Silly registry items

[Deleted User] · June 2014

This is probably more of a question for STM's, but I was wondering what registry items you found to be silly or useless? Or for the FTM's, any popular items you're leaving off your registry because you've heard they aren't worth it?

This question came to me while I was looking at the top registry items on Target's website. Are things like bottle drying racks, microwave bottle sterilizers (?!), and baby bathtubs worth registering for? I've already decided not to register for a changing table (I'm sure I'll mostly use the floor), wipes warmer, or diaper genie (what exactly is the point of these?)

lct2008 · June 2014

I didn't use any of those things you mentioned except the baby bathtub. Wet and wiggly babies can be hard to hold on to. A bath tub was really hand to have them lounging in and you could wash them easily etc.

MrMrsandBaby · June 2014

I use the bottle drying rack because bottles took up so much space in the rack we had! But the bathtub you want, and the bottle sterilizers come in handy so you don't have to boil them.

I LOVE my diaper genie too! It is so much eaiser to just toss the dirty diapers in there and not have to take garbage out every day.

lct2008 · June 2014

I should mention that we breast fed and ds wouldn't take a bottle- like I think he took a total of 3 in his entire life and that wS under duress. So the drying rack and sterilizer were pointless for us.

jcsumm0 · June 2014

I used my baby bathtub exactly once. DD hated it and I just took baths with her until she was big enough to sit in the sink/tub.

I didn't get any bottle accesory things. I BF, though we did use some bottles for the first 6 weeks when I needed to pump and supplement with my milk. IIRC we just handwashed the bottles.

No opinion on the diaper stuff since we CD.

I used my changing table (well, changing pad on top of the dresser) pretty much every day until DD potty trained last week. I actually hate getting down on the floor to change her.

Littledeer84 · June 2014

I used the diaper genie, it was easier to just toss the dirty ones and only take it out every couple days, although you did have to hold your breath to change the thing. Im trying cloth this time, so we will see if I have to bust that thing out again. It was annoying how expensive the diaper genie liners were - usually $6 a pop.

Get a baby bathtub - we had one that elevated DD and it saved my back. Also less room for them to slip slide around. You could also get one of those bathtub seats - my sister loves her's cause it keeps her DD in one place (she is 2 and still uses it).

Some people dont care for bottle warmers, but I loved ours. It was reliable and easy to use.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

Question regarding the diaper genies... I see what you guys are saying, but wouldn't it be the same thing to just use a regular trash can with the step lid?

megaroo64 · June 2014

We used our baby bath tub for almost 9 months. It was awesome. Of course, you could have a baby like a PP who hates it - but you will honestly not know that until you try it out. And if your baby tolerates it, it will make life easier.

The Diaper Genie was cool - but the is one that you can just use any trash bags in - saves you from buying the refills.

For what it is worth, my kiddo hated the bouncer - but people swear by it. We passed on the wipes warmer - didn't miss it. I like my bottle warmer. It is consistent and you can throw a bottle in there, walk away and know it will be all ready when you come back. We passed on the drying rack. We just use the one that we use for our regular dishes - didn't want all that clutter on the counter.

mandapear · June 2014

Nope. Seals in the odor much better because it has a double layer of closures. And changing baby on a changing table- can be just a pad on a dresser or bed- will save your back when you're doing it 12 times a day.

Littledeer84 · June 2014

The diaper genie is designed to minimize smell...it sort of has a flap that closes when you open it so you don't get the full stench every time.

AppleGrapeMSTK · June 2014

I also loved my diaper genie, but it was only useful if we changed DS in his room (on his changer). If I changed him in the living room or my bedroom, I just tossed the diaper in the kitchen garbage because it gets taken out most frequently. I only used the baby bath until DS could sit up, so 2-3x a week for the first 7mo, and not once afterward. I got a $10 one and it was just fine. You can stick a cheap one on your registry for someone who wants to buy you something big but doesn't have a big budget.

I liked my bottle warmer, too. We never used any mobiles or toys that made soothing womb/nature noises. DS found them distracting.

slsl509 · June 2014

I used the heck out of the bottle dryer (dishwasher does not fully dry plastics) and microwave sterilizer bags for pump parts. DD was in daycare so there was much, much washing of bottles and pump equipement. For us the baby bathtub was totally worth it. We used that until she was probably 1 because she really liked it. I can't imagine having bathed her without it especially when she was tiny and sat in the sling in there.

Never used wipes warmers or a Diaper Genie. We just bought a step trash can and changed it a ton. Reused plastic shopping bags so we didn't spend a dime on those. Once DD was weaned, we pretty much just bagged poopy diapers separately and took them outside right away - STINKY!

Might get a bottle warmer for this LO. Not sure if it's really easier than putting in warm water.

bennikki · June 2014

We planned to CD, but DS didn't fit into them right away, so he was in disposable diapers for a few weeks. We just used a step lid trash can we had around the house, and it worked great. I simply dusted it with baking soda before putting a bag in it, and sprayed it with an essential oil mixture of lavender, peppermint, and Tea Tree when I took the bag out (probably twice a week). When I took the bag out and sprayed the oil, I also left it open outside until the next changing to get some fresh air in it.

A baby bath tub isn't totally necessary, but I'm glad we had one. We'd give DS his baths together on the kitchen counter which was some great bonding for all of us, and it used way less water than filling the sink.

A bottle drying rack and micro-steam bags were also nice to have but not totally necessary. DS didn't get formula, but I went back to work when he was 4 months old, so I had to pump, and it was really nice for drying my pumping supplies and sterilizing them at the end of the day. I still the rack to dry DS's sippy cups now. The micro-steam bags were also really nice when we were dealing with thrush and had to sterilize everything once it touched my breasts or DS's mouth.

MrsTinMKE · June 2014

I am a FTM but I have been told that the wipe warmer was great especially for night time changes, less of a shock on the baby. You know how it is when you put lotion on your skin and its really cold.... That is how I thought of it. Just something to make it a little more gentle on the baby.

MrMrsandBaby · June 2014

With the bottle warmer....I stopped warming DD's bottles (she was ff after 6 weeks) around the fourth day of warming them! She adapted to room temp pretty fast - never had an issue. But I have a friend who found out her LO wouldn't take a room temp or - god forbid - cold bottle...ever. She did the hot water to warm it up a bit.

IrishHoney123 · June 2014

Good questions. I'm a third time mom, and here's my opinion on the following:

Baby bath tub-not necessary. I'd recommend a bath sponge (BRU has them for about $6), or you can just fold a towel in the bottom of sink of tub for padding. Before you know it they're sitting up in the tub anyway!

Bottle drying rack-nope. Never wanted or needed one.

Microwave sterilizers-nope. The dishwasher does this-run the sanitize cycle.

Changing table-nope. A folded blanket or towel on top of the dresser works great.

Wipe warmer-nope. These have issues with getting too hot, anyway. Room temp will have to do!

Diaper genie-nope. Never wanted or needed one.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

mandapear said:

Nope. Seals in the odor much better because it has a double layer of closures. And changing baby on a changing table- can be just a pad on a dresser or bed- will save your back when you're doing it 12 times a day.

Ah, good point. I have this on my registry: https://www.target.com/p/graco-pack-n-play-playard-with-newborn-napper-lx/-/A-14243405?registryId=-OJVjp3yeQA1Wm31NHLTcw&regTitle=Danelle's&itemLineNum=3&reqQty=1&preSelFlag=1

Would I still need a separate changing pad? It has a removeable changing station that I suppose I could take out of the PNP and move onto a dresser top when need be. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question - I literally have zero prior baby experience!

BreandMikewedding · June 2014

The only thing on your list that I bought was the bathtub and I wouldn't get it again. It was really bulky and I only used it for a couple of months. I used the little foam bath thing with my first and will probably get that again. I just put it in the regular tub and it was so much easier. And they are super cheap!

The other thing I would suggest not getting is a bedding set. I know they are cute but I literally only used the sheet out of mine. The bumper isn't safe, the diaper stacker was a hassle and the comforter isn't safe to use as a blanket for baby. Save yourself $200 and just buy sheets.

BreandMikewedding · June 2014

noonandj04 said:
Question regarding the diaper genies... I see what you guys are saying, but wouldn't it be the same thing to just use a regular trash can with the step lid?

I have a big trash can in my ds room (like a kitchen size) with a swinging lid. It keeps the smell in pretty well. I take it out twice a week and by then it's pretty full anyway. I think I would have to change out a diaper genie way more often because it is small. I've tried them at friends' houses and wasn't impressed.

dana2die4 · June 2014

With DS we registered for the bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer (never used), and wipe warmer (we never used), and I have to say they were all three worthless and a waste of money.

I did however, LOVE the diaper genie and baby bath tub.

[Deleted User] · June 2014

dana2die4 said:

With DS we registered for the bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer (never used), and wipe warmer (we never used), and I have to say they were all three worthless and a waste of money.

I did however, LOVE the diaper genie and baby bath tub.

Did you sterilize your bottles in boiling water instead, or just forgo sterilizing? Not sure how important the whole sterilization thing is...

dana2die4 · June 2014

noonandj04 said:

dana2die4 said:

With DS we registered for the bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer (never used), and wipe warmer (we never used), and I have to say they were all three worthless and a waste of money.

I did however, LOVE the diaper genie and baby bath tub.

Did you sterilize your bottles in boiling water instead, or just forgo sterilizing? Not sure how important the whole sterilization thing is…

I used the sterilizer maybe a handful of times, it just seemed to be a pain in the ass. I just used our dishwasher (it has a sterilizer setting) or hand sterilized them myself.

bsschroeder · June 2014

Neeed a baby bath. wipeses warmer is unnecessary. We have a small house and just use the Kitchen trash can for everything. We take our trash out daily and poopy diapers go on the porch immediately and the next person in or out takes it to the big can. I boiled And did not an official sterilizer.. hooded towels seemed pointless and still do. We never used wash cloths. Also always hand washed bottles so never uses a dishwasher basket-although im sure I will this time. Kitchen was remodeled recently and its easier to run the dishwasher bc I dont have to roll it across the room anymore.

pnwlover12 · June 2014

We didn't use any of those items except the bathtub. I can't imagine not having a tub for a baby but everyone is different in what works for them.

Diaper genie - I can see the merits with smell control! We just used those plastic grocery sacks - pee diapers stay in until the bag is full (which is what, 2 days with a newborn) and poop diapers got their own plastic sack and set outside immediately. I think a diaper genie is a nice to have but not a must have.

I lied. We did have a bottle warmer. But it was faster just to make a bottle with warm water than reheat a pre-made one.

persephonerose · June 2014

noonandj04 said:

mandapear said:

Nope. Seals in the odor much better because it has a double layer of closures. And changing baby on a changing table- can be just a pad on a dresser or bed- will save your back when you're doing it 12 times a day.

Ah, good point. I have this on my registry: https://www.target.com/p/graco-pack-n-play-playard-with-newborn-napper-lx/-/A-14243405?registryId=-OJVjp3yeQA1Wm31NHLTcw&regTitle=Danelle's&itemLineNum=3&reqQty=1&preSelFlag=1

Would I still need a separate changing pad? It has a removeable changing station that I suppose I could take out of the PNP and move onto a dresser top when need be. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question - I literally have zero prior baby experience!

You will not be able to use that changing station and put it on a dresser. It has peg legs that fit into the PNP to hold it up right. Once you take it off its just cloth around a metal frame.

persephonerose · June 2014

I love the diaper genie. We have two, one upstairs and one downstairs. It will actually hold a lot of diapers before it needs changing. Especially of the smaller size diapers.

Also there is a way to use regular trash bags in it, something like this. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/115897390385704775/ but there are tons of methods on pinterest.

We never sterlized bottles, I have a microwave sterlizer we never used, we just used the dishwasher. Wipes warmer sucks, you have to add water to it and I felt it diluted the wipes too much and dried them out.

crystal8503 · June 2014

I'm going to be in the minority here. We used the standard hard blue bath until we moved when my son was 10 months old. We drove cross country and had to stay in a hotel for almost two months but didn't trust him in a tub yet so we bought an inflatable tub from Target. We love it and still use it for my 18 month old. We don't trust him yet without one. I EBF but we used the bottle warmer whenever he got a bottle and also used it to warm up his baby food. I made his purées and they were always in need of heating. I liked using it because I could leave the food in the storage containers and knew how long it took. We also had a bottle rack and I liked being able to keep things separate. We also used the wipe warmer but my son was the biggest priss bottom ever and was changed an average of 20x a day for almost two months. We cloth diapered with prefolds and he hated feeling wet. The wipe warmer was especially appreciated in the MOTN when we were changing him constantly because he would stay calmer and I could get him back to sleep faster. We didn't use a diaper genie and use a step trash can in his room for any wipes when he's cloth diapered and his occasional disposables go in there. We got a changing pad for his dresser and still use it. I think it's mostly a matter of convenience because his CD station is all set up in his room and nowhere else. Our PNP also got a ton of use and we'll be using it again with this baby.

MorganWP · June 2014

We had this: https://www.bloomingbath.com/blooming-bath-baby-bath.html (not sure if clicky, on mobile) instead of a baby bathtub. It fit in our kitchen or bathroom sink and we used it right up until DD could sit up and figured out how to mess with the knobs. We had a hard plastic one with a little mesh sling thing but it was pain to use. We also have a bottle drying rack. But I use it for other things too like tupperware. Like a PP said, our dishwasher doesnt dry plastic things very well.

As far as bottle sterilizers go, I dont think you need one. You really only sterilize once when you first buy them and then maybe every couple of weeks after that. A pot on the stove takes five minutes.

Everything else mentioned I dont think you really need either. We used a regular garbage can for DD's diapers - no lid. I actually find theres less stink that way. And bottle and wipes warmers just seem to be more things to take up space.

I had something else to add but I completely forgot what it was.

ETA: Not the thing I was thinking of before. But I wanna mention that I didnt actually register for the blooming bath or the hard plastic tub. I originally wanted the Puj tub (and want to get it for this baby) its the same idea as the blooming bath but I knew I didnt want the hard plastic one, it was gifted. So even if you dont register for one or any of these of things, you might get gifted with them anyway.

SusieBW · June 2014

I haven't read all the other responses, but I think bottle warmers and wipe warmers are silly. Bottle sterilizers are also unnecessary, unless you have a premie and need to sterilize every bottle. Full term babies don't need every single bottle sterilized, and it's not a big deal to just boil the bottles once when they're new out of the box. At least, it wasn't for me. I think most dishwashers get hot enough to sterilize, too.

I always think it's silly when I see stuffed animals on a registry, but the things drive me crazy and litter my entire house, so maybe I just can't imagine why anyone would ask for them in the first place! I wish people would STOP buying them for my DD!

And those big crib bedding sets are silly too. All you need are fitted crib sheets. A waterproof layer is nice too - we still have one of those Ultimate Crib Sheets between the sheet and mattress pad on DD's bed, just so I don't have to wash the mattress pad every time she has an accident or throws up in the night. When she was a baby, I had the Ultimate things layered over the fitted sheet, so I only had to pull it off in the middle of the night, not change a whole crib sheet.

Syllessa · June 2014

I never used anything on the list at all. Not even the tub, but I'm definitely in the minority. All my babies took baths in the sink until they were big enough for the regular tub.

DD1 would even fall asleep during her sink baths. Here she is getting ready to drift off.

cozybluebear · June 2014

Actually, I found most of those items useful. It was much easier to change messy diapers, and do our after bath routine (especially with a squirmer) up high where all the creams, lotions, etc were organized. We still use our drying rack next to the sink for sippy cups. Bottles and cups have so many little pieces so it's easier to keep them organized on there after washing. Baby bathtub was a must! I sponge bathed my son on the bathroom counter until his stub fell off but after that he went into his little tub. They are so curled up and cozy that you wouldn't just want to lay them in the big tub. Diaper Genie... we couldn't live without. In the first few months, baby poop isn't too bad but once they start eating food, it gets bad! Our Diaper Genie was a must and we are getting a second one for the new baby's room... along with a wipe warmer. My son would instantly pee everywhere as soon as a cold wipe touched him. We got the wipe warmer and he stopped!

When we had our son, we bought EVERYTHING! Every gadget made for baby. I'd say the biggest waste of money for us was our Bumbo seat. My son's legs were too chubby for it

MorganWP · June 2014

carriedaway19 said:

MorganWP said:

We had this: https://www.bloomingbath.com/blooming-bath-baby-bath.html (not sure if clicky, on mobile) instead of a baby bathtub. It fit in our kitchen or bathroom sink and we used it right up until DD could sit up and figured out how to mess with the knobs.

I talked to a friend who said that she really wanted to love the Blooming Bath, but hated it because she felt like it was a lot of hassle. She said she never felt like she could fully ring it out after bath time, and then it would drip all the way to the laundry room.

Yes, ringing it out entirely was kind of annoying but we just hung it to dry in the bathtub. On the little pull thing that the faucet has to make the water come out of the shower head. That was a terrible sentence, but do you know what I mean?

angeltennis3 · June 2014

cozybluebear said:
I'd say the biggest waste of money for us was our Bumbo seat. My son's legs were too chubby for it

I have actually heard this complaint for multiple people. My friends 4 month old has already outgrown it. They said when visiting some friends, they had a "mama and papa" brand (or something like that - babies r us sells it) and that worked much better, so that's what we registered for.

HappyCianci · June 2014

Wow, all this stuff! I honestly don't even know what most of these products look like. The one gadgety thing I swear by (besides the car seat, obvs.) is a regular old bouncer seat.

BreandMikewedding · June 2014

angeltennis3 said:

cozybluebear said:
I'd say the biggest waste of money for us was our Bumbo seat. My son's legs were too chubby for it
I have actually heard this complaint for multiple people. My friends 4 month old has already outgrown it. They said when visiting some friends, they had a "mama and papa" brand (or something like that - babies r us sells it) and that worked much better, so that's what we registered for.

My son outgrew his by two months. I couldn't get his legs in anymore. I thought it was only a problem for us since he was so big at birth. Good to know he wasn't the only one!

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