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When you set out to complete your baby registry it is easy to get wrapped up in the checklists and categories and before you know it you are asking for every item on the planet. Because why not?!
I’m going to bring you back down from the land-of-all-the-things. Come back to reality.
Let’s take a minute to be conscious of those who will be looking at your baby registry and spending their hard-earned money on a gift for your baby.
What should they see when they find your baby registry?
Let’s dive in!
Here is my quick list of what to leave off your registry:
Décor
Large and Expensive Items
Stupid Items (sorry, not sorry)
Items with a Short Life or Only One Use
Items to Purchase Before your Baby Shower
Breastfeeding Items
Postpartum Care Items
Let’s navigator our way through these different categories and break them down into real items.
Décor
Rugs
I’m just going to get this out of the way and tell you, nobody wants to buy you a rug for your baby shower. Sorry. It’s not even close to the top of anyone’s list. If you want a rug buy your own.
Wall Decals/Curtains/Lamp
See the above on the rug. These items may go with your theme and may honestly be items you need. That’s cool. Just don’t expect your cousin to get excited about purchasing them.
Pillows
There shouldn’t be any pillows in the crib! Don’t even think about it.
Shelves
Bookshelves or wall shelves are great for storing books. However, when it comes to furniture your baby doesn’t actually sit in, I would recommend purchasing it yourself.
Large and Expensive Items
Bouncer/Swing/MomaRoo/Bassinet
You can include large items on your baby registry, but limit yourself. Unless you are blessed with a horde of wealthy friends and family you aren’t going to get many large items.
Start with the large items you consider most important. Typically this would be a car seat. If you go with the infant seat a second base may be a good choice as well. Other items you could register for include a stroller and a crib.
Do not include every large item you can come up with. Think about your home and your lifestyle. What will you use?
When it comes to large items consider purchasing secondhand or ask friends if they would let you borrow theirs. It is better to borrow because then you don’t have to store the item once your baby outgrows it.
Another great reason for buying secondhand is you don’t feel as much pressure to hang on to the item.
Buy it second hand then resell it. When you go to sell a new item you lose a lot of the value, which stings. If you purchase it secondhand you may be able to resell it at the same price you paid! If you have another kid, buy one second-hand then.
Stupid Items
Stuffed Animals
People will get you random stuffed animals. There is no need to register for stuffed animals.
Multiple Diaper Bags
Apparently buying a diaper bag for each parent is a thing. I don’t get it. Unless you have some strange schedule or something this doesn’t make any sense.
The diaper bag goes with the baby. It does not stay with the parent.
One diaper bag is all you need. Keep it packed and ready to go. If you have two diaper bags you need double on certain items. You also have the challenge of knowing what is in each diaper bag and which is fully stocked.
Is the Motrin in your diaper bag or mine? I can’t imagine asking my husband that question.
Wipe Warmer
This thing is on every list of what not to register for. It is completely ridiculous.
What does your baby do when you are out and about? Why spoil them with warm wipes? This is just ridiculous.
There are children in the world going hungry, but you think your baby needs warm wipes. I’m sorry but check your priorities.
Baby Shoes (Before Walking Age)
Newborn shoes are a complete joke. I would never put them on my baby on the daily.
The only time they make sense is for a casual or professional photo shoot. My suggestion is to buy them secondhand. Shoes for little ones that cannot walk should be perfectly clean!
Skip shoes when making your baby registry.
Items with a Short Life or Only One Use
Changing Table/Changing Pad
Some people love their changing tables and changing pads.
I love my set up too! But mine is longer lasting.
We put a twin bed in little H’s room and use that as her changing area. This bed will then be used as her future bed…see long life. We have a blanket sitting on top as our area for changes and we use a large diaper caddy/organizer.
We did our own thing here and love the results. You don’t always have to go the traditional route!
Diaper Pail
A diaper pail performs one job its entire life, and that is collecting nasty diapers. A trash can be used as a diaper pail during this phase of life and then continue to be used as a trashcan in the future.
See the difference?
Stroller Rain Cover
Unless you live in a city where you truly use public transportation to get around, you do not need a rain cover for your stroller. If you do get caught in the rain throw a blanket over the stroller as a short-term solution.
Bottle Drying Rack
Bottle drying racks are always sitting out on the countertop whether in use or not. They are an item that is only used for about one year then you are done with them. Skip this item, please!
Baby Food Making Gear
Some people don’t go the puree route at all. If you do though, before you know it you will start giving your baby table food. This is giving them safe pieces of whatever you are having for dinner.
Depending on your baby, making purees might only be for a few months.
When you are in the short phase of purees make them using a blender, food processor, or even just mashing with a fork. Use whatever you already own.
Then freeze the purees in a rubber mold or an ice tray then once frozen move them into the freezer storage containers and label appropriately.
Skip the baby bullet.
Bottle Warmer
Don’t use cold water. Use relatively warm water in the first place.
If you use water purchased in gallon jugs consider storing it in the pantry, not the fridge. If necessary you can microwave a glass cup half-filled with water. Remove the glass from the microwave and place the bottle into the warm water to heat the bottle.
Always be cautious when warming up a bottle. And if possible get your baby used to room temperature bottles.
Bath Thermometer
Use your freaking hand! Take a step back out of the baby vortex and take this silly thing off your registry.
Items to Purchase Before Your Baby Shower
These items I suggest leaving off your baby registry because you will likely want to purchase them before that date. I have an entire article focused on 4 Things Every Expecting Mom Needs to Buy Before the Baby Shower.
Furniture
Items like a crib and dresser are fun to go ahead and put together in the nursery. Who can resist a bit of nesting before they have their baby shower?
Hangers/Organization Items
Anything related to clothing organization I suggest you purchase on your own.
My reasoning here is what if no one purchases it off your registry? Yes, you can always get it for yourself later, but what if you are just dying to organize.
My strategy is to have this stuff ready at home before your shower.
Stretch Mark Lotion
You should be using this waaaaay before your baby shower.
Baby Book
It is very easy to fall behind on your baby book. I suggest you get it fairly early in your pregnancy. There may be pages to fill out before the birth, such as “how mommy felt the first time you kicked” or “How we knew we were expecting.”
Get the jump on filling out your baby book. You will thank yourself!
Breastfeeding Items
It is perfectly ok to register for breastfeeding gear if you want to. It is for baby…in a sense.
Items you may or may not register for include:
Nursing pillow (I used a regular pillow)
Breast pump (look through insurance)
Milk storage freezer bags
Milk savers
Boob leaking pads
Nipple cream
Haakaa (I recommend it!!! Get this for sure!!!)
Check out my full article on explaining The Haakaa: a Simple, Affordable, and Effective tool for Breastfeeding Moms
You really shouldn’t need all that much stuff for breastfeeding. I would consider just purchasing it yourself outside of the registry. But if you are comfortable thanking someone for the nipple cream in front of a crowded room go for it lol.
Postpartum Care Items
My first tip with postpartum is to find out what the hospital will provide and take everything unused home with you. If you had a gentle birth you may not need anything beyond what you are given. If your birth was a bit more rough you may need backup momma.
I couldn’t get myself to put this stuff on my registry. I figured there are plenty of other items that people can gift me and the baby. I covered this area myself.
My strategy was to buy pads and disposable underwear in various shapes and sizes then keep them in the bag with the receipt. Then once I was home I better figured out what I would need. After about a week I returned the unopened items that I knew I would not need. No problem.
If you have a particularly difficult birth I would recommend even while you are in the hospital ordering icepacks, extra tucks cooling pads, and the numbing spray.
The other key item I found myself using was a doughnut pillow. I borrowed it from my mom. (Why purchase when you can just borrow?) It was great for sitting at the kitchen table for meals. Those wooden chairs were not gentle!
I did not feel the need to put these personal items on my registry. People should buy gifts for the baby…not my nether regions.
Conclusion
Some of these items are total and complete skips. Others are ok to purchase and have a valid place in your home. You should just consider purchasing them yourself.
This list is here to give you that reality check you may need.
I hope this list gave you guidance on what to consider leaving off your registry!
Good luck momma!
If you would like some help on what to include on your registry click below to download a basic list for the minimal mommas.
Check Out My Articles
4 Things Every Expecting Mom Needs to Buy Before the Baby Shower
The Haakaa: a Simple, Affordable, and Effective tool for Breastfeeding Moms
Money-Saving Baby Item Swaps that are Simple and Effective
The Most Expensive Large Baby Items: Are They Worth the Investment?
