So Jeff and I are not quite ready to take the plunge and register just yet. We are thinking sometime in February is safe, maybe even March. I just need to see when save the dates go out for my shower.
Until then I have started doing A LOT of research online as far as the really important things like car seats, bottles, breast pumps, etc. The little things are easy for me...because I know EXACTLY what I want. That is the great part about having babies late in life I guess. I have spent the past 12 years buying gifts for all of my friends that I know this market like the back of my hand, well at least the aesthetics. I also have always wanted to open up a baby boutique so I learned while looking through websites when I did my business plan. But when it comes to the "real" baby stuff, like bottles, pacis, car seats, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing.
The stores we are looking at registering in are:
- Babies R Us (Nationwide/Online) - For the important staples....Bottles, Pacis, Breast Pump, Co-sleeper, Car seats, diapers, toiletries, basics.
- Hazel Baby (Jersey City) - Baby Clothes, Accessories & Must-Haves
- Land of Nod (Online) - Baby Toys, Bedroom Accents & Swaddlers
- Restoration Hardware (Nationwide/Online) - Cute Stuff
- Serena & Lily (Online) - For Bedding & Bedroom Accents
The stores we are looking at for furniture are:
- Pottery Barn Kids - Crib & Dresser/Changer (& possibly a glider)
- Restoration Hardware - Glider
- Bellini Baby - Crib & Dresser/Changer
THE LISTS (so far...this is NOT my complete list, that would take up too much space):
Once I actually test drive all of these things I will actually be able to give my honest reviews to hopefully help other mommies weed through all of the crap that is out there, it's endless!
FEEDING
Bottles - Tommee Tippee, Closer to Nature (the real boob shaped nipples). Switching from breast to bottle is really important to me since I want to breastfeed exclusively for as long as I can. I chose Tommee Tippee over the Avent Natural ones because I have read about how Avent leaks and also if you forget to put on the gasket on Avent then milk will be all over baby. I'm sorry but I don't need one more step....this all seems so overwhelming as it is.
Breast Pump - Medela Freestyle Handsfree Electric Breast Pump(With all the goods! Since I have to go back to work I'll need all the travel stuff, can't skimp out.)
Storage - Lansinoh Storage Bags, apparently they can stack best in the freezer.
Boobie Care - People may laugh and guys may think it's funny but sore and painful nips are NO JOKING MATTER!! I would compare it to if a man took a tiny blow torch to his nipples & then squeeze lemon juice on them. Here is my list that I'm registering for:
Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads: Gel pads that cool on contact for instant relief),
Medela Contact Nipple shield: I may not use them. If baby latches okay then there is no reason for it but I might as well have one just in case.
Medela SoftShells: To help treat and heal sore nips.
Bamboobies: Ultra thin organic cotton nursing pads. These are actually known among moms as the Maserati of nursing pads.
Lansinoh Lanolin Breast Cream: Soothes, heals & protects sore/cracked nips. Since the cream is safe for baby you don't have to wipe it off.
Breast Milk Tests - Milk Screen Alcohol Test Strips...you bet your ass I need these. After 10 months of not drinking, Mommy needs her special medicine!! Bring it on!!
Feeding/ Nursing Pillows - Boppy & JJ Cole Feeding & Nursing Pillow
Burp Cloths - Gerber Cloth Diapers
Bibs - Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Milk Feeding Bibs beacuse they have a super absorbent collar....I can see that helping, we don't want baby getting an itchy or chapped neck.
NURSERY STUFF
Baby Monitor - Motorola
Humidifier - Crane
Fan - Hunter (vintage school look)
Room Thermometer - Gro-Egg, it lets you know by color if the room is too warm (red), too cool (blue) or just right (yellow).
Night Light - Cloud B Twilight Ladybug in Purple or Pink if they have it
Sound Machine - Cloud B Sleep Sheep Plush
Odor Free Diaper Pail - Diaper Genie by Platex
Warm and Cool Weather Blankies - Aden + Anais & Cuddle Me Softly
RANDOM ESSENTIALS:
Swaddlers/Blankets - Aden & Anais
Toys - WubbaNub Soothie (paci with an animal attached, great to place on baby so the paci doesn't pop out), Sophie The Giraffe, Chan Pie Gnons
Portable Sound Machine - "Sleep Sheep" Cloud B On-The-Go Travel size Plush Sound Machine
Pacis (Newborn) - Philips Avent Soothie (Non-angled nipple with no hole) & Gumdrops. It has been proven that angled nipples encourage poor latching. Poor latching can be very painful which is a main reason many women give up breastfeeding. Also I want to make sure there is no hole in the nipple as it won't hold onto bacteria. Pacis with a hole/air pocket won't be sterile even if you sterilize it, the air pocket can hold onto contamination.
Diaper Caddy - JJ Cole, at your fingertips accessibility is going to be key. Why fumble for what we need? By keeping a caddy stocked up and ready you can grab it and go or keep it in the livingroom.
Bath Tub - Puj , we are VERY limited on space so decioded to go with a more sleek version that can easily be tucked away and used in almost any sink.
A Journal & Pen - I always love documenting and what better way then a journal to keep track of nursing/feeding, sleeping & whatever else you need to remember. Make memories!
GEAR
Car Seat (Infant) - Deciding between Graco SnugRide, Chicco KeyFit & Britax B-Safe
Convertible Car Seat (Non-infant) - Britax Marathon Convertible, not sure exactly which one yet. I have been told by ALL my mommy friends to register for the next step up from the infant seat as well (this size).
Bassinet - Arm's Reach Mini Classic Co-Sleeper
Stroller - Baby Jogger City Mini or a BOB Revolution SE. I really want to be able to run with the baby and the City Mini isn't made for that (even though it's called a "Jogger")....VERY MISLEADING. We have limited space so we do not have the luxury of having 3 different strollers. I'm leaning towards the BOB.
Swing - Probably the Graco Sweet Peace Infant Soothing Swing or the Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Swing, I think getting a swing might be a better option to a bouncer. I hear swings cane be used longer then the bouncers and since we are in an apartment we can't get ALL the gear! With the Graco you can actually click in a Graco carseat, which is nice if we end up getting that one. Althought the Fisher_price is a best seller, the Graco got better reviews.
Baby Carrier - We'll probably get one of the more structured ones as well as a wrap. Still deciding on the brands. For the structured I'm leaning towards the Ergo or Infantino. Add a comment »
