Baby Nesting: Part 1 - The Registry

Part 1: Registry Tips from a Been-There-Done-That Mommy

First and foremost, every mom has different opinions on this topic. Here are mine:

A Few of My Must haves:

Besides all the regular stuff, here are a few things that I found essential:

1) Pacifier clips, if you plan on using a pacifier. These will keep you from having to search the car and clean them off every time they drop. Also, once baby gets a little bigger, it's easier for them to find it themselves.

2) Video Monitor - I know some moms say that they would rather not be able to see, because it makes them crazier, but having an eye on baby without having to get out of bed is essential if you want to sleep. We started out with a Summer Infant monitor, but it began crackling the first year. We now have invested in the Motorola monitor with two cameras. If you choose this one, make sure you get the bigger screen (3.5 inch) and the camera(s) that pan around the room.

3) Plenty of crib sheets and changing pad covers - I found myself changing these two things constantly. I would suggest having three of each.

4) Full Size Pack n Play - This was essential for travel. And if you get the big one, they can fit in it for about two years. My mom used it instead of a crib at her house.

5) Breathable Baby Bumper - essential for the worry-wart mom (like me). This bumper is mesh that allows baby to breathe when they sleep up next to it. At first, they won't be able to move much, so it may seem like a waste. But, as Leah grew she would roll up next to the side of the crib, and I didn't have to worry about waking her or having her not be able to breathe. They are definitely not as cute as traditional bumpers, but they reduce SIDS and scary situations. It's worth it!

A Few Items I thought were Totally Unnecessary

1) Wipe warmer - whatever the baby gets used to is what they are going to be used to. If you are out and about and you have cold wipes, GASP! the baby will get upset. Just stick with straight out of the package wipes and they'll be fine!

2) Sterilizer - You can usually put your baby bottles and breast pump accessories in the dishwasher. For faster cleaning, Medela sells sterilizing bags that can be used over and over in the microwave.

3) Ultimate Crib Sheet - I was told that this was, in fact, the ultimate baby item. It keeps you from having to change the sheet all the time. However, it had so many snaps that it was just as much a pain to change as a sheet, and did not coordinate with our bedding set. If you use a traditional bumper, this may be a better deal, but I didn't like it at all.

4) My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow - unless you're planning on nursing on a parade float like Momma Duggar, this is unnecessary. It is not soft, not comfortable, and can easily be replaced by a Boppy, which has more uses. Truthfully, it just got easier to grab a couch pillow or two for nursing than even the Boppy. A Boppy is good for propping baby though.

5) Diaper Genie-type contraption - We started out with this, but by the 4th or 5th month, we just started tossing the peepee diapers in the trash and walking the poopy diapers out to the garage trash. The convenience was not worth it when we finally had to clean that thing out. Ick...

6)Travel system - I know new mommies just have to have the matching set of all the gear, and I have to admit the travel systems are a little bit smaller than they were 3 years ago... But, I still stand by my advice to anyone who will listen, to save the money (and your back) and buy the following instead: carrier car seat, coordinating base for each car, and a snap n go stroller frame (amazingly light and super easy to maneuver through clothing racks). Later, when baby is too big for the carrier car seat, you can buy a nice umbrella stroller for $50-$70.

Allison's Top Ten Registry Tips

1) As tempting as it is, don't open up and wash EVERYthing before you know you need it. I had 2 Ultimate Crib sheets, 3 swaddle blankets (Leah couldn't stand swaddling), and blankets galore washed and ready for Leah. We didn't end up using them! Store credit is way better than stuff sitting in your closet.

2) Bottles - we hated the Dr. Brown's bottles because they had so many parts. Other mothers swear by them and say they are the only ones that work. So, the fact is, you don't know what kind of bottle Little One will take. Register for whatever your heart desires, but only open one package at a time.That way, you can see if they work and return what doesn't. Keep trying one package at a time until, hooray, something works. We really liked the Medela brand and the Playtex Ventaire, but Leah didn't have any reflux or gas issues.

3) Take a friend with you when you register. This friend should have had a baby, of course, but also a baby in the recent past. (Moms are wonderful for child-rearing advice, but aren't necessarily up-to-date on the latest baby gear).

4) If you plan on having more than one child, consider registering for gender neutral whenever possible. This goes for anything that isn't so exciting and can be used for more than one child (grooming kit, closet organizers, bottles- just buy new nipples the second go-round, etc.)

5) Definitely go gender neutral on any big ticket items if you plan on having more children- car seat, pack n play, high chair, swing, jumparoo, etc.)

6) Before you go to the store, decide what kind of registry person you are: the I-need/want-everything-I- could-ever-need/want person, the I-only-need-the-necessities person, or the in-between person. This will help you decide what to scan. Do you have enough people buying for you that you should register for things you won't need right away (spoons, bowls, booster seat, potty, convertible car seat, umbrella stroller)? If the answer is yes, go for it! If not, only register for what you need right away.

7) Consider asking around to borrow large items that aren't essential or that are only used a short time. These might include a jumparoo, a Bumbo chair, a swing, etc. You may find that your baby doesn't like the swing or Jumparoo after getting a brand-new $150 one. Also, you will be doing the person a favor by getting it out of their garage/attic for awhile!

8) Breast pumps are expensive. If you think you will use one, register for it. If you aren't sure yet, wait. You can always send hubby/mom out for one when you know you need it (or order one on Amazon!). If you do get one, don't open it up until you need to.

9) Do not register for blankets or clothes. People will buy you those whether you ask for them or not, and chances are you are buying those things too. :) For toys and books- if you see something that you really want baby to have, register for it. Otherwise, people will buy you these things too.

10) Take all registry advice with a grain of salt. It's your turn! Do what you want!