Stroller & Car seat: From the start, I knew I wanted a car seat that snaps into the stroller, so you don't have to wake the baby up going in/ out of the car (called a "travel system"). I found this one on OfferUp for $75 (saved $140). When I needed a double stroller, I found so many Graco Ready2Grow strollers (compatible with the car seat) on OfferUp. I bought one for $20, and one for $40 (one to keep at Grandma's). They were in very good condition (cleaner than our stroller), but I lined all 3 up in the back yard on a sunny day, got a pot of HOT water, oxyclean, and a scrub brush. I disassembled it as much as possible, SCRUBBED, let it set for about 30 minutes, then jet sprayed them with the hose, and let dry.

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Click here to go to my page on Cloth Diapers

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Crib & Changing table: I liked the compact idea of a crib and changing table, that also converts into a toddler bed for later. I found a Sorelle 4-in-1 on OfferUp for $80 ($388 new), and a Naturepedic organic waterproof mattress on OfferUp for $45 ($260 new).

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Side sleeper: I wasn't looking for one because they only seem to get used for about a month, but since I found this one on the street for free, I grabbed it. I used it a few times. There are lots of styles (in bed, swivel, bed attachment).

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Bottles: Obviously, nursing is free & zero waste, but I wanted my husband and mom to be able to feed the baby, and store that liquid gold for when baby's on a growth spurt and I can't keep up, or when I decide to stop nursing/ pumping.

Mason Bottles lets you turn any mason jar into a bottle! Yes, first I thought "no way am I giving a baby a glass jar", but they sell silicone sleeves too.

Pura Stainless and ​Klean Kanteen kids also have great stainless steel bottles with nipples for infants, and sport caps for toddlers and kids.

*My Willow pump had the option of $50 reusable plastic inserts for the milk, or leak free plastic bags that can go straight to fridge or freezer. Obviously I opted for the reusable plastic inserts, which I will empty into my mason jars.

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Bottle warmer: Lots of zero wasters will tell you to warm the bottle in a bowl of water (the stove can burn the milk). When the baby is screaming, I don't think anyone is going to have the patience for a bowl of water to warm the bottle. And I know I would try to rush it once, and burn it on the stove.

All of these are compatible with mason bottles: comotomo, avent express, tommee tippee, closer to nature, kiinde kozii, munchkin high speed bottle warmer, the first year, quick serve, born free tru-temp, cuisine art bw-10, and boon orb.

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Breast pump:

I was elidable for a free breast pump through insurance, and you bet I took advantage of it. It was a hunk of plastic that I used several times a day for almost a year with each baby. I got the Spectra S1 for my 1st baby, and the Willow Gen3 with my 2nd. I absolutely loved the Spectra, and will update once I use the Willow. You can absolutely find used breast pumps on Ebay and at nice 2nd hand stores if you cannot get the one you want through insurance.

Haakaa: I did not register for a haakaa because I thought it was a manual pump, but I am SOOO glad I got one at my shower! Thanks Danielle :) If you are going to nurse, put the haakaa on the boob you're not nursing on. Your milk lets down in both boobs, so the haakaa catches all the milk, and you will PRODUCE MORE MILK! My daughter never nursed on both sides in one feeding, and sometimes, I'd get 3-4 ounces in the haakaa (especially during the morning feeds) to save for the next meal, or store in the freezer. They're $14-20 depending on the model, available at Buy Buy Baby, Target and Amazon. I didn't have a lid the first go round, and only knocked it over once, but I will be getting a lid for #2 because you bet I cried over that spilt gold.

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Bathing: Plaine Products shampoo, conditioner and body wash are safe for babies! I'm all for less bottles in the shower. We don't need a different shampoo for every family member.

I found this bath support on the street for free. Our friends gave us their old mini tub that can go in the bottom of the shower or tub, and I like it a lot better.

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Baby food: We have Squooshi and Wee Sprout reusable pouches that I like to fill with applesauce, sweet potato puree, and yogurt. I make a big batch, and freeze most of them. Babies can figure out a pouch between 6-8 months, and it's a real game changer. You don't have to sit there and spoon feed them.

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Baby monitors: consider the size of your house when choosing to buy/ register for a baby monitor. We moved into a 2 story, so I registered for one, after doing waaaay to much research. Here's my comparison chart to get an idea of what's available.

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Diaper Cream is a must BEFORE baby comes! I wouldn't have thought to get it until I needed it, but luckily, I got Weleda Calendula diaper rash cream at my shower from my aunt. It worked wonders for my daughter's first diaper rash at 3 weeks. Diaper rash happens when a baby is in a wet diaper (poop or pee) for too long. Maybe they peed right after you changed them and they slept for 6 hours. Maybe you change the diaper every 2 hours, but they pee right after you changed them a couple times in a row. It happens. It's not always your fault, but make sure you SLATHER on a THICK layer of diaper cream and change their diaper often. If the rash lasts more than 2 days and isn't getting better, see your doctor.

***Don't let diaper cream get on your cloth diapers! It's meant to be a moisture barrier, and will cause pee to bead off, and not get absorbed. I like to use a dry reusable wipe as a barrier.

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Meredith tested (based in Vermont) has a great baby registry post.