Registry Basics: Honest and Cost-Conscious Favorites

I am a first time mom, so everything is new to me. During my pregnancy, I worried about every little thing! I didn't know what was normal or abnormal, and I didn't know what I would need and what I wouldn't need. One of the most difficult things to do during my pregnancy was complete the baby registry. I obviously did a TON of research on baby items just because I wanted to get the right stuff. I not only used the advice from Lucie's List (seriously an amazing website with information on just about EVERYTHING baby), used the Babys R Us registry , read the BabyList Checklist, and even looked at other people's registries online (yes I typed in random names to see what other people registered for) in order to compile my list. Did my husband think I was crazy? Absolutely. Did he think I was stressing too much about it? Absolutely haha. Do I agree with him now? Yes. I stressed about it wayyy to much. 

I have decided to put together a short list of the baby items that we honestly use, items that I don't think are necessary to put on a baby registry, and items that I wish I had registered for. This list is not only for myself (for the future) but for all you pregnant ladies out there (and those that are planning a family for the future). I know there are a lot of these lists out there, but I figure it may help some of you narrow down your lists to the need to have/necessary items, especially if you are on a budget like we are.  

One piece of advice-- don't overthink the registry. I know, I know. Easier said than done right? And, if I was reading this advice while pregnant I wouldn't believe it either. But, honestly, don't stress too much about the little things for the registry. You might want to test out carseats, strollers, baby carriers, but there is no reason to test out/get stressed over the type of bathtub or the type of drying rack to register for (in my opinion). 

Another piece of advice-- choose where you register wisely! I actually registered at BabyList. You can add items from any store to the list, and best of all, it finds the best price for that item. It is also SUPER EASY to add items/change items/search for items on any mobile device. I actually registered for a lot of items while working out/walking around the neighborhood! Many of the items could be found on Amazon, which was also nice for people because many people had Amazon Prime so it was cheaper for them to order it online than purchase it in the store. But-- it also had an option where people could select a product online, but pick it up/ purchase it in the store (which was great for my grandparents). There are also some really cool items you can register for such as home cooked meals from people! I know others that have registered at places like Buy Buy Baby and had great luck with it-- so this is just my opinion! 

So-- without futher ado-- here is my honest and cost-conscious opinion about what items I think you should register for! Remember-- this is just my opinion and definitely not the end all be all. I welcome your opinions as well-- if there are items you think I should have (now and in the future) please let me know :) 

Most of my items were suggested by Lucie's List-- so if you want more information about these items (or other options) visit that site here! 

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO REGISTER FOR: 

Fisher-Price Deluxe Newborn Vibrating Rock n' Play Sleeper, My Little Snugabunny // Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer, Go Green //Graco Simple Sway Swing, Abbington // Stork Craft Custom Hoop Glider and Ottoman, White/Grey

As for the carseats and strollers, we have the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System (similar one found here) and it works perfectly for us! It was cost-friendly and I liked how the carseat fit perfectly into the stroller (which so many of them do now!). When testing these items out, I also liked the Chicco brand carseat and stroller, however, I found it more challenging to take the carseat out of the base and stroller. As far as safety reviews, Gracco is very comparable to the Chicco brand and others. In addition, I tried out multiple strollers, and they all felt very similar to me. Because the Gracco option was cost-friendly and had very good reviews, we went with that one. I should also add that I am not a runner. I also do not plan on using our stroller on rough terrain haha. So if you do either of those activities, I would suggest a different option. 

As for the crib, we were very lucky in getting a crib from my sister-in-law. It is simple, classic, and white and looks really good in Addison's nursery. It is also a 4-in-1, so we can use it well beyond the first year. I don't really have an opinion on the type of crib to get-- ideally it is probably going to depend on what you want the theme of the baby room to be. Some great and diverse options from Amazon include the following: 

Thomasville Dover 4 in 1 Convertible Sleigh Crib - Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib, White Union 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, Grey 

 In terms of safety items, I did register for a few monitors (Angelcare Baby Sound Monitor and Summer Infant Baby Sight Duo Digital Color Video Monitor Set with Night Vision). I haven't really used them yet since Addison is still sleeping in our room-- but I will update you when I have used them.  We did register for the Snuza, and so far (knock on wood) have not had any false alarms with it. It clips on the diaper and monitors her breathing. As a mother who is very nervous about SIDS, I knew I wanted a monitor of some sorts. There are so many reviews on Amazon about this product--seriously I think this or the Owlet is a must-have in terms of safety. 

 

Angelcare Baby Sound Monitor, White  // Summer Infant Baby Sight Duo Video Monitor

Snuza Hero SE baby movement monitor.  // Owlet Baby Monitor - Infant Heart Rate and 

Oxygen Monitor

I also would suggest putting gift card options on your registry (I wish I had done that), along with diapers and wipes. For my baby shower, guests were asked to bring diapers and their names were automatically placed in a raffle to win a gift (my mom called it the diaper raffle haha). You might think this idea is silly- but it was such a good idea. I did not have to purchase ANY (yes you read that correctly) newborn diapers for Addison. Because of the diaper raffle, we had plenty and even had some left over. If you know who is planning your shower, just discreetly mention this to them :) Honestly, such a good idea. 

Even though we had the diaper raffle, I still registered for diapers and wipes. I personally like Pampers Swaddlers and their sensitive wipes, however, other people prefer Huggies, Honest Company, or re-usable diapers. Regardless of the brand or type, I would suggest registering for them.

       

Other Registry Items: Small Items and Addison's Favorites (so far):

Basic Registry Items by kaitlin-petry on Polyvore

Grass Countertop Drying Rack / Summer Infant Contour Changing Pad Summer Infant / Skip Hop Chevron Pronto Changing Station Skip Hop / MyBaby by Homedics SoundSpa - Portable, White,Green / Philips Avent Pink/Purple Soothie (0-3 Months) / JJ Cole Car Seat Cover, Black / MyBaby by Homedics SoundSpa - On-the-Go, Multi

Nice to Have Items (but not necessary in large quantities):

CLOTHING: 

With regards to clothes, I guess it is personal preference. My advice? Don't register for a lot of clothes. Not only do babies grow out of clothes quickly, you don't know what kind of clothes/sleeping apparel you will feel comfortable putting on your newborn/baby. What do I mean by that? Well....I researched sleep apparel and decided to register for a lot of sleep sacks (all different types). When I was in the hospital, after I had Addison, the nurse discussed sleep safety and did not recommend using those sleep sacks. I think my jaw dropped--- what?! We got a ton of them! Not only was the hospital against those sacks, but they were against the swaddling of babies at nighttime (during naps they were okay with it). Now there are A LOT of opinions out there about this. My advice? Talk to your doctor/hospital about this before you decide anything. There are a lot of people that will tell you what they did-- but ultimately do what you feel most comfortable with. My husband and I decided to follow the instructions of the nurses, so we have not used those sacks quite yet. Therefore, my advice would be to maybe register for one or two and then after your baby is born, decide on what you are going to do and go from there (again just my opinion).

As for items like mittens, booties, hats and clothes in general-- my personal opinion is to only register for a few. Again-- if you are a first time mom like me, you won't really know what you want to dress your baby in until he/she is born. My husband and I learned this very early on. We learned that we did not like to put the newborn onesies with the buttons on the bottom on Addison. We were nervous, we didn't like to put the onesie over her head (we didn't know about the should thing for a while), and they seemed stiff. What did we end up liking? Kimonos haha. These are perfect for newborns and we hardly put her in the typical newborn onesie. 

 
L'ovedbaby Unisex-Baby Newborn Organic Kimono Bodysuit, Coral Cupcake, 0-3 Months

BLANKETS:
You will honestly get so many blankets. Fleece, flannel, crocheted, knitted, small/large, you name it you will get it. You will get them without registering for any. I promise. Well-- I won't pinky promise-- but I am pretty sure you will be all set. I wish I hadn't registered for them only because I think it is important to include only the items you desperately need on the registry (to guarantee you will get the items you will really need). 

CHANGING PAD COVER AND PAD LINERS:
Yes-- I said it. You don't really need a pretty cover on your changing pad. Does it look nice? Yes. Does it make the baby room so cute and put together? Yes. Is it necessary? No. Not one bit. Why you ask? Because your baby will have a blow out on it. Think about it. It is where you put your baby to change. Where he/she will poop-- and trust me-- poop is hard to get out of everything. If you do register for a cover, I would register for a few, and be prepared for one of them to get soiled on haha. Just know that I gave up on my cover the first week Addison was home haha. 

As for the pad liners, some people swear by them, others do not. I side with the latter. Sure I use them, but the ones I registered for are small, hard to wash, and white. I find them unnecessary.  I have actually started using some of the thin blankets I received as changing liners instead of the pad liners. Does anyone have any advice out there on what to purchase (without having to buy the disposable ones)? I am still iffy on the liners. 

TOYS:
Similar to blankets, you will receive so many baby toys! I didn't register for any and we have so many that I have two bins to store them all in! 

Items I Wish I Had Registered For:
As silly as it may sound, I wish I had registered for breastfeeding accessories. When I was originally putting my registry list together, I was too embarrassed to put items on there like breastfeeding tank-tops, breastfeeding pads, soothies, ointment, nursing covers, etc. However, I wish I had put these items on there from a practical standpoint. 

I also wish I had registered for a play mat (I don't consider this a toy haha). Over the holiday, Addison used my cousin's play mat at her house and LOVED it. It wasn't something I thought I needed, so I didn't register for it. I am planning on purchasing this one from Amazon: 

Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym, Vintage Boy

Lastly, as mentioned above, I wish I had registered for more gift cards. It was so nice to go out to Buy Buy Baby or Babys R Us to purchase items that we needed a few weeks after Addison was born. It not only saved us money, but gave us the ability to purchase necessary items that we put on our registry but didn't receive. Just think about it, okay? :)

Well this is definitely not an exhaustive list (and it doesn't include everything we registered for), but hopefully you found it helpful and informative. But keep this in mind: I am still new at this whole mom thing and I am definitely not a professional haha. There are things that will work better for you than what I have suggested, and that is okay! I have discovered that there is a learning curve and every baby is unique so you may have to try out different options to see what your baby likes best. 

Please feel free to comment below or email me if you have any specific questions or concerns! Good luck with registering!

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