Preparing For Baby

I am not sure why I have not shared this yet since 2 best friends and 2 sisters-in-laws have had babies in the past year! However, a childhood friend of mine is having a baby in December so I thought I would take this opportunity to share all of my recommendations as I share them along with her. Today she is going to do her registry. This process can be really long, tiring and VERY overwhelming. A few months back I accompanied my sister-in-law to Buy Buy Baby so that she could register. It took us nearly 3 hours to get through the store and I knew what we were looking for. So I completely understand why this process can be put off and dreaded, babies need A LOT of stuff! With all that stuff is also 10,000 brands for each product… Okay that is an exaggeration, but you get the point.

Below I included what is necessary and what is nice to have or a luxury item based on your budget. Go into this process knowing you may need a few trips to the baby store. On your first visit take your time, walk around and check everything out. You can set up your registry, but you don’t have to get ALL of your items on the list on the first trip. It is okay if your hubby doesn’t want to come either… believe me, they will just rush you through the process. Bring a girlfriend, your mother, etc… unless your hubby is into it, which I know some are.

It is also a good idea to register at two different locations – like Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us. If you have family and friends from out of town, they may not have one of those stores in their area.

Big Box Recommendation:

Buy Buy Baby
Babies R Us
Target

Online:
Amazon.com
Etsy.com (Etsy items can be added to your Amazon Registry, how cool right!?)

The Baby Check List

{Durable Everyday Stroller} (You will want/need some type of stroller you can use on an everyday basis. Even if you plan to babywear, it is great to have a stroller option because lets face it, babies have a lot of stuff and you only have two arms.)

• Baby Jogger City Select or Baby Jogger City Mini- I love both of these options and would choose one of these strollers again. The City Select is a larger stroller, but the under storage is amazing (I get stopped all time about our City Select!)! It also converts to hold two children when the time comes, as well as has an attachment to carry the infant car seat. The City Select also has a bassinet you can buy separately. This stroller is also a great option for twins. The City Mini is a smaller frame, single stroller, but still has the great ride of the City Select. Pay the extra for the City Mini GT with the single front wheel vs the double front wheel. The City Mini also sales the attachment for the infant seat.
• UPPAbaby Vista- This stroller is similar to the City Select, a little pricier, but a smooth ride. This stroller comes with a bassinet, which in my opinion is not needed and definitely a luxury.
• Britax B-Ready or Britax B-Agile- very similar options to the Baby Jogger duo above. The B-Ready is larger in size, while the B-Agile is smaller model like the City Mini.
• Bugaboo-is a more expensive unit, but it is large everyday stroller that also comes with the bassinet. This stroller would definitely be classified as a luxury.

Stay away from the Travel systems that companies like Graco sale. The stroller is not durable and you will end up buying another stroller, promise!

{Infant Car Seat} You cannot leave the hospital without an infant car seat, so if you wait to buy everything else, this item will need to be purchased at least before week 37, you never know when baby will make their appearance. All of the infant car seats are great and of course safe. If you are leaning towards the Britax stroller you may want to get a Britax infant seat.

• Britax
• Graco
• Chicco
• Peg Perego
• Cybex (Luxury Seat)
• Nuna (Luxury Seat)

 [Feeding] Bottles, Breastfeeding, Formula… You may end up needing one of them to feed your baby.

• Bottles-Dr. Brown, Born Free, Avent, Tomme Tippee (6-4oz Bottles & 6-8oz Bottles)
• Bottle Warmer- Not needed
• Bottle Sterilizer- Not needed
• Bottle Cleaner- (2) Any bottle brush will do!
• Drying Rack- (1) Any rack will do, but I love the Boon Lawn that looks like grass.
• Dishwasher Basket- (2)
• Burp Clothes- (6) Cloth diapers make great burp clothes
• Bibs- (6)
• Electronic Pump- (1) Check with your insurance, it should be covered. Medela or Hyegia
• Pump Parts- Pumping Bottles (4), Complete set (flange, connecter) 2 sets.
• Nursing Pads- (1) Box Lansinoh, Bamboobies
• Nursing Nipple Cream- (1)
• Nursing Pillow- (1) Boppy, My Breast Friend
• Nursing Cover- (1) I really like the Bobby Cover
• Formula- If you do not plan on nursing. The hospital will typically send you home with samples. Do not buy a lot as you do not know what your baby will tolerate.

[Diapering] You will have to diaper your baby, disposables or cloth, it is up to you to decide.

• Diaper Bag- (1) maybe (2) if you will be leaving your child at day care. A large purse can double as a diaper bag too. Kate Spade makes great bag/purse combos.
• Travel Changing Pad- (1)
• Diapers- (1 Newborn Pack & 1 size 1 pack) Do not buy a lot of newborn size diapers. My son came home wearing size 1 diapers. Pampers, Huggies, Seventh Generation, Honest Company
• Cloth Diapers- (20) to wash every other day. Rumparooz, Fuzzi Bunz, Charlie Banana, Sloomb, Bumgenius
• Wipes- (2 Cases)- Pampers, Huggies, Seventh Generation, Honest Company, Burts Bees
• Diaper Cream- (1) Honest Company, Burts Bees, Desitin
• Disposable Diaper Sacks- (1) Package Arm & Hammer, Munchkin
• Diaper Pail- (1) Diaper Dekkor, Diaper Genie
• Changing Pad- (1)
• Changing Pad Cover- (2)

[Bathing]  

• Infant Tub- (1) Puj, Boon, Fisher Price, Blooming Bath
• Soap/Body Wash/Lotion- (1 Each) Honest Company, Burts Bees, California Baby
• Wash Clothes- (4)
• Drying Rack for Bath toys- (1) Boon Pods, Skip Hop
• Hooded Towels- (4)
• Brush/Comb- (1)

[Sleeping] 

• Quality organic Mattress- Your child will spend more than half their day on this mattress for the first 2-3 years of their life, spend a little extra here.
• Mattress Pad Cover- (2)
• Crib Sheets- (2)
• Sheet Savers- (2)
• Swaddling Blankets- (4) Aden + Anais, Little Unicorn, Nuroo Swaddle, Halo, Miracle Blanket
• Lovey/Blankey- (2) Angel Dear, Little Giraffe
• Pacifiers- (4) MAM, Nuk, Soothie, Wubbanub
• Video Monitor- (1) Summer Infant, Motorola
• Co-Sleeper/Bassinet- (1)

[Furniture]

• Crib- (1) Any brand or price range will work great when it comes to the crib!
• Changing Table/Dresser- (1) The dresser can double as a changing table
• Rocking Chair/Glider- (1) Make sure it is comfy, you will spend a lot of time in this chair.
• Portable Crib-We used our portable crib next to our bed for the first few weeks since I was nursing every 1.5 to 2 hours. A portable crib is also nice to have if your home is two stories and you anticipate on being down stairs a lot. The portable crib can also later transition to a changing station.

[Clothing] Clothing Considerations: How frequently laundry will be done in your home? The length of time your baby will be in newborn size clothes depending on birth weight. If you have found that you have received too many newborn sized clothes as gifts, it is perfectly fine to return these for sizes that will be utilized more often like 3-6 months.

• Onsies- (10) Short sleeves, no legs, of all sizes Newborn through 12 Months
• Sleepers- (10) Long sleeves, footed, with zippers, of all sizes Newborn through 12 Months
• Socks- (5)
• Outfits- You will likely get a lot as presents.. you know the cute Sunday dress!

You wont need a ton of hats, 1-2 will be plenty, return the rest!