Registry: Extra Baby Gear

My final set of registry items are some baby gear extras.  While you don't need any of these items, they make make life with baby a little easier.  They are listed below in no particular order.

• Graco Pack 'n Play Sketch Safari:  In my opinion, this is a MUST!  Instead of buying a basinet which will only be used for a few months, we have opted to keep the pack n' play in our room for the baby to sleep in until we transition him to the crib.  After baby has moved to the crib, the pack 'n play will still have many uses:  it's great for traveling or for taking baby outside while doing some yard work.  There are so many models, that you'll want to check them all out and see which best fits your needs. 

• Fisher-Price Rock 'N Play Sleeper:  this has been the #1 recommended item by other moms.  Its a nice spot to put baby down while vacuuming or cleaning a few dishes.  It has also been used by many parents as their baby's primary sleeping spot when nothing else worked.  

•  Skip Hop Moonlight and Melodies Nightlight Soother:  a great addition to any nursery (especially for those late night feedings and changes).  It acts as a nightlight, it projects stars onto the ceiling to entertain your little one and plays relaxing sounds and lullabies to soothe baby to sleep.  A timer also allows you to set it to turn off after 15, 30, or 60 minutes.  

• Bumbo Floor Seat and Play Tray:  this popular seat allows babies to sit upright early on and, made of plastic, it is easily cleanable.  

• Graco DuetSoothe Infant Swing + Rocker:  this baby swing does it all!  It is a little expensive, but it's the only swing you'll need!  It can rock baby both back and forth and from side to side with 6 swing speeds.  Or if your baby prefers vibrations, it has 2 options for that as well.  For your baby's entertainment, there is a mobile and the swing plays various soothing sounds and songs.  The swing can be removed to function as a bouncer or to carry baby around the house with you.  

• Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym Set:  this mat will encourage baby to love tummy-time.  It has everything you could want and more!  

• ExerSaucer Jump and Learn Jumper Jungle Quest Activity Center:  this activity center allows baby to rock, swing, and jump encouraging them to build and strengthen their gross motor skills.  

Registry: Safety

Baby Monitors

Though not everyone may agree, my husband and I agreed that a baby monitor is absolutely necessary.  The issue is that there are way to many options to pick from.  Some things to consider are:

• Do you want video and audio?  Or just audio?
• Do you want to be able to connect your phone to the system?
• Do you want one parent unit or two?
• How far of a range do you need?
• What is the battery life of the unit?
• Does the unit also have the option to be plugged in?
• Do you want the monitor to be sound activated?
• Are there reported issues of interference?

After doing our research, my husband and I settled on the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor.  The monitor has over 7,000 reviews on Amazon and still has a 4.3 out of 5 stars.  The only negative comment is that some people experience interference issues, but we wouldn't know until we tried it out.  I am hoping we don't have that issue because otherwise it seems perfect!

Movement Monitor

Not everyone is a fan of movement monitors.  As first time parents (and with the lurking fear of SIDS), my husband and I decided that we wanted one.  The two most popular units are the Owlet and the Snuza HERO - you can read about both options here.  Ultimately, the Snuza seemed more portable, was reliable and was a much more reasonable price, so that is what we've registered for.    

  

Registry: Bathing and Infant Care

Bathing

First, you will need a bathtub for baby.  If you haven't noticed yet, my husband and I are fans of gear that grows with baby.  That's why we opted for the First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Tub.

You'll also want some hooded towels and washcloths for baby.  A few different mothers recommended Carter's towels and washcloths.  Another brand that came highly recommended was JJ Cole's towels and washcloths.  In total, we've registered for 4 towels and 4 washcloth sets.

Finally, you'll need something to wash baby with - we've went the traditional route and registered for Johnson & Johnson Head-to-Toe Baby Wash.

Infant Care

In order to keep baby nice and healthy, you'll need a few things.  Below is what we've registered for so far:

• Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clippers (2 pairs - one for at home and one for the diaper bag)
• Exergen Original Temporal Thermometer 
• Little Martin's Nasal Aspirator
• Guard Master Infant Banana Training Toothbrush  
• Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
• Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops 
• Little Fevers Infant Fever & Pain Relief

Registry: Diapering

The Essentials

The obvious essential here are diapers.  Your two main options are cloth diapers or disposable diapers.  My husband and I plan to use disposables, so that is what I will talk more about.  Check out the best rated disposable diapers here.  Their top pick (and my top pick) is Pampers Swaddlers - they have a wetness indicator (a huge plus) and they also are reported to have the least blow-outs among popular brands and are good for sensitive skin.  If you want to know how many of each size diaper you may need, this is a great place to start.  If whatever brand you get doesn't work out, most stores are good about exchanging unopened boxes for different brands or will give you store credit, so stocking up isn't a bad idea.

The other obvious essential is baby wipes.  Most mothers that I've talked to recommend Huggies, so that is what we will be registering for.  And as for how many you need, you supposedly can never have enough.  So we've registered for 2 of these starter sets and 2 of these value packs.

Finally, you'll need diaper rash cream.  From what I've read, A+D Ointment is the best cream to be used on a daily basis to prevent a diaper rash.  And Summer Laboratories Triple Paste is the best for treating a diaper rash.  I've registered for some of each.  And for those of the faint of heart, you may want a BabyBum Brush for applying any cream (this is definitely an extra, but I registered for it anyway).


The Extras

A diaper pail is not a necessity, but definitely something I need.  I like the idea of having one specific place to put all of the smelly diapers and to contain the smell.  We have registered for the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail.  It is highly reviewed and the best part about it is that it doesn't need any specific, expensive bags - any good ol' garbage bags will do the trick.

For on-the-go diapering, I registered for 2 of these Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag Dispensers (one for each diaper bag) and some refills too.  Also, for each car, I've registered for a Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station.

Speaking of on-the-go, you'll probably also want a diaper bag.  Though very expensive, I have chosen the Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Diaper Bag.  The biggest pros of this bag were its organizational pockets on the inside, a section just for mom, insulated bottle pockets, and you can wear it as a tote bag or as a backpack.  My husband wanted his own, more manly diaper bag, and opted for this Bluekiwi diaper bag.  He liked that it looked like a computer bag that he would carry to work.

Registry: Feeding

The Basics:

The main thing you'll need is a high chair.  There are a lot of options out there and at a variety of prices.  My hubby and I wanted something that would grow with the baby and something that was easy to keep clean.  We opted for the Fisher-Price-4-in-1 Total Clean High Chair.  After you no longer need a high chair, it converts to a booster seat.  The plastic pieces of the high chair come apart and are dishwasher safe.  The high chair seat cover is removable and machine-washable.

You'll want some bibs to protect those adorable onsies.  If you want something basic, Green Sprouts bibs are rated very well and are reasonably priced.  They come come in various sizes, starting with infant  and then moving up to bibs for 3 to 12 month olds.  If you want something that's a step up, Bumkins SuperBibs are waterproof, wipeable, and machine washable. Additionally they have a crumb-catcher pocket.  These bibs fit babies 6 months old and up.

Bottles:

Of course you're going to need some bottles, which it seems babies can be pretty picky about.  I've registered for Philips Avent Natural bottles because a few breastfeeding moms that I know have recommended them and I have a few free samples.  Whatever you get, you'll want 6 to 9 in each size.

Also, don't forget a brush for cleaning your bottles and a set of dishwasher baskets if you plan on going that route.  Finally, you'll want a drying rack -  Boons drying racks come highly recommended. You can get the GRASS or the LAWN rack.  I opted for the lawn because its slightly larger and I want to be able to fit the parts from my breast pump.  And if you want some extra drying space you can get a few Boon TWIGs for drying small parts like bottle nipples.




Cups, Dishes, Etc.

As your little one grows, you're also going to need some more "grown-up" eating supplies.  Below is a list of what we've registered for:

• Munchkin 6-pack Soft-tip infant spoons (ages 3 months and up)
• Munchkin 3-pack Stay Put Bowls (ages 6 months and up)
• Nuby No Spill 2 Pack Click-It Trainer Cups (ages 6 months and up)
• Munchkin Click Lock Weighted Straw Flexi Cup (ages 1 year and up)

Registry: Car Seats, Strollers, and Baby Carriers

The Essentials

You definitely need a car seat and a stroller.  However, there are a lot of options.  I strongly recommend checking out this Baby Stroller Guide and determine which type of stroller is right for your family and your lifestyle.

Ultimately, my husband and I decided that a travel system was the best for us (and this is also what most moms that I talked to also settled on).  A travel system is the best bang for your buck!  It includes a carseat that snaps into the stroller for your newborn.  As your child grows, you can eventually stop using the carseat and just pop them right into the stroller.  After reading many carseat reviews, Chicco was at the top of our list.  If you're interested, we ended up registering for the Chicco Bravo LE Trio Travel System.



The Extras

A baby carrier is definitely an extra, but my hubby and I consider it a must!  It allows you to carry your baby with your, but still have both hands free.  We plan to use it when taking the dog for a walk or when going on a hike.  I also know a lot of moms wear them just around the house while doing chores.  Plus, carrying around some added weight isn't a bad way to sneak in some exercise and bond with your baby!

If you plan on purchasing one of these, do your research and go try some out.  I thought I knew what I wanted and hubby and I went to check it out in store - it literally took us 20 minutes to get it on.  Granted it was our first go-around, but it was still way to complicated.  After experimenting with the carriers in stores, the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One was BY FAR our favorite.  It was comfortable, provided lower back support (to better distribute baby's weight) and was extremely easy to use.

Registry: Bedding, Linens, Sleepwear, Etc.

The Essentials

First, let's talk about what you need for the crib.  Our first line of defense will be these protective waterproof covers for the mattress (registered for 2).   Next we will have a fitted quilted pad (again, registered for 2) you will need fitted sheets for the crib.  Finally, there is just the regular fitted sheet.  We are registered for 4 of these - I don't want to have to do laundry just because baby had a blow-out in the middle of the night and we are out of sheets.

You do NOT need the whole cute bed set, no matter how tempted you are to buy it.  Everything else in the set is purely decorative.  The only other thing that you need for the crib is a bumper, but that adorable bumper that comes with your bedding set is considered to increase the risk of SIDS.  Instead, they now recommend a mesh bumper like this one.

Next, you will need a changing pad.  I prefer the contoured pad that helps to keep the baby in place.  And of course, you then need changing pad covers.  Most covers are soft and fluffy and decorated in all sorts of cute patterns.  However, I think that these wipeable covers are the way to go (we're registered for 2).  Most of the cover is a wipeable material, so depending on what accidents occur you don't necessary have to take the whole pad off and wash it.

The Extras

I didn't register for changing pad liners, but I picked up 2 packs of them because I found them for $2 a pack on clearance.   Their intended purpose is to place one on top of your changing pad cover to avoid having to wash the whole thing, but with the wipeable changing pad these won't really be necessary.  However, I like the idea of having these to throw down on the floor or the couch or on a diaper changing station for a quick diaper change.

We are not registering for burp clothes, I have heard from so many mothers that say these are a waste of money.  Instead, we are registered for these Gerber cloth diapers.  Many experienced mothers recommend at least two packages of these and say that they serve a variety of purposes:  burp clothes, cleaning up spills, cleaning babies face, etc.

Many moms also rave about the Aden and Anais swaddle blankets.  Again, they use them for a variety of purposes, but they are definitely a lot more expensive than the cloth diapers above.  I did register for one set just to try them out.

Finally, since blankets aren't allowed in cribs (because of the risk of SIDS) your little one will need something to keep them warm.  There are so many options here which I've researched thoroughly.  Unfortunately, it sounds like each baby has their own preference.  However, there were 2 top contenders:  the HALO SleepSack and the SwaddleMes.  Both options come in a variety of sizes and weights (for the various seasons).  I have registered for a small and medium in each and plan to go from there.

Registry: Furniture

Now that I've covered where we're registered, I'll move on to what we've registered for.  I will organize this by category and will try to include the essentials and the extras that we are planning on getting.  We'll start with the most expensive pieces - the nursery furniture.

The Essentials
In my opinion, the essentials are a crib, a dresser and a changing table.  However, I believe that stand-alone changing tables are a waste of money and space.  Instead, we are going to get a dresser that has a changing table attachment.  Then, when you no longer need to a changing table, you can take the attachment off and you're left with just the dresser.

On another note, I need everything to match, so we are opting to get all of our furniture from the same collection.  However, this is definitely not necessary.  The set we are getting is the Delta Bennington Collection from Babies 'R Us and includes a crib, a dresser, and a changing table topper.  

Something to keep in mind is that most every crib we looked at was convertible.  That meant that they can grow with your child.  However, you will need to buy the extra pieces in order to convert the crib.  If you plan to do this, you should buy them at the same time as the crib.  You never know when they will discontinue that particular model and then the additional pieces will become unavailable.  

The Extras

One extra, though I am considering it an essential for me, is a chair for the nursery.  I will be spending a lot of time in their breastfeeding and I want somewhere comfortable to sit.  There are a lot of options when it comes to these, but we finally settled on this glider/recliner from Buy Buy Baby.  This is an item that I strongly suggest that you go try out - don't just try to read reviews online.  Everyone has their own opinion on what is comfortable, etc.  I'd also suggest that you read this buying guide to get you started.  

The other extra that I want are these 8-Cube Organizer Shelves from Target.  I like them because they can be used for whatever you want.  You can use them just as shelves for books and/or decorations or you can buy the fabric bins that fit in them to use as storage.  

Registry Comparison

Now that we know that gender and only have 15 weeks until our little boy's arrival, I suppose it is time to start our registries.  There are so many options and each place has different perks.  Here's what I've learned and where we're registering.

Amazon

If you are a a prime member, you will get a 15% of completion discount that you can use anytime between 60 days prior to your baby's due date to 180 days after.  (If you're not a prime member, the discount is 10%.)  It is a one time coupon though, so make sure you don't forget anything.  Make sure to shop around, but for many things, their prices are lower than in stores and then you can get 15% off on top of that.  I should also mention that the 15% off discount only applies to items sold by Amazon.

The downside is their return policy.  You have 90 days from the purchase date to return it.  This alone could prove to be an issue depending on when someone bought the gift for you and when you actually received it (if they hold on to it until your shower).  Additionally you need to provide information about the order, which would mean telling the gift giver that you were returning the item.

With all of that being said, we registered here, but kept it set to private.  This allowed me to get my free goodie box for setting up a registry with them AND I will still be eligible for the 15% off discount off anything I wanted.


Babies R' Us

In my opinion, this is by far the best registry.  For signing up you get a goodie bag with some free samples and some coupons.  If you sign-up online, be sure to ask for the goodie bag when you visit the store.  Their prices aren't always the lowest, but they do match competitor prices, including Amazon's.  Also, they will let you return anything up to a year after your baby's due date.

About 6 to 8 weeks before your baby's due date, they will also send you a 10% completion discount coupon.  Again, this is a one time offer, so don't forget anything.  The best part of their registry is their Endless Earnings.  Around 12 weeks after your baby's due date, you will receive an electronic gift card base don how much was spent on your registry.  You earn 5% back for the first $300 and then 10% back on everything after that.  In our opinion, this was the best place to register and is where we are going to register for most of our baby wants/needs.


Buy, Buy, Baby

Their benefits are similar to Babies R' Us, but without the Endless Earnings.  You get a goodie bag for signing up (you can pick it up in store even if you sign up online).  They price match competitor prices and also let you return anything up to a year after your baby's due date.  Finally, about 6 to 8 weeks before your baby's due date, they send you a 10% completion discount.

One extra benefit is that they offer you free shipping for anything off of your registry after $200 worth of items have been purchased.  All in all, not a bad registry, but not as good as Babies R 'Us.  We registered here, but only added items that weren't available at Babies R' Us.


Target

Similar to the other registries, they give you a goodie bag for signing up (pick up in store if you register online).  About 8 weeks before your due date, they send you two 15% completion discount coupons - one to use in stores and one to use online.  This can be combined with your 5% discount if you have their credit card.  Like the other stores, they give you up to a year after your due date to make returns.

In my opinion, their registry isn't anything special, but they did have a few items that i wanted that weren't available anywhere else.  For this reason (and to get the goodie bag and 15% off coupons), we also registered here.


The Conclusion

So when all is said and done, we will have registries available at 3 stores for everyone to view (since Amazon will be kept private).  This can get a little overwhelming, so I recommend MyRegistry.com.  This allows you to have all of your registries in one spot.  And, if you want to add any fun extras (like that adorable wall print from etsy.com) you can add those too!