Our Baby Registry…Part I: The Gear

Finally, right? I have received all sorts of questions asking about our baby registry so I hope this helps! I decided to break these registry posts down into smaller, more manageable details because too much of this stuff is completely overwhelming. First up, the necessary baby gear.

Of course I must insert a caveat before you read any further: these are only MY recommendations/opinions, based on hours of research online, tips and tricks from other mommies, Lucie’s List, Consumer’s Reports, and countless other blog posts I have read from pregnant gals.  Also, I am already betting some of these essentials will be replaced once Caroline comes…this is going to be an ongoing “experiment” in surviving the daily life of a newborn, and I’m lucky that there is a Target a mere 2.5 miles from my house.

The Britax B-Ready Stroller. I was up in the air between the B-Ready and the UppaBaby Vista, and this was the chosen winner. I wanted a stroller that was easy to disassemble, had a “click-and-go” system with carseat, offered adequate storage {hello shopping adventures!}, and could accomodate another child {if and when friends, if and when}.  Let’s be honest, I also wanted a stroller that was pleasing to the eye-I’m going to use this everyday and I didn’t want something I couldn’t stand to look at. We ended up getting the silver color and I love it!

The Britax B-Safe Carseat. Not only was it a top safety pick, but it easily pops into the B-Ready stroller. It’s also gender neutral, and smaller than other carseats we looked at. We also registered for the additional car seat base so Jeff can pimp one in his ride, too. 😉

Britax B-Ready Bassinet. This was one of those items that isn’t a necessity, but I really, really wanted it. This bassinet is going to be perfect for afternoon strolls in the park, little naps when we are out and about, and a perfect companion for our beach trip in May.

ERGObaby Carrier. I’ve been told this is the Cadillac of baby carriers out there, due to it’s ease of use, comfort level when wearing for long periods of time, it adapts to both mom and dad’s sizes, and how practical it is—you can do normal activities while having the little one attached to you. Friends assured me this one was the winner in their book. A little pricier than others, but something we’re bound to get a lot of use out of. Check!  

Moby Wrap Carrier. For something a little less bulky, we opted for the moby wrap. It keeps the baby warm while my hands remain free, has wide straps for comfort, protects baby skin with SPF 50 material, is easily adjustable with no buckles/snaps, and looks to be fairly simple to use when running errands. This is going to be fun entertaining to learn the proper way to wrap our little bambino up.

Summer Infant BabyTouch Color Video Monitor. We splurged on this item and registered for one of the nicer monitors. It’s has color display, touch screen monitor, a pan/scan/zoom feature so when little miss moves around the crib we can still see her, a 2-way talk back feature {for when she gets older}, as well as a handy dandy docking station. Let’s just hope I don’t get crazy and have to stare at the thing constantly “just in case”.

The Nap Nanny. A friend and fellow mommy recommeded the Nap Nanny to me, and said she couldn’t live without it–the perfect reclining infant sleeper. It “cradles” the baby, weighs only 3 pounds so you can take it anywhere in the house, is ideal for babies who don’t like to lay flat, and is perfect for playtime and lounging. I’ve also been told this helps with reflux and helps preventscongestion, too!

Boppy Pillow and Slipcovers. I’m not sure this needs any explanation as practically everyone knows about this lifesaver. Helpful for feeding, can be used for tummy time, and a way to “prop” up the little one. I also registered for a few extra slipcovers since I’m assuming these get dirty frequently. Some other cute slipcovers I found: here, here, and here.

Fisher Price My Little Snug-A-Bunny Bouncer. Another tried and true absolute from everyone I have talked to. A bouncer, something to keep them in motion when they get fussy or refuse to sleep, and acts as entertainment, too. This one is lightweight with 8 different songs and sounds, portable and sturdy and has a mobile attachment for stimulation. To be honest, I also loved the fact this doesn’t take up a huge amount of space.

Chicco Playard/Pack-n-Play-Romantic. This is one item I am up in the air about and may rethink and go with something else. I love the design of this, yet it’s bulky and I’ve read it’s not the easiest to travel with. I do love the built-in bassinet and changing table as we plan to keep this in our family room for sleep/play time, and it will make it easy to change little miss’ diapers without having to walk up and down the stairs. It also has storage compartments, a mobile, sounds, and a night light. If we decide this one is just too much to deal with, I’ve got my eyes on the Quicksmart or the Aprica Haven OpenAir.  

We’re also planning to get a jogging stoller (here or here), a highchair (this or this), an exersaucer/jumper, but we’re waiting on those items for a bit to figure out what Caroline likes/dislikes and what we actually need.

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of the fascinating world of a baby registry…next up, the feeding/diapering/bathing/cleaning essentials…and yes, I guess this is where I have to talk about breastpumping and dirty diaper disposal…the not so glamorous part of motherhood ;).