UAE baby registry checklist: what to add before your baby arrives

This checklist covers what to add when you're building a baby registry in the UAE, grouped by category: sleep, feeding, diapering, bath and care, clothing, travel, nursery, health and safety, and a few things for you. Work through it one section at a time, add what fits your home and plans, and skip anything you already have or won't use.

It isn't tied to one store, so you can add items from anywhere and keep them on one list.

When should you start a baby registry in the UAE?

Start your baby registry a few months before your due date, and before any baby shower date is set. There's no fixed rule, but this gives guests time to buy and deliveries time to arrive, including for relatives ordering from abroad.

Use the list like this:

1. Read each category and add the baby essentials first.
2. Mark the few items you'd most like help with.
3. Add a mix of small and larger price points so every guest has an option.
4. Leave the "can wait" items off for now, or add them later.

If you'd like help deciding how many of each item to add and what to skip, our guide on how to decide what goes on your registry walks through priorities and quantities. For a tighter view of the first six to eight weeks, see the newborn essentials list for UAE parents.

Your baby registry checklist by category

Sleep

• A cot, crib or Moses basket for your room
• A firm, flat mattress that fits it well
• Fitted sheets (two or three, so one is always clean)
• Sleeping bags or swaddles in thin fabrics
• A baby monitor, if your home layout calls for one
• A room thermometer

For safe sleep, the NHS advises a firm, flat mattress and a cot or Moses basket kept in your room for every sleep in at least the first six months, with nothing loose in it. That means no pillows, bumpers, duvets or soft toys. In air-conditioned rooms, thin layers and a room thermometer help you check the temperature rather than guess.

The newborn sleep kit guide covers what belongs in the sleep space and what doesn't.

Feeding

What you add here depends on how you plan to feed, and many families mix methods. A flexible starting list:

• Muslin cloths and bibs (plenty)
• A feeding pillow
• Nursing bras and breast pads, if breastfeeding
• A breast pump, if you expect to express
• A few bottles and teats
• A bottle brush and a steriliser
• Formula dispenser or storage containers, if using formula

Start small with bottles until you know what your baby takes to. There's a full breakdown in feeding essentials for breast, bottle or combination feeding.

Diapering

• Diapers in newborn and the next size up
• Fragrance-free wipes or cotton wool
• Barrier cream
• A changing mat
• A diaper bin or disposal bags
• A changing bag for outings

Young babies may need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, according to the NHS, so diapers (or nappies, if that's your word) are one of the most useful things guests can buy. Don't overstock the newborn size, as babies grow out of it quickly. Our diapering checklist covers setting up a changing station and packing an outing bag.

Bath and care

• A baby bath or bath support
• Soft hooded towels and washcloths
• Gentle, fragrance-free wash
• Baby nail clippers or a nail file
• A soft hairbrush
• A digital thermometer

Ask your paediatrician which products they suggest for your baby's skin, especially in the first weeks.

Clothing

• Bodysuits and sleepsuits in newborn and 0–3 month sizes
• A few light layers for air-conditioned rooms and malls
• Socks and scratch mittens
• A sun hat
• Thin cardigans or wraps

Guests love buying clothes, so you may receive plenty without registering for many. Add a few sizes up (3–6 and 6–12 months) to spread gifts out.

Out and about

• A stroller or pram that suits your lifts, car boot and the places you go
• A car seat suitable from birth
• A sunshade or parasol for the stroller
• A baby carrier or wrap
• A portable changing mat
• Car window shades

If you'll be driving your baby home and around town, a car seat is one of the first things to sort. UAE traffic rules require a child protection seat for children under the age of four, according to Dubai's RTA. Rules can change, so check with the RTA or your emirate's police for the latest. The car seat guide for UAE roads covers seat types and fitting.

For strollers, think about your daily life: apartment lifts, mall trips, boot space and whether you'll fly home often. Our guide to choosing a stroller for UAE life goes through the options. On sunny days, use a parasol or sunshade rather than a blanket over the pram, which the NHS warns can cause overheating.

Nursery

• A chest of drawers or wardrobe storage
• A comfortable chair for night feeds
• Blackout curtains or blinds
• A nightlight
• Storage baskets

In an apartment, storage often matters more than furniture. Look for pieces that do two jobs, like a dresser that doubles as a changing surface. The baby nursery guide separates what to buy now from what can wait.

Health and safety basics

• A digital thermometer (if not already in your bath kit)
• A basic baby first aid kit
• A nasal aspirator
• Cupboard locks and socket covers (for later, once baby moves)

Ask your paediatrician what they'd like you to keep at home for a newborn.

For parents

Baby showers often focus on the baby, but a few things for you can make the first weeks easier:

• Comfortable nursing or loungewear
• A large water bottle
• Meal delivery vouchers or a cash fund for help at home
• A postpartum care kit

Nice to have, can wait

These are handy for some families but rarely needed on day one:

• A high chair, for when your baby starts solids
• Weaning bowls and spoons
• A baby walker or activity centre
• A playpen
• Larger toys and books
• A travel cot, unless you're flying home soon after the birth

You can add these later, after the shower, when you know what you'll use.

UAE practicalities

Mixing stores. Baby shower gifts often come from many places: big online stores, baby specialty shops, and relatives shopping in their own country. A universal registry lets you put all of these on one list instead of keeping several store registries.

Delivery address. Give guests clear delivery details. If you live in an apartment, include the building name, flat number and a phone number for the driver. For villas, add the community name and a landmark if the address is hard to find.

Sharing with family abroad. Many families in the UAE have relatives in other countries. One link shared on WhatsApp is easier for them than a list of store names. A cash fund is useful for relatives who can't ship gifts here.

Avoiding duplicates. With guests buying from different shops, two people can easily buy the same thing. A registry that shows what's already been bought helps prevent this.

For the social side, like when to share the link and how to mention gifts in an invitation, read our baby shower registry etiquette for the UAE.

Quick answers about UAE baby registries

What is a universal baby registry?

A universal baby registry is one list that holds gifts from any store or website, rather than a separate registry for each shop. In the UAE, where guests buy from big online stores, baby shops and stores in their home countries, it keeps everything in one place and helps avoid duplicate gifts.

How many items should I add to a baby registry?

There's no set number. Aim for enough choice across price points that every guest can find something, and add more if your guest list is large or includes family abroad.

When should I share my registry?

Share it once the main categories are filled in, usually a few weeks before the baby shower. You can keep adding items after sharing, so it doesn't need to be complete.

Can I add cash funds to a baby shower registry?

Yes. Some baby registries, including BabyGather, let you add cash funds alongside gift items. A cash fund works well for bigger purchases, for guests who'd rather contribute than choose a gift, and for relatives abroad who can't ship gifts to the UAE.

Where to start

Pick two or three categories from this checklist and start there: sleep, feeding and car travel are good first choices. When you're ready, start your BabyGather registry, add items from any store or link, and share one link with family and friends.