musings from a mom

Marci had another great question regarding baby items…basically, “What do I really need?!” It is so overwhelming to walk into Target, pick up your registry gun, walk to the baby section and…then what? Click everything?! There are baby guides, but, still, do you REALLY need all that…stuff?!

As I was preparing to write this post, a blog I frequent, Mommin’ It Up, addressed this exact subject and asked people to respond with their items. I thought about going through and giving my opinion on EVERYthing people commented on, but that could take awhile. Instead, I went to Target‘s website and downloaded their Baby Registry Checklist…

Keep in mind, these are merely MY opinions – What one person loves, another may hate, and what one hates another loves.

First some thoughts as I perused the Checklist:

First up….Baby’s Room

- They say a mattress pad and waterproof crib pads – I must be missing something because I’ve used those terms interchangeably to mean waterproof sheets — get the waterproof ones

- Crib bedding set is NOT a must have…Let’s see, our bumper pad things came off at about 6 weeks with Keaton and we never put them on for Benjamin…the quilt hung in K’s room for a couple months (when I finally remembered to hang it up…) and then we moved…it’s still in the box…from 2 moves ago…and it also came with a fitted sheet…$200 for that waste…awesome. Get some sheets you like and get fun stuff to accessorize…

- Dresser/Amoire/Changing Table – our original plan was to use a dresser AS a changing table – long story short, I painted it and it came out the wrong color and was too tired to do anything about it…so we gave it away on Craigslist. We ended up buying a changing table and using a bookcase (with baskets on it) as a “dresser”. If we had to re-do it – I’d try again to get the right color on the dresser – anytime you can save space AND money and make something multipurpose (that you can use past diapering years) is a plus in my book.

- To me, hangers were a waste of money..we never hang anything in closets in the boys room…I’ll be passing them off on people come a consignment sale in a few weeks, lol. Almost 3 years and we’ve never used them ha!

- Nursing pillow – not a necessity (I’ll argue with anyone who says otherwise)

- I would definitely say a glider (if nothing else a COMFORTABLE chair to nurse in) is definitely essential!

NEXT, Clothing -

- Only thing I can say here…Do NOT buy ANYTHING til after showers…you will get so much clothing you won’t know what to do with. AFTER baby comes, use end of season clearance sales to stock up on bigger sizes.

NEXT, Gear -

- Diaper bag is not a “must have” – you can easily use a cute tote you like or a back pack, a big purse, whatever you like..

- I also wouldn’t say a swing is a “must have”, but it is for us, lol

NEXT, Toys -

- Again, I wouldn’t buy anything til after showers as people will give you so much of this too (for some reason, no matter what is on your registry, people can’t resist clothing and toys….guilty. lol)

NEXT, Baby Care -

- Pacifiers are not a must have (this depends on if you plan on using them…and don’t buy a ton of one brand because baby may have a different idea of what they like!)

- Nursing pads – definitely a must have, but don’t register for tons of one brand – I went through every brand before settling on the “cheap” ones – turns out they were my favorite!

- Infant bathtub – not a necessity

- Baby towels – not a necessity – big people towels work JUST as well

- Re: Diaper Pails – If you’re going to get one, I highly recommend a Diaper CHAMP – not the genie. Who wants to keep shelling out money for “special” bags?!

- “Protective mittens” – use socks Unless that’s really redneck… lol

- A bottle warmer – a cup with warm water in it works really well too

SO, with all that being said, the things from each section that I would absolutely, with out a doubt register for:

For Baby’s Room – A Crib (of some sort – you figure out what sleeping arrangements work for you, your family and your space – whether that’s co-sleeping, a crib in a separate room that will convert to a toddler/full size bed, a pack & play in the corner of your room, whatever…), sheets (that fit what you’re registering for), waterproof pads, Chair of some sort, place for dirty clothes

Baby Wear – Nothing.* Unless there is something you absolutely cannot live without – then I’d just buy it myself

Baby Gear – Car seat, Stroller*, Sling (not the structured kind like Snugli), Pack & play*, Swing* and high chair (or booster seat)*

Baby Toys – Nothing.*

Baby Care – Bottles, pump, Burp Cloths (the gerber “diapers” work great), storage bags for pumped milk

*These items, I would definitely consider looking for at consignment/yard sales, as well as FreeCycle or Craigslist – people are ALWAYS getting rid of baby things! And for next to nothing!

Marci – I hope this helps a bit in the overwhelming world of baby stuff!