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January 2018 Moms
whitta1015
member
Baby Registry Advice
whitta1015
member
(I know this was talked about in some general threads, but thought it would be easier to have a specific registry thread)
I know we will all be registering soon, so I thought it may be helpful if any STM+ had any advice, tips, must-haves, etc. for the baby registry.
STM+ - Any must haves? Anything you got that you never used? Anything you wished you would have registered for?
FTM - What questions do you have?
I know we will all be registering soon, so I thought it may be helpful if any STM+ had any advice, tips, must-haves, etc. for the baby registry.
STM+ - Any must haves? Anything you got that you never used? Anything you wished you would have registered for?
FTM - What questions do you have?
Re: Baby Registry Advice
WHEN should I start the registry?
Does it make sense to register at just one place or more than one place?
Is it considered greedy and inappropriate to put decor/theme stuff on the registry? I come from a middle-class-but-practical background and DH comes from a poor background, and both of our families are kind of raising eyebrows at the idea of registering for new stuff in the first place, when we could just buy perfectly good drop side cribs and moldy old high chairs on Craigslist. *slightly exaggerated* But I feel greedy/spoiled asking for decor or themed items when we could get plain utilitarian stuff so much cheaper without caring if it matched. Did anyone else have a similar experience and what did you do?
Bottles and pacis. If you're going to use them, some babies are very partial to certain ones. Don't go buy a surplus of something just in case baby doesn't like. DS could only do 1 kind of paci and would freak out if I gave him something different.
Don't put clothes on your registry. People will get them no matter what and they will get you what they think is cute, in my experience anyway.
Put everything else on the registry that you want or think you will need. You will be surprised what people will get you. The list can get huge and you may feel guilty, but just go for it. I got this tip a lot as a FTM.
On the flip side, some have issues with friends/family actually buying from the registry. This can be frustrating because there is a lot of effort that goes into creating a registry and obviously you're putting what you want and need on there.
Must haves:
- Rock n' play
- Diaper bag (Okay, I know this one is obvious. But I recommend going with something practical here. I know that fashionable bags are all the rage with some ladies, but believe me - you want something comfortable and easy to clean. You will be getting everything from spit up to poop in this thing.)
- A million burp cloths (I used cloth diapers)
- Soothies gel pads if you're nursing. These saved my poor nips at the beginning.
- Wearable blankets
Things that I never used:
- Impractical clothing. Trust me on this one. While there are a lot of really cute outfits out there, you will seriously go for the clothing that is easiest to put on/take off. I remember getting a ton of really cute outfits/pajamas with snaps up the legs and crotch area and I will never buy anything like that again. Go for the zipper ones!
- Bumbo
- Swing (This is completely baby-dependent. Some babies love them, others hate them. Mine hated it.)
What I'll be getting this time around:
- A glider. We lived in a very small in-law apartment when DD was born and I typically nursed while sitting on the couch. It was not comfortable for me and I vowed to get myself a comfy chair this next go-round.
- A backpack style diaper bag. I had a shoulder bag last time, which was okay. However, with a toddler and a newborn, I'm thinking having both arms free will be best.
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
@auntieraindrop Start your registry whenever! You can always modify it.
I registered at two places - I think Buy Buy Baby and Amazon (some people, especially the ones that live at a distance, appreciated the ability to use Prime).
Put whatever you want on the registry. People will end up getting you what they feel is best.
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
Start your registry whenever you want! I already did ours because I wanted to get it out of the way.
Register at as many places as you want. Some registries have perks and you don't necessarily have to publicize all of them. We registered at Amazon, Target, and Buy Buy Baby. All three of these places offer welcome bags/boxes with samples, coupons, and/or gift cards. We are only telling people about Target and Buy Buy Baby. We just did the Amazon registry to get the welcome box (you have to order $10 off the registry to qualify). Amazon also had some sort of diaper deal you can earn if a certain amount is purchased.
I would add anything you'd be interested in receiving/buying to the registry including decor/theme stuff. A lot of places offer registry completion discounts or other perks. We added everything we wanted to our registries not because we want/expect other people to buy it for us but because we know if it's something we don't need right away, we can get a good deal. Example: I don't expect anyone to buy me the $450 stroller that I want but it's on my Buy Buy Baby registry because they have a 15% completion discount which means I'm only paying $382.50 (plus I earned a $100 gift card from buying my car seat there during one of their deals so really I'm only going to be paying $282.50).
Along those line, Babies R Us offers up to 10% back on a gift card from anything purchased off your registry. We thought about registering there so that anything we bought off of it ourselves or that anyone else bought would basically earn us free money.
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
Must haves: swaddle blankets, different brands of pacis and bottles like @jakobaby mentioned, diaper bag, diapers, plain onesies for layering
Didn't use: baby food grinder, diaper genie, wipe warmer
Getting this time: Just like @missblaze, I'll be getting a backpack diaper bag this time. The shoulder one was nice, but it gets really heavy and isn't as organized as I'd like it to be. Also getting a video monitor this time for the convenience, although we've been doing just fine with our audio one. Video will mostly be for DD so she can have quiet time in her room and I can keep an eye on her.
My two cents:
Must Haves:
Diaper genie (if going the disposable route)
If you plan to nurse I recommend a my breast friend nursing pillow vs. a boppy. The shape of the boppy meant that DD "fell" between the pillow and me and it was hard to get her in the right/correct position to nurse. However, DD liked to sit in her boppy and watch people...so we still used it, but not as a nursing pillow.
Dr. Smith's Diaper rash cream (I flipping love this stuff, it's a damn miracle, has no smell and isn't greasy like other options).
Pack and Play-if you plan to travel anywhere with your LO having your own pack and play is handy to have (vs borrowing a used one from a hotel, but I'm an admitted germ-a-phobe).
Extra pacifiers. It's amazing how they can all just "disappear" when you don't even leave the dang house.
If you're going to bottle feed, a variety of bottle nipples with different "flow" options until you know which one works best for your baby.
Crib sheets (more than you think you'll need, seriously, babies are messy).
Mattress, Lullaby Earth™ Super Lightweight Baby Crib & Toddler Mattress I bought this one because I could pick it up with one hand and I liked how firm it was. I HIGHLY recommend it to other moms.
Don't need:
Changing table (just an extra piece of furniture that has a short "useable" life). I just got a change pad pillow for the top of the dresser and used one of the drawers to hold all the essentials (diapers, wipes, cream, etc).
Fancy/fashion diaper bag. We went with a messenger bag style diaper bag and it has been great, DH doesn't mind wearing it and hauling it around (if you want the name/style we picked let me know and I'll track it down to share).
I'm sure I have more advice, but those are the thoughts that immediately came to mind. As for when to start your registry, do it whenever you have time and what to sign up.
Most companies will keep your registry active for a while after your EDD so you can still shop for a while at a discount after the baby arrives.
Jan '18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
Must haves:
Muslin swaddle blankets (pricy but amazing!), zip up pajamas, swaddle me swaddlers, floor mat for tummy time, pack n play w/bassinet and changing table attached, lots of burp rags, swing or something to contain baby in, white noise machine, infant bath tub
Didn't use:
Bumbo (well,only used a few times, my son started crawling at 5mos), pajamas with the snaps (huge pain in the butt during middle of the night changes when you're sleep deprived, no thanks!!)
We'd like to get a forehead thermometer this time to make things easier but they are expensive so we'll see!
I agree with not putting clothes on the registry unless you put bigger sizes on there like 9-12 month and up or anything specific you just have to have. We received a TON of newborn and 0-3 month clothes by pretty much everyone who got us a gift. Clothes are cute and people just can't help not buying them
1. A carrier!!!!!! I had a Solly wrap for when DD was little, and then moved to a more structured carrier later on (Ergo 360). I like the Ergo, but DH hates it, so we just bough a Lille Baby. I haven't really used it yet (I planned it more for this baby, but DD is only 20 pounds at 18 months old, so we'll use it for her too).
2. Good swaddles. I love the muslin Aden and Anais ones. I seriously think I have 10. They are so versatile, really big, and just an all around amazing staple. I also like the Swaddle Me swaddles for bed time. Those suckers work!
3. Wearable blanket. Especially for our LO's born in January. I didn't use them until after I stopped swaddling LO (around 3 or 4 months), but man, they come in handy! And they are "safe sleep" approved.
4. A nursing pillow. I have a Boppy, but I think I may want to get a My Brest Friend this time. I would like to have one for upstairs and downstairs.
5. Somewhere to "park" the baby. A swing, a bouncy seat...something! I had both, but DD wasn't really a fan of either, so I'm getting a Rock and Play this time. It's essential to have somewhere safe to set the baby when you have to set the baby when you need to get something done.
Diaper Genie: I think they smell awful and are really impractical, plus the bags don't fit a lot and buying the cartridges of bags is annoying. I got an Ubbi instead. It's stainless steel so it doesn't hold smells, and uses regular kitchen trash bags. Best $70 we spent. It's in my living room and you would never know there is a week worth of diapers before trash day.
Diaper Bag: I used my standard issue diaper bag exactly 3 times before I got annoyed with it and switched to a camel back backpack I had already had for years. Makes life so much easier, especially if you travel a lot. I use gallon size ziploc bags for organisation and it works great!
I also second having a good baby carrier or wrap. Do your research and find one that works best for you. Look into whether there is a babywearig group in your area, they often have a sling library that will allow you to try out different carriers before you buy one. It's totally worth it because I bought what I thought I needed and it ended up being a terrible carrier for petite ladies. I tried a different one that is perfect and I wish I would have bought it in the first place.
ETA spelling
1) Bassinet, co-sleeper, or pack n play with bassinet top if we're "planning" to have LO sleep in our room until s/he is ready for crib (hoping for 4-6 months)?
2) Anyone used the Freemie breastfeeding system OR have comments on what they would expect based on looking at it? I heard positive reviews from a friend of a friend.
3) Gliders. Any tips for shopping? For example, high or low arms? Chair-and-a-half or regular size? Brands? Fabrics?
4) Anyone in love with their backpack diaper bag and have a recommendation? We live on 3rd floor condo so I'm definitely going to have to do the backpack route for days I'm carrying/wearing LO and trekking upstairs.
5) Convertible crib/toddler bed vs crappy crib to start. Any tips or is it exactly what you'd expect (if you know what you want long-term, do the convertible, and if you don't, do the crib)?
PS These tips are a goldmine! Especially when you love a product so much that you are listing the exact item name (when it isn't a situation that baby may/may not like the brand or type). And the ones about zip on pajamas and easy-to-clean highchairs. So helpful - THANK YOU!
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EFl4MAxV4d6NTkJg-aMgJOfk0hl0U1sowKfCtN1yd0o/edit?usp=sharing
*Boppy is fine for propping and tummy time but sucked for nursing. I got to try a My Breast Friend at a lactation consultant's and it was way way better. At home I just used a spare decorative pillow to help prop him up.
*I love having a Diaper Genie. It does get kind of smelly but you can get refills on the charcoal deodorizer. It fits the generic Target brand bags. We kind of suck at adulting and sometimes overfilled it, I feel like that's when it really gets smelly. And even then it was more the weird absorbent diaper chemicals than poop and pee
*Baby gates. I know you're not thinking about them now, but get them before you need them. I ended up with a new crawler and a sinus infection at the same time and literally laid down across the doorway to keep him in the room bc I was too miserable to do more. We have a 5+ foot opening between the play (former dining) room and the living room, and my dad installed this for us: https://northstatesind.com/product/deluxe-decor-gate/ You can't really tell from the photos but the side pieces are adjustable to different angles so it can fit different door widths.
*Cloth diapers and swaddle blankets - even if you don't plan to CD or your kid hates being swaddled. Prefolds make excellent burp cloths, and we used them constantly. Someone gave me a 10 or 15 pack at my shower and they were great. The cute terry ones were worthless by comparison. The big muslin swaddles (like Aden & Anais) are great for all kinds of other things too - tummy time minus eating the carpet fuzz, shade over the stroller or car seat, snuggle up while nursing. I've found multipacks of A&A blankets discounted at places like TJMaxx.
*Rock n Play was wonderful. He never really slept in it but like others said, you gotta have a safe place to put the baby down. It's very lightweight so it's easy to carry between rooms even if you don't collapse it (which I recall being kind of difficult one-handed since you have to press the buttons on both sides at the same time).
*Swaddles & sleep sacks. After Thing 1 outgrew the swaddle blanket (read: started busting out like a tiny Hulk) we switched to Miracle Swaddles but there are several alternatives - it has a pocket for the feet and long flaps to wrap the arms. Sturdier than a muslin once LO gets a bit bigger. Then we transitioned to Zipadeezips (this was right after they were on Shark Tank and all the rage) and used both the small and medium. By the time he outgrew those he was big enough that we were comfortable with him having a blanket in the crib.
Jan 18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
Definitely get some kind of baby carrier! I love my wildbird sling. We got a cheapie infantino that we enjoy too, DH loves it.
@libbberty we used a pack&play with a bassinet piece. I loved it! For a glider, I wanted one that had a side pocket on the arm for keeping my phone/nursing pads/snacks, whatever. That was my only must-have. We also got a convertible crib, but since this baby was a bit of a surprise we won't be using it for a toddler bed for DD. We hope to use it for this baby as a toddler bed though!
Jan 18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies
@Mudge85 Thanks for the advice! I hadn't thought about a) size of store/selection and b) proximity/availability of stores for convenience either. I usually shop Amazon, which I'll def register there, too, but want to choose a good brick and mortar too.
This thread is gold
Must haves for us with DS:
glider with ottoman
pack n play (for sleeping downstairs before I was ready for stairs and for trips)
swaddles - like the Velcro, keep your arms inside kind
good thermometer
at least one brand of diaper cream on hand (DS had diaper rash in the hospital. Though we had some cream from them, it wasn't much)
I also like registering at 3-4 different places because of the completion discounts and bags of goodies. We'll be registering this time around even though we won't be having a shower (that I'm aware of) I just want the discount!
Born via emergency c-section - 8lb, 19.75 in, 100% stubborn BFP Chart
8 cycles of unmedicated trying = BFP!! - EDD 1/10/18
*Waiting for Baby Eags 2.0*;
@libbberty - we are going the backpack diaper bag route too! we also live on a 3rd floor walk up. The one i like at buy buy baby is the obersee oslo backpack. it has a detachable cooler, and seems to be very functional. It does have a bit of a high price tag, but it's something that i can see us using through the toddler years and more. For cribs, my parents were very generous and gifted us convertible cribs from pottery barn kids. the crib converts into toddler beds, but not into a full size bed. the twins will be sharing a room until we can buy a house in 3-4 years, so the toddler beds will be good until we buy them "real" beds for the new house...
https://www.lucieslist.com/baby-registry-basics/
OR
https://www.lucieslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Baby-Registry-Cheatsheet-from-LuciesList-Jan-2017.pdf
And a few things I will echo:
And a few things I have my eye on for this baby but haven't had experience with:
...omg this is fun. I'll stop now.
* Rock n play (DD slept in this the first six week of her life next to our bed, until we transitioned her to the crib)
* Pack n play (We still use this all the time now with DD, but was used downstairs in our house as a changing table/place to put baby to sleep)
* Lots of onesie pjs (I like a mix of zippers & snaps. DD was a January baby, and it was easier to just unsnap a few buttons and change her diaper, instead of unzipping her pjs and exposing her to the cold. I used both types pretty equally)
* Aquaphor- this stuff is amazing!
* Swaddles (My favorites were the Love to Dream Swaddle Up, Summer Infant SwaddleMe and the Zippadee Zip)
* Ubbi diaper pail (this thing does not smell at all, one of the best gifts we got)
I wish I had researched a bit more on infant car seats/stroller. We went with the Britax B Safe Elite and the B Agile stroller. The car seat is a beast (very safe), but the head/shoulder opening is very narrow. My DD outgrew it by six months old and we moved her to the Graco 4Ever convertible seat. The B Agile stroller was okay for walking around Target, but the wheels were not great for being outdoors. We ended up with a Baby Jogger City Elite, which is amazing. It just glides on the sidewalk/grass, worth every penny!
As prior posters have mentioned you will get so many clothes, most likely in 0-3 and 3-6 month sizes. I exchanged about 75% of what I got for larger sizes, as my DD pretty much lived in onesie pajamas the first 4 months of her life.
I will also second (or 3rd or 4th):
* Rock N Play
* gas drops and gripe water
* a zillion burp clothes (we still had to do laundry once a day with a zillion)
*Burts bee diaper cream (DH calls it Muggle cream bc it's magical)
* a carrier (during the 2nd leap DD would only sleep in the carrier, if you want to pee get one)
I think the most valuable thing we got was Amazon Prime. We found we needed things are instead of driving 30+ minutes to a baby store it was ordered and delivered next day.
Also I didn't see mentioned:
* butt whistles
*nose Freda
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
We actually did not use the newborn mittens, buy did use the Bumbo seat.
Only thing I don't think has been mentioned is white noise. We still use our machine as a eep cue and it really helped with the transition from our room to nursery. Yes, you can get YouTube videos and stuff, but it's so much easier to have a machine that plays continuously all night.
Speaking of sleep, blackout curtains are a good idea for the nursery.
One caution is to not load up on a ton of breastfeeding stuff, or keep it in packaging with the receipt as long as possible. First, every woman's experience is different - some may leak a ton, others not at all. Some benefit from a shield, others don't. And a little lanolin goes a long ways. And not that anyone should start out with a negative attitude, but there were also lots of mom's on my previous bmb who intended to nurse but it just didn't happen. That was almost me, and I would have hated to have to deal with piles of unused stuff on top of figuring out formula.
I use Hypnobabies! http://www.hypnobabies-store.com/link.cgi?affiliateID=472
J18 December Siggy Challenge: Christmas Movies!
EDD: 1/6/2018
Eva Jane: 7/23/2014
Basically if your baby is having a hard time passing gas and pooping (you'll know, they grunt and pull thier legs up towards thier stomachs) you lube up this tiny piece of plastic and out comes all the gas.
I know it sounds so gross but you'll pretty much do anything to help your child in pain. DD has had so many digestion problems and this saved us when she was super little.