Registry Questions and Advice

SarahKate31

We're planning to head out to some stores next weekend to start our registry, so I'm trying to get a list together so I have at least half a clue. I printed out a list from Target's website to start with but I want to cross off the things that are unnecessary. So I have a bunch of questions! Any and all advice is much appreciated!

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer?

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video...

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first)

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first.

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing?

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation?

Any other advice? TIA!!

KathrynMD

SarahKate31:

We're planning to head out to some stores next weekend to start our registry, so I'm trying to get a list together so I have at least half a clue. I printed out a list from Target's website to start with but I want to cross off the things that are unnecessary. So I have a bunch of questions! Any and all advice is much appreciated!

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer?

Most of those items are unnecessary IMO- remember you ahve to find a space for all this crap too.  I think wipe warmers and bottle warmers are leading contenders for useless stuff..  If I made bottles in advance, I jsut set them out on the counter about 15 minutes before I needed them. 

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video...

We got 2 monitors which I thought worked nicely, especially when DD was really young - so if she fell asleep downstairs in her bouncy chair, I could go upstairs and take a shower, etc. and didn't have to move the monitors around.  I would buy the best monitor you can afford - we got an "OK" one and it still picked up alot of static.

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first)

I wouldn't register for a bigger stroller b/c you really don't know what you'll need until later.  I really only used our big stroller for about 6 months, so it would have been a waste to get a really pricey one - and since I work, I really only used it on weekends at the mall, farmers market, etc.

Register fora  travel high chair or whatever the little FP one is that you can strap into a regualr chair.  The big high chairs are a waste of money and space IMO.

Yes - register for the convertible car seat

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first.

Yes, they are pretty cheap though - maybe $6. 

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing?

I think they are the same.  Register for a bouncy chair and a travel swing.  The big full size swings take up a lot of floor space and aren't any better IMO.  Your LO may like one better than the other.  For us, we NEVER used the big swing and rarely used the travel one, but we used that damn bouncer every day for months.

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation?

Why would you need a pump?  If you are going to BF when you are home, you can just BF and maybe get a hand pump for any short time away from your LO.  If you switch to formula when you go back, you wouldn't need a pumpl.

Any other advice? TIA!!

Don't go nuts - its hard, but you really don't need most of that stuff.

KRMac

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer?

I didn't use either of these.  I'm glad that DS got used to taking bottles at room temp so that we didn't have to deal with warming them...but some LOs are specific.  

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video...

I have to say - the video monitor is one baby product I couldn't live without.  We had an issue with our camera a few weeks ago and I missed the video so much.  We have the Summer Infant Day and Night monitor.  

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first)

Yes, people love to buy "bigger" stuff.  I wouldn't register for a convertible car seat though, since you might not use it for awhile and they expire based on the manufacturing date.

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first.

Yes, I think so.  I don't know why I didn't think I would need PNP sheets, but we ended up buying 2 right after DS was born.  :P  I tried putting the crib sheets on the PNP mattress and like tucking them in, but they were too big and I was worried he would get caught up in them.  

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing?

I don't know the difference, hmm.  We used a bouncy seat but not a swing.  It was Bright Starts brand.   

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation?

Well, how much do you think you will be pumping?  Maybe get a manual one at first?  I didn't really think I'd be pumping that much over my maternity leave, but DS had a low weight, so we were supplementing with pumped BM after he would nurse, so I really needed a double electric.  But if you are just going to pump for the occasional night out or DH to take a feeding, I don't think you need anything big.   Or you could always rent a hospital grade pump for a few months.  You might want to consider still nursing mornings/evenings/overnights and supplementing with formula while you are working - JMO, but I find nursing so convenient at 2 am.  

Any other advice? TIA!

I created a list for a friend of stuff I couldn't live without...I'm just C&Ping:

- Swaddlers. I like theSummer Infant brand. We used these every.single.day from day 1 - when LJstarted rolling and no one would have slept at all without them. They havefleece ones, etc too - but here's a link to a cotton one. https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3726434

 

- Our video monitor. Weregistered for a regular one and then ended up buying the video one ourselvesafter we saw a friends. I would be running up and down the stairs every time Iheard the baby make a noise otherwise...now we just make sure he is okay andcan watch him fall back asleep or run up if needed. And it is small enough thatwe can take it to grandmas or a friends to watch the baby if he is going tosleep there. It is worth the extra $$! We have this one: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265802.

 

-Ultimate crib sheet. https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3763008

My cousin gave us one ofthese and I love it. There have been nights where I've changed LJ's sheets 3times (and crib sheets are a PITA to put on). This clips onto the crib railsand sits on top of the mattress, so if you need to change the sheets, you justtake it off and have the clean sheet underneath. Saves me time in the middle ofthe night!

 

-Sleep Sacks: Since youwill have a winter baby, you might want to get a sleep sack or two for when hestarts rolling and it is still cold out. We just have LJ in footed PJs now andhe is warm enough, but I have a ton of 2nd hand sleep sacks.

 

- Boppy, of course.Couldn't live without it in the early days. We have 2 covers (LJ spits up likeit is his job, so one is often in the laundry.)

 

-PNP sheets. Why did Inot think we would need these? I thought they were pointless, but it makes thePNP a lot more usable and it is so much easier to wash the sheets than the PNPmattressy thing. (We have 2 because of spit up.)

 

-An extra cover for yourchanging table pad.

 

-Infant tub/towels/and aninsane number of washcloths. We have this tub (I really liked the sling earlyon). https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2403667

We bathe LJ every otherday, but I'm always wiping him down with a washcloth in between.

 

- burp cloths/clothdiapers as burp cloths (Spit up, we probably go through 5 a day.) Like these: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2459691

 

- bibs (Again, we use aton. After my showers, I was like...how could a baby use this many bibs?Hahahaha.)

 

-Carrier/sling/wrap. Wehave a bjorn that works great for now, but I plan to get something else once heis heavier.

 

-Lap pads https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3543289

Because your baby willpee on your couch. Ah, motherhood.

 

 

jcsntms06

SarahKate31:

We're planning to head out to some stores next weekend to start our registry, so I'm trying to get a list together so I have at least half a clue. I printed out a list from Target's website to start with but I want to cross off the things that are unnecessary. So I have a bunch of questions! Any and all advice is much appreciated!

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer? You don't really need the wipe warmer or bottle warmer. Although I did get a bottle warmer for our bedroom, b/c I was lazy and didn't feel like warmer it up those first three or four months. Mainly I did the bottle warmer in the middle of the night.

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video... I registered for a middle of the road monitor. I really only used it for 4 to 6 months, because that thing would pick up every single sound, that DD made. It was annoying.

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first) Now I did register for the highchair and we are getting good use out of it. But for my parents house/MIL house we told them to get the FP room saver chair. I didn't register for a Conv. Car seat, but I wish I had. I got the travel system stroller and we still use it now, even with DD walking, she still likes being pushed in the stroller. 

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first. I would register for one of two sheets for the pnp.

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing? Definitely get a bouncy chair, it was a life saver in the beginning. Bouncer... I'm thinking that's something for when they are older... like an exerciser or jumperoo.

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation? Can you rent a pump from the hospital? Maybe check out the prices before deciding on a breast pump that's over $300.

Any other advice?  Kathryn was a lifesaver too me when I registered. Do you have any friends who are currently pg? I would check out their registry. I checked several friends registry to get ideas, and I also took my SIL with me. She was a great help. Good luck. And have lots of fun.

TIA!!

KathrynMD

SK - this is so personal - but I'll tell you of the things KRM listed, this only thing I used were the swaddling blankets/sleep sacks and carrier.

Re the crib sheet - I have had to change Ella's bedding in the middle of the night maybe 4x since she was born.  I have about 4 sheets and one extra mattress pad so I just change her sheets - it takes about 5 minutes.  I've used the sheets when we've traveled and now at daycare I use them there too for her "nap" roll

I bought 2 boppies, but I never got the hang of it and used a bed pillow or sofa cushion instead.  Alot of people like "Breast Friend" too.  I used old towels for changing pads and lap pads.

You should probably buy a breathable bumper. 

Cooper81

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer?

Bottle and Wipe warmer totally unnecessary.  I also wouldn't register for any clothes or small items like rash cream (this is just personal though, we use petroleum jelly on a daily basis and have never had diaper rash) You will most likely get TONS of clothes. Seriously, John had pretty much a full wardrobe for the first year of his life.

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video...

I agree with non-video, esp. if the baby is going to be with you at first.  John stayed in a PNP in our room for the first 2 1/2 months and after that I didnt' feel like a video was necessary.  I can't remember the exact model, but we have a Graco with two handsets that have cradles that they sit in to charge and then the 2 monitors have clips that you can clip onto your belt to move around.  We really like it, we had one for our room and one for our main living area and could just snap it on and go.

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first)

I think it would depend on how much storage space you have.  Also keep in mind some people don't like the high chair and just get one of those boosters with a tray to put onto a chair.  We didn't register for the convertible seat or a high chair, but we did register for all the other items, big stroller, extra base for the infant seat, snap-n-go frame (which seriously is the best idea ever, you dont' want to get an infant out of their seat, esp if they are sleeping for shopping trips).  We did register for the Bumble Ride Indie as our big stroller and got it, and we did use it quite a bit when John was little when we would take walks outside.

We kept John in the Infant carrier (our day care had a spot where you could leave them during the day, I know that some centers wont allow you to leave them) until he was about 6 months and then he got too heavy to carry in that, but he still fit in it.  So we just bought one convertible seat for DH's car and left the infant seat stationary in my car until he was about 11 months when he got too tall for the infant seat.

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first.

There are sheets that specifically fit a PNP, it's smaller than a crib, but I think I got a pack of 2 from BRU for like $15 and that is all I needed.

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing?

Bouncy chair vs. swing is pretty much preference for the baby. I've had friends that their NB loved or hated them.  John liked the bouncy and the swing.  We have a small house so we got a travel swing that folds up flat.  The bouncy seat was a life savery though, that is how I showered most days.  I would just strap him in the seat and put that right next to the shower so I could see him while I quickly took a shower.  It was also helpful when I went back to work and he would wake up while DH and I were getting ready, he would be happy in that for about 20 minutes after a bottle and we could get ready in our room while having eyes on him.  The swing we did stop using around 4 months, so I'm glad we got a smaller less expensive one, but it did help us get into a nap routine around 2 months.

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation?

I wouldn't buy a pump now, if you are planning on only BFing at home there really isn't a need for a fancy one.  Maybe look into a really good manual pump in case you want to pump a bottle every now and then ( and I would definately start bottles after you have BFing down pat-maybe after 2 weeks-if you want the baby to take a bottle.  I have a horror story about a friend of a friend whos son wouldn't take bottles for the first year and she couldn't go anywhere, but I wont go into that).  You never know if BFing just wont work for you and you wouldn't want to have a $400 pump sitting around if you can't BF and I woudn't want to spend that if I'm going to actually nurse 99% of the time.

Other advice?

Personally I loved having the SleepyWrap (the Moby Wraps cousin), it was a life saver for us.  For the first 2 months John was one of those baby's that just wanted to be held and the Sleepy Wrap helped me keep my sanity, I could do stuff around the house, go grocery shoping (I had so many people at the store stop me and ask me what I was wearing and where they could get one), and even used it alot at the mall when he would get fussy.  And it was nice to have him all bundled and snuggled up close. 

SnoopyLuv

here is my best of list:

fisher price ocean wonder cradle swing

sony babycall monitotr- super sensitive evan acros room

fp high space saver high chair

medela harmony manual pump (you may not need it but for $30 i'd buy it and not open it)

fp rock n play sleeper- hands down best bassinet

we got a cheapy bright start bouncer for $15 that stays in the bathroom when i shower.

moby wrap! love that thing, saved my sanity when she wouldnt sleep

the first years bathtub with newborn sling

we got these huge circo (target) flannel blankets that we use to swaddle and love.

we have a graco pack n play with bassinet and changing table. it stays set up in the living room. we use it all the time instead of buying a seperate changing table.

 

i never used the boppy for nursing, bottle warmer and no wipes warmer. we still havent used half the stuff we got but we're very minimalist.

sorry 1ht and holding baby

 

weezie825

SarahKate31:

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer?

Wipe warmers - unneccesary, but some people like them.  They tend to dry out the wipes (so I have heard).  If your wipes dry out, add some plain baby oil to the container.  (Baby wipes use baby oil to clean.  I learned this trick in drama club when we needed to remove stage make-up!)

Bottle warmer- probably not necessary, but may be convenient.  I just pop a coffee cup filled about 1/3 of the way into the microwave for a minute and then sit DDs cup into the coffee cup.  Withing 2 minutes the bottle is warm. 

In Car Bottle Warmer (plugs into cigarette lighter)- great concept, poor execution.  It took 15 minutes and DDs bottle still wasn't warm.  We ended up stopping at McDonalds and I got a cup of hot water!

Diaper genie/champ- (in my opinion)- according to the baby bargains book anything made of plastic will eventually leach odor.  They suggest a small metal trash can with a tight fitting lid.  However, I just use the regular trash unless it is REALLY stinky, then I put it in an old cat litter container (with a lid) until the trash goes out.

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video...

We tried a regular monitor, but we had too much interference.  I ended up getting a video monitor thinking I could turn the volume off and still see the picture if there was too much interference.  I didn't need to turn the volume off.  It works great. 

 ** If you have a lot of computer equipment in your house that uses wireless be prepared to buy and try several monitors until you find one that works on a frequency that your other stuff isn't using.  Monitors are returnable at Target and BRU as long as you have all the original packaging.

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first)

Yes.  Some people may want to get together to buy you something "big" so it is nice to have those options available on the registry. 

Also, I want to give a shout-out to the Walmart $15 umbrella stroller.  This has become our stroller of choice since DD outgrew the infant carrier.  We have the stroller that was part of out travel system, but it is big, heavy and takes up a ton of trunk space.  The $15 cheapie did surprisingly well on the cobblestones at Williamsburg and since it is very slim we could actually take it into the shops.  The only issue I have with it is I wish the handles were a little taller.

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first.

Not sure if you are asking if PNP sheets are a different size from standard crib and bassinet ones or if you mean should you buy them.  Yes PNP sheets are a different size then regular crib or bassinet sheets.  Do you "need" them?  well that really depends.  When we used the PNP as a bassinet DD was swaddled, so I don't think we really needed sheets in there.  However, she only napped in there, her regular bassinet that she used at night did have sheets. 

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing?

I swear the bouncy chair with vibration and music saved my sanity on more than one occasion.  DD was very gassy and the Preemie Formula she was on made that worse.  Sometimes the bouncy chair was the only thing that would soothe her.  DD's looked like a lamb and we refer to it as "the lamb chair."  DD used hers until her legs started touching the floor.  We upgraded her to a rocking chair, but she doesn't like that as much.

Bouncer/Jumperoo- some kids love them and some kids hate them.  DD tried out the one at daycare and liked it, so we bought one for home.  They don't use these for all that long and they are expensive, so you may want to check out consignment shops or other familes to see if they can loan you one.

Swing- again some kids love them and some kids hate them.  I used the bouncy chair WAY more then the swing.  In retrospect it was a waste of money.  Especially since I registered for the mondo expensive one that matches DDs other Graco items.  If you are going to get one, try to find one that plugs in.  If you can't find one to like that plugs in, Duracell now makes rechargable C and D batteries.

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation?

You may want to consider renting a pump from the hospital.  The AMEDA pumps at GBMC cost $60 a month to rent.  DD was unable to latch because of suck/swallow issues so I pumped for about 3 months.  The total cost was $240.  My insurance company paid for the pump accessory kit becaused I received it in the hospital.  (Actually I got 2, becuase I needed the bigger flange and when they gave me the bigger one they gave me an entire new set of parts too!)  So I got $80 worth of accessories paid for by insurance.

Per the lactation cunsultant at GBMC the AMEDA and Meleda pumps are very similar in ease of use and effectiveness.  She said, and this is an exact quote, "Save the $75, buy the AMEDA pump.  Then take your wife to dinner." 

Any other advice? TIA!!

Don't be afraid to ask around for things people aren't using.  I was spending a lot on books but once people knew I was interested quite a few of my cousins and coworkers passed on their kids old books to me.  Unfortunately this didn't work fo clothes, as everyone I know had boys!

As much as you can, try things before you buy them.  We have wasted so much money on things DD isn't the slightest bit interested in.  The $200 swing that has become a coat rack being the biggest example.

Try lots of different brands, especially on thigns that are consumable!   I found that I can get the LUVs for 10 cents cheaper PER DIAPER then papmers and they work just as well for us.  So that is what we use.  We also use the regualar old A&D ointment for diaper rash cream rather then the Butt Paste brand.  It is significantly cheaper.  DD has only ever had 1 diaper rash since she was born and that was caused by an antibiotic so obviously A&D is doing the job for us. 

However, the perfumes in the regular Baby Magic stuff bother DDs skin, so we have to use the uber expensive Aquaphor body wash and shampoo.  It costs close to $10 for a bottle, but I save enough money with the other stuff that it hasn't made a huge difference in our budget. 

SarahKate31

Thank you for all the advice so far!! I am going to C&P it all so I can refer to everything when I make up my list.

mrs. remy

I don't have too much to add that others haven't already said. I never used wipe warmers....or bottle warmers. I would just set his bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.

I want to add.....register for Halo sleepsacks! I love them so much and am always recommending them and buying them for friends, I feel like I should be a company spokesperson or something. They make swaddler ones for newborns which really helped Sean sleep when he was little. And when you use them you don't have to worry about loose bedding in the crib, which is a no-no anyway.

Re: the breastfeeding, I agree with the others about possibly renting a pump. I thought I wouldn't need one at first since I would be home with him to nurse but when he was only a few days old he wasn't gaining weight so I had to pump to see what my yield was. I was very glad I had a pump on hand when I came home from that doctors appt. I also pumped once or twice a day to get my supply up. I kind of had a hard time the first two weeks, so I was just trying to make it to 6 weeks.....and then suddenly it became second nature and we made it to 10 months. I got a LOT of use out of my pump (Medela Pump in style).

Most of the 'recommended' stuff on their registry lists you don't need....it will just end up cluttering up your house! As long as you have the big items-a PNP, carseat, stroller, and a few basics-some clothes etc-you will be fine. We registered for a bouncy seat that vibrated and all this junk and he freaking hated it.....he liked his swing a lot better. That one is tough and really depends on the baby as pp stated.

bethybeach

Don't register for blankets, i have so many and i will not use them.  Receiving blankets though and the swaddlers, it is amazing how well they work but my LO doesn't fit in the swaddlers yet.  But I had a great nurse teach me a great swaddle.

The wipe warmer I didn't get, with a boy I don't think the warm wipes are going to help me from keeping him to pee while changing, this has been quite a challenge.  A sterilizer is something I am going to invest in.

If you are only going to use a pump for that short of time you may want to consider renting, they say don't start pumping until 4 weeks so your time may be limited.  If you realize you are going to bf longer you can go buy one after a period of time.

Babies r us told me not to register for clothes.  I agree to a point,  I am low on nb stuff, which most people don't get, register for lots on sleepers.  And with clothes you have a seasonal problem on whether or not they will fit.

I had a crib set picked out and got crib sheets and a breathable bumper.  After my showers I hadn't gotten the crib set and it was then no longer available.  You don't need all that stuff honestly so I mixed and matched for the look I wanted and my mom is making me a quilt.

I would also get a wedge sleep positioner.  For a lot of reasons it has given me piece of mind.  Michael is sleeping in the bassinet in the pack n play now and will be going to the crib soon, pack and play is a good thing I think.

Sorry I went on and on, hope this helps.

 

kelleymark82606

bethybeach:

Don't register for blankets, i have so many and i will not use them.  Receiving blankets though and the swaddlers, it is amazing how well they work but my LO doesn't fit in the swaddlers yet.  But I had a great nurse teach me a great swaddle

I thought the same thing with actual blankets but surprisingly now I use them all the time.  I had a May baby so blankets were sort of pointless then but now I get lots of use out of them.  In regards to the receiving blankets, I received so many and i'm like what the heck am i going to use them for, I wish I had of returned more.

 

ThePastor'sWife

What items are unnecessary? Wipes warmer? Bottle warmer?

Both!  We ended up w/2 bottle warmers (and we didn't even register for one) and neither has ever seen the light of day.  We bought a Brita pitcher that we use just for filtering DS's water for bottles and just fill it and leave it sitting on the counter all day, so the water is always room temp.  When they were BM bottles that were refrigerated, we just popped it into a tall cup of hot water for a few minutes and that was adequate to warm it to room temp, and didn't require plugging anything in (which was far easier in the middle of the night!).  We completely bypassed the wipes warmer, too.  I also find bedding sets to be completely absurd for babies, since you can't use the comforter or the bumpers... so you're basically paying $150+ for a sheet and crib skirt.  We bought accessories and stuck w/basic sheets that matched the decor we bought from a bedding line.

Baby monitor recs? I think we'll go with non-video...

I cannot sing enough praises for the AngelCare monitor!  We had a regular monitor (a Sony one, I think?) until we moved DS into his own crib at 4 months (he had been in his cradle or PnP in our bedroom until then).  Then, I became a nervous nellie who checked my kid constantly while he was sleeping, but when he started flipping himself over nightly and turned into a belly sleeper who shoved himself all over the crib and smooshed his face into things on a regular basis... game over for Momma.  We bought the AngelCare and I haven't worried a night since.  That thing gives me complete peace of mind, b/c I know if it can't sense him moving, the alarm WILL go off and alert us.  But, hey, I'm also apparently paranoid.

Should we register for things like a highchair, convertible car seat, or bigger stroller that we won't need for several months? (I think we'll get a Snap & Go at first)

We registered for a highchair (and in fact, started putting DS in it around 3 months - his reclined, so he wasn't bolt upright, but sitting up enough that he could see things while we were in the kitchen) and we got a bigger stroller, but that was b/c we got a travel system.  Honestly, we've used our travel system stroller more than we've ever used either of our other two (a lightweight and a jogging).  We've been using it since he was born, just snapping the carseat into it, and I've never felt that it was too big.  We also started sitting him in the regular stroller part of it around 2 months and he loved it b/c he could see things.  I've heard people recommending to register for the convertible seats, but that just seemed overly greedy to me, so we didn't register for those.

Do I need sheets specifically for the PNP? Not sure how that works...We will be using the PNP as a bassinet at first.

Yep - regular crib sheets will not fit the PnP mattress.  We have the Chicco version of the PnP, which did not have the newborn napper part (I'm guessing that's what you mean by bassinet?), so I have no idea on what fits that... but the Graco or Eddie Bauer travel playard sheets fit the main mattress part.

Target's list has a bouncy chair and a bouncer. What's the difference? Any recs for those or for a swing?

We have, and LOVE, the FP Rainforest bouncy chair.  DS would have lived in that his first 3 months of life if we'd let him.  We actually had to buy a second one to stay at my ILs house b/c they watch him.  As for bouncers/jumperoos, some LOs love them, while others hate them.  DS has the Baby Einstein jumperoo and tolerates it for maybe 10 minutes, but he has a doorway jumper and would attempt to live in that now if he could (my kid fixates on a select few of his toys, apparently).  As for swings, we have the Graco Sweetpeace, and I'm STILL surprised that w/our AR baby, he didn't like it, but that thing was a total no-go.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that any other kids we have end up liking it, b/c otherwise I'm going to be mad we spent as much as did on that thing, after being told that it was a "must-have" b/c "all babies love swings!"

My current plan for breastfeeding is to breastfeed while I am home on maternity leave (8-10 weeks) but not to continue once I go back to work. I'm fully aware that this plan could change, but I'm wondering which pump would be best for this stituation?

I would agree w/Kathryn - if you're not planning to pump when you go back to work, don't bother investing in one.  I would just do as the others have said and get a manual hand pump or, if you really don't want a manual one, then a cheaper single electric pump, or I'd just rent one from the hospital if you really want to pump during that time.

Any other advice? TIA!!

Don't buy too much of any one thing (pacifiers, swaddling blankets, bottles, etc.) until your LO is here and you know what his preferences are - we were given a bunch of swaddlers and DS HATED being swaddled from day 1.  Every baby is different!  If I had to do it all again, I'd probably opt for streamlining our initial purchases and waiting on the bigger stuff (swing, for example) until I knew if it was necessary/he liked it. 

Some of my other must-haves:

Aden + Anais swaddling blankets - worked perfectly as a cover when BFing, and during the warmer weather, that was what we covered DS w/in the carseat, or anytime we were carrying him in the carrier

A carrier - I like my Ergo, and really didn't care for my Moby, although DS liked it well enough

Gerber prefolds - they're cheap - something like a pack of 12 for $10 and they work perfectly as burp rags

Jersey sheets - we have Carter's brand and now that DS is a belly sleeper who is also drooling b/c of teething, the jersey sheets don't seem to irritate his cheeks as much as the regular cotton sheets do

Bibs - we got a huge 10 pack of plain colored terrycloth bibs at one of my showers, and I couldn't fathom what we'd do w/them... well, we ended up w/an AR baby who was a fountain of spit up, so he sported those most days so that we didn't have to change his clothes 40 times a day.  Now that he's mostly past that stage, we use them for meals and they're perfect.

Multiple changing pad covers - we got terrycloth ones that were backed w/waterproof, and in the early days when he'd pee on them at 2 am, it was SO NICE not to have to strip the entire changing pad in order to have a clean changing pad for the 4 am diaper change. :P

Finally - if you have a friend who has recently had a baby, I would take her w/you.  I SO wish I would have had someone like that in order to have a better idea of what was really necessary and what wasn't...

daisyterp

I didn't read all of the other replies- but I HATE my big high chair.  I have the Eddie Bauer one and it's a PITA to clean.   I am not a fan of the space saver one either (also I just think of how trashed my dining room chair would get from holding it.) There is one from Ikea that I love.  It's $25 w/ a tray.  All plastic and super easy to clean.  Also it's lower than a regular high chair, regular table height.   

also the convertible car seat thing is definitely a tough call.  DD was in the infant carrier seat for 16 months, DS only in it for 6 months.  Car seats do expire, so every year that a car seat sits not used is wasted $$ IMO.  We now have 4 convertible car seats and 2 of them have high enough weight limits that our kids will be in them until they are 50+ lbs.  I just hope that DDs doesn't expire before she outgrows it.