Getting the most out of your Baby Registry

Are you getting ready for your first child or have a friend who is? This list is meant to be used as a guide to help you grasp what you need. It includes recommendations from other moms as well. We can all get by with a little help from our friends! I realize there will be many differing opinions on the following information; however, I would like to share some tidbits I wished I had known before registering!

First of all consider this...learn the return policy on any store where you wish to register before actually doing so.

Target - All returns to Target must include either the original receipt or the gift receipt. If you do not have the original receipt, associates may be able to locate the original receipt information if you purchased the item using a credit or debit card. In order for them to utilize this method of locating information, you must present the exact credit or debit card originally used to purchase the item at the time of the return.

Gift givers are strongly encouraged to include a gift receipt whenever the gift is purchased. Gifts receipts do not display any pricing information and make it easy for gift recipients to return their items if necessary. Gift givers are also able to request as many gift receipts as they would like during checkout at any Target store. In short, no receipt...no return.

Walmart - Accepts returns within 90 days of purchase. If you do not have a receipt, WalMart will give you a cash refund if the purchase is less than $25.00 and a store credit if over $25.00. If you return more than 3 items within 45 days without a receipt, then the cash register system will automatically flag the transaction and a customer service manager must approve the return.

Babies R' Us - If you are returning an item using a gift receipt or .com packaging slip, your return will be in the form of a merchandise credit.


If you have no receipt and the original payment was made with a debit or credit card, they can look up the purchase using their register system and credit card information. If the item was purchased from a baby registry, they can look up the purchase using the baby registry system and will issue a merchandise credit. They reserve the right to decline any return.


Even though I have given the latest word I have received on return policies, please make sure you check again for yourself!


What to register for...

A good way to get started is by finding someone who is similar in personality to you that recently had a baby. Ask her if she would print out her baby registry, go through it, and mark what she was glad to have registered for and what she ended up not needing or using. (I did this; thank you, Jenna. It was a huge help.)

I asked several of my friends to give their opinions on each of the following items, and here is what we came up with:

1. If you don't mind getting things second-hand make of list of things you're okay with receiving this way: crib, changing table, stroller, etc. For example, I got word out that I needed a crib and a changing table. Within very little time, a friend emailed me that she had a crib and a changing table that she only used once. She had also loaned it to another friend of mine who also used it once, yet it still looks as good as new!

2. Check out Craigslist, http://www.craigslist.com/, for free items. Join Free Cycle: http://www.freecycle.com/. It is similar to Craigslist, but it has a higher volume of items being given for free. Also, Free Cycle quickly alerts you as to whether an item has been taken and is no longer available.

3. Brand new furniture: I am sure there are some of you who want to purchase brand new furniture. To you I say go for it; however, just remember all the costs add up and this is an expense you can avoid if you are willing to go second-hand. If you are going to purchase a new crib, I suggest getting a versatile crib that converts into a twin bed. As far as what type and design, that is up to you.

4. Bottles - my suggestion is that you make sure they are BPA free. Most suggest the Avent brand.

-Dr. Brown's is a top-rated brand but unless your baby has colic, I wouldn't use them. They have several parts and are a pain to wash (speaking from experience).

-If you are planning to breastfeed, I would not register for a lot of bottles. A few will do to get you started. Breast Flow Complete or Adiri are easy to use and clean and can be used for nursing mothers interchangeably.

5. Breastfeeding - Lily Padz, they are silicone pads that stick to you and apply just enough pressure to prevent leaks. You can reuse them for up to 2 months. A Boppy is a must (you can buy one second hand).

-Nursing cover- Bebe Au Lait or Peanut Shell. You will most likely want to rent a breast pump from the hospital for a couple of weeks and then figure out if or what kind of pump you want to buy. Natural Nipple butter for sore and/or cracked nipples.

6. Bibs - Carters bibs that snap received the most votes here. If you choose a different kind just keep in mind that there are two types of Velcro. Old school Velcro and new school Velcro. Old school is thick and scratchy and if it isn't on just so, it can scratch your baby’s neck. The new school Velcro is smooth. They're a little challenging to find but worth it.

-Another suggestion is to get bibs with plastic backing - it keeps clothes from getting wet from food and drooling.

7. Pajamas - I would start out by saying you should register for at least 2 Halo Sleep Sacks. They keep baby snug like in the womb and are great for when the baby first arrives.

-Regarding regular pajamas, believe it or not there are a couple of types. One is a gown. I didn't like these because they were always sliding up. They made it easy to change a diaper, but for me not a plus. The basic pajamas with zippers were great. Also, keep in mind collars. They can get in the way, and I don't think I'd enjoy sleeping in a collared shirt. Why would my baby?

8. Shirts - Two kinds again: one snaps in the crotch or just plain t-shirts with no snaps. My husband had an opinion on this. He didn't like shirts that snapped because they were always riding up. Shirts with snaps look nice, neat and stay tucked in! I also didn't like hoods on shirts when my son would lean back (especially winter shirts). He couldn't lean back all the way because of the hood.

9. Pants - I prefer no snaps…just regular pants; this is up to you.

10. Shoes - Okay, most babies just won't keep them on. Some like my son have feet that are just too pudgy. I have tried to smush his feet into shoes wanting him to look extra cute, but trust me it isn't worth it. Another alternative is Robeez shoes. They do sale socks with all kinds of printed shoes on them and they are really cute.

11. Diapers - The diapers are usually listed by numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on (it is figured by the weight of your child). I would start with number 1. Newborn and preemie sizes aren't needed unless your baby is born prematurely.

-As far as brand, it is a matter of preference. I chose to use Pampers and Pampers sensitive wipes. Whatever brand you go with I suggest sticking with it.

-If you choose to go the cloth route, Fuzzi Bunz is the best for ease of use and style. You can check out http://www.fuzzibunzseconds.net/ and purchase coordinating terry cloth liners at nuturedfamily.com.

12. Pacifiers - No need to register. The hospital will give you some when you leave. If you want you can try other brands later. My friend who adopted suggested Gerber Silicone Nuk Orthodontic Pacifier. Every baby is different, and you'll have to figure out what they like as they grow. If you are breastfeeding, Soothies was the recommended brand here.

13. Soaps - Johnson & Johnson is always a favorite. Another suggestion was Method brand at Target: t is hypoallergenic and made with 99% natural ingredients. You won't need to register for much; it goes a long way! For babies of color, the recommendation is Carol's Daughter. It's a little pricey but you will see the difference in your baby's skin and hair.

14. Detergent - Anything without perfumes or dyes.

15. Burp Clothes - Plain old fashion thick cloth diapers work best.

16. Teething items - You won't need these right off but when you do it's good to have them on hand. Gentle Naturals are recommended here (with the Winnie the Pooh character on the front). Also, teething rings are okay but put them in the refrigerator and not the freezer.

17. Bath Tubs - I suggest Fisher Price tub. It has a net so while baby is in the first months, his or her head isn't close to being under water. Then as he or she grows you can remove the net. If you get a hand-me-down and it's a little big, register for a bear sponge (It's a sponge made in the shape of a bear). This is great for keeping baby snuggled and comfy.

18. First Aid Kit - Any will do just make sure it has a nasal aspirator and saline.

19. Q-tips - Johnson & Johnson has Q-tips for children, and they are made with a larger cotton portion on the stick so you don't put the tip in too far. (The box is a light purple).

20. Car Seats & Strollers - Be sure to check out Consumer Reports for the best rated car seats. I would choose an infant car seat at first. You can snap the removable seat in and out of the car so baby can be in a carrier when you go out. Running errands is much easier this way! Be sure if you have two cars that you have two car seat bases so you can just snap in the car seat and go.

21. High Chairs - The response from all here was the same...DON'T DO IT! Instead get the booster seat with a tray that fastens to any seat. It's easy to clean, is transportable and doesn't take up space. Three different suggestions here: one was Fisher-Price that allows you to adjust the height as your child grows, and the others were Safety 1st Recline and Grow Stage 5 Booster Seat.

22. Formula - If you are unable to breastfeed, I found that Earth's Best worked the best for us. The best type of formula for your baby may take some trial and error. As long as the formula doesn't cause your child to be constipated or have reflux, then in theory any brand is okay.

23. Suggested Reading - If you want to make your own baby food I suggest Super Baby Food.

-If you plan on teaching your child basic sign language I suggest http://www.signingtime.com/.

-For fun reading check out http://www.dadlosophies.blogspot.com/.

-For current car seat ratings check out consumerreports.com.

-Other suggestions are Dr. Sears Library, The Vaccine Book and The Birth Book and The Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg.

24. Bouncy Seat - A must. This is how you as a mom will be able to take your OWN bath...LOL! I suggest making sure if it comes with music or vibration that it isn't at the baby’s feet facing face up. The one we got was and it didn't take long for my son to kick it until it didn't work anymore.

25. Toys - Excersaucer, swing, and a playmat with hanging toys by baby Einstein were great! It's best if you can get them through your registry. If not, second-hand is the way to go. They will outgrow them before you know it. My son is 11 months and now enjoys boats in the bathtub. Another mom with baby girl suggested buying a Barbie made from plastic so your daughter can take it in the tub with her. Plastic babies are easy to dry.

26. Other Suggested items: Baby Bjourn, Bumbo Seat, and a cover for shopping carts.

Good luck, and I hope this is helpful to you! Please email or comment here with any specific questions. If I can answer them, I will. If not, another mom will surely be able to help!