What you actually need on a baby registry.
Strollers, car seats, pumps, bottle warmers, and cribs- preparing for a baby can be overwhelming. Here are the five must haves for your baby registry.
I remember looking through all the registry options when I was pregnant with my first baby- do we really need ALL that stuff just to have a baby? Where are we going to put it all?
Turns out- just because Amazon and Target says you need it all- you really don’t. After having four babies myself- and now caring for dozens of families in this beautiful time of pregnancy and early postpartum- I have gathered my top 5 recommendations for a registry- and it’s not what you think.
Large Water Bottle and LOTS of snacks- breastfeeding mamas have never been so thirsty when they first start making milk. Having a LARGE water bottle and easy, high protein snacks available at all times is so important. Put them in a basket where you nurse so you don’t have to try the juggle the shirt and baby while both of you are starving move.
Car Seat- this one I will give you- is expected. I am a firm believer in new car seats- just google what happens to plastic after it’s been baking in the sun for years. Make sure if you are using a used seat that it hasn’t been in an accident, and the expiration date has not passed. You can always donate car seats to car seat trade in events to get a % off coupon from some of the big box stores.
Meal Train- Nothing could be more important in my book then not having to figure out how to keep a baby alive, and keep yourself fed in these first few days of being a parent. Meal Train options online have made it so easy to put in meal preferences, addresses, delivery times, and even gift card options for those who don’t love to cook. Keeping a new family fed is one great way to make them feel loved in those first few weeks. Even your long distance great aunt can participate!
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump- seriously- where was this thing when I had my first two babies? This is my number one gift for families at baby showers these days. It is in essence a milk catcher. When you first start nursing, typically, you leak on the side baby is not feeding on and all that liquid gold ends up either just spilling all over your shirt, or in your nursing pad. Simply suction the haakaa onto the breast baby isn’t nursing on and catch all that liquid gold for later use!
Sleep sacks or Swaddles- babies love to be tightly cuddled. I hear so many parents say- “but he doesn’t like the swaddle, he wants his hands by his face"- and then you ask them how they are sleeping and they say- he is up every 45 minutes. Babies have a startle reflex that will wake them up every single time. Tightly swaddling a baby is a way to soothe that reflex. The fourth trimester (the first 12 weeks) the goal is to recreate the womb so that baby can gently adjust to the world around them. Swaddling is key to this. I highly recommend the miracle blanket- it saved me with my last two babies!
So as you see- you really don’t need ALL that stuff to bring that baby home. All you need is love, a few diapers, and some food. The rest will work itself out as it comes.
