How do you decide what to register for?

I am going to register next week and I already know I am going to be overwhelmed. How on earth do you decide on stuff??

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

I would read up on what other moms find to be 'must have' items.... check out these threads:

must haves list

must haves

And have a checklist ready wnen you go to Buy buy baby or Babies R Us.

Good luck! I did alot of research on each and every item I put on my registry. If you want to see it, FM me and I give you my registry #.

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

Before I registered I went on BRU' s website and looked up each item I wanted to register for....like stroller, carseat, swing....etc..
I looked at the reviews.

I also started a wishlist on there, which helped me alot. So, when I went to register... I pretty much new what I wanted, there were just things I wanted to see in person.

It get's a bit overwhelming, especially if it's your first child. I just kept saying, I can't believe how much stuff a little person needs...

It was fun too, so Enjoy!!!

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

Do you have Baby Bargains? If not, I highly recommend it.

I found registering to be very overwhelming. I went through Baby Bargains, looked at reviews online and asked questions here. For most of the items, especially the big ones, I narrowed down the list to a few brands. Then, I checked them out in the store. I also took Baby Bargains with me so I could go over the differences between the brands again.

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

I registered online first at BRU there you can read reviews and get the top baby registry items. I also asked around to all my mommies to see what they recommend and don't.

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

Here is my process.. and I am still in the midst of it, and even though I am trying to be incredibly organized-- I am still totally overwhelmed.

I sent an email to all my mommy friends and had them tell me what their must haves were, waste of registry space, etc. I also asked for any specific brand reccos, etc.

Based on that feedback, and the master list you get from the store you are registering, and things I have just seen along the way that I decided I wanted-- I put together a spreadsheet by category. The spreadsheet is a tool for me, where I can have the items I want, and I can still research brands, etc. So, I have a few columns: item, brand reccos, registry location/store, couponable (for BBB). This will also help when someone wants to buy a big ticket item and we can tell them they can get 20% off.

So, now I am in the process of filling in the brand recco column-- although, I have added the basic items to our registry just to get started. I also italicized all the "must have asap" items, so at a glance, I can see what really needs to be purchased (I am not havng a shower).

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

I just got the Baby Bargains book and will start looking through that. My sister just had a baby last year and will be helping me with my registry.

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

I registered with the must have items.

BRU has a check-list.

We registered for what we needed/wanted. Not really knowing completely everything.

I changed my registry so many times as I went along in the pregnancy.

I read more reviews online, asked questions on the PG and parenting board.

I was able to refine my registry as the months went by. The carseat, the best crib for us, diaper bag, etc.

In the end, I must have changed it 5 times by the time of the final version.

It is very overwhelming. I found that using the registry 1st as "check list" really helped us with what "actual items/brand" were needed. Not necessary what was chosen first.

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

well it is quite an overwhelming task! atleast when you did a bridal registry, you picked stuff based on personal opinion..
with baby registering, omg it's apples and oranges! its not just about fashion- its more about function and safety..

before i went i did a little research here on lif.. i asked a few questions on the parenting boards... and then i just registered.
when i got home i looked online at what i registered for and looked through the reviews (babies r us) and if there were more negative comments then positive ones, i opted for other brands...

you will def. need to make more than one trip. i think the best thing to do is first register fro the big ticket items like the stroller, carseat, monitors, bedding, play pen high chair... go home and look up the items and make sure u like them and they receive a handful of positve reviews
and then do the little things like bottles, washclothes, onesies etc on another trip.

i just recently bought the baby bargains book and i think it will come in handy for u too!!

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

BABY BARGAINS!! and reviews on websites

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

buy the book Baby Bargains!!!!!!!!! it's a must!!!!!!!!!!

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

I guess I have to get Baby Bargains! I will check Amazon for that. I loved the idea of sending out an email and asking other recent mommies.

It is so daunting because I want to get the BEST for my baby!

Thanks ladies! I am sure I will have more Qs as the months progress!

Re: How do you decide what to register for?

I started online registries very early on (after ultrascreen). I used BRU and amazon customer reviews as the basis of my initial selections....

then I read baby bargains chapter by chapter.

over time, virtually EVERYTHING was switched on my registries.... numerous times! carseats, mattress, even down to the pacifier!

I personally advise AGAINST going to BRU with a gun and simply registering with items in the shop. the store has a very small selection relative to something like amazon, and you won't have customer reviews to refer to while making decisions.... (I also endorse having an amazon registry... can't beat the selection, speed of delivery, free shipping, or the thank you list)

In the end, I had 65% on my amazon registry, and 35% on BRU.... most items I preferred were not available on BRU's site at all (Stroller, carseat, mattress, furniture, highchair). Some were, but were 30% more in price (monitor, diaper bag)! also, some stuff (ex. evenflo glass bottle 6pk) seemed available online, but lo and behold, there was no stock in any BRU store, so we never got them!

HTH!

Re: How do you decide what to register for?