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
The hard thing about registering for baby is that you truly won’t know what your baby will/won’t like until he/she is here. Although I was also told to get a sound machine, I have never used one and my 3 month old baby (my second child) is a great sleeper. He was also so bothered by the cold wipes that I ran out to get a warmer for him – something I had always thought was so frivolous!. It’s also hard because babies differ so much from one to the next – my first hated babywearing, but my second loves the Ergo. (Get the infant insert – much, much easier to use than a wrap!)
As for the other items, I would suggest getting a couple different types of pacifier because sometimes the baby is picky about which style he/she will take. I also find the Bumbo to be way overpriced for an item that you use for literally only a few weeks. I would only get one if you can find it super-cheap secondhand. My personal must-haves are the Halo swaddle sacks, Fisher Price Rock & Play, Aden & Anais swaddle blankets, and Mombo pillow (like a Boppy). All have been tried and true through both my babies.
Of course, these are all just the opinions of this mama. But I did appreciate the advice and suggestions when I was pregnant the first time around. Congratulations and good luck!
I loved my FP Rock & Play; in fact he slept in it for the first 5 months or so! A swing is useful, if you have the room. And stock up on swaddlers, especially the ‘Miracle Blanket’. And a boppy! Quite useful for nursing. Keep in mind the Bumbo has been kinda-sorta recalled, due to its ability to be tipped over and causing head injuries, but IMHO I think its fine if its used on the floor ~only~. What I didn’t use? I had waaaay too many clothes.
A few things I thought of when reading your list was diapers, bottles, towels, washcloths, soap, and a video monitor. I would also recommend Carter’s white onesies versus Gerber. Gerber sizes run small and not true to size. If breastfeeding I would get a pump through insurance, nipple cream, nursing pads, storage bags, and a good cover. Not sure where baby is sleeping when they come home but did you need a rock n play sleeper or a bassinet? We use a fan pointed in the corner for white noise. Hope this helps!
I totally agree with Allison that Carter’s white onesies are better than Gerber. We didn’t use the bumbo long, but will probably get more use out of it for the 2nd baby. The boppy is great for breastfeeding! We liked the Swaddleme swaddles and the merlin baby suit when we transitioned out of the swaddle – worked great! We used our pack n play for a bassinet beside our bed for the first 8-10 weeks. It fit next to our bed and that way we didn’t have to buy an additional bassinet. We didn’t buy a swing, but used a bouncy seat quite a bit for the first 4 months and then used a jumperoo that hooked onto a doorway after. I would definitely recommend a video monitor – it is awesome to be able to see your baby when they are in bed. Each baby is very different, and I totally agree that you can get by without having every single baby gadget out there. Good luck!
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Baby registering can be tough, and you’ll get many differing opinions from other moms!
For us we really liked: a sounds machine, bouncer/swing, ergo, bobby & swaddled sleep sacks (like halo and miracle blanket)–also on that note I HIGHLY reccomed watching the video “happiest baby on the block” it helped us immensely as first time parents.
We didn’t get a baby food processor for the reason that cooked food is easy to mash with a fork and I’d just steam some veggies or give baby an avocado for the meal and that was easy enough, because they’ll be ready for soft finger foods before you know it!
Good luck!
My brother and sister in law borrowed us their swing, bouncer, jumper, play mat and some other “essential” (but not really, generations survived with out all this). It’s so fun to see multiple babies using all this baby gear that is expensive and only is used for a less than a year. I personally think it’s lame for people only to want brand new everything for their baby. Most baby gear is gently used and has so much life left in them. I loved registering and should a fun thing to do so don’t let it stress you out! Have fun!!
I ditto the comment left about the onesies. The Carter’s brand onesies are much softer than the Gerber brand as well. Certainly worth a few extra dollars. My other must have baby item is PDO (Plender’s Diaper Ointment). It is the best! My grown kids still use it for chapped lips, and rashes. It clears almost anything up over night. An extra bonus…It is made in your hometown!
Get the Miracle Blanket! It’s a swaddling, sleeping, miracle. Worth every fricking penny.
Also a Rock ‘N Play.
Sound machine = YES! All of our kids sleep better with white noise (and I like not having to tip toe around the house when they are sleeping).
Other considerations:
Aiden and Anias swaddle blankets (the bamboo version) – we have used these constantly from 0-6 months with all of our kids…not even just for swaddling. They double as burp cloths, nursing covers, floor play mats, and a shield from distractions over a carseat!
The Miracle Blanket – this was our go-to swaddle contraption for 0-6 months and it worked
perfectly. Our kids couldn’t break out of it, and it is a tight hold every time.
Swing, rocking seat, or bouncer seat – all of our boys slept in these things until they were 3-4 months old. They didn’t like sleeping flat on their backs, so I would place them in these (tightly swaddled) until they were showing signs of rolling or being ready to “officially” sleep train. I would highly suggest looking into this if your baby spits up a lot or is struggling to sleep!
We had the boppy lounger and it was amazing, till baby learns to roll then it went in the closet, still have it in fact and am about to use it for baby number 3. I loved the nap nanny and if used properly they are perfectly safe. It’s easy just stop using something when baby outgrows it. LIke the bumbo, only use it on the floor. Don’t be afraid to register for lots and lots of diapers of all sizes, trust me it’s great knowing you have a box of size 4 waiting in the closet for when baby outgrows a size overnight. You will never have enough wipes EVER, i still use them on my 4 year old. Amazon mom’s is great for formula, diapers and wipes they will automaticly ship to your home once a month and if you need to change the sizes or quantities it’s a snap. Binkies are tricky because some babies never want them or only want a perticular kind. my oldest did not want one till he was about 2 months old. Dont be afraid of hand me downs if they are in good shape, our swing, bouncer, exersaucer and several other things were given to us second hand for our first and are still in great shape waiting to be used for our third.