When I registered for my wedding I thought it was the most enjoyable part of the wedding planning process. My soon-to-be husband and I had both been living on our own for some time, and I had a great idea of what we needed and didn’t need as we got married, moved in together and started our life as a couple.
Registering for a baby? That’s an entirely different ordeal! At 25 weeks pregnant, I’m just starting to put together a registry, which for a planner like myself seems incredibly behind the ball. I actually only started a registry because someone asked me where we were registered and I was embarrassed not to have an answer!
Thanks to the recommendation of a blog reader, I signed up to use Baby List for our registry, which allows you to create a registry online, sourcing products and items from all over the web, rather than a few select stores. But now that I’ve got my registry started, I’m feeling overwhelmed with the vast number of baby products out there and the array of opinions on what’s necessary and useful when welcoming a baby into your home.
Since our house isn’t overflowing with room for storing things, we don’t really need and use regularly, I am hoping to put together a registry that’s a bit on the minimalist side. That means no diaper wipe warmer for this family! I want to have everything we need for our baby, but I don’t want more than we need, either.
Here are a few things on my registry that I’ve been told I have to get:
1. Conair Sound Therapy Machine
We have an older house that isn’t the most soundproof. I’ve been told having a sound machine is as much for baby’s benefit as it is for mom and dad’s so you don’t have to tip toe around the house after baby goes to sleep.
2. WubbaNub Pacifier
Most moms I know have at least a few of these. Our dogs have already ruined a couple when friends leave them on the floor, so I’m afraid we may need a bunch!
3. Cuisinart Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor
I don’t know if I’ll ever be the mom that makes all my own baby food (my mom did!), but I do want to have the option. A smaller food processor makes much more sense than hauling out my large 10-cup food processor, and I love that I can use it for non baby-related things as well.
4. Gerber White Onesies
I’ve heard that you’ll be surprised with how many white onesies your baby needs. I never thought to register for something so practical until a friend suggested I do so. Now I have a bunch on my list in different sizes, both long and short sleeve.
5. Ergo 360 Baby Carrier
There are so many options for baby carriers and it seems there are just as many opinions on what carrier is the best. I’ve read great things about the Ergo, but I also plan on getting a sling or wrap-style carrier to have a few options. My husband said that baby wearing is one of the things he’s most looking forward to about being a dad, which totally surprised me!
6. Boppy Infant Feeding/Support Pillow
I’m still learning everything I can about infant feeding, so I’m not entirely sure why I need this or how it will be used! Everyone tells me it’s a necessity, so I’m trusting other experienced moms and am registering for one.
7. Keekaroo Peanut Changer
I was having coffee with a friend last week and she said this was her favorite baby purchase. It doesn’t require changing pad covers (aka more laundry!) and can be wiped down at a moment’s notice. Sign me up!
8. Bumbo Floor Seat
I’m sure we won’t be using this for a while, but it’s nice to know when our little peanut is ready to sit up we can use the seat to help with support.
So mammas out there who have done this a time or two: What are your must-have items to have on a baby registry. And, perhaps more importantly, what items did you get that you just didn’t end up using?
18 comments
Aden and Anais Swaddles – Good for swaddling (nice and big), nurssing covers, changing pad (in a pinch) carseat cover (from those prying fingers), burp cloths and more. Skip the target or BRU versions, and go for the boutique versions. The boutique are bigger and softer. Plus they are super breathable, so if they happen to break free from their swaddle or otherwise cover their mouth, they are light. Stay away from anything tightly woven or polyester.
Sound Machine – We like the Homedics
Moby Wrap – The ergo is great, and the infant insert is a must before 15lbs, but babies liked to be snuggled TIGHTLY! We love our Moby. My munchkin falls asleep in it everytime, as he lays on my chest and no doubt falls asleep to my heart beating just like he did while “on the inside.”
I would skip buying any baby clothes until after your baby shower. If you must buy something, buy it in bigger sizes, 12, 18 or 24 months. You will be given so many baby clothes.
My favorite items: My Brest Friend nursing pillow (MUCH better than the Boppy, if you plan on nursing), a nice infant swing that has the side-to-side rocking feature, cotton-muslin blankets for swaddling, Halo sleep sacks (or generic seem to be just as good now) for when the swaddling days sadly end, an easy to clean high hair. Get plenty of waterproof pads in various sizes. Unnecessary item: Bumbo seat (only used ours a couple times), lots of onesies (we ended up with a ton of onesies that we never used, the one piece sleep-and-plays were far more practical for us – but this may depend on the climate you live in and the season), a baby monitor is really only necessary if you have multiple floors in your home. Try baby carriers from friends or places that rent them before you commit to one. We had an Ergo – so awesome in my opinion, but my baby did not feel the same way! He wanted to only face forward – unfortunately baby can’t do that in an Ergo.
If you prefer not to get piles of clothes at your shower, don’t announce the gender beforehand. Almost no one will actually use your registry. People will just get you what they want to.
I used the Conair sound machine; it’s not so great. I’d try another brand and make sure it has the option to play all night if needed.
I thought I would exclusively baby wear.. Nope. It gets exhausting fast! A good stroller is a must.
Ditch the Boppy and look into Dr. Brown’s Gia pillow! I just discovered it and wish that I had been able to use it for all three kids. We use sound machines in both of our kids’ rooms too. We have a beagle…it was a must.
For mom: nursing bras/tanks (I live in the tanks), breast pads (the leaking and fullness is kinda shocking at first), nipple cream (Mother Love is great), nursing cover, take the peri bottle from the hospital (don’t forget it!!), I loved EarthMama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray, pads, Epsom salts for soaking in the tub, and coffee (lots of it)!
For baby: boppy pillow (I used every time I nursed for the first 3 months basically!), white onesies (I prefer Carters vs. Gerbers as they seem thicker, don’t shrink as easily, better quality), easy zip up sleepers (who wants to mess with snaps at 2am?), burp cloths, halo sleep sack/swaddler blankets (Aden &Anais), packn play or bassinet for sleeping in your room (so nice for middle of night when nursing!), car seat, we don’t use a diaper genie. We didn’t use pacifiers til 4-5 weeks and then L never took it. Same with breast pump, storage bags, bottles (best to nurse as much as possible in the first month to establish your milk supply).
Each baby will like certain things, so do/use whatever works for you and your baby!
For mom: nursing bras/tanks (I live in the tanks), breast pads (the leaking and fullness is kinda shocking at first), nipple cream (Mother Love is great), nursing cover, take the peri bottle from the hospital (don’t forget it!!), I loved EarthMama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray, pads, Epsom salts for soaking in the tub, and coffee (lots of it)!
For baby: boppy pillow (I used every time I nursed for the first 3 months basically!), white onesies (I prefer Carters vs. Gerbers as they seem thicker, don’t shrink as easily, better quality), easy zip up sleepers (who wants to mess with snaps at 2am?), burp cloths, halo sleep sack/swaddler blankets (Aden &Anais), packn play or bassinet for sleeping in your room (so nice for middle of night when nursing!), car seat, we don’t use a diaper genie. We didn’t use pacifiers til 4-5 weeks and then L never took it. Same with breast pump, storage bags, bottles (best to nurse as much as possible in the first month to establish your milk supply).
Each baby will like certain things, so do/use whatever works for you and your baby!
Two related things that saved my life are warm, quilted sleep sacks (Baby Deedee or now IKEA has some) and Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suits (for younger babies). Both made a world of difference when it came to a good nights sleep.