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Parenting after a Loss
SweetieD21
member
From PgAL: Registering - Must haves & wastes of money
SweetieD21
member
Hi ladies! DH and I are starting our registry this weekend and I thought I'd pick your brains
1. What are registry must-haves (besides the obvious like stroller, high chair, etc.)
2. What did you think was a huge waste of money? Or didn't use as much as you thought you would?
TIA!
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Re: From PgAL: Registering - Must haves & wastes of money
Hmm, we had a pretty minimalistic registry so there wasn't much that we got and didn't need. I do remember the one thing I didn't get was a wipe warmer... lolz. I still say we would have used it!! Haha.
I'd say don't go too crazy with baby bottles. You might already know that. Babies can be choosy about which nipples they like or don't like. Just register for about 4 for starters... you can always buy more.
We did not use our crib much. But most people do!
You really cannot have too many swaddling blankets. Get as many of those as you can. They get spit up and pooped on so you will use many of them every day. We never had enough.
These is a weird one but baby pants? Maybe this won't be an issue for you if you're having a summer baby. We had a winter baby and the poor boy never had any pants. We got a bazillion onesies and very few pants or sleepers so it was hard to take him out of the house!!
Must haves: a papasan swing! It was a god-send those nights when she wouldnt fall/stay asleep (we bought ours for 1/2 price on craigslist). A bumbo - we didnt start putting her in it till about 3 months, but we still use it daily.(Shes actually in her bumbo in my siggy pic lol)
Could do without: a bottle warmer. In the begining I BF, but after that I just made fresh bottles of formula. (this might be different in you are going to pump and feed via bottle)
Oh, my goodness, where to start?
1. Baby Einstein (we call it baby crack)
You can never have enough wipes, diapers, books, baby blankets, lap pads (mats for changing LO on the go), beanies, little socks (hard to find that fit at first), burp cloths, good nursing or feeding pillow, towels/washcloths, or bibs. I liked a bath tub that transitions from newborn to infant, grooming/health kits, a thermometer (I got one that has interchangeable heads for different stages armpit, mouth, rectal) and a good bathtub thermometer that shows what the actual temp is not just hot or cold.
** Not a waste of money, but bath products (lotion, shampoo, etc) last forever if you get a big bottle so take back extras.
2. I guess I would have to say personally DD did not use the white noise machines/stuffed animals, and we actually didn't use our Baby Bjorn as much as we thought we would have. It came in handy, but we put her in the stroller more. Other than that, I used it all!
Don't be afraid to register for stuff when she starts eating and playing with toys. It is nice to have if you have the room to store and you will be glad you don't have to spend later. If you ask for diapers from shower guests, mention wipes too. We got a big box of wipes from Costco and it lasted forever!
Recieving blankets, diapers and wipes!
"Our greatest glory isn't in never falling but in rising every time we fall"
8/24/09 3rd cycle on 50mg Clomid= BFP 9/23/09 =10/8/09 m/c #2 at 6wks 2days 3/9/10 4th Cycle on 50mg Clomid = BFP 4-5-10 200mg prometrium 2xdaily 1st beta/progesterone 10dpo=43 2nd beta 13dpo=339 u/s 4/16=5wks 3days single visible sac and fetal pole h/b 4/28=Suprise it's Twins! 150 and 127 bpm Labor Buddy to Sonadora and Strunella
Summer Infant Swaddle Mes and Adin and Anais muslin blankets.
We haven't used much else yet.
Oh, a bassinet. I was all, she'll be in her crib from day one. Hates it. LOATHES it. If we didn't have the bassinet I don't know what we'd do.
BFP #2 4/13/10. Bridget born 12/28/10
BFP #3 Finn born 8/11/15
[url=http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers][img]http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt1cb8c4.aspx[/img][/url]
These are reasons because she was in the NICU for so long: I wish we would have gotten a bassinet, I think DD would have slept better in it because she was in the isolette then in a bassinet like thing while there. We also got the wipe warmer because she was screaming when we would chance her when she got home and figured out it was because she was use to being wiped with cloth and warm water.
No bedding set!!! You can use the bumper for like a minute (which it looks like they are about to be ban soon, finally!) and by the time you can use the blanket/quilt they have grown out of it. I registered for just sheets and I think I did the right thing on that.
Our house is so small that we would have been fine without the PnP because we have a travel bed for her. Also, I barely use the glider but I hope that will change once she starts sleeping in her room.
Love our 4 Moms bathtub! Also love our Diaper Genie, very nice when you have dogs and it never smells. The bouncie is a must, just do research on which ones are good, the motor on ours is already going.
I think my must haves are the boucey seat and baby monitor, we have the summer infant handheld video monitor and I love it!.
One thing that was a waste of money was the bottle steam sterilizer that you put in the mircowave. I think I used it all of 3 times. hot soapy water if just fine to wash bottles in.
How exciting
Must haves: I really loved having my Moby wrap in the beginning, it was a amazing. Others, I got this 10 pack of cheapo babies-r-us brand burp cloths. They are fantastic!! First, they are all white, and they are much larger than standard burp clothes...fabulous!! Also, we go a million baby wash clothes, and at first, I had no idea what to do with them, then we figured out they were great on the changing table, esp. for changing little boys -- just use them to cover up their pee-pee's (very helpful). Other helpful things in the beginning, were swaddle blankets, we used the swaddle me's and they were great.
Waste of money (IMO): baby towels (the hooded kind) -- yes they are cute for the first bath, but honestly, we didn't bathe that much at first, and then once he got a little bigger, we just ended up using our out of the closet, much more absorbent. Also, we got this vibrating nile file thingy, that was supposed to be great for infant nails, because I was too afraid to use the clippers, and it didn't work at all! The nails are way to soft, and just bend when you try to use it on them. Also, the wee bock -- I really wanted one, but when they are that little the thing is like the size of their head, big waste of money. Oh, we also got this super cute elephant humidifier (it was like $40) and it turns out, the filter is turns the water red, and you can't use it at all, if you are going to get a humidifier, just get a generic Vicks one or something, don't waste your money on the cute animal ones.
Hope this helps, as you will find, everyone is different.
Must haves: Swaddle blankets, FP seahorse, a good swing, a video monitor (good for spying on DH, too)
, car seat, moby wrap, a play mat with dangling toys.
Don't bother registering for blankets or clothes (people will buy you TONS anyways).
Can I just say how happy this post is making me?? I'm so excited for you!
As for the registry, I wish I hadn't registered for so bottles. People bought me the Playtex drop-in ones (I figured I would use them after BF). I ended up using my Medela ones until he was 13 weeks then I liked Avent better for formula. I ended up returning all the Playtex ones.
Definitely register for a couple of SwaddleMe's. I tried swaddling blankets at first, but that got old. The SwaddleMe is so easy to wrap and velcro. We registered for a swing and a bouncer. He hated the swing so it was a waste, but every baby is different so it's hard to say. Get lots of burploths. And I got tons of footed pj's for DS, but never used the NB or 0-3 because I swaddled him. We use footed pj's now every night so 3+ months in those would have been fine.
I did register for my Medela PISA pump. We got it with tons of gift cards after my showers. If you are going to BF, stock up on Medela quick clean wipes & micro-steam bags. You can micro-steam pump parts, bottles, nipples (of any brand) and pacifiers.
Hmmm. Oh, I couldn't live without my bottle warmer (Munchkin brand). I used it to warm BM bottles from the fridge and I still use it if I pre-mix a bottle of formula and refrigerate.
10/08 Clomid Cycle #1 = m/c 11/7/08 (6 weeks)
03/09 Clomid Cycle #2 = BFN
3 rounds of Femara + Ovidrel + IUI =BFN
10/18/09 2nd Break Cycle (post HSG) before IVF #1 = BFP!
? The world thought I had it all, but I was waiting for you. ?
Labor Buddy to Megjr8
Ohhh I have a long list I can email you. If you get this PM me with your email and I can send it to you. It is in word document.
By the way, congrats on your sticky baby! I remember you from TTCAL and it is great to see you on your way!
I couldn't live without our Little Lamb Swing. DS loves it! Also, the Halo sleep sack with the swaddler option is a must have for us. (I also have a Summer Infant swaddler we love, too). I know some people are against them, but I love our Bundle Me. It keeps B so cozy and I don't have to worry about bundling him up too much. I just pop a hat on him and go. One other thing, get enough onesies! Especially in the beginning, you'll be changing them constantly. I had to go out and buy an extra pack. Carter's are a lot better quality than Gerber. (Gerber run super small.)
Things we didn't really need....SO many blankets! We have way too many. A pack or 2 of swaddling blankets and a couple of cute fuzzy blankets are enough! I also wish I hadn't bought so many outfits. I know it's hard to resist, but if I could do it again I'd only get NB sizes. (He wore them for 5 weeks) We got a TON of clothes as gifts even after he was born and a lot of them I couldn't return. Also, it's hard to know for sure what sizes he'll wear at what seasons.
Must-haves:
- A papasan swing -- only one that plugs in. FWIW the My Little Lamb one does not. (We learned that the hard way.)
- SwaddleMe swaddlers. So easy to use even a DH could do it.
.
- Lots of blankets. I thought we had too many and I constantly find myself looking for one.
Wastes:
- Wipe warmer. If you use it from the beginning, the first time you're out and have to use a "cold" wipe he will scream. We just used them at room temp from the beginning and it has never been a problem.
- Bumbo seat. She is not a fan of having her legs stuck in one place.
MUST HAVE:
Baby carrier. For us, it was the babyhawk, but just about any good one will do. Moby, Mei Tai, a good ring sling, Ergo, Beco - just not a crotch-dangler like the Bjorn cause they hurt your back.
King sized bed. I always swore I'd never sleep with my baby. Then I had one.
Screw the rocking chair. Get a lazyboy. Sooooo many hours have been spent in that!!
I love our wipe warmer. DS didn't wake up all the way if I had to change poop with a warm wipe.
WASTES:
The travel system (others disagree). LO outgrew the infant bucket at 5 months and we like the little umbrella stroller better. Should have gotten a convertible carseat from day 1, would have saved me $300.
Bouncer (for us again) - he never liked it and outgrew it super fast
Breast pump... but that isn't an everyone thing either. I spent $300 on it then had to stop breastfeeding. Suck.
We spent a fortune on our crib and it basically stores blankets. Should have gotten a cheaper one.
Toys and stuffed animals in general... even now at 10 months, his favorite toys are boxes and spoons.
Congrats on your sweet baby boy!!!!!!!
What we love and is a must have in our house.
1. Swaddling blankets, DD loves to be swaddled. On the flip side though, DS's did not.
2. She loves her bear that makes womb sounds, music etc.... The womb sounds (although don't put her to sleep yet) calm her down.
3. Play mat with hanging toys. DD loves the zoo animals by Tiny Love.
4. I really like the Angel Care monitor. Puts both dh and I at ease, no false alarms, although we're still using it in her basinet (another must have).
5. If you plan on bf'ing, a good pump and storage bags.
6. For us, a swing, oh my goodness THE SWING - we got the FP Little Lamb (but stock up on batteries).
7. A couple really noisy rattles. We have an hour of noisy time a day (usually at night) where we just shake the rattle really hard constantly, she loves it lol
8. A nursing cover, and when you find one you really like, get another 1 or 2 in case you misplace it, lose one or just to put in the diaper bag.
A waste.
1. The tummy time mats with the pillows.
2. More than 2 small bags of newborn diapers (that's pushing it, you couldn't get away with only 1). Actually we weren't in 2 for a really long time either.
3. Wipe warmer, no need for it, just my opinion, same with bottle warmer and sanitizer bags (I boil every thing in a large pot).
4. As said, clothes and receiving blankets, wait till after you get any gifts unless you see something you GOTTA have. LO's closet is full for the first 2 years.
Must-haves: Rock N Play (LO started STTN as soon as we moved him from the Pack N Play to the RNP, it's cozier and inclined to help his reflux), A+A swaddle blankets, Boppy, a good breast pump, tons of burp cloths, car seat/stroller frame, Ergo carrier, white noise machine.
Wastes: don't get too many bottles, diapers/wipes, or pacis in any one brand since babies each have their favs so you need to try a bunch to see what works best, lamb seat (great for the first month only, could have just used the RNP if we had gotten it from the beginning), any swaddle blankets other than A+A get too small fast, all the clothing people bought us that was the wrong season for the size, at four months LO is *just* starting to appreciate toys and the magical FP seahorse is so not magical for him.
People will get you a ton of clothes/blankets/towels off registry.