Let's talk about registering

[626]

Did anyone actually enjoy this process?

I can't even tell you how much I hate it.  I hated it for my wedding too.

It's worse for the baby because now I'm not just choosing things for aesthetics.  Plus, I'm one of those people who needs to evaluate every single option available to me when making a decision. I'm driving myself crazy!

I did make some minor progress this weekend, but I feel like this thing won't be fine tuned and complete for another month.

Anyone have anything on their registry that they are really excited about or think everyone should register for?

[melsamoony]

I really, really, really love my stroller and carseat. I have the Britax stroller and the BOB by Britax carseat. I chose the BOB by Britax because the interior is made of a more breathable material so DS stays cooler.

Something I didn't have on my registry but that my friend bought me because she found it very useful was a rock-and-play. Um that thing rocks. DS loves it and it is easy to move around and take places.

I second Lucie's List it made registering a breeze.

[MamaMaui24]

It's so overwhelming. Especially not knowing what you actually need! I made it through half the store then sat in the gliders and sent my sister and DH to finish the store.

Nose Frida
Ergo
FP Kick N Play Piano
My Breast Friend (if you plan to nurse)

Don't bother with clothes. People like to pick out buy baby clothes.

[linz]

I had a lot of fun researching items. I had pretty much a whole list of everything I wanted. But actually going to the store and registering sucked. I wish I would have done it all online and then gone in store to choose the final few items or see stuff in person. There were a few bigger items I debated back and forth on so I was glad I registered way before my showers so I had time to edit it.

I didn't find Lucie's list that helpful but I already had researched most things before reading it. Baby bargains was a big help for me. And a lot of items I would just look on target's website and read reviews or ask friends.

[Blue Moon]

So far DD absolutely loves her Mamaroo swing. The A&A swaddle blankets and Mombo (boppy) pillow have also been favorites these early days.

[demandypants]

These babies are our second (and third), and I just started to try to evaluate what we will need before they arrive. My sister is asking if she can throw a shower, but I feel weird about it. DD is 6 and we are having twins, so not a major social faux pas, but still I could handle a small sprinkle but my sister does nothing small.

That being said, beyond that I am more relaxed over the whole stuff thing this round. But I remember feeling really overwhelmed with the first. I read baby bargains and that helped me. And then I helped my friend with her registry a couple years later to help her navigate. If you have any friends with children, I am sure they would be helpful with some of your choices!

[Deleted]

Registering was overwhelming. It was even worst than our bridal registry because at least we were familiar with the items we were registering for!

I researched a few of the bigger items beforehand and checked out Lucie's List before we headed over to Babies R Us. We took a break midway through to grab a quick lunch, which gave us a chance to clear our head. In the weeks since registering in store, I've further streamlined our list after more research and talking to other moms.

[626]

Thanks everyone. I actually did read (most of) the Baby Bargains book and I love it. It is so helpful. I was able to narrow down my list to 2-4 contenders in each category - thinking I'd just go into the store check them out quickly and scan. It did help, but sometimes I felt more confused. I had a friend of mine come with me and I think it may have been a case of too many cooks in the kitchen.

On the bright side, my car seat and stroller are chosen! The cribs are still down to three (store didn't carry a single one!).
I have other stuff on the list, but barely. I think I registered for 4-5 high chairs because I couldn't make a decision! haha. I'm the worst.

I will have to check out Lucie's list - I just looked at it briefly and it's making me feel confident in my choices thus far, so this will be a good guide. Thank you!

I'll also check out some of the other things mentioned in this post too.

[bluelikejazz]

We registered at target because they have less options. Less overwhelming. Plus, I'd rather a target gift card than BRU.

Also, DH loves the scanner thing.

[mrssandro]

I don't mind it all that much. I have a small one on via Amazon. I had a Target one with my first baby.

[melsamoony]

626 if you are in a small place I would recommend the FP space saver/small spaces (I can't remember the name) high chair. It straps onto a dinning room chair.

[natsnow]

I also read baby bargains and lucie's list. I started making a list of things I knew I wanted pretty early on as a private amazon list. I'm kind of obsessive about researching stuff, so I watched youtube videos and read amazon reviews on the bigger stuff, like strollers. Then, by the time we actually went to the store I pretty much knew what I wanted.

[rachelgreen]

I have been using Baby Bargains myself. The hardest part for us is the infant seat/stroller. We chose the Baby Jogger Summit X3 over the BOB Revolution SE but with Target's awesome BOB sale this week, we're contemplating switching it and just buying it ourselves (we plan to buy it but if for some reason someone else wanted to buy it we weren't going to complain). The ::head desk:: part is figuring out what infant seat to pair with it and who will carry the adapter.

Our shower invites are going out this week or early next week so we really have to finish it up asap.

[LaceyV]

It was quite overwhelming but I enjoyed it. I changed things frequently.

We LOVED our rock n play, craddle swing, nose frida, and boppy (I didn't bf but it was nice to prop her up on so she could just chill while I did stuff.)

We also registered for EVERYTHING I could think of because I knew we would get a discount on whatever was left over. So we added baby tylenol, vaseline, thermometers, gas drops, etc. It made making sure I had everything we needed before she got here.

[jewel]

I did most of our registering online, so I wasn't wandering around the store just picking up random items. I could read reviews and compare other items at the same time.

I bought most of the big items myself, so a lot of our registry items were smaller. For a lot of them, I just picked something (like a bath tub) and thought more about it over time. I exchanged a good amount of what we got, because I changed my mind, found something better, etc. For things like bottles and pacifiers, I registered for a number of different options, because the baby will really be the one to decide which one he/she likes best.

[ewall]

I did most of the registering online, then went with my H in store to fill in the rest. My H surprisingly had opinions on a few things and of course he enjoyed the scanner gun. I used Baby Bargains, online reviews, and MM Moms as my guide for registering.

rachelgreen We are going with the Summit X3. I couldn't easily figure out the fold on the BOB so the X3 won. We're using a Graco Click Connect with the Baby Jogger adapter. Although I'm not sure how much use I will get out of the X3 + car seat combo since it's a December baby.

[perkyderky]

I disliked registering for the baby simply because of all the unknowns.  I will be a FTM that regularly checked out any time her girlfriends started too much "baby" so I really never paid attention to what they liked and what was excessive, etc their first time around.  (Most of my friends are currently on #2 or #3 while I'm at the end stages of #1)  Plus, with me, there was/is a lot of fear or freak out factor.  I actually loved registering for our wedding, because, I KNOW what a blender does and what it can be used for.  A boppy pillow, on the other hand seems to have a lot fewer functions and it doesn't create a delicious blend of fruits for me at the end. 

I'm not an obsessive researcher when it comes to this stuff, which I suspect probably annoys several of my friends/relatives these days.  It totally wouldn't surprise me if some of them are secretly judging my choices, but I've made it pretty clear to most that I'm willing to at least listen to just about any advice/recommendations anyone is willing to give me. 

I guess the only saving grace is that I do like to shop. 

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2014 11:21:39 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

Anything I don't have is stuff that some people love and others find totally unnecessary, so I figure if I am missing something in the first few weeks, I'll either Prime it or send H to Target.

My husband and I were just talking about this last night, especially with regards to a Diaper Genie and a Pack & Play. I've heard so many mixed opinions on both, that we have decided not to register for them.  If it turns out we need them, we can just pick them up ourselves. I'm done stressing over little things like this...it's not like we live in the middle of nowhere!

[perkyderky]

Sept 2, 2014 14:38:25 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

Sept 2, 2014 14:12:42 GMT -5 sju1982 said:

My husband and I were just talking about this last night, especially with regards to a Diaper Genie and a Pack & Play. I've heard so many mixed opinions on both, that we have decided not to register for them.  If it turns out we need them, we can just pick them up ourselves. I'm done stressing over little things like this...it's not like we live in the middle of nowhere!

LOL and these were the FINAL two things that I finally said "fuck it" yesterday and ordered. And NOW I'm done.

The Genie, I literally stopped this cute couple walking through the aisle with their baby, asked if they had one, they said yes/they loved it, and I let that make my decision. Ha.

LOL.  I've actually been leaving it to a fate of another kind.  I've been hitting up some of the local consignment sales.  At the last one I went to, they had a bunch of diaper pails so I bought one for $4.  That was "enough" of a sign for me to buy one.  They didn't have the Pack n Play, nor have any of the others (at least not a PnP that I've liked) so as of right now, that's still not an item I own. 

[rachelgreen]

Sept 2, 2014 12:45:32 GMT -5 ewall said:

We are going with the Summit X3. I couldn't easily figure out the fold on the BOB so the X3 won. We're using a Graco Click Connect with the Baby Jogger adapter. Although I'm not sure how much use I will get out of the X3 + car seat combo since it's a December baby.

This is a Dec baby for me too, lol. I estimate baby will be in it until at least May so that will give me at least two months of outdoor use. Plus the track indoors at the gym.

And basically I went over lunch to a local specialty store and looked at the two again...decided on the Summit in green paired with a Chicco Keyfit 30 in Surge green only to have the associate show me the brand new Chicco Tre jogger. It already comes with a parent console and cup holder plus no need for an adapter. It folds super easy and can stand up when folded so that's nice for the garage - rather than being flat like the Summit/BOB. The online pictures from BBB don't really show everything well but I was impressed enough to be torn again. The BOB is def out for me though.

Link: Chicco Tre

ETA: Chicco's link

[626]

Sept 2, 2014 11:06:56 GMT -5 melsamoony said:

626 if you are in a small place I would recommend the FP space saver/small spaces (I can't remember the name) high chair. It straps onto a dinning room chair.

I'm glad to hear you like this.  This is actually one of the four on our list.  

[626]

Sept 2, 2014 14:39:25 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

And now I want to look at everyone's registries.

Me too!

[626]

Sept 2, 2014 11:53:01 GMT -5 rachelgreen said:

I have been using Baby Bargains myself. The hardest part for us is the infant seat/stroller. We chose the Baby Jogger Summit X3 over the BOB Revolution SE but with Target's awesome BOB sale this week, we're contemplating switching it and just buying it ourselves (we plan to buy it but if for some reason someone else wanted to buy it we weren't going to complain). The ::head desk:: part is figuring out what infant seat to pair with it and who will carry the adapter.

Our shower invites are going out this week or early next week so we really have to finish it up asap.

The stroller/car seat combo has been the biggest headache for me thus far, but I think I've finally decided: Cybex Aton 2 and the City mini jogger.  I'll be taking cabs quite a bit and I just felt like the Cybex was the safest when not using a base. That pretty much narrowed down my stroller selection, since a lot of strollers aren't compatible with the car seat.  I also like that the city mini is lightweight and folds up with one quick pull.  

[626]

Sept 2, 2014 12:17:54 GMT -5 @astrid said:

Lucie's List IS SO FREAKING HELPFUL. I LOVE IT. Also, try to do one thing at a time. Last week was stroller, this week I am working on the sound machine. Being methodical has helped me cope. (I am also type A and crazy.)

I think you're on to something here.  Too many things at once and I just want to say screw it, but I can tackle it in small batches.

[FoxInFiji]

Sept 2, 2014 14:39:25 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

And now I want to look at everyone's registries.

Yes I feel like we should do a registry list post! 

I used Baby Bargains, Lucie's List, and many of the MMM posts to put together our registries.  Certain things I really wanted and other things I didn't really care what we got so I tried to have plenty of easy to buy in-store Target/BRU purchases vs. online orders.  I also joined a bunch of local FB buy/sell groups prior to registering (similar to CL but I've been having a lot better luck with them) and was able to get a bunch of items that are only used short term for half price or less. 

[rachelgreen]

Sept 2, 2014 18:03:47 GMT -5 626 said:

Sept 2, 2014 11:53:01 GMT -5 rachelgreen said:

I have been using Baby Bargains myself. The hardest part for us is the infant seat/stroller. We chose the Baby Jogger Summit X3 over the BOB Revolution SE but with Target's awesome BOB sale this week, we're contemplating switching it and just buying it ourselves (we plan to buy it but if for some reason someone else wanted to buy it we weren't going to complain). The ::head desk:: part is figuring out what infant seat to pair with it and who will carry the adapter.

Our shower invites are going out this week or early next week so we really have to finish it up asap.

The stroller/car seat combo has been the biggest headache for me thus far, but I think I've finally decided: Cybex Aton 2 and the City mini jogger.  I'll be taking cabs quite a bit and I just felt like the Cybex was the safest when not using a base. That pretty much narrowed down my stroller selection, since a lot of strollers aren't compatible with the car seat.  I also like that the city mini is lightweight and folds up with one quick pull.  

Haha. I took the Baby Bargains book to Buy Buy Baby and went down their best picks list for the All-terrain category. For me, I need a true all-terrain. I live off a country road, off a lake with no sidewalks. I was going with the Summit but it was just bumped by the Chicco Tre. This way I can use our first choice of infant seat with no need for an adaptor bar (for the Chicco key fit 30).

[rachelgreen]

Sept 2, 2014 18:10:04 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

Sept 2, 2014 14:39:25 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

And now I want to look at everyone's registries.

Yes I feel like we should do a registry list post! 

I used Baby Bargains, Lucie's List, and many of the MMM posts to put together our registries.  Certain things I really wanted and other things I didn't really care what we got so I tried to have plenty of easy to buy in-store Target/BRU purchases vs. online orders.  I also joined a bunch of local FB buy/sell groups prior to registering (similar to CL but I've been having a lot better luck with them) and was able to get a bunch of items that are only used short term for half price or less. 

I loooooove this idea of a big (possibly sticky worthy) thread. I will totally work on getting a skeleton post written if people are interested.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2014 19:46:20 GMT -5 rachelgreen said:

Sept 2, 2014 18:10:04 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

Yes I feel like we should do a registry list post! 

I used Baby Bargains, Lucie's List, and many of the MMM posts to put together our registries.  Certain things I really wanted and other things I didn't really care what we got so I tried to have plenty of easy to buy in-store Target/BRU purchases vs. online orders.  I also joined a bunch of local FB buy/sell groups prior to registering (similar to CL but I've been having a lot better luck with them) and was able to get a bunch of items that are only used short term for half price or less. 

I loooooove this idea of a big (possibly sticky worthy) thread. I will totally work on getting a skeleton post written if people are interested.

Tag me in this thread and I will sticky it, if we decide to do that. 

[MrsAggie]

Soothie pacifiers. They're the only ones newborns can really keep in their mouths. You'll want some in the first few weeks! Also, they make some that smell like vanilla and the babies go absolutely crazy for them.

[sparkythelawyer]

Thanks for this! I have the Baby bargains book, but had no idea what it was. I will look through this!