Let's Talk About Creating a Shower Registry

by Sara Denomme | More from this Blogger

Okay let's get real here - a lot of the things that parents-to-be get at their baby showers are essentially useless, or for Someone Else. Case in point: A kiddie potty. I got this at my second baby shower, even though it was NOT on my register. That one went back to the store, and I'll tell you why. In the immediacy of your baby's first few months, diapers will trump many of the fancy gadgets that are on the market now. Yes, potties are certainly useful when the time comes, but the average for potty learning is about three years. Besides, they are two dollars at a garage sale, so consider taking back the brand new one and buying yourself whatever Mr. and Mrs. Potty Buyer should have got you off of your registry. Clothes, blankets, et cetera are grown out of so quickly that if you get a bunch of 0-3 month clothing, you may not even get to use it all in time. So rethink your list and check out what is on My Dream Baby Shower Registry:

A life-long crib - There are cribs on the market now that will grow with your child, from a co-sleeper that can side-car your bed, to a toddler bed, to a twin day-bed and beyond. If you have a rich aunt or a group of eager relatives, this is what they can all chip in together to get you. An organic crib-mattress would be the icing on this proverbial cake.

A car-seat - The choice of brand and style is yours, but having one is a must for any family that intends to transport baby in a vehicle. I personally decided on using a convertible car seat, for both economical and standard reasons. The seat I chose is highly-rated as far as safety and quality, and I don't like hauling baby around in a bulky bucket seat. Instead, I prefer to use...

A Mei Tai Baby Carrier - These are only available custom-made online. Sure, you can register for Baby Bjorns or other carriers that are found in stores. But those are actually not recommended for infants, and the Mei Tai can be used from birth until four years old! This would be at the top of this list if I didn't need the other two things slightly more. I did not have one when my first daughter was an infant, and I honestly do not remember how I survived without it. Life must have been impossible, but somehow I made it. If someone you know is willing to make an online purchase, pass this task onto them.

Diapers - Everyone needs them, they are expensive, and you always run out at the least-opportune time. Wouldn't it be nice to know that you have an emergency stash of them in the closet? Remember to register for several sizes! I use cloth diapers, so I registered for a large stash of them online, but I didn't get it. That would have been the ultimate gift for me, aside from the Mei Tai (which thankfully I did get). Unfortunately, they are also only available online, and maybe specialty stores. Plus there are many types, so are hard to shop for. So I bought them myself.

All-natural baby items - Did you know that most popular brands of baby wash and shampoo have so many different chemicals in them that they can actually be harmful to delicate baby skin? I tell people that if they are going to get me baby items, they have less than ten ingredients and they need to be able to pronounce them!

Wooden baby toys and teethers - I sincerely believe that most plastic toys are toxic, especially to babies that are constantly chewing and gumming their things. Couple this with the fact that plastic things will outlive all of us in the garbage dumps, and wooden toys will always be a hit with me.

A gift certificate for nursing clothing - you can never have too many nice nursing shirts. And finding the best fitting nursing bra can be essential to successful nursing.

A week's worth of ready-made meals - Because you really won't feel like cooking after baby is born! There are storefronts such as My Girlfriend's Kitchen that you can purchase homemade food from.

Crib shoes - Babies of course do not walk for many months, but their feet do get cold! My favorite baby shoes are those called "crib shoes" and are leather-soled. These shoes fit baby's feet comfortably instead of shaping feet to fit them.

Homeopathic kit - Most people get the standard wellness kit at their shower. You know, the one with the thermometer and the medicine dropper, etc. Fortunately, my children were and are very healthy and I haven't had to use the dropper much. However, they have been under the weather a few times and for those times I like to reach for my homeopathics. They are all-natural, safe and gentle on even the youngest babe, unlike the chemicals found in most medicines.

A final thought: If I got all the things on this list, I would be a happy camper. But sadly, some people go astray from the registry. So here's my big tip: Keep it short and sweet. Don't register for "filler items", and you're more likely to get what you really want. I ask myself this question: If your baby was stranded on an island, what would he or she need to survive? Mommy, check. Breastmilk, check. Blankets, check. Cloth diapers, check. The rest is optional.

Related articles:

Researching Baby Gear

The Blessingway

Tips for Saving Money on Baby Gear and Budgeting For Baby

Learn more about Sara Denomme

Sara will be blogging on topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and perhaps even beyond. She is a young mother to two daughters - RayeAnne who is five, and Arwen who is brand new.

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