Baby Gear: What I Loved & What You Need

Registering for baby gear is so overwhelming. I had no clue what I needed or what products were best. My mom, aunt, and cousin all came down to help me, and it ended up being quite chaotic. Learn from my mistakes, grasshoppers. Here’s what you need to know before you leave the house:

Do your research before you leave the house. I had purchased the book Baby Bargains, which is full of product reviews and advice on what is necessary. In particular, do your research on strollers and car seats before you get to the store.

Decide where you want to register. Where will the people who will be buying you gifts want to shop? I live 3 hours away from my hometown, which is where I had my shower. Target is much closer than Babies R Us, so I registered at both places so that my guests could pick and choose where they wanted to shop.

On the flip side, don’t register at too many places. You’ll end up with multiples of items, and returns are no fun.

Check the return policy of the place you want to register. Babies R Us is pretty generous – if an item is on your registry, you can return it. I got a few items that were not on my registry that I did not need, so I went into the store, added the items, and then returned them. Easy peasy! Target’s return policy is horrendous. You really need a gift receipt to get full value for your gifts.

Do not go to Babies R Us on a Saturday to register. Just don’t do it. Trust me, there will be at least 20 other people there trying to register, and you will follow each other around the store with your scan guns like a conga line. Go on a weeknight and you’ll have the whole store to yourself.

Make sure your registry contains enough items that your guests have ample options to choose from. Don’t only register for the most expensive items in the store. There is nothing wrong with wanting an expensive stroller or car seat, but keep in mind that someone purchasing a gift alone most likely cannot afford that.

Register for everything you think you want/need. I used my registry as a guideline for what I needed, and I didn’t expect for my guests to purchase everything. Babies R Us will send you a 20% coupon once your baby is born to use to complete your registry. If you think you might want to buy it at some point, put it on your registry!

Put diapers and wipes on your registry. Some people like to purchase diapers, and it will give them an idea of what brand you prefer. You can also use your coupon later!

I was lucky enough to be gifted with some hand-me-downs from my cousin, Heather. Besides a huge Rubbermaid container of baby clothes, she also gave me an exersaucer, bath seat, Bumbo, Boppy, and jumperoo. Ask your friends who have kids if you can borrow the things their they aren’t using anymore. Most women are happy to share as long as you give the items back in good condition. Baby gear is not cheap so borrow what you can!

I’m going to share with you what I registered for, and my thoughts on the product now that I’ve been using it for awhile. My recommendations will likely be broken down into two posts, so check back later this week for part 2. Mommies, please weigh in with what you loved/hated in the comments, and I’ll add your thoughts to the second post.

Hangers

Bibs

Blankets: There are thermal blankets and there are receiving blankets. I absolutely love the thermal blankets. They are waffle weave and stretchy, and are absolutely perfect for swaddling. Receiving blankets are nice, but they shed lint like crazy in the wash, and they don’t have as much give as the thermal blankets. If you are delivering during winter months, register for plush blankets as well.

Diapers & Wipes: I love Pampers Swaddlers. They have a strip that runs down the middle of the diaper, and it turns green when baby needs to be changed. The lining has mesh, so poop sinks through the mesh and most of it does not directly touch the baby’s skin. I don’t have a preference for wipes. We’re using the Sam’s Club brand right now and they work just fine.

Car Essentials: We registered for roller shades and a mirror. The shades are great, but the mirror is not so much. I can’t even really see Cooper in it. We registered for the car seat protector mat you see above, and when we had our car seat inspected by the fire department, we were told it wasn’t safe to use with infant seats. We also purchased the Mighty-Tite car seatbelt tightener, and later found out it is not recommended for use by car seat manufacturers or car seat technicians.

Bottles & Gear: We originally registered for the Playtex Ventaire bottle system. Cooper had lots of problems with spitting up when he first came home, so I switched to old school Playtex bottles with the drop-ins at my mom’s suggestion. I love these bottles! We’ve seen a drastic decrease in spit up since we switched. I love that you can physically remove the air from the bottles by squeezing the drop in bag. I tried the Dr. Brown’s bottles, but there are too many parts for me to keep up with. Other people love them, though. Don’t forget to register for a bottle cleaning brush and formula dispenser. Also, make sure you are using slow release nipples for your newborn. I learned that the hard way! The fast release will cause your baby to choke and isn’t meant for younger babies.

Burpcloths: I love the large flannel burpcloths. I cannot stand the itty bitty rectangular burpcloths. Trust me, that will be worthless when your baby projectiles all over you. I also registered for a pack of plain cloth diapers and I use those for burpcloths as well.

Sheets: I think I registered for four sheets, and received about six. We just started putting Cooper in his crib, so I haven’t had to change the sheets yet. I know I’ll appreciate the extra sheet when I have don’t have to do a load of wash in the middle of the night.

Sheet Saver: I love these. It’s a rectangle of quilted, padded fabric that you lay under your child to protect the sheet from accidents. It ties to the crib rails to make it secure. If your child has an accident, you can just pull off the sheet saver and not have to change the sheets.

Layette: A layette is a collection of clothing for a newborn baby. I love Sleep N’ Plays, which are basically footed pajamas. If you can find zip up sleep n’ plays, buy them all! Gowns are great because you don’t have to deal with snaps or zippers in the middle of the night to change a diaper. I had a really difficult time finding gowns, though, so you may want to stock up when you find them. Bodysuits (onesies) are great for summer months. I’m not a fan of the side snap shirts because they hike up and expose the baby’s belly. I know other people love them for when the baby still has his/her umbilical cord, though.

Bath Gear: Don’t forget to register for washcloths and towels. You’ll need baby wash, shampoo, and lotion as well. Bath seats are a personal preference. My cousin gave me the seat you see above. I know other people prefer hard baths that you can use on the countertop, and I have friends who like a simple sponge. Honestly, it is easiest for me to hop in the tub or shower with the baby, but that’s just me.

First Aid & Baby Grooming: We registered for a grooming kit, and it comes with almost everything you need. It has a brush, comb, thermometer, nail clippers, medicine dispensers, nasal aspirator, etc. My pediatrician does not recommend ear thermometers so you may want to ask your doctor what he/she prefers before you buy. Some pediatricians will not accept temps taken from the ear or under the arm – they want you to take the temperature rectally. I recommend purchasing gas drops, gripe water, Tylenol, Vaseline, and diaper rash cream before the baby arrives just so you have it on hand when you need it. However, be sure to talk with your doctor about when you should use it! Tylenol in particular should not be used on babies of a certain age.

Pacifiers: I purchased one set of pacifiers before the baby arrived, and I figured I’d figure out later what he preferred. He was given a Soothie pacifier by the nursery while we were still in the hospital, and he loves them. I like that the pacifier most closely resembles a real or bottle nipple.

I’m going to stop here for now. Stay tuned for Part 2 later this week! Moms, please be sure to add your opinions in the comments. What did you love and what did you hate? If you have any questions, ask away. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find out for you.

Disclaimer: I am not a baby expert. I do not know-it-all. (I like to think I do, but alas, I do not.) This post is simply a collection of my recommendations as a new mommy and a person who has been there, in the process of doing that. My recommendations should not be taken as the be all, end all of baby gear. Do your research. You may have different preferences/likes/dislikes than me and that is just fine! I hope this helps someone, and if it does, I’m glad I posted it.