When my husband and I were expecting our first child, I remember feeling a lot of different things: elation, anxiety, love, fear, excitement, anxiety, hope, fear. But nothing brought me frustration until we went to register for our baby.
First of all, as a new mother-to-be, I had no idea what I would need. There were no other babies on my side of the family, and it had been several years since anyone on Shawn's side had registered for a baby. I felt completely lost. Besides a few obvious basics, I didn't have the slightest idea what I should be getting.
After this very frustrating experience, I swore that I would not let this happen to anyone else, if I could help it. I compiled a list of recommendations and have shared it with many people since then. Hopefully, it will be helpful to you as well!
First basic suggestion is to register somewhere accessible to everyone. For me, that place is Target. Almost everyone has a Target within reasonable driving distance, and their items are generally affordable. It is always difficult for me when expectant parents register at Babies R Us. The nearest store is an hour away from my house, and their items are always much more expensive. If you really want to get what is on your registry, register somewhere that gives people the opportunity to pick things they can afford, and where they can go see the items in person - especially if you have older relatives or family friends.
Also - and I say this with love - please be realistic with your registry. It's okay to register for a few bigger items (some family members may want to go in together on that gift, or sometimes parents want to purchase a more expensive item, since it is their grandchild), but remember that it is not necessary to register for 100% organic cotton sheets or a $70 hamper. If you are of a higher socioeconomic class and you know that your friends and family are completely willing and able to buy those items, please go ahead and register for what you like. But if your group of loved ones is more diverse, keep them in mind as you select items. Your baby won't know the difference and after you have washed them a few times, you will forget that your sheets aren't 100% organic.
Okay - now the list! :D
Baby Registry Guide
1) Boppy feeding pillow - even if you're not breastfeeding, it's a great way to snuggle, and it also helps support them as they learn to sit up. Also make sure to register for an extra slipcover.
2) lots of BUTTON-UP pjs (newborns HATE clothes going over their heads, and the weight is perfect for inside - not too warm, not too cool)
3) Pack n Play (we have one with the bassinet and changing table, and it was awesome, especially for the first six months); also sheets for the Pack n Play mattress
4) Bumbo - she won't be able to use it until she can almost sit up, but once she can, she'll love it!
5) A Medela pump, if able to breastfeed. They are the best and last the longest. If you use bottles also, we used Nuk and loved them. They work WITH breastfeeding instead of trying to replace it. The age is right on the bottle package. If you are using formula, my brother-in-law recommends Dr. Brown's bottles. Their design is supposed to cut down on gas and spit-ups.
6) A diaper bag with lots of pockets, especially on the sides
7) A regular monitor is all you need (no television monitor); we got one for $20, and it's been fine
8) Pacifiers - Nuk makes those, also, and I think they are the most natural and gentle, and they also don't interfere with breastfeeding; your baby may not use one, but it's nice to have it in case she does. Also register for a pacifier clip so that if she spits it out, it won't fall on the floor.
9) Diaper Genie Elite - a MUST!!! register for lots of the inserts, too
10) crib sheets (at least two, maybe three), crib mattress pad, changing pad, changing pad cover
11) Carseat/jogging stroller combo. We registered for the Baby Trend one at Target. It's gray and not at all cutesy. The tires are real tires, not plastic, and it's a smoooth ride.
12) Probably a swing. Allie only
liked hers for a couple of months, but some kids love them. Get one where the
seat comes detached and you can use it on its own as a bouncy seat, and also one that vibrates.
13) SWADDLER!!! Allie LOVED being swaddled. We used Sleep Sack swaddlers. They are this sack that you zip the baby in and then velcro the swaddling pieces over them - much easier than trying to mess with an actual blanket, which they can always bust out of. Register for a newborn and the next larger size. These swaddlers are really easy to use. Some of them are complicated and the babies can bust out really easily. Allie is really strong and crafty, but even she couldn't bust out of this one
14) As far as toys, keep them basic. Baby won't be ready developmentally for anything that makes noise or lights up or anything. The whole world is stimulation for her, so her toys just need to be soft and simple. Sophie the giraffe is awesome, but she probably won't use it until she's a few months old.
15) A few storage baskets. They can be used for lots of things - toys, diapers, etc. - and can be put anywhere you need them. We have found them very helpful!
16) A hamper. I would recommend a small one so that you do a few smaller loads. It helps keep the dresser stocked.
17) Burp cloths. They are always helpful! Just register for the Gerber plain cloth diapers. They come in a big package, and we used them as burp clothes. They are great, absorbent, and even if you go through a bunch in one day, you still have a bunch more left to use.
18) A high chair. We have one where the top seat detaches, it reclines, and becomes a booster seat. It's awesome!
19) A couple of towels and five or six washcloths. People love to give you 100 of these, but you really don't need that many. You'll be throwing them in the wash.
20) A baby bathtub. We have one that switches to letting her
recline on her back to now, where she is sitting up.
21) Mesh bumper pad. These provide protection from the crib rails, but are totally breathable, which helps keep baby safe.
22) Strap covers for the carseat. Those straps have to be so tight, and they can really cut in to baby's skin!
23) Lanolin - only if you are breastfeeding. This is a must!!
24) Baby body wash/shampoo combo, powder, lotion.
25) A baby grooming kit - usually come with comb, brush, nail clippers
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