Registry - Any must haves?

ashleyjrey · July 2016

First baby here, any items that are a must have on babys registry?

katesmama0706 · July 2016

I think your must haves widely depend on your lifestyle and your baby (helpful I know) but add anything you plan to buy yourself to your registry too for rewards and completion coupons!

stumptownmama · July 2016

Look up Lucie's List. So much great info!

Becid24 · July 2016

Rock n play sleeper! I didn't get it til my 3rd child and he was almost 10months old but it was awesome. They sleep so comfortable in it, it keeps them upright for colds or reflux. Takes up very little space and can be thrown in the car to go anywhere for easy naps on the go also. He used it almost daily til he was 18months old. We never left him alone in it and he was always buckled but he just loved it.

Parley · July 2016

if you are going to try breastfeeding, get a boppy. I resisted it as an unnecessary extra and sent my husband out our first day home to buy one. I really wish I would have had it at the hospital, it would have made for an easier start breastfeeding!

MandiB07 · July 2016

Rock n play sleeper was a life saver for us. My first had reflux and we got this when she was about 2 months old. Her first night in it was the first time I had a 4-6 hours stretch of sleep.

ThePax89 · July 2016

Rock n plays are an absolute godsend. And SwaddleMes.

nolemomma14 · July 2016

Absolutely love Aden & Aneis blankets! My son is 2 and still uses them. They're super soft and really breathable in the summer too. I agree with adding items that you plan to buy yourself so you get the completion coupon.

emilyn2012 · July 2016

I agree on the rock n play!!! I also suggest the A+A swaddlers. My daughter still loves toting hers around everywhere. Some people insist you get the boutique ones and not the ones they sell at target or babies r us, bc they're bigger, but I had a big baby and NEVER had issues with the target ones. I'd pass on receiving blankets, we never used them. Now I use the ones we got for cleaning. Oops! I also loved the halo swaddles but not all LOs like those.

Id also make sure to have some of the medecine on hand like Tylenol, gripe water, teething tablets, gas drops, etc

mommy2ane · July 2016

I second the Aden and Anais swaddle blankets! They are so soft and you can use them for everything! My 2 year old still uses his and he loves his blankies. I also suggest their burpy bibs. They offer full coverage when feeding and they are awesome burp cloths.

sagoon · July 2016

Aden and Anais muslin blankets for sure! My son is 4 and we still use them for various things all the time. Also, this is for a little ways down the road, but the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo. It is THE jumperoo to get. It has 5 stars on Amazon with over 4K reviews. My son loved it and we saved it for this baby. They've also been out forever so you can find them used pretty easily.

Wholesome · July 2016

Nighttime sound/light machine. Nursing pillow (I like the ones that have a belt clip). Baby monitor (cordless is best). Warm humidifier (cold doesn't help mucus up when sick). Bassinet (I hated the huge pack n play one). Changing pad & covers. Bedding. Swing. Jumper. Sit and scoot car. I'd keep stuffed animals off the list because you'll eventually drown in them if you don't speak up.

i try not to get carter, old navy, or generic store brand clothing because they tend to fall apart. We've really enjoyed Gymboree, Gap and the like though, no fraying, falling apart or holes so we can save them for later.

dont pass up consignment stores. Sometimes you can get a like new big item for a steal (like a swing).

ElleMF728 · July 2016

White noise machine
Rock n Play/swing/both
Zip up sleepers because snaps MOTN are the devil.
Cloth diapers (these are the best burp cloths, cheap, super absorbent and clean easily)
Several sheets and Mattress pads- a few sets are necessary. Layering is good for MOTN sheet changes
Nose Frida
Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit (if you are doing an amazon registry)

I agree with @sagoon the Fisherprice Jumparoo is the best. We have the Baby Einstein one and neither of my boys have really jumped in it though they like to play with the toys. I got curious and read reviews and was surprised by how many people said the same thing. I think it is too heavy and the springs are too resistant for their little legs to really get jumping.

AlabamaRedhead · July 2016

A movement monitor. It saved me many sleepless nights. It actually went off the first night home, which scared the crap out of us, but after that it put my mind at ease!

Simple flannel blankets. My mom sewed a bunch for me. We used them for everything from cleaning messes, covers, improptu diapers, you name it!

If nursing, a boppy pillow.

Gas drops. About 1-2 weeks in the boy would just cry and cry. All that helped was my boob, which quickly became untouchable. I called my DH at work and he brought me some. Gave him those and BAM! I will so have those in the house on day 1.

Michellewfhs · July 2016

Rock N Play people, how many months can I expect my baby to be able to fit in one comfortably?

emilyn2012 · July 2016

@Michellewfhs we used ours until about 6-7 months I can't remember,.... But when she started rolling a lot I nixed it, she was too mobile. I'm kinda surprised to see someone was able to use one until 18 months my DD is In the 99th percentile for weight and height so I can't even imagine. Also she's just climb out at this point lol!

BriannaE129129 · July 2016

First time mom here too but I'm a nerd when it comes to researching products and reading reviews... this book has been incredible! It breaks down everything you may "need" for baby and then talks about all the popular brands and models and rates them based on safety, price, you name it. It has helped me a lot in areas that I'm not very familiar with. Recommended it to a friend and she now carries it around in her purse with sticky tabs stuck all over it!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1889392499/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

**edit link

emy730 · July 2016

Loved NuRoo swaddles with DD. They are stretchy and breathable. And, they grow with the baby.

Also, loved our RnP for naps!

rdh33 · July 2016

@BriannaE129129 thank you so much for recommending this book!! I looked through the online lists and recommendations this afternoon and already I feel much less overwhelmed with all of the options!

BriannaE129129 · July 2016

@rdh33 I'm glad you like it! I'm telling you,I am obsessed..... and less stressed!

liz193 · July 2016

I second everything already mentioned and wanted to add: baby nail clippers, breast pads (disposable and washable), saline spray, bath thermometer, on-the-go diaper mat (the Skip Hop Pronto is good) and the OXO Tot PerfectPull wipes dispenser, of which I own three and buy them for every new mom I know!

emcollins3 · July 2016

Great tips, thanks ladies! Any suggestions on the best types of burp cloths and/or if even necessary? Wondering if random multi-purpose cloths are easier and/or more economical?

sagoon · July 2016

@emcollins3 Burp cloths are necessary for sure, and the best ones I found are the old-fashioned cloth diaper inserts. We took a bunch from the hospital and they are the best - big, actually absorbent, and durable. The cutesy ones that come with onesies and such are garbage. They are too small to be of any help, and spit up just runs right off them.

T

Image: https://www.thinkingcloset.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Supplies1.jpg

hese bad boys on the left are what I mean. Get these:

mommy2ane · July 2016

@emcollins3 We love the Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs. They work as burp cloths and as a wrap around bib. They're so soft and get softer as you wash them. We stopped using most of our regular bibs when we got those. They're a little more expensive, but they were the only bibs we really used after we got them.

colleenkevin · July 2016

sagoon said:

@emcollins3 Burp cloths are necessary for sure, and the best ones I found are the old-fashioned cloth diaper inserts. We took a bunch from the hospital and they are the best - big, actually absorbent, and durable. The cutesy ones that come with onesies and such are garbage. They are too small to be of any help, and spit up just runs right off them.

These bad boys on the left are what I mean. Get these:

Yes yes yes!!! Cloth diaper inserts are the best! DD spit up SO MUCH and these were the only things that worked consistently.

Wholesome · July 2016

I swear the cute burp cloths are actually water repellent.

hjmorgan-2 · July 2016

I opened up an Amazon registry, just to add things when I thought of them. But omg I feel sooo overwhelmed!! I'm going to wait until we find out the gender before I start adding anything. Because I can actually sit down and research stuff....

like... infant seat? or convertible? strollers? cribs??? Do I really need a boppy?? I JUST DON'T KNOW!

I think I'll just ask my mom to make my registry for me.... LOL

MaryNog · July 2016

@HJ.Morgan someone else on this thread suggested Lucie's List, and it's so helpful for dealing with the overwhelming number of choices out there! She writes some pretty good review articles and has suggestions of products at different price points.

loveinak · July 2016

@HJ.Morgan Lucie's List has been great but I also really like this check-list:
https://www.giggle.com/best-baby-registry-checklist/best-baby-registry-checklist.html

julianna88-2 · July 2016

Aden and Anais swaddle blankets is a must!

cjs260 · July 2016

How many swaddle blankets, onesies, sleep sacks, etc should we have? I think my main concern is that I won't know how much extra to supplement with after we receive gifts from our shower.

ladysaceb · July 2016

@Michellewfhs We used ours for about 6 months or so if I remember correctly. We used it until baby was STTN when we transitioned to the crib.

ElleMF728 · July 2016

cjs260 said:

How many swaddle blankets, onesies, sleep sacks, etc should we have? I think my main concern is that I won't know how much extra to supplement with after we receive gifts from our shower.

I think we had 3 in 0-3 month and 3 in 3-6 month for swaddles. I really recommend only opening up one to start with since different ones work better with different babies. DS1 was happy with the velcro swaddle ups and halo sleep sacks. He NEEDED to be swaddled or he would wake every 45 minutes.

DS2 hated being swaddled and slept worse with his arms in. He used either the swaddle up transition or his Magic Merlin's Suit (my favorite baby shower gift because its amazing). It would be nice to be able to return if you need to or exchange for something more suited to your baby's sleep needs.

You probably won't need a ton of onesies in smaller sizes. I personally find it easier to use sleepers for newborns especially in winter months. I've found that 10-15 cozy outfits and 2 or 3 cute ones for special occasions is a pretty safe bet for most sizes.

adorebella · July 2016

I lived and died by the Woombie the last time around. It's a zip up snug swaddle. I was crap at swaddling Owen because he started out so big and strong (10+lbs). Nothing I swaddled myself kept him contained. Woombie to the rescue!

@ElleMF728 I second the sleep suit! I lived and died by that after Owen was no longer in the Woombie.

White noise machine (one that gets LOUD) was and is still a must for us.

BrennansMom2012 · July 2016

Just a little word of advice from the Mom who listened to every other Mom before her first came---have a good sized handful of newborn stuff available. My son was 6lbs 14oz and stayed in Newborn items for over a month. We had 3 newborn sleepers and 2 small packs of newborn diapers (1 one of those from the hospital) because everyone said we would never need newborn stuff. After our two day checkup with the pediatrician I was at Once Upon a Child getting newborn sleepers. We were completely unprepared for that first month!

sseth89 · July 2016

BrennansMom2012 said:

Just a little word of advice from the Mom who listened to every other Mom before her first came---have a good sized handful of newborn stuff available. My son was 6lbs 14oz and stayed in Newborn items for over a month. We had 3 newborn sleepers and 2 small packs of newborn diapers (1 one of those from the hospital) because everyone said we would never need newborn stuff. After our two day checkup with the pediatrician I was at Once Upon a Child getting newborn sleepers. We were completely unprepared for that first month!

This has been my biggest question! Everyone has told me not to concern myself with NB sized anything, and I feel like if I do I am totally setting myself up for failure. Thank you @BrennansMom2012 for giving a different view on that.

sldp123 · July 2016

I definitely second @BrennansMom2012 on the NB clothing. Everyone told me my baby would be too big for NB diapers and clothing from birth. He was 7.4 so not even that tiny and he was absolutely swimming in 0-3 month sizes. I had to go out when he was a few days old and pick up a bunch of NB onesies and sleepers. Even those were a little big on him at the time. I think he probably wore NB for a good 1.5-2 months.

AlabamaRedhead · July 2016

I third the sleepers, they were amazing! I plan on using them more as this one is due in the winter.

I also second the sound machine. DS would go to bed fine, then wake up crying randomly just a bit later. I realized he would cry when the AC turned off (the unit is outside his window and the return is near his door). Got a good, little cheapo one from Target, put it on "ocean" and POOF problem solved. We used it until last year when he got his fish tank (the filter makes noise) and plan on using the same one with this one.

ElleMF728 · July 2016

I'd love to know what monitors other moms are getting that allow for two videos. After DS2 we looked at a few but I ended up getting annoyed after a few small annoyances and just bought a cheap audio on clearance. Our first video monitor broke after being dropped.

My big question is for moms who use a wifi camera instead. Does it really run down or use a ton of space on your cell phone? Would you recommend spending the extra money for the parental unit? We plan to use video for DS2 who will be 18 months or so and LO and just using the audio with DS1 if we use it at all.

loveinak · July 2016

Not really a 'must have' question...
Should I be registering at different places? So far, I have one on Amazon but my mom wants me to do BRU as well. And if I do multiple, is it better to register for some things on specific sites?

sagoon · July 2016

loveinak said:

Not really a 'must have' question...
Should I be registering at different places? So far, I have one on Amazon but my mom wants me to do BRU as well. And if I do multiple, is it better to register for some things on specific sites?

It's not a 'must do' but it's not a bad idea to have an online registry and one in a brick and mortar store. Some people prefer shopping online, some prefer to do it in person. Just make sure that if you have any duplicates on both registries that you delete them from the 2nd registry once someone buys the item from the 1st one to avoid receiving multiple versions of the same thing.

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