Here is what I learned through my registering/ baby buying experience.
1. Take someone trusted with you, or at least talk with them before you go. Maybe it's always been your dream to register with just you and your hubby, but taking someone experienced or knowledgable can be so helpful. Someone to tell you that Pee-pee tee pees will not ever work, someone to ensure you don't buy the 1,000 dollar stroller that won't fit in your car, someone to remind you that your baby will only wear these newborn sized clothes for a matter of weeks, if not only days! Now I don't want to burst your bubble- if you have the money and space to waste on junk, but knowing what's important and necessary is so beneficial.
2. Don't wait until the last minute and don't plan to do it all in one day. Although is can be super fun, registering is more like making lots of tiny decisions with unknown outcomes, and depending on your personality type and stamina- it may actually be more work than you think. Plan to spend no more than 2 hours cruising the aisles on any one day or you may end up grumpy and hungry- and being pregnant- you may have started the day out like that already! Most people I know try to register around 20 weeks- when you have learned the sex of the baby (if you are finding out) and feel confident that you love the theme or colors you've chosen. Remember, you can always go online and change every single item you picked out anyway!
3. Think about the whole first year. Try to pick out a few toys or items baby will need at 9 or 12 months, when friends and family's wallets have stopped being so generous and your little one isn't the newest kid on the block anymore. Don't forget to register for diapers of a few sizes (since you don't know how big baby will be when they arrive). The number one thing I regret not registering for is a convertible carseat. The baby carrier/stroller combo has worked great for us, but my little guy is so tall- we needed to purchase a 300 dollar carseat just 6 months after he was born. If only someone would have told me...
L J's Top Ten Baby Items ( in no particular order)
1. Pack N Play ( with changing table attachment)- We used this on our main living level. Ian's nursery was upstairs, and it was a lifesaver to have a nearby changing area and place to store his needed items, plus he learned to sleep well in it during the day which makes him used to it for when we travel. Now we can throw toys in there with him and it's a safe place for him while I shower or cook, etc. Having safe places throughout your home is key!
2. Jumparoo - We first put him in this at around 4 months and he still enjoys it today. I love the jumparoo the most, but an exersaucer or activity center will work too. The one we use is on loan from my friend Julie, but I think brand new they are around 100 dollars. It's a great place for them to expend energy, and again a safe place if you need to use the restroom!
3. Highchair - We didn't register for one, knowing that we wouldn't need it right away and we ended up buying ours at a garage sale for 5$. As soon as he could sit up a bit, putting him in a high chair with toys got him used to that feeling of supported sitting, and he enjoyed being on our level during meal times. We love that ours doesn't have a ton of fabric or bells and whistles which keeps it easy to clean.
4. Boba Carrier- Carrier, Wrap, Sling- whatever you call them or prefer, this was a life saver for me. I wore Ian around the house often from when he was around 3 weeks old until around 5 months or so. This carrier is the only way I was able to grocery shop and run certain errands effectively. I still wear him on walks and he can fit in this comfortably until about 3 years. Love love love my boba carrier!
5. Medical Kit with Nasal Aspirator/Nail Clippers/ Thermometer - Ian was certainly a scratcher from birth. He was only a week old when we cut his nails for the first time, and we have to cut them twice a week currently just to keep him from hurting himself. A nasal aspirator is so helpful when their little noses get snotty, and a thermometer is key for helping us know if Ian needs to head to the dr. We have one that says his temp out loud and is read from his forehead, which was worth the few extra bucks.
6. Swing - Some babies love the swing, some babies could care less. But if you are blessed with a baby who will swing happily and sleep here, it's worth the money, even if you'll only get about 6 month use out of it. This is a great item to buy second hand or to borrow from a friend.
7. Breast Pump- If you are breast feeding, even if you plan to stay at home with your kiddo, invest in a great pump. My husband had no idea the commitment that breast feeding would truly be and wondered why we needed to spend so much on this. Because feeding can be so different for each woman, you never know if you may need to be a mom that exclusively pumps. Just know this- without a pump, you can not leave your baby for more than 3-4 hours tops, EVER while you are breastfeeding, without pain, engorgement, or issues! The pump frees you up in so many ways, even though it too, can make you feel a little like a dairy cow. Ohhh.. the places I've had to feed/pump :)
8. Nursery Seating- You will spend many nights without sleep. Having a chair and ottoman combo has been amazing, but some folks find all they need is a chair with a high enough back to support your head. Chairs can be very pricing at baby stores, so look around before you drop 500 dollars extra, just because it came from the same place as everything else.
9. Car Seat/Stroller - Look for the features you like best and focus on that- the handle shape, the weight limit, the safety rating- don't just pick the cutest one. And don't worry about buying the travel systems that are sold together- i promise they have adapters and convertors for just about everything out there. This is also an item that you probably want to buy gender neutral if you plan on having more than one baby.
10. Crib- No matter when you feel is the right time to move your baby from in the room with you to their own nursery, the crib is a key ingredient. I found mine for around 200, and mixed and matched pieces from places to make one good looking set. Make sure you think through if you want your crib to transition to each step with this baby, or if you will use this crib for all of your children. That may help you decide how many pieces of furniture must match and fit in the room.
Bobba Carrier
For good reason, items NOT on this list include bedding set, boppy pillow, moses basket, bumbo seat, playmat, diaper geanie, wipes warmer, etc.. feel free to ask me about any of these...
Long post for sure, but I hope this will shed some insight for a few of my expecting friends out there! Hit me up with any other questions or thoughts! I'd love to hear what others have found necessary as well.
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