My husband and I are working on registering for our unborn baby, and we're a bit overwhelmed by all the stuff out there. The list the store gives you seems to include three times as much stuff as any home could possibly hold (they want to sell it, obviously, so they encourage you to register for it). We have done the larger basics: crib, stroller, car seat, play yard, etc. and are trying to limit the amount of stuff we get.
My questions:
What did you get for your baby but never used (bought yourself or shower gift)? What did you get in advance but wished you had waited to buy until baby had arrived?
Thanks!
Anonymous2009-09-30T09:59:20Z
Favorite Answer
hmm, mostly it was clothes for us. My daughter had an overwhelming amount of clothes, some she never used, a lot she used once or twice. The baby bouncer was never used, she hated the jumper so we never used it, many toys went unused because she didn't like them. Especially when she was a little baby, like the playmat, she didn't care for that. The only things you should get in advance is the basics. Enough clothes for a week, a can of formula unless your breastfeeding, one pack of diapers, and the carseat/stroller, and the crib, oh and bathing stuff. After the baby is born you can see if it will need newborn diapers or size one, and you can go shopping for clothes and you will know they will fit, your not just guessing. By your baby's habits you will see what you need. Like if he sleeps well on his own you could get a packnplay for the downstairs, or if he likes to sit on his own you could get a baby bouncer and try it.
What did you get for your baby but never used (bought yourself or shower gift)?
Rainforest lights and sounds gym- never liked tummy time and wanted to be held anyway. Rainforest swing- he HATED this!
What did you get in advance but wished you had waited to buy until baby had arrived?
Carseat/stroller travel system (Chicco brand)- total waste of money! He hated the infant seat (very hard on their heads) so we ended up buying a convertible seat that lasts up to 60lbs and he loves it. He hated the stroller that came with the travel system (again very hard surface.) We bought a Joovy Kooper stroller (has soft back and recline.) Before he was able to sit up, we used an Ergo carrier whenever we were out in public. He wanted to be held all the time anyway!
Crib- he didn't sleep in his crib until he was 6 months old. We used a bassinet/co-sleeper before then. I would have bought a different style crib.
Baby Bjorn- very uncomfortable after baby reaches 15lbs! It's killed my back. We bought an Ergo carrier and at 17 months old, we still use it occasionally.
Some things that are invaluable: Bouncer with lights or something for them to play with (we had the Fisher Price rainforest one.) Jumperoo- BEST toy he has ever had and got the most joy from!
I am sure I am forgetting some things...
Good luck and you are right to keep it simple. You don't need to have everything and every gadget! I wasted a lot of money.
Just remembered some other things (it's been a while..lol) Boppy: waste of money, use a pillow! Can't use it in the hospital either. Bumbo: He did not like this at all. Too restrictive for an active boy. Also, wait to buy a high chair... look for something that is easy to clean with not a lot of nooks and crannys. I bought the fisher price space saver one thinking I was smart but the chair cover is IMPOSSIBLE to clean properly.
This is certainly something that is different for everyone, depending on your babys tempermant and your parenting style. With my first baby, we used the swing all the time, but the second one didnt like it at all. Some people use their Boppy pillow tons, some dont use at all..We bought a bassinet that has a playpen attached, and that has been very useful with both children. I think a great way to go about it, is to wait for the more expensive things you arent sure about until you get to know yourself as a parent a bit more. My sister in law also made great use of Craigslist as a way to sell and buy those things you only end up using for a few weeks, for something you need later (bouncers, walkers, swings etc). As for clothing, there really is nothing you can do, people just love to buy baby clothing, but if possible or if you arent sure, keep them in the package until the baby is born-you can usually return or exchange new items. This goes for packs of diapers too, if you get too many packs of a small size, you can generally exchange unopened packs, for a bigger size.
If money isnt really a problem, 2 identical car seats are great to have, one for each car, or one for home and one for travel-buckling them in and out of cars is a huge pain, especially when they get heavier-and you dont want to be moving car seats all the time. trust me on this one.
i offered a used double stroller for $50, wen they sell for greater or less $a hundred twenty five. i nevertheless choose ide only offered it new because of the fact i had to wipe it down and then discovered it grew to become into an older version, with some ameliorations. except something interior of reason new, i woudnt purchase it used. they're continually changing issues. the stroller, which i'm going to possibly use for 2 or so years,woudl have been well worth procuring new. i might basically purchase issues used from ppl u understand in my view and products no greater desirable than a twelve months previous or you are able to properly be very unhapy while u see the greater moderen variations of the comparable issues on the save on your budget that u can cope with to pay for! i think of infant shoes used are a solid deal, up till they actually initiate strolling, then i purchase them new. Toys are the comparable way, i want them from somebody i knowor somebody who's particularly sparkling. Toys are VERY overpriced.
Honestly, I think the biggest issue we had was that so many people bought us cute dresses and not the basics on our registries so we were stuck buying the monitors, pack 'n play, activity mat, etc. ourselves.
We ended up with a bunch of frilly dresses that our baby wore once or not at all and not enough stuff.
I guess my answer is, don't waste your money on cute clothes.
There is not a damned thing I wish I'd waited to buy. I thought of about 10 things I wish I had once she got here, and I had to keep sending my husband out for them!