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2nd Trimester
TaraandRichforever
member
2nd time or more moms
TaraandRichforever
member
I started my baby registry yesterday and didnt realize how hard it would be to decide on little things (other than car seat, stroller, etc.) I still need to add stuff and I was wondering if there were things you could think of that you really do need and things that you dont really need. Also, if there are specific brands of things that would be helpful too. And Im still having trouble deciding on a stroller. Im leaning towards either the Chicco Cortina stroller so that the Chicco Keyfit carseat can go in it but then I also heard the City Mini is good but would the carseat fit in it if I wanted to do that? Its so overwhelming.
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Re: 2nd time or more moms
On strollers: If I had it to do over, I would get a snap-n-go and then something like the City Mini or City Select. ?I do think they now have a Chicco carseat adapter for some of the "City" strollers, but a SNG is so easy. ?I had the Chicco travel system, and although I love the carseat, the stroller has not held up very well, IMO.
Unfortunately, the answer to what you need/don't need will vary from person to person and baby to baby. ?Here's a list of what I couldn't live without:
swing, bouncer seat, miracle blankets, boppy, extra crib sheets and mattress pads, pack-n-play, bibs, burp cloths, receiving blankets, extra base for infant car seat (for use in DH's car), cool mist humidifier, baby tub
Stuff I wasted $$ registering for:
bottles (I registered for, received, washed and sterilized a bunch of Dr. Brown's stuff. ?DS HATED those bottles. ?He would only take the Playtex drop ins), bottle sterilizer, crib sheet protectors
?Stuff you don't "need" right away, but it's nice to have/register for:
high chair, exersaucer, convertible carseat, books, toys
?
One more suggestion: a good electric double-breast pump was on my must-have list, but I suggest waiting to buy one until you know whether you want to breastfeed for an extended period. ?BFing doesn't work out for everyone, and a good pump is $$. ?You should try to have a hand pump, which will come in handy if you become engorged and to help baby latch in the days after your milk comes in. ?Our hospital gave them out free, yours may do the same. ?
(Warning: Long)
Focus and be practical - do not fall into the industry tricks to get money from you (like heated wipes, or even wipe dispensers, unnecessary). Diapers, wipes, little long sleeve white shirts that button up (these are so much easier to put on a newborn when you're worried about poking their head through a normal onsie). Jammies with the feet, socks, just get a couple swaddlers at first to make sure you/your LO like the swaddling... if so, buy more (you'll appreciate the excuse to get out of the house for 15 minutes) and if not you won't be upset with yourself later for over doing it. Figure out where the baby will sleep (we intended on using our pack n play, but due to acid reflux had to put the baby in our carseat inside the pack n play, then months later upgraded to a moses basket). Have bedding ready (babies spit up, etc. and when you are feeding them every couple of hours then putting them down, it's great to be able to rip off the wet bedding and have clean bedding on stand by. Laundry does not get done as often as you'd think during these times!).You'll get plenty of baby blankets, burpers (I suggest white cloth diapers - they work great!), baby soap.
You might need a humidifier depending on where you live. We didn't use a monitor for the first few months because I was with her every second, but when it was time to get her into the crib I was so thankful that we had registered for the Angelcare baby monitor and movement sensor. This gave us such reassurement - we watched her on camera and an alarm would sound if she stopped breathing or could not be found.
The hospital will give you some goodies - take ALL of it - including disposable underwear, changing pads, the little sponge/scrubber they use to scrub the baby's head, etc. You'll need some major pads for the first several days, stock up on some Prep. H, set some old towels aside to sleep on for the first few days. Invest in a robe, some nursing bras (love the nursing sports bras from Target and their nursing tanks). Get a big gulp cup with straw to fill up with ice water while nursing. You get so hungry while nursing but only have one hand. I LOVED sprite/cranberry juice with plenty of ice and cinnamon graham crackers! My breastfriend is great for nursing - not as cute as the boppy but the baby is in such a better position and it saves your arm. Registering for a pump is great if you plan on nursing - this gives you an opportunity to measure what you're producing, have a night out, let your DH take a couple feedings, etc. I went with the medela double electric hands free - it's amazing, but expensive. Diaper Bag - again be practical - make sure you can get a changing pad in there, big bag of wipes, bottles, some little toys, diapers, cream, extra outfit for the baby, nursing pads, etc. We just used the free one that we received at the hospital, I'll invest in a larger one this time around though as I always seemed to have my purse and the diaper bag... and the baby, the stroller, etc. As far as your stroller goes, it depends on your lifestyle and where you live. Will you be using it outdoors, hikes, sidewalks, the mall, etc. We went with the Quinny Buzz and loved it - bought it new from Craigs list and saved a bundle. If you have a son, get some rubbing alcohol, cotton balls and a little water squirter to take care of him. Invest in an ear-thermometer if you can; this will come in very handy when you can't get your sick child to sit still for a reading any other way. Bottles, bottle brush, bottle warmer (this is one industry convenience I agree with, just read instructions on how to avoid hot spots for your baby). Some mom's prepare frozen dishes ahead of time but our freezer was pretty small so we signed up for a local "we cook it, you take it home" place where my husband could grab a few nights worth of meals at a time and just pop them in the oven. Cost about the same if you were to do it yourself. We went with the Diaper Genie II (love it, have two). We buy our diapers and wipes at Costco (their wipes are great, they have huggies or Sams Club has Pampers) and they sold our formula there as well (Enfamil Premium). Our baby never liked being in a swing, so be sure to keep receipts from your gifts! I hope this is helpful - I remember feeling the same way and feel so much more prepared the second time around!
My two best pieces of advice:
I got the keyfit 30 and the cortina. I HATE the cortina. You don't really know what you will like/need in a stroller until you're using it, and you really do not need one at first. I bought the Maclaren Easy Traveller - it is like a Snap n Go but so so so much better. It is super crazy maneuverable, folds umbrella style and is very light and small. It has a huge basket. You strap the car seat into it. I know that sounds sketchy. It is NOT. It is 100% safe and secure. After a while I realized that I would much rather have my seat strapped down than rely upon some plastic pieces to click into place. If I could tell new moms one thing, it would be MACLAREN EASY TRAVELLER. I loved it so much that I bought a Maclaren stroller when he grew out of the infant seat.
Second piece of advice is going to sound a little stupid at first, but bear with me. Having a baby is not like your wedding day. It doesn't happen all at once. You get 364 days of second chances in the first year alone - if you don't have everything in place that first day, it is no big deal. Having a baby is not like having a bomb going off in your house. There are no emergencies. Target will still be there after your baby is born, and you will want to go! There will always be things you need, and you will be really happy to have the excuse to go out of the house. Same goes for stuff needed down the line. Don't crowd your house with cups and bowls and a high chair. You will know what you want when you get to it!!
I have the Baby Jogger City Mini. It's SO LIGHT and easy to fold up. I'm really happy we got that instead of a snap 'n go, travel system, etc. This time around I'm getting the BG City Mini Double.
So many things vary baby to baby.
Little things I loved: Swaddle Me velcro swaddle blankets, bouncy chair that vibrates, newborn napper (comes with some pack 'n play models), jersey knit cotton sheets with elastic all the way around (bb Basics), wubanub (if you plan to use the type of pacifier they provide at the hospital), sleep sheep (travel is cheaper and does the job!) or seahorse (awesome but only lasts five minutes); sleepgowns and button down undershirts (both better than onsies!)
Things I'm glad I didn't get or wish I never got: Mobi thermometer (it never says the same temp twice; it's more accurate and believe it or not easier to take a rectal temp on a newborn); Baby Bjorn; wipe warmer; bottle warmer