No-no's for registry?

AbsolutelyAyrianna

What are some things you ladies think SHOULDN'T be put on a registry?

Or what are some things you saw on someone's registry that you felt shouldn't be there?

Making mine and i'm scared to go overboard.  

jennypasadena

I just got a shower invite recently, and when I looked at their registry, they had a TON of stuff and on top of it, they had registered for multiple gift cards in specific denominations.  That rubbed me wrong.  People will get you gift cards without you saying you need 5 $200 cards and 5 $100 cards.  It seemed tacky.

sinisforgiven

I've never been offended by things on someone's registry.. They can put whatever they want on there.. But I have passed over things like nipple cream and nursing pads, because even though the mom will need them.. they are a little personal to give at a baby shower.

sinisforgiven

jennypasadena:

they had registered for multiple gift cards in specific denominations.  That rubbed me wrong.  People will get you gift cards without you saying you need 5 $200 cards and 5 $100 cards.  It seemed tacky.

I didn't even know that stores did that! That is tacky.

punkrockabye

I just registered for what we need. One thing we need is a portable washing machine since we're doing cloth diapers. It's about $250. We have no nursery so no huge expensive furniture, and it's not something we just want... if there was no baby in the picture, we'd just keep using the pay facilities in the building.

We have an Amazon registry and I added some gift cards from external sites. I just listed the amount as "any" and the number desired as "999" and I figured that would send the message that I am not exactly expecting almost 1,000 gift cards, but rather, I wanted people to feel free to buy one in any amount and leave the specific store/card on the registry so others have the option as well. If I just added $25 Target gift cards and put the number desired as 2, after 2 are purchased the option to buy them would disappear. Anyone who thinks I am asking for 999 gift cards should probably skip my shower and opt for a nice nap instead! Since we're driving 5 hours for our big shower, I expect that we'll be given a lot of gift cards and smaller items.

I also didn't want to dictate the amounts. $5 or $50, it will be greatly appreciated. 

queenie521

sinisforgiven:

I've never been offended by things on someone's registry.. They can put whatever they want on there.. But I have passed over things like nipple cream and nursing pads, because even though the mom will need them.. they are a little personal to give at a baby shower.

I know some people get weird about these things but I personally love putting together a BF'ing basket if I know the mom is going to. Especially since I nursed both my boys for a year......I feel like it is a more of a gift to mom instead of baby (which I think can be nice) 

AbsolutelyAyrianna

I haven't seen too many registries but I think asking for gift cards is tacky. Really so when it's more than one for the same place..

ATMmom324

I personally don't care what people do and realize they do it for the completion discount a lot but I have heard people complain if people register for obviously not baby related items.  If you register for a 10 speed for your older kid or an XBox it obviously isn't baby related.  If you want to do this wait until after your shower to add them.

camillaandcarson

I was advised not to put a lot of the little things on there.  

Book Lover

That's a great idea - what would you suggest for a BFing basket?  This is exactly what I'm wanting to do as a gift!!  It will be for family, so it's ok if some of the items are a little personal....there are just so many things out there!!

sinisforgiven

camillaandcarson:

I was advised not to put a lot of the little things on there.  

I sometimes like to buy a whole bunch of the little things as my gift for baby showers...  I buy a big box of size 2 or 3 diapers, and give a bag full of little items to go with it. I sometimes end up spending more than I would have with a bigger gift, but I don't mind.

luvlss1

camillaandcarson:

I was advised not to put a lot of the little things on there.  

I disagree. If someone wants to spend, say $30, and they buy a white noise maker for $23, the 'little' things are nice fillers to get to their price point. Also, some people like doing baskets of small items as one big gift.

I think no-nos are things like pp mentioned~ things for an older child, not baby related, specific amounts on gift cards.

Go ahead & register for all the things that you, yourself, plan on buying for baby. Including furniture. Then let your friends & family decide what they want to purchase. Just don't put things you would never buy yourself because they are too expensive. That's tacky.

ETA: I personally think that BF items are ok to put on the registry. I did. It's a shower of my close women friends & family, I think everyone is beyond the uncomfortable stage. IMO, it's what you personally are comfortable with.

sinisforgiven

queenie521:

sinisforgiven:

I've never been offended by things on someone's registry.. They can put whatever they want on there.. But I have passed over things like nipple cream and nursing pads, because even though the mom will need them.. they are a little personal to give at a baby shower.

I know some people get weird about these things but I personally love putting together a BF'ing basket if I know the mom is going to. Especially since I nursed both my boys for a year......I feel like it is a more of a gift to mom instead of baby (which I think can be nice) 

That's a great idea, I would love to get a BFing care package and could see that as being a great gift. Most of the showers I've been to have been co-ed and people I'm not super close to, that's the only reason I usually pass up the nipple cream lol. I could totally see it in a basket with a nursing cover and nursing pillow though!

camillaandcarson

sinisforgiven:

camillaandcarson:

I was advised not to put a lot of the little things on there.  

I sometimes like to buy a whole bunch of the little things as my gift for baby showers...  I buy a big box of size 2 or 3 diapers, and give a bag full of little items to go with it. I sometimes end up spending more than I would have with a bigger gift, but I don't mind.

I love the idea of a basket, both for getting and also for gifting to other moms.  That makes me a bit sad because my shower is soon, the store where it was suggested I register is over an hour away and not easy to get to right now, and I was advised by several moms who are related to me not to put little things on the registry.   

stever

jennypasadena:

I just got a shower invite recently, and when I looked at their registry, they had a TON of stuff and on top of it, they had registered for multiple gift cards in specific denominations.  That rubbed me wrong.  People will get you gift cards without you saying you need 5 $200 cards and 5 $100 cards.  It seemed tacky.

Ew.

CraftyKayla

stever:

jennypasadena:

I just got a shower invite recently, and when I looked at their registry, they had a TON of stuff and on top of it, they had registered for multiple gift cards in specific denominations.  That rubbed me wrong.  People will get you gift cards without you saying you need 5 $200 cards and 5 $100 cards.  It seemed tacky.

Ew.

 

Also, I think the BF basket is a great idea!

SunAndRain

Just use your common sense.  It should be baby related (no flat screen TVs and no this cannot be justified by "but I want my baby to watch Baby Einstein").  And keep your friends and family in mind.  Don't register for a $500 silver spoon unless your dad is Donald Trump.

 

BakerMommy

I side eye people who have multiples of big ticket items on each registry.  I once saw someone had 2 strollers at BRU and 2 strollers at Target.  Overkill!  Also, like PP said, items that are obviously for parents (other than bf items, of course) or siblings. 

Reilly626

I find a breast pump too personal.

ks3pink

jfresh:

BakerMommy:

I side eye people who have multiples of big ticket items on each registry.  I once saw someone had 2 strollers at BRU and 2 strollers at Target.  Overkill!  Also, like PP said, items that are obviously for parents (other than bf items, of course) or siblings. 

Yes this. I just went shopping for a friend's shower and she had pack n plays, bouncers, swings, and car seats on both her target and BRU registry. I understand needing stuff for grandma's house but it was weird to me to be double registered for all that.  

They are probably not double registering they are just covering all bases at each store as most people would only go to one place. 

tlew12778

Reilly626:

I find a breast pump too personal.

See I totally don't agree. That is a big ticket item and not something I really wanted to pay for myself. It was one of the most used items that I was given and enabled me to continue BF DD while I worked FT.

I will fully admit that I am a huge advocate of BFing and I think a lot of the "taboo" against BFing items on a registry stems from the "shame" of BFing which I think is just wrong. You need a lot of gear to bottle feed too and no one thinks that is embarrassing to have on a registry. 

Re: a BF basket:

breastpads - both disposable and re-usable so mom can decide which she likes best 

Nipple cream - something like lanolin or all purpose nipple ointment

Soothies gel pads

A BF book - eg. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, The Nursing Mother's Companion

A water bottle and snacks for mom

A notepad and pen to  keep track of nursing sessions

A nursing bracelet and/or necklace

A BFing pillow

Lotrimin / grapefruit seed extract / gentian violet in case of thrush

Burp cloths and/or bibs to catch baby dribble 

A nursing cover 

A sleep bra (these are like S/M/L so easier than a sized nursing bra)

Nursing camis 

aadewitt

personally for me I get upset when I see something like and Xbox/Playstation movies (def not baby related) and such that is just for mom and dad and not the baby.  Sure they might be doing it for the completion coupon but I think its just tacky.  (I also don't like seeing those things on wedding registries...)  I also am not a huge fan of seeing large priced items, but then again if you want 10% off a breast pump that I don't mind, and can understand- or if you have family/friends with money! . 

Def have a wide range of prices anything from a few dollars to a few hundred.   Some groups of co workers, friends might pitch in and get you your stroller or what not. 

aadewitt

I also wanted to say that though I dont feel comfortable buying something BF items, I don't see anything wrong with it on a registry. 

Also as for putting lots of stuff on the registry what is the number you feel is too many items? On my BRU right now I have about 45 items, lots of big ticket items.  And on my Target one I have about 75- more little things like diapers, bottles, some toys ect.  I am going to have 3 baby showers so I need to make sure that there is enough items on there!

Whittyone12

I registered for a couple bigger items. I hadn't originally planned to put out breast pump and monitor on the list but both the ladies I worked with and the ladies my DH works with complained that they wanted to buy us one big gift from each group. People aren't forced to buy you the big gifts, if you put several things in various price ranges people can choose what to spend. 

LILBIT1221

condoms, don't register for those.

J'snewwife

I love when people register for the hands-free pumping bustier.  I'm not modest at all, but the thought of some random cousin sending me a pumping bustier, with bottles attached, because it happened to be the right price is really awesome.

I love registering for smaller things because then people got creative - lumped things together in a basket, or bought us one small to mid-price item with a few books they liked, etc. 

LittleApple

Gift cards- people can buy these on their own, they don't need a reminder on a registry

Multiple items in same category-- like having more than one bedding set or three strollers etc.

Clothing.  People will buy you what they want. 

sosoph

tlew12778:

Reilly626:

I find a breast pump too personal.

See I totally don't agree. That is a big ticket item and not something I really wanted to pay for myself. It was one of the most used items that I was given and enabled me to continue BF DD while I worked FT.

I will fully admit that I am a huge advocate of BFing and I think a lot of the "taboo" against BFing items on a registry stems from the "shame" of BFing which I think is just wrong. You need a lot of gear to bottle feed too and no one thinks that is embarrassing to have on a registry.

Nothing on your registry should be because you don't feel like buying it yourself for your child. 

Feeding the baby is the parents' responsibility. Nobody's buying anyone formula. I don't think BF items are taboo, but you should not be suggesting to others that they underwrite the cost of feeding and diapering your child. You might as well register for a college fund while you're at it.

Eastie156

LILBIT1221:

condoms, don't register for those.

 Hahaha. That would be funny seeing that on a registry!

Eastie156

While I am planning to BF, I do think the nipple creams and pads are too personal. I'll likely just buy them myself. Some people get weird about those products and while I don't, I don't need my co-workers (some young and male) looking at my registry and snickering that I've put those items on. My SIL is giving me her B-pump, we'll just be changing the tubing,etc on it. It's a Medela double pump and I don't have a problem using hers, it's only a couple years old. They are way too expensive to buy another one if she's offering me hers.

Lubachka88

NBR- but! one of my friends put 250$ la mer cream on her wedding registry

Another, was still planning on living in her families home with her husband and the only things on her wedding registry were ridiculously priced silver serving dishes at 250$ a pop- cant afford a 250 dollar serving dish. DON'T WORRY! you can always go for the 100$ silver fork.

Tash13

queenie521:

sinisforgiven:

I've never been offended by things on someone's registry.. They can put whatever they want on there.. But I have passed over things like nipple cream and nursing pads, because even though the mom will need them.. they are a little personal to give at a baby shower.

I know some people get weird about these things but I personally love putting together a BF'ing basket if I know the mom is going to. Especially since I nursed both my boys for a year......I feel like it is a more of a gift to mom instead of baby (which I think can be nice) 

This is my go-to gift.  A lot of ftm's seem to not put things like this on a registry and don't realize how extremely necessary they are.  I usually include pads, creams, the hot/cold pads, a nursing tank and a bottle of motrin.

AllieR22

We weren't going to put all the little stuff or the personal stuff on there but then found out that everything that is left over on the registry , we can purchase at a discounted price afterwards, as long as its on there, so i registered for like a bajillion diapers, in every size haha, the lady says it doesnt expire!!! so i will get discounted diapers for a while! I also registered for like 5 tubs Dreft, and most things that are not reusable, that i know iI'll need, who cares if its too personal... it's not like its a secret, if your breast feeding, they probably know... lol So my advice is to GO OVERBOARD, who cares!? but i do agree on the gift card amounts being posted, that is a little tacky, on ours we were just given the option to "accept gift cards" or to not... and of course we said yes lol

Tash13

sosoph:

tlew12778:

Reilly626:

I find a breast pump too personal.

See I totally don't agree. That is a big ticket item and not something I really wanted to pay for myself. It was one of the most used items that I was given and enabled me to continue BF DD while I worked FT.

I will fully admit that I am a huge advocate of BFing and I think a lot of the "taboo" against BFing items on a registry stems from the "shame" of BFing which I think is just wrong. You need a lot of gear to bottle feed too and no one thinks that is embarrassing to have on a registry.

Nothing on your registry should be because you don't feel like buying it yourself for your child. 

Feeding the baby is the parents' responsibility. Nobody's buying anyone formula. I don't think BF items are taboo, but you should not be suggesting to others that they underwrite the cost of feeding and diapering your child. You might as well register for a college fund while you're at it.

I've actually seen formula, bottles, bottle warmers, sterilizers, etc. listed on registries and nobody thinks twice about them.  I find them to be the same thing as listing diapers.  Yes, it's nice to receive them because it's something the parent will really use, it's practical, and it can get expensive so any monetary help is nice.  If it's not received at the shower, then it's definitely the parent's responsibility, but that goes with anything else you're registering for.  Isn't the whole point of registering/having a shower/asking for gifts that you'd prefer not to pay for it on your own?  It's all the parents responsibility in the end but if somebody wants to pay for a gift that is truly helpful, what's wrong with having it be directly related to feeding the baby just because feeding the baby is the parent's responsibility?

overtonhayes

LILBIT1221:

condoms, don't register for those.

I love you.  All I can picture now is a 24-pack of Durex on someone's registry, with the note "baby doesn't want to be a big brother!".

FWIW, my registry has a lot of small(er) items in it, like burp cloths; fabric for making my own bibs & clothes (but I have put a few bibs on there too); a first aid kit; a first aid book. My big-ticket items are still well under $100: I think the most expensive thing on my registry is the Baby Bullet, which is about $60. I'm not using a registry that offers a completion coupon, so no registering for the stroller and crib for me.

I agree with PPs that anything that's for older kids; not for the baby/nursery; or too personal (maternity bras, nipple cream) is a no. 

CCross22

LittleApple:

Multiple items in same category-- like having more than one bedding set or three strollers etc.

Clothing.  People will buy you what they want. 

This and this. A girl I work with has registered for two strollers and three carseats at BRU, then registered for two strollers and two carseats at Target. REALLY? One of the travel systems has already been purchased; I hope that other buyers see that before buying at the other store.

Also, it never fails - registering for clothes is a bad, bad idea. Most are not available online and many times, scanning the tag adds a different item to your list. Again, the girl I work with is having a boy, but her registry shows purple mittens, pink onesies, and a girl set of socks. Hopefully, her guests also have common sense.

LILBIT1221

overtonhayes:

LILBIT1221:

condoms, don't register for those.

I love you.  All I can picture now is a 24-pack of Durex on someone's registry, with the note "baby doesn't want to be a big brother!".

FWIW, my registry has a lot of small(er) items in it, like burp cloths; fabric for making my own bibs & clothes (but I have put a few bibs on there too); a first aid kit; a first aid book. My big-ticket items are still well under $100: I think the most expensive thing on my registry is the Baby Bullet, which is about $60. I'm not using a registry that offers a completion coupon, so no registering for the stroller and crib for me.

I agree with PPs that anything that's for older kids; not for the baby/nursery; or too personal (maternity bras, nipple cream) is a no. 

"For the nights when daddy wants more than a BJ"

LILBIT1221

nola78:

I registered for breastmilk alcohol detection strips, mostly as a joke.  But it's probably going too far with some of my more uptight family members.  Oh well. 

I would totally buy them for you! ha-ha

overtonhayes

LILBIT1221:

overtonhayes:

LILBIT1221:

condoms, don't register for those.

I love you.  All I can picture now is a 24-pack of Durex on someone's registry, with the note "baby doesn't want to be a big brother!".

FWIW, my registry has a lot of small(er) items in it, like burp cloths; fabric for making my own bibs & clothes (but I have put a few bibs on there too); a first aid kit; a first aid book. My big-ticket items are still well under $100: I think the most expensive thing on my registry is the Baby Bullet, which is about $60. I'm not using a registry that offers a completion coupon, so no registering for the stroller and crib for me.

I agree with PPs that anything that's for older kids; not for the baby/nursery; or too personal (maternity bras, nipple cream) is a no. 

"For the nights when daddy wants more than a BJ"

"Because for goodness' sake, one is enough!"
"Because leaking boobs and extra facial hair is so not something I'm doing again"

I want to get coffee with you.

Pokedot

AbsolutelyAyrianna:

I haven't seen too many registries but I think asking for gift cards is tacky. Really so when it's more than one for the same place..

judahsmommy1

I think that so long as it's a legitimate baby related expense, it's fine to put it on the registry. The point of a registry is to share with people what you need after the baby is born so they can get you things that you need. So I would say the only taboo items would be things like mother's jewelry and things like that. I think nursing supplies etc... are just fine to put on there. If someone is uncomfortable buying to for you, they'll skip over it and buy something else.

Of COURSE it's our responsibility to provide for our children. I don't think anyone questions that. But when a baby is coming, people like to help out with the things you need, and that is legitimate as well. When it comes to baby showers my personal goal is to buy one thing that the mom will need (bottles, pacifiers, silver wear etc...) and one thing that is just fun (a toy or something like it.) I don't have a problem with it if a mom puts gift cards on her registry, but specifying denominations is uber tacky!