Hello lovelies! I'm 21 weeks pregnant, and I haven't been able to stop mentally preparing for this little baby that will be entering our family in just a few short months. One of the ways that I'm preparing? Making a list of everything we need for baby #2! The easiest way for me to do this is by making an actual registry so I can find specific products that I research and love. Baby registries are handy for many reasons - another common use is for a baby shower. It's a great guide for your guests to be able to see the items you really need so you don't end up 15 pairs of adorable baby booties and soft blankets and no diapers, changing pads, traveling items, etc.
I'm currently in the process of creating my baby registry, and I've been doing research on various products. I wanted to put a simple sample registry for someone preparing for their first baby as a guide, write down some of my recommendations for registries to use, and some of my tips for finding baby items cheaper. I am planning to use Babylist for this registry - it's a registry site that I heard about listing to a Coffee + Crumbs podcast a while ago, and it sounded really interesting. It basically works with all other common registry sites (Amazon, Target, BuyBuyBaby, etc.) and finds the cheapest items if they are available through other stores. That may sound a little confusing - I will include some photos of my registry so you can see what I'm referring to!
This is a sample photo from my registry. Babylist is a little confusing at first - the best way to use it is to add their bookmark "Add to Babylist" (when you set up a registry, it shows you how to do all of this!) Then, you can find products on Amazon or Target and it takes one click to add it to your registry on Babylist! When guests click to buy a product, it takes them to the Amazon website or Target so they can pick it up in store or buy online like they normally would. (Disclaimer - trust me, I am not sponsored by Babylist lol! I wish! I just have really enjoyed making my registry with the easy to use and attractive layout)
If you are having your first baby or you are considering having a baby, I wanted to include a list of the basics - what you really NEED when you bring home your little one. Babies don't need a million things - honestly, you could get by with some diapers, wipes, a carseat, and blankets when you bring home a newborn. (Not what I recommend if you want to make your life easier, but that just goes to show that it's really not as complicated as it may seem to prepare for baby!)
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| The reason I put an asterisk next to clothing? Honestly, clothing is pretty self-explanatory and it's all based on where you live! Warmer or cooler climate? You will probably slowly accumulate enough clothing during your pregnancy from gifts and just finding things yourself. A blend of short and long sleeve onesies and soft pants, zip-up PJ's, and blankets is what you really want to look for. My suggestion? Don't buy the newborn jeans. They like to be comfortable!
It may look like a lot, but if you are having a baby shower, family and friends love to help with baby items. If you aren't having a shower and are looking to really save money and be creative when looking for baby items - you can do it! For "gear" (baby swings or bouncers, carriers, strollers, cribs, all the expensive stuff!) check on Facebook Marketplace for gently used items - many people sell their old fear for cheap and it's only been used for a month or two! Just tick things off as you go throughout your pregnancy - every month, buy a few things. High chairs aren't a newborn necessity - they often don't use a high chair until they're around 6 months old.
I hope this was helpful to someone who is registering for their first baby, or even their second. (I'm working on a second baby registry and it's tough - I feel like I should have everything for this little one, but we donated and sold many of our items from when Ben was a newborn! Gah!) This whole pregnancy thing is one wild, crazy, and sometimes really frustrating ride - make yourself something warm or refreshing to drink, sit and curl up with a blanket, click away and let yourself get pumped for this new baby!
Love,
Megan
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