Friday, 20 June 2008

• Baby Registry Recs

  by Mama Koala

  I got this message yesterday from a soon-to-be-mom:

  Hi I'm a new mom to be. My first child is coming in August. I'm working on my registry and I need some help. Please tell me what things you have that are must haves and things that are just collecting dust. I'm having a boy so if there are gender specific things I should put on the list let me know. Be specific if you don't mind. For example if there is a diaper that you love tell me what brand - cloth or disposable, doesn't matter. Can you tell I'm a rookie? All recommendations are welcome and appreciated. THANKS!

  Here are some of my registry recommendations:

  • Graco Snugride Infant Carseat - Comes in many different designs (most are reasonably priced), but the most important thing is that it has high safety ratings.  We now use a Britax Roundabout (convertible infant/toddler carseat), but we loved the convenience of being able to lift the Snugride out of its base (secured in car) and carry it into the house, store, church, or wherever we were going - beats having to wake up a newborn in slumber!
  • Ultimate Crib Sheet - This waterproof crib cover is essential if you don't enjoy changing mattress sheets during the night when baby has a diaper blowout or a major spit-up incident.  It snaps onto the crib slats (so obviously not practical if you're not going to be using a crib), right on top of the regular sheet.  The only con is that you don't get to see the pretty sheet that came with your bedding set hehe.
  • Take Along Swing - Well, any swing will do really, but we had a portable one similar to this one and it was perfect for our 1BR apartment at the time.  Also, it doesn't take up much space in the closet when baby outgrows it, and it fits easily into the trunk of a car for trips to Grandma's.  For the first few months, when Baby Koala was fussy, I'd put her in the swing and she would drift off to sleep!
  • Boppy - If you plan on breastfeeding, it's nice to have a nursing support pillow (mine has a velvety "Luxe" cover, which I love). The Boppy was really helpful for me, especially during the first 6 months (as baby got older, I didn't need any support since she was so quick!). This is also great as an all-around support pillow when baby is learning to sit up.
  • Receiving Blankets - Used not only for swaddling, but also as blankets, spit-up catchers, head supports... you get the picture.  I liked the ones that are somewhat "oversized" because they were easier to use for swaddling.  Mama Platypus also posted a review on SwaddleMe Wraps that might be helpful.
  • Side-Snap (or Side-Tie) Tees - We had some that my mom brought from Korea, and Baby Koala lived in them for the first few weeks.  I hated pulling onesies over her tiny head (they seem so fragile when they're that small, and you're a first-time mom), and it was much easier to slip her arms into side-snap tees.  The only problem is, they're not that easy to find in the US.  The Gerber ones tend to run really small (so buy a size or two larger), and the Carter's ones aren't sold in a lot of stores.  The Internet might be the best source.

  One other thing I realized is that it's not as important to put "older baby" items on the registry.  Unless, of course, you're going to have several baby showers and you think the registry will be cleaned out.  For example, my cousin gave us a really nice Peg Perego stroller at our baby shower, and it sat in the closet (and then onto the moving truck, and into our new closet) for 5 months before we even got to use it.

  So how about it moms?  Let's help her out by listing the best registry tips you can think of - what she needs, what she'll love, and what she can do without!

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