Andreas

I registered for everything, then bought what I didn’t get, you have nothing to lose by just putting things on your registry. I was thinking that either parents or big groups (like close friends) would get us the more expensive stuff, and like I said, whatever we didn’t get, we just bought ourselves. But I guess it really depends on what you know of your group of friends/family. I would also put on the playmat (or gymini), boppy pillow (it’s good for ****** feeding, but also for when they get bigger for them to lay in or as a support for when they are sitting up, but not sturdy), the swing, Fisher Price SOothing motions glider was a savior for when they were first born. Also if you haven’t already read it, get “The Happiest Baby on the Block” by Dr. Harvey Karp. I needed it after my son was born (should have had it before), so I didn’t have time to read it, so I bought the DVD…so HELPFUL. You should also get Swaddle Me’s. I’ll try to think of some other things…

Selina

I don’t even register for anything. I just make a list and give it to the host of my baby shower. Then she passes on the information to the other ladies. If you need large gifts, definitely register for them. However, if your shower isn’t early then you will want to purchase your own car seat at least so that you have it in time for baby to be born and so you can read over the instructions to make sure you can properly install it and such. The main things I always ask for is diapers, wipes, socks, and then usually a bigger type of gift. With my first baby, I asked for a swing and a few ladies went together on it. With my second, I asked for a saucer and a high chair. The high chair was purchased by a group of ladies and the saucer was a good condition hand-me-down from another lady.

Maurice

All of the stores have checklists. It is good to register for a WIDE variety of price ranges. With my first I registered for everything. A few of my friends chipped in together to get me a nice car seat/stroller set. My mom-in-law got me a changing table and my mom picked up the matching cradle. It worked well. I made sure I had plenty of small and practical things on there for anyone that wanted to get like a $20-30 gift. Of course, lots of women will buy whatever they want and that’s fine too. Some stores give you free stuff for registering. Target gave me a $20 gift card and Babies R Us gives a little box of goodies, samples, coupons. There is a ton of free stuff out there for new moms. Every manufacturer of baby stuff has a website and most you can register and they will mail you coupons and samples. Also 2 free magazines.

Dayanara

If your having your shower before the birth of the baby (2 weeks before at least). I would ask for some expensive as well as some in expensive.

Heres some ides for expensive :
Car Seat
Stroller
Play Pen (play yard)
Crib and Crib bedding
Swings and Bouncers.
Exersaucer
Any furniture you need for the baby (example: change table)
Baby monitor.

Not expensive:
Blankets
Bottles
Clothing of all types.
Bottles, sanitizers
Soothers
Bottle warmer.
Diapers and wipes.
Bibs.
Toys
Snow suit if it is cold.
Diaper bag.

If you have the shower before the way before birth that way you still have a chance to buy stuff you need that you didnt get from the baby shower.

Adam

I would register for anything and everything you need/want. You give gift-givers lots of options. Someone may be very generous and buy you one of the big items, or a group may get together to get it for you.

Anything that isn’t purchased for you can remain on your registry for late gift-givers or as a checklist of things for you to get yourself.

Personally, I was super-conservative about what I bought and still buy for my baby. I did not and do not want my home overtaken with baby things - half of which I may never use.

One thing we got that we’ve almost never used is a play pen (play yard). It’s more because of the way our house is set up, so others may find it more useful, but I regret spending the money on it.

Just evaluate each purchase you make and determine whether you KNOW you’ll use it with the baby or if it’s a maybe. If it’s a maybe item, you might consider waiting until the baby is born to see how things are going before you get it. I waited to get toys, play mats, swing, jumper. All those things are completely unessential when the baby is first born. Mine slept in his crib right away at night and for naps. When he stopped wanting to take naps in his crib and needed a swing to comfort him, we got one - not until he was about 6-8 weeks old, though.

Hope this helps!

Ezekiel

Register for everything… car, stroller, swing, etc! You never know what people will get you. I wouldn’t register for baby clothes; people will buy you tons, or you’ll get hand-me-downs from friends and family. My must-haves are a swing and a bouncy seat. I couldn’t live without mine!

Julio

I dont see any harm in registering for everything that you want and what the registry suggestion books recommends. Some closer family members may buy some of the larger items like the stroller, car seat etc. THere is no good way to tell what you will need that you dont get at the shower. It’s different on an individual basis. Just wait until after the shower and make a list and go for it.

Good Luck

Stacy

We bought a playpen with the built in bassinet to keep downstairs for the baby to nap in. I didn’t think of anything like that when I was registering. I would put the carseat and stuff on the registry, someone close to you may want to get you bigger gifts like that. Someoen may want to go in together on some of the bigger items and get them for you, so definately put them on there. The best bottles I’ve used were the Playtex Ventaire bottles, they keep the baby from getting too much air and now they have them BPA free, I always recommend those bottles and take some sterilized one with you to the hospital too, because those ones they give the newborns at the hospital, they flow way to fast and you end up coming home with a gassy baby. I also like those dishwasher cases to wash their bottle nipples, pacifiers, and little accessories that are too small to put just anywhere in the dishwasher. If you are going to be using powdered formula, I love this little 3 compartment travel bowl that fits 3 powdered formula mixes separated in the bowl, it’s great for the diaper bag, when you’re going to be gone for the day. I would always fill up 3 bottles of water and stick in the diaper bag, then all I had to do was add the powdered formula to the bottle and shake it up. You can find them in the baby feeding section of any store like walmart or kmart etc.