L.J. asks from Cincinnati, OH on September 21, 2011
New Mom and Baby Registry
I will be having my first child in December and I am attempting to create a baby registry. I thought this process would be easy and it's actually harder than I thought. I know what babies need but at the same time I feel like I don't.
So I was just wondering what all you guys have gotten that have been life savers, what have you gotten that hasn't been so great. What were things that you wished you had requested but never got? That sort of thing.
I will be having a baby boy and I've had lots of people tell me that because I'm having a boy I need to get a warmer for my wipes and I've had other people tell me not to bother so it leaves me a bit confused with everything.
If it helps, I've started a registry at Babies R' Us and I have thought about creating a second one on Amazon or Target or whereever. Not sure yet.
Thanks
So What Happened?™
I want to thank everyone for their responses so far. A little bit more information:
Umm I'm still learning the lingo so I am not 100% positive what SAHM stands for, but I'm not a single mother or a stay at home mom. I would like to be home with my child more but that isn't possible right now both my husband and I work.
I do plan on breastfeeding. I am normally quite active so a good stroller would be nice, because I enjoy taking walks.
I'm interested in anything that is adaptable for the baby later on. I've already looked at a convertible crib that can become a toddler bed to later become a twin bed. I'm all about the multiple uses for an items things like that.
My husband and I do okay-money wise but we're not rolling in it and looking at some of these prices just takes my breath away. I've also looked at Once Upon a Child for baby items.
Featured Answers
2.O. answers from Washington DC on September 21, 2011
Well, what helped me a lot was to go on Target and read the reviews for the products I was eyeing. I changed my mind on a lot of them based on the negative or mixed reviews.
3 moms found this helpful
C.D. answers from Dallas on September 21, 2011
OK, first baby I bought a Peg Perego baby carrier because it was the cutest...BUT...it weighs the most! Second baby I wised up and got a graco...cheaper, still cute, and lightest weight. Got 2 bases...one for my car and one for husbands truck.
I got a snap and go stroller that the baby carrier fit into and then once she was out of the baby carrier, I got a Macclaran umbrella stroller. On strollers, look for light weight, easy to fold, and storage.
Baby wipe warmers...got one with first...didn't use it. waste of money.
Swing with plug into the wall so no batteries.
Bouncy seat...nothing fancy...I actually got 2. One for living room and one for bathroom when I am getting ready for work.
High chair - I didn't have much room in my kitchen so I got one that straps to the chair at the table. LOVE IT! Plus, it is easy to take off and take with you to peoples houses that don't have babies.
Bottles - used Dr. Browns with first...loved them...but pain to clean with all the parts. Second baby used Playtex drop-ins...target liners fit and are 1/2 the price.
Formula - Similac advance but Target brand is the same for 1/2 the price!
Pack and Play with one sheet
HANGERS!!!
Exersaucer and jumparoo...not the one that hangs in the doorway, get a stationary one!
Bobby pillow
Sound machine...my kids sleep like angels with white noise!!
2 moms found this helpful
More Answers
2.O. answers from Washington DC on September 21, 2011
Well, what helped me a lot was to go on Target and read the reviews for the products I was eyeing. I changed my mind on a lot of them based on the negative or mixed reviews.
3 moms found this helpful
K.J. answers from Springfield on September 21, 2011
I agree with BrownEyedGirls, just the necessities. My sister is having her first child, in Dec too, and has asked me this same question. What I told her is that you need a carseat, diapers, wipes and a few outfits. Everything else is just extra! I think so many people get carried away with buying baby items, things you only use for the first few months up to a year of the babies life. I feel like so much of it is a waste of money. The baby doesn't actually need them, the parents just think he/she does. Sure, some of the stuff is nice to have but if you're going to spend money, wouldn't it be better to put that money into a college fund or something your child could use as he/she grows. Just my opinion though.
(By the way, I was given a diaper genie and a wipe warmer as gifts with my first son. I ended up hating both of them and didn't keep them for baby #2 & #3. The wipe warmer took too long to warm up, unless I left it on all the time and would usually scorch the wipes on the bottom. I found holding a wipe in my hands for 30 sec before using it on my little one worked just as good.)
3 moms found this helpful
M.S. answers from Portland on September 21, 2011
This is such a hard question as each kid is different. I would recommend asking for a few of each kind of bottle...you never know what they will want. Don't buy a breast pump, especially if you get WIC because they will loan you one, and I think Toys-R-Us will rent them. I never had any luck feeding my babies, so I had to do formula from the hospital on.
Things I couldn't live without:
Graco Sweetpeace Soother....swing, carseat holder, built in music, MP3 player, etc. all built into one. If your little guy falls asleep in the car you just put the carseat on it and it keeps the same motion as the car so the baby stays asleep. (A must have for colic and acid reflux!) My kids actually slept in their until they got to be about 6 months because it helps with the acid and the movement is great.
Bumbo Chair...I didn't have one of these for my first, but they are a wonderful thing for babies who want to sit up but you don't want to sit and hold them up all the time. Bouncers keep them leaning back too far.
Bouncer....I took my little guy to the store and let him lay in them all until he found one he liked, he hated the one we had at home from his sister, which she loved. Cheap is ok on these as long as he likes it.
Diapers...There is no telling what he will or won't be allergic to or what you will like. I personally love the Safeway brand ones, and we like the Fred Meyer ones, but both kids are allergic to them. I'm not fond of Walmart's but they are changing them soon, so they might be better. I love huggies, but they are expensive and the safeway ones are almost as nice. Target isn't bad either.
Hyland's Colic Tablets...some people swear by gripe water, I swear by these!!! They are not always easy to find, but you can get them the cheapest at Diapers.com.
Pacifier....my kids both will only take the latex ones that look like the very old fashioned kinds, so before you stock up, wait and see what your kiddo likes. They will give you a soothie one in the hospital usually.
Playtex Dropins....These are the bottles that are bigger like mom so they are easier for babies to feel like they are nursing. And, they come in latex as well, so if your baby doesn't like the silicone ones, these are a good choice. Target liners are great, but the walmart ones smell like chemicals, and the playtex ones are wonderful, just more expensive. You do not have to get a new one each time, I usually wash one for each bottle feeding for the day and then get a new one at the start of the new day.
Graco Snugride Carseat...get at least one base, but if someone else is transporting the baby too, then buy extra bases. These are super! If your baby is bigger, like mine, you might need to upgrade to the Snugride 32 or the Safe-T-Seat. They go bigger, but weigh more, so I didn't start with them.
Stroller....I went with one that matched the carseat as a travel system, and I love how it snaps in and is safe in the stroller. The snap and go ones don't have cup holders and trays for the parent, so I was never a big fan. I know a lot of people recommend the baby wraps, carriers, etc. but my kids had acid reflux and hated them. They like the stroller and car seat though. (Also, if you need a c-section then carrying everything is hard at first and a stroller makes it easier.)
Clothes....night gowns are great at first and for sleeping. Soft clothes are wonderful. I don't put jeans on my kids because I wouldn't want to sleep in them, like the other mom said. (sorry I couldn't find it again to quote). You never know what size you will need to have a few in a couple of sizes. My almost 5 month old is in 9-12 month clothes... sleepers or outfits with and without feet are good. Some like them with feet, some hate them, and sometimes its the mood.
I am sure this isn't everything, but it is a good start. congrats and remember that you will be fine with whatever you have. But when that ONE thing starts nagging at your mind that you need, then go get it so you will have peace. (Mine was newborn diapers, my sister's was a bath tub.)
2 moms found this helpful
K.F. answers from Cleveland on September 21, 2011
I would register for the swaddle me blankets. If your baby likes to be swaddled (most do, some do not) you will find it to be a lifesaver! Wipes warmers are a huge waste (in my opinion) Since your baby will be born in december you will want warm clothes for when you will be taking the baby out, warm hats. They sell bundle me's that you hook up to the car seat that will keep your baby warm when you take him out (JJ Cole makes them) I have seen newer versions though and I don't know much about them. I had a baby shower 3 years ago so I am sure there are many new and improved things I don't know about. Get a good thermometer, humidifer, baby monitor. Sorry, that's all I can think of right now. Congrats!!
2 moms found this helpful
C.D. answers from Dallas on September 21, 2011
OK, first baby I bought a Peg Perego baby carrier because it was the cutest...BUT...it weighs the most! Second baby I wised up and got a graco...cheaper, still cute, and lightest weight. Got 2 bases...one for my car and one for husbands truck.
I got a snap and go stroller that the baby carrier fit into and then once she was out of the baby carrier, I got a Macclaran umbrella stroller. On strollers, look for light weight, easy to fold, and storage.
Baby wipe warmers...got one with first...didn't use it. waste of money.
Swing with plug into the wall so no batteries.
Bouncy seat...nothing fancy...I actually got 2. One for living room and one for bathroom when I am getting ready for work.
High chair - I didn't have much room in my kitchen so I got one that straps to the chair at the table. LOVE IT! Plus, it is easy to take off and take with you to peoples houses that don't have babies.
Bottles - used Dr. Browns with first...loved them...but pain to clean with all the parts. Second baby used Playtex drop-ins...target liners fit and are 1/2 the price.
Formula - Similac advance but Target brand is the same for 1/2 the price!
Pack and Play with one sheet
HANGERS!!!
Exersaucer and jumparoo...not the one that hangs in the doorway, get a stationary one!
Bobby pillow
Sound machine...my kids sleep like angels with white noise!!
2 moms found this helpful
J.I. answers from San Antonio on September 21, 2011
My SIL just got basic needs on her registry, then got a TON of gift cards. Her son's almost one year old and she still has some gcs stashed away for when she needs it.
One idea: look on other people's registry.
IMO, you need:
- at least 3 sets of sheets
- mattress saver
- bathtub (half price if you go buy one re-sale)
- washcloths
- towels
- a couple toys
- a Bumbo (foamy seat thing. AWESOME!)
- swing/bouncy chair
- bibs
- diaper bag
- bag to keep bottles cool
- socks
- onesies
- sleep sack type pajamas
- swaddle blanket
- Dreft or other "free" detergent
- gas drops
- baby tylenol and/or motrin
- tooth-brush (it's rubbery and fits around your finger)
- soft brush (my hospital gave me one)
- burp cloths -- the best ones are the thick cloth diapers by Gerber
When I have my next kid, we're likely going to skip the whole high-chair thing and just get a seat that straps into a real chair. It takes up WAY less room. My MIL bought it and I thought "Duh. So much better than a high chair."
Wipe warmer? Eh we lived w/o one. Yes in the winter if your house is cold, the wipe will be cold but oh well!
Depending on the noise-level of your house and baby's sleep habits, a white noise machine is nice (Graco makes a lovely one for $30/35).
ADDED: I registered online only. I didn't even go into Babies R Us except to buy the carseat and to return a few items. It was nice to do it online b/c I could read reviews to see if the product was a piece of junk or not. I only put 4 and 5 star items onmy registry.
Congrats on your baby!
1 mom found this helpful
M.M. answers from Lake Charles on September 21, 2011
The two things that made life SO much easier:
Wipe warmer, yes, get one, it's the nice thing to do.
GRIPE WATER.. seriously if you go through colic without this magic liquid you will have NO hair when you finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Baby timer, for the first few weeks it was amazing, I don't think I'll need it this time because I've had a LOT of practice but for the first it keeps those first sleep-deprived weeks clear (it keeps track of the last time baby ate, napped, pooped etc).
Temporal thermometer, we still use it and it's AMAZING. Exorgen makes the best one for your money.
The things I never even really used:
The little bouncer, it was like 50 bucks and we used it once, waste.
The swing we didn't use until she was like 9 months so that could have waited..
Oh, and like nice newborn clothes (jeans and stuff that's just not that comfy) we dressed her up and stuff but we stuck mostly to soft stuff because they sleep so dang much, any fluffy dresses and jeans still have tags on them so think "would I want to sleep in an outfit like that?" and base what you keep and what you return on that.
And do yourself a favor and have hubby/SO throw a diaper party, it's basically a man baby shower and you get a ton of diapers, you can just exchange the brands you don't want for the ones you do. We didn't worry about diapers for god knows how long!
1 mom found this helpful
E.S. answers from Dayton on September 21, 2011
Everybody is so different. Lol.
So many things mentioned I never ever used...
One thing I couldn't live w/out is my Floppy Seat Cover: http://www.floppyseat.com/product_info/catalog_page.htm
Don't need it till like 6 months or so but they are a great registry item, imo.
And a good sling.
A nursing cover.
A great diaper bag.
I did buy a wipes warmer for my son...not necessary, but if you have a big family (or lots of friends) they may be happy to have some gift suggestions.
I got the Munchkin one and it rarely dried the wipes out.
Though I rarely used it for my 1st-a good ($$) lightweight stroller.
I carry my newborns everywhere. But my son grew much faster than my daughter. He broke my back. He has spent much more time in the stroller.
That is kinda a wait and see item...unless again you have lots of people wanting to spend a lot of money on you. ;)
HTH! Congrats!
1 mom found this helpful
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