Registry Recommendations

JamieK1882

So DH and I are going to the store tonight after work and again this weekend to start the registry process.

The previous posts on this were very helpful with regard on what to put on the registry, and I've been doing some research on my own since then.

So my next question is--please give me your recommendations on specific brand names-things you like/didn't like. For example, I've been looking at the Chicco Keyfit 30 system and will be testing out the strollers in the store.

Appreciate any insight on specific types of carseats, strollers, baby carriers, etc (major items) that people do or don't recommend. Thanks!

wallygirl

We used the Chicco Keyfit 30 with DD and will be reusing with this LO. Love it! It is on the heavy side but it easy to operate and gets great safety ratings. I did not do the travel system. I don't like those bulky strollers. I used the chicco snap and go or snap and click (whatever it's called) when she was in the infant seat. Currently for DD we are using the Chicco Nextfit. Again it is super easy to install and operate but we are having some issues with the strap release button and are still waiting to see how Chicco customer service is going to handle it (only been using it since September).
My go to stroller is the Uppababy Glite but honestly for me it has more negatives than positives. However it is the easiest to keep in the car because it is small and lightweight and easy to fold. I also love the city select stroller.
If you are planning on breastfeeding and pumping. I love the Medala pump in style. I rented one from the hospital for a month then switched to the PIS.

wallygirl

Wow that ended up being a book. Sorry

kstirton

Can't say much except that we went and looked at all the travel system and chicco was our favorite. Registered for a bunch of medela breast pump parts/storage bags/etc b/c I'll work full time and breast feed. I also called insurance and made sure that's the breast pump I wanted and that I had the choice for it. Bottles (all different sizes) stuck w/ Dr browns, heard lots of good things. BUT I'm a FTM so I'm learning right along with you! We also just registered one place, and are accepting gift cards from Target for those that don't have a babies r us. Really technology today has made it possible for everyone to shop online if they want to bring a gift.

Maelara

Aiden & anais swaddle blankets, sleep sacks, lovies, etc.

I love my ergo baby carrier. I hear great things about Tula's as well. The ergo has an infant insert which DD hated. For the newborn stage I suggest a stretchy wrap. Most stores carry one just look for sizing if they have any.

JamieK1882

Thanks! These are exactly what I was looking for!

Question on the breast pump--I'm going to try and breastfeed/pump, but will be going back to work at least part time quickly so will need the pump. I had heard they are covered under insurance now. Should I still register for one? Or what if I try and am unable to bf for some reason?

aa98

I'm loving this thread, I am getting so bogged down with trying to find furniture, (crib, dresser/changer combo, and a glider in compact sizes) I haven't started with all the other things.  I keep looking at my list, which keeps expanding, wondering how am I going to fit all this stuff in my apartment and how big a bite this will take out of my savings... Thanks for the tip about a breast pump possibly being covered by insurance.  I'm going to have to give my plan a call.  Keep the suggestions coming!

JamieK1882

@aa98 that's what my co-workers told me. They said under Obama breast pumps now have to be covered. I haven't looked into it myself, though, to know how that works

mander82

What makes this name brand so awesome ?  I just looked it up on Amazon and damn that shits pricey compared to other brands.    Thinking maybe the material is just THAT AWESOME  

 

 

. Aiden & anais

JamieK1882

Oh another one I don't think I've read much about...any strong opinions on baby monitors?

ccam

Both our infant car seat and pack n play are Chicco, which we like.

For carriers, love the Ergo & Moby.

Love our City Mini stroller

Our video monitor is Motorola and it's one of our favorite gifts.

Aveeno body wash/shampoo and lotions were the only ones that seemed gentle enough for DS.

I also agree with the A&A blankets and will be buying more for this LO since DS still uses his.

Although it's a pain to get DS in his car seat now and the straps are forever getting tangled, I like our Britax convertible seat.  Once he's in it, I know that he's safe and he's comfortable. 

ssstephanie214

JamieK1882 said:

@aa98 that's what my co-workers told me. They said under Obama breast pumps now have to be covered. I haven't looked into it myself, though, to know how that works

Yes, all insurance plans must cover some sort of breast pump.

I think I remember reading that it's up to $200.

wallygirl

JamieK1882 said:

Thanks! These are exactly what I was looking for!

Question on the breast pump--I'm going to try and breastfeed/pump, but will be going back to work at least part time quickly so will need the pump. I had heard they are covered under insurance now. Should I still register for one? Or what if I try and am unable to bf for some reason?

I would suggest calling your insurance to find out what kind of pump is covered. Mine only covers a manual pump or applies a set amount to an electric. If you don't get the one you want free through insurance definitely register for it so you can get the discount.
I planned on renting a hospital pump just in case I couldn't bf and still did (those pumps are awesome). I ended up getting my pump free (before the insurance change) because I had a NICU baby. But if you're worried about paying that much for something you might not use then rent one before you purchase.

moroccojade

bethas said:

Our insurance will only cover the Ameda brand, which gets lower reviews.  If you couldn't afford one OOP, I'd definitely take the option of the free one.  But knowing how much I loved the Medela, and how easy it was, I may purchase a new one on my own for this baby.

My Ameda pump was great. (Purely Yours?)   I had no problem with it. (It was just as good as the hospital grade I rented in the earliest weeks.)

I hated our Graco travel system.  We bought a Britax convertible after we were done with the baby seat and loved it.  I think we will buy the Britax seat/stroller combo this time around.  The reviews are good, and I test drove a friend's B Agile stroller and loved it. 

Another vote for Ergo carriers.  There are some that are "prettier" out there, but I wanted my husband (and my dad!) to feel comfortable wearing it out in public.  (We had a black one with some green.)   And really, you can't beat it for comfort.  I could carry DD for hours in that thing.

JamieK1882

The only bad thing I heard about Ergo carriers is that the baby has to always be facing you (whether back or front wearing). True?

kfo22

ssstephanie214 said:

@aa98 that's what my co-workers told me. They said under Obama breast pumps now have to be covered. I haven't looked into it myself, though, to know how that works

Yes, all insurance plans must cover some sort of breast pump. I think I remember reading that it's up to $200.

Except Tricare. They'll only cover it if it medically necessary. Military gets the best care everrrrr! 8-|

ccam

JamieK1882 said:

The only bad thing I heard about Ergo carriers is that the baby has to always be facing you (whether back or front wearing). True?

Yes, at least for the style that I have.  Although I saw on the Ergo website that they now have a model where the baby can face out as well.

mtusnow

I have wrist and arm issues so I needed a really lightweight car seat and stroller that collapsed easily and was easy to push. I tried out tons of options in the stores and settled on the ultralight weight Graco® Soho™ Click Connect™ Travel System - Presley at Babies R Us.

Stroller 17.5 lbs

Car Seat 7.5 lbs

https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=28879706&KPID=17431790&mr:trackingCode=B7E3DA7F-379D-E311-B8AB-90E2BA285E75&mr:referralID=NA&mr:filter=38524430326&camp=PLAPPC-_-PID17431790&mr:ad=35201293606&mr:device=c&mr:match=&mr:adType=pla&cagpspn=plab_17431790&mr:keyword=

NunyaBennis

kfo22 said:

ssstephanie214 said:

JamieK1882 said:

@aa98 that's what my co-workers told me. They said under Obama breast pumps now have to be covered. I haven't looked into it myself, though, to know how that works

Yes, all insurance plans must cover some sort of breast pump.

I think I remember reading that it's up to $200.

Except Tricare. They'll only cover it if it medically necessary. Military gets the best care everrrrr! 8-|

---quote fail---

Insurance is sneaky. A breast pump is covered, but "100%" can be OF their defined allowance, not necessarily the entire amount. Like PP said, a base model manual pump may be covered, but the one you want may only be covered up to the price of the base model manual pump.
Tricare is a whole other animal X(

librarygirl123

Does anyone have the City Mini GT? We are traveling 3.5 hours to see one IRL next week as no store in our city carries that model! I think it is exactly what we want (smaller than a jogging stroller- we have a prius, and all-terrain wheels), but want to really look at it and hear reviews from people who have them. 

FishyMom

There are some great suggestions on here, but I'm hoping I can ask a question. When should I call the insurance about the breast pump? When would you order it?

mussalynn

mander82 said:

What makes this name brand so awesome ?  I just looked it up on Amazon and damn that shits pricey compared to other brands.    Thinking maybe the material is just THAT AWESOME  

 

 

. Aiden & anais

A&A stuff just really is a thousand times better quality than anything else.  The material is so soft and lightweight, the swaddling blankets are really nice and big so you can use them for lots of stuff besides swaddling (draping over car seat/stroller, laying baby on the floor, as a sheet in bassinet etc).  The sleep sacks are also totally amazing.  I didn't have an A&A blanket for DS but might get one for this babe just because I've heard so many good things about them.

JamieK1882

Update to our registry. This past Thursday DH and I went to USA Baby after work because so many of my work people recommended it (not to register, but for the selection and customer service in answering questions on items). We were sooo disappointed. We've already bought our furniture, so I was looking more to try out the car seats/strollers. They had about 3 car seats.

So we leave there disappointed and went to Toys R Us. The one we went to was just TRU but had a baby section. It sucked also. They had nothing I was looking for. We had already gotten the little scanner gun, and DH was like, we are not leaving here without scanning at least ONE thing, so we scanned a playmat and humidifier.

Then we went to Target. Same thing. Awful experience. By this point I was nearly in tears and beyond frustrated. From what I'm learning, these stores do not carry a lot of the stuff in stock, but just online. We're trying another BRU later today, but in the meantime I've done a lot of my registry online.

Keep in mind I'm a FTM, but after what I was able to see in stores, many recommendations from co-workers who just had babies within the last year, Lucie's List, and bumpies, here is what is on our registry so far:

for the nursery (already bought our furniture and most of the bedding):
-lampshade
-wall clock
-mobile
-hamper
-extra crib sheets
-extra changing pad covers
(all of the above in Dr. Seuss print)
-waterproof crib mattress cover

-Halo sleepsack swaddle

Car Seats/Strollers:
-Chicco Keyfit 30 infant seat
-extra seat base
-Britax Advocate G4 convertible car seat
-Baby Jogger City Select Stroller
-Combi Cosmo E Stroller

Extras for Stroller:
-rain canopy for under seat basket
-parent consol
-second seat kit
-infant car seat adapter
-liquid holster

Bath:
-hooded towels and washcloths
-bath toys
-spout cover
-kneeler
-J&J baby wash
-bath thermometer

Playtime:
-Fisher Price playmat
-Pack N Play/bassinet
-exersaucer
-cradle swing
-bath tub

We also did a couple of things on amazon:
-Miracle blanket baby swaddle blanket
-aden and anais swaddle blankets
-rock n play sleeper
-Beco Gemini baby carrier

I know we still have more to add, but just wanted to update where we are so far. I also know we have a lot of "extras" on the registry, but I'm having >100 people at the shower, and was trying to include a lot in various price ranges.

jess123456

librarygirl123 said:

Does anyone have the City Mini GT? We are traveling 3.5 hours to see one IRL next week as no store in our city carries that model! I think it is exactly what we want (smaller than a jogging stroller- we have a prius, and all-terrain wheels), but want to really look at it and hear reviews from people who have them. 

We tested this out today at Buy Buy Baby and loved it! Bob strollers were recommended to me as well but they seemed so big and expensive! The basket in the GT is a bit small but that's pretty much all I found that could use some changing.

ShelleyElla22

Bob Stroller (well worth the $ IMO)
Motorola Video Monitor (avoid summer brand, I've had lots of issues)
Medela breast pump
Boppy pillow
Fisher Price rock n play sleeper
Britax convertible seat

I had an expensive, fancy pack n play and feel that it was a waste of money.

A changing mat on top of a dresser worked the best for us.

I would register for a couple of different kinds of bottles because you don't know what your baby will take (my oldest liked Medela, my youngest liked dr. Browns )

Fisher price jumperoo

Shananagann

JamieK1882 said:

Thanks! These are exactly what I was looking for!

Question on the breast pump--I'm going to try and breastfeed/pump, but will be going back to work at least part time quickly so will need the pump. I had heard they are covered under insurance now. Should I still register for one? Or what if I try and am unable to bf for some reason?

The lactation consultant we saw said she can get them for rentals for the hospital grade Medela pump, which I think is kinda great because who needs a pump after you ween your LO? lol

abbyful

Things we love(d) with DS:

Britax B-Safe infant car seat

Britax B-Agile stroller

Chicco NextFit convertible car seat

Boppy

Playtex Drop-In bottles

Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags

Fisher Price seahorse

Fisher Price Rock-n-play

Snugabunny swing (swings both side-to-side and back-and-forth, plugs in)

BumGenius cloth diapers

California Baby shampoo

---

Things we hated:

Moby wrap

Medela breastmilk storage bags

ElinJ

My first baby was a May baby, so I am curious to see how certain product usage will differ for me having a November baby. Here what we loved, hated, will do different next time:

Ergo - I STILL use this nearly every day when my 2 year old & I walk the dog. Love it, and worth every penny. Didn't use the infant insert because it was SO hot all summer after he was born, so curious to see if we use the insert with Baby 2. Please, do not get a crotch-dangling baby carrier.

Moby - I miss the Moby days. I used to put it on before I left the house, then when I got to grocery, Target, wherever, I'd just pop him into it. It's how I did laundry, cooked, and pretty much ANYTHING the early weeks.

Maxi Cosi Mico - One of the lightest carseats on the market. A friend bought the Chicco Keyfit 30, and regretted it, because it was SO heavy. She never took it out of the car after 3 months.

Maxi Cosi Pria w/ Infant Insert - At first I was going to buy an extra base for my husband's car, but per another Bumpie suggestion, we just went on ahead and got a convertible that fits an infant from day 1. SO GLAD WE DID. Our son was a car screamer, but he screamed a lot less in the Pria. He seemed SO much more comfortable. It fits in my small car well too. My son is rear-facing at 2 years, and I have zero plans to turn him around. My friend who hated her Chicco Keyfit 30 ended up getting the Maxi Cosi Pria after trying 3 OTHER carseats once they moved their kid to a convertible at 8 months. The other 3 brands wouldn't fit in her husbands car. She said she wishes she had gotten the Pria from day 1 like I did. I refrained from saying "I told you so!"

Aden + Anais swaddling blankets - these didn't really work for us as swaddles, but we used them for EVERYTHING else. Again, summer baby = hot weather & bright sun. I used this to drape over his carseat to protect him from the sun going in & out of the car. Then used it to cover him up if we were hit with freezing AC. This is the type of blanket daycare requires, and I love how soft the A+A is. Definitely recommend getting the "real deal" A+A, I've heard the Target ones are smaller & not as soft. Not sure if this is still true.

Medela Freestyle - I splurged (because I ended up with more HFSA $ than I thought) and got this pump. It runs on a rechargeable battery. I swear, I would only charge it like 1x a week, and that was enough to pump 3x at work, 5 days a week. I only charged it over the weekend. If I forgot to charge it, I would just plug in the power when I was pumping. Also, sometimes when I used it at home, I would clip it onto my waist and pump while washing bottles, etc. Sometimes I got a little too "freestyle" and forgot it was on, and I would bend over and spill milk! Ha!

Medela Quick Clean wipes - Add these to your registry!! You never know when you'll need to pump in the car, or wherever! These are great for wiping parts down when you don't have water.

Simple Wishes Hands-free bra - I know, I know… You can make your own with a sports bra, blah blah blah. All I know is I could zip this thing on in about 3 seconds over my clothes (most often I'd lift my shirt and zip this one over my camisole & regular nursing bra). I can't imagine shoving a sports bra over my head 3x a day. I only used this OVER my nursing bra, never alone. Again, this in combination with the Medela Freestyle, meant I could actually DO THINGS while pumping.

NUK/Gerber brand bags worked as well for me as the Lansinoh bags. HATED the Medela bags you pump directly into. I could never remove them without some spillage. Plus, the Medela bags you pump into don't lay flat to freeze.

We did NOT register for a PnP but ended up getting a permanent loan from a friend. I'm a little "eh" on it. We only use it as a travel sleeping spot for kiddo. I just don't understand nor have space for setting it up permanently in my living room or wherever. I either walk upstairs to change him, or throw down one of the gazillion receiving blankets I received onto the couch. (DO NOT REGISTER FOR ANY RECEIVING BLANKETS, EVEN IF YOU ARE DOING SO TO PICK OUT A PRINT YOU LIKE, YOU'LL GET THOSE PLUS ANOTHER 25).

Did not register for baby food maker, but scored a Cuisinart Food Processor on Craigslist after searching often. I had been wanting one since before I was ever pregnant. I already have both a steaming basket for a pot, and a microwave steamer.

Did not own a bottle warmer, thinking about buying one ONLY if I score a deal at a consignment sale or something along those lines. Kiddo #1 wasn't keen on bottles, only "accepted" them at daycare really. Kiddo #2 WILL TAKE A BOTTLE! (I hope.)

Did not register for a bouncer/jumparoo/etc. Bought one from a friend for $50. Sold it on Craigslist a few months later for exactly what I paid.

Did not register for a swing. Regret it. Baby #2 is getting a swing!

Registered for an audio monitor only (not crazy about it, but it works). Then we purchased a security camera for around $75. It works through our Wifi, has excellent night vision, and we can pull it up on our iPhones & iPad with a $5 app. I can even move the camera around remotely with the apps or via the website login. BEST DECISION. Quality is much better than most video monitors people I know have, and I love that it works through our Wifi. It can't be accessed unless you are on our password protected internet (but I could set it up to be accessed if I am away, just don't have the need), and you have to enter the password to view the camera. Of course our apps have the password saved into them. I just mean, it seems pretty hard for someone else to tap into our baby camera, which I know a lot of people freaked out over a few months back. One of my friends would even often pick up the neighbor's baby on their video monitor.

Oh, last thing, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel. I get SO many compliments on it. I love that I can wear it like a purse or backpack. I didn't register for it, because I didn't want anyone seeing the price and being like "WHOA!" But it was my splurge item. I bought it at a clearance sale for about $78. It was a previous season print. I'm cheap about a LOT of things, and I'm not a purse person AT ALL. But for some reason, I had to have a PPB bag.

PS. Someone else apologized for writing a book. My response looks like Moby Dick in comparison!! It just seemed like I had a lot of products to recommend that no one else had mentioned yet, and I'm a wordy person. Also, this is my first ACTUAL post, though I've been lurking since I found out I was pregnant!

marajay6

FTM with a question: what's your opinion on infant bath tubs? I have seen some registry lists have them as a must have while others complain that they are bulky and not needed.

abbyful

sj+cm131 said:

FTM with a question: what's your opinion on infant bath tubs? I have seen some registry lists have them as a must have while others complain that they are bulky and not needed.

I had a crappy hand-me-down infant tub for DS, it was like a hard plastic reclined seat. I hated it. This time I'll probably get a cheap mesh sling.

Once baby can sit up, we loved the Munchkin inflatable duck tub!