Love It or Leave It
Walking the aisles of any baby store can be intimidating and overwhelming. These humans are so tiny, and yet there is so much stuff we are told we need. Discerning between the “we need this,” the “ooh, I want this” and the “what the heck is this?” stuff can be difficult and maybe even impossible for some of us.
All new parents will find those items that work best for them and their baby. Here are some seasoned moms to tell us which items they love and which items they could leave behind.
Love it - muslin swaddle blankets: I never used the plain receiving blankets from the store. They were always too small to get a good swaddle, but the Aiden and Anais muslin blankets I have used almost every day for the last three years. (Karolie T.) The muslin blankets are great. They’re huge, lightweight, and great for swaddling or to cover up during breastfeeding without making Baby sweat. (Aspen H.)
Leave it - bottle warmer: We don’t use the bottle warmer much because I nurse, and she will drink bottles cold, or we just run them under hot water. (Hannah H.) The bottle warmer never worked quite right. (Kaitlin B.)
Love it - baby carrier: Hands down the Ergo baby carrier was my best purchase ever in the history of my babies! (Molly K.) The Moby wrap or a really good carrier is something I can’t live without. (Becca F.) Someone made me a ring sling-style carrier. There are some commercial brands, and you can buy them on Amazon. They are my all-time favorite item and favorite carrier. (Aspen H.) Baby Bjorn and Moby wrap are both great. (Kristin S.)
Leave it - burp cloths: We had a very spitty kiddo, and the store-bought burp cloths never held up very well. I would recommend buying the white cloth diapers and using those instead. (Tonya L.) The white cloth diapers as burp cloths are the best! (Kaitlin B.)
Love it - sleep gowns: I love the sleep gowns because they are easy to use and something I never would have thought of. (Jackie Y.) I love the sleep gowns because they make it so easy to change diapers in the middle of the night while being sleep deprived. (Monica L.)
Leave it - Bumbo chair: I like the Bumbo chair, but now that I know more, it is something you can leave off the baby registry because it is only used for a short period of time. (Hannah H.) Borrow a Bumbo from friends or get one used because they are easy to find but still in great condition, because they are not used for that long of a time. (Karolie T.)
Creating a baby registry is supposed to be an enjoyable activity for you and your partner. Take the time you need, do the research you feel is necessary and most importantly, have fun. Enjoy this time and each other.
Quick tips from experienced moms:
- I was given the advice to buy a lingerie bag and put all of the baby’s socks in it to keep from losing any in the wash…best advice ever! (Lindsey M.)
- If you are on a budget, many things can be purchased second hand for so much cheaper and still in really great condition. (Aspen H.)
- Insurances oftentimes will cover breast pumps, so before you register or buy one, check with your insurance company. (Karolie T.)
- Stock up on basic stuff like lotion, wipes and baby soap. You will run out quicker than you think, and it is so nice to be able to grab some out of the closet instead of making an extra trip to the store. (Lacey F.)
- I would highly recommend a swing that plugs in versus one that uses batteries. (Jenny S.)
- Keep a small screwdriver close for all of the baby equipment that needs opening or batteries replaced. You would be surprised! (Erin B.)
- At the end of the day, you’re undoubtedly going to find things for your baby that you love and things you wish you’d saved your money on, but hopefully this gives you a place to start!
Olathe mom Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse.