I'm Trying to Register for My Baby Shower and I Don't Know What I Need...

Hi R.,

Good question! I wish I'd known about mamasource when I first had my son!

Everyone's needs are different, but this is my two cents in the order that they occur to me:

1)Boppy pillow if you are going to nurse. I didn't use it when he was a tiny newborn, but once he gained some weight and length, it was irreplaceable. Also useful for propping them up on their tummies and sitting them up. My husband stole it to sleep on and I used it as the world's biggest "doughnut" cushion for hemorrhoid relief those first few days after birth!

2) Breast pump. You can rent one from the hospital. If you get help from WIC, they rent them out too.

3) Nail clippers. Their nails grow fast and are SHARP! Because I was really afraid to clip tiny nails -- baby gloves/mittens. They flail their hands and scratch their faces easily. The gloves prevent them from scratching themselves.

3) If you are breastfeeding, Lansinoh ointment for sore nipples. Also, breast pads are a necessity. I got disposable ones because I knew I wouldn't be up to washing reuseable ones.

4) Diapers and more diapers! Not a glamorous baby shower gift, but sooooo useful!!!!

5) If you want to co-sleep, a co-sleeper thing to attach to the side of your bed. I started my son out in his own crib and didn't start co-sleeping until he was about 4 months old. This time around I'm going to get a co-sleeper. I ended up co-sleeping with my son because I was so exhausted from working and getting up all night. It was easier to breastfeed and sleep.

6) For me, I loved having a rocking chair. I could sit there all day long on my doughnut rocking and soothing both my son and myself.

7) Soothing music to listen to. Even just music you like listening to. Just because it's a baby doesn't mean it can't get used to the music you like. I exposed my son to all kinds of music that I liked. So, CD player and music.

8) Night light. That way you don't wake the baby and anyone else by flipping on the lights, but you're not stumbling around blind during the night feedings and changings.

9) A baby swing really helped for those moments of inconsolable crying and those times when I just couldn't stand another minute of the crying and holding him. He fell asleep in it many a time.

10) A stroller so you can get out of the house. I personally got a travel system, which is a stroller and an infant carrier that attaches to a base in the car (baby carrier and car seat in one). Just so you know, the smaller they are, the more portable they are and the more places you can fit. The larger they are, the more stuff they can carry, but it's not so easy to go shopping (e.g., clothes shopping at the mall) with a huge system. The one I got is pretty big and I like it because my parents lived on a farm and that thing would handle almost any terrain. But it's a pain to use when shopping because it's so big. When the baby can sit up by themselves, you can get an umbrella stroller which is only $10-$20.

11) Diaper bag. Be careful what size you get. The larger you get, the more likely you are to fill it up and the heavier and more unwieldy it is. Get a medium size. They are extremely useful.

12) baby socks and hats to keep the little one warm

13) This should be #1 on the list. Enlist help from friends, family, and well wishers. I don't know what kind of support system you have, but if anyone offers to help, TAKE THEM UP ON IT. Giving birth is an amazing experience, but it's exhausting. Feeding the baby every two hours or so ROUND THE CLOCK is utterly exhausting. It feels like you haven't a second to yourself and that the baby constantly NEEDS you. You are, of course, ready and willing to be the provider, but you are so exhausted life is like living in a zombie twilight at first. Don't worry, it gets better over time. But the very beginning is exhausting, no two ways about it. So take measures to take care of yourself!!! I'll repeat that -- TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! If you can, get people to make food to put in your refrigerator, get volunteers to do house work or run errands or watch your sleeping baby while you jump in the shower for a few minutes. This is where not having to go shopping for more diapers is extremely helpful.

Some things I found that I DIDN'T need, personally.

1) changing table. I always ended up changing him on the bed.

2) bath. I put a towel in a dishwasing tub. You don't even need soap or lotion when they are tiny. Just a soft wash rag or even just your hand. They don't get dirty or smelly when they are so small and new.

3) baby wipe warmers and things of that sort are a waste of money, in my opinion.

4) beware of clothes. To be honest, that's probably the bulk of what you are going to get from your baby shower, no matter what you register for. You will probably get tons of adorable outfits and blankets. I got so many blankets for my son that I still have drawers full of receiving blankets, afghans, and plushie blankets that have never been used.

Sorry this is so long, if you have read to the end :-) I remember vividly the confusion and excitement of being an first time mum and I hope this helps.

Congratulations and best wishes!

3 moms found this helpful

Some of the best advice I got on baby gear was that strollers are like shoes - you need one for each activity. Rather than an "all in one" (travel system) type stroller, I'd get a small-ish, maneuverable stroller (like a nice umbrella stroller, or one of those frames that a baby seat clicks onto), and then if you do a lot of running or walking, get a jogger. I bought a Bugaboo Frog for my second child and it has been worth every penny. (The Bugaboo Bee looks even better, actually.)

Other than that, you need a good baby carrier. Moby Wraps are really neat. If your husband won't wear one, then get him a Baby Bjorn. Daddies need to help with the heavy lifting sometimes. =)

I'd suggest a bouncy chair - one that vibrates is helpful. I had the Fisher Price aquarium one and loved it.

Some babies like swings and others don't - I'd wait and try someone else's with your baby prior to buying one.

You won't get far without a car seat. I used a Graco Snugride with both of my kids. Worked great, not horribly expensive.

I don't know if your plan is to co-sleep or not. I didn't co-sleep, and so I found that having a bassinet was helpful at first. I had one that vibrated (vibrating beds, not just for Las Vegas anymore! =) and played soft music. I used it for both kids and found it to be wonderful.

If you ever travel or will be leaving your baby with a sitter or grandparents, etc, then a play yard is great. We had a Graco one. I'd just get the stripped down model. (You'll lose all the parts for the ones with the changing tables etc, LOL)

Also, remember that whatever you don't get at your shower, you might be able to get cheap on Craigslist or eBay, gently used.

Best of luck with your upcoming labor and delivery, and have fun being a Mommy!! =)

2 moms found this helpful

I went every where with my sling. Also this a travel changing kit. This was by far the best gift I ever received... Here is the link: http://www.goores.com/goores/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_...

You will love this thing! I still use it today. My daughter is a year and a half.

1 mom found this helpful

We are now expecting our fifth child and this is our list of baby essentials.
1. A place for the baby to sleep. (In our case that is in our bed with us). And bedding if you need it.
2. A carseat. You can go with an infant only one or a convertable, but you will eventually need a convertable/toddler one. Keep the size of your car in mind. There are a lot of really big carseats out there but they don't easily fit into all cars. Our favorite is the Sunshine kids convertable seat, it is narrow and only takes up one seat in the car. If you go with a convertable get an infant head and body support.
3. A stroller if you plan on walking a lot from home or often visit malls/etc... Think about what you want to do with the stroller, we walk from home to the produce market, to the bakery, the grocery store and the library often all in one trip so a big basket was a must for us and since our roads are rough large wheels are important. Our stroller would not fit in most trunks but we rarley travel with it.
4. A safe place to put baby while cooking, showering etc.. For us that was a swing downstairs and a bouncy chair upstairs. We got the swing that plugs into the wall and saved a lot on batteries but were limited on location.
5. For a fall/winter baby a Baby bundle or other car seat blanket that won't fall off is great.
6. A baby carrier, our favorites are the Ergo and the Moby (dad is very willing to use the Ergo and he can easily carry a 3 year old in it.
7. For bathing a tub (we use the kitchen sink until they can sit on thier own int he big tub), baby soap (we like Burt's Bees) a towell (regular ones work fine but the hooded ones are nice for the first 6 months) and perhaps a few toys for when baby is bigger.
8. Several blankets (they are always getting spit up on or left somewhere).
9. A package of regular/pre-folds cloth diapers. They make excellent burp cloths as they are very absorbant.
10. Diaper supplies. Diapers, wipes, rash cream, diaper pail and changing table. We cloth diaper and our changing table we find essential.
11. Highchair or other feeding chair for when baby is ready to sit up at the table. Some small spoons and forks and unbreakable dishes.
12. A baby monitor if baby will be a long ways from you during day or night.
13. All of our babies used an exersaucer when they outgrew the swing it, was nice to have aplace to put baby while cooking, cleaning etc.. but mos tof my kids hated it once they could crawl.

I think that sums it up. Think about the space you have in your house and what you want to do with things. Remember too that it is okay to return or regift things you cannot use.

1 mom found this helpful

a good swing!!! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3090973

Swaddle Me Blanket http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265547

jj cole urban bundle me http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=j...

mega mirror http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2402035

diaper genie II http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=d...

baby einstein exersaucer http://www.target.com/Baby-Einstein-Discover-Activity-Cen...

peg perego high chair http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=p...

playtex vent air bottles http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=v...

robeez shoes!!

a digital camera, if you don't have one (seriously!)

1 mom found this helpful

Over the years, with each child we used less and less of the typical "stuff", we just realized most of it is unnecessary. Our top picks after three kids:

co-sleeper - because you really don't want to have to actually get out of bed to get the baby in the middle of the night! It's nice to have three or four sets of sheets for it. www.armsreach.com

soft carrier - because newborns and tiny ones love and need to be carried a lot, even for naps sometimes, and mom needs her hands free. I started with a fleece pouch, and then went to a woven wrap. www.thebabywearer.com is a great place to find out about all the different types and find a gently used one you like at a good price. Also, if you have a carrier you like, you don't get stuck hauling the infant carseat everywhere which is a huge pain, especially as the baby gets heavier.

infant carseat - liked the Britax for the safety, but it is a huge pain to carry around. That problem is easily solved by putting baby in a soft carrier, and leaving the seat in the car unless it is needed. (only places we found we needed it were restaurants, when I needed to be able to put the baby down to eat).

an efficient breastpump if you have to go back to work - the Medela Pump In Style worked really well for me when I wanted to pump extra for the freezer

diapers - if you are going cloth, the simplest system is prefolds with covers. www.greenmountaindiapers.com is a great place to get everything you need. Also, www.diaperswappers.com to find out what's the latest super-cute WAHM diaper trends and get gently used diapering things for a lower-than-retail price. Fun, too, lol.

A small diaper bag - easier to handle than a giant one, doesn't fill up with unnecessary junk and start to weigh a ton. If you are breastfeeding, all you need to go out with is a carrier, a couple diapers & wipes and an extra onesie.

That's pretty much it. A place to sleep, mama milk to eat, a comfy carrier and something to put on their bum. And off you go!

You'll get all the clothes you need, don't buy any til after the baby comes and you see how much you have. Also you will likely have a ton of blankets and toys and junk by that time so buy only the large items. A stroller is nice for long shopping days or events like going to the air show, so you have somewhere to put your big heavy bags and folding chairs to cart them around. (we find we use it mostly for the junk, the baby gets to ride in the wrap with mama instead).

1 mom found this helpful

First of all, congratulations!
Here is what I loved having:
-pack-n-play (what both kids would sleep in while they slept in our room AND on the road)
- peanut shell nursing cover if you plan on nursing in public
-"binky leash" I don't know the actual name, but it clips to the child's clothing on one end, and to the pacifier at the other
-a swing of some kind for the gentle rocking motion
-a CD player to play soft and relaxing music while nursing and putting to sleep
-a thermometer that takes the temp from the ear! Any other thermometer is a pain to use later on because they squirm so much!

Good luck & have fun!

There are the basics, stroller (I got a travel system, infant car seat/base & stroller) and umberella stroller (especially for when they get a little older)
*Baby carrier (I loved my Baby Bjorn)
*Boppy for breastfeeding
*Exersaucer of some kind (more so than a swing, neither one of my kids ever liked the swing, they LOVED the megasaucer though they can use it around 4 months old).
*Infant bath tub
*Burp clothes (I could never have enough, my kids spit up EVERY time they ate, the cloth diapers work great for this too).
*Sleep sacks for cold nights
*Crib sheets
*Pack n play!!!!
*Backpack carrier (Really I used this more for my second baby, but if I had one with my first it would have gotten used, they can use it once they are around 5 months and it is more convenient that front carriers, they tend to get in the way in front, I used my backpack grocery shopping etc instead of putting them in a dirty shopping cart.
*Which leads me to shopping cart cover (still use mine and my son is 3 1/2)
*Breast pump
Hope this helps. Congratulations on your baby!!

My highest recommends would be a bouncy seat that vibrates, a play gym that the baby lays under, lots of blankets (get larger sizes for later), and sleep sacks. There are so many other things that are great, but I found these to be my favorite. Also, when she got a little older, my daughter loved jumping in the bouncy seat that hangs from a doorway.

Babies r us has a great list that they hand out to you when you register. I think Target has the same. I can give you a list of some of my preferences.
I like the Diaper Champ for a diaper pail. No inserts and it's easy for anyone to use it.
I like the diaper dispenser that hangs off of the changing table that holds all your lotions, powders, diapers and wipes. Everything at your fimgertips is always easiest!
Wipe warmers are great
Avent bottle warmer is excellent
I bought mostly Graco products: Stroller system, highchair and car seats and they all worked well for my two kids.

If you have any specific questions answered, let me know.
Most of the things on the list are often depending on how you're going to care for your child. Are you going to nurse, sling the child, travel a lot? It's a lot to think about...
Good Luck, N.

Register for the big items--Crib, mattress, high chair, bouncy seat,and breast pump ( madela is a great brand) baby moniter, car seat and stroller--perhaps your hosts could ask for a donation-- so they can purchase the big things for you.
The small fun stuff is great to have--but things really count in the beginning.
Maybe you could request a couple of gift cards so you can purchase the small stuff after your baby shower--wash cloths, bottles, ect..
Hope this helps.

Onesies, sleep and play outfits, receiving blankets, t-shirts. You want to get sizes 3 to 6 months because they grow out of their newborns in a matter of weeks. Bottles, pacifiers, changing pads and a gazillion diapers. i am a Mom of 4 and nanie to 5.

There's a book call Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields that I found very valuable, especially first time around. There is SOOOOO much baby stuff out there that it can get overwhelming. A few things that I have found I couldn't live without (and I have 4 kids under age 6) are:
- Snap-N-Go stroller base by Baby Trend. You can put an infant car seat in it to create a stroller. That way you don't have to take baby out of the car seat to put him in a stroller. WONDERFUL for the first year when they are in infant car seats. It's really lightweight and folds small.
- Bouncy seat. My kids lived in theirs until they could sit up.

Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

As the mother of 2 young boys - 4 and 1 here are a few of my biggest "must-haves" if I were to do it again. :)

I would recommend buying a real dresser and not a baby dresser. Baby dressers are too small and you end up having to get a bigger one by the time they are 2. And really, I never changed my babies on the top of the dresser on the "changing pad" area.

Also, for the stroller I don't recommend the huge heavy travel systems. Get a infant seat and the Baby Trend Snap n' Go. It is super quick and light and you can take out and put it in the trunk of your car with one hand, still holding your infant in the other. The big travel systems are huge and heavy. Once your baby is bigger get a really nice light stroller. They even come with layback seats and trays now. This is much more convenient.

I also recommend a toy or something you can put on/near the crib with soothing sounds. This worked for me and both my boys were sleeping through the night by 10 weeks. Some bath tub toys for when they get a little bigger. No one ever gets these and they are needed.

For clothes I recommend the long sleeve onesies with the zipper. At night when you are half asleep changing your baby's diaper it is so much easier to zip than to snap! And the warm blanket sleepers so they don't kick off their blankets. This helped when my swaddle wasn't strong enough at night, especially since you are due in the fall/winter. Extra baby mittens and socks. They always get lost in the wash.

Both our boys slept in their "Pack N Play" until they were about 8 weeks then they were in their crib. Not to waste money on a bassinet, the pack in play is also great for when we go on vacation.

My 1 yr old now drinks from Nuby sippy cups, I highly recommend registering for. Good sippy cups can get expensive and it will be good to have them on hand when that time comes.

These would be my biggest baby tips. Other than that, register for everything you just love, that is the best part!!! Have a great time and lots of luck!

Congratulations R.,
What an exciting time. I see that you got over 60 responses and I don't have a chance to read them all but I too wanted to add my two cents. Don't register for any blankets, I don't know what it is, but people like to buy or make blankets (I think everyone secretly wants their blanket to become the babies blankey). I need burp cloths, lots and lots of burp cloths (my daughter was a spitter and they absorb better then a dish towel). The other must have was the swing, I would put my daughter in it, turn off the music on it and turn on the mobile and play the Baby Einstein CD's (the music stopped too soon on the swing) and fall back asleep on the couch.
Best of luck, have fun and get as much sleep as you can now =o)

Consumer Reports has a great shopping checklist for newborns! It really helped me.
Get what you'll need for a newborn and the rest can be purchased in stages to lessen the shock to your credit card.
Newborns can't sit up - so hold off on the high chair. If money is tight, get a crib and skip the frilly bassinet - they outgrow them super fast. I really found our "Pack & Play" useful when my son was tiny and it still comes in handy for visiting babies.
Your friends will buy cute outfits and stuffed animals for your shower - so get the basics on your own!! I registered for all the practical things and got an amazing wardrobe but no blankets ( born in Oct.) no bottles, etc. I loved the huge "travel system" stroller that came with it's own infant carseat. The big stroller lasted us until my hubby accidentally ran it over in the garage, by then the wheels were almost bald from my long strolls to the park and nearby errands.
Also, sign up for "Subscribe & Save" on Amazon.com to order diapers etc. You get a big discount, free delivery and you'll never have to run to Safeway and shell out $13 for 10 diapers!! It's such a blessing to come home and have 2 big boxes of diapers wiating for me. They even have dry groceries like formula, cereal, etc.
Safeway.com will be your best friend if you can get it in your area!! Also, ask someone to get you a cleaning lady as a shower gift!!!!!! Much better than flowers!
Almost all the "Pregnant" advice books have a shopping checklist - check one out from the library and watch for sales so you can stock up!
Good Luck!

Congrats!

If your friends will indulge you, register for a night nurse/nanny you can use for a week or a month after your little one comes home! You will really appreciate the extra sleep.

Also, the best gift I got for my twins was a set of Aden & Anais swaddle blankets - available at The Tulip Grove in Monclair. I still use them for everything and my twins just turned 1!

Good luck

HI R.,

Check out the book, "Baby Bargains" It's like a consumer reports for baby stuff.

Good luck!!

I just want to caution you about the Baby Bjorn. We had one and both dad and I had intense shoulder pain when carrying our son. We found out that they make one called the Baby Bjorn Carrier Active that actually has lumbar support. I would recommend looking into that or maybe looking into an Ergo carrier. That is what I used from about 6 months until the present (20 months). I love it.

This is an overwhelming time right now! I too shared your frustration and found myself rebuying many things once I had my child and realized they didn't work for me. These are my must haves:

Summer Infant Day and Night Handheld Color Video Monitor(especially if you sleep train)
Bobby
Three-sided changing table pad (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2953121)
Born Free Bottles (Free of BPA and the best bottle we used, no gas)
Wellements Organic Gripe Water (Life saver! It helps with gas, fussiness and teething- stock up for cheap at iherb.com)

A swing that goes front to back and side to side. Fisher price has great ones.

The Miracle blanket (a swaddle blanket they can't escape from plus everyone swears it helps their babies sleep longer)

A Hooter Hider (if you breastfeed)

Snack Traps

Phil and Ted Me Too Chair

Bumbo and Bumbo tray

Sleep sacks

Carters Cradle and Soothe Bouncer

Graco Pack n Play

I still haven't found a great stroller. Good Luck with everything!

My first baby is now 7 months. There are two items I don't think we could have done without...
The first is something you will use from about week 3 - a bouncy chair. There are lots out there but the one we have is by Fisher Price. The second is from when the little one is about four months & is called a Bebe Pod. This little seat helps baby sit upright before they are strong enough to sit alone. We've used it so much for feeding solids & playtime etc. Great to take with you when visiting people around mealtimes. It's an amazing product.
Good luck!

These lists are pretty on track and were helpful when I was expecting my first..

http://www.babycenter.com/baby-supplies

Hope that helps, and good luck!

You've been given a ton of advice! In addition, get some Baby Oxy-Clean or Oxy-Brite. A little on a poop stain ( soak it ) makes clothing look as good as new. Oh and we wouldn't want to live without our Miracle Blanket swaddler!

Start with the basics and work out from there.
* - Crib
* - Changing Table
* - Car Seat (Baby won't be allowed to leave the hospital in a car without showing them a car seat.)
* - Diapers
* - Socks / Booties
* - T-Shirts that snap in the front (trust me, you'll love them for ease of taking off and putting on because you don't have to pull it over baby's head, plus it won't rub on the healing umbilical cord stub the way a snug onesie does.)
* - Light-weight Infant hat
* - Cotton Receiving blankets
* - Jammies (cotton and fleece) with snap up diaper access (the ones with the zippers make it so that you have to expose their chest to the chilly air every time you want to change their diaper..)
* - Nursing Pads for you (cotton or disposable)
* - Pure Lan (lanolin ointment) for you for dry skin on nipples
* - Under-arm thermometer
* - Baby Nail Clippers
* - Infant Tylenol
* - Bulb Syringe / Nasal Aspirator that they give you at the hospital (plus as many extra bulb syringes as you can get to bring home with you. The ones from the hospital actually work because they are big and can provide decent suction - unlike the tiny ones you can get over the counter.)

WARNING: Nasal Aspirators really are necessary to unplug stuffed up noses - babies don't have a way to blow their noses, after all - but really nasty things grow very quickly in the bulb syringes. The inside must be cleaned out with warm, soapy water as soon as possible after use, then stood up to drain in a strainer.

In addition, I wanted to caution you about fleece and over-heating through excess bundling. Since fleece doesn't breathe well, it is easy for baby to over-heat while wearing it. A friend of mine frantically brought her first baby to the emergency room the day after she brought him home because he had a temperature of 104 and he was crying uncontrollably. The ER doctors looked at her baby - who was bundled in five layers of fleece clothes/sweaters/blankets and just undressed him. He was fine after that. If baby is bundled up while outside, be sure to unbundle baby when you go inside.

A few other items that are nice to have are:

* - Baby Sling (Hot Slings makes eight different sizes)
* - Wipe Warmer (so you aren't using icy cold wipes to clean warm little bottoms.)
* - Bouncer
* - Swing
* - Portable Crib

You can do without most things but what you really need are:
infant carseat
infant/toddler convertible carseat
baby bathtub and toiletries (they will give you some at the hospital)
baby swing
crib
pack n play with bassinet (to nap baby in a different room from time to time, to play in, to use as a portable crib if you travel)
LOTS of diapers!!! Ask the person throwing your shower if she could do some kind of game to get people to bring diapers like a raffle-1 ticket for each pack of diapers or wipes
diaper bag (you will get at least one of these from the hospital)
a couple bottles even if you plan to nurse (just in case)
burp cloths or cloth diapers
pacifiers (might get one from the hospital)
thermometer (you'll get one from the hospital but its good to have a spare)
NAIL CLIPPERS-don't forget these!!!! Those little claws grow fast
socks (you will get so many cute outfits but everyone seems to forget the socks)
bouncer seats are nice but not good if older babies are around (they tip them over and either knock baby out or land on their own head)
stroller of course
breast pump (this is a must if you are breastfeeding but you can rent one)
baby tylenol for after shots and such
A & D ointment
Aquaphore
any other tooshie ointments you want to try (boudeauxs butt paste works wonders)
crib sheets
receiving blankets
kidopotumus baby swaddler (velcro swaddle blanket thingy works great)
sleep sack for cold weather
piddle pad for carseat (for those blow outs)
bottle sterilizer (you can put all kinds of stuff in there to sterilize in the microwave)
BABY MONITOR
Baby's first toys and lamaze toys are great.
Baby gym with hanging stuff for baby to learn hand eye coordination
Mobile to help baby track with eyes (most pack n' plays and swings have these on them). I never liked putting them on the actual crib because I didn't want to stimulate my baby when he was supposed to be sleeping.

You don't have to put clothes on your registry because you are going to get tons. People just can't help themselves. You will probably also get lots of soft blankies. You may want to put a highchair on there if you want one already. Get one that reclines so baby can enjoy being with you while you eat. Hmmm...I will add to this if I think of anything else. Put whatever you want on there! Even if you don't like it you can take it back and get other stuff.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When are you due?

Hi there R.! I know what you mean...I think we went off the chart registering for stuff. Things that other said were "Must Haves" turned out not to be for us! But I will tell you a few things our 5-month old loves, and loved when he was younger, and things that make it easier for us! A temporal lobe theremometer rules. It's around $50 or so, but you just run it across the baby's forhead and under her/his arm and there you go. No rectal thermometer or anything. I was scared to hurt my son doing that! Also a swing, he LOVES his swing and if he's cranky we put him in it and he'd sleep. It plays music and has toys on the front "tray" so as he got older he can play with them. A bouncy seat; the one we have vibrates and plays music, but he hated that part; just loved being in the bouncy seat. Also a Boppy. I used that in the beginning to breast feed, and our 8-year old would use it to help hold him. You can also use it as he gets older to prop them up in sitting position on the couch, or use it for "tummy time". I've only used it for nursing/holding. A breast pump (electric) is a biggie too. I've heard a lot of great things about Medela, but we ended up with an Evenflo; it's the only one our town drug store sold, but I do like it! We also got a car seat/stroller combo which is REALLY awesome. When your child is in the car seat you can just pop the seat out and pop it into the stroller. That way when he/she is really young and asleep, you don't have to wake them up by taking them out, you just pop them into the stroller. Then you can also use the stroller without the seat. We got a Chicco brand (high chair as well). The other things that I find have really soothed our son is a mobile on the crib (we got one that plays 3 different classical music songs)and a "floor gym" that has dangling toys. I wish now I had gotten one with music; I think he would really like that, but we used the floor gym for his tummy time, and now he lays on his back on it and plays with his toys, and rolls all over :-) Also a Diaper Genie II; It really does keep the smell out of the room. We also have a "diaper bag" that ties to the side of the changing table and really makes it easy to grab a diaper while you can still have a hand on your baby. Now I registered, and received, an Infantino sling because my cousin SWORE by it and said slings rule. My son didn't like being in the swing; I only used it once to try and nurse him at a restaurant. It's only been used once and I would be happy to send it to you if you'd like to have it! My friends that have babies have babies that are older so they don't need them anymore! It's in great shape; there was an Infantio sling that was recalled, but this wasn't it. If you'd like it please just let me know and I'll send it on to you to try! I just realized how lengthy my response is and I am sorry! If you have any quesitons or can think of something in particular you'd like an opinion about, just let me know and I'd be happy to help! J.--A little about me, I am a 36 year old firt time Mom to a 5 month old son and step mom to an 8 year old boy :-)

Hello R.!

Congratulations! In my view, you can't have enough tee shirts. I'd ask for one package of newborns, two of smalls, and three of mediums. I really like gowns for newborns--a package of those is nice, and if you can find one with a hood attached, I'd ask for that. You definitely want a hat. I think a baby bag for cold weather would be a good idea--I didn't get one, but my son was born in April. You'll want a package of receiving blankets, maybe two heavy blankets, sheets, a crib bumper, and rubber sheets for the crib, as well as little rubber diaper pads. Whatever you don't get, look for at thrift shops, garage sales (especially nursery school ones, Salvation Army and Goodwill, before you go shopping. I like Carter brand best for actual baby clothes, and for the extremely cute stuff once you have the baby, there's no place like Sweet Potatoes on Solano in Berkeley.

Take care,

E.

Hi R., If you go to Babys R us, they have a paper that shows what you will or should need for your baby. Go around and zap whatever need and add some things that you want too.
pamper yourself, you deserve it too!!
have fun registering!!

oh i know what u mean!! its kinda overwelling! well i have a couple of strollers cause we travel alot and i dont what to bring all the stuff so i have things at each place. i love this stroller its a bit bigger but it is soo nice u can get your things out of the basket soo easy where others are more of a challenge. its taller and oh so nice oh and the trangle handel is the besthttp://www.target.com/Baby-Trend-Shuttle-Traveler/dp/B000.... i wasnt sure if i wanted a boppy pillow but it sure did/does come in handy. got to have a swing i found one what is a swing and bouncy chair in one to save on space and things aroung the house. get lots of cloth diapers i use them as burp cloths. hope this helps good luck and enjoy it goes by so fast

Just register for anything and everything that looks cool. They have so much to choose from. Take a friend that has a little one with you.

Congratulations! Such an exciting time. I registered at Babies R Us and used their registry list of items. I found it confusing as well registering. Once I had my son, I realized he/I didn't need the majority of the baby "junk" suggested by the retailers! Here's my suggestion. Keep items in their packaging that you're not sure you'll need or at least keep the boxes and tape the receipts to them. I cannot tell you how many things I brought back b/c I received duplicates, didn't like the color/style or it was a useless product!! Babies R Us has an amazing return policy. With the receipt you will receive a credit via however you paid w/in 90 days (I think that was time period). Without a receipt or w/ a gift receipt, they give you a gift card in that amount. After I had my son, people were INCREDIBLY generous w/ gifts and hand-me downs. I received wash cloths galore at my shower and washed 'em all before he was born, only to receive another rash of wash clothes that I couldn't return b/c I didn't know where they came from. At 1st I wanted everything new and couldn't imagine used. Once you learn the megaexersaucer costs ya over $100 for a hunk-o-plastic, you'll think again! Every baby is different, but mine loves his play mat. I loved the Breastfriend, but wasn't crazy about the Boppy (personal choice). Hate my $120 Babybjorn - hurts my back and even had a chiropractor adjust it and tell me it was lame - better for men's bodies. Bumbo is awesome and I use it to feed him in. Exersaucer has been a lifesaver. Loved the thick cloth diapers for burp clothes the best - little skinny ones didn't provide enough coverage or absorption. I don't care much for my Chicco travel system (stroller & infant car seat) as you can't put the infant car seat on the top of the grocery cart (you have to put it inside the cart leaving you little room for groceries) and the stroller is bulky (it does ride real smooth however). The Combi frame stroller that the infant car seat goes onto ($60) is awesome. It seems flimsy, but it is so convenient. Highly reccomment a frame stroller. Might look into another brand b/c the Combi's basket underneath is too small. Hope this helps and have fun!!!

We kept our baby needs to a minimum, but I did like having a baby pack carrier. The sling types seem to be more versitile, but I never tried them. I took my mom-in-laws advise and never got a changing table. We have a twin bed in the baby's room so we just used that. The few times I tried to use a changing table at church I wasn't comfortable with it and just change him on the floor.
A friend got the delux pack and play with bassinet, etc and doesn't like it. Just a standard pack and play should be fine.
I good quality comfortable rocking chair is a must have.
Get a good quality stroller that they can use for several years. Mine is 3 and I still use our large stroller for walks with friends at the park.

If you get a wipey warmer, the child will expect warm wipes every time and there are times when you won't be plugged into an outlet. I learned this lesson. Avoid wipey warmers.

If you use formula, don't heat the water. Use room temp, so that you can feed at any time. Just pull out a bottle of water, mix, and feed. If you give warm formula, the child will expect warm formula for a long time.

If you are going to family bed the baby, you don't need a crib. Just remember, if you family bed now, the child will expect this for a long time. My child is seven and I just sent her to the shower...FROM MY BED!

Ask for clothes (onsies, gowns, easy on/off clothes, socks, burping blankets, blankies, diapers) for all stages of the first year. Avoid the newborn stuff. They aren't in it for very long, especially if the child is big.

Stephanie

My must haves, a bumbo seat, a pak and play (if not for sleeping than for keeping them in one spot in whichever room you go in to, a mobile that lasts longer than 5 minutes, there is one that plays 3 different songs for 5 minutes each that is expensive, but WORTH IT. $50 at Babies R Us I think.
a vibrating chair......anything that buttons up the front for dressing...those are my must haves.

good luck!

My top 5:

1. Some kind of baby carrier. You have to decide what works for you. I love my Baby Bjorn and I also have a sling that I enjoy using.

2. A swing. This might depend on your baby but sometimes the swing was the only way I could possibly get my sweetheart to sleep.

3. I really recommend getting a Infant carseat frame as your first stroller (Graco and Baby trend both make one.) It is light and easy for you to use in the beginning. I picked a stroller based on advice from a friend and I quickly learned that we were not the same kind of stroller mom. Get the infant car seat frame as your first stroller and then give yourself some time to figure out what kind of stroller you want as your child gets older.

4. If you plan on breast feeding a boppy pillow is highly recommended.

5. A comfortable rocking chair. You may end up sleeping for long periods of time in this.

Helpful: changing pad, stroller, swing, car seats (2 if you have 2 cars), diaper bag, water-proof pads (bassinet size), swaddle blankets, cloth diapers (to be used as burp cloth and /or lap pads), wash cloths, infant toys...
Not Helpful: Diaper Genie

Conratulations! It is awfully confusing to register and Babies R' Us gives out a list 12 miles long for items you need :) I would recommend 2 things: the book "Baby Bargains" by Ari Brown and Denise Fields you can purchase online and some libraries have it too (great information on all the stuff you will need for baby and what you should look for when purchasing baby things - and they tell you which things are unnecessary). Places like Goores are also great resources. The sales staff is very helpful and knowledgable and they have trained carseat installers. We have purchased all of our carseats there and it is worth every penny ($15.00 I think to get a carseat installed there - if not purchased from them.) I don't know about your family but we are tall people and trying to get our bodies in the back seat of our car to properly install our carseats was very hard. Happy shopping!

A sling or wrap is really a life saver. A wrap is nice for brand new babies, you can take your shirt off, strip baby down and give them that soothing skin to skin time.

Make sure you have lots of little onsies it can be challenging to find a diaper for newboarn that doesn't let poop creep out the sides or back (gross I know, but it's not really poopy at this point) so you'll end up changing clothes with most diaper changes.

Cloth diapers make great burp rags even if you aren't using them to diaper.

Little hats in cute patters so you can feel like you're dressing him/her cute without having to wrestle them in an out of clothes every couple of hours.

Bassinet, cradle or co-sleeper.

Everything else I'd say just wait and then get what you need when you need it. Don't get bottles because different babies like different ones and if you plan to breast feed you won't need to figure that out for at least a little while.

Register for anything you really WANT becuase when you go to buy stuff yourself, you'll end up sticking to stuff you need and you'll never get to have those wants. Register for your nursery decor, diaper bag etc in the patterns that you like.

T.

Some things I found valuable and can still remember using.

I loved my changing table because I have alwasy had a tough time getting up and down from the floor so changes could be done standing up.

Some sort of music box or mobile to help go to sleep with worked with my daughter from about 2 weeks until she was about 3 years old. Provides a since of consistancy.

A baby bath is something that we wished we had had in the early months we got ours at about 2 months and it was sure an easier and safer way to give a bath than the sink.

A portable high chair or table seat made eating out or at the grandparents house's easier. Ours fastened to the table, had a T strap to keep her in and put them right up there with us so that she felt part of the action.

A lot of diapers either a bunch of cloth diapers I think we had 70 plus. And various sizes of disposable ones as they grow quickly. We used cloth diapers at home and disposables on the go. If using cloth the velcro covers made it easy. A diaper pail either way is important to contain the smell.

Good Luck on your up coming little one. My daughter is now 17 years old.

People tend to want to bring "cutsie" things to a baby shower. You'll likely find uses for most of them... even if only for one wearing, so don't sweat that part. As for practical stuff, the only things I can think of that haven't been mentioned are decided on what kind of diaper cream you'd like to use and ask for that particular brand (my personal recommendation is Boudreaux's Butt Paste) and ask for some of the pure saline spray. The spray can be a real help used before the nasal aspirator to loosen the mucus. Be sure it's the one called Simply Saline, because it has no other chemicals that can burn the sensitive tissues of the nose.
We've also found at the Dollar Tree...and they don't always have them so buy plenty when you see them... some packages of bags to wrap soiled diapers in. They come in a flat blue box, and the bags themselves are pink and have such a nice scent to them... and are easy and inexpensive to use. Another Dollar Tree item we like is a package of Care Bear disposable washcloths. There are 50 in a package, but they are large enough that I can actually cut them in half for most uses. They are really strong and can even be rinsed out for a second use before disposing of them. I usually wipe the baby's face and hands after eating, then rinse out the cloth and use it for the initial clean-up of the table... to get the really yukky mess off before final cleaning. They are great for travel, but also wonderful for at home use. (Now if I go to Dollar Tree to buy some and find they are out, I'll regret having given this advice ... LOL!)

A baby carrier, for sure! I liked a Moby Wrap or a Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch when my babies were infants. But there are lots of other great options out there, too.

Hi,

I think we all find ourselves in this situation and it is amazing, of all of the lists, you will still need things, or say, Why didn't I think of that. For me, after having now my 2nd, what I need the most is diapers, diapers, diapers. People will buy clothes, toys etc because it is just sooo much fun to buy baby clothes.

Yes, your baby will grow sooo fast, so limit the amount of baby clothes. I still have things neither baby have worn, and I got them when the first baby, my son, was born 3 yrs ago. These are now becoming gifts to others who I know.

I did find myself needing winter things, so, I am in total agreement there, as well as sleepers. I found the best sleepers are those like sleeping bags that zip up. What a concept. Not one I knew about the first time around, but did the second.

Best of luck to you, and a very happy and healthy pregnancy, delivery :) and of course baby and mommy.

I. B.

a Bouncer for sure! i used it ALL the time! Put baby in it while i would eat, cook, take a shower & have the bouncer in the bathroom with me. I love the ones that give you several music options & vibrate.
Also can never have enough wash cloths & socks since those get lost.

wow - don't we moms have a ton of advice on gear! i would second all the moms who talked about winter clothes - especially LONG-SLEEVED ONESIES.

we had a december baby and dozens of short-sleeved newborn onesies she had sat unused, while she lived in the handful of long-sleeved onesies she received until march/april.

R.,
Looks like you have gotten tons of great advice so far. I just wanted to tell you about a few brands of items that I LOVE. For a carseat we love our Britax decathlon. We used it from about 6 months on. If you decide to buy a jogging stroller The BOB Revolution is the best out there. Both the car seat and stroller can be found at tinyride.com. Their prices are really good. And last, for a breastpump, get a Medela. Its what the hospitals use. The best price on them is from bestbuybaby.com They won't tell you the price on their website, just call and order, they are totally trustworthy and fast. All of these items are on the more expensive end, but you will not regret spending the extra $ for the quality of what you will be getting. Good luck with everything, and most of all enjoy your baby, they are truly precious!

Hi R.,

Congratulations. A lot of people have given good advice so I'll try not to repeat. The one thing I would say is to get a crib that also turns into a toddler bed. It will save you from having to invest in a brand new bed in just 2 years time. Also, get a crib with a drop side, so that when your little one is standing/climbing and you have to lower the mattress to the lowest point so he/she won't crawl out, you won't have to practically drop him/her in the crib to put him/her to bed.

Also, and I don't think anyone has suggested this, get yourself a playmat. It will come in handy to have a nice, soft, safe, entertaining place to put your baby. I bought this one http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2266983 and my son loved it. He's 18 months now and still carries the little monkey around, but buy whichever one suits your style. I would just recommend that there is a mirror, because they love to look at 'other' babies, and things with movement (ie animals that dangle) so that when they start doing things like reaching they have something interesting to reach for.

Good luck and enjoy. D.

I couldn't live without a nursing pillow by My Brest Friend-better support for baby than Boppy brand, Medela breast pump, organic swaddle blankets, a sling (New Native was my fav. for first 2 months then the Over The Shoulder Baby Holder), bouncy seat - my baby loved the Fisher Price Rainforest theme -it vibrates, Arms Reach co-sleeper, diapers - I love Blueberry all in ones, Born Free bottles (if you are pumping, they have no bisphenol-A), Skip Hop bottle drying stand is cute, Peg Perego Stroller and Primo Viaggio Car Seat combo, onesies and 2 piece outfits, warm clothes since she'll be born in winter - hats, infant bath tub, tiny nail clippers, digital ear thermometer and lullaby music-oh and a workout ball to sit on and bounce baby to sleep!

Hi, I have a 5 month old daughter, when I registered, I used the list from the book "What to Expect...", it helped a lot.

What worked really well:
-- bouncer that VIBRATES
-- Halo SWADDLE Sleep Sack
-- glider chair for breastfeeding in middle of night
-- some sort of carrier, I like the Bjorn, didn't like the sling
-- TinyLove play gym - I place my daughter on this quite often and she's very content playing with the toys that dangle
-- Graco travel system, great for stroller and car seat
-- bathtub that fits in the sink
-- BABYSAFE mattress cover (to prevent SIDS) made in New Zealand - look it up, very interesting research - a MUST HAVE!
-- wet/dry pads you can throw on top of the changing table mattress, very easy to change out, and come in a variety of colors

Things that DID NOT work well:

-- Bobby, I breastfeed but this never worked for me, I use pillows
-- Infantino Baby Sling, I can't stand up straight while wearing
-- hooded baby towels, big towels are much better - so much more coverage, and thicker than those little hooded baby ones.

Oh, and if you have a very "spirited" baby who needs to be bounced a lot, a LIFESAVER is one of those big exercise balls, this was the only thing that would soothe my baby in the beginning - I hate that ball!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! Having a little one is the best thing that's ever happened to me!

A.

I hope I'm not responding too late, but this is what I have found to be most helpful. (I'm also a first time mommy!) Other than the obvious - car seat, stroller, a bed of some sort; here's my list of favorites:

cloth diapers - for spit ups, burping, pretty much anything having to do with wiping up "baby messes"

fleecy pajamas/onesies/sleep and play outfits (short and long sleeved) - you can never have too many of these and ask for ALL sizes. Babies grow QUICKLY.

cold weather clothes (coats, hats, socks, shoes/booties) - with fall and winter approaching, you want to keep your baby warm outside. If you're cold, so is your baby.

receiving blankets (square and rectangle) - you can never have too many of these, and you will want to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature.

fleece/baby blankets - use these in your car seat/stroller when you go out. They're thicker than receiving blankets which is why they're great for outside.

Boppy pillow - great for breast/bottle feeding AND they help your baby learn how to sit when they get older.

bibs, washcloths, hooded towels - you can NEVER have enough of these and are essential for feeding and bath time. The bibs are also great for protecting baby clothes from drooling babies. (Note: use a free-standing paper towel holder to keep your bibs organized and handy. It works GREAT!!!!)

pacifiers - ask for one of each brand (Playtex, Nuk, Soothies, etc..) on your registry. This gives you a chance to try them out and discover the one your baby likes best. Then, you can buy more of your baby's favorite binky. (My daughter LOVED the Soothies, then switched to the Playtex OrthoPro when she started teething).

Don't forget the lovies/toys!!! - babies like to have something they can snuggle.

Bottles - like the pacifiers, you want to find a brand that your baby likes best that is similar to your breast, and helps prevent gas. Your pediatrician or a lactation consultant can help you with that. But, you will want bottles with varying amounts (4, 6, and 8 ozs.).

There is probably a lot of stuff I'm forgetting, but this is what helped me. You do NOT need a baby wipes warmer. You can warm a bottle in a bowl of hot/warm water. And, you're not going to need feeding things (bowls, spoons, cups, etc...) for a few months after the baby is born.

I apologize for the "novel", but I hope this helps! Congratulations!!

If you are bottle feeding, get bottles, and bottle brush, drying rack, etc. If you are breastfeeding, get the bobby pillow. (You might even want it with the bottle.) You want diapers, but not too many actual newborns, they grow out of them too fast. You need bedding to the crib / bassinet. Make sure to get mattress pads and sheets. There is the set for the crib that generally has some sheets, bumper, and crib skirt. If you get this, then there are generally cute matching accessories you could choose for the room. Choose some receiving blankets, but not too many. I always felt I had too many. Get some bibs, some spit rags. You can register for clothes, but people usually pick what they like if they buy clothes. You need a baby bath tub. Baby towels are cute, but not necessary. If you are registering for really big items, then there is the crib, changing table (optional) crib mattress. I had a Baby Bjorn and loved it. You need a stroller and car seat. A baby swing is popular with most babies. (Not mine.) Hope that helps. Good luck!

:D You need Tiny Tots Diaper Service:

http://tinytots.com/ds/

Seriously! We used this service for our daughter's first 9 months or so, and I highly recommend.

Congratulations, R.!!

Hi R.,
I know I'm repeating some stuff others have mentioned, but I think I have some new ideas, too.
--Baby Bargains is a fabulous book, not only for giving you a sense of what you need, but also for letting you know when it's worth going for the higher priced item and when it's not.
--"Child of Mine" by Ellyn Satter; this is the best baby/child nutrition and feeding book out there.
--My Breast Friend is definitely better for breastfeeding than a Boppy, but a Boppy is good for when you lay your baby down while you're nearby doing something and want to prop baby up a bit and also for tummy time early on.
--A Bundle-me (or two!). It's like having a built-in blanket for the carseat and/or stroller. It's super warm and soft and has openings for seat/stroller straps to go through. It zips around the edge so that you can zip the blanket up as much as you like or take the entire front off if baby gets warm -- all of this without having to move the baby or fuss with the seat/stroller. It's brilliant, especially for places that are cold or vary between foggy and sunny during the day.
--A changing pad with multiple covers. You'll need a clean one handy -- stuff doesn't always stay in the diaper during changes!
--A play mat with lots of stuff dangling from arches (Tiny Love [?] makes excellent ones).
--A mobile that looks fun from underneath -- Tiny Love Symphony-in-Motion was the one to get when my five year-old was born. He loved that thing! It's great for entertaining baby in the crib before he/she is old enough to stand (at which point mobiles are a strangling hazard). Too many parents buy mobiles that match the room decor but look like nothing interesting at all to the baby lying beneath.
--One of the best things I had were these thin pads (almost more like cloths) that had soft, looped fabric on one side and leak-proof plastic on the other. I used these on top of the changing pads (much easier to switch out mid-diaper change), under my son's head when he was lying down (serious reflux, and these stay flat, unlike a blanket that could become a suffocation hazard, though you might want to show one to the ped before using it that way).
--Several packs of cloth diapers for burp cloths. Down the road, they make great cleaning rags, too.
--A few bibs. My son had one on whenever he was awake when he was teething -- drool!!!
--A Pack 'n Play, especially for staying overnight away from home or for taking to a friend's house for dinner if baby will need to go down before you want to leave.
--A Dekor diaper pail (can use w/out touching it/having to smush dirty diapers through a hole, etc.) or Diaper Genie. You don't go through that many bag refills if you only use it for poopy diapers and use a regular trash bin with a tight-fitting lid, lined with a garbage bag for pee diapers.
--A baby grooming kit -- brush, comb, safety scissors or clippers (for nails), and a bulb syringe (for stuffy noses, etc.). I believe Safety First makes a good one.
As others have mentioned, you'll receive a ton of baby clothes. The only clothing items I would suggest registering for are sleep halos (basically blankets baby can sleep in that are not SIDS or suffocation hazards) and packs of basic white onesies in sizes 0-3mos (not too many as some babies only fit in this size for a month or two), 3-6 months, and 6-9 or 6-12 months, especially if you want organic ones.
Finally, I would not bother registering for any blankets as they seem to be a popular gift item.
Oh! And a gate that screws into the wall if you have stairs and a pressure gate for the fireplace unless it is very, very clean!
Enjoy!
K.

I love our Ergo Carrier, puts the babies weight on your hips and not your back and shoulders, not a big deal when they are really little but huge later on. Added bonus is you get your arms back and putting a child in any carrier on you keeps people when you are out from touching your kid.

Bouncer was a must for us, It was the only way I could feel comfortable taking a bath or shower, I put it on the floor of the bath room so I could hear them and see them and they were contained.

Also register for some of the esentials, diapers, diaper cream (triple paste is amazing) temporal thermator, sheets, a couple of receiving blankets, and burp cloths.

As you can tell everyone has a different style of what works for them and doesn't. So do what you think is best for you.

Things to pass on:
-Baby monitor (unless you have a multi story house or plan to be outside alot when baby is sleeping) You'll know if you really need it in a few weeks.
-Wipe warmer
-Newborn and 0-3 month outfits, unless you intend, think, and have the desire to dress them up. Sleep and plays (pajamas) work well for the first couple of months. Have a couple cute outfits for photos and parties(since you'll be in the holiday season)
-Bibs, you'll get some as gifts anyway. If you have a spit up baby they are great other then that, pass on them, except for one good quality cotton coated bib that you can wipe down after feeding when they are older.

Have a great time registering.

You are so smart to ask for tips from this site! I wish I would have known about Mamasource before my showers. Here are some top things I found to be very practical/useful:

-a Bjorn Baby Carrier, such a lifesaver and we used it from the time he 2 months to 10 months, we really liked this because it was easy for my husband to use also
-Wipe Warmer, I know there are many different takes on this item, but ours helped us so much as our little one would howl when he was a newborn at diaper changes, our wipes have NEVER dried out (just follow the directions to add water each time you put in new wipes) and our son handles diaper changes away from home just fine
-a shopping cart liner by Buggy Bagg (online), super comfy with pockets to hide/store small toys and distractions (not all shopping cart liners fit most shopping carts, but this one fits the huge carts at Costco and all grocery carts too)
-Robeez footwear, little slip on booties that made a huge difference in the wear and tear of socks/footed pajamas and keep babies feet warm, we continue to use them around the house as slippers on cool mornings for our 18 month old, they helped so much when he started pulling to stand and then to walk
-any simple bouncy seat, it helped me fold laundry, eat dinner, cook dinner, etc.
-different size baby clothes, beware of Gerber brand which ran really small for us so we found Carter's brand clothing to fit much better and seems to withstand his active lifestyle
-Baby Einstein gym, our little one LOVED it and we passed it on to another baby who is also enjoying it, my son used it daily for many months, he loved the music and the star in the middle was his absolute favorite, I later attached the star to the plastic fence enclosure and he would pull up to play with it once he started trying to stand.
-Boppy pillows one for the car and one for the house, these were such a huge lifesaver
-Rich Frog squeaker toys, my son's favorite was the elephant, but they have a duck, frog, and a few others
-classic boardbooks, I'm sure you'll receive these but we received some that continue to be my son's favorites even today as his face lights up when he comes across them:
Look! Look! (a black and white board book for infants and up)
Goodnight Moon
Pat the Bunny
The Very Hungry Catepillar and other Eric Carle books

I'm sure you'll get great tips from others! Enjoy!
M.

I totally agree with the blanket comment. We got about 14 blankets for my daughter without even registering for any. These are some of the essentials for the 1st year.

bouncer, swing, pack and play with bassinet attachment, activity mat for tummy time, mobile for the crib, bottles, pacifiers, bibs, onesies (lots), outfit for 1st pictures, humidifier, nasal aspirator, saline drops, feetie pajamas, burp clothes, My brest friend and a Medela electric breast pump (if breastfeeding), exersaucer or jumperoo, high chair, sleep sheep or other white noise maker, small bath tub and soft towels, diaper genie, sterilizing bags (microwave) for bottles/pacifiers, Mylicon drops (gas), Baby Bjorn backpack or sling, stroller & infant carrier (I have the Graco travel system & loved it). A convertible car seat (recommend Britax)- my daughter had to move to this at 8 months. Bebe Pod for helping them sit up. There is so many others, but you don't need wipe warmers & bottle warmers- I registered for them and never used them.

Register for the big stuff, it's really helpful to get that from family or a group of friends: car seat, stroller, something to sleep in (crib, cradle, bassinet, co-sleeper), bathtub, unless you are going to bathe him/her in the sink, a breast pump if you'll need it, swing, etc.
People will inevitably buy you cute clothes, so don't register. If you think money is going to be tight, and I'm not sure you can actually register for this, but, diapers.
Congrats on your pregnancy!

I found that we used lots of onesies, diapers in size 1 in case your baby is big!,burp cloths, Lansinoh creme if you plan on breastfeeding, also a Brest friend type pillow if you are breastfeeding, breast pumps are an expensive gift your family can pitch in for sometimes if you plan on going back to work. Also a pair of baby nail-clippers or scissors, whichever you prefer...what else? I guess we've used a LOT of bath stuff over the years, like baby bath and baby shampoo. Lotion too. Also you can use one of those wedges so that your baby does not roll over for the crib. You will need swaddling blankets to swaddle the baby, one or two car seats depending on how many cars the baby will be in. I like the Graco systems which end up with the baby transferring from baby stroller to car to home in the same baby carrier. I think there is even one that goes on a swing now. Maybe a baby jogger is something to consider if you like to run. It also is a good thing to have people go in on. they can run up to a few hundred.
Can't think of too much else. Target gift certificates are great, because you can get what you need for the baby later when you know more what you will want, because every mom will develop her own preferences. Don't forget to have friends arrange to get you something special just for you too!!!
Good luck!
M.

Congrats, R.! You've got some great advice here (guess it won't help with feeling overwhelmed, but hey, welcome to motherhood!) My 2 cents:
*Wipe warmers dry out wipes before their time, can ruin your furniture, and getting your baby used to warm wipes can create a future hassle. Just warm the wipe for a few seconds in your hand if you're concerned.
*You're never going to know what is perfect for you until you experience it, so try not to worry too much. When registering, bring a friend with you who is a mom that you trust/admire and feel free to update your registries online as you go.
*I've recently found a great diaperbag that I would recommend and it is a good idea to register for one you like as there are so many out there. Here's the one I'm coveting and plan to get for baby #2: http://www.littledudesanddivas.com/beallmst.html
*Also, be sure to register for BPA-free bottles, the ban didn't happen, but why take a risk?
Congratulations again!

Hi R.,

It is overwhelming, isn't it? My first (a girl) was born Oct 30 last year--it's a good time of year to have a baby! You can snuggle up all winter when they're infants, and come summer you'll have a mover and a shaker who can't wait to get outside!

As for your question, purchase or check out the book "Baby Bargains" by Denise and Allan Fields. They have great ratings on all kinds of products, helpful tips for what you need and don't, and great ideas for saving money, too. I loved the section on what you need on hand for the first month--it made me feel so much more prepared!

Beyond the basics (infant car seat, stroller, play-yard, swing, high chair, bath), don't forget to register for a larger car seat for when they grow out of the infant seat--those are expensive and you may need to use it faster than you think. Extras like bouncers, saucers and such are nice, but every baby takes to them differently. I thought a bouncer-type chair was a necessity so I could lay my baby in something comfortable and safe in any room in the house with me. Even if you plan to nurse, get some bottles for back-up. I started with Dr. Brown's, which were great (no leaking, no bubbles for colic), but a pain to hand-wash. I later switched to Playtex Ventair, and I love them. Easier to hand-wash, rarely leak, and no colic-bubbles, either. I'd recommend either. A breast pump is nice if you plan to nurse (Medella are the best), and don't forget lanolin cream and leak pads. A nursing pillow is nice, too.

Something I buy all of my friends for their baby showers is a start on the "baby medicine cabinet." We had a colicy baby, so we went through a lot of Mylicon. I also include Aquaphor (best treatment for any rash, anywhere, anytime), and baby Tylenol or Motrin. Hyland's colic tablets, teething tablets and earache drops are lifesavers, too.

Don't worry about registering for too many clothes, beyond basics. People will buy you those anyway! I also didn't use the sling and front carrier I registered for very often, and she grew out of them quickly, though some people swear by them. Diapers and wipes are nice to have on the registry, though. You don't realize how many you'll go through, and people often forget to buy those for you (I loved Pampers Swaddlers).

Hope that helps!

J.

A Moby Wrap
http://www.mobywrap.com/
or something similar. It's been a lifesaver for me and my son absolutely LOVES it.

I'll tell you one thing- most of the things people told me we needed we didn't use at all! Your little guy will wear nothing but jammies for quite a while. You don't need special towels and washcloths. It will be a while before you need toys or cups or bowls. Most of those receiving blankets are too small to swaddle a baby- get the big stretchy ones or better yet swipe a couple from the hospital! Get some of those newborn caps, onesies and t shirts in the four packs by Gerber. They're cheap. You don't need much else.

Everyone says you need burp cloths but you don't. You also don't need five million blankets. There are a lot of things you don't need.

One thing I found- those pajamas with all the snaps are a big pain. I ended up looking for the ones that zip. Every time I changed my son's diaper I was so glad to have them. Get a couple of sleep sacks.

You will want a baby carrier or a sling. Don't waste money on a big travel system. If I had it to do again I would get one of those universal strollers that you can use with any car seat. You want something light. They have them at The Right Start I think. Buy the simplest swing or bouncer- the special features are useless.

Get a good diaper bag. That's important. Splurge and get a nice one because you'll miss your cute purses and you'll be carrying this thing everywhere you go.

My basic message is Keep It Simple. People were so generous at my shower, but afterwards I thought, "where am I going to put all this stuff!" Basically your baby isn't going to care if his nursery is all decorated and he's wearing designer baby duds. He's a baby. He's just going to want you! Congratulations!

You need:
Some clothes
A bed & bedding
food supply

I also recommend: A boppy pillow, a comfy chair for feedings, 1 pacifier (you can buy more later if your baby likes them), a really good stroller (you can use it with more than one kid, so don't be cheap!), a high chair

You don't need: Anything that plays music, a baby bathtub (use the sink or bathtub), safety locks (buy later)

Jumpy chairs, swings, exersaucers, etc can all be bought later when you know your child and know what you need.

You actually need alot less than the stores will tell you! Get what you need first, and then have fun with the extras later.

I found a swaddle-me swaddler invaluable. It's extra HOURS of sleep for both of you.

Also, some people mentioned boppys, but I've never been able to use one - I felt like i had to hold both the pillow and the baby. My Brest Friend was MUCH better.

Also, my husband and I both enjoyed having a co-sleeper (arm's reach mini is what we got) since it allowed us proximity to the baby without worrying about sharing the bed. Plus, it's MEGA portable.

Finally, if you plan on nursing, ask someone to rent you a medical-grade scale for the first few weeks of your child's life. The scale elliminats so much stress over how much milk the child is getting, that it's truly worth the cash. Simply weigh the child before and after each "meal" and keep a diary for a few days.

Oh, and get adjusted by an experienced chiropractor (I'll happily recommend mine) as it'll make the last month easier to bear and may speed the delivery.
Good luck!

Hi R.,
A few things I couldn't live without are a pack-n-play that has a bassinet and changing table attachment (my daughter slept in it for the first 6 months), a wipe warmer (makes the middle of the night diaper changes less shocking for them), and a video monitor. If you are going to use formula don't bother with the bottle warmer, get an insulated carafe instead for the warm water at night. I ended up really burning my hand on our bottle warmer in the middle of the night. OUCH! If you want to know what brands of products I found most useful, email me.
Sincerely,
L.

PS I also HIGHLY recommend the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth for understanding biological sleep rhythms and how/when they mature/evolve. Having an understanding makes it easier to get you baby on an age appropriate sleep schedule. I still use it as a reference for my daughter, now 3 yrs old.

R.-
I definitely have a list for you of things I registered for, got, and used a lot!
-wipes warmer, especially since your baby will be so little in the fall/winter, you don't want to make his/her tiny little tush jump every time you touch it with a cold wipe.
-a boppy pillow. I got onw with my 1st and just had my 2nd baby and still using it a lot to nurse him. Oh, and get a cover for it also because it WILL get dirty. I also took it with me to the hospital and was extremely helpful there.
-if you're planning on nursing, get a nursing cover.
-also if nursing, a breast pump
-a grocery cart cover to sit the baby when able to sit up.
Hope this helps, of course, these may not be the essensials, like clothes, bibs, tub, etc., but they really helped me. Good luck!

I lived in my sling-for the baby of course. Also, a portable small bassinet with a removeable top (it snaps right on top, so I could change the baby there when she was an infant and also kept it right near my head of our bed, so she was eye level with me at night, it was great), it can also be used as a changing area. I never really used the lower part of it, just the top for about the first 3 to 4 months.
Lots of onesies, with feet, if a winter baby. Comfy hats, small little socks. Lots of burp clothes.
Stroller of course, with the carseat that can snap in. Rocking chair with a stool was amazing at night, when she still didn't have her days and nights strait.
Honestly, most other things can wait, then you will know what fits your needs best, after getting used to having the baby, it will be more clear. I saved a lot of the gifts and returned them, if I didn't need them, and used the credit to fill in the gaps.
Congrats, it is the best thing ever!
K.

1) If you're going to use disposable diapers, don't get a Diaper Genie -- they require their own special bags. Get the Diaper Champ -- you can use tall kitchen garbage bags.
2) Look for BPA-free bottles -- Gerber and Avent are 2 companies that make them, but there are more.
3) Go online to Target.com, Babiesrus.com, or Consumer Reports to compare safety features and read up on reliability/durability of items before purchasing -- pay attention to other consumers' comments because they'll save you a lot of time.

This is about all the advice I can give you, since I don't actually have my baby yet -- any day now! Good luck. I hope these tips help. My husband and I were overwhelmed, too:)

One thing I found invaluable was a baby carrier. I had a clingy baby who needed constant attention (still does and she is 12! :) ) and I would carrier her on my back while I did housework, put on makeup, did the laundry, etc... A baby swing is a must have as well. It calms a cranky baby like nothing else. I hope this helps! :)