baby photos until it’s time to chase them in the backyard with their little red wagon.

You know they can’t sleep with it yet, you know they don’t really know it’s a puppy yet, and you know they for sure don’t have any teeth yet, but this little puppy plush with teether is such a sweet first lovey to buy your baby. Even if it just sits adorably on a shelf until they’re ready, that’s reason enough to buy it.

OK, wooden ABC blocks don’t sound like a great idea when your baby can’t even hold their own head up, but man, doesn’t it feel like the ultimate mom purchase to pick up these Uncle Goose classic ABC blocks? Just pure nostalgia. And, like many of the toys on this list, these work great for nursery decor until your baby is ready to start building and toppling and (yes) throwing them all over the house.

Baby’s first teddy bear? You gotta do it. This fuzzy little guy from Gund is the perfect size and weight for propping up on a shelf or in the corner of baby’s room until they’re ready to start snuggling with them at night. It would be great for posing for milestone photos, and for daydreaming about a time when your kid is big enough to play with it.

Monthly photos have become a huge trend over the last few years, and using a milestone blanket is a great way to make them happen. If you’ve dreamed about taking these photos and documenting your baby’s growth each month, this Caden Lane personalized milestone blanket is so sweet — even if that’s the only thing you use the blanket for.

I’m so glad yard announcement signs are making a comeback, and this personalized yard stork sign might be the most ridiculous and fun of them all. You can personalize them in advance so it’s ready to go when you’re on your way home, even if people will ask you what on earth you’re going to do with it after. The answer is: keep it in the garage forever like the sentimental hoarder you’re about to become.

Sharing your baby’s birth stats is another rite of passage, whether it’s just in a family group text or on social media, and I love the simplicity of these acrylic baby stat signs. They’re such pretty colors and just the right size for throwing in your hospital bag or keeping on a shelf at home for those first announcement photos.

OK, another pair of slippers, but come on? A matching mama and mini pair? This slipper set from Etsy comes in a few different styles and colors, but I just love the idea of each of you wearing a pair on your first day home from the hospital or a few months into motherhood when they’re finally sleeping through an entire Netflix binge in your arms on the couch. These would make the cutest birth announcement photos, too.

When I was pregnant with my third, one thing I really thought about was what I wanted this time around. And for me, I really wanted the ruffle strap labor and delivery gown from Kindred Bravely. I didn’t wear it during actual labor (although you could, and it’s designed with the same snaps as a hospital gown), but I put it on after giving birth and felt so much more like myself and so happy in it. It’s soft, it comes in adorable colors, and it still lets your IVs and monitors do what they need to do. It’s perfect for breastfeeding in, too. Even if you never wear it again, consider it for that moment when you’re a brand new mom with your brand new baby, feeling your best self.

Your baby is so impossibly tiny, it seems so silly to buy them a piece of jewelry — but you’ve wanted to be a mom for so long, and if you’ve ever thought about matching mother and baby bracelets, I say go for it. This tiny set would be so adorable in your first photos with your baby, and then you can save it for special occasions or whenever baby needs to feel close to mama. I know the first day of school feels far away, but...

Maybe you already have a robe, but if you’re romanticizing that first moment of holding your baby, breathing them in, nursing them or giving them a bottle and just gazing at them, then it’s 100% worth it to buy yourself a new soft robe for the occasion. This Little Sleepies robe will feel like you’ve been wrapped up in your own baby swaddle, and the color is so easy to keep clean. It’s perfect for the hospital, for the middle-of-the-night wakings, for the long mornings where you’re just hoping coffee does its thing — and one day you’ll pull it out of your closet and remember all of those moments all over again.