Where did you register and what can a new mom not live without?

LilyWater09 · July 2014

I am going to be a first time mom -yeah! There are a lot of baby stores and products out there. Frankly I am a little lost. So mommies, would you please help me? Where did you chose to register and maybe why? And what did you find you could not live without as a new mommy?

Thank you everyone for the help

jendem8 · July 2014

We registered with Amazon and Babies R Us. Both have their perks, but I really like Amazon. Both offer registry completion coupons (BRU was 10% and Amazon is 10% also, unless you join for a trial membership of Amazon Mom... then it's 15%).

BRU is not synced well when it comes to what's online v. what's in the store, and I found that frustrating since I did most of my registering online. When I got to the store do use my completion coupon, I found that many things I had on my registry weren't there; other things that were in the store weren't listed online either. Of course your coupon is only good for the items on your registry (I actually added some things via my phone while I was shopping so that I could use my coupon for most items along with the gift cards I received from my shower). BRU does offer a sort of 'cash back' program though, where you get a percentage of what people spend on gifts from your registry (including items that you buy as well). BRU is also convenient because it's a store that people can go to. I did most of my registering with Amazon but had about 20-30 items at BRU for what some might see as the convenience/comfort factor of a brick and mortar store.

Amazon does not offer a cash back program, but I think their service is better. First of all, registering is so easy because there are so many options. You can also see what type of ratings people give most items, which can be very helpful (BRU has that, but many products haven't been rated at all... or by 2 people v. hundreds with Amazon). With Amazon's registry, you can buy products elsewhere (i.e. Target or Walmart) but still check them off as 'purchased' so that it isn't bought twice. I had no problems with multiples through Amazon, but I did with BRU. The convenience of buying online is becoming much more popular, so if you have a younger crowd being invited to your shower, they will most likely appreciate it. Amazon is typically priced cheaper than BRU too and just has way more options. You can really put anything on your baby registry. My husband has Amazon Prime too, so many items have free 2-day shipping. Finally, you get a "thank you list" and can easily see who purchased what. I still had people write down items from my shower, but it was great to verify purchases when writing thank you cards!

ETA: I used Target for one of our wedding registries and have purchased gifts for other baby showers; I would advice against it. Their inventory changes so frequently that you can never keep a good up-to-date registry. Also, returning items to Target without a receipt is nightmare... even if it's on your registry! I returned a few things to BRU with and without a receipt, and it wasn't a problem at all.

wesleycrusher · July 2014

I registered at Babies R Us, I went to the store but I didn't register for clothes- the inventory for them changes so fast and people are just going to buy what they want anyway, there were plenty of other item to fill up the rest of my registry. I also registered at target, but only put on a few items- mostly to get coupons and their completion coupon. I didn't use amazon because my family would not use it.

One thing that I loved was the rock n play, a friend recommended it to me, and it was perfect for DD to sleep in next to the bed in my room for the first few months.

lizshort96 · July 2014

Agree with PP about the pros/cons of where. It sucks we don't have a Buy Buy Baby nearby. Things I absolutely loved having with my 1st: rock n play, splurged on a video monitor, muslin blankets are great for more than just swaddling, Medela microwave quick steam bags, nose Frieda, a good rocking or rocking/recliner chair that has good lower back support as well as tall enough in the back to rest your head, white noise machine with optional timer. There are a few boutique baby places around to do some research on items before you decide (items not carried by a local BRU but you want to see it in person before adding it to an amazon registry type of thing). USA Baby is good for popular but hard to find items but I find amazons pricing better, for example. If you're taking a road trip to say the DC area they have Buy Buy Baby's there that carry brands BRU doesn't. Just a few things to keep in mind.

jenlynne0624 · July 2014

We did BRU and Target as well. Target because there are more of them around here than BRU. I agree with what someone else said- don't register for clothes, people will buy them anyway and the turnover in store is so high. Things I can't live without for my 3 week old: -Snugapuppy bouncer -mamaroo -gerber cloth diapers as burp cloths -baby fingernail files -aden and anis swaddle blankets, though not to swaddle with- I use them f or everything else (changing pad covers when he pees on them, tummy time blankets etc) -Boppy pillow and 2 other covers unless you always want to do laundry -lanolin for sore nips -tommee tippee milk bibs if you're breast feeding. they're thicker and catch milk -baby bath tub -lavender smelling soap/lotion for night time -swaddleme wraps - no scratch mittens -huggies natural wipes and pampers swaddlers diapers -a and d ointment for diaper changes -tons of wash clothes and a handful of hooded towels -pack and play with the bassinet where he sleeps at night. I have had a bunch of friends register at Kohls and Burlington with great success. It just depends on what's near you.