[Omsmom]

Some friends at work asked me to set up a registry and I seriously can't think of anything I really need to buy, so I'm wondering whats on your shopping lists, esp if this is your 2nd or 3rd or 4th child? What are you planning to buy?

I'm planning to co-sleep - so cribs/bassinets, breastfeed - so no bottles/pumps, no double stroller - since I'm planning to use my ergo or ring sling, I also have a lot of clothes from DS in gender neutral colors so I really don't think I'm going to buy any new clothes (ok may be a few outfits but no need to put that on my registry). I also saved a lot of toys and books from DS as he outgrew them...may be I could put some new cloth diapers and covers on my wish list, but other than that I really don't know. Help me out, mamas!

 

[rockdoctor]

If you really don't need anything, don't get more stuff. It's a waste of money and time. Here are some alternative suggestions if your friends desire to do something nice for you (which I totally encourage).
(1) they could hold you a mother blessing. Essentially, they pamper you with massages, tell stories and celebrate you becoming a mother again. Too much time is spent on baby, sometimes we need to stop and thank ourselves for the hard work we either do or are about to do. Each mother blessing is different, but some other things I have seen done are; each guest bring a bead that can be put on a bracelet. Your friends take turns explaining what the bead means to them and you can remember these wonderful things when you give birth. Also each guest can be given a small candle to light when you go into labor (set up a phone tree).

(2) Less involved but extremely helpful. Each friend can sign up to bring you and your family dinner (or other food) after the baby is born. If you have 14 friends, this means meals provided for you for two weeks after the baby is born. This way you won't need to prepare meals before hand.

 

[Julia24]

Things I have on my secret wishlist registry

*boppy newborn lounger - they didn't have these with my first, and I think it's just the perfect little thing to put on the couch with a baby in it when you need to put them down. Totally extravagent, not necessary, but it would be nice.

*smaller diaper bag - like the 'pod' thing from JJcole - think this would be nice for 'running out' and not wanting to bring the big ole bag, yk?

*new washclothes - I just NEED to get each baby new ones, they just get crummy imo.

*bath and body stuff for the baby - I want organic stuff, so obviously this is expensive and people like to buy that stuff (and it's available en mass now).

*maybe a infant seat cover (if you're using an infant seat and will be in a cold area?) LOVE those things for the stroller too!

Otherwise the meals idea is fantastic - I'd almost rather my friends do that then buy me stuff

 

[cristeen]

We already have most of what we need, but I still have a registry.

Books are great to put on a registry, whether they're books about being pregnant/parenting, or books for the baby. How about a special lovey/stuffed animal? Something that's different than what the siblings have? Some special soothing music for labor?

Nursing pads, bra extenders, even a nursing bra. Are you going to need a new car seat?

I like the idea of a mother blessing - a way to make sure mom isn't forgotten. If any of your friends have kids your DS' age, ask for them to schedule playdates after the baby is born so that DS can be entertained while you get some one-on-one time with baby.

Or you can even have a feed the freezer party, where everyone comes with their favorite casserole-type recipe, and the ingredients, you supply the pans and the freezer and you all chat while preparing a bunch of dinners for post-partum.

 

[mkksmom]

Let's see. I need new sheets for the crib, even though they won't be used till later, one of those car seat covers (like a shower cap), glass bottles (dd hardly used bottles, but I want some in case I actually pump this time), hotsling, moby wrap, if it's a boy- clothing and some boy blankets, I need a new diaper bag. Not much else, really. I don't have the pack n' play any more (just a co-sleeper) and I really loved the changing table on it for my daughter. I'm debating whether or not to buy another one... probably not. I'll have to take a look at my stuff from my daughter. I saved all of the gear, but she will be 5, so hopefully it's in good shape. I also have my brother's stuff from his boy/girl twins who are 3. Their stuff is all pink or blue, so once I know what I am having, I'll be able to give a lot away too.

 

[HarperCait]

Everything! But this is #1...

Everything includes:

-cloth diapering supplies
-nursing pillow
-baby carriers
-crib
-dresser
-lil' bookshelf
-carseat
-baby monitor
-baby gate
-tub
-would be fun to have a seat or exersaucer type thingy.

My mum just bought us a pack n play (wow!) to use as the bassinet/baby station in our room for the early months. I'm so excited! It was $90 off this week at babies r us!!! Word to the wise!

I'm kindof a minimalist. Do you think I NEED an infant carrier carseat, or can I get away with a full convertable infant/child seat only?

 

[StrongFeather]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarperCait I'm kindof a minimalist. Do you think I NEED an infant carrier carseat, or can I get away with a full convertable infant/child seat only?

also want to know this, people have recommended it to me, saying it's so much easier, but why?

 

[OTMomma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrongFeather also want to know this, people have recommended it to me, saying it's so much easier, but why?

In my experience- it is honestly easier to get a tiny baby in and out of a bucket car seat- the ones that grow from 5-50 pounds or whatever it is, just swallow a newborn. The other big perk- even for a AP mom- is that if baby falls asleep in the carseat, you can move the whole infant bucket into the house, sleeping babe and all- for a fussy, colicky baby this can be a life saver. Also- if you want to be able to go out to eat, or go to a doctor's appt without having to worry about where to put the baby down, it can be nice to have a bucket. I wore my baby most of the time, but did find the bucket to be useful at times. A lot of mainstream moms seem to put their babies in those and leave them there for hours at time while out- totally ridiculous- moving the thing from car to store to car to restaurant to car- so they get bad press from the AP moms- but they aren't evil, they can just be misused, like most things.

 

[OTMomma]

On my wish list for #3:
New bibs that aren't stained (I love Bumkins- and those are at Babies R Us now)
New cloth diapers
Amber teething necklace for baby
Piggy bank just for baby
Baby book
baby socks- because I'm always loosing those

 

[ChaoticMum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTMomma In my experience- it is honestly easier to get a tiny baby in and out of a bucket car seat- the ones that grow from 5-50 pounds or whatever it is, just swallow a newborn. The other big perk- even for a AP mom- is that if baby falls asleep in the carseat, you can move the whole infant bucket into the house, sleeping babe and all- for a fussy, colicky baby this can be a life saver. Also- if you want to be able to go out to eat, or go to a doctor's appt without having to worry about where to put the baby down, it can be nice to have a bucket. I wore my baby most of the time, but did find the bucket to be useful at times. A lot of mainstream moms seem to put their babies in those and leave them there for hours at time while out- totally ridiculous- moving the thing from car to store to car to restaurant to car- so they get bad press from the AP moms- but they aren't evil, they can just be misused, like most things.

Ditto that totally. I never used it on the stroller if babe was awake when I stopped - if babe was sleeping and had just recently fallen asleep I did, but once they were awake I would sling them and use the stroller for whatever I was buying! LOL It is nice in restaurants so you can put babe down and eat your meal - before babe can sit in a high chair.

As for what we need.....well altho this is #4, we need more than we would have a year ago when I gave away all our baby gear! LOL I kept the crib/crib sheets and mobile.

So we need....

1)Bucket seat (just got a line on one thru a friend in town)
2)Exersaucer - LIFEsaver I swear!!!!
3)rattles/toys
4)cloth diapers - I sold mine last April....
5)baby girl clothes if its a girl. My gf has my baby boy clothes still.

Honestly? that's it (although a Cloth Diaper stash collected over the span of 5yrs is not replaced easily). I found as each child came I used less and less and less.

As for the registry - a friend of mine just went to a baby shower where they all chipped in what they would have spent and got a gift card for the box store in town (not a whole lot in our small towns! LOL) so she could use it as she needed and for what she needed as it came up. That way there was no
'extras' that she had no clue what to do with!

 

[Julia24]

Harper Cait and Strong feather - I donno. I could see not having one IF you live where it is perpetually pleasant weather - never cold AND you have a garage! Otherwise, I'd buy the baby bucket. Honestly - it BLOWS to try to strap a tiny baby into a carseat in 20 degree weather - even IN the garage. If it's raining - FORGET IT! Or, if you absolutely cannot afford it, then by all means, pour the money into a better convertible seat, yk? (I've also heard some people say that if you intend to put your newborn into a convertible you have to be careful, bc only certain seats truely accomodate tiny babes) I donno, that's just my perspective. I abhore strapping kids into carseats in inclimate weather. I wish my 3 year old could be in a bucket type seat

 

[Lisa1970]

I only need the infant car seat, 1 baby book, 1 coming home outfit (that I will select and purchase myself) and 1 baby blanket. Maybe you could ask for gift certificates to have professional pictures done? Or ask for the cloth diapers.

 

[dancemama23]

If they are insisting on an online registry (or that is easiest for all) a lot of the smaller natural organic online shops have wised up and allow you to make registries on them now. I'd do one of them instead of a big super store!

We need:

new washcloths (ours are icky)

more ORGANIC clothing/ bath stuff/ towels/ sheets we have very little.

an infant seat cover, I can't believe we were in Syracuse and didn't have one of these!! They look so cozy, and DH thinks it looks like a "baby pie".

 

[Omsmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockdoctor If you really don't need anything, don't get more stuff. It's a waste of money and time. Here are some alternative suggestions if your friends desire to do something nice for you (which I totally encourage). (1) they could hold you a mother blessing. Essentially, they pamper you with massages, tell stories and celebrate you becoming a mother again. Too much time is spent on baby, sometimes we need to stop and thank ourselves for the hard work we either do or are about to do. Each mother blessing is different, but some other things I have seen done are; each guest bring a bead that can be put on a bracelet. Your friends take turns explaining what the bead means to them and you can remember these wonderful things when you give birth. Also each guest can be given a small candle to light when you go into labor (set up a phone tree). (2) Less involved but extremely helpful. Each friend can sign up to bring you and your family dinner (or other food) after the baby is born. If you have 14 friends, this means meals provided for you for two weeks after the baby is born. This way you won't need to prepare meals before hand.

Those are excellent ideas!!! Thanks, I esp like the second one, because we are going to need it.

I don't need an infant car seat, I don't own a car! And I have DS infant car seat saved for taxi rides. Also we use very gentle toiletries and bath products ourselves so I won't anything special for the baby. Some other things I could add are: a new diaper bag (I remember someone mentioned a bag called ju-ju-be that sounded great!) and new receiving blankets and wash cloths, and some organic clothes.

Thanks for all those ideas!!

 

[octobermoon]

pretty much -it's ALL on my list.

 

[ladylove]

We didn't use an infant carseat with DS and it worked out just fine. But, we live in a walkable neighborhood, so driving isn't necessarily an everyday thing. Also, if you are short on space, the infant carseat is just one more thing to have to store.

For #2, I plan on getting:

- more cloth diapers (GMD prefolds, various covers, making some wool)
- convertible carseat
- a few more baby gowns. These are so much better than the footie PJs, IMO.

Other than that, we really don't even have much from #1. No swing, no exercauser, no playyard, etc. Those would be nice if you have room, but we did just fine with a blanket on the floor and a carrier when I needed to be hands free.

 

[Guinevere]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladylove Other than that, we really don't even have much from #1. No swing, no exercauser, no playyard, etc. Those would be nice if you have room, but we did just fine with a blanket on the floor and a carrier when I needed to be hands free.

With #1, we didn't do the swing, playyard, etc. either. But we ended up getting a couple of things with #2, b/c now that #1 was running around, baby #2 on the blanket on floor was suddenly underfoot of a very active and curious toddler. Something to consider...

Guin

 

[MichelleAnnette]

I live in perpetually nice weather and have a car port so we just use the convertible car seat. With ds, we lived in GA. Now we live in FL. I would totally get the bucket if I lived somewhere cold, though.

I agree with asking friends do do things like make dinner, care for your other children, etc. if they want to help and you don't need stuff.

This is my second and all I really need are a few more diapering items, a car seat, and a recliner would be really nice. Oh and some Motherlove diaper rash cream - I LOVE that stuff. Ds had yeast rash even though we did EC and it was the only natural remedy that worked.

 

[GiantGi]

This is #4 so not much on my list.

I need some more cloth wipes
I also want some mama cloth but not sure I would ask friends for that

I love the meal idea or help with other kids idea!

 

[Masel]

As I mentioned in another thread, my family and friends when left to their own devices will give Onesies. I still have unopened packages from DD. I set up an Amazon wish list so they can get some ideas. (Amazon will also let you add things you find at other sites.)
So far
some new diaper covers
breastfeeding supplies (DD was FF (She's adopted) so I got nothing in that department.)
a new bucket seat (We loaned our old one away and I'm not sure I want it back. I liked the bucket because sometimes DH would pick DD up from daycare and it was a lot easier to leave just the bucket.)
A co-sleeper (The one we borrowed is on loan to someone else right now.
Some books
Washcloths (I like using the little ones too.)

Other things I'm considering
I need a new diaper bag but haven't found one I like. I might just get a back pack.
A gift certificate to the cleaning service we use on occasion