Lindsey Krummenacher

Baby Registry advice: take it or leave it?

The Wise Baby
The Wise Baby - The Definitive Baby Blog

One of our most popular posts to date is how can I have less baby gear? As a follow up to that post, here’s 5 things we think you should definitely put on your baby registry but may be on the fence about. I have also listed a few things we think you could do without. The “definitely” doesn’t take into consideration must have’s like a car seat, stroller, crib, baby carrier etc (refer to our baby registry guides for a more complete list) but rather some things you may not be so sure about:

Infant car seat adapter for stroller. You definitely, definitely want this. Newborns and even, infants sleep ALOT and will likely fall asleep often in the car. Being able to leave them undisturbed and pop them in a stroller to run errands and back in the car and back in the stroller is such a bonus. I also prefer the infant car seat to a bassinet attachment to most strollers so even if you aren’t in and out of a car too often, you’ll get your use out of it on foot (and can leave the bassinet off your stroller if it is an additional cost). Just make sure your infant car seat choice is compatible with your stroller choice if you don’t go with a travel system.

Jumperoo / Activity Gym. These can be somewhat monstrous, wildly colored and lets be honest, downright obnoxious looking. As I just mentioned, we have always lived in 1300 SF or less I really didn’t want one of these. On the urging of many friends I went for it and am so glad I did. Once your little one becomes mobile you will want and need a safe place to entertain and contain them if there is any hope of you making dinner, brushing your hair, getting dressed – you get the drill. The Activity Gym is your answer. This Baby Einstein

option can actually fold flat for storage which is a major win for us all.

Video Baby Monitor. I know, I know, lots of people can make compelling arguments why a video monitor isn’t really all that necessary. I beg to differ. It is a major perk when you move that sweet little newborn into their crib at 3, 6 months or whenever you do it. You’ll continue to reap its benefits when sleep training comes into play and every day in between and after. We have always lived in small apartments so technically don’t even really need the sound portion of the monitor but being able to peep in to see if Margaux is just letting out a random cry while she is fast or asleep or actually needing me is priceless. Here are reviews of our three favorite video monitors.

An awesome but practical Diaper Bag. Your diaper bag is your on the go baby station as well as your purse (you’ll find yourself carrying when you are without your baby because its just easier). I was gifted a fancy designer one at my first baby shower but found myself Amazon priming a Skip Hop bag after my first outing. Skip Hop just gets it: lots of pockets, roomy bag, compartments for “mom stuff”, a changing pad all while being stylish. You will enviably have spills, get mashed snacks in the bottom and Skip Hop’s bags are easy to clean and aren’t budget busters that have you worrying about the condition of your bag all the time. Skip Hop’s new Duet 2 in 1 Diaper Tote

is my current go to and it is extra awesome because you can pull the middle “baby” compartment out and have a chic tote bag! I use this bag for travel and around town and it can fit A TON.

Mamaroo

or Rockaroo
. We love all 4moms products. They are smart, easy to use and do the job they are supposed to do. The mamaRoo has 5 different motions to soothe baby (it moves like a parent moves) and the rockaRoo is the traditional swing updated. The latter has a bit smaller footprint but both are equally awesome and take up much less space than their traditional counterparts – your job to pick which one!

Here’s a couple things I would leave off the registry and add if/when you may decide you need it. I am certainly not saying these are bad products, just ones that may not be necessary for everyone:

  • Bumbo Seat or similar – you probably will have other gear that can take the place of this or just find you don’t need it
  • Umbrella stroller – wait and see if you need this, you may not
  • Snap and Go stroller – with our suggestion of the car seat adapter this really isn’t necessary.
  • Traditional Swing – it can certainly be true that your baby may prefer this to our choice of the mamaRoo or rockaRoo but you won’t/wouldn’t need this if you register for our pick.
  • Pack N Play – I personally registered for this Graco Pack ‘n Play
with all the bells and whistle. My very smart, handy husband had a time and a half trying to assemble it, we never used it and it went to live at my parents house. We didn’t use it there much past 6 months because it felt flimsy. Get the 4Moms Breeze
for easy of assembly and durability.
  • Bassinet – sure they are pretty but you could definitely use the aforementioned 4moms Breeze or our favorite, the Arms Reach Co-Sleeper Mini.
  • We would LOVE, LOVE to hear what you realized you couldn’t live without and what you wish you would have skipped!

    Baby Registry advice: take it or leave it?
    Lindsey

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