Friday, July 13, 2018

Baby Registry 101


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One of the first things that a mama to be does when finding out she is expecting her bundle of joy is to create a baby registry. This is an exciting time in someone's life, but to some knowing exactly what to put on a baby registry can be overwhelming. Well ladies I am here to give you the 411 on baby registries. I have gathered my information from my Instagram followers voting on topics, and researching and reading many different blogs and websites to give you the best of the best about baby registries in hopes to make your process easier. Or I at least I hope I do just that.



There are many different registries to choose from such as Target, Buy Buy Baby, Babylist, Amazon, and many others. The ones I just listed are the ones I will be focusing on since they are, in my opinion, the main registries out there. Therefore, lets start by breaking down each registry.

+Target Registry+

This registry you can either create online or go into the store, and personally scan each item. Target registry states on their website that their registry can be a rewarding experience. You get a free welcome kit of over $100 worth of coupons and handpicked samples that you can pick up at guest services. You also get 15% off on everything left on your registry after baby is born. As well as easy returns and exchanges up to a year after your due date. Online it seems very easy to navigate.. you can either look through different categories or use the search bar to find specific items you wish to add to your registry. Target has gift tracking so you can see who gave you what, and who you've already thanked. They also provide a full checklist of items they believe you should put on your registry as well. Which is nice and convenient for them to do. You can personalize your page with photos, custom URLs, and more. If you decide to do it all online, they will also give you a bar code scanner if you download the app, so you can easily go in to the store and scan items from your phone. 


I asked my Instagram followers between Target and Buy Buy Baby which one one did they use or was planning on using, and 71% chose Target over Buy Buy Baby. I personally chose and used Target with Luca. I love how Target has a wide range of items to choose from and their prices seem to be a little cheaper..in my opinion. 

I also asked my followers what made them chose either registry was because of the items available or the perks??? And 79% chose the reason being was because of the items available. So now lets see what Buy Buy Baby has to offer for their registry.

+Buy Buy Baby Registry+

Lets start with the perks of registering here just in case that is what draws you to a certain registry. First off, buy buy baby has a free shipping rewards program where you can earn free shipping for your baby's first year with the help of your family and friends. How cool is that?? You can get exclusive savings and free stuff. Their goody bag is filled with samples and coupons. You get the goody bag when you simply register with them but have to pick it up in the store. They also stated on their website that they have an assortment of everything you are looking as well as exclusive buy buy baby items all at everyday low prices. You can also let your family and friends help you build your registry by simply using the ask a friend and copy a friend's registry tools. Lastly, there is a friend referral system. If you know someone who is expecting a baby and you refer them.. they will give you $25 off $100 purchase or more. 

I asked my Instagram followers followers if they got advice on what to put on their registries... And 53% said that they did their own thing. And the other 47% did ask for advice. So for those of you that would like advice or help with your registry, the feature buy buy baby offers for friends and family's to help you add and choose items for the registry would be so helpful for you. 
+Babylist Registry+

Ok so I asked my Instagram followers if they plan on using an online registry or did use one....And 91% said yes that they used one or plan on it. That being said I asked which online registry they used or plan on using either between Amazon or Babylist. (I personally used Babylist with Luca).. 62% voted for Amazon and 38% voted for Babylist. WOW! that just blows my mind because I thought Babylist was a much more popular registry than Amazon but I stand corrected. 

Anyway, lets start with Babylist and see what all it has to offer. 

Babylist offers a free hello baby box when you create a registry through them. The cool thing about Babylist is you literally can add any item from any store out there and have it all on one registry. This is what really drew me to this registry in the first place. Its easy to use and navigate and can be accessed from a computer, mobile device, and tablet/ipad. You can download the app through the app store Apple users, or Google play for Android users. 

Doesn't seem to have that many perks but it is probably because it isn't just one store on the registry. 





+Amazon Registry+

Alright y'all. After researching this registry and become affiliated with Amazon I know realize why so many people would rather use this registry. Let me tell you why. 

They state on their website that this is the Earth's largest baby selection, you get free 90 day return on most items, and manage your registry on any device anywhere. Want to save money? If you are a prime member you will get 15% off  on eligible items compliments of Amazon Family.



Plus, Amazon prime members with a baby registry are eligible rotating offers. Anywhere from welcome box, free parenting ebook to discount on tinyprints.

Oh and here is the biggie.... If you can't find what you are looking for on Amazon you can use their special tool while on a desktop computer and add any item from anywhere onto your registry. What??? That is awesome. It is also so great that Amazon goes into so much detail what all their baby registry does and the perks that they offer. Yes.. it sounds similar to Babylist but according to my research so much more people use Amazon than Babylist.

If this helps any... When I had Babylist as one of my registries I may got a handful of items purchased off of it, but I got so many Amazon giftcards.

Sooooo.. In my opinion just use Amazon instead of Babylist. But obviously it is all up to you. Just a suggestion though.


Top Baby Registry Items 

Ok so now is the time where I list all of the top baby items that you should put on your registry, and I will be suggesting certain brands as well. I got the certain brands from what my followers told me they use, and what I use, 

1. Travel System

I highly suggest getting a travel system. You get an infant car seat and stroller all in one, and once you are done with the infant car seat you can just use the regular stroller. 


We use the Maxi Cosi Travel System in our house hold.
But others have suggested Britax , and Uppa Baby

 I also asked my followers what strollers they use and the answers I got was City mini and Eddie Bauer. So if you aren't wanting to do a travel system these are also good brands recommended to me for strollers. These also have travel systems as well.

Also on  the City Mini, someone mentioned to me that it is a regular sized stroller but it is compact. She stated that it fits between seat and under feet in the car if needed extra room for vacation, packing, etc. How neat is that??? I had no idea. I learn something new everyday and thought I would share of course.





2. Diaper Bag

This one I was unsure if this is a big must for a registry since I purchased mine. I actually put in it on my registry but no one purchased it. So I went ahead and bought. Mine is quite pricey and that is probably why no one bought... But I could let it go... It is so stinkin cute... And was sold out for awhile. 

The diaper bag I have is from Petunia Picklebottom. Im in love with the Mickey and Minnie.

Side note: Just checked their website and my exact diaper bag is out of stock again. I will link someone of their other bags though because they are seriously so stinking cute, and has so much storage. Plus they are backpacks which I highly recommend a diaper bag backpack.

Winnie the Pooh Axis Backpack Diaper Bag

Winnie the Pooh Boxy Diaper Bag

Mickey and Minnie Boxy Diaper Bag

Pathway Pack Backpack Diaper Bag

58% of my followers put a diaper bag on their registry, and 42% bought it themselves. So really it is up to you if you would rather buy it yourself or not. But I would suggest to still put it on there in hopes someone will buy it for you.


3. Diapers/Wipes

You can never have two many diapers and wipes. So this is a definite must on your registry list. If you don't get the exact diapers and wipes you want you can always exchange them for the brand you do want. Try your best to keep the gift receipts, if there are any, and if not you can return them to Target or Walmart but they have a $200 limit of returns and they will cut you off. They give you an in store gift card that you can only use for in store purchases not online.
4. Baby Carrier

Carriers are life saving. When your baby doesn't want to be put down but you got to get stuff done you can just put little one in it. We just use ours all the time. We use the SollyBaby wrap

Other popular ones are:
Ergobaby
BabyBjorn
BabyK'tan
Tula
Moby
Wildbird

5. Crib

There are so many cribs out there... How would you even be able to pick the one you really want. One thing I did was look at multiple different websites, and tried to figure out the style I liked. Then I went with the best price for what I wanted.

Some great places to find a crib is Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, Overstock, and Wayfair.

6. Diaper Genie or Diaper Bag Dispenser

These two items that are much needed for sure.
They block out the smelly diapers for sure. Haha!

I didn't stumble upon the diaper bag dispensers until I took Luca on his first trip to see his mumsey. Since I didn't want to throw them just in her trash can or lug the Diaper Genie with me, I went to Target to see what I could find and came across these. They are pretty much poop bags for dogs but for babies haha! They are amazing!!

To those reading this that has their baby already here, you should go and buy you some Diaper Bag Dispensers because they come in handy for sure.

7. Baby Monitor

This is of course much needed. How I chose the one for us was researching the registry I was wanting in from, and looking at the ratings and reviews. Definitely always look at the reviews before choosing an item.

We got ours from Target, but other registries have some really great ones too of course. Just research around until you find one you are looking for.

We got one that came with a monitor that we could also speak into.

8. Swaddles

So this was another item I asked my followers if they put swaddles on their registries or plan on it. 76% said yes that they did put them on there, and 24% said no.

From experience thus far, we use swaddle blankets all the time especially the muslin kind.

We no longer swaddle our little one at 10 weeks old. But we just the swaddle as regular blankets and burp cloths.

Here are some great swaddles that people have I used or was suggested:
Little Unicorn Muslin Swaddles-Dino pack
Little Unicorn Muslin Swaddles-Garden Rose
Love to Dream Swaddle
Halo Sleep Sack
SwaddleMe
Aden + Anais
Anna & Eve Swaddle Strap Arms Only

9. Pack n Play

So we use this Pack n play, and it is amazing. You can take the pack n play anywhere, and it folds down very easily for transfer. This particular pack n play has a a bassinet and changing table attachment.

We actually now use the pack n play for Luca to sleep in instead of his bassinet.

10. Baby Swing

There are so many different options for this which is great.  So how would you even know which one to choose from right?? haha!

We use the Mamaroo, and Luca loves it so much.

Other Great Options:
Fisher Price Cradle 'n Swing
Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing
Graco EveryWay Soother with Removable Rocker
Graco DreamGlider Gliding Swing and Sleeper <-- This one is pretty much a two for one :)
Ingenuity Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing


Other Much Needed Items:
11. Boppy
Bare Boppy w/ no cover
Boppy Lounger

12. Dockatot
Dockatot + White cover

13. Bath tub
Angelcare Baby Bath Support, Aqua
Blooming Bath for Sink
Aquascale Digital Scale & Thermometer 3-in-1 Infant Bath Tub in White

14. Pacis
Soothies 0-3 months
MAM- Newborn
NUK 0-3 months
The First Years GumDrop Newborn Pacifier
Tommee Tippee Newborn Pacifier, 0-2 Months
Wubbanub-Girafee
Wubbanub-Monkey
Wubbanub-Dog

15. Plain Onesies
Gerber 15 pack of Newborn Onesies-White
Carter's 8 pack 0-3 months-White

16. Thermometer
Baby Digital Thermometer - For Infants, Babies, Kids - 30 Seconds Read - FDA CE Approved - Flexible Tip - Waterproof - Extra Battery Included - Clinical Fever Alarm - Rectal Under The Arm/Tongue

Baby Thermometer - Forehead and Ear Thermometer for Fever by DrKea - Accurate Dual Mode Professional Medical Body Fever Thermometers for Baby, Kid and Adult | CE and FDA Approved Clinical Thermometer

17. Changing Pad 
Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad
Munchkin Secure Grip Waterproof Diaper Changing Pad, 16" x 31"
Changing Pad Liners

18. Changing table

*There are so many different ones out there, so it is too hard for me to recommend a few. I would research and find one that goes with what you are looking for.

Some people even get an old dresser and paint it.. which we thought about but I was so uncomfortable while pregnant I never got around to it. Definitely will save you a lot of money though.

19. Bottles

Ok so if you plan breastfeeding, I highly recommend Comotomo.
That is what we use, and Luca loves it.
They were made and designed for breastfed babies.

If not,
there are so many other wonderful bottles out there.

Here is some great others:
Philips Avent Anti-colic Baby Bottles Clear, 9oz 3 Piece
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles, 9 Ounce, 4 Count
Dr. Brown's Original Wide-Neck Bottle, 8 Ounce, 3-Pack

20. Glider/Rocker

So my momma and mother in law went in a bought us a rocker the week Luca was going to be born (I was induced). They bought it at Knoxville Wholesale Furniture on sale. But if you don't live in Knoxville, there are so many other great options as well.

We also have a antique wooden rocker in Luca's nursery that my husband and I redid.

But there are so many great options that you could add onto your registry from other stores.

You have to determine what type of rocker/glider you would want.

There are wooden rockers, gliders, and recliners.

We went with a recliner rocker and it also swivels side to side. I definitely recommend this kind because it is so comfy to sit in. And that is important if you are sitting in it for awhile with your baby.



I hope you all enjoyed this post, and that it was very helpful. 
Amazon Prime Day 2018 is happening in three days. I can't wait...Good time to take advantage of  some baby deals. 

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