Baby

I'd like to start off by talking a bit about baby registries.  I remember the excitement and nervousness that came with deciding what to do about the registry and how I would know what items were important... and what if I forget something? What if I add the wrong brand?  All of these things ran through my mind and you can consider yourself lucky if you haven't experienced this neurosis!

First, your very best bet is to choose two places to registry; one online and one in-store.  I highly recommend using Amazon for your registry, Shop Amazon - Create an Amazon Baby Registry, as it is the most plentiful "store" that almost everyone can shop at.  Amazon's Baby Registry is a universal registry, meaning you can add items from most websites, not just Amazon.com.  When you sign up, you will receive frequent discounts on maternity clothes, baby gear, and other items on your registry,  Another perk of the Amazon Baby Registry is the welcome box. Once you sign up and purchase at least $10 from your registry, you will receive a welcome box, which contains a bunch of great baby items! My welcome box contained products from Babyganics, Seventh Generation, Burt's Bees, Philips Avent, and more. I was really impressed. Lastly, many of your friends and family members may have an Amazon Prime account, which allows for shipment in just 2 days (even Sundays!) and those who don't can still get free shipping by having a minimum order of $35.  Super convenient!




Baby Registry Checklist - My Favorite Products


I wanted to put together a simple checklist without all of the chatter.  Here is the list of items I had on my registry and a few that I felt were important as I went along. I will include the actual brands that we bought to give you an idea.  See my full guide to get more details.

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 - Crib - Stork Craft Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, Gray & Crib Mattress (organic available.) Also see Bassinet and Co-Sleeper if you prefer either of those instead of a crib. We used all three because they were gifted to us.
- Crib sheets and Mattress Pad Cover - American Baby Company 100% CottonJersey Knit Crib Sheet, Available in 6 Colors and American Baby Company Waterproof Fitted Crib and Toddler Protective Mattress Pad Cover - Organic also available.


 - Bassinet - Delta Children Sweet Beginnings Bassinet, Falling Leaves

- Bassinet Mattress Cover & Sheets - American Baby Company Waterproof Quilted Cotton Bassinet Size Fitted Mattress Pad Cover, White and American Baby Company 100% Cotton Value Jersey Knit Bassinet Sheet, 5 Colors

 - Co-sleeper - Summer Infant by Your Side Sleeper

- Humidifier - Crane Drop Shape Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier  

 - Car Seat or Travel System - Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System, Lilla

 - Changing Pad - Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad - You should also register for changing pad covers that match your nursery theme.

 - Changing Pad Liners - Munchkin 3 Count Waterproof Changing Pad Liners - These are great for protecting the pad cover.  Just toss in the laundry and replace!

 - Butt paste! - Get a bunch! Boudreaux's Boudreaux's Butt Paste, Diaper Rash Ointment, Tube 4 oz (Quantity of 3)

- Shampoo/Body Wash/Lotion - We use California Baby and Babyganics. California Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash, 19 Ounce ,California Baby Everyday Calendula Lotion - 6.5 oz. (Sensitive version also available.) Babyganics Baby Shampoo Plus Body Wash, Fragrance Free, 16 Ounce


- Burp cloths - We had several different brands but these were our favorites: aden + anais Classic Burpy Bib - Rock Star - 2 ct

 - Swaddle Blankets - Muslin Swaddle Blankets are the best, especially these aden + anais Kids Classic Swaddle 4 Pack, Shine On, One Size though expensive, I will buy them again and again. Note:  This link is for the original soft, large swaddle blankets.  If you see SwaddlePlus, they are still nice but they are slightly different in size and thread count than those I have linked.  I do not feel that they are as soft.

- Thermometer - preferably an ear thermometer.  Braun is the best, though pricey. We also have Innoo Tech Baby Thermometer-Forehead & Ear Thermometer, Digital, which is very reasonably priced.

- Grooming Kit (brush, nail clippers) - Safety 1st Deluxe Healthcare and Grooming Kit

- Nose Frida!! FridaBaby Nasal Aspirator with 20 Additional Hygiene Filters. Yes, you suck the snot out. No, it doesn't reach your mouth. It works better than any bulb sucker.

- Pacifiers - You must get the Wubbanub! The best pacifier that ever was. WubbaNub Elephant. It comes in all different animals, so explore!

- Sound machine - We originally had the SoundMe Giraffe but it doesn't play continuously (so annoying.) We bought this instead Graco Sweet Slumber Sound Machine, White and it's perfect.


- Tummy Time Mat - Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym

 - Jumper - Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo 
                - Baby Einstein Activity Jumper Neighborhood Friends
                - Evenflo Exersaucer Bounce and Learn - Comes in 4 Styles

- High Chair - Chicco Vinyl Polly High Chair, Papyrus

- Baby Food Maker/Processor - Baby Brezza Elite - One Step Baby Food Maker Processor - STEAMS and blends food.  One of my favorite gifts.

 - Silicone Feeder - Kidsme Food Feeder - Green/Yellow - I do not recommend a mesh feeder.  They are difficult to clean and food gets stuck in the mesh.

- Silicone catcher bibs -Tommee Tippee Explora Easi Roll Bib, Blue and Green, 2 Count I recommend getting a bunch!

- Rock n Play - Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper, Luminosity 

 - Swings & Bouncers - Our Favorite:  4Moms Mamaroo Bouncer, Grey Classic Mamaroo Newborn Insert 4Moms Mamaroo Newborn Insert, Multi Plush, One Size    
                          - Traditional Bouncer Ingenuity The Gentle Automatic Bouncer, Avondale  
                          - Traditional Swing - Fisher-Price Moonlight Meadow Deluxe Cradle and Swing

- Long Sleeved Onesies - Carter's Unisex-Baby 4-Pack Long Sleeve Bodysuits along with every other adorable clothing item you come across!


- Baby Laundry Detergent - I don't recommend Dreft. I did not feel that it washed the clothes very well, and it had an awful smell. We used All Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. Most brands have a free and clear option.

Unnecessary necessities in my opinion, so if you have a registry and/or unlimited funds, add them!:

- Baby wipes warmer - You'll thank me in the middle of the night.  We use this one. Munchkin Wipes Warmer

- Diaper Pail - Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail and love it more than the diaper genie which we returned immediately.

- Shopping Cart Cover -  I'm no germophobe but with my baby, I am much more cautious.  His immunity is building just fine being around cousins and friends.

- Bottle Sterilizer - because it made me feel better. Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

- Sophia the Giraffe teether - I don't know what it is about her.  Babies love her. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether

- We added Babyganics hand sanitizer to our registry to have at the house for visitors.  I swear I'm not a germaphobe.  I was just new mommy crazy. 

 - Scratch Mittens - 4-Pack Scratch Mittens, Yellow Owl 

 - First Year Calendar - C.R. Gibson First Year Calendar, Made with Love
- Bottle/Dish Soap - Babyganics Foaming Bottle & Dish Soap

- Baby proofing - Safety 1st Furniture Wall Strips / Safety 1st SecureTech Cabinet Lock / Dreambaby Safety Latches, 12 pack / Roving Cove® 16.2 ft Safe Edge® and Corner Cushions / Munchkin XtraGuard Latches for Appliances, Cabinets, Drawers

 Of course, feel free to add diapers, wipes, and nursing essentials to your registry if you are comfortable with it. We did not add clothing to our registry because we knew that we would go so much regardless... and we did!

 







*This post contains affiliate links. The opinions and reviews of said products are honest and not in any way influenced by the affiliation. For more information, go to the "About Oracle Bee" section.




Baby Registry Prep - A more in depth look at the products:


When I found out that I was pregnant, I couldn't wait to gather every bit of information possible and buy every little thing I could ever possibly need.  I wanted to know everything there was to know and I wanted to be completely prepared for the big day. (Spoiler alert:  I didn't learn everything and I wasn't completely prepared!)  I spent hours and hours scouring every baby website and blog, searching for safety ratings and "top baby registry items", first baby "must-haves" and every other possible tidbit I could feast my eyes upon.  They were all extremely helpful in one way or another and I've always wanted to create my own list of items that I used and loved, and the ones that I may not have used at all.  I will never say that you don't "need" any item, because realistically, having a baby is exciting and, for me at least, it was a great feeling to try every item, even if I had been told a thousand times that it wasn't necessary.  Here is a list of items that I had on my registry and description of how or if they were used.

Baby Registry Items:

*Munchkin Wipes Warmer  - This was probably the #1 debated item that I read about on all of the baby sites and blogs.  Half of the commenters would say that it is a waste of money or dangerous and the other half would say that it is a lifesaver.  In my opinion, it has been extremely helpful but if I had a limited budget for baby items, I would probably skip it.  That being said, I am forever grateful for my Munchkin Wipes Warmer.  When I researched wipe warmers, like most new moms, I read every single review and comment.  Here are some of the issues that I came across.  
  • "Wipes warmers are fire hazards."   This may be true, depending on the brand of warmer used and the way that it is used.  For me, there has not been an issue.  Yes, you are putting paper in water, inside of a plugged in box.  I did not feel that my Munchkin warmer ever got to be that hot.  I keep all of the items on the changing table away from the warmer, so that there are no issues.  We have left the warmer on every day for over a year (with the exception of one week when we were on vacation and a few day trips that we took.)  We have not had a problem with fire and hopefully never will.  We do keep several fire extinguishers throughout the house in case of any issues in general.  I highly recommend that, whether you purchase a wipes warmer or not.
  • "The wipes turn brown/burn."  -   Nope, in 13ish months, we have not had any of our wipes turn brown... well, not from the warmer anyway ;)  
  • "We are coddling our children by warming the wipes." When I am completely sleep deprived and my poor baby needs his diaper changed in the middle of the night, I am not going to startle him with a cold wipe.  Not happening.  For many of those MOTN diaper changes, he actually stayed asleep through the change! I was very lucky for this, and I'm not sure if it would have worked if I had used an unwarmed wipe.
What I like about my Munckin Warmer:  Wipes on top are as warm as the wipes on the bottom.  It is large enough to fit an entire stack from a refill package. (Remove the wipes from the plastic before putting them in!!) 

Another item that was deemed unnecessary.  I disagree completely.  While I could easily use a regular garbage can, or walk in to the kitchen and toss out the dirty bag, it was so much easier to use this pail.  I could transition easily from changing the baby to sitting down and nursing him or playing, because I didn't have to leave the room to throw out a bag, or frequently empty the can.  This particular diaper pail comes with a  baking soda insert so that the odors are contained.  You can not smell any evidence of diaper in the baby's nursery.  We are so happy with it!  I added the refills to my registry, though I would have purchased this pail and the refills if I hadn't been gifted them. (  You can find them here: Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail Refill Bags, 900 Count (30 bags)If you've heard that the refill bags are expensive, consider this:  a box of 30 refill bags goes for about $20.   In one year, we have only used about 14 bags. For me, this is worth the convenience and lack of unpleasant odors.  I purchased some extra Nursery Fresheners to stick on the side of the pail whenever they run out.   Munchkin Arm and Hammer Nursery Fresheners, Lavender/Citrus, 5 Count



* Fisher Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper 
You have probably heard of the Rock 'n Play... mostly because it is so very loved by parents!  For me, this product was a lifesaver! I liked the portability of the sleeper as well as the design.  The sleeper is angled, which is great for babies with reflux, or babies, like mine, who just really like inclined sleep.  I was able to move the R'nP fron the nursery to my bedroom very easily, which was great when I really needed a nap too. While this product was great for keeping the baby asleep, the main reason that I loved it:  I could bring it into the bathroom when I took a shower.  For the first few months of motherhood, I rarely found the time to fully care for myself, but I always found time for a shower, thanks to the Rock 'n Play.



























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