As the big day approaches, I have been starting to get ready for the baby’s arrival.  I’ve had a few lists passed on to me of things that other moms have written up of items they found to be useful.

Design Mom – Preparing for Baby

Babble– Baby Registry Guide

Liz’s Baby Basics

FOR MOM

• Maternity Jeans – spend some money on these – you will live in them over the weekend
• Maternity Pants – Gap made some really cute ones
• Maternity Tops/Sweaters – don’t even need to buy them – just buy larger sizes at inexpensive stores like H&M, Limited, Gap
• Nursing tank tops
  • The absolute best are Gilligan & O”Malley (Target carries them).  I swear by these.  They look just like a regular tank(black, white, pink or gray) and you can wear them under a cardigan. I wore these every single day while on maternity leave. Much easier than a nursing bra.  Never even bought a nursing bra.
• BellaBand
  • This is a band that can extend the life of your pants.  You can wear pants unbuttoned and put band over to create seamless line.  Also great for when shirts/sweaters become too short b/c you just see the band which looks like a t-shirt underneath the shirt.
• Disposable Lansonihl nursing pads
• Lansonohl breast cream (purple tube for breasts)
• Email list – put together mass email list for baby’s arrival announcement
• Birth Announcements
  • Print labels before baby is born and select announcement so ready to go (I didn’t send mine out until baby was 6 months – wish I had done sooner)
  • Tinyprints.com – great selection of announcements
• Monogrammed thank you cards – If you are really organized and know the baby’s name, you can order personalized thank you cards in advance b/c you will need them as soon as baby is born.  TinyPrints and PeekabooPumpkin have good selections.
• Breast Pump ( Medela Pump in Style – borrow one if you can b/c you may not take to it)

FOR BABY

• Swaddles (Kiddopotamus Velcro or any brand) – we used for first 3 months
• Basic white tees (get the ones that have side snaps rather than ones that have to be pulled over head)
• Basic onesies
• Sleep Sacks or gowns – great for newborns b/c much easier to change diaper in middle of night
• Zipper Footy PJs – once a bit older, I recommend PJs with zipper b/c easier than buttoned pjs to change in middle of night
• Bibs (velcro on the side of neck is best b/c doesn’t chafe back of babies neck when being bed in cradle position)
• Cheap burp clothes
  • I preferred the inexpensive ones b/c they were softer.  The cuter ones with patterns were too stiff to wipe babies mouth, so never used them.
• Bottles (BornFree)
• Nipples (Level 1 to start….at 3 months go to level 2 and at 6 months go to level 3)
• Formula (Enfamil is good, so is Nestle Good Start or Similac)
• Powdered formula containers (3 of them snap together and you can premeasure formula so all you need to do is pour into bottle of water – great for middle of the night!)
• Pacifiers (try a few different brands to see what fits baby’s face)
• Diapers (Pamper’s Swaddlers)– Size: Newborn
• Wipes (Pamper’s Sensitive)
• Travel size wipes for diaper bag
• Thermometer (traditional is better – ear is not accurate read for babies)
• Grooming kit (just basic with curved scissors, hair brush, toothbrush)
• Changing pad (to put on table – all brands are the same)
• Changing pad cover
• PeeWee’s Disposable Multi-Use changing pads
  • These are essential.  If the baby goes to the bathroom while being changed, you don’t need to wash changing pad cover – just throw away disposable pads. I use these every day.
• Sassy Diaper Bags – blue scented bags to throw dirty diapers in
  • We do not have a diaper genie and don’t even need one with these bags.  We never smell anything once diaper is in these disposable bags.
• Dishwasher caddy (to put bottle parts in for washing)
• Mustela Shampoo, Lotion, Bath Gel
• Baby Tylenol/ Motrin
• Saline nose drops (for when stuffed up/has cold)
• Diaper ointment (A&D, Balmex, Mustela – any are fine)
• Small/ soft washclothes ( not full size b/c too big for newborns)
• Hooded towel for after bath

FOR BABY’S ROOM/ FURNITURE

• Bambi Baby (www.bambibaby.com 877-882-2624)
  • I bought my baby furniture here and they will beat ANY price you find.  They beat Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, and other smaller local stores in price by a few hundred dollars.  And their customer service is fantastic.  You deal with the same person every time you call.
• Glider – Microfiber Upholstered Glider (color: Sage) $379
  • We tried every chair and this one is SO comfortable!  The sage color goes really well in a boy’s or girl’s room and the chair is very comfortable for a man or woman.  Highly recommend.  Carried at Babies R Us…and I think Buy Buy Baby
• Foot Stool – I found this to be very comfortable when feeding.  I still use it.
• Co-Sleeper/Moses basket/bassinet
  • I loved the co-sleeper – nice to have baby right next to bed for first month or so before you move them into crib
• Matress – any brand that meets regulations is fine (some people prefer Organic)
• Waterproof mattress pad covers (for under crib sheet)
• Mattress pad sheets
• Crib Set
• Hangers
• Clothes Hamper (I like Kids Line Folding Hamper)
• Trashcan (If you do not do Diaper Genie, which is not necessary, recommend just buying a SimpleHuman can that you can open with foot.  If using blue diaper bags, won’t smell in room at all.)
• Baby Monitor (Fisher Price) – don’t need if live in an apartment
• Nightlight

BABY ACCESSORIES/ TOYS

• Stroller and car seat

o      Graco Snap & Go is great – definitely the easiest for city living

o      I’d recommend getting car seat for up to 30lbs so that you don’t need to trade up to larger size so quickly

• Rain cover for stroller (any brand is fine)
• Head positioner – put in stroller/car seat so head doesn’t bobble all around
• Bundle Me – will need lightweight and fleece one for winter
• Sun Shade for stroller – This is a must.  Protect-A-Bub Single Canapy is good and works on any stroller.
• Stroller Caddy (recommend Joovy Cool Essentials on amazon.com)
  • This fits across handle bars of jogger strollers and is the best. You can put your wallet, phone, blackberry, keys, etc in it.  I wish I had bought this sooner b/c I hated having to put all this stuff in the carrying area below the baby.
• Toy bar that attaches to stroller bar (for jog type stollers)
  • Kids love this – will play with it and kick at it as you walk
  • Recommend anything like Sunshine Kids AG Twirly Whirly or Whoozit Activity Spiral
• Once you graduate from Snap & Go (which can be used up until 9-10 months depending on size of baby), recommend Phil & Ted’s if looking to do long walks or MacLaren for around town
• Britax Car Seat – highly recommend for when baby is 1 year old
• Bouncy Chair that vibrates (highly recommend Fisher Price Rainforest )
• Swing ( never used one, but people swear by the Fisher Price Papasan)
• Baby Bumbo chair (don’t need for first couple months)

o      Great for before they can sit up on own b/c gives them different vantage point – also great to use when feeding little babies before they graduate to high chair)

o      I got a different brand than Bumbo that I really liked – had a tray that attached with a toy that babies love

• Activity Saucer
  • Highly recommend Evenflo 3-in-1 ExerSaucer Triple Fun
  • This is for babies about 4 months up – they LOVE it
• Mobile for crib

o      Highly recommend Tiny Love Symphony or Delux Symphony in Motion

• Boppy Pillow – for breastfeeding
• Activity mat with overhanging toys (Recommend Gymini 3D or Baby Einstein- all babies love that at some point during first 6 months)
• Pack and play and sheets for it (any Graco is fine – no need for most expensive….but it is nice to have the changing table)
• Baby Einstein DVDS
  • These are priceless!  Babies love these from 2 months on.  You can buy entire boxset of 24 DVDs online for $95….or individually for $20/each
• Bathtub
  • Any of the newborn ones are fine (I liked one that fit over kitchen sink)
  • The BEST one to buy once baby outgrows first tub (around 4-5 months) is the Primo Eurobath – it’s the only one to buy!
• Leap Frog Learn & Groove Musical Table – this is for when they begin pulling themselves up on things…this is fantastic – hours and hours and hours of fun for baby
• Highchair (Peg Perego Highchair is the Mercedes of highchairs – it’s a must)

THINGS WE DIDN’T LOVE OR NEED

• Baby Bjorn – people swear by it, but we thought it was difficult to use
• Bottle Warmer – baby doesn’t know difference and if you always do room temp, they will be fine with it.
• Jumper for door way (I never used this – thought it was hard to put baby in/out)

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

• What to Expect in the First Year (great)
• Baby 411 (this is a MUST for every mom!  Includes answers at a glance to every question you will have in the first year.)
• Baby Wise, The Baby Whisperer or other sleep book

Jill’s Baby Registry List

Bathtub and accessories:

• Fisher Price Aquarium Bath http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14994793&RN=7051&
• The First Years Multi-Use Bathing Cushion (for you to kneel over big bathtub) http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15002077&RN=7052&
• Ocean Wonders Corner Cubby Bath Toy chest by Fisher Price http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14845160&RN=7052&
• Baby wash cloths (any brand) http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=115436&
• Baby towels – you can use regular towel – you will definitely receive hooded towels as gifts
• You can’t put the baby in the little tub until the umbilical cord comes off – some people get a giant sponge to rest them when you sponge bath.  Don’t bother, just make a cushion out of a bath towel.

Bottles, etc:

• I don’t know anything about breast feeding and related accessories
• I use Avent BPA free.
• Avent sterilizer – if you have the counter space, this is awesome.  Also great for traveling because it makes it easy to clean bottles even in a hotel http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14909168&RN=7065&
• You need a drying rack – there are traditional ones but the Skip Hop is more attractive
• Bottle brush (with built in nipple brush) http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14990852&

Crib and bedroom:

• Crib, dresser with changing table attachment/changing pad, some sort of rocker
• Mobile http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&sstr=mobile&RN=7018&brnd=0&color=0&limit=0&IPPSearch=40
• Bumper, dust ruffle and 1 cute sheet
• 3 – 4 Ultimate crib sheets http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14845488&
• Breathable bumper (once the baby can move, you have to take out the bumper and this is a great compromise.  You can skip the cuter plush bumper and go straight to this one if you want to be practical) http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15941456&
• 2 changing pad covers
• Baby monitor – video if it works in your apt/or some sort of digital.  The video has too much static for our apt so we have two Avent (Phillips) – one for each of the kid’s rooms… http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=monitor&go=1&
• Diaper pail and refill bags.  We used a diaper pail for Ethan but now we just use these diaper bags (multi-use for pee diapers but take out immediately for poop bags) http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15127864&
• Clothes hamper or laundry bag (suggest mesh) – we have this hanging inside the closet door because no extra room for a hamper.  Also suggest a small mesh lingerie bag for socks.

Stroller, car seat, play, travel, etc:

• Bugaboo Cameleon (NY city people – not great for burbs because it doesn’t fold, you have to take it apart) http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=bugaboo&go=1&
• Bugaboo footmuff http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&sstr=bugaboo&LIMIT=0&COLOR=0&RNT=40&BRAND=445&IPPSearch=40&
• Bugaboo sun canopy http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&sstr=bugaboo&LIMIT=0&COLOR=0&RNT=80&BRAND=445&IPPSearch=40&
• 2 Bugaboo cup holders http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14968636&
• Graco SnugRide and car seat base http://www.buybuybaby.com/StylePage.asp?order_num=-1&rn=7021&rnt=0&
• Graco attachment for Bugaboo http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14971360&
• Graco pack n play and 2 sets of sheets.  Also suggest getting a quilted sheet for extra cushion http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&sstr=pack+n+play&RN=0&brnd=329&color=0&limit=0&IPPSearch=40
• Peg Perego high chair (you won’t need this for 4 – 5 months, and can return to Buy Buy Baby until you need it, but worth registering for it)  http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&sstr=pack+n+play&RN=0&brnd=329&color=0&limit=0&IPPSearch=40
• ERGO or BabyBjorn carrier http://www.buybuybaby.com/StylePage.asp?order_num=-1&rn=7035&rnt=0&
• Bouncer (you need immediately) http://www.buybuybaby.com/stylePage.asp?order_num=-1&RN=7082
• Head rest – use in Bouncer and then later in Bugaboo when you convert from basinet to seat http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=head+rest&go=1&
• Exersaucer (you don’t need until around 5 months) http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=exersaucer&go=1&
• Mirror – crib/play http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15126566&
• Activity mat http://www.buybuybaby.com/stylePage.asp?order_num=-1&RN=7088
• Umbrella stroller – Mclaren Quest or Triumph http://www.buybuybaby.com/StylePage.asp?order_num=-1&rn=7031&rnt=0&
• 1-2 swaddle blankets – you will get more as gifts (Ethan hated being swaddled and broke out within 1 week but Sydney liked it) –  http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=swaddle+blan+ket&go=1&.  I like the Aden guaze blankets – good for swaddling and for extra warmth, stroller, protection, etc.
• Diaper bag

Stuff:

• Pampers swadlers (Diapers.com)
• Pampers sensitive wipes – get refills and one box of Huggies sensitive wipes (Huggies has a better box but Pampers makes better wipes) (Diapers.com)
• Grooming kit http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15131730&
• Dreft (Diapers.com) and Shout gel (to clean stains)
• A&D (day time ointment), Balmex (night time ointment), Aquaphor (Diapers.com)
• Alcohol and baby q-tips (to clean around umbilical cord)
• Cotton pads to clean for the first few weeks before you start using wipes
• Saline nasal spray (to use with nasal aspirator – they usually give you the nasal aspirator at the hospital)
• Thermometer
• Cloth diapers to use as burp clothes, and pee diapers (cover boys while you change them because they pee upward).  http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15010193&.  You will get nice burp clothes as gifts but can register or buy some as well http://www.buybuybaby.com/searchSKU.asp?order_num=-1&SSTR=burp+cloths&go=1&
• Musela products (register or get at Diapers.com)

o      Derma cleansing body and hair http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15097752&

o      Body lotion http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15034700&

• Face moisturizer http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15034874&

Mom readers, what baby items did you find to be incredibly useful (or useless)?

-m