Baby Must Haves 2026: Piccalio Co-founder's Faves

Aneta Kostic, Mom of 1-year-old, Shares Must-Have Baby Items

Late last year, I officially made it through my first year of parenting. Now that I’ve tested so many baby products in real life, I made a list of must-have items that have truly made my life easier—ones I’d recommend to a friend. 

Considerations like safety, materials, functionality, and style can feel difficult to balance when choosing essentials. For new parents, it can be difficult to know which items are must-haves for a baby registry and which are gimmicks.

With over a year of parenting under my belt, I've learned what works best. From diapers to playtime essentials and safe sleep, here are my baby must-haves.

Choosing Baby Registry Must-Haves

A top priority for me was choosing non-toxic, safe products I felt good about using with my daughter. The reality of building a list of truly safe, non-toxic products felt far harder than I expected, and a little overwhelming, to say the least. So, if you’ve struggled to find products that feel safe, know you’re not alone. 

I’ve always leaned toward natural living – wellness, slow living, less is more – it’s how I grew up. Bringing these beliefs into my role as a mom hasn’t always been easy, but to me, it’s worth it.

When choosing baby products, I take my time to research and ensure they are free of:

• Synthetic flame retardants

• Formaldehyde

• Added biocides or mildew-resistant chemicals

• Stain-resistant and water-resistant chemicals (PFAS)

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or BPA

• Synthetic fabrics, including polyester, polyester-blends, and other petroleum-based materials

• Phthalates

Plastics are hard to do without, especially in products like strollers, car seats, and high chairs. So, if I can't avoid materials like BPAs and phthalates completely, I try to minimize exposure by airing out the car and dusting or vacuuming regularly.

Baby Must-Haves by Category

Here are my top baby picks, by category.

Sleep: Baby Must-Haves You'll Love

Create a safe sleep space for your baby with everything from pajamas to swaddles, crib mattresses, and more.

Swaddles

Most swaddles use polyester, so if you’re avoiding synthetics, it can be tricky to find a good option. Here are my favorite finds.

• HALO 100% Cotton Sleepsack Swaddle: A really easy-to-use, 100% cotton swaddle that you can get nice and snug. I still have flashbacks of trying to swaddle our daughter on day two post-labor with the traditional swaddle, and I’m so glad I had this one as a backup. 
  
• Mushie Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blanket: A great option if you prefer traditional swaddling. Thin and breathable, I’ve also used them for nursing cover-ups, as a beach blanket, for creating a shady canopy over a stroller or car seat, and more.
  

Sleeper onesies

• Pehr Baby Sleeper: High-quality organic cotton, a practical two-way zipper, and cute prints. They wash very well. I recommend the footie style until your baby starts pulling up to walk.
• Primary: Organic cotton, simple zipper footies in bright solid colors.
• Hanna Andersson’s Tencel: A great alternative to bamboo, which is unfortunately often processed with toxic chemicals.
• Petit Bateau: This 130-year-old French brand is one of my favorites. If you don’t hate snaps, they have lovely cotton sleepers. They’re also my go-to for baby undershirts — we wore them all winter underneath the sleeper. They have a US website, but if you happen to be in Europe, it’s worth stocking up on some basics. Their cotton is unmatched and washes extremely well. Be sure to check in occasionally, as they often have seasonal sales.

Baby blanket

• New Grain: Pretty much any blanket from this small shop (if you can catch one in stock). They are so precious, made from 100% organic cotton with beautiful embroidered details. The kind of piece you’ll want to keep forever.
• Bebe Organic: Another great choice for baby blankets.

Sleep sack

• Woolino 4 Season Ultimate Baby Sleep Bag: I love that it's made of wool, which naturally regulates temperature and works year-round. You don't have to worry about TOG. Plus, they last a long time because they fit babies from 2 months to 2 years.
• Ergopouch Sleep Sack: Made of organic cotton, this sleep sack is another favorite. I especially liked this one for my daughter when she was 1 to 6 months old because the fit is a bit snugger than the Woolino.
  

Crib

Both of these options are made from solid hardwood, which I love.

• Stokke Sleepi: Ideal for newborns up to age 5. The oval design is really nice, and it grows with your child.
• Sniglar by IKEA: A convertible crib that turns into a toddler bed in a classic, simple design.

Crib mattress

• Naturepedic Classic Organic Cotton Crib Mattress: I'm a big fan of Naturepedic because they carefully select materials, and the quality is excellent. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping during the first year, and I wanted to be sure my baby wasn't inhaling chemicals that often offgas from traditional mattresses. Naturepedic's mattresses are Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning they've been tested for 10k plus substances.
  

Crib waterproof protector

• Naturepedic Organic Quilted Mattress Pad: Another Naturepedic pick, this pad fits any toddler-size mattress. 
  

Crib sheets

• Garbo & Friends: Soft, cotton muslin sheets with cute prints.
  

Sound machine/white noise machine

• Nanit Sound + Light Machine: Everything you need for a smooth bedtime routine, all in one device.
  

Changing and Diapering

My top non-toxic picks to pack in your diaper bag and keep your little one fresh and clean. 

Diapers

• Kudos: I discovered Kudos only recently, but what I really like is that they have a 100% cotton liner.
• Coterie: These diapers have been great for us. They're OEKO-TEX certified, hypoallergenic, and free of fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and other harmful substances.
• Esembly: I recently got the courage to order a pack of Esembly reusable diapers to try. I’m excited to see how it goes.

Diaper Rash Cream/Butt Cream

• Dr. Max Diaper Ointment: Great for preventing rashes and protecting skin. The ingredients are top-tier, and it's EWG certified. I always carry one in my bag.
• Primarily Pure Baby Balm: Perfect for any dry or irritated skin.
• Weleda Diaper Care Fragrance Free (with zinc): This is my go-to if I notice irritation beginning.

Diaper Changing Pad

• Naturepedic Organic Cotton Changing Pad: Another Naturepedic pick we still use daily. I had a muslin cover from Mushie, but honestly, any muslin works and can just go straight into the wash after accidents.

Diaper Wipes:

• Whoopsie Wipes: The Original 100% Pure Cotton: They're completely dry, which sounds annoying (it is, a little), but you just keep a small spray bottle of water nearby, and it becomes part of the rhythm.
• Healthy Baby and Kudos: If you want to go with wet wipes, these brands are made from wood pulp, not plastic like most options on the market.

Feeding Essentials

Safe picks for nursing, bottle feeding, and soothing your baby.

Bottles

If you're bottle feeding and you can choose, go with glass. Glass is inert—it doesn’t leach additives, microplastics, or plasticizers, even when heated, washed, or sterilized. These are my two favorite brands.

• Dr. Brown's Anti-Colic Narrow Glass Baby Bottle
• BIBS Glass Bottles
  

Dish Soap

• Attitude Baby Dish Soap: Clean, EWG-certified baby dish soap. Plus, you can get a refill version after your first bottle.
  

Breastmilk Collector

• Hakka Silicone Breast Pump with Lid: I loved using the Hakka to collect milk passively, and I wish I had pumped less and relied on this collector a bit more. It was definitely worth the hype for me.

Pacifier

Both these options use a natural rubber nipple. While the Natursutten are all 100% rubber and made in one piece, BIBS uses food-grade PP for the shield portion.

• BIBS Colour Pacifier
• Natursutten Pacifiers
  

Bath-Time Baby Must-Haves

These are my top picks for gentle cleansers and a happy baby at bath time.

Baby wash

• Primally Pure Baby Bar: Baby bar soaps are surprisingly hard to come by. This one is made with coconut, goat milk, and shea butter. 
• Earth Mama Baby Wash: A very minimal ingredient list ideal for baths or washing little hands. I always choose the fragrance-free version.
  

Towels

• Parachute Organic Hooded Baby Towel: Super soft and made of 100% organic Turkish cotton. But honestly, regular towels work just fine.
  

Bath toys

• Upcycled Boat Set of 3: My daughter loved this toy made of recycled rubber. You can stack the pieces or play with them individually. The cup has holes, so you can make it "rain" in the bath.
  

Laundry

Many adult detergents are too harsh for a baby’s delicate skin. That, combined with spit-up and other stains, makes doing laundry a bit different with a baby. 

• Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray: I can’t count how many times I use this in a day, more than I could count – but it works, and that makes me happy.
• Molly's Suds: My go-to for baby-safe laundry detergent that doesn't irritate baby's skin.

Baby Gear

We were a bit minimal with gear, keeping to essentials that played an important role in our routines.

Bouncer/Baby Seat

• BabyBjörn Bouncer: Go for the “Cotton, Classic quilt” style. It's the only 100% cotton cover they offer. Sadly, most of their range has recycled polyester, which I avoid. My baby loved this, and so did I. It's a great place to “dock” the baby somewhere during the day for a little while. 
  

Carrier

• Artipoppe: Comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and made of natural fibers. We used it a lot, so I’d say it’s worth the investment.
• Solly Baby Wrap Carrier: I'm not sure who enjoyed this more—my baby, or me. We certainly used it for hours and hours in the early days.

High Chair

• Stokke Trip Trapp: Solid construction and a thoughtful, ergonomic design. It’s a bit of a design classic and has won awards for good reason, though I’ll admit it’s not the easiest thing to clean. It can be used from day 1 through about 7 to 8 years old, so another great investment long term. 
  

Play Mat

Obviously, we used Piccalio Baby Mat. When we designed it, I didn’t have a child yet, but I remember searching for play mats for friends and not finding anything plastic-free. It was very important to me to find an alternative to plastic foam or synthetic leathers, since babies spend so much time on it. Now, 14 months in, we still use it every day for more active play or underneath the Pikler Triangle.

Storage and Furniture

• Piccalio Montessori Bookshelf: For favorite books and easy storage in the back for extra toys. Now that my daughter's more mobile, she loves picking out books on her own.
• Piccalio Toy Box: Babies don’t really need toys at the beginning, so I wouldn’t rush to buy them. It’s actually nice to follow your baby’s lead and see what they’re drawn to. Still, little by little, things accumulate, and this box somehow always ends up full — even though we don’t really own that many toys.
• Piccalio Wall Shelf: We use our shelf in the nursery for little treasures or things best kept out of baby's reach.

Baby Clothes

For baby clothes, I keep to natural fibers and some second-hand items.

• Engel Baby Merino Wool Fleece Suit. This merino wool suit was so, so cozy for the early months. I’d purchase again in a bigger size next winter. The ankle and mittens fold over, perfect for when your little one is a newborn.
• Antoine Beanie by Sezane: Very cute and practical, with lots of colors to choose from.
• Dilling: If you need organic cotton and wool basics, this is a great option. Bodysuits, undershirts, pajamas, that kind of thing. For a similar selection, I also love the Mama Owl marketplace, which has an amazing range of wool and cotton pieces.
• Smallable: My go-to marketplaces for more special pieces. Some of my favorite brands on Smallable are: Copenhagen Colors, FUB, and Konges Sløjd.
• eBay: For vintage overalls, rompers, and dresses. I’ve also had luck in charity shops with vintage cardigans and sweaters.

Shoes

• Cienta Mary-Janes: I’m certainly no pediatric footwear expert, but we have loved these Canvas Mary-Janes by Cienta.
• Bisgaard Annabelle: Another option is these leather ballet flats. I like the wider fit, and they seem very comfortable.

Must-Have Baby Toys

Here is a list of our most-loved items that made playtime fun.

Teethers

• Ooh Noo: These Walnut, Ash, or Maple teethers by Ooh Noo are simple, beautiful, and non-toxic. Also, they’re a Red Dot winner, if you are into design.
• Natursutten Teether: Made of natural rubber with small bumps for texture.
• Matchstick Monkey: Another option, but in food-grade silicone, these are pretty fun and easy to hold. 

Baby Toys

• Marketplace: My go-to for small, heirloom toys is Bella Luna Toys shop. They have a great selection of beautifully made wooden pieces, including many European makers that have been around for a very long time.
• Grimm’s: A perfect first toy/rattle. Easy for little hands to hold and non-toxic.
• Nanchen Waldorf Doll: This ended up being my daughter's most loved (and teethed) item from 0-6 months. Made in Germany with cotton and wool. Both sound like good things.
• Lovevery Rattle: A classic rattle, but still very fun and engaging. Also safe for the teething stage.
• Senger Stuffed Animals: It can be hard to find non-synthetic stuffed animals. This bear and goose are filled with pure wool and have an outer organic cotton layer. 

Books

For the infant stage, board books are most practical. Some of our favorites are:

• Oh Dear by Rod Campbell
• Jamberry by Bruce Degen
• Spot Goes to the Farm by Eric Hill (the Spot series is translated into 60+ languages, so easy to find in another language)
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
  

Miscellaneous Baby Registry Must-Haves

Some items didn’t fit neatly into a category, but are still favorites.

Stoller Liner

• Binibamba Milk Snuggler: Made of 100% natural merino sheepskin, this cozy stroller liner also regulates temperature throughout the year.
  

Baby Memory Album

• Specialday Memory Baby Album: I spent hours (probably too many) looking for the right baby album, and this brand did not disappoint. I love how you can customize it with different inserts to make it your own. You could also go with a blank, hardback notebook by Papier and personalize it with initials.
• Semikolon Photo Album: If you want an album that’s simple, beautifully made, and something you’ll still want on a shelf years from now, then this one is it. It comes in good colors, too.

Must-Haves for Moms

Especially for the early days, having quality nursing bras and pads can make life much more comfortable.

Nursing Bras

• Hatch Everyday Bra: In the early breastfeeding days, I liked this bra because it is comfortable, has clasps, and is made of 91% Pima Cotton.
• Intimissi: If you’re further along in your journey and want something less “maternity” but still breastfeeding friendly, I’d go with the Lara Cotton Triangle Bra by Intimissimi.

Nursing Pads

• The Conscious Cloth's Etsy Shop: These reusable cotton nursing pads are made of organic, unbleached cotton.
  

Building Your Own List of Must-Have Baby Items

I hope you found this list of my favorite baby items helpful as you consider your registry or shop for your baby. As you move through the list, try to see it not as a rigid checklist of must-haves, but as a collection of ideas—to choose what feels right for you, your baby, and the life you’re building together.

Every baby is different, and what worked for me may look different for your family. That's part of parenting—lots of trial and error to discover how best to meet the needs of your little one.

If you are a parent, what’s something you swear by and would recommend to others? I’d love to continue this conversation below in the comments!