How far do you go with registering?

mejane123 · August 2012

I'm trying to figure out what to register for, and I've stumbled onto the page of Target's site with teething rings and rail guards, so I was wondering how far past the infant stage do I register for? I know everyone says to register for diapers in all different sizes, but do I draw the line at infant clothes/sleepers or try to cover the first year's worth of growth? Do I register for just necessities, or can I add in stuff like teething rings and rattles?

Todd&Laura · August 2012

I'd try to cover the first year (and I did for my baby shower). People will give you what they want to give you. There were some people who gave us clothes that my son is still wearing (24 months or 2T). The bed rails are a little much, though. I wouldn't add anything like that.

Kingston54 · August 2012

I'd focus on the newborn stage first, then add some other things for the first year (teething, rattles, toys, exersaucer, high chair, etc - all okay)!

Allycat11 · August 2012

Anything within the first year is appropriate. I would not register for clothes for several reasons. 1: Product selection is constantly changing and what you choose may not even be available when people are purchasing gifts. 2: Finding a specific clothing item from the registry is very challenging. 3: People who buy clothes as presents like to pick out the outfits themselves.

Even without registering for clothes, it is likely that you will receive quite a few as gifts in a variety of sizes.

amh04 · August 2012

I agreement PPs definitely first year items.

persephonerose · August 2012

I registered for mostly clothing for the first year. The only toy I registered for was a giraffe that you can attach to the car seat to entertain baby while driving. However, we got a lot of 1st year toys and teethers that I was not expecting. Some of the toys were for 3+. I think people like to buy fun items even if they aren't on your registry, so if there is something specific you like/want I would add it.

mejane123 · August 2012

persephonerose:
I registered for mostly clothing for the first year. The only toy I registered for was a giraffe that you can attach to the car seat to entertain baby while driving. However, we got a lot of 1st year toys and teethers that I was not expecting. Some of the toys were for 3+. I think people like to buy fun items even if they aren't on your registry, so if there is something specific you like/want I would add it.

That's what I was thinking. I know whenever I buy for a baby shower, I like to throw in a couple of little things like that.

Allycat, I didn't even think of that. So far I don't have much in terms of clothes, I was just going to throw in some onesies or sleepers, but just generic stuff because I've already gotten a lot at 2nd hand stores. I'll probably leave off actual outfits, anyway, because we're not finding out the sex so I'll want to buy boy or girl stuff once they get here.

SunshineMuffin · August 2012

It must be a regional thing; I have never, ever heard of registering for diapers.

PeonyPumps · August 2012

I have seen a lot of ladies register for cloth diapers. I've been given cloth for DS's birthday and holidays as well. Best.gift.ever.

MonicaClaire13 · August 2012

Definitely not just infant clothes! Some babies even come out too big or on their way quickly out of that size. Do teething for sure, and take clothing up to a year.

hellojenny531 · August 2012

I've registered for what would be needed for the first year from diapers of different sizes to onesies to toys and to whatever I feel I would use. I did register for clothes but not much and it was all the clothing items that came in a pack of two or three instead of one specific shirt or onesie.

saturdaynightdoubletree · August 2012

Allycat11:
Anything within the first year is appropriate. I would not register for clothes for several reasons. 1: Product selection is constantly changing and what you choose may not even be available when people are purchasing gifts. 2: Finding a specific clothing item from the registry is very challenging. 3: People who buy clothes as presents like to pick out the outfits themselves.
Even without registering for clothes, it is likely that you will receive quite a few as gifts in a variety of sizes.

all this. Onesies and sleepers are ok to register for, just make sure it's a variety of sizes and doesn't take over the registry. Also, don't go washing everything before LO is born (both my kids fit in 0-3 for a week or two and moved right into 3-6). Newborn diapers, also never used for either LO (wish I hadn't opened a box to fill the changing table before bringing DD home!).

Registering for stuff you won't use in the first year just takes up precious space. The only thing I did register for with LO#1 that broke that rule was a convertible car seat, and I was happy because I just now had to pay for my first car seat (and only because we need to fit 3 seats in our car now).

6fsn · August 2012

Anything up to the first year is fine. I didn't register for diapers because who knows what will work best for baby. Unless there is a specific article of clothing or toy I wouldn't register for any I'm thinking Sophie giraffe might be one thing to register for, but that's about it.

mejane123 · August 2012

Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the help!

mest1215 · August 2012

what we did when we registered for our First LO, we registered for all the major stuff only (bottles/nipples/bibs/high chair) stuff like that, and as people would buy stuff off the registry we would add more of the more things you dont really need right away (like the teething rings/toys/etc), that way we were sure that we got all the things we NEEDED, and if we of course got gift cards too from the shower that used to buy whatever we needed later on (PS-i ended up getting every single thing we needed off our registry)!!

amh04 · August 2012

To add to my original post - I really like when registeries have a lot of variety - especially a variety in price. Not everyone can afford to spend $50+ - $50 in teething toys and learning toys goes a lot further (rattles, teethers, sohpie the giraffee, etc) than $50 on bottles and nipples (especially if you're registering for Tommy Tippee and Avent natural ones). Same goes for recieving blankets, body suits, etc.

I would just put a little bit of everything. Ask for gift reciepts as well on your registery (there should be a note section). Diapers, wipes, rattles, teethers, crib sheets, boppy/brest friend, and go on to the bigger things from there. We all 'need' the big things, but its unreasonable to just put the 'big' things on your registery, which can just push people into buying whatever they want for you rather than things you've requested.

jobiann · August 2012

I've focused on the first year, the typical baby gear to a bouncer, swing, etc. I wouldn't think a bed rail would be something I'd put on my registry but to each their own. Early baby toys, some books to read to them at bedtime, bottles, sippy cups, bowls and spoons, I'm sure we'll get 0-12 mo clothing even though I'm not registering for it. I put teething rings and rattles, etc on my list too.

mattdk06 · August 2012

Allycat11:
Anything within the first year is appropriate. I would not register for clothes for several reasons. 1: Product selection is constantly changing and what you choose may not even be available when people are purchasing gifts. 2: Finding a specific clothing item from the registry is very challenging. 3: People who buy clothes as presents like to pick out the outfits themselves.
Even without registering for clothes, it is likely that you will receive quite a few as gifts in a variety of sizes.

I agree with this. I'm invited to a baby shower this weekend, and the mother registered for 84 (yes, I was so disgusted that I had to count) clothing items - all the way up to 24 months. Tacky and inappropriate. I'm going to buy her baby wipes.

drpayne · August 2012

I don't think there is anything wrong with putting things like rail guards on there - just know that no one will buy them, most likely. My registry was partly for me in that I added things as I thought of them so I wouldn't forget to get them later. If I spent time researching something, I didn't want to forget what brand it was or where I found it. I knew people would skip right over that boring stuff or less typical gifts when they were shopping. For example, I see breastfeeding supplies like lanolin and storage bags on registries all of the time but it's not what I choose to buy as a gift. I never think "that's weird" when I see those little things listed.

lmb5109 · August 2012

I basically put everything I need for a newborn on the registry. Only a few packs of diapers & wipes so people know I am not cloth diapering and some single bottles & breastfeeding things like a boppy and a feeding cover.

My registry is mostly bedding, blankets, sleep bags, some onesies, bath stuff, grooming/first aid kit, socks, white noise machine, video monitor, and diaper bag.

this decaf life · August 2012

I added a high chair, that's the item we won't actually need for a while but it's cute. I did not register for any clothes because I've heard the small things [including teething rings/rattles] are small items someone might add to a registry item gift.

dande2129 · August 2012

amh04:
To add to my original post - I really like when registeries have a lot of variety - especially a variety in price.

I would just put a little bit of everything.

This is great advice, and something that I did for both my wedding registry with XH as well as the baby registry. And honestly, we probably used more of the less expensive items than we did the bigger ticket items. (We got TWO PnPs. 1 stays at my mom's, and then I have one. We have used both a total of 5 times, at most)

MiahT · August 2012

We tried to focus on things we would need the first few months, and left clothes and toys up to anyone who wanted to get us something cute or fun (other than some HALO sleep sacks and Swaddlemes). Now that my showers are done, I'm using the registry as a shopping list and adding anything we might want but haven't received so I can be ready when I get coupons or see some awesome sales.

We did go ahead and add the toddler rails for our crib to the registry, but that was because I knew there would be a completion coupon coming and I intended to purchase them myself. If you want the rails to match your crib, it can be a good idea to go ahead and purchase them early because the model you have may no longer be available when you need them.

Mkjess · August 2012

We are not putting clothes or diapers on our registry but we are adding a lot of first year items, even if we don't think anyone will get them for us. A friend told me at babies r us they have a great return policy as long as it was on your registry.

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