sorry, another baby question. . . . registries?

kaos16

I know I should post these questions on TheBump or elsewhere, but I just feel like my friends in Chit Chat have such good ideas/advice!

My mom and sister are hounding me to do my baby registries, so I have a few questions:

Where did you register?

Is there anything you didn't register for and wish you had?

What did you register for that turned out to be a big old waste?

What are some must haves that I need to put on the registry?

I'm planning on doing Target and maybe another place. . . . Babies R Us and diapers.com were suggested to me, but I'm certainly open to suggestions.

Thanks!

labro

My sister is registered at Babies R Us and she also has a small registry with Target. So far the big thing I've noticed for her (and maybe it's because she is having a girl) is that everyone is buying up all the "cute" things and none of the essentials. So she's received a TON of receiving blankets, quilts, little fluffy animal toys, clothing, and no extra sheets, almost no bottles or feeding related items, no changing pad, maybe a few diapers, a few wipes. On the other hand, she has received some of the really nice things to have too - her cradle, her car seat, her diaper bag, the big must haves.

I think what I've really liked with her registry is she registered for two car seat bases, but only one car seat. That way the base is already installed and they just have to switch a single car seat between one car or another. They also got this nice seat cover that goes under the base and the carseat to help protect your car from...well....everything baby related.

jenna8984

@labro Great call- my brother, his wife, his ex-wife, and his ex MIL all have the same car seat base that stays in their cars so the carseat stays with nephew wherever he goes and can snap into anyone's car who is picking him up. Makes it so quick and easy to just set it on the base and go.

ohmrs2014

We registered at Babies R Us and a smaller one at Buy Buy Baby.

I agree with the multiple car bases.  Both sets of parents plan on buying one.  His parents just in case, and my parents because they are going to be watching Peanut when I go back to work so there are going to be times they need to get into the car.

Even though our parents are going halves on the crib for us, we still added it so that they knew exactly which one we wanted, though apparently, we are going with them to buy it LOL.

We didn't register for anything gender specific and haven't told anyone what we are having.  We wanted to avoid receiving all the cute stuff and focus on the necessities.  The cute stuff is left to us, our parents, and siblings.  They are the only ones who know what we are having and have been pretty good at keeping it a secret.

We registered for the basics.  I know Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us will give you checklists to work off of, not sure about Target.

Everyone I talked to said a diaper pail was a waste, but DH wanted it because he didn't want the kitchen smelling like dirty diapers, he would rather keep that smell in a separate area.

That's all I can think of right now.  I'll add more if I remember.

banana468

I registered at Babies R Us.

Based on my experience at my baby shower: 

-I would NOT register for any clothing.    

-I would NOT register for any receiving blankets (I didn't and still received approximately 400,000)

-I would NOT register for baby towels or wash cloths

I WOULD register for:

-Equipment: You never know who may want to make a group purchase for the pack n play, crib, dresser, mattress, bedding set, curtains, swing, car seat and car seat base.   PLUS, if you're going to be buying them anyway, it shows your friends and family ideas for colors that you may have in mind AND tells them about specific models that you want 

-changing pad

-changing pad covers

-diaper bag (we have one that looks like a messenger bag which means DH doesn't feel like he's wearing a purse when he has it)

-I LOVED our Fisher Price Rock N Play.   My kids are not fans of back sleeping at the very beginning so this was an easy way to get them to sleep AND they were close to me in the room.

-Bouncy seat (equipment but lower cost)

-Exersaucer (they are somewhat controversial but I LOVE that I can put DS down and go to the bathroom in peace without fear that he's trapped under something heavy or falling down the stairs).

-Extra crib sheets

-Waterproof mattress protector

-Sheet protectors (go over the crib sheet)

-Pack n play sheets

-Aden and Anais blankets are fantastic.   DO NOT register for the Target version.   They're smaller and have fewer layers.   I love that they make great lightweight crib blankets, swaddles or nursing covers.

-If you think you're going to be pro-pacifier, register for a few types.   Babies don't just take any old kind and some get specific.   It took 3 varieties to figure out what kind DS likes.

-I wouldn't register for bottles right away unless you plan to formula feed.   Some babies are picky with the nipple that they'll take and it would be a shame to have a 12 pack of Playtex drop ins that don't get used.

-Register for a great baby carrier.   We have and I loathe the standard issue Baby Bjorn.   I think it pulls on my back and hurts after a few minutes.   I LOVE the Ergo.   There are a ton of carriers on the market but pretty much any carrier that offers thick padded straps and lumbar support will be better than the Bjorn.   Now that we have two, DS is worn ALL THE TIME.   And it also offers discreet nursing.   Other brands are the Tula (I LOVE the pretty patterns!) and the Becco Gemini.    They're in the over $100 ball park but well worth it so you can be be mobile with baby.

-If you think you're going to be nursing, register for a breast pump.  I use a double electric 3x a day every work day.   It's a Medela Pump In Style and runs about $300 but it's worth every penny.

Those are just some of the basics.  Some other registering advice:

-Before you register for a car seat, figure out how much space you have in your vehicle.   We have the Chicco keyfit 30 and our first "family car" purchased when I was pregnant with baby #1 was a 2008 Outback.   We just assumed that the car seat wouldn't be an issue.   Then when we installed it we realized that the front passenger seat would have seriously decreased leg room.   It was NOT comfortable being in the front seat for long trips but it's recommended that babies rear face for a min of 2 years.   So keep that in mind if you're looking for a car seat and / or new car.

-Car seats expire.   If you're going to get an infant carrier seat and then move up to the convertible (DS is nearly 1 year and still in the infant carrier.   He is OK in it until he's 30 inches or 30 lbs) then I would hold off on buying the convertible right away or the clock will be ticking while it sits in storage.  DO NOT EVER USE A USED CAR SEAT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE SOURCE! 

Also, a web membership to Consumer Reports can be your best friend when looking up safety ratings for products.   That and the book Baby Steals will be fantastic.

wandajune6

jenna8984 said:

@labro Great call- my brother, his wife, his ex-wife, and his ex MIL all have the same car seat base that stays in their cars so the carseat stays with nephew wherever he goes and can snap into anyone's car who is picking him up. Makes it so quick and easy to just set it on the base and go.

My sister has the same setup with car seats.

If you're registering for clothes, stick to basics in a variety of sizes. You will get lots of cute clothes that weren't on the registry but people rarely think to buy anything big enough for the kid a few months down the road. Don't register for anything too seasonal as you don't know how quickly the baby will grow but make sure that you are giving yourself options.

I'd register for diapers, wipes, etc. as well. Skip registering for all of the cutesy stuff- people will buy it for the kid anyway. Register for what you need the most.

When DH and I go to baby showers (they've been mostly co-ed lately), we always end up spending 70% of the budget on very practical stuff like diapers and 30% on fun stuff that makes us happy to buy. If we know what you need, it's easier to get the right practical stuff.

wandajune6

banana468 said:

I registered at Babies R Us.

Based on my experience at my baby shower: 

-I would NOT register for any clothing.    

-I would NOT register for any receiving blankets (I didn't and still received approximately 400,000)

-I would NOT register for baby towels or wash cloths

I WOULD register for:

-Equipment: You never know who may want to make a group purchase for the pack n play, crib, dresser, mattress, bedding set, curtains, swing, car seat and car seat base.   PLUS, if you're going to be buying them anyway, it shows your friends and family ideas for colors that you may have in mind AND tells them about specific models that you want 

-changing pad

-changing pad covers

-diaper bag (we have one that looks like a messenger bag which means DH doesn't feel like he's wearing a purse when he has it)

-I LOVED our Fisher Price Rock N Play.   My kids are not fans of back sleeping at the very beginning so this was an easy way to get them to sleep AND they were close to me in the room.

-Bouncy seat (equipment but lower cost)

-Exersaucer (they are somewhat controversial but I LOVE that I can put DS down and go to the bathroom in peace without fear that he's trapped under something heavy or falling down the stairs).

-Extra crib sheets

-Waterproof mattress protector

-Sheet protectors (go over the crib sheet)

-Pack n play sheets

-Aden and Anais blankets are fantastic.   DO NOT register for the Target version.   They're smaller and have fewer layers.   I love that they make great lightweight crib blankets, swaddles or nursing covers.

-If you think you're going to be pro-pacifier, register for a few types.   Babies don't just take any old kind and some get specific.   It took 3 varieties to figure out what kind DS likes.

-I wouldn't register for bottles right away unless you plan to formula feed.   Some babies are picky with the nipple that they'll take and it would be a shame to have a 12 pack of Playtex drop ins that don't get used.

-Register for a great baby carrier.   We have and I loathe the standard issue Baby Bjorn.   I think it pulls on my back and hurts after a few minutes.   I LOVE the Ergo.   There are a ton of carriers on the market but pretty much any carrier that offers thick padded straps and lumbar support will be better than the Bjorn.   Now that we have two, DS is worn ALL THE TIME.   And it also offers discreet nursing.   Other brands are the Tula (I LOVE the pretty patterns!) and the Becco Gemini.    They're in the over $100 ball park but well worth it so you can be be mobile with baby.

-If you think you're going to be nursing, register for a breast pump.  I use a double electric 3x a day every work day.   It's a Medela Pump In Style and runs about $300 but it's worth every penny.

Those are just some of the basics.  Some other registering advice:

-Before you register for a car seat, figure out how much space you have in your vehicle.   We have the Chicco keyfit 30 and our first "family car" purchased when I was pregnant with baby #1 was a 2008 Outback.   We just assumed that the car seat wouldn't be an issue.   Then when we installed it we realized that the front passenger seat would have seriously decreased leg room.   It was NOT comfortable being in the front seat for long trips but it's recommended that babies rear face for a min of 2 years.   So keep that in mind if you're looking for a car seat and / or new car.

-Car seats expire.   If you're going to get an infant carrier seat and then move up to the convertible (DS is nearly 1 year and still in the infant carrier.   He is OK in it until he's 30 inches or 30 lbs) then I would hold off on buying the convertible right away or the clock will be ticking while it sits in storage.  DO NOT EVER USE A USED CAR SEAT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE SOURCE! 

Also, a web membership to Consumer Reports can be your best friend when looking up safety ratings for products.   That and the book Baby Steals will be fantastic.

All of this. I don't have a baby but everyone around me seems to be having them lately. My sister had 2 baby carriers before she found the perfect one - the Ergo baby.

My sister got the Medela Pump In Style. One of our mutual friends bought a Medela that was 2x the price and had to replace it within a few months. The Pump In Style seems to be the standard but everyone adores it. Target occasionally has gift card deals with them- I bought one as a gift a few months back and ended up with a $50 gift card.

The Aiden & Anais blankets are the greatest things ever. My 3 year old niece still adores hers. I went so far as to buy a dozen of them at a baby store that was going out of business because everyone loves them so much (they're not cheap). The Target line is better than other brands but still not as good as the others.

TrixieJess

banana468 said:

I registered at Babies R Us.

Based on my experience at my baby shower: 

-I would NOT register for any clothing.    

-I would NOT register for any receiving blankets (I didn't and still received approximately 400,000)

-I would NOT register for baby towels or wash cloths

I WOULD register for:

-Equipment: You never know who may want to make a group purchase for the pack n play, crib, dresser, mattress, bedding set, curtains, swing, car seat and car seat base.   PLUS, if you're going to be buying them anyway, it shows your friends and family ideas for colors that you may have in mind AND tells them about specific models that you want 

-changing pad

-changing pad covers

-diaper bag (we have one that looks like a messenger bag which means DH doesn't feel like he's wearing a purse when he has it)

-I LOVED our Fisher Price Rock N Play.   My kids are not fans of back sleeping at the very beginning so this was an easy way to get them to sleep AND they were close to me in the room.

-Bouncy seat (equipment but lower cost)

-Exersaucer (they are somewhat controversial but I LOVE that I can put DS down and go to the bathroom in peace without fear that he's trapped under something heavy or falling down the stairs).

-Extra crib sheets

-Waterproof mattress protector

-Sheet protectors (go over the crib sheet)

-Pack n play sheets

-Aden and Anais blankets are fantastic.   DO NOT register for the Target version.   They're smaller and have fewer layers.   I love that they make great lightweight crib blankets, swaddles or nursing covers.

-If you think you're going to be pro-pacifier, register for a few types.   Babies don't just take any old kind and some get specific.   It took 3 varieties to figure out what kind DS likes.

-I wouldn't register for bottles right away unless you plan to formula feed.   Some babies are picky with the nipple that they'll take and it would be a shame to have a 12 pack of Playtex drop ins that don't get used.

-Register for a great baby carrier.   We have and I loathe the standard issue Baby Bjorn.   I think it pulls on my back and hurts after a few minutes.   I LOVE the Ergo.   There are a ton of carriers on the market but pretty much any carrier that offers thick padded straps and lumbar support will be better than the Bjorn.   Now that we have two, DS is worn ALL THE TIME.   And it also offers discreet nursing.   Other brands are the Tula (I LOVE the pretty patterns!) and the Becco Gemini.    They're in the over $100 ball park but well worth it so you can be be mobile with baby.

-If you think you're going to be nursing, register for a breast pump.  I use a double electric 3x a day every work day.   It's a Medela Pump In Style and runs about $300 but it's worth every penny.

Those are just some of the basics.  Some other registering advice:

-Before you register for a car seat, figure out how much space you have in your vehicle.   We have the Chicco keyfit 30 and our first "family car" purchased when I was pregnant with baby #1 was a 2008 Outback.   We just assumed that the car seat wouldn't be an issue.   Then when we installed it we realized that the front passenger seat would have seriously decreased leg room.   It was NOT comfortable being in the front seat for long trips but it's recommended that babies rear face for a min of 2 years.   So keep that in mind if you're looking for a car seat and / or new car.

-Car seats expire.   If you're going to get an infant carrier seat and then move up to the convertible (DS is nearly 1 year and still in the infant carrier.   He is OK in it until he's 30 inches or 30 lbs) then I would hold off on buying the convertible right away or the clock will be ticking while it sits in storage.  DO NOT EVER USE A USED CAR SEAT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE SOURCE! 

Also, a web membership to Consumer Reports can be your best friend when looking up safety ratings for products.   That and the book Baby Steals will be fantastic.

I pretty much agree with what Banana said. 

As to the bolded, we had a Maya ring sling which I got from a specialty baby store, then we got a Boba 4G which goes up to 55 lbs. My 30lb 2.5 year old is still in it and it doesn't hurt to wear him for long periods of time.

Baby carriers are great if you are in crowds or on public transit. Also when they are really little and won't settle. 

[Deleted User]

banana468 said:

I registered at Babies R Us.

Based on my experience at my baby shower: 

-I would NOT register for any clothing.    

-I would NOT register for any receiving blankets (I didn't and still received approximately 400,000)

-I would NOT register for baby towels or wash cloths

I WOULD register for:

-Equipment: You never know who may want to make a group purchase for the pack n play, crib, dresser, mattress, bedding set, curtains, swing, car seat and car seat base.   PLUS, if you're going to be buying them anyway, it shows your friends and family ideas for colors that you may have in mind AND tells them about specific models that you want 

-changing pad

-changing pad covers

-diaper bag (we have one that looks like a messenger bag which means DH doesn't feel like he's wearing a purse when he has it)

-I LOVED our Fisher Price Rock N Play.   My kids are not fans of back sleeping at the very beginning so this was an easy way to get them to sleep AND they were close to me in the room.

-Bouncy seat (equipment but lower cost)

-Exersaucer (they are somewhat controversial but I LOVE that I can put DS down and go to the bathroom in peace without fear that he's trapped under something heavy or falling down the stairs).

-Extra crib sheets

-Waterproof mattress protector

-Sheet protectors (go over the crib sheet)

-Pack n play sheets

-Aden and Anais blankets are fantastic.   DO NOT register for the Target version.   They're smaller and have fewer layers.   I love that they make great lightweight crib blankets, swaddles or nursing covers.

-If you think you're going to be pro-pacifier, register for a few types.   Babies don't just take any old kind and some get specific.   It took 3 varieties to figure out what kind DS likes.

-I wouldn't register for bottles right away unless you plan to formula feed.   Some babies are picky with the nipple that they'll take and it would be a shame to have a 12 pack of Playtex drop ins that don't get used.

-Register for a great baby carrier.   We have and I loathe the standard issue Baby Bjorn.   I think it pulls on my back and hurts after a few minutes.   I LOVE the Ergo.   There are a ton of carriers on the market but pretty much any carrier that offers thick padded straps and lumbar support will be better than the Bjorn.   Now that we have two, DS is worn ALL THE TIME.   And it also offers discreet nursing.   Other brands are the Tula (I LOVE the pretty patterns!) and the Becco Gemini.    They're in the over $100 ball park but well worth it so you can be be mobile with baby.

-If you think you're going to be nursing, register for a breast pump.  I use a double electric 3x a day every work day.   It's a Medela Pump In Style and runs about $300 but it's worth every penny.

Those are just some of the basics.  Some other registering advice:

-Before you register for a car seat, figure out how much space you have in your vehicle.   We have the Chicco keyfit 30 and our first "family car" purchased when I was pregnant with baby #1 was a 2008 Outback.   We just assumed that the car seat wouldn't be an issue.   Then when we installed it we realized that the front passenger seat would have seriously decreased leg room.   It was NOT comfortable being in the front seat for long trips but it's recommended that babies rear face for a min of 2 years.   So keep that in mind if you're looking for a car seat and / or new car.

-Car seats expire.   If you're going to get an infant carrier seat and then move up to the convertible (DS is nearly 1 year and still in the infant carrier.   He is OK in it until he's 30 inches or 30 lbs) then I would hold off on buying the convertible right away or the clock will be ticking while it sits in storage.  DO NOT EVER USE A USED CAR SEAT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE SOURCE! 

Also, a web membership to Consumer Reports can be your best friend when looking up safety ratings for products.   That and the book Baby Steals will be fantastic.

I'm not even having a baby, but I want to bookmark this list forever. 

ohmrs2014

@banana468, you truly are a lifesaver!  I went through my registries just now and took your advice, luckily I didn't have to change much LOL.

And as much as I want a Tula and Ergo, they are so expensive.

TrixieJess

ohmrs2014 said:

@banana468, you truly are a lifesaver!  I went through my registries just now and took your advice, luckily I didn't have to change much LOL.

And as much as I want a Tula and Ergo, they are so expensive.

You can find both on your local babywearing groups for cheap. I would check Facebook if you have it. I would personally go with a Tula over an Ergo because they have a higher weight limit, they are also easier to re-sell.

ohmrs2014

I'm a little weary about buying second hand things lately.  We are in the middle of an extermination of bed bugs that we believe came from our neighbors when they gutted the apartment in their house and left all their crap against our apartment.

Ever since then and all the reading I've done on these little annoying boogers, I'm skeptical on second hand things because you can get them that way as well.

TrixieJess

ohmrs2014 said:

I'm a little weary about buying second hand things lately.  We are in the middle of an extermination of bed bugs that we believe came from our neighbors when they gutted the apartment in their house and left all their crap against our apartment.

Ever since then and all the reading I've done on these little annoying boogers, I'm skeptical on second hand things because you can get them that way as well.

Totally understand! There are certain areas of our city that I won't even look at buying second hand from because of that. 

banana468

TrixieJess said:

ohmrs2014 said:

@banana468, you truly are a lifesaver!  I went through my registries just now and took your advice, luckily I didn't have to change much LOL.

And as much as I want a Tula and Ergo, they are so expensive.

You can find both on your local babywearing groups for cheap. I would check Facebook if you have it. I would personally go with a Tula over an Ergo because they have a higher weight limit, they are also easier to re-sell.

You are welcome!

Hey, we all know that it helps to get advice from people who have BTDT.

I would still register for a Tula or Ergo

1) You never know who will buy one.   My MIL and her girlfriend chipped in on a baby carrier for their mutual friend's daughter.   They often buy big ticket items as wedding / shower gifts. (I can vouch for that!).

2) You may get gift cards that can be used towards them.

I wouldn't get an inferior brand here.   This is the difference between hating your back and baby and being OK to stand at a backyard party for a few hours.   

stefuhknee

I second the Rock -N- Play that @banana468 mentioned. My son lived in that thing for the first few months and he was always just arm length away from the bed. It's also very portable.

For me the diaper pail, wipe warmer & swing were a waste. After our baby shower we just had so many things but we returned dupes and things we didn't need for gift cards that came in handy for diapers and wipes later on.

banana468

Oh -  one other topic:

Diapers

-Don't register for newborn diapers.   You'll probably get some and most babies aren't in them long (DS was only in them for about 2 weeks).

-The diaper sizing is crap.   You need to move up to the next size when they're at least 2 lbs shy of the upper limit (that's at least my experience).   A big sign that the diaper is too small is when EVERY poop is a blow out.

-Some diaper brands don't work.   I could not use Target brand diapers when DD was young.   They didn't fit her well and we had a lot of leaks.

kaos16

this is exhausting, I want a glass of wine!  

I went with pampers swaddlers sensitive as my sister and a few close friends have all recommended them.  I threw one of each size on there, 1-4, to let people know that's the brand i'm leaning towards. . . same with the wipes.

stroller, car seat and extra base along with the adaptor to put the car seat on the jogger.

rock and play and pack and play, along with a few neutral colored sheets

baby tub for bathing and the little hooded duckie robe because I just had too!

I'm going to wait on a breast pump until i figure out if my insurance covers it.

the car seat insert for infants so their head doesn't wobble

mat for under the car seat, 2 since we have 2 vehicles

bottle dryer and dishwasher basket

playmat for tummy time

a little first aid/grooming kit

Ergo carrier

I just feel like I've registered for so much stuff but that I am still missing a ton!  I'm doing everything in grays mostly since I would like to have a second child if everything works out.

What else?

ohmrs2014

banana468 said:

Oh -  one other topic:

Diapers

-Don't register for newborn diapers.   You'll probably get some and most babies aren't in them long (DS was only in them for about 2 weeks).

-The diaper sizing is crap.   You need to move up to the next size when they're at least 2 lbs shy of the upper limit (that's at least my experience).   A big sign that the diaper is too small is when EVERY poop is a blow out.

-Some diaper brands don't work.   I could not use Target brand diapers when DD was young.   They didn't fit her well and we had a lot of leaks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BOXES~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I registered for two different kinds of diapers to see what would work best and if we like both, at least we have options for sales.

banana468

Personally, I like Luvs and the Berkeley and Jensen brand at BJS. Of all the things I'm not spending a ton on it's something that my kids crap in. If they had skin issues I'd change but the cost to buy starts to get up there.

Heffalump

banana468 said:

Diapers

-Don't register for newborn diapers.   You'll probably get some and most babies aren't in them long (DS was only in them for about 2 weeks).

BOXBOXBOXBOXBOX

I was just about to add that, about NB diapers.  Both of my kids have been super tall since birth (or before, really--they kept telling me I was measuring big for dates, and it turned out they were both just really tall).  I think DD maybe wore NB for a week and a half, DS pretty much went straight to 3M when we left the hospital.  Ditto for clothes, if you register--they'll be in NB for a hot minute, if that.  (Both of my kids went home in 3M.)

True story:  I thought wipes warmers were ridiculous, but my second screeched whenever I used a room-temp wipe on him so I had to suddenly buy one. I'm not saying to register for one, though, because odds are you'll be fine without it.

Cloth diapers make excellent burp cloths, and when they outgrow them they're great for wiping up spills, wiping faces, using over a changing pad if it's a messy change, and all kind of other uses.  (I forgot DD's towel for swim class one day, and used a burp cloth from DS's diaper bag.  Those suckers are absorbent.) 

I know carriers were suggested, also consider a sling.  DD was a carrier kid, DS wanted the sling or nothing.  I'm bad with spatial reasoning, and even I could figure out how to wrap the thing after a couple of tries.