REGISTERING

Seems like such a daunting task. Where do I even start??

Do I register for furniture or is that something we buy for ourselves?

Re: REGISTERING

where are you registering?
i registered for some furniture bc if it was on the registry we got points...but we already knew mil was buying it or we were going to use the completion discount ( at babies r us)

i redid the registry sooo many times online or in store.

i kinda used their cheat sheet a bit and then just kept adding or deleting

for me it was figuring out bedding then accecories that went along with it.
same with stroller.
and go from there

the big annoying ones for me were stroller/carseartetc
basinette
bouncy chair
high chair
baby moniter

everything else is pretty much just what do i like etc.

start slow....eventually it gets to be fun lol

Re: REGISTERING

i've been doing mine little by little using the Baby Bargains book, as well as by bugging a bunch of pregnant friends / coworkers and asking for advice.

I also looked through a friends' registry and copied some of her items.

Re: REGISTERING

My dad bought us furniture. Sometimes a close family member offers.

If you want me to email you my favorite baby items list (with pictures!) just fm me your email addy.

The baby bargains book is also a great way to start!

Message edited 4/24/2012 9:47:10 AM.

Re: REGISTERING

I thought my head was going to explode when we registered a few weeks ago.

We had the personal shopper at BBB go through the store with us to help us out. We had her for over two hours. I found that it helped.

Not gonna lie. This site helps me too

Re: REGISTERING

Re: REGISTERING

It is REALLY overwhelming so before you start and actually go to a store, BUY the book BABY BARGAINS... It was my bible for registering... I made myself notes and a list with each category my top item and a back up item... It made registering SOOO much easier...

You can register for furniture unless your getting it yourself... OR if your parents or DH parents are buying it for you then you dont have to register for it...

Personally I didnt register for furniture but that was because our parents bought it for us...

Theres a lot to research before you actually go to the store and start a registry because you will pull your hair out and want to cry if you go in there without a clue... Also look at check lists from BRU and BBB they were helpful... You dont have to follow it word for word, but it was a good guide...

Re: REGISTERING

do you know of anyone that has kids that can help? I went with my sister and she helped me a ton on what to register for. We didn't register for furniture because we figured we'd pick that up ourselves (and MIL offered to buy it anyway)

ETA : We registered at Buy Buy Baby, it had pretty much everything we needed and I liked how people could use the 20% coupons if not expired. I also heard their return policy was good.

Message edited 4/24/2012 10:06:35 AM.

Re: REGISTERING

I second the Baby Bargains book. Friends recommended it to me and it's been very helpful!

Re: REGISTERING

Here is my advice: If you or any of your family lives near a Buy Buy Baby, register there. You can also register at Babies R 'Us. I have a registry at both but prefer Buy Buy Baby. (I think the only other options out there are target and amazon anyway).

Now, I think you should go to each store you want to register at an open the registry first to get that out of the way. They will overwhelm you even more but handing you a lot of paperwork and advertisements. Walk around the store and look at how it is set up. Go home. Relax from the experience until you are ready to look at the paperwork. Each place gives you an essential checklist, plus the advertisement and booklets have lots of pictures, information, etc. Read through it and circle or highlight what you like or find important.

You can start to add things online or go back in person and check them out firsthand and add them via the scanner. We ended up going to each store two or three times on top of doing a lot of adding and deleting online.

I find this Buy Buy Baby checklist that they have on their website fully comprehensive and good enough if you don't want to go through all the paperwork and compile your own. (I did that anyway- and it basically led me to realizing this list was PERFECT). CHECKLIST

OK, then use that list and first cross off anything you don't want to use or don't think you'll need. Maybe you don't want to register for baby gates yet because you'll do that when they get older and you get a better idea or where you might need to put the gates. Or maybe you won't be buying baby bumpers for the sides of the crib. Start thinking about things like that and narrow the list down for yourself.

Then by looking at other peoples registries, the items in the store/pamphlets/online and using the baby bargains book... take one item at a time and decide what you want to register for. It is a lot of work and can be overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time, and one ITEM at a time. Just knock a few off the list everyday and then bam- you're done and you don't even have to worry about missing anything. You'll be covered.

To the question about what to register for, almost regarding etiquette. I say add everything. You are not telling people what to buy you. I think of my registry as an organizing tool for myself. Everything on my list is something I want to and WILL buy no matter what. So if it doesn't get purchased for the shower, I already have a list put together for what I want to run in and grab before the baby comes. I say add everything you want and try not to worry about it.

And if you have any more specific questions- post here because we are always willing to help!!

Re: REGISTERING

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I read Baby Bargains and did a lot of looking at things online before we even went to the stores. I spoke to my friends to get their opinions on certain items. Also, since DH and I were going to register with our moms and my sister, we didn't want to be too overwhelmed, so we went to the stores a beforehand to look at everything and figure out what we wanted in some of the bigger items.

Take your time with it, and do things gradually. I am always going online to update my registry.

ETA: Oh, and I did not register for furniture. My parents purchased some of it as a gift, and we paid for the rest.

Message edited 4/24/2012 11:53:56 AM.

Re: REGISTERING

My DH and I have been so busy we have literally not had a chance to go down to the local Babies R Us and register so I printed out their checklist and have been going on a little each night and adding items.

My sister just had a baby 18 months ago so I add things during the day and then she goes on at night and looks at what I added and either suggests something else or tells me its no good or not needed. She has been a big help.

Let me know if you want me to email you a copy of my registry as a checklist.

Re: REGISTERING

You can register for whatever. For us, my parents bought her furniture as a gift.



-Rock n Play Sleeper- lifesaver
-bouncy seat
-jumper
-swing
-bathrub
-towels and washclothes
-changing pad
-changing pad covers
-boppy
-boppy covers
-my brest friend if breast feeding
-playmat- love FP rain forest one
-high chair- love FP space saver since we live in an apt and need space
-diaper cream- we like Desitin and Aquaphor
-shampoo
-sleep sacks- liked Halo sleep sack with swaddle and Carter's
-Anden and Anais blankets- we loved these for swaddling.
-bibs
burp cloths
-Gerber cloth diapers are great for burp cloths
-spoons and bowls for solids
-mobile- TINY LOVE is great
-crib soother- FP rain forest one is great
-car seat- infant and convertible
-stroller- love city mini
-snap and go if you want to use with infant seat...i recommend this
-Nose Frida!!!! Highly recommend for when they have a cold. it's better then the bulb thing they give you at the hospital
-thermomenter
-humidifier
-some toys from newborn to one year old



You dont need to register for clothes and blankets..you will get a lot

Re: REGISTERING

This is how I registered:

Read Baby Bargains and highlighted/underlined which big tickets item I wanted. Then walked around BRU and BBB and looked at those big ticket items and tried them out. I pretty much narrowed the big ticket items down to 1-3 brands from Baby Bargains. I read reviews on Amazon, tried them out, and then picked.

Then I looked around at the smaller things. I must have went to BBB 5 times. I went with my husband once. My mom a few times and my sister once. I asked my SIL who had kids for her opinions. Asked people on here. Asked friends who were having babies.

At around 20 weeks I registered one day in the store with a woman who worked there who helped me. This was after I already knew the big ticket items. So it was easier.I preferred BBB. Then I would change things online.

I was addicted to this part. hahaha

Re: REGISTERING

the "Baby Bargains" book is really helpful as is looking at other people you know's online registries.

for bigger items it might be a good idea to go to store to check them out to make your decisions.

we registered in-store one night for about an hour & 1/2 & the rest I did (including changes) all online

GL!

Re: REGISTERING

I reference Baby Bargins plus with the help of friends.

I started out doing everything online. I created a wish list on BRU. Then I printed it, went to the store to check out the items then made revisiosns.

Re: REGISTERING

Message edited 4/24/2012 7:32:43 PM.