Post # 1
Member
493 posts
Helper bee
I was wondering if any of you new moms out there (or anyone who has recently had a baby shower) have any regrets about the items you chose to put on your baby registry (or any regrets about the items you DIDN’T put on your registry).
Looking back at my bridal registry, I regret trying to “fill it up” with lots of items because many of my FAVORITE items went unpurchased in exchange for some of the other things. This isn’t to say I registered for things I didn’t want or didn’t like… I just think that everyone who makes a registry has things on there that they absolutely LOVE and things that they just like. In order to get “enough items” on my registry, I ended up registering for (and receiving) things that I knew I would want for a home, but since we’re renting a small-ish apartment right now many of those things are still in boxes and are in storage until we eventualy purchase a home (it’s been about a year and a half since our wedding). It seems like a waste to me, but I guess someday I’ll use that stuff.
The bottom line is, I’m really scared to make the same mistakes with my baby registry because financiallly we’re on a much tighter budget now than we were when we got married. This is our first baby and we really need the help of our shower guests to prepare for the baby’s arrival. I tried to put a mix of items on my baby registry at a variety of different price levels to appeal to a variety of shower guests. However, I am finding that some of the “cheaper” stuff is giving me anxiety. I am so scared that I’ll get a bunch of teethers, bibs, plastic bowls, and spoons and be left without the things we REALLY need. Ahhhh anxiety!
Post # 3
Member
1128 posts
Bumble bee
@MaggieGirl: I’m going to bump this because I’m interested in hearing some responses!
Post # 4
Member
528 posts
Busy bee
@MaggieGirl: Though I don’t have a baby, or done a registry, I’ve been to a few showers. I would say don’t put ANY diapers on there! That seems to be the go-to gift for everyone to get expecting parents, and it’s kind of hard because you don’t know what size the baby will be. Also, they might grow fast and then you’d have a lot of left overs!
Have you looked into the differnt perks of registering at different stores? Some offer a percent off after your shower so you can purchase the items that you didn’t get.
Post # 5
Member
802 posts
Busy bee
What I would do, is make sure that when people ask you, “well, what do you really want?” TELL THEM! I’ve made this mistake so far- not wanting to tell people to buy me things, and instead of a 30$ set of dishes, i’ve gotten $30 worth of crap from the very woman who asked me that! TELL people the things that are important to you- the things you get that aren’t so important, return for things you really need!
Post # 6
Member
9024 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I dont have a registry but I am expecting a baby in 4 weeks, and am also on a budget, we bought pretty much everything ourselves and the advice I have so far is to really research products so that you know which ones you like based on the features, ofcourse you can never be 100% sure what your baby will like until they arrive
Post # 7
Member
2201 posts
Buzzing bee
My shower isn’t for 4 more weeks, but my registry approach was to register for things I need, not things I want. So, I have a changing pad and covers, bed linens, burp cloths, organizational totes (that I already have a plan for), bottles, car seat base and cover, and a box or two of the diaper brand I plan on using (so the guests know what kind of diapers to buy, if they go that way). I didn’t register for any clothing because I’m assuming people will just buy that. And if not, that’s easy for me to buy off Craigslist for super cheap.
Post # 8
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
@MaggieGirl: I’ve got three weeks to go in my pregnancy so I don’t know what I’ll “really” be using a lot yet. But don’t register for the stuff that isn’t a necessity. Bowls and spoons you won’t need right away and you can get those really cheap without putting them on a registry. I built my registry after looking at a couple of them from some mom friends I know and using the Baby Bargains book and Lucie’s List (online). There were a few items on my list that weren’t necessities, but for the majority it was what I thought I would need and what I was told I would need. I really recommend the Baby Bargains book and Amazon reviews for figuring out how to get quality at an affordable price.
I put one cute outfit on the registry, other than that, no clothing. Although I registered for diapers, we only received 4 packs (from one person) and what was in the diaper cake. Most people bought clothing–this baby is all set from birth to 12 months (people even bought in the right seasons).
Post # 9
Member
2025 posts
Buzzing bee
I just had my shower, so baby isn’t here yet, but it seems like some people just refuse to buy registry items. In that case, I like to do the “these are soooo cute, where did you get them?” routine so I can try and return things later. Totally horrible, I know, but I seriously do not need 4 different baby journals, a satin baby pillow and this thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Cry-Baby-Crying-Analyzer/dp/B001ECRO0C
Seriously?!
Just stick to the stuff you truly need, and have the girls throwing your shower spread the word that they should go in on larger items for you. I think word of mouth works great most of the time.
Post # 10
Member
339 posts
Helper bee
@pinky44: That’s a really horrible baby item!
I got really lucky–most people bought from my registry (because everyone kept asking me what I needed–I said everything I need is on my registry!). The people that didn’t buy from the registry bought clothing.
Post # 11
Member
1932 posts
Buzzing bee
@MaggieGirl: Yeah, for babies don’t add things to “fill it up”. It seems most moms only have about half their registry purchased anyway because people LOVE buying baby stuff on their own, especially clothes and blankets.
I would say register for only items you NEED and make sure they are the specific items you want, research bottles, car seats, strollers, baby carriers, cribs etc BEFORE doing your registry so you don’t make the mistake of going “registry-gun happy”. I changed my registry sooo many times because I didn’t do the research first.
I agree with pp, of someone asks you what you REALLY want, pick an item you really do want, they will probably get that item. The lady I work for did that for my wedding and for my baby and I was SO THANKFUL. Both times it was something I didn’t think I would get, but since she asked, I got it. I know it feels weird answering that question but seriously, you’ll regret it if you don’t.
@pinky44: hahaha! so funny 🙂 I should have tried that line.. Yeah, my mom got me the “pocket nanny”, and we couldn’t even figure out how to use it. I ended up downloading a free app on my iPod to track my baby’s feeding instead. So that was kind of useless.