Baby registry help

[stitchfan18]

DH and I are expecting our first, and are trying to be super practical about what we'll need. I've been working on our registry, but I'm debating about taking some big ticket items (ie: high chair, swing, exersaucer, etc.) off that I can buy way cheaper 2nd hand when our baby gets to the point where she'll use those items. In those items place, I was thinking about trying to beef up the registry with diapers/ wipes since we'll definitely need those! Will having a bare bones registry encourage gifts like diapers/ gift cards, or should I keep the more expensive items, even though I can get them cheaper elsewhere?

 

[Nicolepa]

DH and I are expecting our first, and are trying to be super practical about what we'll need. I've been working on our registry, but I'm debating about taking some big ticket items (ie: high chair, swing, exersaucer, etc.) off that I can buy way cheaper 2nd hand when our baby gets to the point where she'll use those items. In those items place, I was thinking about trying to beef up the registry with diapers/ wipes since we'll definitely need those! Will having a bare bones registry encourage gifts like diapers/ gift cards, or should I keep the more expensive items, even though I can get them cheaper elsewhere?

IMO a bare bones registry will get you more cutsie clothes that you will only wear a couple of times. If you want diapers and such ask whoever is doing your shower for a diaper shower. Otherwise put the more expensive items on the registry and accept the wonderful gift. As long as you stay gender neutral with the items you can use them again for the next baby. (Said from a super practical mom of three who felt very similar with baby #1)

 

[MAJPLO]

Congratulations! I would keep some mid priced items like exersaucer, high chair on but take off higher priced things like furniture (crib etc.). I would be hesitant to register for diapers only because you don't really know what brand will be best for your child and they grow so fast. You could end up with a ton of a size that s/he only ends up being able to use for a few weeks. We actually had to change brands when my son reached a certain age because the previous brand just wasn't working. We didn't have that issue with our second child though. Weird. I would stick to the basics and mid priced items and wait on diapers.

 

[msmama]

I agree that you'll get a lot of clothes if you don't put reasonable priced things on your registry (which you will get anyways). You could put some smaller things that you will need later ( like spoons and sippy cups and stuff). I was just at a friends baby shower and I'd say with clothes that people buy because they we're cute the average gifts were between $20 and $30, or a mixture of stuff that adds to that.

 

[clh2]

Sometimes groups of friends, relatives or coworkers like to pitch in together for a bigger gift, so it is helpful to have some bigger/more expensive items listed. Personally, I do not ever give diapers/wipes as a gift. So, if you have a bare-bones registry, you will, as mentioned by a PP, get something cutesie from me, as I will just assume you have the basics covered.

No flames please for my non-diaper gift policy. I just prefer to get something that will last.

 

[mjkacmom]

My sister hosted her SIL's shower, and noticed that she only put small items on her registry, and things like onsies and baby blankets (that you will be overwhelmed with, even if you don't register for them). After the shower, my sister said that her SIL got nothing to set up shop - no tub, bouncy seat, stroller, carseat, exersaucer, swing - just clothes, blankets, rattles, etc.

If you are planning on having more than one, it's nice starting with new. By the time my twins were born, my shower stuff was showing a lot of wear (but I used it anyway, of course).

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I am also the mom of three and would hesitate to encourage diaper registries as one brand or size of diapers doesn't always work out for every baby. DS 1 could only wear pampers all others (trust me I tried a ton of different brands) leaked or smelled like chemicals (same with wipes, not all created equal) ds2 hit a sudden growth spurt at the end and never wore newborn diapers at all. His thighs were thick so he went straight to size one. Dd was small and wore newborn diapers for months! She was 8lbs 5 oz at birth and gained only about 1 lb or so a month. She is 2 and now 24 to 25 pounds so still in size 3

While I tend toward frugality I would recommend new carseats, new stroller, new mattress and make sure that if you get a second hand crib it wasn't discarded because of the recent changes in laws regarding cribs.

We did not use a high chair for either our second or third child we used the super saver seat, it is a 3 in 1 and it is great!

The swing was similar my kids did not like a full size swing at all. So for our last we got the combo bouncer and swing. It is compact and portable.

Registries are suggestions and preferred items but many people just buy what they like and the more guidance you provide the less returning you'll have to do.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[soccerchick]

Another thing to add - put down onesies and sleepers and socks in lots of sizes. While books and picture place type gift certificates are my "go to gifts" I will sometimes buy several sizes of onesies or sleepers so the new mom doesn't get all one size. For onesies, the season doesn't matter. They can be worn under cold weather clothes or as clothes in warm weather.

I agree to go ahead and register for neutral items in a range of prices. At my work place, we usually collect money for a group gift and strollers, high chairs, car seats, etc are perfect for this.

 

[zoemurr]

I would definitely re-think the high chair. Those things are huge and most are a pain to clean. We got rid of ours and used the kind that straps on to a kitchen chair and liked it a lot more.

I agree a $75 exersaucer is a waste of money. You can definitely find a second hand one. We also found a swing very cheap that lasted us through two kids. Some babies love it and some don't. Not fun to pay $$ and then find out yours doesn't like it.

I would register for a nice car seat and stroller, and maybe even the convertable seat, although you need to watch out on expiration dates with that.

Boppy pillow, pack-n-play, bouncy seat, tub,
Diapers are tough. My DD was pudgy and blew through the smaller sizes very quickly. I'm not sure DS ever got to a size 5. Some brands work better on some babies too.

Have fun! You realize pretty quickly that you don't need a ton of "stuff", but it sure is fun to shop for.

 

[bumbershoot]

The things you're thinking of dropping are things we either never bought or returned. Exersaucer is horrid for baby's spine. If they can pull to stand, they can do that. They will stand and do little squats for hours all on their own. The main,ultimate point of such a device is to keep baby contained. And that's not something worth ruining the baby's pelvis for.

We got a pretty highchair. We returned it. DS's food experiences were delayed to try to keep allergies at bay (both DH and I were fed ridiculously early, and both of us have had issues with allergies and worse that we feel link right up with the early food), so by the time he was eating there was truly no point of a highchair. Before, when he wasn't eating foods but was with us at the table, it was just fine for him to sit on my lap.

Swing...same situation IMO as the exersaucer. It's so much more fun for everyone to just PLAY with the baby.

For dinnertime learn the art of the back-carry (Moby wrap is great for this, or even just a long length of cloth), keep that fabric away from the stove, and get baby started on learning the kitchen rules and how to cook early! (I was not someone who allowed DS to play in the kitchen...my ears are too sensitive to let him hammer on pots, so that wasn't something I could do...other times I just got him busy with things he tended to play with and did my kitchen-time in spurts)


The only containment unit we got was a "baby papasan", which DS could get out of by 6 months. There went my few peaceful showers! For brief periods of time, when DS was bitty, it worked, but it didn't work for long.


All we "needed" were clothes and cloth dipes. Everything else was an extra. And we exchanged half of the newborn clothes we got at my shower for bigger sizes, because we figured the baby would grow and we would need other clothes. It was not my idea, it was someone else's, and it was absolutely brilliant.

 

[sookie]

I never had a shower. However, I would put some things on there. You may have family that will want to buy something substantial.

Strollers, carseats, high chair (I would not recommend the strap in one), pack and play, exersaucer and swing - I have seen all of those given at showers and more. My son loved his exersaucer. I wouldn't put big furniture on there, but I would put a bassinet on a registry. Bedding is a great thing to have down as well - extra sheets, extra receiving blankets. And lots of onsies.

Put whatever you want on there - if you don't get what you want, then you can go for secondhand items if you are buying yourself. It isn't rude - people have the option of buying.

For smaller items - get that bouncy seat!!

Congrats on your little one.

 

[MAJPLO]

Things I wouldn't forget....

Boppy and flannel/fleece cover
A few plain simple receiving blankets
Burp cloths
Sheets (2-3) (for crib and pack n play)
Waterproof pad to go under the sheets or use on your lap (2-3)
New mattress
Mattress cover
Small portable high chair (used at relatives houses, traveling, camping, etc)
Regular high chair (we had a large kitchen at the time and space was not an issue)
Stroller
Car seat
Bedding set
Pack n play
Diaper bag
Hangers
Change table pad
Change table pad covers (2-3)
Baby Bjorn (or similar that is comfy for you)

I didn't register for one of those things that straps on the crib and projects light and images onto the ceiling (also plays music) but someone gave me one and both of my kids loved it.

Keep in mind that some stores offer a completion program where you get x amount/% off remaining registry items. So even if it's not something you expect anyone to buy, you may be able to purchase it at a slight discount just because it's listed on your registry. In fact, I think my cousin added things to her registry after her shower so she would A) not forget she needed/wanted them and B) so she could get a little discount on it later when she was ready to purchase.

I also recommend checking out the Consumer Reports baby gear book. Not sure what the exact title is but I found it infinitely helpful.

 

[star72232]

The things you're thinking of dropping are things we either never bought or returned. Exersaucer is horrid for baby's spine. If they can pull to stand, they can do that. They will stand and do little squats for hours all on their own. The main,ultimate point of such a device is to keep baby contained. And that's not something worth ruining the baby's pelvis for. We got a pretty highchair. We returned it. DS's food experiences were delayed to try to keep allergies at bay (both DH and I were fed ridiculously early, and both of us have had issues with allergies and worse that we feel link right up with the early food), so by the time he was eating there was truly no point of a highchair. Before, when he wasn't eating foods but was with us at the table, it was just fine for him to sit on my lap. Swing...same situation IMO as the exersaucer. It's so much more fun for everyone to just PLAY with the baby. For dinnertime learn the art of the back-carry (Moby wrap is great for this, or even just a long length of cloth), keep that fabric away from the stove, and get baby started on learning the kitchen rules and how to cook early! (I was not someone who allowed DS to play in the kitchen...my ears are too sensitive to let him hammer on pots, so that wasn't something I could do...other times I just got him busy with things he tended to play with and did my kitchen-time in spurts) The only containment unit we got was a "baby papasan", which DS could get out of by 6 months. There went my few peaceful showers! For brief periods of time, when DS was bitty, it worked, but it didn't work for long. All we "needed" were clothes and cloth dipes. Everything else was an extra. And we exchanged half of the newborn clothes we got at my shower for bigger sizes, because we figured the baby would grow and we would need other clothes. It was not my idea, it was someone else's, and it was absolutely brilliant.

Just one quick note about this. Never, ever do a back carry in a stretchy wrap (Moby, CuddlyWrap, Boba Wrap, etc). It's dangerous. Woven wraps can be used on your back, but not stretchies.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I wouldn't even stock up on diapers before you figure out what brand works. Every baby is different. Pampers were the only thing that worked for my kids but I know lots of Moms who swore by Huggies, Target brand etc etc. My 3 1/2 year old is still in a size 4 diaper.

I'd put clothes down that you actually want so maybe you will get less of "I thought this was cute" but you think it's hideous.

I tried to put stuff in a variety of price ranges... and lots of people want to buy an actual gift so try to find good options especially in the mid range of 20-30.

You really don't need that much when they're little though. But it's nice to have. Definitely get some high quality burp clothes (I liked the Gerber cloth diapers).

Diaper bag and Ergo carrier were my bigger buys.

 

[star72232]

If you put car seats on your registry, be careful about what you choose. If you get a forward facing only seat, it can't be used until your child can legally and physically be FF (and the current recommendation is a minimum of 2 years rear facing). Anything bought early will need to be stored, and the expiration goes from date of manufacture, so you lose a couple of years of use. My personal preference is for a smaller infant seat (one that goes to 22lb vs 35lb), since they are impossible to pick up with bigger kids anyway. Get a nice convertible that will last instead of an expensive, PITA bucket seat.

 

[dtr_angel]

Do you know if you're having a boy or girl? We chose to wait until the birth and we got a ton of practical things vs clothes and cute/fun things if we had known.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[dtr_angel]

We also didn't register for things we didn't need right away such as high chair etc because we didn't want to store them or have the room to anyway. Swing we did use right away though as well as bouncer.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

General rule of thumb is if you have a limited registry you will get a limited number of things... Put what you need so people know. If you don't ask they can't get them for you.

I would definitely put a high chair on there because just as you are getting use to the new budget it's time to buy one & generally people like to buy them as gifts because they know its something you will need & use for a long period of time. (The same goes for car seats & play yards.)

 

[Lisa71]

Get a big stroller and a smaller umbrella one..a baby carrier like an ergo or Moby..and one of those giant gates. We were with our kids all the time but so nice around the Christmas tree, to section off areas when you are working (like repairing a faucet, etc) our kids loved books too!! Board books and the soft books and we read all the time. We still do.

 

[vdoucet78]

DH and I are expecting our first, and are trying to be super practical about what we'll need. I've been working on our registry, but I'm debating about taking some big ticket items (ie: high chair, swing, exersaucer, etc.) off that I can buy way cheaper 2nd hand when our baby gets to the point where she'll use those items. In those items place, I was thinking about trying to beef up the registry with diapers/ wipes since we'll definitely need those! Will having a bare bones registry encourage gifts like diapers/ gift cards, or should I keep the more expensive items, even though I can get them cheaper elsewhere?

Well I've never had a baby, but I go to tons of baby showers (I work with a lot of young women, there's like a shower a month for work alone) so here's my take! People love buying cute baby things, they just can't help it (guilty!). I think if you only put practical things, you will probably end up with a lot of newborn sized clothes and not much off your registry. Also some stores (including Amazon) offer a registry-completion discount. So even if you put things on there that you need/want but you know they probably are too expensive to get as gifts, you can buy it yourself off your registry after your shower at a discount. I'm super cheap and buy used often, but if I were having my first baby and planned to have more, I'd buy the heavy use stuff such as a high chair new so it would last. And of course car seat, mattress and crib new for safety reasons.