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I have made registries for all of my pregnancies. Mostly because generous family and friends want to help and buy things for the baby and it’s the easiest way to stay organized.
I never thought I’d need a FOURTH registry, but I donated almost all of my baby items two weeks before I found out I was pregnant. I’m basically starting from scratch, so I thought I’d share some of my registry tips with expectant moms.
Through the years, my registries have gotten shorter, but more efficient.
Baby Registry Tips
1. Make your starting point items needed for baby’s first month. Beginning a registry is overwhelming. When you start, add items that you 100% need for baby’s first several weeks. Besides the obvious infant car seat, crib or bassinet; think bath tubs, burp cloths, bibs, towels, blankets and bottles.
After those items have been added, you can find more gear that baby will need at two and three months old etc…, like jumperoos and high chairs. Trust me, you’ll feel good once that registry has a couple of things on it. 🙌🏻
2. Registering for a single bottle can help you narrow down your choices . If you’ve picked out a newborn bottle gift set, be sure to register for a single bottle, too.
You don’t know which bottle your baby will like, and you can’t return bottles once used and open. So, if you register for some singles, in addition to the gift set, this can help you determine which one is best suited for your baby.
Last week, while shopping for baby #4 at Babies “R” Us, I grabbed a single bottle and 3-pack of Playtex VentAire® bottles.
The Playtex VentAire bottles are BPA free and have a unique bottom vent designed to keep air at the back of the bottle and out of baby’s tummy. Which means less gas, spit-up and overall fussiness.
I like the angled design on this bottle because it encourages semi-upright feeding that will help prevent ear infections.
I plan to breastfeed my fourth as I did the others, but it’s great to have bottles around so my husband can help feed the baby. The Most Like Mom® NaturaLatch® Nipple that comes with this bottle will be especially helpful for baby to latch on naturally.
However, the VentAire can be used with any Playtex nipple to meet your baby’s unique feeding preference.
3. Don’t be tempted to create your whole registry online. While the internet makes it easy to register for anything you want, I highly recommend visiting the store first to touch items, push the stroller, or feel the fabric.
I’ve made each of my children’s registries at my local Babies “R” Us and it couldn’t have been easier.
The first Saturday of every month the store holds a Registry 101 event for prenatal moms who are setting up their registry. The store’s experts are available to guide mothers through what can be a daunting process.
And once baby is here and you’re ready to close out your registry, Babies “R” Us offers a completion discount for all items on your registry that have not been purchased. That could be a great time to snag one of your big-ticket items!
The Registry Completion Event is held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
4. Choose neutral colors for expensive gear. Even if you know the sex of your baby, it still may be best to register for big-ticket items in a neutral color. Not all items, just the expensive ones! This works if you plan to have more children and now these specific items will work for boys or girls.
I just love our red umbrella stroller. It works for everyone and plus, it stands out in a crowd!
5. Don’t forget about mom. Mom deserves some space on the registry for things she needs; whether it be nursing essentials or self-care items.
This time around, I’ve added nursing bras, nursing tanks and wellness teas.
I’ll admit, my most favorite gifts always come in the form of food! (Those are never on the registry though, they’re just a pleasant surprise.) Freezing meals was so helpful to me the more kids I had. I felt like I had conquered something if everyone ate three square meals a day.
With less than five weeks to go until this baby arrives, I’m tying up all loose ends and making sure all the important stuff has been bought off my registry. After that, we wait for baby.
What are some of your registry tips?
