My Registry Necessities
First off, how cute is that face! Ugh I am so in love! Yes I have become one of those mothers who shares a new photo of her baby on social media way too much, because I just can’t help it. I’m just so proud to be this little girls mama! On the other hand, it has taken me 4 months and a breakdown to write this post out. I mean I can barely put mascara on in the morning some days, or remember to eat lunch, or kiss my husband, let alone sit down and write a new blog post. After being a single mama for the first three months while we waited to be reunited with daddy in Japan, I feel like I have really accomplished something. Oh yea, the breakdown I mentioned before, that was when my computer had a freak out and closed the window without me saving what I had done. This my friends… led to a lot of crying. I know… it’s not that important.. it’s just a blog post. But it is what makes me feel a little normal outside of the diaper changing, feedings, spit ups, and being peed on. Ok enough about this saga… into the registry!!!!
Registering can be a little overwhelming when you walk through the store and see all that there is for new babies and what they “need.” It is easy to get carried away or shut down completely! That is why I decided to put together my registry necessities list for future new mommies to be to reference. Of course each household situation is different, whether you travel a lot, have a two story house, or leave your child in the care of others while you work, I have tried to keep it all in mind when putting this list together, without overspending! I am also including a few polls, so that you can see what other mommies are feelin. If there is something that you think I should include on this list, or polls, please comment below. I will be updating this post, so that it can be used as a reference!
Places to Register
I chose to register at Buy Buy Baby and Amazon. I love Amazon because there are a few incentives for registering with them. In addition to the convenience of Amazon for not only you but also your friends and family, Amazon offers a completion discount to help you save on the things that are still left on your registry. Amazon also sends you emails with the name of each person who has purchased something from your registry, making your thank you cards a piece of cake! You can also save money with their diaper subscriptions! Buy Buy Baby was a great place to register and see everything in person. Going to the store and trying out the strollers and car seats to feel their weight and maneuverability is something that I suggest all parents do! You want to think about lugging everything around all the time and lifting things into the back of your vehicle! That parent strength with definitely be needed for some of these baby carriers! I was also able to compare the prices on things between Amazon and Buy Buy Baby, which I was pleasantly surprised to see that I could save on certain items between the two websites. Buy Buy Baby is always sending out coupons in the mail, helping you and your friends and family save even more.
Ok lets get to it…
The Must-Haves
Car seat
This was one of the hardest decisions for me because like all parents, I wanted the safest seat I could find. I researched tons of sites for reviews. The thing about the car seat its that you also have to think about the stroller it will connect to as well. After much deliberation we went with the UPPABaby Messa car seat. The safety and practicality of this car seat and the stroller set seamed to fit our lifestyle the best. We also registered for the Britax USA Advocate ClickTight Convertible seat, for when baby gets a little bigger. It is more convenient to have a car seat that clicks in and out from the car to stroller when baby is sleeping a lot in the car/stroller. Once baby gets bigger, we can switch her to the new seat full time. The Britax can also be used for newborns, so we ended up putting it in daddy’s car for the rare occasions that we took his car instead of mine. A lot of my traveling mamas recommended the Maxi-Cosi car seat, saying it was lighter, and easier to transport. Make sure to do your research and check out the seats in person! There are a lot of websites that rank the safety and likability of all these car seats. I would also recommend getting seat protector and car seat mirror, for when your baby is still in the rear-facing position, you will be able so still see them in your rearview mirror.
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Stroller
Which brings me to the stroller. We went with the UPPA Baby Vista stroller, and so far I absolutely love it. It was one of the top strollers I found for people who travel a lot, which is big for us. It has a smooth ride, and is very comfortable for baby. We liked this stroller because it wasn’t too bulky and very versatile! The stroller set comes with the bassinet, toddler seat, bassinet bug shield and rain shield, toddler rain shield and bug shield, and the bumper bar! There are a lot of various attachments you can purchase to fulfill your various needs. One thing that I liked was the bassinet stand that can also double as a hamper! This seamed like such a great alternative to buying a whole other bassinet, and gave us a sleek and efficient place to throw all the babies laundry. We saved money and space with this one! We were also thinking about the future, and having more kids when we were going through the strollers, and the UPPABaby vista has a great second child seat attachment, where the children sit one in front of the other, as oppose to having to buy a new-two-baby stroller where they sit side by side. The side by side strollers are harder to maneuver through doorways, and sometimes can be a hassle to get into the back of your car. Just some things to think on when purchasing your stroller. Make sure it will adapt to your growing family, instead of having to buy a new stroller with each new baby! We also registered for the Baby Jogger City Mini for when we wanted to travel light! It is an awesome stroller that is easily collapsed and light weight! Perfect for our traveling lifestyle. Again do your research before purchasing your stroller, and go into the store and try them out in person.
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Crib 
The crib was something that we saw as an investment that would grow with our child. We purchase the Bellina crib from Restoration Hardware. It was not only the style we were looking for, but it also has the capability to transform into a toddler bed with a drop down rail, and also can turn into a twin size bed!
Baby Monitor 
This is another no-brainer. A baby monitor is a must have! We went with the Motorola Digital Video Baby Monitor with two cameras with great zoom and picture maneuverability. It also includes infrared night vision, two way communication, and wireless technology. I also purchased the VuSee Baby Monitor shelf, that I was able to mount in the corner overlooking her crib, giving me a complete view of my baby while she was in her crib. The monitor can also turn from side to side and up and down, giving me the option to look across her entire nursery! It was also nice to have the monitor up and away from everything else, so it wouldn’t fall or move.
Pack n’ Play/ Changing Table 
I put these two together because once again, it depends on your home and lifestyle. I personally do not have a need for a pack n’ play in my house because I have a one story house, and the nursery is right off the living room. It would be silly for me to change or put my baby down for a nap in a pack n’ play when her room with the crib and changing table is a few feet away. My sister on the other hand lives in a two story house and keeps the pack n’ play downstairs, so she can change her little one, and put her down for a nap without running upstairs all the time. If you have no use for a pack n’ play in your own home, it is a great gift for grandma and grandpa’s house for when you visit with baby! A lot of the pack n’ plays have portable seat options, eliminating another thing you have to purchase!
Swing/ Rocker Seat
You are going to need to put your baby down at some point so you can do things like shower or go to the bathroom, that’s where the swing and rocker seat come into play. There are a lot of different options with these, like everything else “baby” related. It can get so overwhelming! One of the luxury swings that a lot of my mommy friends swear by is the 4 Moms Mamaroo Swing. It has five different motion capabilities that feel just like baby was being rocked and comforted by parents. It has bluetooth connection making it easy to control and play your favorite lullabies to your little one from your phone. Another light and travel friendly option is the Fisher-Price Auto Rock ‘n Play Sleeper. A lot of my baseball moms recommended this to me because we travel so much, it makes more sense. Last but not least is a more traditional swing/rocker like this one I registered for. I liked the Ingenuity Inlighten 2-in-1 Cradling Swing because it coverts from a swing to a vibrating rocker! Anytime I could save money and space with baby things I did! The swing has three different directions and six speeds, and can connect to your phone to play more music. I also liked the fact that I could lay her in the swing and have her FaceTime with her daddy for a little bit, since he is in Japan and we won’t see him for another few months.
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Foam Play Mat
Your little one is going to be laying, rolling, and crawling on your floor, so you are going to want to make it as safe and comfortable as possible. That is why I suggest getting a foam play mat. I loved Skip Hop’s Geo Grey-Cream Playspot mat because it was stylish enough to complement my home decor, as opposed to the other mats I have seen that have all the primary colors and removable letters.
Diaper Bag
Don’t try and fight the fact that you might end up with more than one diaper bag! I have one large one for long international travel days and over night stays, and one backpack style for more everyday outings and shorter travel days. The backpack is the most convenient, and makes life a little easier, allowing my hands to be free while out and about. I love the Ju-Ju-Be Legacy B.F.F Convertible Messenger. It is obviously smaller than my bigger-overnight, which I use when I need to pack more to keep myself prepared for whatever the day or baby is going to throw at me. I would recommend staying away from canvas material bags, because they can be hard to clean. Stick with something that you can easily wipe off or throw in the laundry. One that I would say is a must have if you travel a lot is this Boxum Baby 3-in-1 Portable Bassinet, Diaper bag, and Changing station!
Glass Bottles with sleeves 
Another thing that I was overwhelmed by were all the bottle selections and the fact that they were mostly plastic. I am a plastic hater! Especially when I know I am going to be heating things up! So many chemicals are passed through plastic, especially when it is heated. So a glass bottle that I was going to have to warm up for my baby was essential for me. I had heard wonders about the Dr. Browns bottles, and was so happy they had glass options, so we went with those. I registered for a few of the silicone sleeves too, so that the glass bottles were protected in case of a drop! Now just because you think you have found the perfect bottle, doesn’t mean that your baby will agree. He or she might need to test-drive a few before they settle on the one they like. My sister literally had to buy almost every style of bottle with her second baby, who was a bit of a bottle snob. She just likes the real thing from mom I guess!
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Bottle Warmer 
Trust me, make your life a little easier and buy a bottle warmer. It is amazing how fast these babies work, and you can keep it anywhere in your house. I liked to keep mine in the bathroom, so that after she was done with her nighttime bath and dressed in her pjs, I could easily give her a bottle and put her down to sleep without running back and forth to the kitchen to check the bottle on the stove. I really liked the First Years Quick Serve warmer, because it not only fit the larger bottles I had, but it also can sterilize her pacifiers!
Pacifiers and clips
There are a lot of pacifiers out there, and your baby might be picky regarding which sucker they like. My favorite are the Philips Avent soothies. I also love these pacifier clips that you can attach to your baby’s bib or clothes so that they won’t fall on the floor, a must for traveling! I have used the pacifier clips on her various teething toys too, so she never drops those on the ground either!
Burp Cloths and Bibs
Burp cloths are not something to be all that picky about because at the end of the day, these are basically there to catch the spit up, drool, and milk that comes out of your baby at all times. I love these Burts Bees Baby burp cloths because they are so soft and made of organic cotton.
Baby Wrap/Carrier
There are several options for baby carriers, and NO, you do not have to get the most expensive one. The most popular one in my opinion is the Ergobaby carrier, but I chose the Stokke Mycarrier. I just liked it more when I tried them on in the store. I will say, that I had to go get at $15 one at Walmart when she was first born because I felt that it was just to much material around her in the Florida heat. Looking back, it was probably fine, I just didn’t know who to really use everything yet. That is also why I was happy someone got me the Boba Wrap, because it’s perfect for when they are fresh out the womb! lol its very comfortable and great for doing things around the house with them strapped in tight. My baby would fall asleep instantly when I’d wrap her and wear her. I think she felt like she was back in my belly. I also just love wearing my baby!
Diapers
These are my favorite brand of diapers. I use these during the day because they are much softer and comfortable. I use pampers at night because I think they absorb a little better.
Wipes
These are my favorite wipes. I like Babyganics wipes because they don’t fall apart or leave any residue and are naturally safe for your baby’s bottom.
Diaper balms
There are so many different diaper balms out there, but after my little one got a yeast-type diaper rash, I tried several and these are my favorite. I would sometimes mix a zinc based one with and ointment style one for extra protection and healing power, esp at night. All these are natural and toxic free.
Burts Bees, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, e.ra organics, Burts Bees ointment, Aquaphor baby
Night time-foot-pajamas with snap bottoms/zippers
I seriously LOVE everything from Burns Bees Baby! The organic cotton is too soft, and everything is so cute and functional! I really love these Cozytime Organic Layette style because you can open the bottom with ease, and without messing with the top/chest part of the baby, making night-time diaper changes that much easier. The foot part is also super cool because you can choose to flip over the coverall part to cover the feet, or leave it to be a footless option (great for growing and tall babies)! The Little Me baby gowns were my favorite for when you first bring your baby home. When they are so tiny and delicate, the gowns seemed to be more comfortable and once again easy to access their diaper while they are sleeping so much! The zipper option is also a great one when you are just OVER the snaps! I liked these from Burts Bees baby.
Boppy/Doc-a-tot
I didn’t originally have this on my registry, but a friend who had just had a baby bought it for me anyway and I loved it. The boppy lounger was great when my baby was little for me to lay her down in comfort without worrying she’d roll around. There were a few times she napped on it with us in our bed or on the couch. She liked it until she got to big for it.
I personally don’t have a Doc-a-tot, but a lot of the other moms I know do and they love them especially for travel!
Nursing Bra
My favorite nursing bra‘s are from.. wait for it.. Walmart! They are wire-free, easy and comfortable. The pull down part won’t get in the way of your baby’s face, which I found to be the case with several other bras. Also, I tried bras with an underwire, and they hurt so much when my boobs would fill with milk, so I don’t recommend them.
Walker
I love this walker because it is like a highchair and walker in one! You can put your baby’s favorite toys, food, or book on the from for them to play with on the go. It is a better option in my opinion to keep them occupied and interested, while in their walker. The Joovy Spoon walker is wonderful for this and comes in a variety of colors. It is a little on the larger side, so keep that in mind when purchasing!
High Chair
As you can see from my posts above, I like to buy things that have several functions. I found a great highchair from Chicco that is a newborn recliner, high chair, toddler booster, big kid booster seat, and youth stool all in one! You can’t beat that!
Baby Bathtub
This Fisher-Price Sling N Seat bathtub is wonderful because it can grow with your baby. It comes wit a sling for when they are at the newborn stage, a baby stopper to prevent them from sliding (which can then be used as a “sit me up” seat), and then the roomy toddler tub.
Also it was great to have a blow-up tub for traveling!
Washcloths
I absolutely LOVE these organic bamboo baby washcloths from the Josh and Jill baby shoppe! They’re sooo unbelievably soft and gentle on your baby’s skin!
Soap/Lotion
I went through several organic, non-toxic, soaps and lotions. But my favorite is Aveeno Calm and Comfort bath soap and lotion. It smells amazing, and leaves my baby girl feeling silky smooth! Some of my other favorites are Babyganics soap, and Era.Organics soap and lotion.
Swaddle Blankets
I love these swaddle blankets from Little Unicorn! They have a lot of adorable prints to choose from, and are so soft and airy! Perfect for wrapping my little girl in. I get complements on them everywhere I go. I also have a matching organic cotton blanket!
Breast Pump
UGH! I could write a whole post about the horror I went through with breast pumps! Who knew it wasn’t a one-size-fits-all purchase!?! In full disclosure, I have tiny boobies with implants, and basically no breast tissue. So finding a breast pump with falanges that fit my boobs was a surprising and painful challenge. I went through twelve different pumps before I found one that worked! It was hell. When a pump doesn’t fit your tender-engorged boobies, it can be quite painful. But I was determined to find one, and I did with the Bellama Pump! It comes with silicone inserts that go over the falanges, to comfortably fit your boobs so that the milk is being extracted the right way through the chamber. Yes, it is a very scientific process! lol Everyone else I know has the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump, and love it! You will also want to purchase a milk travel bag with ice-pack, and extra bottles or bags.
Nipple balm/Nursing pads/Soothies
If you are going to be breastfeeding, you are going to need to take care of those nips! They can get extremely sore, tender, blister, and even crack! OUCH! I used Earth Mama Angel Baby’s nipple butter, Lansinoh nursing pads, and Lansinoh Soothies gel pads. After each feeding or pump, I would put the soothies on (which I kept in the freezer). Once they weren’t cold anymore, I would apply the nipple butter, and then the pads. At first I was applying the butter and then the soothies, but it ended up getting a little messy and the soothies didn’t last as long. I also tried using organic cotton reusable nursing pads, but it was too much to constantly be washing them, and changing them out throughout the day. Trust me, you do not want to add to your laundry and to-do list! My nips never blistered or cracked like so many other mamas I know, so I really recommend this routine!
Tommee Tippee Bottle Warmer
This Tommee Tippee bottle warmer is seriously amazing. It wasn’t on my registry, but a friend got it for me anyway because she loved it for traveling and so do I! Just put some boiling water in the thermos and you are good all day long! The water will still be hot when you empty out whatever is left at the end of the day. It is really easy to use too!
