Registry help needed!!

[Ms B]

DH and I are very excited that we were selected to adopt our beautiful DS and that we got home today from his birth state. However, because we had 24 hours' notice before taking custody (literally), we did not have any baby showers in advance and, in fact, did only minimal shopping to prepare for the situation.

I have been lurking and occasionally posting on this board for the last year and with everyone's help, we bought our Chicco Keyfit, a BJCM 2011 model and a Phil & Ted Traveller. (BTW, the Traveller rocks -- we could not have gotten through the last week without it.) We snagged a Snap 'n' Go while we were out of town. We also have about a half dozen Dr. Brown's bottles (and they are working great), a couple diaper bags handed down from a friend (one backpack style and one that looks like a laptop case), and some sleepers, etc. that we bought to have on hand.

After hearing from friends and family, it sounds like we will be having a couple showers; everyone is asking where we are registered. As you might imagine, we have a lot to do in terms of taking care of DS and getting the house set up for him. I am hoping that the great group on this board can help with the registry issue (and the other issues that I am sure will come up down the road).

Where should we register? Is it overkill to register both at a bricks and mortar store and on Amazon (or some other site)? Does that make sense with both families out of town?

And what do we really need? For example, how many bottles and of what size/s? DS already is into 3 month clothes (he was born over 9 lbs.), so should we register for 6 month clothes? How many blankets is too many? What about burp cloths? Is it excessive to get another diaper bag? Is there something that you did not register for that you wish you had listed or something that you did register for and then found that you totally did not use it?

Help!!

[wellyes]

Congratulations! Wow!!!

Good things for the registry:
diaper pail
baby gym (for tummy time and learning to roll over)
bouncy seats - one for each floor (so you can put him down to go to the bathroom!)
jumperoo
exersaucer
Ergo baby carrier
6-8 4 oz bottles
6-8 8 oz bottles

[JBaxter]

I used cloth diapers as burp cloths ( dozen gerber worked)
Humidifier
3-6 6 and 6-9 month clothes
Halo sleep sacks
swaddling blankets
sound machine
swing

I would skip asking for 4 oz bottles all my babies were 9lbers and were drinking 6oz+ by 8 weeks old

[JustMe]

Congratulations! Dd was 11 months old when she came home (and I had 3 days notice which included needing to get to another country) so I dont have any newborn advice. I focused on the carseat, diapers, and food!

[zag95]

First of all- congratulations! It is very exciting that you have your new bundle of joy!!

I would register at both a brick and morter (probably BRU), as well as amazon.com.

Here are some ideas for registering:

Diapers (register for current size, as well as next sizes- at both places)

Formula

Clothing (I'd register for larger sizes- 6 mo, 9 mo, 12 mo, 18 mo-) you could do a carter's set of colored onsies and 2 pant pack, for each size. Also do a several one piece outfits; sleepers (in either cotton or fleece) depending on your climate area, would be great! You may want to consider socks for when your dc is older (I didn't like them at the really little stage because they always fell off- that's why those one piece sleepers are so great!)

Blankets- I'd get the largest swaddling blankets you can find (some of the popular brands, Carters, Koala Baby, aren't very big- I've heard people on here talk about the Anais blankets!) Some of the fleece Koala Baby and Carter's blankets are so cute- we got a lot of different blankets and keep one in each car, for snuggling in the car seat. Another thing that we used a lot were the Halo cotton sleepsacks- I had 1-2 in each size- they worked better when our dd was moving around! I'd probably do one pack of receiving blankets and a couple of fleecy or heavy cotton ones.

For burp clothes, I'd get cloth diapers- they cover more area than traditional "burp" clothes! Also get some pads to on the changing table (like flannel pads or all purpose pads that are waterproof)- helpful to just toss if it gets poopy or wet, rather than changing the entire changing pad. I loved Ultimate crib sheets (I have 2) which go over the regular sheet (they snap on around rails of the crib). Some don't like them- I loved them, esp when my dd had diaper rash and needed to air out her bottom! They hold a ton of fluid- bonus- they are great on the bed when potty training! We had 2-3 crib sheets, 2 mattress pads, 2 ult crib sheets. Probably overkill, but some kids are leakers!

I'd do some bibs- love the bumkins, and if you can find it- a kiddomopotomas bib and dining mat- super easy to clean and great for going out!

I'd do some baby items: vaporizer, thermometer, saline, gripe water/mylicon, acetametaphin/motrin (depending on docs recs and your dc's age) for winter cold season.

Sounds like you are pretty set on strollers. You could register for a convertible car seat (like a Britax)- some babies hate the little bucket- we moved DD to her convertible when she was about 7-8 mos- and she rearfaced until about 18 mos. A soft carrier might also be nice- we used a bjorn, but if I were doing it again, I'd look at the Ergo, Beco or Boba carriers, that go higher on weight limits and have back support. A pack n play is also nice- we used ours a lot for beach trips or when traveling to visit relatives. High chair- we had a Fisher price healthy care- but you could get the adjustable fisher price booster (that attaches to a kitchen chair (I think they are around 25 each)- so easy to clean- just a a couple of wipes and you are done. Baby won't need a chair for a few more months until they can sit up.....
Things like bouncers, exersaucers and swings are easily found on CL or at consignment sales for reasonable prices. I would probably search there- we used a great Fisher price bouncer that converts to a rocker for the child when they get older. Goes to 40 lbs- which is great if you have a big baby.

For fun things, I'd do a few books, some little play toys. Maybe a calendar or baby book to record memories. A playmat is something else you can score used, as it is a short term use item. We still listen to our Rainforest soother (it is attached to our big girl bed headboard)- has been listened to since Jan of 08!

HTH!

[JBaxter]

gripe water IMO worked better than mylocon for us.
6 blankets should do you
1's or 2's diapers
Triple paste works great for diaper rash

Dont know your climate but a nice fleece bunting will be needed Cover for the infant car seat for winter

[chozen]

high chair the ones that recline are awesome.
diapers sz. 1,2 &3
crib sheets
bibs
i would register for 6-9 mo. clothing & 9-12 mo.
cloth diapers for burping are great.
onesies different sizes.
wipes lots.
butt paste (or the like)
baby wash clothes
hooded bath towels
night light for you,when you get up during the night.
baby bodywash ( we use california baby)
baby lotion

[mackmama]

Congratulations!! How exciting! Our DC is now 8mo, and here are the things we have found most helpful from our registry:

-Graco pack n play (we like the one with attached bassinet)
-crib and crib mattress
-contoured changing pad
-crib sheets (3)
-Aden & Anais blankets (useful as swaddle, blanket, nursing cover, etc) (3)
-Halo sleepsack/swaddle combo (3)
-sleeper pajamas (we like the ones with zippers, not snaps) (5)
-socks (We like Hanna Andersson "My Best Ever First Socks" the best since they don't fall off) (3)
-hats (3)
-front carrier (ergo)
-boppy pillow
-bibs (5)
-high chair
-baby plate and spoon set (Beaba)
-Gerber baby wash cloths (4)
-baby first aid kit (thermometer, nasal asperator, etc)
-teethers (Sophie the giraffe)
-baby video monitor (we like Summer Infant)
-crib soother (we like Fisher Price Peekaboo Waterfall)
-crib mobile (we like Tiny Love)
-bouncy seat
-jumperoo (we like Fisher Price Rainforest)
-baby swing (we like Fisher Price Little Lamb)
-play mat (we like Tiny Love Super Deluxe Lights and Music Gymini Activity Gym)
-California Baby Super Sensitive Lotion
-California Baby Super Sensitive BodyWash
-Baby bath tub (We like The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn-to-Toddler Tub or the Primo Eurobath)
-Baby books (we like author Sandra Boynton)
-Music table (I've read great things about LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table)
-JJCole BundleMe for stroller

If it helps, our favorite diapers are Pampers Swaddlers without Drymax or Pampers Sensitive Diapers (also without DryMax). Our favorite diaper rash cream is Triple Paste if there is a rash. Our favorite diaper rash prevention cream is Aquaphor. Our favorite wipes are Huggies Sensitive Baby Wipes (they are large, thick, and not overly wet).

[Uno-Mom]

Oh WOW! How excellent. Congratulations!!!

I would not register for clothes - trust me, people will buy them for you whether you register for them or not, and then you'll end up with too many clothes!

I always beg my new-parent friends to try baby wearing, since it's been such a blessing for me and DH. For an adoptive parent, I would recommend it even more strongly. It is so special for bonding - both for you and your son.

However, not sure I'd suggest registering for a baby carrier/sling/wrap. It's so much better to find an independent store that specializes in this and try out various styles. But if you do register, the Ergo is extremely flexible and easy to use. It's not the awesomest for newborns, though. If you do use babywearing a LOT (like, around the house) during the first few months, you might like a wrap better since it's less bulky. That's what I'm gonna do next time!

Well you didn't ask for a dissertation on babywearing, so I'll stop. Enjoy your little boy!

[AnnieW625]

Congratulations! You have gotten lots of good suggestions here so far.

Another fan of Gerber Premium cloth diapers for burp cloths, we use them for everything.

Love Gerber Bunches of Bowls; we still use these for snacks for my 5 yr. old.

Diaper wise I would just try a couple of different brands and see what works. Both of my girls have been fine in Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, Kirkland diapers from Costco, 7th Generation, and currently Huggies Snug & Dry for DD2.

Bottle wise we used Avent, Dr. Browns, and Playtex Drop Ins. Avent worked best for DD1, but Playtex worked best for controlling DD2's spit up due to reflux.

We would've been lost without our Pack N Play. The bassinet and diaper changing station were great, ours was only $99 so not the super big one, but not the super small one. The Chicco Play Yard is also really nice, has more padding, but it is bigger than the PNP.

We loved the Nap Nanny with DD2, it was the only place she would sleep for more than 45 minutes during the day. Not cheap, but a total life saver (DD2 had pretty bad reflux). I would look for this on craigslist.

If you do look for baby carriers I really loved my Beco carrier vs. the Ergo (which hurt my back). I never tried a ring sling or a Moby wrap because the soft structured carrier was more of what my comfort level was, but I know lots of moms who love those for new infants. I started using my Beco with DD1 at 18 months, but with DD2 I started using it when she was maybe 3 weeks old.

Diaper cream wise nothing beats Butt Paste.

I don't care for California Baby, but found that Yes! To Carrots is a great and much cheaper alternative. The Sesame Street All Natural Baby Wash from Target is also nice.

I also love the Aden and Anais blankets, we got the original ones from Amazon.

For the crib I really like the plain cotton gingham sheets from Pottery Barn Kids, and these organic cotton jersey sheets from TL Care, which I believe are only available at BRUS.

Nothing beats Carters, and Baby Gap for layette.