FTM Registry meltdown

Morenajuliet

Any other mamas, especially FTMs overwhelmed doing your registries? I need to finish mine VERY soon (invites are pending on it) but I feel like some decisions take so much consideration and there's just so much in general. Is this how our husbands feel when we send them to buy tampons and they just come back with a bunch of boxes of wrong items? lol. I LOVE looking at baby stuff but it just becomes overwhelming. I'm so thankful we can browse at our own convenience online. Some descriptions of items (like a diaper bag) are as detailed as buying a car and they make it feel like it's the biggest decision ever. I went to BabiesRUs to browse in person and only made it through two isles before I had to evacuate! Anyone else? 

DamnPrecious

I haven't even started. I browse online, but I'm scared to pull the trigger on anything! What if I hate it? What if something better comes along?!? Etc...

candypantsls

I'm overwhelmed, too, but you know what? All that baby NEEDS to start life is a carseat, your boobs, diapers.....you will be FINE, trust me!!! Just take a deep breath, register for the necessities and big items- the rest is bonus girl, you got it.

bethughknee

Definitely overwhelming. I thought I'd be less overwhelmed since I feel like I'm still fresh off the wedding registry train. Nope. Whole different ball game. I feel like I spend HOURS reading reviews on Amazon. I'm also too scared to do it at a store. I get annoyed to easily with people who think they're being "helpful." I'd rather take a friend who already has kids than be led around by an employee. :-@

gina0485

Things that helped me: switching from BRU to buy buy baby where they provide a personal tour of the store and answer questions about items as you hands-on get a feel for which items you like best. Also the book "baby bargains" was a game changer for me. My registry has been done for a month now since I got that book!

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ChuggingWater

Breathe. Breathe! BREATHE! Don't put unneeded stress on yourself.

Jmattis

I felt the same way!!!! We reigestered last weekend and it took 4 hours! What REALLY helped me was priting out Lucie's List. From there, I researched every item she recommended and made a decision on which one I was going to get for each category. I looked at the Bump Boards, Amazon top registry items and their reviews, top BRU item reviews and asked friends once I narrowed things down. I leared a lot of great things from our bump friends such as, don't register for blankets you will get a ton ( I already got 6 from people), register for a few bottle starter packs as you don't know what bottle your baby will like, and don't register for clothes. We also only reigisted for things he will really need in the beginging so that people arent buying us things we dont have space for or don't need yet asoposed to things we really need right now i.e. books, toys, convertiable car seat and high chair. Good luck

Jmattis

@Kaitimac great suggestion regarding little baby Garvin!!!

SunflowersBride

I've also been overwhelmed, but have been researching and adding things to an Amazon Wishlist. But I just subscribed to Lucie's List and am looking over the registry cheat sheet now and it looks fantastic!  Thanks so much for the recommendation ladies!

sugarland726

I also suggest bringing a friend who recently had children. They can cut through the bullshit and give you real life application.

Ladams30

I had done registries before with mothers so I wasn't as overwhelmed, but I did have a few people look over my registry and make suggestions.  And the very first time I went I had a couple veteran mothers with me. 

When you go in the store, take it slow and take breaks.  Also, start in the section you feel most comfortable in.  Want to go play in toys?  Go play in toys.  Nothing says you must start in the bottle section. 

As a general rule, don't register for cloth (except bedding).  You will get more than you want/need for LO without registering and you may be disappointed if you don't get that one specific blanket. 

Don't hesitate to register for the big items (completion coupon!) and for things you want to research.  You can always take things off.

PreDempsey

We broke it into two trips. Make sure your husband is well fed before hand, it was my saving grace.

Summer889

I started working on my list of stuff I wanted to register for around 12 weeks, and I'm still no where close!  I keep changing my mind about things, reading about new must-have products, etc. etc.  We still haven't even made it out to a store to physically look at stuff...I'm sure that will bring a whole new sense of being overwhelmed!  

rowanthefrog

1) Buy this book - https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Bargains-furniture-strollers-maternity/dp/1889392448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377702608&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+bargains+2013

2) Do you have any friends with babies who can help you register? It's so much easier to walk into BRU with another mom who can really tell you what you need and what you don't!

A

ashybear

I'm also an overwhelmed FTM. I've been using Amazon's advice list, which let me send my tentative registry to my SILs and a couple friends for feedback. They're also able to suggest products that I can then research further, add to the registry, etc. I'm not sure yet if I'll register in any brick and mortar stores; I have spent a ton of time finding items made in USA/Canada, which is important to DH and I, and the big chain stores just don't carry the same options. But I need to check with my mom about how she feels about an online-only registry; I know it'd be pushing some comfort zones.

Morenajuliet

sugarland726 said:

I also suggest bringing a friend who recently had children. They can cut through the bullshit and give you real life application.

My good friend (whose friends all seemed to just have had babies so she's kinda of a new mother expert) has been helping me a LOT. I'm planning on asking her If she would be willing to look over my registries. That would be great!

notthecheat

Me too! I was excited about starting but after an hour I was just like ugh

cpm1223

wilburbud said:

Lucieslist.com  .  Get her registry check list. Its GREAT

THIS!!! Love Lucies List! I started with one thing at a time, did some research (checking amazon and other sites for reviews on products) then moved to the next item on the list.

I started a Pinterest board and an excel spreadsheet for all the things I wanted to register for so actually putting things on the registry was super easy since all my research was done.

sarahmarie2

Totally overwhelmed. We started a couple of weeks ago after our A/S and we're still not done. I think we're both sort of burned out at this point. I agree that BBB was a really great experience, they were super helpful and the layout of the store was shopper-friendly. Of course, we then had issues with store locations and after spending a few hours in store we realized we needed to instead go with BRU and/or Target. And now we're working on an amazon registry for other random things. But you're not alone!

ksonne

I was really stressed about picking out the items for DS when we registered. But DS probably doesn't care that much. Did we get the "perfect" bouncer? DS seemed fine in it and would probably have been happy in any bouncer. Take a deep breath, look at Lucie's List, and check reviews on Amazon. And have fun registering!

AnnikaD20

For me, it was super overwhelming because I'm trying to shop for another human who I've never met (aside from the occasional kick to my bladder.) Things like crib sheets and decor, where my style preference is all that matters, were easy enough for me. But things like bottles, pacifiers, swings, bathtubs... I don't know what he'll like. Is he going to have ultra sensitive skin like I did and need to be cloth diapered? Will he be always cold like I am and need hats and fuzzy footie outfits most of the time, or always hot like his dad and live in cotton onesies? Why are there so many strollers!?!

Morenajuliet

AnnikaD20 said:

For me, it was super overwhelming because I'm trying to shop for another human who I've never met (aside from the occasional kick to my bladder.) Things like crib sheets and decor, where my style preference is all that matters, were easy enough for me. But things like bottles, pacifiers, swings, bathtubs... I don't know what he'll like. Is he going to have ultra sensitive skin like I did and need to be cloth diapered? Will he be always cold like I am and need hats and fuzzy footie outfits most of the time, or always hot like his dad and live in cotton onesies? Why are there so many strollers!?!

Agreed!