Baby Registries Part 1: Planning
You've browsed all the catalogues, you've asked your friends what they have, now it's your turn to compile that list of things you want and need and holy crap, it's a long list isn't it?! Enter: The Baby Registry! PS: This post contains some Amazon Affiliate links. Diapers are expensive, y’all.
As I'd mentioned in "You're Pregnant, Now What?" we ended up consolidating all our lists from Target, Buy, Buy, Baby and Amazon plus a few other random sites under Babylist (it is both an app and a website) because I liked the interface and how easy it was to add links from all sorts of websites, even ones that don't have registry capabilities (like Etsy). The other awesome thing about Babylist is they also have Best Of lists they've compiled to help guide you in selecting things, from "Best Convertible Car Seats of 2018" to "Best Diapers."
We used the registry as a wish/shopping list for everything we wanted, not just things we hoped people would gift us
We actually kept a lot of items private because we didn't feel right asking people to buy us furniture. So we kept the open list to things the baby would need. It was very nifty how Babylist lets you keep certain things under your "Private" list that so only you see it and the people you send the link to won't. Disclaimer: Babylist isn't paying me to say this, I found it, liked it and used it.
Another registry list option is MyRegistry.com!
Before I get into the specific items you'll want to have on the list, here's a few things to consider when planning your registry.
CLOTHES & WEARABLES
When it comes to basics (I’m talking those BASIC onesies, nothing cute just the baby equivalent of a plain, white T) you can’t have too many. When it comes to the nicer, more pricey outfits, err on the side of sizing up and don’t go too nuts too soon. Why? Because blowouts, barf and more bodily fluids can and will happen.
Every time I put Theo in a new, fancier outfit, it's as if he was teaching me a lesson for spending $30 on a onesie and he’d have a blowout. If I could rewind I would have dressed him in nothing but those Gerber onesies you can get in packs of 5 so definitely register for a lot of those. I'm not saying your child will have blowouts galore just because mine did, my point is, if you're going to register for "nice" stuff, get them in sizes that are 3-6 months or 6 and up. By then you'd have gotten a handle on your baby's loads plus they’d be more active by then and can REALLY rock the outfits.
Consider when you're giving birth too like if you have a January due date, you're not going to need tank tops and shorts till your baby is at least four months old. Somewhat related: You might want also to think about things you'll want at home like humidifiers and a couple of snuggly blankets. Anyway, we had Theo in May so a lot of the clothing and swaddling things I registered for were more summery and light.
Booties and mittens are great for keeping their feet and hands snug. I liked putting mittens on him so he wouldn't scratch himself and some lines have built in mittens so look out for those.
Swaddles: these are great gifts and you honestly can't have too many, especially the muslin ones that also worked nicely as cover-ups for nursing while out or blankets and stroller covers. In a pinch they also wipe up spit-up well.
Definitely register for a supply of bigger sized diapers too because (for me at least) it seemed like Theo went from fitting into a newborn diaper just fine to suddenly needing the larger size later that night and I was so glad we had at least another small pack of what we needed on hand!
STROLLERS, CAR SEATS AND SUCH
What car do you have now? Are you going to get a bigger car? Do you typically have a passenger who needs legroom in front with the baby carrier/car seat in the backseat?
If you have two cars, think about who's going to be the primary transporter and if you need two car seats? We used a car seat that could attach to a stroller base so we ended up ordering just an extra base for the bucket. However we've now moved on to the convertible car seat (he's outgrown that bucket and it makes me so sad he's not teensy anymore) so we each have one in our cars.
When it comes to these items I highly recommend you go try before you buy. It pays to take the time to go see things for yourself, walk around with them, really get hands on. So after you've researched online for things go into Buy, Buy, Baby, go to Nordstrom or whatever department store or local shop you have around you and get a feel for everything. Reviews are so subjective and a stroller one person finds easy to fold may be a lot harder for you and vice versa. Think about how it’ll fit in your trunk, if it’s easy for you and your partner to lift, put away, if you need something for travel if you travel a lot etc.
One thing I liked about Buy, Buy, Baby is that they have baby doll you can put in to the car seat to get a closer feel for how the straps/buckles work. I’m sure the other baby stores have something you can use too so ask.
I found it helpful to crowdsource for strollers/car seats. I asked friends if they like/d what they have/had and why so check with yours, even if their kids are older because they can have long term insight too. And ask if you can have them give you a demo or let you try your hand at using what they have too. If it’s convenient, most people are very happy to give you that chance.
YOUR HOME
Do you have one storey or two/more? Are your rooms pretty far apart or is it easy to go room-to-room? Where’s your bedroom and where’s the nursery going to be? Where will you be spending most of your time with the baby? These are things to consider and can dictate if you need two of anything. Items you may consider doubling up on:
Diaper acoutrement caddy and the creams/wipes/balms that go in it
Boppy or any support type pillows
Support pillows for yourself for while you nurse
A monitor that comes with two receiver sets and not just one (I’m selling mine btw ask me about if you’re interested)
Thermometer (rectal, ear, regular or otherwise but I recommend rectal because they give the most precise temperature read. I like this particular one, it’s flexible and Theo doesn’t even notice.)
Yes, I know it’s extravagant to double up, but if you can I encourage it. I’m not telling you to double up on big ticket items but more of the little things. Speaking from my own experience, I misplace things and when it’s hectic I don’t always put things back in their place so knowing there’s a back-up is helpful.
KNOW THAT IT’S TRIAL AND ERROR
Now begins the letting go and the experimenting. Case in point, I have two different kinds of nasal aspirators (but the Nose Frida is a personal favorite), different pacifiers because turns out Theo didn’t take to those green Avent ones and therefore hated the Wubbanubs (sad face). And it’s not just the baby’s preference, I mean the baby’s really the easier part because they’re still learning and you can eventually get them to get used to something but when it comes to you, the parent, you’ll learn what you like and don’t. I have both the Breast Friend and a Boppy and I didn’t like the Breast Friend as much but we love the Boppy and wish we got two because it was never in the room we ended up needing it in.
It’s also very normal to dislike something a bunch of your friends may have loved. There’s nothing wrong with that or you, that’s why there are so many options out there - everybody is different.
Know that at the end of the day your choices are your choices and do not ever feel bad for them if they’re in your child’s (and YOUR) best interest.
Don’t forget to check out the list of our favorite things (and I’ll have more lists to come) and if you have any specific questions about registries or things for your baby please leave a comment or email me! I would love to be of any help in this process.
