What I Wish I Knew Before I Registered

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Are you overwhelmed when you walk into the baby Superstores?  The best option is if you can bring an experienced mom with you, but most importantly--know what your needs are.  I'm going to do this is list form and tell you what worked best for me the second time around and probably a few mistakes I made the first time!

Please share your best registry tips in the comments!

• Baby Bargains: Go buy this immediately.  Consider that your guidebook to registering.  It is like Consumer Reports plus parent feedback and I know it saved me a ton of money.  Just be sure you are looking at the very latest edition.  This can help you know what is worth saving and what is worth splurging.
• Peg Perego Vela:  My favorite stroller--Ever.  The first time around I went with the expected Graco Travel System.  Because of course I wanted the matching car seat and stroller.  But what I didn't realize was how often I would be hauling that stroller in and out of my trunk.  It's like a couch on wheels and even the "Metrolite" version isn't that light.  Peg Perego is a fabulous brand, made in Italy, and still reasonably priced.  The Vela stroller is a combination of a regular stroller and an umbrella stroller.  Added Bonus: most infant car seats will still fit in the stroller!  The only downside is that your child will not face you once he outgrows his infant car seat.
• Double Stroller/Jogging Stroller: If you know you would like to have more than one child then save your pennies and pick the right stroller the first time.  Phil & Teds  are my highest recommendation.  You can use it as a single stroller and then purchase the part to make it a double stroller later.  Added bonus: it's a jogging stroller as well!
• Costco Wipes: Love 'em.  
• Pack-n-Play or Bassinet:  This really depends on how you are use your house.  For me, having a pack-n-play with a changing station attachment was a life saver.  We have a two-story house and being able to stay downstairs after a very difficult delivery was key.  Also, when Holden wanted to sleep on me every night and I was sleeping on the couch, it was wonderful to be able to change him downstairs and not wake-up everyone else.  BUT if your house is all one level and you know you'll only use your pack-n-play for travel you may only need something simple.  I bought a barely used Bassinet to keep in our room for the pre-crib nights, but as I mentioned, Holden was SO tiny that he would only sleep on me.  Never used the bassinet.  
• Infant Car Seat: You need an infant car seat but you do not need the styles that boast they can hold up to 35 pounds.  First of all, I can almost guarantee that your baby will be too tall/long for the infant seat before he weighs 35 pounds.  Also, do you really want to carry a 35 lb. baby and the car seat around?  No.   If you buy one thing new make it the car seat.  Never buy one at a garage sale or use one that has been in a car accident.  They expire safety wise, the plastic on the hooks wears-out, the padding gets thin.  This is your baby's safety we're talking about.   
• Swing: I can not recommend a swing enough.  They have been life savers with both of my boys.  I have tried the Graco basic swing but nothing beats a cradle swing.  
• Bouncy Seat:  This is another case of knowing your needs.  If you can register for one and borrow another one--do it.  You might as well keep one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen.  None of them are super cute, but this one kept Holden very happy and entertained as I cooked/cleaned/showered.  It's nice if there is something for baby to play with or watch while they sit.
• Cloth Diapers or Disposable: I use disposable simply because of our 1000 year old washing machine in our spider ridden basement.  I don't think it could handle all the poop.  But if you are even considering choosing cloth diapers HERE is a very good resource on cloth diapering.  This is another perspective.
• Breast Pump:  If you are considering breastfeeding (and I really hope you do) you will more than likely need a breast pump.  Don't mess around.  Get one that will suck like crazy is hospital grade.  If you have insurance it's more than likely that your doctor can write you a prescription for a breast pump.  If you are near west Michigan, this store is a great resource for all of your breastfeeding needs.  They are also very familiar with how to bill the insurance companies.
• Diaper Bag: You have so many options.  Dwell Studio makes my favorite but there are also cute options by designers as well.  For me, I wanted it to look more like a purse than sporting Winnie The Pooh around town.  I have more than one friend who found Kate Spade diaper bags on Craig's List.
• Vaccines and Sleeping: This is something to think about and talk to your pediatrician BEFORE baby arrives.  With Jack I did no research on vaccines and just followed whatever my doctor suggested.  Five years later there are even more recommended vaccines, and you can read my post on that here.  If you would like to read what worked for us as far as sleeping, click here.

 Now it is your turn!  

What are your "must haves" for baby and your best registry tips?

If you have not joined the Nursery Party yet click here.

If you don't have a nursery make a mood board to share or email me your nursery photos.