If you came to this post hoping to seek advice on a particular model or brand I prefer for the top baby registry items, you’re in the wrong place. For that information you’ll want to check out my Top Ten Favorite Baby Items for Newborn To Four Months, Top Ten Favorite Baby Items for Five Months to One Year , and my Top Ten Favorite Toddler Items 12-18 Months posts. Instead this post will help guide you on how to go about working on a baby registry so you do not get too overwhelmed as first time parents!
- DO ask for registry advice from other moms. I sent out a mass email to all my mommy friends and asked for advice. I then took a look at what everyone was telling me and still did some research afterwards. If several moms (who’s opinions/parenting styles I respect) said the same thing, chances are it was probably true.
- DON’T work on your registry without seeking advice. See my point above. You may think you don’t want any advice but it’s better to hear what they say is good or bad about an item and then form your own opinion afterwards. And make sure to read reviews on safety products that matter, like carseats or strollers. Just because something is more expensive or a newer model doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better item for your family.
- DO put products with a large range of prices on your registry. Everyone has a different budget when it comes to baby showers. Some people like to shop for lots of smaller items, some go for the single big ticket pieces and others chip it together to get something of high value. You’ll be blessed if anyone were to buy you anything and if you don’t get everything you need, at least you’ll have the fulfillment coupon you get after baby comes that you can use towards the purchase of your missing items. Bonus: If you didn’t get something you wanted/needed, you already did the research to know which model or items you want and you won’t have to do that all sleep deprived post baby!
- DO consider what items you want in multiples. We added two car seat bases as Brielle’s car seat could easily snap into either base depending on what car we used. I’d also recommend adding multiples on items which can be dirty easily, like sleepsacks, pacifiers and changing pad covers.
- DO register in store. I registered at Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby, both of which gave a little goodie bag with product samples, coupons, mail in offers and checklists that were helpful in the planning process. My suggestion is to go in store to register, but don’t try to do all your registering right there in the store. You can complete the rest of it at home, but physically seeing things like the car seat or stroller are a big help. The whole experience in store can be overwhelming!
- DON’T register alone! Bring your mom, your partner, your best friend or a btdt (been-there-done-that experienced mom) when you go to register. Mom-to-bes are notorious for having an issue making a decision so another person may help you make that choice.
- DO research only a few topics at a time. There are so many decisions to be made on large items like car seats, strollers, cribs and bottle brands and smaller items like humidifiers, lotions and diaper bags. It can be too overwhelming if you jump around and try to do it all at once. Focus on just one or two types of product, research, decide then move onto the next one.