Overwhelmed by registry?

[Mrs Dragonfly]

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed when making their baby registry? We had loads of fun in the store and added a few things but I mostly giggled and was in awe of the adorable things. But while looking online through reviews of carseats, diaper bags and strollers my head starts to spin How on earth are you supposed to pick these things?

 

[UnderPressure]

Beats me. I'm
Overwhelmed just thinking about stuff, but never overwhelmed thinking about taking care of little mister

 

[wannabemama24]

Oh I didn't even bother with a registry. I literally just asked people to bring gift receipts because my DW and I were way too overwhelmed trying to put together the registry.

 

[RaspberryK]

We don't do a registery in the UK as we don't tend to have baby showers.
Parents and certain people will often offer to buy a large item for your first so the in laws got us the travel system, and my parents got the cot and dresser.
Anything else other than few hand me downs and presents (usually clothes) after birth is down to us.
I would make a list of absolute essentials for each stage, for example high chairs can be left for 6 months.
And then things that you'd like.
Then research each item, look for sales.
Decide if you want it to be able to fold, be gender neutral for re use, what you think age gaps of your children might be so you can decide if you want your pram/travel system to convert to a double for a small age gap. If you will be buying car seats that do all stages or a new one for each stage. Think about extended rear facing and what cars you have to pick the best seat.
Xx

 

[AMB1216]

I'm mostly overwhelmed by the fact that we probably won't get most of what we need that i registered and will have to buy it ourselves. I foresee us getting clothes and diapers.
I mean I'm appreciative but we need things like a bouncer and swing and a carseat and if we have to buy all of that big stuff I dk if we'll be able to afford it. I wish people thought about "what does a baby need" and not just "Oh lets get them a cute outfit" I'm sure my mom and grandparents will help us if it comes to that but it just sucks.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

We've been blessed enough to find preloved items that people have either given or we've bought at used stores. The biggest purchase we'll have to make other than mountains of diapers will be the stroller and car seat, the options are scary.

DH is completely set on the BOB stroller, and although I love it the price makes me want to faint. Add the infant car seat and car seat adapter and the price gets jumpy.

Things pull through and I know it'll all come together. It is helpful separating what's really needed and what can be held off for later or you don't *really* need.

 

[mandaa1220]

I'm mostly overwhelmed by the fact that we probably won't get most of what we need that i registered and will have to buy it ourselves. I foresee us getting clothes and diapers.
I mean I'm appreciative but we need things like a bouncer and swing and a carseat and if we have to buy all of that big stuff I dk if we'll be able to afford it. I wish people thought about "what does a baby need" and not just "Oh lets get them a cute outfit" I'm sure my mom and grandparents will help us if it comes to that but it just sucks.

A lot of people can't afford the huge items that are on the registry and find it more affordable to purchase clothes, diapers, etc. It's still helpful and the mere fact that they purchased items for your baby is incredibly generous. I'm sorry, but I just felt that your response was a little ungrateful for things that people will buy you. The ideas of showers and registries are a little crazy, the idea that someone has to purchase you an item off your list and it can't come from the heart. I'm saying that and have a registry, knowing that many people will purchase me clothes and diapers too. I completely understand the preference to have them put money towards something more useful, but keep in mind that you can also try to return items for store credit as well to put towards bigger items.

I understand that babies are expensive, but you go into it with an idea of the cost of everything. You can always purchase second hand items for much cheaper as well, if you don't get certain items you want from your registry. I in no way intend to be rude in my response, I just hope that you go into a shower with the thought of everyone celebrating you and your baby, rather than the need to get the big items off your list.

 

[AMB1216]

I'm mostly overwhelmed by the fact that we probably won't get most of what we need that i registered and will have to buy it ourselves. I foresee us getting clothes and diapers.
I mean I'm appreciative but we need things like a bouncer and swing and a carseat and if we have to buy all of that big stuff I dk if we'll be able to afford it. I wish people thought about "what does a baby need" and not just "Oh lets get them a cute outfit" I'm sure my mom and grandparents will help us if it comes to that but it just sucks.

A lot of people can't afford the huge items that are on the registry and find it more affordable to purchase clothes, diapers, etc. It's still helpful and the mere fact that they purchased items for your baby is incredibly generous. I'm sorry, but I just felt that your response was a little ungrateful for things that people will buy you. The ideas of showers and registries are a little crazy, the idea that someone has to purchase you an item off your list and it can't come from the heart. I'm saying that and have a registry, knowing that many people will purchase me clothes and diapers too. I completely understand the preference to have them put money towards something more useful, but keep in mind that you can also try to return items for store credit as well to put towards bigger items.

I understand that babies are expensive, but you go into it with an idea of the cost of everything. You can always purchase second hand items for much cheaper as well, if you don't get certain items you want from your registry. I in no way intend to be rude in my response, I just hope that you go into a shower with the thought of everyone celebrating you and your baby, rather than the need to get the big items off your list.

That's not the way I meant it to come across, I just meant I'm more overwhelmed by us possibly having to buy most of the expensive things ourselves. I'm of course grateful for people even thinking about getting us gifts and celebrating our child but I also live in a small town where our biggest store is walmart and their baby section is the worst. So it is a little concerning if we have to try to find the bigger things around here.

 

[mandaa1220]

I'm mostly overwhelmed by the fact that we probably won't get most of what we need that i registered and will have to buy it ourselves. I foresee us getting clothes and diapers.
I mean I'm appreciative but we need things like a bouncer and swing and a carseat and if we have to buy all of that big stuff I dk if we'll be able to afford it. I wish people thought about "what does a baby need" and not just "Oh lets get them a cute outfit" I'm sure my mom and grandparents will help us if it comes to that but it just sucks.

A lot of people can't afford the huge items that are on the registry and find it more affordable to purchase clothes, diapers, etc. It's still helpful and the mere fact that they purchased items for your baby is incredibly generous. I'm sorry, but I just felt that your response was a little ungrateful for things that people will buy you. The ideas of showers and registries are a little crazy, the idea that someone has to purchase you an item off your list and it can't come from the heart. I'm saying that and have a registry, knowing that many people will purchase me clothes and diapers too. I completely understand the preference to have them put money towards something more useful, but keep in mind that you can also try to return items for store credit as well to put towards bigger items.

I understand that babies are expensive, but you go into it with an idea of the cost of everything. You can always purchase second hand items for much cheaper as well, if you don't get certain items you want from your registry. I in no way intend to be rude in my response, I just hope that you go into a shower with the thought of everyone celebrating you and your baby, rather than the need to get the big items off your list.

That's not the way I meant it to come across, I just meant I'm more overwhelmed by us possibly having to buy most of the expensive things ourselves. I'm of course grateful for people even thinking about getting us gifts and celebrating our child but I also live in a small town where our biggest store is walmart and their baby section is the worst. So it is a little concerning if we have to try to find the bigger things around here.

You should do all your research and then order online if you have a small selection near you. Most stores have online ordering, so you can just have everything shipped to your house if you need it. I agree that walmart can be limiting at times. I registered at Target and Buy Buy Baby.

 

[KrissyKris22]

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed when making their baby registry? We had loads of fun in the store and added a few things but I mostly giggled and was in awe of the adorable things. But while looking online through reviews of carseats, diaper bags and strollers my head starts to spin How on earth are you supposed to pick these things?

I remembered doing my registry for my first pregnancy and it was def overwhelming lol. I'd get soo caught up with it that id get a headache hahaha. Looking at the reviews can make it difficult lol.

 

[Genevevex]

I have always found these registries overwhelming. But, ultimately, it was a huge help. I more tried to fill it with things that I NEEDED or TYPES of things I needed. It was mostly smaller items, with just a few big items (like a pack and play and a swing).

It turned out to be great. I got some of the specifics I really wanted, and a couple groups of people at work and church all pitched in for a couple of my larger items.

This time I'm not so certain about things, though, because we mostly only need a few bigger items. So... I'll make my registry and just see how it goes.

 

[Scout]

I found amazon to be a good place to register and they offer a completion discount. I registered on amazon for the things I wanted to buy myself and put my due date a couple months ahead of what it really was so I could use the completion discount and get the stuff b4 I had baby.

I'd suggest you make a list b4 you ever walk into a store. I found babys r us completely overwhelming until I made a list of what I really needed. They have so much crap that you'll never need. If you make a list try breaking it into sections, like feeding, bathing, sleeping. Just a suggestion.

 

[AMB1216]

When I registered at BabiesRUs they gave me a checklist.

 

[KrissyKris22]

When I registered at BabiesRUs they gave me a checklist.

Yea I made my registry according to the checklist. WalMart has a checklist as well.

 

[RaspberryK]

I would say though that these lists are full of completely useless items as they just want to sell you things and kid you into thinking you need them.
Xx

 

[Mushymilkfor2]

I literally cried like four times the first time I went to babies r us. Even with my list in hand, I had no idea what to get. Sure it says I need a bath, but there's 10 different baths to choose from! So what I did was literally just scanned so much stuff! I scanned multiples of almost everything, depending on how unsure I was. I took every stroller they had for a test spin, picked up every cat seat and scanned any one I liked.

Then when I got home, I went online checked reviews on babies r us and then Google searched for more reviews and narrowed everything down to what I felt was best.

Not quite sure if I made all the right choices yet, but I definitely feel more comfortable and confident then I did in the beginning!

 

[KrissyKris22]

I just finished mines. This time around I tried not to stress as much lol. It is hard when you see so much cute things or don't know which one is best lol.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

Thank you for your inputs ladies! It's still a lot of information/THINGS to taken in But I've added things I've liked or found interesting and have been slowly working my way through removing/changing items as I go and do research and read reviews. I do notice the checklist that they give you is insanely long with items I don't think we'll need or want.

How did you ladies pick which bottles to get? I want to get a couple different kinds and let baby girl pick what she likes. Are there particular bottles that work best going between breast feeding and the bottle? I plan to breast feed but want them around so DH can experience feeding our LO too.

 

[RaspberryK]

Personal preference with bottles for me is to leave those til you have established breastfeeding.
You can sign up to all the bottle manufacturers and get freebies.
I think find a breast pump you like and get the matching set if you plan on expressing.
Xx

 

[swanxxsong]

I found registry overwhelming with my daughter. It took me many weeks and visits to the store to get myself situated LOL.

With bottles (we BF), we didn't buy any until we had established latch and such. Then I tried one of s couple different brands to see what worked best for her. She didn't like the ones from my pump. They're all so different with their fussiness.

I know it's scary and overwhelming to look at those lists. But don't feel rushed! I asked a lot on the forums too, to narrow down necessities. And I've found that even less things than I was told were necessary actually turned out to be such. kind of s learning process but with the beauty of FB yard sales and craigslist I sold many of the items we chose to not use. So that helped!