Hellobee

Hi, Bee readers! I’m back again talking registry dreams. Since this poor second baby will be inheriting his brother’s “big ticket” items, this is the arena where he will likely actually see some of these new items (although with no shower or sprinkle in the horizon, it will likely be paid for by yours truly). But in my dream world, if I could register all over again for all of the accessories that go along with baby’s first year, here is what we would register for this time around:

1) Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets  |  2) Summer Infant Swaddleme  |  3) Halo Fleece Sleepsack  |  4) Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit  |  5) Zipadeezip  |  6) Woombie  |  7) Breathable Mesh Bumper  |  8) Crib Sheet

I’m a firm believer in minimal registering for baby layette. People want to pick out their own adorable clothing choices for your baby, and honestly, babies are gross, and will poop or throw up on anything you dress them in or cover their mattress with (sad but true). However, there are a few key pieces that I would register for if given the chance for a first baby. First, I would register for a ton of different swaddling and sleep assisting options. Every kid is different, and since sleep-deprived moms tend to be more than willing to throw money at the problem, swaddles and sleep gear that you don’t end up needing will maintain a decent resale value.

With Colin, we swore by all things Aden and Anais – I got the hang of swaddling with their blankets, and then we switched to their sleep sacks (which became his loveys). But I have tons of friends who relied on all sorts of different products, so I would love to register for one of everything. Second, I would pick a simple fitted sheet you like that coordinates with your nursery color scheme, and register for a bunch of them. You’ll probably change them A LOT, so having a readily available spare is crucial. We also swore by breathable bumpers once C’s legs started getting stuck in the crib rails.

1) Boppy  |  2) Medela Freestyle Pump  |  3) Medela SoftShells  |  4) Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads  |  5) Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra  |  6) Lansinoh Nursing Pads  |  7) Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags  |  8) Medela Micro Steam Bags  |  9) Medela Bottles  |  10) Playtex Drop-Ins Bottles

If you have any inkling of an interest in nursing your baby, I would get your hands on a pump that will be waiting for you when you are home from the hospital – when you need it, you won’t want to be waiting for even the Prime two-day shipping. (word on the street is that you can get your breast pump covered by insurance, so this might not be necessary for a registry, but I can’t write this post without including my beloved Freestyle). We did both breast milk and formula within Colin’s first year, and this time, I will prepare to be ready with both options should nursing not work out for us. Listed are some of my favorite tools that got me through the early and miserable days of mastering the latch, as well as the bottles I’d prefer to use this time around for offering pumped milk and for if/when we shift to the formula-feeding path.

1) teether  |  2) washcloths  |  3) teething tabs  |  4) nosefrida  |  5) Forehead thermometer

1) Infantino Activity Gym  |  2) Fisher Price Luv U Zoo Jumperoo  |  3) V-Tech Sit-to-Stand Walker  |  4) B Zany Zoo  |  5) Melissa and Doug Shape Sorting Cube |  6) Melissa and Doug Rainbow Stacker  |  7) Uncle Goose ABC blocks  |  8) Hohner Toddler Music Band  |  9) Boynton’s Greatest Hits  |  10) Dr. Seuss’ Beginner Book Collection  |  11) Baby’s Box of Fun: Karen Katz Lift the Flap Set  |  12) Leslie Patricelli Bundle of Board Books  |  13) Disney Baby Einstein 12 Book Collection

There are a few bigger ticket toy items that I would definitely register for when it comes to toy items, like an activity gym (we loved the Infantino one) and an exersaucer or jumperoo (we loved the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo). Your baby will likely be gifted all sorts of random toys and books that you don’t personally select (based on friend’s random choices and expert picks from veteran mom friends). But if I were registering for toys, I would try to think long term for baby’s first year and register for a handful of classic baby book box sets and some toys that your munchkin will enjoy during his first year and beyond while you’re being showered in generosity from friends and loved ones.

1) Diaper Dude Diaper Bag  |  2) Baby 411  |  3) Toddler 411  |  4) Petunia Picklebottom Backpack  |  5) Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child  |  5) Happiest Baby on the Block

So much of the baby registry is devoted to items that the baby will use (obviously, it’s a baby registry), but there are a handful of items that mom and dad would benefit from that are great to add to a registry. We registered for separate diaper bags, and Mr. C appreciates carrying a more masculine bag that isn’t loaded with all my non-baby junk as well. Plus, there are a handful of great baby reference manuals that would be great additions to a registry.

Veteran moms, what have I forgotten?  Anything else you would add to your registry if you were doing it again today?