There are so many experienced moms on this board and I'm hoping to take advantage of all your wisdom!
What are some items that you REGRET putting on your registry or buying for yourself?
Alternatively, what is something you didn't think to put on your registry/buy yourself and now wish that you had?
Re: Registry regrets and purchasing tips?
Tip: get yourself a Rock n' Play and call it a day. That thing is gold.
Tip: Mamas and Papas seat. A lot of people get Bumbos but I've heard that chubbier babies get their thighs stuck even as small babies. The mamas and papas version has bigger thigh holes and can be used with insert under 1 year and without after 1. DS is 2 years old and we still use ours as a booster seat for him at all meals. Love it!
I'm kind of minimal on the baby stuff... best purchase was our mini crib. We used it instead of a bassinet, and it's good up until 3 so it's at my parents house now for when we visit. I love the smaller footprint. For the tub, we had a Summer's Infant chair for like $15. It was the best. DS was pretty sad when he outgrew it. I didn't buy a big footprint swing--I bought the 4Moms Rockaroo. I bought it instead of the Mamaroo because it was on clearance and I'm cheap. DS did like it. And I loved the small footprint of that as well. I spurgled on a really awesome stroller ((I wrote about it on the stroller thread)), bought an Amish made highchair because it was what I had growing up, and a friend gave me one of those baby floor mat gym things. DS has used it and so have several friends' LOs when they've visited. My other splurge was for a Lillebaby mesh carrier. I also bought the toddler version and still wear DS occasionally when shopping and through the airport. Oh and I bought a travel pack n play ((Baby Bjorn--you can literally set it up in 2 minutes)), that I wish I had bought sooner, and an amazing rocker/recliner from Pottery Barn Kids. It's in our family room, and fits in there and we still use it all.the.time. I love that chair and so does DH.
@chasingroygbiv I too am obsessed with A+A swaddles and blankets. I used them as nursing covers, blankets, burp cloths, changing diapers on them... for so many things. DS takes one to bed every night but because they all feel the same, it's easy to sub in a clean one. I even bought an adult dream blanket for me.
Definitely the rock n play! And a white noise machine for sleeping. We kept the rock n play in our room but it was easy enough to move into other rooms when I needed somewhere to out DS down while I did other things, I even brought it into the bathroom when I needed to quickly shower (I could watch DS while showering and he was content in the rock n play, mesmerized by our shower curtain
Loved my KTan though I didn't register for it. For wraps or baby wearing equipment, I recommend going and trying out a bunch of different ones before buying. We initially registered for the Boba but ended up not using it, liked the KTan better.
For things like bottles, pacifiers, swaddles, I recommend buying a few individual ones one at a time to see if it works for your baby (if the baby likes it) before purchasing multiple of them. We went through multiple different ones of each before we found the ones that DS loved (Dr Brown bottles, MAM pacifiers, Love to dream swaddle).
Sorry a bit long, hope some of that helps!
All that to say, my daughter was/is a terrible sleeper anyway, so I guess a RnP wouldn't have been the worst thing. She woke up 3x a night still at 2 1/2.
My Must Haves:
• Play Mat
(somewhere to hang out with bubba on the ground)
• Portable Seat/Vibrating Chair or swing
(seriously the only way I managed to shower for the first few months was to stick bubba in the chair facing me while I bathed)
•bottles
(incase breastfeeding doesn't go as planned)
•Onsies with buttons or zips
• Chair for bath once bubba is Bigger
• Love To Dream Sleeping Bags
(they changed my life!)
• burp clothes/face clothes
(great for cleaning baby spit up)
• Atleast 2 mattress protectors and 2 sheets for cot.
(I never used a bassinet or anything smaller. I loved not having to worry about transitioning from a bassinet to a cot and saved an unnecessary cost. 2 mattress proctectors and sheets are so you can just rip the sheet and mattress protector off of the cot and chuck them in the washing and not have to worry about airing the mattress or anything. Just pop on the spare sheet and protector and good to go.)
THINGS I REGRET
• Way to many/Fussy clothes
•My Ergo 360 - horrible after my c-section and seriously uncomfortable as a bigger lady
• Wraps of any description
• Purchased way to many cot sheets. I survive now with 4. I bought 8. Way too many!!!
THINGS I WISH I HAD
• Travel System/Car Seat that connects to Pram
• Carrier Wrap like hug a bug
(way more comfy than Ergo)
•Moses Basket or the like something easy to transport a sleeping bubba around in
[color=pink]First Monkey July 2015[/color]
[color=green]Baby No2 March 2018
~Team Green~[/color]
The playmat got a ton of use. so did the rock n play, but I don't think I'll use it for sleeping at night ever again.
The mamaroo was a waste for us.
i loved the boppy pillow until I tried the my breast friend pillow at the lactation consultant. So much better for positioning and comfort.
earth mama angel baby nipple butter is the best nipple cream around.
if you're going to breastfeed, buy a manual pump (great for pressure relief and quick pumps.)
@chasingroygbiv we transitioned around 3 months or so from the rock n play to a pack n play by putting a rolled up towel under the crib sheet, in a horseshoe like shape. It gave DS something to touch on the sides, similar to the RnP, while being on the flat surface of the crib. And the towel was a low enough "wall" that we weren't worried about suffocation risk (and DS' hands weren't swaddled) - hard to explain without a picture, but it worked for us.
Regrets: The swing was was a waste DD didn't like it I had a bumbo and sit my up she wasn't crazy about either she got bored I mostly sat her between my legs and she would tripod sit and play with her toys. If you decided to get a seat I would get sit me up DD def likes that one better when she would tolerate it.
TBH, I kind of want a RNP with the vibrate feature this time. My brother's two kids, my sister's DD, and my two ids have all been spread apart in age enough that we all used the same one, and it's super basic. This is our last kid, but part of me wants the vibrate feature because it worked so well for DS when he was visiting our friends as an infant. We shall see!
Must haves:
Register for a small pack of bottles of the top 3 brands. You'll find one that works, and you can return the other two. I'd personally recommend Tommee Tippee. I had no issues transitioning between bottle and breast once LOs started daycare.
Register for things they'll also need 6 months down the road. For instance, a jumper seat/activity center, a stand'n'play table (seriously, probably our best toy purchase), long spoons for feeding, snack cups (with the rubber covers), etc.
Clothes for the first year are nice, too. You won't need too many, but you'll probably get plenty of NB and 3 month clothes as gifts (off the registry), and it's nice to have a few for later months as baby grows! Same goes for diapers of various sizes
We've only ever used 2 crib sheets, and we just went with cheap ones for DS. I'd recommend not registering for a crib bedding set. Unless they come with something different now, you often get things you wouldn't put in the crib with baby, and it becomes a waste.
We used an inexpensive plastic tub from Target (shaped like a whale). Does the trick!
Carseat + multiple bases if you need for more than one car
Stroller
Diaper bag (we just use a backpack, and it's still as useful as it was day 1 with our first!)
Monitor for at home (we had a video and loved it, and it had a sleep sensor that went under the mattress (which was eh))
Cheap monitor for travel (if that's something you plan to do)
Never used:
wipe warmer (I think some people swear by this, but it was never necessary for us.)
bottle warmer (similar situation here as above...To warm milk, we just put the bottle in a bowl of hot water and brought it up to room temp.)
There are probably other things that will come up, and I'd imagine there are some things that worked for us that were different for others, but this is just our experience! Have fun registering!!!
Last time we got a hand me down RnP from a fellow grad student, and when DS outgrew it around 5 months we paid it forward to another grad student. This time we're definitely getting the kind that rocks on its own.
I got the biggest weight limit infant seat bc it would last longer, except it's rare for bsbyes to outgrow them for weight (ht first) not the 35# one at least! And the thing is a beast and soo heavy, and we wanted to switch to a convertible early anyhow. Go for lightweight!!
none of my kids fit nb clothes
monitor even when they slept in own room never needed it, I heard everything (and I used to be a heavy sleeper!)
wait on bottles lots if navies have preferences. Buy 1 and try it, if it doesn't work but a couple more 1 packs
loves:
ring sling for nb and Tula for bigger kids
pack n Play - for travel yes but we left it set up downstairs. In the early days having a diaper station fully stocked on the main floor was gold. Babies need diaper changes a lot.
Babies have preferences, I like suggesting to wait in tons of gear till you see what your baby is like.
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
Nail File Zoli - I have never used it. When she was itty bitty I just bite them off while nursing. And now that she is bigger I can't imagine getting her to sit long enough for my to file her nails, so I just use a baby nail clipper and some wrestling moves.
Forehead and Ear Thermometer - The doctor's office is going to need a rectal temp anyways, so what is the point. Maybe I'll use it more when she is older.
Wipe Dispenser - I had grand dreams of storing my cloth wipes in it, but have never used it.
Must Haves:
Furniture Wall Straps - STRAP EVERYTHING TO THE WALL PEOPLE!
Dohm Sound Machine
Stoller Organizer
Activity Gym/Playmat
Boppy Newborn Lounger - Loved this thing
I also loved the Snuza Hero, but it was probably unnecessary. I just gave me peace of mind so I could actually sleep instead of worrying about whether she was breathing. We had to stop using it when she started rolling over to sleep on her tummy.
Also, if you do plan on bottle feeding - I actually do recommend a bottle warmer. DD's daycare used one, so she got a bit picky about her bottle's temperature. It is a lot faster than warm water in a cup.
And if you do plan on going the daycare route - ours wouldn't allow glass bottles. Which makes sense, but we had to go out and buy more plastic ones.
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
My two biggest wastes of money were a PB bassinet and the Owlet monitor. With the bassinet, she just needed movement as a newborn, so we used a Graco gliding bassinet that my mom got us as a gift. I'd say with sleep recommendations, it's such a toss up. You just never know what your baby will take to as far as sleep, so you can buy anything you want, but it's all trial and error. Swaddle or not swaddled. Movement or no movement. Etc. We tried the Owlet monitor when we moved her to her room around 2 months, but she kept kicking the sock off while swaddled. On the second night, the alarm went off, and my husband jumped out of bed so fast and ran into her room before I could stop him. She was (safely) fast asleep until he busted in, then she woke up and started crying. It just added to our stress and anxiety, so we put it away. We never tried the snooza.
Edit: Small things - The NosaFrida is so gross in theory, but it works SO much better than the bulb suckers. We had better luck with nail scissors than clippers.
reiterating PP. strap/anchor all your furniture
Must haves
We used the RnP until DS was 6 months. He couldn't lie flat until he outgrew his reflux, so it was a life saver. My best advice is to not overuse it, get them into a crib as soon as they outgrow the reflux. He was super easy to transition once he could be flat. Do lots of tummy time while awake. Overuse of the RnP can cause flat spots and delayed motor development. It's one of the risks vs benefits sort of deal.
Dr. Browns bottles. My baby had a poor latch from the beginning due to an undiagnosed lip tie. So when I would pump for DH to feed him during th night those were the only bottles he could eat from. They are awesome for reducing air and gas. NOT the green options bottles, but the original blue vent bottles.
Microwave steam sterilizer bags.
Free and clear soap of some sort because the scented kind like Dawn tends to leave behind a film and odor after awhile
Muslin blankets.
Motherlove nipple cream (way better than Earth Mama Angel Baby)
sleep sacks for the newborn days when diapers need changed every hour.
Bouncer so I could put him down during the day
Chicco Keyfit car seat. More expensive purchase, but it's amazingly easy to use and adjust, super light weight, and has an insert for tiny babies. My son was under 5 lbs and fit perfect.
Extended rear facing convertible car seat. We have the Graco Milestones when he outgrew his infant seat. Rear facing for life over here.
Wash clothes. The smaller kind are easier to wash a baby with and I still use them on my toddler.
Sound machine. White noise was life!
Dr. Brown's formula pitcher. When I stopped nursing DS liked his bottles cold. So I would make a days worth of formula ahead and it was always cold for him.
DIDN'T NEED
Tummy time mats. We had one, but he preferred a fleece blanket.
95% of the clothes. Especially the cutesy outfits. Onesies, sleep sacks and warm sleepers (winter baby) were all he wore for the first few months. Newborn clothes are a big waste unless they're being dressed up for a holiday or pictures.
Swing. My son hated it.
Burp cloths. We used receiving blankets.
pack and play sheets. We still haven't opened them.
Socks. So many socks. He always kicked them off and still hardly wears socks to this day.
We were gifted a ton a ton of baby shoes. Babies don't need shoes until much older, these were returned.
Dedicated baby towels and robes. Way too small for practical use.
Bibs. He never tolerated them
swaddlers. They were too hot, the Muslim blankets were better.
I never used a bottle warmer or wipe warmer. We always warmed milk bottles in the sink under warm water and it only took a couple of minutes to get to room temp. if this baby is fussier about bottle temp, we may pick one up, but my son never cared. he would also drink thawed milk cold without complaint, I just liked to have the sitter warm them because in my head it was more comforting for him.
Things I won't go without:
Muslin swaddle blankets. I used them for everything-swaddling, nursing cover, burp cloths, car seat cover..
Second breast pump. My insurance pays for one and I plan to buy a second again. It was so nice to have one at home and one at work with my son. It saved me the trouble of having to pack it up and it was one less thing to carry back and forth. I washed my pump parts in the break room and stored them at work too.
I say have some options... or keep the receipts/boxes for the thing you get. DS LOVED the swing my cousin gave us for free and didn't care as much about the $300 mamaroo. We kept the mamaroo for future children, but you never know what your baby will like!
Also, we got one of the more fancy pack and plays and that was a waste. Just stick with a simple one! You really only need the bassinet and regular option.
As far as clothing goes, we got a lot of stuff second hand at consignment shops. I don't regret doing that as my DS wore the majority of the stuff numerous times. Since we'll be having winter babies, I do think lots of sleepers will be used this time around!
I said this on the stroller thread too, but I think my biggest registry regret is not going with my gut and getting a double stroller from the start. If you think you may have kids close together... I say go for it! Now we will have 2u2 and will need a new one.
Registering and picking things out is so much fun so don't let the stress of "what do I need?!?" take away from the joy!
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
Married: June 2011
TTC since Feb 2016
BFP#1: 7/7/16 MMC: 8/16/16
BFP#2: 5/8/17 - CP
BFP#3: 6/27/17 EDD: 3/10/18
When buying bottles just buy one of a couple brands until you know which your baby takes (this is a tip for formula and nursing mamas). Same thing with pacis, if you plan to use them.
Vibrating chair is the only thing both my kids would sleep in when not in my arms. Neither kid was interested in the swing.
We use a lot of blankets and burp cloths
As far as clothes go just a handful of onesies and sleepers. You will end up using the same handful over and over. Especially in the first few months they grow so freakin fast you will be moving up size in clothes faster than you'll realize.
I know many people are saying only zippered sleepers, but if you have a super chubby wubby baby they might not squeeze into them as well.
Baby socks will not stay on try and buy only sleepers and pants with feet already in them.
Sound machine
I recommend only bibs with snaps.
Boppy pillow, even if you don't BF it's a great support pillow.
Married: June 2011
TTC since Feb 2016
BFP#1: 7/7/16 MMC: 8/16/16
BFP#2: 5/8/17 - CP
BFP#3: 6/27/17 EDD: 3/10/18
the Dohmie white noise machine has been amazing from day one...you'll also need blackout curtains to make the room really dark for naps.
a lot lot of people say not to buy too many newborn diapers and clothes, and while I agree, know that if you have a small or slow-growing baby you will end up needing more. I had a peanut (she still is) and she was in newborn clothes until 3 months old.
the nose frida works better than the bulbs.
gripe water and gas drops are a godsend for gassy babies.
chenille sheets don't get cold like cotton ones and will help with transitioning.
Neither one of my babies liked being swaddled, so I feel like I wouldn't want to go too crazy with the receiving blankets until you know if LO likes to be swaddled. The main things I used both times were my pack n play, high chair, walker, and a playmat for tummy time.
I used a baby bath for DD but said the hell with it for DS and just used the sink until I felt comfortable enough to go with the regular bath. We have a crib but I ended up bed sharing both times and it worked out great for us.
Honestly, I plan to get and use the bare basics this time.
DS born October 13, 2014
Baby #3 due March 2018