Tips For Creating Your Registry

Some of the most fun I had during my pregnancy was creating the registry with my husband.  I found it so fun to go to our local baby store and look at all the clothes and toys are baby would be in soon enough; though, I did find it overwhelming.  At first there was so much to do, so much to pick from, I was totally overwhelmed.  I have been asked some questions by close girlfriends who are pregnant and by some of you about how to go about creating a registry.  I want to give y’all some tips and answer your questions. When creating your registry it is important to keep it light and fun! There is no need to be stressed when you are doing something that is so fun and exciting.

When should I create the registry?

The beauty of the registry is you can add to it anytime or take away from it anytime you like.  You can start it at any point in your pregnancy.  Most women wait until they are in the clear with their doctor or midwife.  Once women are safe to tell everyone is usually around the time to start registering.

How can I keep my partner involved in creating the registry?

This is a great question which was asked by you and by a girlfriend of mine.  When my husband and I went to create our registry he let me choose almost everything because I am the one home with our baby using everything.  He didn’t realize at the time that he needs to know how to use the products just as much as me.  I still did what I could to keep him involved and make it just as exciting for him.  

• Limited time. The first thing you want to be careful of is overwhelming him.  A long day in your local baby store may be too much for him and overwhelm him completely.  Try to limit your trips to the baby store.  Rather than going for an entire day to get everything done, plan little trips.  If you chose a category to add one day and another the next that will make it easier on your partner. 
• Hand over the gun. Another thing that is great for keeping your partner involved is the scanner gun.  My husband wanted that scanner gun, and luckily our baby store gave us each one.  It seems silly but having some control over the gun will really help making him feel involved.
• Make a list first.  This goes for the both of you.  To avoid overwhelming you and your husband, it can help if you take a look at home on your computer at all the brands and products there are.  Get a feel for a few different brands that you and your husband may want to test out.  This way when you get to the store you aren’t looking at all these items with no clue where to start.

How do I pick a brand for my car seat, stroller, etc.?

There are so many great brands that it can be difficult to choose.  To start, you want to look up all reviews online.  Pick a few different brands you are interested in and check out how they are rated by other customers.  Once you have a few in mind, go to the store and test them out for yourself!  When creating your registry, do not be afraid to take the items for a test drive.

What size clothes will my newborn need?

I don’t recommend registering for any clothes because you may register in February, where they have winter items out, and your shower is not until April, the clothing items will be completely different by the time people start buying gifts. As far as the sizes, there is truly no way to know because you won’t know if the baby will be big, small or premature.  My husband and I purchased a few newborn outfits and the rest all 3 month.  We did end up needing more newborn because our son was premature.  Bring a newborn outfit and a 0-3 month or 3 month outfit to the hospital with you because there is no way to know for sure.

• How do I choose a car seat?
• How do I choose a stroller?
• A registry checklist!

Tips To Remember When Choosing A Car Seat

One of the most important things for you and your baby that you will register for or purchase is the car seat.  They will not let you leave the hospital unless the car seat has been properly installed by the hospital or local fire department.  When choosing your car seat there is a lot to remember, though all car seats on the market are “safe” because they meet the government requirements to be sold.  I say “safe” because even if the car seats meets all requirements there can still be some problems if installed wrong.  There are some things you want to look at and keep in mind as you’re choosing the car seat for the baby.

When choosing the car seat for your baby, you will be looking at two different types of car seats.

• Infant Car Seat- This car seat will always face the rear and holds up to 35 pounds.  When the baby has exceeded the limits for this car seat you will need to get another car seat that will face forward.

• Convertible Car Seat- This car seat is used for infants and toddlers.  Rear-facing it can hold up to 40 pounds and forward-facing holds up to 70 pounds.

This is the first choice about the car seat you will make, which type.  For me and my son, we have a Convertible Car Seat because it avoids a later purchase and grows with baby.  I found this to be the best choice for us.  Some women like the infant car seats to start more than the convertible.  Something else to consider is getting a car seat and stroller combo.  It definitely has it’s pros and cons!  It is so convenient when you want to take the baby for a walk.  When I take my son out for a walk I have to take him out of the car seat and into the stroller.  With the combo, you just pop him in and out without having to take him out of the seat at all; however, you will need to purchase another eat later because the weight limit is about 35 pounds.

Some things to look for when choosing the car seat are:

Will it be easy to use?

When you are looking through the bunch of car seats give the seat a test run.  It is totally fine to take the car in and out of the base.  You should test and be sure it will be easy to release to get the seat out of your car.  You don’t want a car seat that is difficult to release because your baby will fall asleep in the seat and taking the baby in and out while asleep needs to be a smooth transition.  Don’t be afraid to fiddle with the harness of the seat as well.  You need to make sure it is easy to adjust.

Is is a comfortable car seat?

It is so important that the car seat is not only comfortable for your baby, but is also comfortable for you.  While testing the car seats at the store, take a look at the handle because you will be carrying the car seat around a bunch!  If you do find a car seat you love but the handle is a bit uncomfortable, don’t worry, they make cuffs that give the handle some padding so your arm doesn’t take too much of a beating.  For your baby’s comfort check out the fabric, how much padding, and ow breathable the fabric is.

Will the car seat fit in my car?

Be aware of the space in your car when choosing the car seat.  You don’t want to be sitting in the front with your knees scrunched up to your face because there is no room for the seat in the back.  There are different dimensions so try and measure before shopping.

Keep these tips in mind when you are on the look out for the car seat you choose for baby! Happy Shopping!!