Tags: babies registry, baby, baby clothes, baby shower, car seat, crib bedding, diapers, formula, high chair, registry, stroller, swing
Baby Shower Registry Do's and Don'ts
By ,
February 16, 2011 at 4:38 pm
As you may or may not know, I am 8 months pregnant, which means recently I had the "baby shower experience"... times 2, so I was compelled to blog about it.
Maybe some women get a thrill out of registering, but it gave this baby mama a panic attack. Of course I started my registry at a store I will not mention, however, it seems to be every mothers go to place for baby stuff.
Aisle after aisle of baby "crap". Does my baby need a wipe warmer? or a jacuzzi bath tub? Is there a difference between brands? Do I need a $400 stroller, or will a $200 stroller suffice. Don't even get me started on bottles, nipples and pacifiers! This is my first baby, so it was beyond overwhelming trying to navigate through garbage and necessity.
I lasted about 10 minutes before I had to leave. Sure I could have asked an associate for help, but most of them look like they are still in high school, and even if they aren't, are they really going to disuade me from buying an overpriced diaper bag?
So I did what any confused mother-to-be would do, I consulted with new moms on what never made it out of the box and what they wore out in the first month. I called friends, I read mommy blogs, and I did extensive searches.
This is what I learned.
1- DO NOT register for something you wouldn't spend your own hard earned money on. Just because other people are doing the spending is not an excuse to pick the most expensive version of everything.
2- Do not register for clothes. Everyone will buy clothes for you, and none of it will be what you registered for.
3- The baby comforter set is a huge waste of money and completely unecessary. The crib bumper can be a suffocation hazard, the baby cannot use the comforter and half the time you cannot see the skirt because the crib style covers it up. So essentially you are getting a $150 set of crib sheets.
4- The bottle warmer, wipe warmer anything warmer is pretty much a waste of counter space. Sounds great at first, but most of the time they will go unused.
5-You do not need an infant seat, a bouncer and a swing. A portable swing will escentially cover your bases. Something you can move from room to room with ease and folds up if you decide to travel with it.
6-There is little to no difference between a $100 pack n play and a $200 version. The brands and designs may vary, but essentially they are the same thing.
7-Stollers and car seats are tough. Of course you want something safe and sturdy, so do some research. The combo versions can be a great savings and if you check out the brand ahead of time you can feel confident in your selection.
8-Maybe you have a lot of space, maybe you don't, in either case, space saver highchairs are a wonderful option. They are much smaller, easier to store and when your baby becomes a toddler, they make a great booster seat.
9-Don't be afraid to think about baby essentials. They are expensive and you will need them. Consider registering for baby detergent, formula, wipes and diapers. I recognize formula can be debatable since you will not know what brand works best for your baby, but check with the store, most likely if it's up-opened you can exchange it for what works for your baby.
10-What's most important is to really think about what you and your baby will need. Don't mindlessly register for everything the store tells you to. Use some common sense, and when in doubt ask a new mom to be your guide.
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This is Great information!!
I am planning my daughter's baby shower and since she is 23 and I am out of touch with baby showers, this is very helpful. I am directing her to your blog, especially since she is 8 months also. Congrats on your journey to mommy-hood!
Cheers!
Dawj