advice on gifts

tbarker14 · August 2014

Hi,
My DH and I are team green, we are currently 35 weeks now. Expecting our first! We have pretty much bought all the necessary items that we will need for our LO. We also live in a remote area so all of our families are far from us. (at least a plane ride away).

We haven't really counted on anyone else providing for our LO. My mom just asked me today via skype what we would need for the LO.

I honestly feel that we have everything set. I told her of course clothes. And a bit more cloth diaper covers wouldn't hurt. However my mom mentioned that other family and friends have been asking her what they can get for us. As they want to get more than just clothes.

Like I mentioned we live in a remote place they don't want to get us stuff that we would have no use for.
I told my mom they can get whatever they wish if they chose to do so. Since my DH and I do not expect anything anyways.

My mom told us to think about it and let her know...

So my question is, is there anything that you felt was really important or a bonus to have?

We currently have the following:
Crib, dresser/change pad, shelf, some toys, some clothes, cloth diapers (since we are in a place where disposable diapers cost an arm and leg) blanket, crib sheets, swaddle blankets, swing, car seat, stroller, breast friend pillow, boppy, bottles, breast pump, high chair. Play pen, maya wrap sling, nursing cover, diaper bag. Baby and children's books.

Is there anything else you would recommend? I would hate to suggest something that wouldn't be worthwhile.
Thanks!

tbarker14 · August 2014

Thank you! I forgot to mention I do have everything else you mentioned except for the safety gate (we live in a bungalow house, but it will come in handy to keep baby out of certain places)! I will make a note regarding the gate! Thanks again!

Cat&S · August 2014

Rock n play or bouncer?

PurrBox · August 2014

A diaper caddy will be super convenient. This is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Trend-Lab-Storage-Caddy-Paisley/dp/B002KING1U/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1407849011&sr=8-10&keywords=diaper+caddy

bohemianlc · August 2014

It sounds like you are really pretty set, so I wouldn't feel pressured to generate a lengthy list just to have things to put on the registry. Especially if you live in a remote area, you don't want to be stuck with a million different things to return! One thing you may want to consider is this: We added a lot of smaller things you can never have too much of (like specific toiletries, bibs, washcloths, etc.) in case people wanted to do a gift basket sort of thing.

I really like @somerandomchick's advice about telling people to purchase something they found to be especially useful as parents if they ask you what you need/want. You could even create a free website to share that information, along with your registries, so it doesn't get lost in translation.

tbarker14 · August 2014

Thanks everyone! I wasn't planning on doing a registry. So I will just stick with what I told my mom the first time around. They can get whatever they want. Or gift cards!
However these are great suggestions for me to keep in mind on what I may need down the road.
Thanks again!

JSS1002 · August 2014

Think about things you might need a little further down the line - sippy cups, plastic plates and bowls, plastic utensils... the next-stage carseat (so gift cards would be great for that), the next size up in sleepers or swaddles... winter gear (parka / snowpants), etc... baby gates, etc...

phdprocrastinator · August 2014

Others have great suggestions. If people are getting you clothes, definitely let them know that you'd appreciate clothes in larger sizes. You'll get there before you know it!

If you're doing cloth diapers, I have a few suggestions (not knowing what your CD stash looks like at the moment):

-Considering disposables (sposies) are expensive near you, I'd actually recommend asking for some sposies as gifts if asked. We CD and love it, but there were times when I wasn't on it with my washing schedule, when we had diaper rashes and needed to use ointments, were travelling, etc., and we had to use sposies. It's so nice to have diapers on hand in these moments rather than trucking to a store.

-I'm not sure what your stash looks like, but you could also ask for different styles of diapers to add to your stash. This way you can try out a variety without having to plunk down a bunch of money. We started with prefolds, moved to Fuzzibunz one-size, then ended up using FreeTimes from about 1 year to 2.5 years (potty training now). If you ask for one-size diapers, you can try them at any age. Then, if you need to switch, you're not risking buying a bunch of diapers that don't work for you.

-You can also ask for doublers, more wetbags (these last a long time, but mine failed after about a year - probably due to drying them. Can never have too many though!), and always more adorable covers.

Good luck to you!

Barefoot84 · August 2014

What about a carrier? An Ergo, a Beco or a Tula can really make life easier for you. I love mine.

Aside from that, you already have all you need.

tbarker14 · August 2014

These are great suggestions, thanks for taking the time to recommend a few things!

loopybaby · August 2014

I don't know If I would have survived without my bouncy chair. It's just a basic fisher price chair with vibrate. Neither of my 2 babies took to the swing but they both loved that chair. I love my ergo carrier so if you're interested in baby-wearing maybe suggest that:)

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