A little overwhelmed

lew0509

My mom wants me to register when we get home from TX (4 weeks) so that we can start planning my shower-eek! I've been trying to research baby stuff while we're here so that I have an idea of what I want to register for. There is just so much stuff! Oh my goodness, my brain is starting to hurt. How on earth do you pick a crib, or a car seat or a nursery theme? I don't really have any baby experience to go off of, but I don't want to be one of those clueless moms who walks into BRU and gets everything. I try to read reviews online, and talk to other moms, but I'm still a little lost.

Do you ladies have any suggestions for making this process easier?

Karen1998

Focus on one item at a time.  You can always start your registry with what you have/know and add on later.  That's what we did and it's made the process easier.  I also split up items to research between DH and I so we could maximize our efforts.  I had him research things he was interested in - car seats, anything with whistles and bells, etc... - and I researched the other items.  Heck, we're still researching.  Also remember that just because you register for it and get it doesn't mean you have to keep it.  You can always change your mind later and return it for something else. 

Oh, and Buy Buy Baby will let you set up an appointment with a registering "specialist."  They can guide you through registering.  This weekend at BRU, we lucked out and found the most knowledgeable guy who really helped us figure out several products.  We just didn't know what to look for and he helped by showing us what he had for his son and what worked for him and why.  It also helped that he's my height (exceedingly tall) as he understood height issues when it comes to product selection.  So, ask for help at the stores and you'll likely be pleasantly surprised by what help you can get.  Both stores also gave us registering lists of types of products to include on our registry.

Lucie's List is also a good place to start.

slgbreeden

Definitely focus on one item, or similar groups of items at a time. Doing a little bit each day really makes it feel less intimidating. When I found items I really liked, I did some research directly through Amazon and read most of the reviews. Good luck!

alexa08

I second Lucie's List.  I found the Baby Bargens book helpful for product reviews.  Oh, and the Nurseries & Baby Gear board.

lew0509

Karen1998:

  It also helped that he's my height (exceedingly tall) as he understood height issues when it comes to product selection. 

I happen to be exceedingly tall myself (DH too)! Were there any products that he suggested/you would recommend?

TigerFan

When I was registering for #1, I went to BRU a few times and just walked around and looked at things before I actually started the registry.  After I got the registry up, I asked a few mom friends to take a look at it and provide any suggestions.  Just take your time and if you start to get overwhelemed, just stop for awhile.  You don't have to complete the registry in one day.

ravenorchid

I highly recommend you get the Baby Bargains book. It goes through basically everything you need, rates products, and has a sample registry. It's been my ultimate guide for choosing what to get as a first-time parent and it was originally recommended to me by a friend with 3 kids who said it was so useful.

Junebug060609

I'm right there with ya both in the overwhelmed-ness and in the pressure from family to get a registry started.

I've found three things to be helpful:

*Baby Bargans (Apr 2011 edition).  The book is like $10 and it outlines item-by-item features to look for and avoid and it rates brands and gives reasons for the ratings.  I PPH this book.

*I also love www.lucieslist.com she goes over items subject by subject and lays down what you really need.  I don't agree with all her suggestions (ie I liked different strollers as I have different needs), but its a good starting point to make sure you have the basics covered.

*Doing things in increments.  Don't try and tackle all of BRU in one go.  Break it down and do strollers/carseats one day, furniture the next, feeding/safety another day, etc.  Oh & do what you can online, too.