My friends that parent similarly have discussed how they don’t always like baby showers being thrown for them because then they’re faced with the dilemma of having tons of things they don’t want and will never use. So, I decided that there needed to be a list of top registry items for the natural or Attachment Parenting mom. Of course, some of these items are great for moms who parent differently as well. #1. Diapers! #2. A jar of cold-pressed coconut oil. Think I’m crazy? I’m not! (Okay, well not when it comes to this.) Coconut oil is often more effective to treat diaper rash than any cream out there; it also doubles as a body lotion for the entire family — all WITHOUT being toxic. It feels oily for a second, but within a couple minutes, it’s totally absorbed. #3. A nursing pillow. #4. A sling or wrap. #5. Non-toxic baby soap. Look into something like California Baby Starter Tote ($25.65 at 6pm) or Dr. Bronner’s Baby Super Mild Liquid Castile Organic Soap ($3.08 at purespadirect). Generally speaking, if it’s in the organic aisle, it’s usually okay, but run it through the cosmetics database first just to be sure. #6. Soft-bottomed baby shoes. Robeez ($13.20 at 6pm) and Pedipeds ($19 at 6pm) are some of the leaders in soft-infant shoes (though the latter can be too stiff for brand-new, wobbly walkers). Buy them bigger, since babies don’t need shoes until they can walk anyway. #7. Baby clothes. No matter how you parent, the baby needs clothes (unless there’s some weird movement I’m not aware of). And let’s face it, clothes are the most fun thing to buy anyway, right? #8. Glass bottles. #9. Gentle parenting books. #10. Amber teething necklace. Amber is a natural resin, and the effects of the resin when warmed against the skin are said to be analgesic — that is, a natural numbing agent or pain killer. Natural mommies often put amber necklaces on teething babies to help them deal with the pain. The ones from Inspired By Finn are fantastic, and there’s a knot between each bead so that if it breaks, you don’t have beads spill everywhere. #11. Washable breast pads. #12. High-quality, non-toxic toys. #13. A nursing cover. Not all moms want one, but most first-time, new breastfeeders will feel more comfortable learning how to latch on in public with a nursing cover. Ones with a plastic piece that holds the collar stiff are a must, so the mom can actually see what she’s doing. Tip: Sign up for the mailing list at UdderCovers and you’ll soon get a code for a free nursing cover — you just pay shipping. For a tiny bit more, you can get the gift set, which has washable nursing pads and a bracelet to help keep track of which side you nursed on last. #14. Nipple ointment. #15. A BPA-free water bottle. Natural and AP moms, is there something else you would have loved to have gotten as a gift? Image via litlnemo/Flickr
