options on registry items - what kind/brand

lifesaverz

so...the DH & I had a little looksy around the baby section at Target today, mostly just trying to get an idea of all the options there are on different items that we'll eventually put on a registry.  things like: breast pump, bottles, carseats, strollers, baby carriers, etc.  And my goodness, there are so many options! Being a FTM it is a little overwhelming, esp. when I don't really know what makes one particular kind or brand better than any other one since I have no experience.  I plan to do lots of research of course (doing some right now, actually), but am curious if any of you ladies have formed opinions on some of this stuff yet, or possibly had experience w/ different kinds/brands if you have other LOs.  Please share your thoughts or wisdom with me!

KelleyRay27

When it comes to bottles I'd definitely recommend the Dr. Brown's.

dippednhoney4

I have worked as a Newborn Care Specialist for 5 yrs and I agree with KelleyRay27, Dr. Browns bottles are awesome. Kirkland wipes are highly recommended by a lot of doctors I have talked to. I'm a FTM and I will definitely be taking my 5 yr. experience and using it with my daughter or son.

Londonsmybabyboy

Your insurance may cover breast pump with a prescription. Call and ask!!

Bookwormyone

I really liked the book Baby Bargains for reviews of different brands and general advice.  I also looked at amazon reviews.

For bottles you don't want to necessarily stock up on one brand.  Baby may be particular about what he/she will take, particularly if you're breastfeeding.  

The BEST BIBS are the Tommee Tippee bibs that have the fabric ridge right around the neck.  It keeps milk from getting between the bib and into the folds of baby's neck.  They are seriously amazing.

I have an Ergo and a Moby and loved them both.  Carriers are great for going hands free.  

It's all a lot of trial and error.  You might hate the things I love.

Except those bibs.  Seriously, get those bibs. 

74dragonfly

Bookwormyone:

I really liked the book Baby Bargains for reviews of different brands and general advice. nbsp;I also looked at amazon reviews.For bottles you don't want to necessarily stock up on one brand. nbsp;Baby may be particular about what he/she will take, particularly if you're breastfeeding. nbsp;

Agree. Don't know the bibs.

74dragonfly

When you get to the point of registering Take a friend who is s parent with a child only a few years old. They can help direct you.

Stephanie2167

The only thing I truly recommend is Dr. Browns bottles.

Oh, and if you buy a double pump, buy a handsfree pumping bra. I didn't get one until months in and it was awesome.

lifesaverz

Londonsmybabyboy:

Your insurance may cover breast pump with a prescription. Call and ask!!

oh good idea, that would be awesome!!

LexGator

I also recommend reading Baby Bargains -- it's extremely helpful and guided me with my registry for my daughter.

I would recommend against getting a travel system. We got the Chicco travel system, and while I would highly recommend the car seat (Keyfit 30), I'm not a big fan of the stroller. Instead, I'd get a Snap-n-Go for the infant months and then upgrade to a nicer, more durable and versatile stroller. I got this advice from people and ignored it and got the travel system because of its convenience. It's OK, but I wouldn't do it again.

lifesaverz

Thanks so much for all the recommendations!  Good to know about the bottles too - looks like Dr. Brown's is a popular opinion.  Now that I remember, I think that's what my sis used when my niece was a baby too.  I'll def look into some of the things mentioned, & maybe that book to give me some more direction too.  Thanks ladies! 

willowprincess

I'm also going to ditto the baby bargains book. It was a huge help with my first kiddo.

kristenellyse

I completely agree on the Costco "Kirkland" brand wipes.  900 for $20; they are really thick and unscented, which is sometimes nice.  We tried using Target wipes the other day and they don't even compare.  Will always be using these from here on out. 

We like the Up & Up brand of diapers at Target.  I'm not sure if they work well on newborns, but once our son was in size 3's, they were perfect and we've never had an issue with them.  You will also save about $15-$20 a box!

74dragonfly

When you get to the point of registering Take a friend who is s parent with a child only a few years old. They can help direct you.

Shayliz

Ditto on not sticking to one bottle brand. We tried 5 to 6 different kinds before finding one A would actually use.. and it wasn't the one I registered for!

giggles0918

I like my Chicco car seat.  DD is out of it now so we'll be using it again.

I recommend getting the caddy stroller frame attachment.  It's so easy when you need to run in places you just snap the car seat in and go. 

We used the aden and anais blankets and they are really nice.  I had a summer baby so I used them all the time - not sure how much I'll use them this time b/c of a winter baby but we'll see.

I used Avent bottles and DD took them well. 

I bought a Medela pump.  I recommend renting one if you're not sure about breastfeeding or if you stay home etc just to see how much you'll use it before buying one.  It's a large purchase and to rent for me was only 15/month so I wanted to see how much I would use it before I invested in one.

We bought a Jeep stroller that I used for walking and I love it. It's really nice and rides well.

TeamAwesomeBaby

I look at consumersearch.com first, but they don't have some smaller categories like bassinets or bibs. After that, I check out Amazon reviews - I always look for something with lots of reviews and make sure to read the most highly rated negative review to understand the down-side of whatever I'm considering.

For bottles, I've been reading about this new one called Bare that is coming out this year. It's supposed to mimic the breast better than anything out there, and it's airtight so the baby can drink sitting up as well. 

lifesaverz

KKDRAGONFLY:

When you get to the point of registering Take a friend who is s parent with a child only a few years old. They can help direct you.

Not sure why you posted this twice?  Anyway, though I may take someone with me (not sure yet), I def want to be decided on what brand/type I'll be getting of the "big" items, like breast pumps, bottles, strollers, carseats, etc. before I go to register.  I want time to do all my research first & I don't want to have to make a decision on something like that in the moment, or based on just one person's opinion.

Piach

I will hop on the Baby Bargains book recommendation train.  It's not just about getting a "bargain" - it gives reviews of almost anything "big" that you would need to purchase and recommends the "winners" for a low, mid and high price point.

The one thing that I can say for sure is that price doesn't equal safety or quality when it comes to baby stuff.  There is some really expensive crap out there

On the bottle front, I had the fussiest baby on the block when it came to bottles.  She was breast fed and refused a bottle - caused a little panic attack as my maternity leave was ending.  We spent $100s on bottles/nipples and she finally caved and went with the medela bottle/nipples that came with my pump - go figure.

I have a city mini stroller and cannot rave about it enough. It has a car seat attachment, so we used it from the beginning. It has a one hand fold and fits through the airport xray machine, so travelling is easy.

CaityA83

LexGator:

I also recommend reading Baby Bargains it's extremely helpful and guided me with my registry for my daughter.I would recommend against getting a travel system. We got the Chicco travel system, and while I would highly recommend the car seat Keyfit 30, I'm not a big fan of the stroller. Instead, I'd get a SnapnGo for the infant months and then upgrade to a nicer, more durable and versatile stroller. I got this advice from people and ignored it and got the travel system because of its convenience. It's OK, but I wouldn't do it again.

This is what we did and what I always recommend!

Also, I'm surprised so many of you like the dr brown bottles. I hate those dang things! I BFd but as a nanny and previous daycare worker I have used these a lot and they drive me crazy. All the little pieces just annoy me. But I also agree with the pp who said not to stock up on any one bottle or paci bc baby may decide that he or she has a preference for something else.