Another question for BTDT mom's..

we're thinking of going to BBB and BRU today to start scoping things out

my question is.. how on earth do you know what you will need, and what options are the best to look for?

i'm getting myself all worked up thinking about cribs and car seats etc - how am i supposed to know what options and features are useful and must have's if i've never done this before??
It seems to me most items have features that are basic and common throughout, but then also have other options that i wouldn't know if i need or not until i actually have the baby and are trying to use the item.

I hate to buy stuff and then when actually using it, wish i'd bought a different version with other options..

Any thoughts on how to navigate our way through this for 2 clueless parents to be?

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

The "baby Bargains" book REALLY helped me understand everything I was looking at.
Best $11 I have spent so far in this journey.

Good Luck

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

I am not a BTDT mom, but when creating my registry I found baby bargins and consumer reports REALLY helpful. Especially for things like car seats, high chairs, cribs ..the big things. For the "entertainment" portion, lol ...the jumpers, bouncers swings, etc I got a lot of feedback from BTDT moms here, and when I registered I went with my BFF who just had a baby.
Every baby is different so your baby may hate the swing and love the bouncer. Two pieces of advice, one save ALL boxes, if you need to sell things on craigs or ebay, thing new in boxes get much more $$$. Two, do not open anything until you need it.

If you want you can check out my registries for some ideas. Although I have so it will be double what you need

It is REALLY easy to get overwhelmed and get sucked into OMG i need every toy, book, bathtub out there. Take it in parts, go once for big things, once for smaller and I did A LOT online.

Oh, I also found amazon reviews GREAT.

Hope some of my babbles helped.

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

I went to.the stores and wrote down in a book what items I liked. Crib, car seat, stroller, etc... I also tested them out. Then compared with consumer reports. Then would check reviews on as many websites I could find. It was a long process. But glad I did.

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

ITA with baby bargains. also look at other people's registries.

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

I read consumers reports and baby bargians, and made a list of what I would need for the 1st 6months or so. It's not as overwhelming that way and I NEVER looked at the suggested registry the stores give. It's just to overwhelming. Make your own list and follow it. I also looked at other registries and asked other BTDT mom's.

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

Are you friends with or related to a mommy? I took my mother and cousin (who was a mom of 3 under 4!) with me to register and left DH home.

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

All my mommy friends are out of state.. but i've sent them an email asking for their recommendations, and at everyone's suggestions we're getting the Baby Bargains book

We went to BRU yesterday and it was totally overwhelming.. but fun at the same time!

Good suggestions to look at other people's registries too.. i've also saved a few threads where people here recommended some stuff

thanks everyone!!

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

I asked all my friends that were mommies what they couldn't live without, loved, liked, hated. Other than that I looked into other peoples registries adn also went to the store and tested things out and did research online. I tried not to drive myself to crazy and honestly there was a lot that I returned after the baby was born because I had not use for it. For example...my son hated being swaddled...so I returned all the Swaddle Me's. We got a bottle warmer that we ended up retirning because the Playtex drop-in's worked best with Ds.

Unfortunately you'll find with all the research you do a lot of it is trial and error.

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..

they give you a list outlining what people usually put on their registry.
i think its good to go a few times and start to narrow down what you want.
try things out, pick things up, move strollers around.
i did have the baby bargins book it helped somewhat but btdt moms have also helped(,my mom and sister). its also preference too. just bc every mom on here has it doesnt mean that you have to have it.
it can be overwhelming!!
bbb offers water-take it. and take a break on the rocking chairs!!

Re: Another question for BTDT mom's..