Baby registries and the basics

cmport

Any suggestions on when to start one and some of the basics that should be on the registry for a FTM? I know there is a lot of fun extras for baby, but are they really necessary?

blueeyedrose86

It is ridiculous how little your baby actually needs. The "must-haves" lists are only so huge because stores get scored on average registry size (former Babies R Us employee). Clothes, burp rags, a place to sleep, diapers, wipes, a booger sucker (maybe; DD didn't need one until at least 6 months), bibs for drool, some baby shampoo/body wash and maybe a couple of hooded baby towels. Just use regular wash cloths... It wasn't absolutely necessary, but the rock n play sleeper is pretty awesome. She rarely actually slept in it, but the incline is cool and that was her favorite place to be when not in my arms. As far as big stuff: a car seat, stroller or baby carrier, or both if you like.

Some stuff depends on your baby, so you won't really know without trial and error. DD hated swings and the co-sleeper, so that was a waste.

caitlinmca

We made ours at about 12-13 weeks at BRU and put things like the travel system, bottles, a pack n play, baby carrier, monitor, diaper bag, pacifiers, teethers, white onsies in both long and short sleeves, white socks(those were the only clothing items), baby blankets, extra car seat base, hangers, crib sheets, diapers, wipes, things like soap, baby tylenol and such, diaper rash ointment, a first aid kit, towels, wash clothes, books, the crib, mattress and dresser, spoons, plates etc, breastfeeding supplies...we went all out because at BRU they have a completion coupon and depending how much is spent depends on your coupon up to 10% I think thus we put the big items like the crib and dresser even though we will be buying them ourselves.

mrsmommya

I agree there are a lot of extras that babies don't really need.  Obviously, you know the basics...no one needs to tell you kids need clothes.  Also, a lot of things are ridiculously priced brand new.  Buy used and it can be like new for a fraction of the cost.  We actually did buy baby wash cloths because they are softer, but our DD who is 3 has used regular towels from day 1.  We used a pack n play with an infant add-on instead of a pricey bassinet.  My DD liked swaddlers, but that is diff. for each baby.  I nursed so if I could go back I would have put disposable breast pads and milk bags.  Our hospital gave us a huge boppy pillow that was super convenient for nursing and to lay the baby in.  You may want to ask for bottles, but I bought them used and just bought new nipples.  My DD loved her swing, also bought used.  She also liked her jumparoo, again used.  My DD never liked a bouncer...we were gifted one at the shower though.  You will want some type of bath seat.  A good temporal thermometer.  If you plan to use a monitor...I had a video one that we used till our daughter was out of the crib and LOVED it....again your preference...not 100% necessary.  You could add crib sheets...always have to have extras.  A full length mirror against the wall was my daughter's favorite toy!!  Lots of babies have bumbo seats, but my DD hated hers, again gifted at the shower.  Although we kept because they are convenient so maybe this baby may like.  My DD didn't eat baby food till 6 months old, but we LOVED our chair top high chair...again we got it used!  

Another tip: big things you plan to re-use should be gender neutral!  Best decision we ever made.  We have all the same stuff from our DD and will be able to re-use easily.  We also painted her room neutral.  Girls have enough pink stuff anyways!

I am sure I could keep going, but this is a good start.  Good luck!!

ACleanLife24

I went minimal... built it on amazon.co.uk so my us family doesn't pay for mailing and I don't pay for customs....

I also did a lot of googling for top lists and read reviews and compared on price (ego vs bjorn etc)

yodapup

@blueeyedrose86 mentioned it but definitely get a nose sucker (Nosefrida)! DD got a cold at 2 weeks old and had a hard time eating because her nose was all stopped up. It was a life saver and those bulb suctions the hospital gives you do not work nearly as well as the nosefrida.

AlphabetFish

I've been going off of this website for help: https://www.lucieslist.com/baby-registry-basics/

It seems to be pretty levelheaded about things and it always includes a cheaper option.

RosyK

They NEED clothes, diapers, a car seat and a place to sleep (which could be a cardboard box for all they care . I would not stock up on bottles, but wait to see if/what your baby will use. Stock up on wipes and size 1-3 diapers. They likely won't wear newborn ones for more than a month or two.
What I loved:
Gerber white cloth diapers as burp clothes and nose wipers.
Those cotton swaddling/recieving blankets... As burp cloths and nose wipers.
Nuk pacifiers (I swear all of my girls' breast feeding latch got better when we ditched the hospital soothie pacifier and switched to nuk)
Lansinoh breast pads (I found nuk to be very scratchy)
Some angel nursing bra that I found on walmart.com. Can't remember anything except angel was in the name, but I WILL find that bra again!
The seahorse
A backpack OR a thirty-one gifts bag instead of a diaper bag
Gas drops (miracle worker)

That's all I can think of right now.

mrsB68

We started early the first time- about 5 months ahead but kept it secret. You need the big items like carseat, stroller, furniture, bassinet, etc. Id recommend a PNP for travel and if you have 2 floors, I would recommend a play mat for when they're really young. If you do laundry regularly we only have 2 sheets for the crib and never have had an 'oh shit' moment. Id also recommend pjs and clothes enough to have 3 changes a day for however manu days may be in between laundry loads. Bottles? I would recommend a few to try and likely youll do dishes daily so 3 should do it.

You really dont need a bedding set for the crib, or to register for clothes, blankets, books, etc. Unless you have specific ones you want. People buy those like theyre going out of style.