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2nd Trimester
HELP!!! Starting the registry today
I plan on spending awhile at Babies R Us today with my hubby. We've been researching cribs, strollers, carseats and travel systems, but don't want to make any decisions until we can see and touch the items.
I am overwhelmed already and want it to be more fun than stressful. Please share your advice!
Any opinions on travel system vs. carseat + stroller? Regular stroller vs. jogging stroller (or both)? Anything specific to avoid? Any must haves?
Thanks girls!!
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Re: HELP!!! Starting the registry today
where in MA are you? I am going to the BRU in Braintree today to look at strollers since the one I want is getting bad reviews now.
You can get a stroller and a car seat that match.
We are getting a stroller and then car seats. Not a travel system. With twins, there are more options for me with buying "al a carte" than just a travel system. But a travel system works great for some.
ETA: You can get a jogging stroller, but you don't want to use it (for jogging) until you baby has good head control
Do you have a Buy Buy Baby near you? I have found that their sales staff is much more knowledgeable than the ones at BRU. The lady in the stroller dept spent forever with me the first time I went in there explaining the pros and cons of each stroller I asked about. They also have someone who walks around with you while you register to answer any questions and provide guidance. I thought it was annoying at first, but then when I went to BRU and didn't get that service I found I had a lot of questions and couldn't find anyone to answer them.
You should also look in to the Baby Bargains Book. I can't tell you how helpful that has been in narrowing down brands of different baby items.
As far as carriers, we are going with the Chicco Keyfit 30. It rated the highest on Consumer Affairs. We are getting a BJ City Mini stroller and probaby a Snap n' Go. There are colors of the Chicco Keyfit that coordinate with colors of the City Mini, so like the PPs have mentioned you don't have to get a travel system for them to match.
I got good advice from other moms when I was registering before DS and what I found was the travel systems are VERY heavy---heavier than if you just get a graco snugride and a featherweight stroller (or whatever they are called)---it's Graco too and they snap together if you want, just like a travel system. Travel systems are nice b/c they "match" but honestly, it doesn't matter.
I don't recommend the snap n go if you get a graco one (or whatever brand) that you can snap your carseat in to--huge waste of money.
Highly recommend the baby bargains book --get the updated version and put little sticky tabs on the things you are ready to register for.
Here is my list of "must haves"---
bouncer--get a good one that actually "bounces" and not just one that rocks like I started out with. Waste of $$---but the regular "bouncer" was awesome.
swing--although some babies will hate it--mine liked it
crib, dresser and changing table. I like the changing table separate from the crib (some are attached)---and mine has a little drawer that is handy.
baby carrier---one you wear
baby tub where baby can "sit" up right----it's kind of reclined but more sitting than laying. DS loved that.
Lots of bibs and I like cloth diapers as a spit up rags
My fave diaper bag was honestly the one I got from similac from the hospita---and I got 3 for my shower. Hardly ever used them.
I know I'm forgetting stuff--but this is a start--good luck!
My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com
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Notes:
I was totally overwhelmed as well when I went to register. This is our first and my FI is not really the kind to have strong opinions on merchandise so I was worried i would have to make all the decisions.
Babies R Us is great because they give you a check list and talk to you about where to start, etc. We just worked our way around the store and I didn't feel overwhelmed at all.
I also figured out that we needed to go home and think about certain things and then I went back and updated our registry with my mom. That helped a lot. I already was going "huh why did we register for this". After 2 times and a couple updates online, my registry is what we want. People are starting to buy off it now since shower invites went out and it is sooo exciting!!!
I'm registering this weekend, at Target. Where in MA are you? I'm in the Taunton/New Bedford area. We're same distance from either of the BRU's (Attleboro or Braintree) and my older relative won't drive that far or use online to buy stuff, so I've had to figure out an alternative.
What I did, mainly to spare DH, was use BRU online to narrow it down to 2 or 3 options per item (pack n'play, high chair, whatever) then go to BRU and "feel" them out. I keep track of them on an excel spreadsheet, but that's me. It helps me to stay organized with all the items. Also, I only had DH deal with items he may be concerned about or have to deal with, i.e. stroller. He really could care less about most stuff so it made it easy for me to not have to check with him on everything.
With the stroller, be open minded. Some people say they hate travel systems, others love them. I'm fairly petite. While in the store, DH had me fold one down, then lift it as if I was putting it in my trunk. Then put it back up. It was a good test run because the ones I liked were too bulky for me to deal with. So we looked at other options. Good luck.
Life with Blog
1. Boppy! P.s get at least one spare cover, you will need to wash often.
2. 1 set of gerber white side snap tees in newborn size. These are great for when the baby hasn't lost the umbilical cord yet.
3. Graco travel system with as many bases as the number of cars you have. This makes things so easy. And if you get the graco brand, get the car seat stroller and swing. When your baby falls asleep in the car and you get home, it will be 10 times easier to just put them in the swing base than to wake them up getting them out of the seat. Plus it's great for travel.
4. Swing and or bouncy seat. The bouncy seat will probably only be used for the first couple of months so if you're only going to get one, I'd go for the swing. Plus if your baby likes the swing, you might be able to get a couple extra hours of sleep with it so it's invaluable. Get one that is quiet (mine uses magnets to it's really quiet) and that runs for a long time and has background noise.
5. Which brings me to: ambient noise makers. Get a couple of them. We have a sleep sheep that velcros to her crib and it's fabulous. When you buy one, make sure it runs for a long time. It's useless if it only runs for 10 minutes.
6. Mobile. Don't choose your mobile based on your crib set. Buy one that runs for a long time on batteries NOT wind up. What a waste! Our is fisher price precious planet and it also projects a little light show and has ambient noise. So awesome! I bought it after my matching wind up one woke her up every time I had to wind it.
7. Bottles. Here's my experience. I got 2 free Born Free bottle with are good. They're probably my favorite but they have these little insert things you have to use which is kinda cumbersome. I bought playtex insert bottles. They work fine but I hate having to buy the inserts and that you can't put the bottle in a bottle warmer. I got medela bottles with the pump and they're ok but the nipples tend to invert when the baby sucks on them so it's frustrating. Same problem with the Tommee Tippee ones. I read that Dr Browns is the favorite of moms. My point is, don't choose your bottle before you have your baby. Register for maybe one set of the different brands you're interested in and try it out. Don't get stuck with a bunch of bottles that you hate.
8. Pacifiers. I like nuk brand because they're consulted by orthodontists. Babies need to suck to soothe themselves so it's good to have them.
9. Swaddling blankets. I like the wrap swaddlers with velcro but you can just buy big square blankets and learn to swaddle. This will be your biggest helper so I recommend learning how to do it. I also recommend reading "The Happiest Baby on the Block" Seriously invaluable information.
I like the muslin swaddlers and also the gerber thermal blankets are really stretchy so you can get a tight swaddle. The sleep sacks are great for when baby doesn't want to be swaddled anymore because you're not supposed to put blankets in the crib with them. (another reason not to register for blankets). I also really like the support pillows that go on either side of their belly but that's controversial. We registered for a snuggle nest and that's where we got that pillow from. The snuggle nest was great and would be excellent especially if you wanted to cosleep. She used it until she grew out of it.
10. Bottle warmer. We have Tommee Tippee and really like it.
11. Monitor. The $20 monitor from walmart that we got works just fine. Don't waste your money on something more expensive.
12. Mustela no rinse wash is great. Especially because until the baby's umbilical cord falls off, you can't immerse them in water. You probably wont bathe baby every day, so this is good for in between refreshers. Johnson's head to toe wash is great because it's shampoo and body wash. I got some of their nighttime stuff but it didn't seem to make any difference. Get one or two Lovies (they sell them at kohls). It's a frog shaped washcloth that you lay over baby while in the bath so they don't get cold. The best thing ever.
13. Bath. I LOVE my bath! I highly recommend this one. https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3680336
14. I prefer the terry cloth burp cloths. They're more absorbant. Same thing for bibs.
15. Diaper bags. I have 3. One mini one for quick trips. One huge one for longer trips. One in the trunk of my car for emergencies. I love the petunia pickle bottom. They're expensive but so great! Plus I registered for them and totally didn't expect to get them, but I did! Make sure there are a lot of pockets inside and out and a changing pad. My friend hated hers because it was basically just a big tote bag and she could never find anything in it. I have this one.https://petuniapicklebottom.com/collections/original/boxybackpacks/teaonthethames/
and this onehttps://petuniapicklebottom.com/collections/original/crosstownclutch/teaonthethames/
P.s. you can find these on ebay. Also, I'd recommend not worrying about being boyish or girlish. Buy something that you would carry as a purse (style wise) since you most likely will always be the one carrying it.
16. Get a wipe warmer. Just trust me on this one. I totally thought it was over the top but little baby bottom will thank you.
17. You need a basic first aid kit. Including infant acetametaphine. If your baby gets a fever in the middle of the night, you can give this to him/her to bring it down. Don't get a fancy nose aspirator even if you're tempted, the classic suction thingy works way better.
18. Travel/Portable crib. We rarely use ours but it's nice to have. We'll probably use it more later on.
19. Baby carrier. I have 3. Baby Bjorn is great but not versatile. The good thing about them is that daddy wont be embarrassed to use it. Moby wrap. I HIGHLY recommend this! You can use it from the day baby is born (bjorn you have to wait till baby is 8 lbs) and it is very versatile. It can be worn many different ways and baby held in lots of positions through toddlerhood. I just bought a Peanut Shell sling. It's good because it's quick to put on and use but the fit has to be just right or you don't feel secure. PS you can make your own moby wrap just search online for instructions and go to moby's website for wrapping instructions. But they're fairly inexpensive compared to a bjorn.
20. Car mirror. You will be able to see baby while you're driving so it's good for peace of mind.
21. Get a dishwasher bottle rack. Trust me, this will make your life so much easier.
You probably don't need:
1. A lot of blankets. People will give them to you whether or not you register for them so if you register, you're just gonna get twice as much. Same thing with towels and extra sheets. You really only need 2 sets of sheets. I just took back like 5 sets that I never used.
2. Your baby wont play with toys for probably 3 months so you don't need them right away.
3. You don't need a play gym or a high chair for quite a while.
4. Even though its tempting, dont register for a bunch of clothes. I registered for a few items to show people my style but people will buy stuff whether or not you register for it.
5. Unless you're planning on only having one kid, I recommend buying neutral gear and boy or girl bedding and clothes. That stuff is expensive and you dont want to have to buy it all again.
6. Even though they're cute, you dont need a bunch of hats.
7. shopping cart cover, yet, baby can't use it until he can sit by himself.
8. You don't need to baby proof until baby starts moving around. It's up to you when you do it but it wont be necessary right away.
EDD 1/31/13, MC May 17. EDD 3/31/13, MC July 26. I miss you so much already my angel loves
holy moly Hoolah! I hope you copied and pasted that! haha
Long, but informative... Thank you!
Haha, TOTALLY copied and pasted...that's the only way I'd actually pass on all that info or my fingers would be in splints right now :P
EDD 1/31/13, MC May 17. EDD 3/31/13, MC July 26. I miss you so much already my angel loves