Registry Shopping Tips

BumpJackie

What are some tips about registry shopping that you want other moms-to-be to know? Anything that you wish you knew before walking into a store or creating one online?

SingleMom31

Ignore the lists provided by store of all the things that you "need."  Really, babies need surprisingly few things: Diapers, a few outfits, a place to sleep (on mom or dad is fine with them!), and a means of eating (either mom or bottles/formula).  You don't need twenty burp clothes, ten bibs, a baby bath tub, laundry detergent scented for babies, special bottle brushes, special pillows, etc.... You can use what you already have. 

Anastacia5

Hi, I am a first-time mom to be and am working on creating my own registry. One of the most helpful things I found was absolutely free website:www.myregistry.com. When attending other's baby showers, some had 5-6 stores listed they were registered at, which was crazy. When I started working on my own, and I am a bit picky about items I like, I found that creating separate registries at 5 different places was just too much. At above website, you can creat your own registry online and pull items from whatever store you like; all kept nice and together for your guests to see. Good luck!

darkangel42

A combined or universal registry is so much easier. I used babylist.

If you don't know what it is, you probably don't need it. I'd never heard of a wipe-warmer until I started my registry list so I could easily live without it.

If you don't want it, don't put it on your list, no matter what friends, family and passers-by tell you that you'll need. I say again, I do not want a wipe-warmer.

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SunAndRain

Don't register for clothes other than a basic set of onesies. People like to buy clothes and they enjoy picking it out...and it is fun to dress up baby in different styles, even ones you wouldn't think to buy.

Don't register for a swing AND a bouncer AND a RNP AND AND AND....Try to borrow these bigger items to see which your baby takes to. And try to find them gently used on craigslist. It would be such a waste to spend $180 on a swing that your baby only screams in.

Don't put furniture on your list until after the baby shower. I know people do it "for the discount" and that is fine. But unless you are realy expecting people to buy those biggest ticket items... Plus I don't think people really need to know that I want the $1000 dresser when they think I'd be better off with the $50 one from goodwill.

Don't do a book in lieu of cards request...because it is impolite.  But if anyone asks you what you want that you didn't register for, ask them for books!  My DD has the most amazing library because a couple of family members gave her a bundle of books and she LOVES to read (all children do) and it is one of THE most important things you can give to your child.  I read to DD from the moment she was born...just to get us in the habit.

mcschutte

Do not register for newborn sizes (skip right to 0-3 month) and make sure to include gowns on your clothing list.  Ask your friends for a 'top 5' list of items they wish they had or 'favorite; items for baby.  Consider including a link for gift certificates to a photographer you'd like to have photos taken by for your baby.  This is a unique gift that will keep on giving and baby photographer can be very expensive.  When registering for baby healthy products, be sure to register for the Baby Nosefrida...it is a lifesaver when your baby is congested!  

brendisimma

Register for everything, you never know..

albertastephenz

MJ015

This has been so helpful, being a first time mom is overwhelming. I'm happy I 'stumbled' on to this thread! 

I'm looking into where to start a registry and decided to look into IKEA for all the furniture and decorative items. It seems that IKEA Portland is the only store that has a registry service which is lucky for me since I live in the area. They offer a really helpful chip-in feature that allows family and friends to split the cost of higher priced items. 

I don't know if they are starting to offer this registry service in other IKEA stores but I wanted to spread the word in case anyone else is interested. 

mommymiyagi

The baby might. ! I remember my mom warming my lotion and wipes up !! It's very soothing. !

tiffmatt

If your SO is going with you when you register at a B&M make sure they have something to eat first. Nothing makes completing a registry a nightmare quite like a hangry spouse.

iuplori

Don't try to do it all in one visit to the store.  It can be overwhelming to figure out all the different products and what will work for you. Make it over a few trips.

Also, don't register too early because many items will be discontinued seasonally and your guests may have a hard time finding them in stock by the time the shower comes around. 

leela02

Register for everything you need and would like to have for the baby, especially if you have a lot of family & friends who have never had kids and need ideas for a gift.

Register for seasonally appropriate clothes/gear if you live somewhere that has freezing winters/very hot summers.

Aside from the very few universal essentials like car seat/diapers/feeding supplies, take any advice about what you need or don't need as useful suggestions, but not necessarily definitive. A lot of items depend on your lifestyle.

If you need a breastpump, check with your insurance first because they might cover it.

Periodically check/update your registry in case items get discontinued or go out of stock.

526SadieSadie

1. Ignore the list they hand you in the store.  The duty of the store employees is to boost their income.  If they can convince you that you absolutely NEED all of those items on the list, it means a lot of money for the store.  You don't need half of that crap.
2. Even if you know your baby's sex, think about buying reusable items gender-neutral unless you're only having one child (meaning car seat, stroller, pack and play etc.)
3. You're probably going to get clothes whether or not they're on your registry, try to ignore the impulse to register for clothes, except plain cotton onesies, those are a lifesaver to have in bulk in case of diaper blowouts. Keep a couple in your diaper bag and maybe even in your car.
4. Some babies are sensitive to brands of diapers, wait until you know for sure if you can use them before you get them in big quantities (my daughter can't wear Luvs, she gets a nasty rash)
5. Personally, I LOVE sleep sacks.  They're so much easier than swaddling blankets since they can't come apart during the night. 
6. Check your registry periodically for items that may have gone out of stock and try to find substitutions.  Keep in mind the items might come back into stock before your shower so you might want to keep them on your registry just in case.
7. Understand that your registry is a list of suggestions to your guests.  Don't log on to the shower board the day after your shower and whine about not getting things from your registry.

Designermomma

A lot of Target baby stuff is online only and takes a long time to arrive. I didnt realise a lot of my items were online only.

I also second the Baby bargains book. It's tells you what stuff you really need and what you don't and what to check for. Then it rates brands of everything and helps you choose quality stuff.

I put everything on the list including furniture. I planned to buy things elsewhere but that way people could see what I already had. (You can add things to your list and then go into your registry online and mark them as received.) My grandmother and 2 aunts/uncles went in together and bought the stroller/car seat combo.

I tired out quickly in the store so I got down one aisle and then registered for the rest online. The only things you want to physically check out is car seat weight, stroller easy to handle, which baby carrier you prefer and if you are looking at cribs, can you easily reach baby/drop rail etc

cozybluebear

mommymiyagi said:

The baby might. ! I remember my mom warming my lotion and wipes up !! It's very soothing. !

My son would scream and pee on me at every diaper change... we got a wipe warmer and the screaming and peeing stopped!

cozybluebear

tiffmatt said:

If your SO is going with you when you register at a B&M make sure they have something to eat first. Nothing makes completing a registry a nightmare quite like a hangry spouse.

Agreed! We made it halfway though and he had to find the gliders to "take a break" while I finished.

chicagojackie

I only registered at buy buy baby and found this to really make it simple. I registered for all sorts of things (both swaddling blankets and halo sacks) with dd because I didn't know what we and she would prefer. Besides I kept most stuff in the packages and only washed a few things until I saw what worked. We returned/exchanged things as we went along and bbb was really cool about everything and takes bed bath beyond coupons too.

albertastephenz

Read this article about baby registry shopping. We used to buy all stuff from babies r us & toys r us because they have wide range of products for your babies at discounted price. They offered online coupons to save money on every registry product.