Simple Tips on Creating a Baby Registry

Reaching that halfway point in my pregnancy was exciting, but it was nothing compared to being able to see the ultrasound and look at my baby for the first time. It sent a thrill through me to see that cute little button nose, those adorable cheeks, and finding out that it’s a boy. I don’t know what else could compare to that during pregnancy, but I do know what else I did thoroughly enjoy. Baby registry.

I was advised to register at every store in the area, but after thinking about this, it just didn’t seem logical to me. We would do more running and returning on duplicates than we would get a variety of what we needed if we spread ourselves thin.

The “Local” Rule

Think about what stores are in your area and think about who you are inviting to the shower. Where do they shop? After all, each person will go to the store that is most familiar and convenient for them, regardless of where you want them to shop.

After thinking about this a little I discovered that probably 80% to 90% of the guests would all shop at the same store. That made that store a definite shoe-in for registry. It also meant that we should set up the largest registry list there, since most of those buying baby gifts will shop off the registry. I wouldn’t want the list to run out!

There was another store that people often will shop for baby fun, which means I should have a fun and somewhat generous registry there. But I don’t need to make this a long registry like the first store. That’s a relief to my pregnant feet!

The third I did because, to be completely honest, my mother seemed disappointed that I wasn’t going there. But I think that only a very small handful of people would really go there to shop. So, to save myself headache, time, gas, and sore feet, I did this registry completely online only. Everything was still available in store, but it saved me trouble and made my mother happy.

What to Register for?

In my previous post, 25 Essentials to Prepare for Baby, there is a list of things that every new mother “must have”. These are the first things I would recommend registering for. After that, move beyond newborn. Register for sippy cups, spoons, plates, bowls; anything your baby will need before that first birthday but after they pass the newborn stage. Think ahead!

There is also no need to register for baby clothes, despite how cute you think the outfit is. This is one thing people will choose on their own regardless of what you might register for. Aside from long sleeved onesies we didn’t register for any clothes at all and we still received quite the generous amount of it, and we loved it all!

The long and short of it, don’t spread yourself thin registering everywhere. Use logic and save yourself time and hassle!

25 Essentials to Prepare for a Baby

Trying to figure out what you need for a new baby and how much of it to stock can be an overwhelming affair for any first time mother. When my dear husband and I went to register for the baby shower we were totally lost. My husband decided that he would just scan everything that looked of interest to him. The result? We ended up with a ton of items we didn’t need. So here is a list of the top 25 items you should have in the house in time for your baby’s arrival and a break down each item to explain better why it’s so important.

1. Crib, dresser, and bedding set*
2. Mobile and crib display toy
3. Diapers and wipes*
4. Desitin, baby power and J&J nightime lotion*
5. Baby bathtub, towel, 1 pack of wash cloths, J&J nightime bath soap*
6. 3 Soft blankets, 3 swaddlers*
7. Round baby afghan
8. 1 Soothie pacifier and a pack of 2 Advent pacifiers
9. Boppy pillow
10. 1 pack of Playtex Airflow bottles
11. 6 outfits for size 0-3 months*
12. 6 sleepers with footies*
13. 6 pair of socks and 2 hats (in season)
14. Pump, freezer bags, and freezer box
15. Snot sucker and Baby Saline drops
16. Mylecon drops and Baby Vics (not regular Vics!)*
17. Humidifier and Vic’s vaporizer liquid
18. Car seat and stroller combo*
19. Bottle heater for the car
20. Diaper bag*
21. Small thermal bag and ice pack or formula divider
22. Light and song toy for the car
23. Baby papasan chair
24. Baby swing
25. Baby floor gym

Crib, Dresser, and Bedding Set

These three almost go without saying, but as they are essentials to getting started on motherhood they needed to be at the top of the list. Whether you are making this purchase yourself or someone else is doing it for you, make certain you give the crib a good stability test. Grab hold of the rail and give the crib a good shake. Test the slats to make certain they aren’t likely to be loose. Even if this is a floor model, it will still give you an idea of how sturdy the product you are about to buy is. Buying a crib that converts into a toddler and full size bed is a great investment. It may cost a little more, but in the long run it will cost you so much less.

Dressers with space at the top for a changing table are wonderful. And when the baby gets older this can be used as a bookshelf as well! Some dressers have a catch on the drawers so they can’t be pulled out by accident, a good safety measure to think of for the future.

Bedding sets go without saying as well. If you have a crib, you will need a bed set to go along with it. My only tip it to make sure you test the thickness of the bumpers. Thin bumpers are virtually useless and a great number of them are very thin indeed!

Mobile and Crib Display Toy

Babies spend a good amount of time on their backs in the crib. Giving them something to entertain them is a bonus for them and for you. Mobiles entertain every baby. My song has loved staring at his mobile since he first saw it. It brings a smile to his face that is worth the money and worth my sanity at times! Crib display toys such as the one linked here are great helpers for that baby that doesn’t want to lay in the crib and sleep. This toy will help stimulate them and it plays long enough to entertain them right to sleep!

Diapers and Wipes

You will want to have these at home when you come home with the newborn! The last thing you want is to have to run to the store when you are already on the verge of pulling out your hair. Four or five boxes of Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Dry Max Diapers – Size 1 will get your through one or two months (maybe even three if you’re lucky) and they have space for the cord before it falls off.  And you won’t have to worry about running out for diapers until your baby is ready for size 2! Now, why Pampers? Read What Brand of Diapers is Best? to find out.

As for wipes, Pampers Sensitive Thick Baby Wipes (360ct) and one package of Pampers wipes in a refillable plastic container will keep you set for months!

Desitin, Baby Power and J&J Nightime Lotion

I keep all three of these on my changing table at all times. I think they really go without explanation, aside from the lotion. There is no need to spend money on standard J&J baby lotion. A large container and nighttime lotion from them is more than enough to get you through months, and I put it on my son every night before bed. Why do I choose Nightime Lotion? Read Nightowls to find out!

Baby Bathtub, Towel, 1 Pack of Washcloths, J&J Nightime Bath Soap

Some people will tell you that you don’t need a baby bathtub, that a sink works just as well. But how long will your baby fit into the sink? Long enough for him to sit up on his own so you can switch to the tub? Dont’ count on it. Once that umbilical cord fell off I had him in his baby tub in the bathtub. Every time I wash him I use J&J Nighttime bath soap for the same reasons I use the lotion. It works. So the essentials for bathing are the tub, a towel, the soap, and one pack of wash cloths.

3 Soft Blankets, 3 Swaddlers

Yes three. Maybe four if you are so inclined. You wouldn’t believe this, but after my baby shower we ended up with 15 different blankets, several of them home-made. Those that I could take back I did with the exception of three of the soft blankets from the store. I used them to wrap him up for feedings and for naps when he was just an infant. Plus, in those first couple of weeks he will pee through so much that having a couple of spares just in case will be a lifesaver!

Swaddlers. Yes I have three. Again, because he pees through sometimes at night and I can’t always do the laundry right away. There is an entire post about the importance of Swaddlers but the long and short is that they help the baby sleep at night, which helps you sleep as well.

Round Baby Afghan

If you know anyone who can crochet, this blanket is a must. Request it if you need to! The beauty of this afghan over any other kind of blanket is that for those babies who will be traveling in the cold months of the year (Oct-Mar) this blanket circles the car seat, leaving no space at the sides, front, or back to let in a draft. Believe me, this blanket was a godsend for an October baby! here’s a link to the instructions as well.

1 Soothie Pacifier and a Pack of 2 Advent Pacifiers

Why different brands? Most babies need to learn how to suck when they are born. The Soothie brand helped my son figure out how to develop the reflex. Once he did he would have no more of it and we had to switch him to Advent (they have breathable space at the sides to prevent chaffing).

Boppy Pillow

Someone might tell you that this pillow isn’t necessary. Ignore them. I don’t know where I would be without my Boppy! You will spend so much time rocking and feeding that baby, especially in the early months, that your arms will be screaming in protest without this pillow. It let’s you relax your arms while still holding the baby close to you. And if you inadvertently fall asleep (which as a new mom is very likely) it keeps the baby leaning toward you, unlike a regular pillow. So there is very little risk of the baby rolling out of your lap! Buy one. You won’t regret it!

1 Pack of Playtex Ventaire Bottles

Yes. Again I am getting specific! You can choose either the natural nipple or the conventional, but the Ventaire is a must to help prevent gas! Even if you plan to breastfeed, make sure you have one of these in case of emergency. I didn’t expect to need mine, but I sure was glad when I had it!

6 Outfits Size 0-3 Months

If you are just looking to grab what you will need to start, starting with only six outfits is the best way to go. There will be days you need all six and days you only need one. But I have never needed any more than this in a given day.

6 Sleepers with Footies

Again, for the same reason as the outfits, six is a great starting number for PJ’s. Having them with footies for any fall/winter/spring babies is a great idea too. Keep those feet warm to keep them asleep!

6 Pair of Socks and 2 Hats (in season)

In season. This doesn’t mean winter only. Think about the next three months. How cold could it get? This is what you should be prepared for. You shouldn’t need any more than two hats though. Six pairs of socks as well. My son has put his foot in a dirty diaper a number of times and I had to change his socks.

Pump, Freezer Bags, and Freezer Box

For all of you who are planning to breastfeed, don’t wait until after the baby is born to buy these! I ended up needed mine right away because of some severe latching issues my son and I were having. Stock up on a pump (like the Medela Pump in Style which can be found for a reasonable price off ebay), bags to freeze the extra, and a freezer box to keep those bags from getting lost in the freezer or to prevent leaking!

Snot Sucker and Baby Saline Drops

This is especially important for those babies born during the colder months of the year, but not essential just for them. As far as the snot sucker goes, don’t buy it! Take the one the hospital provides during your stay. They work a hundred times better than the store bought ones! Baby Saline drops are great for when they are congested, but it’s dry congestion. A couple of drops and a couple of minutes and you’re ready to suck that snot out!

Mylecon Drops and Baby Vics (not regular Vics!)

Make sure you have these on hand right away. Especially a baby born into a cold climate will need the Baby Vic’s soon. Like it or not, the congestion happens and a little of this on his chest makes it all so much better. Make sure to use Baby Vic’s! The adult stuff is too strong and can hurt their sensitive skin. And every new baby has to learn how to pass out gas. The drops help with the pain they will suffer (and by association you as well).

Humidifier and Vic’s Vaporizer Liquid

Ask for this for your shower! They generally run around $40 so having it given as a gift is a blessing! I needed mine only a month after my son was born. The Vic’s liquid to go in the tank is a good way to help release the vapors that will help relieve the congestion.

Car Seat and Stroller Combo

I love this invention! A car seat that locks onto a stroller? I use it every time I take him to the mall, the doctor… It prevents me from having to carry a car seat around with me! Though I do not have this one, I certain wish I did. The z-shaped handle would have made the car seat so much easier to carry around.

Bottle Heater for the Car

If you are anything like me you are an “on the go” sort of mom. One thing I did not have when my son was born (and am still guilty of not having) is a bottle warmer that plugs into the car! You don’t need one at home, boiled water from a pan does just as well in a cup. But when I’m away from home it certainly is a pain to have to find somewhere to get hot water from just so I can feed my son. Especially when I was out holiday shopping!

Diaper Bag

Okay, so like the crib this seems like a no-brainer. Having one is essential to every mom looking to go anywhere. Enough said.

Small Thermal Bag and Ice Pack or Formula Divider

For the breastfeeding mother looking to be out on the town without having to worry about whipping it out to feed the baby, a thermal bag with an ice pack is a must. I got mine free from the hospital when I was released. For the Formula feeding mother, a divider is essential. I can’t seem to find an example online at the moment, but you have seen them around. they are plastic containers with either two, three, or four divided compartments in them. These are great for measuring out formula to take along for the mom on the go.

Light and Song Toy for the Car

This is a great way to entertain the baby when he just won’t go to sleep in the car. Something with a mirror, lights, and music is the best. The only downfall is that the cold weather effects the operation of the toy.

Baby Papasan Chair

This is something I rarely used when my son was awake. But after I finished rocking him during the day, when he was just a newborn he often wouldn’t sleep in his crib. I kept this chair close by and after he was asleep I laid him in it and covered him up. It gave him the illusion that he was still sitting in my arms and left me free to move around!

Baby Swing

We all know why these are needed. That fussy baby who wants to be rocked to sleep. A baby swing will save you so much grief. Just put the baby in it and let him rock to sleep. One that turns so it rocks in two directions is awesome too!

Baby Floor Gym

Okay, so maybe you could get away with not having this one for the first month. But these are important. It let’s you lay the baby down to play hands free and promotes hand-eye coordination. A floor gym is something you will want by one month for certain. And a gym with a mirror is a big plus because the baby will talk to himself. So cute!

*On a tight budget? This symbol denotes items that you do not want to be without. Check second hand stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army to see what you can get at a discounted price.