Registry!

jlgriff11

Admit it- some of you have already started your registry. What's on it? If you haven't, what are you planning to register for and where?

MamaBish

I'm kind of hoping my old registry is still saved somewhere... Although, if this one's a boy, many things will have to change on it. We'll see in a few months if it's still there, not gonna search just yet.

stillcozy

I love this thread! I have not started mine yet and would love to know what are essentials and what is not needed?

PinkLady2015

also, where is everyone registering>? I've heard that Target is a total pain in the ass. I was looking at Baby'R'Us but wonder if theyre stuff is overly expensive...

mamafox14

I would love to start mine just to keep me busy haha but I worry about doing it too early and then things not being available. That happened to a few people I know who made them months before their showers and then when I went to buy something, almost everything was no longer available. I have been making lists of what types of things I will need so that when the time comes I'll be more prepared.

I'm planning on cloth diapering so that alone has given me A LOT to research ad far as what supplies do I actually need.

MamaBish

PinkLady2015 said:

also, where is everyone registering>? I've heard that Target is a total pain in the ass. I was looking at Baby'R'Us but wonder if theyre stuff is overly expensive...

If you want BRUs, wait until closer to the shower date. So many things go out of stock and you end up having to redo half of it because the stuff changes so often!


I had no problems with the target one

jlgriff11

I find Target's website to be annoying as fuck- my bridal registry there was such a pain in the ass because less than half of the stuff online is even offered in the store. Almost better to go register from the store itself, I guess. 

I'll register at Target, Babies R Us, and Amazon. Target is just so easy and convenient for people, but Babies r Us has such a nice selection. Amazon is for mostly the bigger stuff people won't buy that I'll want a discount on and long-distance friends who prefer to shop online. 

I've only picked out a few things, I've been holding off on most stuff till I see what other people are getting or think is necessary for twins- 

candypantsls

This is #2 so all my stuff is nursing related (nursing pads, milk storage bags... you know, the exciting things), and diapers and practical things.  And a rock n play, which I didn't have the first go-round but would like with #2.

thebigoaktree

Mine are on Amazon and Baby R Us, so maybe one item will be cheaper than the other, I really really want an Ergobaby carrier though. I might not wait till my shower for it.

jlgriff11

I don't think I'm going to be putting anything expensive at all on my registry. My family always gets so awkward about that kind of stuff anyway and I already have a cousin who is just a few weeks ahead of me and my husband's family doesn't have much money and they live in another state anyway. I'm putting things like onsies, socks, washcloths, baby lotion, etc. I'll put my tub on there, things like that. But the carseats, cribs, pack and plays and strollers- that's going to probably be on me. Especially since I need two of those.

quartz02

STM here I'll give you some of my favorites:

aden + anais muslin swaddle blanket
--swaddle and so many other uses...
Baby Trend Snap N Go stroller
-- you can find these on Craigslist usually. I love the plentiful storage on this! And it's so light.
Fisher-Price Rock N Play
-- DD slept in this next to our bed for the first 4 months. We were living in a small apt and it was also really convenient to bring it from room to room, especially if she was sleeping but I need to shower or make dinner, etc.
Avent Natural bottles
-- I EBF in the beginning, but when we switched to bottles, I really liked these. I think it helped with nipple confusion. Some of the other bottle nipples on the market seem really strange to me (including the Medela ones!). We actually used Similac bottles for a while but I don't think they even sell those anymore.
Infantino Activity Gym
--we were Team Green with #1 so I got a lot of stuff neutral so we could re-use for future children
JJ Cole Car Seat Cover
-- if you live somewhere cold, this is awesome to keep the baby warm without compromising seat belt safety- it's not safe to put them in the car seat with a bulky jacket.
Skip Hop Diaper Bag
--I feel like mine doesn't have handles like this... but essentially the same bag. What ever you do, make sure you get a diaper bag that you can drape over the stroller handles! You are not going to want that thing on your shoulder all the time. And your under-carriage storage might be full with something else, especially if you're out shopping. You/SO can also just use a backpack. Works just as well.
Enfamil Tri Vi Sol (vitamins for baby)
--we gave these to DD per our pediatrician. They can get pricey. Let someone else buy them, haha!
The First Years infant tub
--the only tub we ever used for DD (and we had others). This was really easy to use.

vtulch

This is my second so no registry for me.

quartz02

@jlgriff11 stores generally give you a "completion discount", meaning that whatever isn't purchased by a certain date, you can purchase with x% discount. I'd put as much of what you need on there. People may surprise you, or just give you a gift card for the portion of what they can afford. Then you can use the GC when you go to buy stuff with your completion discount

chanfa

Has anyone tried one of those new sites that let you create a registry from any store? Are there perks to creating one straight from a store? 

This is one I found by quickly googling: https://babyli.st/  Not sure if there are others out there.

jlgriff11

@chanfa that's a really interesting concept. I've never heard of it, but I like the idea of having just one you sort of give out. I also like that that one in particular sends you 100 little registry insert cards for free. How cute.

chanfa

@jlgriff11 I saw it while going through pinterest one day. I thought it would be nice to also just give out 1 link rather than a few for different stores.

Hopefully someone has tried it!

SaraC381

I never had a problem with Target.  It was Babies R Us that was a pain....good luck trying to return anything.  

For us, the wipe and bottle warmers were a complete waste of space and money.  I never registered for clothes.  By the time your baby comes or it's time for showers...all the clothes you just registered for will be out of season and/or no longer available.  Plus, when it comes to clothes, blankets, and towels...people will buy whatever they want to buy and not necessarily what's on your registry.

Register for different types of bottles but don't open them all.  Same with the diapers.  You never know what will work for your child.  They're all different!

nopegoat

#4 for us so definitely no registry. I have three boys and even if this one is a girl we are pretty much good. It won't kill her to use the boy gear so the only thing we will need are clothes.

juliagulia38

This is my third so I'm not doing a registry. I got rid of everything because we were 2 and done. Haha So I'll need to buy some stuff. The first time around I went overboard and bought everything. This time I'm just getting what I think the necessities are.
Rock-n-play, bottles, diapers, clothes, tub, a sling, bouncer, and maybe a swing. If any first time moms want some advice I can help. It also depends on the baby and what she/he likes and doesn't like.

Edit:spelling

noelietrex

I have 2 registries! I made a Target registry, and it is a pain and half the stuff is online-only, BUT you get a free goodie bag at guest services with a bottle, coupons, bibs, a few samples, and free stuff. I have about 10 things on that Target registry just because I wanted the goodie bag full of freebies to put in my nursery (aka empty room with an old dresser in it). Plus I'm a cheapskate weirdo so I'm always thrilled to get something for nothing. My Target registry has baby bath products, those cute hooded towels, and swaddle blankets which are available in stores, the rest is all cloth diapers and prefolds which are only available online. I also did Amazon as our main registry with a baby wearing wrap, tons of cloth diapers, the crib we want (cheaper than same crib at Babies R Us), the crib mattress, the rocker we want (again cheaper than Babies R Us), a bassinet, a baby bath tub chair, a mamaroo which DH really wants for some reason, and some organic cotton gender neutral baby clothes which I included so people will have an idea of our tastes. The only things I really really want people to buy us are the crib, the mattress, the rocker, and cloth diapers. Thinking about cutting some of the extras... I want minimal stuff and I want my shower to cover all of the needs before going into wants.

quartz02

@noelietrex reminded me! My absolute favorite thing I got for baby#1 was my Dutalier glider... used from Craigslist... I don't care if it didn't really go with the room or that it was stained. The mom was sad to part with it, had BF her 4 kids in it. It's the most comfortable chair ever. Get one with an ottoman that has the slanted foot rest part. Great for nursing!

DataJane

We did Target and Buy Buy Baby last time and setting them up was kind of a pain for both. Plus almost all the stuff is available on Amazon for less. I think the single registry that pulls from multiple stores is such a good idea, I wish that was around 4 years ago!

We saved everything from #1 so we are in good shape but I am eyeing a new stroller. We got a pretty cheap Graco stroller from Target last time and my 6'5" husband hated it. I figure since I don't have to buy anything else this time I might splurge on one of the BOB's with the adjustable handle... or maybe I'll sweet talk my mom into wanting to buy us a present, ha!

BostonBaby1

Nothing. Literally. In my culture, we don't do baby showers and we definitely don't bring anything into the house before the baby is born. So I will have a car seat in my car because that doesn't count.

* sure I will have a list of things that I need and probably prepurchase a lot myself and have the stores hold. Not clothes though, we are team green.

jlgriff11

I'm doing a lot of stroller research- I heard that the side by side has trouble navigating anything- stores, ect., but I think I'd really prefer it.

SaraC381

Unless you're already driving a large vehicle, I suggest taking it to Babies R Us or somewhere and testing what they have to make sure what you like actually fits in your car.  The double stroller I liked and ended up purchasing barely fit in my little Saturn.  I had to take the tray off the front seat and take off both umbrella covers.  Now I have a minivan...so no problem there. 

jlgriff11

I have a damn Chevy Cruze we literally just bought a year ago.

LinzerBinzer

@chanfa One of my friends just did it and as a purchaser it was really awkward. It was probably just my perception, but I'm usually not going to order online from some website I've never heard of, and I think (but don't know) that you actually order from the individual websites? Just seemed odd and complicated so I went with the BRU registry instead.

@BostonBaby1 Are you Jewish? My family doesn't follow that concept, but some of our other Jewish friends do. Apparently it's bad luck?

HMcDade1

I've started mine because I'm a crazy planner personality and I just find it fun. I've been using myregistry.com which allows you to do any website and it's been awesome thus far, I just plan on updating it as I go and checking availability of things. Also- if anyone is a Pinterest fanatic -- there are a million and one blog posts about best baby items, from where, reviews, etc. Never having a baby before I've found those super helpful.

Singingmama10

Here's a tip. If you go with BRU put everything you plan on buying yourself on there also.   Whatever people buy off of your registry they give you a certain percentage back. You get a gift card in your email something like 10 weeks after your due date. So yeah we just put all of our nursery furniture on there then printed off our registry when we bought it. It was awesome! we got quite a nice gift card right when we needed it.   

HMcDade1

Target was a pain for my wedding one- we got a bunch of doubles because things weren't scanned by cashiers the right way

BostonBaby1

LinzerBinzer said:

@chanfa One of my friends just did it and as a purchaser it was really awkward. It was probably just my perception, but I'm usually not going to order online from some website I've never heard of, and I think (but don't know) that you actually order from the individual websites? Just seemed odd and complicated so I went with the BRU registry instead.

@BostonBaby1 Are you Jewish? My family doesn't follow that concept, but some of our other Jewish friends do. Apparently it's bad luck?

Yes. Not everybody that I know follows it either, but we are sticking to it ;-)

Allison7

I had a target and a BRU one with DD. Since this is #2 I will only be having registries for ge completion discounts. 10% off diapers? Yes please!

As for some of my favorite items from DD: Aden & Anais swaddle blankets, mamaroo, play mat/infant gym, Sophie la giraffe, wubbanubs. Also, I was having a girl and I did not register for clothing...which was fine because we got so many clothes.

LinzerBinzer

@BostonBaby1 that would be so difficult for my impatient self, but I bet it makes it even more exciting when the baby arrives!

iSalsa

PinkLady2015 said:

also, where is everyone registering>? I've heard that Target is a total pain in the ass. I was looking at Baby'R'Us but wonder if theyre stuff is overly expensive...

I didn't read all of the posts so someone may have already told you that BRU price matches.

BettyRu

Definitely out EVERYTHING on the BRU registry, even the stuff you intend to buy yourself to get the 10% back and easy returns... Don't feel greedy putting car seats and stuff on it, 10% of some of those car seats will allow you to buy more things for your LO.

jenkeale

We did BRU and Buy Buy Baby for DD pretty much for the completion discounts. People knew we were having a girl, so maybe 3 people bought stuff off the registry. I thought Buy Buy Baby was so much better bc when you go in for the completion, they'll give you the discount on everything you buy, not just what's on the registry. BRU was a pain bc it had the be the exact product you registered for and if it was a different size or they didn't have the same stuff in store as online, you didn't get a discount.

magzor

@chanfa @jlgriff11. Amazon is one of those universal registry sites! I used it for my wedding registry and put stuff from Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Target, etc. You install a button on your browser, so when you're on a page for something you want to register for, you hit the amazon button and it adds it to your registry. I loved it!

nkob

Word of advice. Keep the receipts from the registry items!! I didn't, with the assumption that since they were purchased from a registry the company would have the information. Well they don't so they'll only give you credit for the sale price. With babies r us you can use a coupon so it's a pretty hefty discount. We had to return a baby monitor that broke after a few weeks and they didn't want to honor the full price so I had to reach out to the gift giver to get the actual receipt. Luckily that was my sister but it could have been awkward if it wasn't!

CarbAddict

@quartz02 thanks for the list.  I love the tip about the diaper bag!

matryoshkadoll

If you are doing any registries for the completion discount, consider putting in your due date earlier so you get the discount earlier.

Don't be afraid to put some expensive items. A few aunts of mine were very generous and got us some things I didn't think anyone would. Just make sure there is a big range for all budgets.

Target's goody bag is nice get it regardless of where you do your actual registry.

Christal161

This is #2, so my registry is a shoppings list only!
We kept most of the big items from DS (except the clothes). I already started one (Babys R Us), since we're on a budget and I think it'll help me keep track of everything (including sales )
They already screwed up my account (my email isn't right) and I just hate to go to the store... so I might just make my own again (like the last pregnancy).