Starting to Make my Baby Registry?

Question

What are some "must have" items that may not be obvious to a first time mom?

Also what are good items that people will feel comfortable buying for a shower? I realize the majority of the "big" things (high chair, car seat, stroller, etc.) will have to be bought by myself.

Answer 1

You might be amazed at what people would buy for a shower.  I would still register for everything you need and wait and see what happens!!

People might go in together to get you a larger gift.  Also...put diapers and wipes on your registry.  I know it's not as fun as the other baby stuff, but you'll need them just as much!!  I also had gift cards on mine for the store I was registered at.  

If you register for any clothes, register for different sizes....babies grow fast and you don't want a million Onesies that they will outgrow before they are 3 months!!  And don't register for seasonal stuff...by the time your guests purchase, it might be gone!!

If the baby is due in the winter and you live where it gets cold...register for a carrier cover instead of a snowsuit.  That way the baby stays warm, but if they fall asleep you don't need to worry about waking them up to undress them (so they don't get overheated!!)

Gowns, gowns, gowns!!  For boys and girls!  These are wonderful for the first few months to sleep in.  Easy acess to diapers for quick middle of the night changes when you are not entirely awake!

Focus more on the things that you will absolutely need from the get go.  For example...an Exersaucer will not be used until the baby is 6-8 months.  You could get that on your own.

Instead of a full size high chair, register for the one that clamps onto the side of a table instead.  Only about 60 bucks and you can take it with you to restaurants instead of using the disgusting highchairs there!

Answer 2

First of all, you don't have to buy the big items by yourself.  Maybe some friends can pitch it and, for example, 3 friends can get you the stroller.  Don't worry about the high chair yet.  It's something that you'll need after your baby is at least  6 months old.

  Some smaller items on your registry that are affordable will be, a diaper genie.  A lot of diapers.  Onesies.  A car seat and base(s).  An infant bathtub that will convert to a young toddler bathtub (<$20).  Bottles, nipples, bottle scrubber (brush), and bags to store milk if you'll be pumping.  A bottle warmer (also if you're pumping).  Fitted sheets for the crib mattress along with a bumper.  Some Dreft (laundry detergent for infants so their skin doesn't get irritated).  

Bibs, baby wipes, and Johnson's Baby Shampoo/Body wash.

Answer 3

Baby monitor

bath tub

diapers

thermometer

diaper bag

bottles

pacifiers

Answer 4

I think the "must have's" are....

blankets

thermometer

wash cloths (bath set)

onesies

diapers

wipes

bottles

carseat

diaper bag

And most women who go to showers know that these things are important...so they will buy them. You will get a rediculous amount of clothes! LOL People always want to buy outfits. But dont think that you shoud leave the expensive stuff off the registry...such as carseat...stroller....highchair etc. I put all that on mine...and people bought it all!

The only stuff i put on there that i knew people wouldnt buy was my crib, dresser and change table. It was purchased by my parents and inlaws. But its alwasy good to put whatveer you want on there. It atleast shows people what your into and your theme!

Good luck! congrats!

Answer 5

Well lets see...

Baby nail clippers (must have because some babies need their nails clipped almost immediatley)

Depending on what time of year you are having it... winter baby you will want buntings or warmer pajama type outfits, caps, socks and thicker blankets

Summer baby, onesies, bonnets, lighter receiving blankets.

There is a lil container that goes in your dishwasher to hold nipples and lids, that is really handy.

Baby shampoo, diapers, wipes, lotions (more for you because you are constantly washing your hands and they dry out)  

If you choose to allow a pacifier you could ask for the pacifier things that tie your pacifier to the carseat and such so you don't loose it ( I have  a 9 week old and just made a specific trip to WalMart for this as I was tired of loosing pacifiers)

Diaper bag and accesories, ie small lotions, powders, wipe holder.

Baby Tylenol (you will need this even if baby isnt sick because you can give a lil to baby before they go in for their shots)

A medicine called Mylacon for gassy babies (if you can get even two people to by this stuff it will be a God send)

Baby bath tub, wash cloths, towels etc

Dreft laundry detergent

The last thing I can think of is themed stuff for your nursery.  For ex:  If you are going with ducks or bears you can let people know what your 'theme' is and you will be pleasantly surprised what some people will find to help decorate the nursery.  That way the nursery looks deorated instead of like you did a one stop shop at WalMart and 50 other people have the same nursery you do.

Well, that is all I can think of.  Good luck to you and Congrats!!!

Answer 6

Word of advice, even if you think someone won't buy it because it's a "big" item, put it on anyway. Your friends could get together and buy you the "big" item along with a few smaller items. That's what happened with me. I got a crib and it wasn't the one I wanted so I had to go through exchanging it and getting the one I wanted. If you wind up not getting it, fine. But if you do get it, it's one less thing you'll have to get. I thought no one was going to want to buy something so expensive but I was wrong.

When in doubt if you should put it on the registry, just put it on anyway. The worse that will happen is you won't get it and you'll have to get it yourself. If you don't put something you want on, someone might get something "big" you need and you won't like it so you'll have to go through exchanging it. Just make sure you put a variety of prices of items on your registry. You'll never know what people are "comfortable" buying, as I was VERY surprised by what some of my co-workers gave me.

Good Luck!