Baby Registry: Part 1

I love planning. Planning my wedding and planning for the birth of my son were quite fulfilling and I found it to be a lot of fun. Who knows maybe event planning is my true calling.

Over the next two posts I'll go over my tips for creating your baby registry, which is a big chunk of preparing for the arrival of your little one. Of course no registry is hard and fast, but hopefully these posts will get you to think wisely about your registry and use it to the best of your advantage. (Which, in hindsight, sounds selfish, but your family and friends want to buy stuff for your baby, so you might as well ask for stuff you want.)

A couple of things right off the bat:

1. Seriously consider your needs, parenting style, and space. For example, there's little sense in registering for a crib if you plan on co-sleeping and doing a family bed.
2. Have a variety of price points BUT just because smaller items go fast don't put more on the registry. Otherwise, you might get 40 onesies but no stroller.
3. Registering at multiple places is okay, but be sure that everyone has access to at least one of the stores where you registered. Also, with multiple places have a variety of price points at each place.
4. New things are nice, but don't overlook hand-me-downs. All of this gear is expensive and many larger items barely get used because someone bought everything and baby only liked to swing or bounce. So thoughtfully consider everything that's offered to you. Remember you will have to pay for quite a bit what baby needs and for your maternity wardrobe. That all adds up pretty quick, even when family helps out.

In this post I'll cover some tips for registering for clothes, diapers, bed linens, blankets, towels/washcloths/bibs, burp cloths, and bath/toiletry items.

Clothes

Register for a variety of single pieces. People will buy you outfits before and after baby are born. Concentrate on basics that will go with everything. 

Also, register for newborn clothes, even if the doctors and everyone else tells you that your baby is going to be big. That's what I was told and I ended giving birth at 36 weeks to a baby just under 6 lbs. I only had 0-3 months clothes and he didn't fit in anything. If you're positive you'll have a big baby, just register for a few newborn sleepers with mitten cuffs, just in case.

Here are some specifics:

• Short sleeved and long sleeved onesies in a variety of sizes. You could register for plain white onesies to take you through the first year, if you really wanted to. 
• Plain pants in newborn and 0-3 months (you could probably add 3 months too, beyond that and it may not be seasonally appropriate)
• Socks of various sizes (there's really no point in shoes at first)
• Sleepers in a variety of sizes (focus on cotton that can be worn through the seasons- sleep sacks are great for adding warmth)
• Sleep sacks/swaddlers
• Gowns (I personally hate these. Some people love them because you can just pull it up to change a diaper, but they also ride up all the time leaving little legs cold and exposed.)
• Sweaters/fleece jackets- these are great for wearing in the car
• If a winter baby, a snow suit is fine for when they are outside but they are NOT safe to be worn in a car seat. Seriously. Don't even think about doing it.

Diapers

A great option for some lower price point fillers. You'll definitely use size 1, but get newborn just in case. However, don't open it. Save the receipt so if you never use them you can return them. You'll know very quickly what size your baby will be wearing to start off.

If you're thinking of cloth diapering, I'm sure you've done your research. Whether you've picked one brand/style or you want to try a variety put. it. on. your. registry. If that means putting an extra slip of paper in the shower invitations with the specific website to buy them at, do it! Get some help buying these. 

If you're okay with hand-me-downs you could pretty much make your registry just diapers and some big ticket items.

Bed linens

Obviously you need to figure out what your sleeping arrangements will be (though this can change). Buy bedding for the crib/bassinet/pack and play keeping in mind that your child's diaper will leak. I was given the advice to put on the crib a water proof sheet, followed by a fitted sheet, then another waterproof sheet, and finally a fitted sheet on top. This way you always have clean sheets waiting should Jr. wet the bed in the middle of the night.

If you want a big matching crib set, go for it, otherwise skip the bulky (and not recommended) bumper for a breathable mesh option. Blankets are also not recommended for use in the crib, so I'll reiterate that sleep sacks are great. 

Blankets

The above comment is not to say you won't use blankets ever. You'll want them for covering baby while you're holding them, to provide extra warmth in the car (because nearly every after market product for keeping baby warm in a car seat voids the warranty and greatly endangers the safety of your child. Can you tell that I'm a stickler for car seat safety?), or for them to lay on while playing on the floor.

Receiving blankets are wonderfully versatile, but look to register for blankets that are on the larger side and are square. These will be the best for swaddling. By 3 months I could not use the standard receiving blankets anymore because they were just too small.

Receiving blankets are also the go to head supports for babies in car seats (unless a head support comes with your car seat). Just roll them up and slide them in beside baby for great head supports that don't compromise safety.

Towels/washcloths/ bibs

Lots of washcloths. Lots of bibs. End of story.

(okay- an aside with the washcloths. You will use these a lot: in the first weeks for butt wiping and sponge baths, after that baths, face washing in the morning, and, when solids come in to play, they're great for post eating clean up, so register for lots.)

Hooded towels are cute, but babies grow out of them quickly. I would recommend thin regular sized towels. They'll get the job done without being bulky.

Burp cloths

Quantity and quality are up to you. My son never spit up much so I really didn't need a lot. Get your hands on some different styles to help make the decision. Someone bought us these really nice thin cloth diapers (all one thickness, not like the Gerber pre-folds) and they are by far my favorite. 

Bath items/toiletries

Tubs:

We got the standard big plastic tub. Nice if it fits your sink, but it didn't fit ours after we moved. I wish I had gone with a flexible tub, especially if it could lay flat, because we've moved Jr. to the regular tub with a foam mat. The big plastic tub is now taking up space in the grandparent's garage. Again, evaluate your needs and plan accordingly.

Tub Toys: 

Register for at least one set. Something that will be easy for the baby to hold and easy to clean. The day will come when you're giving the baby a bath and you'll wish that you had something for them to play with just to keep them distracted, then you'll remember that tucked away somewhere is that miracle toy.

Soaps and such: 

People will buy you what they preferred to use even if you registered for something specific (just like diapers). A full sized bottle of soap or shampoo will last a long time so don't register for a lot. 

Safety/grooming:

A comprehensive grooming/safety kit is nice to have (I really like the one I got from Safety 1st). At the least you'll need a brush, nail clippers, thermometer (one that can be used rectally), bulb syringe (one solid piece is best, even though it's difficult to clean), medicine "dropper" that has a nipple, and nail files (though most moms I've talked to found them to be a waste of time). If you don't have a first aid kit in the house, now would be a great time to get one. 

That covers part one of the baby registry. Remember the most important thing is to evaluate your needs and plan accordingly. In part two, I'll talk about big ticket items and feeding paraphernalia.