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What should be in my baby gift registry?
It's a frequent question that we hear… “What should I register for?” or “What do I really need?” First, let me start by sharing one thing we've learned over the years… there's a LOT that you don't need to register for. Expensive gadgets marketed to keep baby happy (away from you) are typically a waste of money. When it comes down to it, your baby's needs are quite simple, and are fulfilled in your loving arms and at your breast. But, there are some things that help support you in nurturing your little one, keeping them clean & healthy, and making your life a bit more convenient. Many of the below listed items are ideal as registry items, while some are things that you’ll probably want to personally buy to make sure you have them on hand!
Here is Rebecca's personal list she forwards to friends who ask her what her favorite items are:
Babywearing:
- Baby carrier - The HAVA baby sling is key for giving baby the touch they need while going about your day. In addition, the right carrier will support a great breastfeeding relationship. HAVA is my personal favorite when it comes to comfort, ease of use, and breastfeeding support. For a second carrier, consider an ERGO or Beco. We find that many Dads lean toward the HAVA Sport or ERGO Sport.
Diapering:
Honestly, it's so easy now - no dunking or bleaching, and you'll save at least $2500 per child!
- Cloth diapers - Some of my favorite diapers include FuzziBunz Elite One Size (revolutionary replaceable elastic design; great fit from newborn thru medium-sized toddler), Flip with Organic Inserts (very absorbent soaker with easy-to-use shell), Swaddlebees Econappi (luxurious pocket diaper with bamboo/cotton blend inserts), Blueberry One Size (top notch components; great fit from 10 lbs thru large toddlers) and BumGenius Elemental (convenient all-in-one with organic cotton). In general, avoid cloth diapers with Velcro - Velcro wears out quickly, while snaps hold up.
- Inserts– In addition to those that come with your diapers, register
for a few Nurtured Family Contour inserts - my favorite, and the most absorbent insert we carry!
- Laundry bags - The Blueberry Laundry Bag & Pail Liner is generously cut - perfect to line a trash pail or to hang on a door knob. Our favorite set-up is to line a simple trash pail that has a lid and foot pedal. Automatic (battery-operated) lids don't hold up due to the moisture that cloth diapers release. Go for basic!
- Wet bags -
Itzy Ritzy ‘Wet Happened?' wet bags are small, zipped totes perfect for stashing dirty diapers in your diaper bag. They're my favorite due to their adorable prints. Weehuggers Hobo wet bags are very fashionable, as well as being a practical solution for long days running errands, or travel. With two zips, you can store diapers in a clean and dirty side, if you desire. I find it handy to have both of these bags due to their different uses.
- Cloth wipes -
My favorite wipes have a terry texture, such as Kissaluvs Knit Terry wipes. Terry is great for providing enough ‘grip' to wipe solids. Also, I love Swaddlebees and Thirsties wipes because they're available in such cute colors!
- Wipes solution - Baby Bits Wipes Solution– yummy squares of homemade soap that make up your wet wipe solution.
- Wipes warmer - Prince Lionheart Warmies Cloth Wipes Warmer– it's nice to keep fussing to a minimum during diaper changes by using a warm wipe. This wipes warmer is designed specifically with cloth wipes in mind.
- Detergent – Allen's is a fantastic detergent for cloth diapering as well as your regular laundry. When you price it out, you'll find that it's very reasonable per load.
- Changing pad – take your pick! My preference is one like FuzziBunz, that you can wash along with your cloth diapers.
- Diaper bag – we've got some great styles to choose from. For cloth diapering, I'd go for a larger bag.
As a sling wearing mama, I prefer a bag that I grip with my hand, rather than one that hangs on my shoulder.
Breastfeeding:
- Nursing bras - my personal favorites are the Japanese Weekend Hug & Bella Materna Anytime. For mamas needing extra support, check out Bravado, Anita, Le Mystere or Melinda G.
- Nursing tanks – my personal favorites are Bella Materna Anytime Nursing Cami and Melinda G. Bravado is also an excellent cami for those needing extra support.
- Breast pads - I'm crazy about the LANACare wool nursing pads. I'll never go back! These are the most comfortable (don't think 'itchy sweater,' these are soft and comfortable). You should register for 2 pairs, because that's all you'll need - you'll go back and forth between the two - they just need to 'dry out' and only need to be washed every few weeks or so. Wool is naturally anti-microbial (self cleaning!) - they're the only pads that will naturally handle sour milk/sweat odors – GREAT for hot/humid summers – or for winter!
- Wool wash - not to be confused with Woolite, you'll want some Eucalan or LANACare shampoo to restore the lanolin content in your wool breast pads. The lanolin makes them ‘self-cleaning.' You will squeeze them out and air dry - no rinsing, because you want the lanolin to remain in the breast pads.
- Nursing pillow - The Bosom Baby Nursing Pillow is oh, so much more comfortable and effective than the Boppy! A big open V, Bosom Baby brings baby up to the right height for nursing. It also makes a great pregnancy pillow so mama can sleep easy.
- Breast and Nipple Pain - Motherlove Nipple Cream – what can we say? Mamas drive from far distances just for this. Better to have it on hand from the start! Earth Mama Booby Tubes offer relief for engorged breasts. They are also included in Earth Mama Angel Babies Breastfeeding Support Kit.
- Milk production support – Motherlove More Milk formulas are excellent for boosting milk production.
Linens:
Baby Care & Bath Time:
- Colic - Colic-Ease is amazing for colic, fussiness, stomach upset, teething... Usually baby is peacefully sleeping within 2 minutes. One bottle is probably all you'll need for baby.
- Stuffy noses - NoseFrida Snotsucker– what an improvement over the traditional bulbs. More comfortable for baby, and more effective!
- Bathtub - Tummy Tub & Stool– helps baby to relax during bath time, prevents baby from accidentally submerging and positions baby conveniently for bathing.
- Shampoo and soap - take your pick from natural bath products including Gaia, Burt's Bees, Lafe's & Angel Baby.
- Teethers – babies love to chew on Sophie Giraffe or the Baby Banana teether. You can't go wrong with either one!
Feeding Time:
- High chair - The Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair is a really cool design, which allows baby to sit at the table with the rest of the family. It is adjustable, so it grows with your baby – until their teen years!
- Safe Drinking Cups – There are many great options now when it comes to safe cups for your baby or toddler.
- Snack bags - Itzy Ritzy ‘Snack Happened?' washable and adorable snack bags replace zip lock bags. They're perfect to toss into your diaper bag to fill with snacks for when baby gets the munchies.
- Tableware – Many adorable options are available for tableware and lunch systems whether you and baby eat at home or on the go.
Pregnancy / Birth/ Post Partum:
- Labor and Birth Support – There are several excellent herbal remedies for labor and birth, including Start Up, Labor Prep and Contract Ease. Earth Mama Angel Baby also features a Labor Ease Kit.
- Birth Ball – The Bounce-a-Bye baby ball is great for easing the pressure of labor, and has a stabilizing base to reduce the risk of rolling.
- Post Partum Pads - Mommy's Touch Mama Pads are my favorite cloth pads. However, for a few days after birth, you will need more absorbency. If you go with disposable hospital style pads, try this tip: Before the birth, pour some witchhazel in the center of each pad and enclose your pads in a large zip lock bag in the freezer. Have these ready, so you can immediately start applying these after birth. They'll help with pain (like a mini ice pack), will help you heal, and will serve as your post partum pads. Diaper inserts, such as Nurtured Family Contours, also work great. Follow the same process, with witchhazel, in the freezer.
- Family Planning – after baby is born, the Fertile Focus Ovulation Microscope is a convenient option for tracking fertility. For many, the Birth Control Pill is no longer an option due to its abortive back-up methods. The Fertile Focus Ovulation Microscope provides a wonderful, natural alternative.
On the Go :
- Car seat - Britax car seats are top notch!
- Grocery cart cover – Buggy Baggs are luxury cart covers that truly are a step above the rest.
- Snack bags - Itzy Ritzy ‘Snack Happened?' washable and adorable snack bags replace zip lock bags. They're perfect to toss into your diaper bag to fill with snacks for when baby gets the munchies.
- Wet bags - Itzy Ritzy ‘Wet Happened?' wet bags are small, zipped totes perfect for stashing dirty diapers in your diaper bag. They're my favorite due to their adorable prints. Weehuggers Hobo wet bags are very fashionable, as well as being a practical solution for long days running errands, or travel. With two zips, you can store diapers in a clean and dirty side, if you desire. I find it handy to have both of these bags due to their different uses.
- Pacifier – Though we try to avoid using pacifiers in order to support a healthy breastfeeding relationship, we've found that the WubbaNub Infant Pacifier is handy for car rides for our sad car babies. With an adorable plush animal attached to a Soothie pacifier (the only kind our babies would take), the WubbaNub is perfect for keeping the pacifier near baby's mouth, as it lies on baby in a car seat.
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