Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

I am SO overwhelmed... I started off the day with such a positive outlook-- I have my spreadsheet all ready to go, with everything on it that we will need. Great, right?

So, I have my print out and I curl up with Baby Bargains and an hour later, I still feel like I have no reccos for stuff!!

I want to just hire someone to do it for me...

Maybe I can post my things here, and if someone has a specific brand/product recco they can post it.

I have the big stuff covered, as that is easy to use Baby Bargains-- it's all the little stuff which is rearing itself as the PITA items of the registry.

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

If you wanna take a look at mine for inspiration, just fm me..lol
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

What items are you having trouble with? We can try to help.

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

BEDDING/NURSERY

Crib-really personal choice. It comes down to style and cost really IMO.

Crib Mattress- I forget the brand of ours. It's the one in baby bargains. It was about $89 at BRU Reusing it for #2. No problems.

Mattress Pad-didn't use one

Sheet Protector-never used one

Waterproof crib liner-never used one

Crib bedding set- Personal taste

2 to 4 fitted crib sheets-sheets are sheets IMO. I do like the jersey material ones because they stretch better and changing the crib sheet is a PITA

Blankets- a blanket is a blanket.

Changing Pad-the standard white one from BRU- around $20 I think

Changing Tray/Topper-??? Not sure what this is
2 to 3 changing pad covers- I did not like the terry cloth matieral ones, they were too scratchy. The soft velour type ones are much better IMO.

Disposable changing pad liners-never used them

Sleep positioner- personal choice to use this or not. I would wait on this and see what your baby is like.

Sleepers- like a sleep sack? Or just PJ? Either way none seemed any better than the other

Crib mirror-never used one.

Mobile-I would opt for one that is stimulating vs one that goes with your bedding. I feel like the one that went with our bedding was a waste. Also make sure a mobile will fit on whatever crib you choose.

Décor Items- personal preference

Night Light-never used one

Noise Machine- We used the "Sound Sleeper" from BRU $22.99. Still working. Has battery and plug option.

SAFETY/HEALTH

Pacifiers-DD used soothies but we should have switched her to Nuk or Mams sooner.

10 Second Themometer-Hmmm. I would stick to the old fashioned rectal ones, digital works quick enough.

Medicine Dropper-usually can get this in a new baby kit type thing. I would register for something like that which has the dropper, baby nail clipper, etc.

First Aid Kit-never got one

Baby Tylenol-get generic at your local drugstore
Baby Mylicon-same as above

Shopping Cart Cover-never used one but I'm not a real germ phobe. I know a lot of people like the Floppy Seat (I think that's what it's called) Check ebay too, some people hand make them.

SEATING/ACTIVITY

Pack N Play-I personally wouldn't get a PNP again and don't plan to set it up. We had a Graco and it was fine.

2 to 3 Pack n Play Sheets- I had one sheet and it was fine but again I didn't use it much
High Chair-I do NOT recommend the Eddie Bauer wooden type chairs. PITA to clean, don't recline. They look nice but that's about it.
Travel Booster Seat (foldable)- I would wait on this. They're so cheap and may have better versions by the time you need it.

Swing- I recommend a travel swing. You can move it all around (kitchen, bathroom, etc) I hated the full size swing and returned it. DD would sit in the portable when I showered, got ready, cooked, etc.

Bouncy Seat-We have the FP Aquarium Bouncer. Nice but not good for a newborn. I plan to try the Papasan this time around.

Exersaucer- We have the Baby Einstein one by Graco. I really like it. DD liked it too.

Play Gym- We have the red and black play mat. It is Tiny Love Gymini.

Leapfrog Learning Table- totally wait on this for a gift for a holiday or something.

Jumper-We have the Jumperoo. I think they make one now that doubles as an exersaucer/jumparoo. That might be nice and take up less space than storing two big "toys"

FEEDING

Cloth Bibs- I recommend bibs that have the plastic back. Carters bibs are great. Cheap bibs are really that, cheap and useless

Bumpkin Bips (2)-don't know what these are

Burp Cloths- I would get the cloth diapers that come in a 12 pack for burp cloths. Also get something called "lap" pads. They are sort of water resistant. I put them down on top of the changing pad so I don't have to was the pad cover anytime there is an accident.

Born Free Starter Kit- OK to get but don't go crazy with bottles. Maybe register for a few singles to see what your baby will take to. You'd be surprised how pick babies can be with nipples and bottles and gas.
Other Bottles
Extra Nipples
Insulated Bottle Holder (for diaper bag and otherwise??)-had one and never used it. Formula is so easy to travel with

Bottle Brush-I recommend the Sassy No Scratch bottle brush. Hated all the others. The dishwasher is great for bottles.

Bottle Sterilizer (microwave)- Again I would just use the dishwasher. I hardly sterilized after the first use. DD is still alive and kicking.
Bibsters (paper bibs)?- These are great but again just something to collect dust for a while. I would wait.

Bottle Drying Rack- We had one we traveled with bu Especially for Baby. It was fine. But again, dishwasher comes in handy.

Medela Breast Pump- Pump in Style Advanced. No complaints.

Breast Milk Storage Containers- Bags are great and Medeala bottles are great too because you can try to use them as actual bottles. They are safe and BPA free. Just have to get the nipples for them.

Breast Milk Bottles ??-see above

Boppy-definitely!
2 Boppy Covers-one is really fine. I had two and returned one.

Nursing Cover/Wrap- I'm all for just whipping out the boob...LOL. Not really but you can be discreet and a blanket works just fine. My DD would not have anything over her face while nursing.

Breast Pads-they're all the same i think

Breast Cream-Lansinoh, ask for it in the hospital for free

Breast Shields- again ask for it from the hosptial

Infant Feeding Spoons-We have the Gerber ones with the metal handle, plastic spoon. I need to check the BPA status on these

Infant Feeding Bowls- We always used the Take n Toss by Sassy or First Years cheap and versatile

Sippy Cups- I would wait on these as well. Especially with all the controversy. Who knows what will be next by the time you DC uses one.

Travel Placemats-never used them but again I would wait and buy these later

BATH & CLOSET

Bath Tub w/sling for Newborns-We used The First Years Infant to Toddler Tub. No complaints. It comes with a sling but we never used it.

Baby Sling for bathing in sink- I would stick to the tub and use the sling with that if you want.

Bath Seat (for older baby)- Never used it.

Kneeling pad (for us)-never used it

2 to 3 Bath Towels- I DO NOT recommend the ones that come like 3 in pack. They are USELESS. So think and don't absorb. Definitely register for the single ones that are plush like a real towel.

6 to 8 washcloths- In this case I like the cheap think washcloths. Easier to manuever into all the small nooks and crannies of a baby than a big plush washcloth.

Baby shampoo & wash- I prefer organic products. California Baby is kind of stinky though. We use a product by Avalon Organics right now. Arbonne's baby line is great. Method products from Target are nice as well

Mustela Gift Pack- Dont know much about mustela

Hair brush & comb-Safety 1st Infant Comb and brush set. Love it and still use on DD. This comb is not "sharp" like other sets I have.

Diaper Décor [Plus]-I prefer the diaper champ. It uses regular garbage bags. We'll reuse it with baby #2


Refill Diaper Décor Bags-I'd go with the Diaper Champ

Baby Wipes- Don't get too many. Maybe Sensitive to start then you can see if your baby is OK with whatever and get generics or whatever is on sale. We use Kirkland wipes from Costco.

Diapers (1 package newborn size)- I would probably get more than 1 package of newborn. 2-3 packages, don't open them but DD was in newborn for a while and she was 8 lbs at birth

Diaper Rash Cream-Desitin or any organic diaper cream

Grooming Kit-???

Baby Powder- It's not recommended to use baby powder.

Hamper- We got the Kidsline Folding hamper from BRU. Had it for 3 years and still use it.

CAR SEAT & STROLLER

Stroller/Snap & Go- Never got one but wish I had.
Infant Car Seat- We had a Graco Snug Ride

Convertible Car Seat-Britax Boulevard. I do love it. Our less expensive one is the Graco Comfort Sport in DH's car. Great car seat too, just less bells and whistles but gets a great safety rating.

Umbrella/Lightweight Stroller- I had a travel system and hated it. Sold it and got the Peg Perego Aria. LOVE it and still use it. We've used it for all our travels and never got an umbrella because it's lightweight and easy to use and I believe the newer model will hold the Peg Perego Infant carriers.

Stroller Shade- Rayshave UV stroller shade

Stroller Clip-??

Stoller Cup Holder- a lot of strollers come with this

Stroller Diaper Bag-???

Bundle Me
Baby Carriers

MISCELLANEOUS

Bumbo Seat- hate this thing, never got one

Patemm Pad-???

Blankets- I would get receiving blankets and a few plush blankets

Formula- do not register for formula

Rattles/Take Along Toys- just have fun at the store and pick some things out

Crib Toys- other than the FP Aquarium we didn't use crib toys

Diaper Dude - male diaper bag? If so we never got one. We had a back pack from One Step Ahead that has been great.



OK hope that helps a little bit. Let me know if you have any questions about my answers.

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

thanks-- this helps.

A lot of the stuff on there was based on recommendations, and obviously we have some of the stuff picked like crib and bedding...

It just seems like there is SO much... I mean, I guess if you get a decent brand like Graco or something, you can't go wrong. I am just so worried we'd end up with the wrong thing.

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

I hated registering at first. It was so overwhelming. I had an idea as to what I wanted, but I also brought Baby Bargains with me. I registered for the major items in the store and then added the smaller ones over the next 4 or 5 weeks. I read a lot of the reviews in the BRU website, which helped.

ETA: I have a pretty extensive registry. If you want to see it, you can FM me.

Message edited 9/7/2008 6:25:49 PM.

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Bumping and bookmarking this thread because I found it really helpful!

Thanks Randi!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

That was me last week.

My sister was up my @ss about getting the registry done and I had SUCH a hard tmie making a decision

I finally just sat down and made myself pick something!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

thanks-- but Lucky actually bumped the post...

THANK GOD I am freakin' done with my registry!!!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Posted by randella

thanks-- but Lucky actually bumped the post...

THANK GOD I am freakin' done with my registry!!!

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

i just helped SIL register and I was a pro at doing it--FM me if you want the name

Re: Ugh!! I can't deal with picking specific products for my registry!

Have you gone into the stores yet and looked around? Maybe you should forget the baby bargains book and get things you really might like. Sometimes it is better to go look and take it all in