Baby Registries

Baby Showers

6 Online Baby Registries Every Mom-to-Be Needs to Know About

For some moms-to-be, there's something just slightly uncomfortable about specifying a "wish list" for friends and family to gift you and your new baby with.

For some moms-to-be, there's something just slightly uncomfortable about specifying a "wish list" for friends and family to gift you and your new baby with. People expect it, though, and if you're having a shower, it's almost necessary to create a registry to ensure that you don't end up with a stack of identical baby blankets or frilly, feminine nursery decor for what you were envisioning as an ultramodern baby room.

The trick is to look at creating a registry as doing your loved ones a favor. They're not required to abide by it, but if they want to give you something special, and need some guidance, it's there. Alternative registries have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and the best thing about them is that they offer a wider breadth of options than heading to a single store. Here, six unexpected registry spots that we think are worth a click through — including one that's geared specifically toward Pinterest addicts (you know who you are!).

Source: Sara Westbrook Photography

Baby Registries

10 Dad-Friendly Finds to Add to Your Baby Registry

Deciding on the perfect nursery components and layette essentials are baby prep responsibilities often left to the mom-to-be.

Deciding on the perfect nursery components and layette essentials are baby prep responsibilities often left to the mom-to-be. But it's only fair that Dad gets in on some of the fun — isn't it? We've found 10 dad-friendly items to add to your baby registry — from the must haves to the mostly-for-fun.

community

Lil Community: Choosing a Car Seat

It's registry time! LilSugar reader Beaner is approaching her due date and is picking out all of her baby gear.

It's registry time! LilSugar reader Beaner is approaching her due date and is picking out all of her baby gear. As she selects a car seat, she asks our readers for some help in The Pregnancy Posse group.

I'm completely confused about what size car seat to get. Friends and family have recommended the Graco Snugride, and they make one that holds a baby up to 22 pounds and 29 inches tall. But they also have one that goes up to size 32 pounds and 32 inches tall. The first one is a bit cheaper, but will a baby outgrow it before they are one year old, when it's time to move up to a new car seat? The main reason I'm tempted to stick with the 22-pound car seat is because a friend gave us some extra bases, so that would save us some dough. But if our baby will outgrow it at 6 months (I heard some can), and we'll have to end up buying the 32-pound car seat, then that would not be saving us money. Any advice?

Want to talk pregnancy with other expectant mamas? Get the conversation started in The Pregnancy Posse group!

Baby Showers

Baby Bump: Register in Person

Your first child brings on a lot of other firsts: morning sickness, maternity clothes, baby showers, and selecting baby gear!

Your first child brings on a lot of other firsts: morning sickness, maternity clothes, baby showers, and selecting baby gear! Some mommies register for their new arrival, and one piece of advice for picking items for your wee one is to go in person.

The Internet is fabulous, but when it comes to your newborn's goods it's helpful to head on over to the store. All those toys, swings, bassinets, and decorations look a lot different when you see them first hand, and since you are about to acquire a lot of gear, you want to make sure you actually like the stuff you get. It's better to take care of the legwork before baby is born, than lug him or her back with your returns after.

Thinking she had outsmarted the system by sitting on her couch and shopping, my pal registered online. Then, she spent a good deal of time exchanging goods once the gifts poured in. Learn from a fellow expectant mommy's mistake and do it right the first time.

Did you register in person or online?

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Poll

Did You Register For Your Baby?

The concept of a gift registry makes sense — visit your favorite stores, make a list of all of your gift preferences and have friends and family buy them for you so you don't have to spend your time returning unwanted and duplicate items.

The concept of a gift registry makes sense — visit your favorite stores, make a list of all of your gift preferences and have friends and family buy them for you so you don't have to spend your time returning unwanted and duplicate items. Wedding registries are common practice these days, having been around since Chicago's Marshall Field's department store created them in 1924.

If first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage, it is no surprise that baby registries were the next thing. Every time a celebrity announces she is pregnant there seems to be news about whether she has registered for pink or blue items. With so many bottles, cribs, swings and baby carriers on the market, it is no wonder pregnant women state their preferences.

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Baby Bump

Baby Registry Tips

I didn't know about baby registries until I was pregnant with my daughter, but since I like the surprise involved in opening presents, I never put a list together.

I didn't know about baby registries until I was pregnant with my daughter, but since I like the surprise involved in opening presents, I never put a list together. Lately, it seems like more and more stores are registry ready. From Pottery Barn Kids to Babies "R" Us, and Giggle to Amazon, everyone is in on the action.
Here are my must haves for any child's registry:

  • Britax Boulevard Car Seat — Since you can't drive around with baby without one, I recommend this one ($299) that provides side impact protection for children who are 5 to 65 lbs.
  • Nano Highchair — I have an old-fashioned wooden highchair, but after cleaning all the nooks and crannies after each meal, I'd much prefer The Nano ($180). It's simple design looks easy to wipe down and you can fold it up to store between feedings.
  • Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper —My son leaped like crazy in this brightly colored musical contraption ($80) until he walked at 10 months.
  • Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Environment Play Gym—Baby can travel under the sea during tummy time and play with plush aquatic friends on this mat ($70).
  • Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Cradle Swing — This swing ($100) lulled both my kids to sleep and was light enough to move around the house so I could keep an eye on them while I tidied up or showered.