Since I'm in the home stretch and have received most of our registry items...I thought I'd share for those of you who are currently contemplating your registry "must-haves" and for all you future mamas-to-be.
First, I have to say...I registered 100% online. Yep, it was through a lot of great recommendations and research that I took on the task digitally. Low and behold, I actually went to a Babies R Us yesterday {yes a real live one!} and it completely blew my mind! Since I'm so familiar with all the products out there, it was almost overwhelming seeing everything in one place! But I can definitely see the upside of registering in-store. We also registered through Amazon, which was a great experience. Most items tend to be cheaper and they create a great "thank you" list to help you stay organized.
Aiden + Anais swaddle blankets are super lightweight and soft. They're made of a cotton muslin to keep baby from being overheated, which I think will come in handy this summer. They also make washcloths, bibs, towels, crib sheets and more. We also registered for the Summer Infant's Swaddleme and the HALO SleepSack.
I'm planning to breastfeed, so we opted for the Medela Pump in Style. This is the moderately priced pump...they have a more expensive option but the only difference was that the timer is digital and there are different sized breast shields. which didn't seem worth the extra $100. I also got the Lanolin {which I am bringing to the hospital} and breast pads. I know there is a lot more to go along with this, but I am waiting to see what I use/need most before buying it. Any suggestions mamas?
Speaking of breastfeeding...did you know there were so many options for pillows? There's the boppy, travel boppy and brestfriend...all of which I have. Not gonna lie though...I've heard amazing things about all of them and plan to use them all! ;)
When it comes to bottles and such, there are a lot of options. We opted to try these Lifefactory Bpa-free Glass Baby Bottles, along with the Playtex Drop-ins and Dr. Brown's. Obviously, I have no idea which will work best, but at least we have options! I've also heard great things about this cute drying rack, bottle sterilizer, and bottle brush.
And when he gets a little bigger...we got his Beaba Babycook and highchair.
For all things "stay and play" I think we've got it covered. Again, I've heard great things about the activity gym, bouncer, travel crib, bumbo, swing, and Lamaze toys. We actually haven't bought the travel crib yet...but we think this is the best option, particularly for traveling, as opposed to the more traditional pack 'n play. Any thoughts?
For the little guy's carseat, we opted for the Graco Snugride. It's supposed to be top of its class for safety and has already proven to be quite easy to use. I highly recommend buying a carseat that has the strap adjustments in the front. It makes it much easier then the adjustments in the back. We also got this snuggly BundleMe for the cold winter and the DuoMat to protect my leather seats.
Being that we live in the mountains, picking out a stroller was more about function than fancy. However, lucky for us, strollers have come a long way. We registered for the BOB Revolution SE stroller and we really like it. It's still lightweight, yet super sporty for taking the baby just about anywhere. It also comes with certain attachments, like the carseat attachement {for when baby is still little}, weather shield, cup holder and more.
Last, the carrier. There are wraps and slings and carriers...oh my! So many choices. We are fortunate in that we have a friend who lent us the the Moby Wrap and BabyBjorn. We also got the Infantino Breathe Carrier. Only time will tell what Baby Schue prefers most!
We haven't bought the baby monitor yet, but we're opting for the Summer Infant Baby Touch digital video monitor after hearing great reviews. Do you have a recommendation?
Of course there are many clothes, wipe warmers, binkies, sleep sheep, diaper genies, toys and more to add, but these were the highlights in my book.
Now the real test will be once baby gets here and we can actually test out what works best for us!
I'd love to hear what your go-to baby items were...or are!
xo natasha
PS...thanks for the tips on my Tuesday post...PicMonkey has been a lifesaver {if you couldn't tell!}. Super easy to use too! :)
PPS...I am sharing one of my favorite vignettes in our home over at Michaela's sweeter than sweet blog today!
PPS...I am sharing one of my favorite vignettes in our home over at Michaela's sweeter than sweet blog today!
Great items Natasha...those swaddles are so cute. The carrier that I really loved is/was the Ergo. I still use it with Mila! Just on my back.. But I loved any carrier in general because Mila still thought/thinks she's attached to me. Ha. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteSEeing all of these items make me so excited to have a baby soon! Woo!
ReplyDeleteEven though my husband and I are waiting a few more years to start having kids, I am glad you have all of this documented! I know it will be a great resource even years from now :) Can't wait to "e-meet" your precious little boy!
ReplyDeleteGreat recommendations... seems so overwhelming to know whats best with everything out there. Looks like you got it down though! :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to give us an update after baby Schue is here with all your favorites too. I have so many friends I need to buy baby gifts for!
ReplyDeleteI can't speak from experience, but I have lots of friends who have ditched the bjorn and replaced it with the ergo. Much more friendly on your back and shoulders, especially if the little one is a chunker
ReplyDeleteLove this post! We bought the same car seat in all black...I've heard it's so much lighter than others, which makes me extremely happy! :)
ReplyDeletexo,
Brooke
I have the Boppy and Breastfriend and love both of them. I keep the Brestfriend upstairs for when I am feeding her in the rocking chair and use the Boppy downstairs for the times I want to lay on the couch and watch tv while feeding. We didn't know about the Halo sleep sacks in the beginning but ever since a friend let us borrow one we have loved it. The best thing for us and one we recommend to all our expecting baby friends is the Playschool Rock-n-play. Noah has slept in this since we brought her home from the hospital and still does at seven months. It was great for when she was sleeping in our room but wonderful now because she can't roll over in it. She does take her naps in her crib and I plan to completely switch her soon. It sounds like you have a lot of great products picked out and it's only a matter of time before you get to put them to use!
ReplyDeleteGreat list. I have most of those items for my 5 month old son. I'd suggest looking into the Motorola monitor, we got the summer and it's great, but I've heard fantastic things about the Motorola. I also agree w/pp the Ergo is one of my favorite carriers.
ReplyDeleteLove all the items you registered for! I am taking some notes for when and if I ever need to register! Thanks lady!
ReplyDeleteOkay, so we've registered for SO many of the same things! This makes me feel so much better! And we totally debated about that same stroller for a long time. Great minds must think alike!
ReplyDeleteI had just about everything you have. That pump is off the hook!
ReplyDeleteI will totally be referring to this post one day I'm sure! :) I can't believe Baby Schue is almost here! Yay! And you're almost done w/ work...double yay! Also, I loved your feature on Michaela's blog...those little gray and white striped straws are actually the same ones that Lara had at her wedding, they are super cute! :)
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of items on this list but I hate the Boppy (crazy, I know) and my son hates the Snugabunny swing (which was expensive, but luckily gifted from our registry). The breast pump and swaddles are awesome, though! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteSo many great items for baby- that grass thing that you put bottles on to dry is so awesome!! Thanks for guest posting today, friend. Love the bar cart :)
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteI only came across your blog about a month ago, but I'm already hooked! I just hope you can keep it up after your little man is here (won't hold you to it though). I'm expecting my second in September and the best advice I have is to have too much instead of too little. You can always give stuff away, but in the middle of the night it's nice to have the option of the bouncer, swing, etc... The Aden & Anais blankets are the BEST. I can't say enough about them. My recommendations would be to get some Medela Tendercare Lanolin. It's much easier to use than other lanolin, and make sure to use it before and after breastfeeding AND while using the breastpump...or at least until your nipples get used to the constant harassment. Also, if you end up having to have a C-section, your breast-friend will be your best friend! Keeps baby off your incision line and works kind of like an empire-waisted feeding table!
Good Luck!
Kim
I also registered 100% online, but I was super minimalisic with out choices. I plan on doing some posts every 3 months going over what worked and what didn't. I've already returned a lot of things.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Aden and Anais blankets, one of my favorites! We were using the life factory and dr. brown bottles when she was using bottles. Love the glass but hate the nipple on those, she would suck too hard and it would collapse.
You have a lot of great choices and so lucky for you to have received so many at your showers!!
We have similar loves. I think that the My Brest Friend is the major reason I was successful at breastfeeding. The boppy didn't really work for me for some reason.
ReplyDeleteAt the hospital, ask for samples of lanolin. They are perf. for the diaper bag or your purse!!
I usually lurk but I love your blog :) It helps me relive where I was just 8 short months ago. I love my pump and style- I have to use it every day since I work full time and am still pumping for the little one. I used the lanolin too, but my lactation consultant told me vitamin e is actually healing. She said to use a small amount on cracks. I only had those in the very beginning but the e worked so well. If you are planning on pumping a while, make sure you have extra membranes. You'll need them and if you are like me they will be hard to find in a pinch. Like you said it will depend on what baby likes, but medela milk bags fit perfectly in the playtex nursers. I pumped right into them and then popped them in the freezer, then right into the bottles. Then she decided she didn't like those bottles anymore! As for a monitor it is such personal preference. My little girl slept in our room for the first 5 months, so we didn't use the angel care monitor. Then when we moved her into her crib I had to have a video monitor. It helped so much for sleep "training" as well, since I could see if she was stuck in the corner or just fussing. I ordered the cheapest one off amazon and it has been great. The other thing I LOVE is our sound machine. I have the graco one with the nightlight, but the light is all I use these days. I love the MARPAC sound machine. It doesn't have the cutesie look, but it works wonders for little one, to cover up household sounds. When I turn it on and go in her room she immediately buries her face into my neck- it is her tired cue :) I love most of the other things you listed as well. The boppy especially. I use it all the time and my hubby sleeps with it when he's on the couch, he says it is the best couch pillow ever! Congratulations! Such a fun time ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm nowhere near having kids just yet, but I definitely love reading these lists. I have one niece already and one niece/nephew (not sure yet?) on the way. Blogger's tips have been super helpful with me passing on the info I learn. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat list... thanks! It helps me to compare our things and makes me think more about other things. We have a few of the same things.
ReplyDeleteWe did Amazon too (and a few things from PB Kids)- it was so easy and convenient! We registered for almost all of your items! So far, we are especially loving the A + A products, BOB, boppy, swing, and pump. I've heard great things about the other stuff!
ReplyDeleteNatasha, so many great things you have that you'll love! We have the skip hop play gym which Finn loves, the Bob in the purple (love love it-use it all the time already), same carseat in gray, bumbo seat but haven't reached that stage yet, bottles, boppy, pump, and one of my favs is the grass drying rack! It's awesome and cute:) I would recommend getting a nipple shield to have on hand in case he has a hard time latching on initially, then start taking it away. We had a tough time to start. Also, it helps with soreness. I haven't had really any trouble cause I had to use it so much in the early stages that it helped me ease my nipples into the breast feeding thing. Good luck! You're almost there! When's your due date again?
ReplyDeleteAwesome post - bookmarking it for my "one day!"
ReplyDeleteI just made a post last week on a few things that have been awesome for my first 2 weeks home with my baby girl! One thing I highly recommend for you is the lillypad silicone nursing pads! They work awesome, they seal right on, no leaks and are not big and bulky! Can't wait to see what you like and don't like after he is here:)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Great job- that list pretty much hits the nail on the head ;) For bottle brushes, I find the Munkin to be much cheaper and every bit as good as the Dr. Drown's (they have the nipple brush in the handle- so convenient). Also, make sure to have TONS of burp clothes on there- if you don't. The Gerber cloth diapers- although not cute- actually work the best. We went through SO many (son spit up a lot), that we had drawers full. Also, for the infant tub, the elevated ones are nice (I think ours was Summertime), so you aren't being over the tub so much! Finally, the Sleep Sheep is invaluable.. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this! So helpful for moms-to-be. We just registered at Babies R Us yesterday, and that store was a bit overwhelming!! Enjoy these last couple of weeks! I can't believe you're so close!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this! So helpful for moms-to-be. We just registered at Babies R Us yesterday, and that store was a bit overwhelming!! Enjoy these last couple of weeks! I can't believe you're so close!
ReplyDeleteOhmygoodness. You just made my day. David and I just sat down to register online tonight! Wahoo! Thanks so much for the suggestions, it's very overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I agree on all points! Isn't it crazy how much "stuff" you accumulate after you get pregnant! I just went in the attic to get a friend Sterling's Baptism outfit and I was like holy crap we have alot of baby stuff up here. We need another boy because I have box after box of boy clothes! haha!
ReplyDeleteYou know I'll be saving and bookmarking this page. The only thing we have registered for is the Britax stroller-similar to the BOB but a little cheaper.
ReplyDeleteOK, I just read your guest post over all Michaela's blog (well, actually started it, I'll have to go back and finish it), but as soon as I read succulents in your post I was all "I've gotta meet this girl NOW!"
ReplyDeleteSucculents make my heart smile. I've got a small container garden of them right now, but it will grow :) Congrats on your pregnancy! Can't wait to hear more about your story.
Oh and PS. I'm your 900th follower. WHOOP! Sorry, I get excited even over the little things ha!
I was overwhelmed with all the items available... I think
ReplyDeleteI ended up registering for less than I needed!
I used that same pump for both my kids, and passed it on to friends and it's still working great! and the lanolin is the BEST...start using it NOW...to prep
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for a blogger that is having a boy! It seems like everyone has a girl. My little man is 7 months and he is so fun.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of the same products that you mentioned. I agree about the Boppy not being that great so it is good you have options. Some people love it, but I could never figure it out where my son was in the correct position.
I agree with a previous poster about the Fisher Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper. It is a lifesaver and the one baby product I would recommend to anyone. We tried to keep our baby items to a minimum because we live in Chicago and do not have the space so we kept a lot of our gifts in their box until we knew we would need it. After the first sleepless night home from the hospital, I put this together and my son slept GREAT. I can't say enough good things about it.
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Newborn-Rock-Sleeper-Yellow/dp/B002M77N22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339198758&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+rock+and+play+sleeper
My other great find were the Boppy changing pad liners. I lost track of the number of times I carried my son from the changing pad to the bath on one of these:).
http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Changing-Pad-Liners-3-Pack/dp/B001CDFPY0/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1339198962&sr=1-1&keywords=boppy+changing+pad+cover
It will definitely be interesting to see what you end up using! I had so much 'stuff' with cullen and then when bennett came along we used a forth of those things.
ReplyDeleteWell in my measly 2 weeks as a mom I can say that we have LOVED the BOB. Best choice ever...you will love it! We have the boon drying rack and it works great for the breast pump parts and bottles!
ReplyDeleteI used the Boppy a LOT in the hospital to breastfeed because I was usually sitting in bed feeding him...now that we're home I don't use it to feed him at all because it doesn't fit well in the glider/rockers with me, we're all too squished! We do use it to keep Hayden propped up like while we are eating supper, he sits in the Boppy on the table while we eat.
You won't need breast pads at the hospital because it'll take a little bit for your milk to come in but I would definitely take the Lanolin, although our hospital had it for me to use too. It's a great idea to start using that right away because it sort of "conditions" your nipples and can help prevent pain. I only had one day of pain, but the Lanolin did really help and now I use it to just stay ahead of the game :)
The Adain + Anais blankets are great, although we use the Summer Infant SwaddleMe to swaddle him for bedtime. Works like a charm!
Good luck mama! Your little guy will be here soon, I can't WAIT for you to meet him!!!!
So exciting! I can't say I have much insight to offer (I'm only 20 weeks), but I did notice that you didn't have the bumbo tray listed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.target.com/p/bumbo-play-tray-ivory/-/A-13259660#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink
Perhaps an addition you'd like to consider. =)
I am definitely sending this list to my pregnant friends! This is a great list!
ReplyDeleteMy only changes would be the Ergo carrier instead of the Bjorn (you might not need it if you can figure out the Moby wrap). Also, if you have a food processor and a steam basket you don't need the fancy babycook thing.
ReplyDeletehttp://funlandiaplaygrounds.com/indoor-playground/category/indoor-play-structure/
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of bouncers and baby mats - invaluable too. We had a Baby Bjorn bouncer, POD absolutely loved it!www.babychortle.com
ReplyDelete