Baby Registry: 18 Things I DIDN’T Need
(**For the baby items I did need… check out my blog post: Navigating Your Baby Registry + All The Baby Links.**)
In this post, I wanted to share what I didn’t end up using with Noah. He’s (almost!) 1 year, so this at least applies to his first year of life. Keep in mind — your baby + you might end up loving these items! I’m sharing this because I alway wondered when reading massive registry lists… what did they not use?! I’m totally aware that I could end up using these things for a future child, but for now — this is on my “don’t need” list.
#1] A crib. I’m really glad I waited on buying this (especially since it’s such a big + expensive item). We ended up co-sleeping with Noah + it worked really well for us for the first year of his life. As of recently, we transitioned Noah to a floorbed — so we never ended up needing a crib!
#2] Lots of clothes. I really love that Noah only has a handful of clothes that he rewears over + over again. It’s funny because my sister is like: “Are you going to dress him in anything else?!” Also he’s constantly wearing just a diaper around the house. I love that he rewears the same things because the few outfit he does wear remind me so much of HIM! It feels very sentimental! Something else I noticed: even though he is 12 months, he has some size 3–6 months clothes that still fit him. I swear some of the size differences are just “marketing” to try to get you to buy more clothes.
#3] Monitor. Granted, we live in a small apartment where you can hear everything — so a monitor was not needed. I will definitely get one if/when we live in a larger home! We have used the app “Baby Monitor” while traveling + it links up to your phone/computer + it’s like $5. I recommend!
#4] Solly carrier. I really wanted to love this carrier because it’s SO SOFT + cute, but honestly it was a pain getting it on + off. Maybe I just didn’t know how to put it on right?! We ended up just always wearing our Artipoppe, which I loved! I’m going to give the Solly a second try when we have a second baby because I know people swear by it… but for now, it’s on the “don’t need” list.
#5] Pumping + bottle equipment. I ended up exclusively breastfeeding, so none of this was needed.
#6] Nursing cover. I didn’t know how confident I’d be breastfeeding in public, but turns out I was/am super confident breastfeeding in any setting — so this was not needed. I did end up using the nursing cover as a cute, breathable blanket though!
#7] Lovevery toys (+ toys in general). Don’t get me wrong — I love the Lovevery concept. We have the play gym, which Noah loved until he was able to crawl (6 months)… but the toys were a flop for us. I bought the “Sensor Kit” — which is for 5–6 months olds. Noah “played” with them for like 2 seconds + then he was like… okay, I’m bored. I kept bringing them out every so often to see if he’s interested (+ I still do!), + he never is! There’s a few other toys that he has… + the same thing happens: he loses interest very quickly. What he *does* like — kitchen utensils, the UE BOOM, books, kettlebells, + mostly: going to the park! Babies just want to be in nature. No toys for us! I’m sure that will change when he’s a toddler lol, but I’m relishing in as little toys as possible right now.
#8] Extra strollers + stroller “add ons”. I thought I’d get a jogging stroller + lightweight stroller… + we have neither of these things (yet), + it works for us! So many blog posts advised against traveling with your “big” stroller, but we have loved using it while traveling (See post: International Traveling With A Baby: All The Tips). A major perk of the “big” stroller is having a giant bottom storage to hold all of our bags. I thought I’d need an “add on” for the stroller to carry my coffee/etc. The vibe just looked so cute! But nope, not needed.
#9] Baby bath. We never ended up using the infant bath tub in the sink (Isaac used it a couple time in the bath) — I have always just taken a bath with Noah + held him while bathing.
#10] Changing table. I remember looking for specific dressers that were changing tables + couldn’t find one that I like, so I was just like — oh well. In hindsight, it’s laughable thinking about changing Noah on a changing table/dresser— he is such a squirmer! From 0–5 months we changed him on the Keekaroo (which we loved!) on the floor, but as soon as he started crawling + was on the move, we change him wherever (+ however!) we can.
#11] Pacifier. He used the boob to soothe, + I didn’t mind one bit.
#12] A “Lovey.” I read that apparently babies get attached to objects between 8–12 months, so it’s good to get them a “Lovey” then. He’s 1 year, + still doesn’t have one… so, as of now, I don’t think I’ll introduce one.
#13]. Teething necklace. I bought him one + it ended up being a choker, it was so tight on him haha + I never sized up! It looked cute on him though! lol
#14] Diaper bag. No need for a fancy diaper bag — just use reusable grocery bags haha, they hold more items anyways! At 11 months, I wanted something “cute” + bought a Dagne Dover Medium Caryall Bag… + I’m wishing I sized up to a large. It still doesn’t hold everything I need it to!
#15] Baby wipe warmer. I read this in a lot of blog posts, so we bought it… but I ended up returning it. We realized that we wouldn’t be able to bring the wipe warmer everywhere we go lol, so why would we introduce it? He doesn’t mind the normal temperature wet water wipes one bit!
#16] Specific nursing bras. One of the most common questions I get is about bras! + I get it! I feel like my boobs doubled overnight as soon as I got pregnant. What worked best for me is just comfortable unlined bras — not “nursing specific.” Just making sure they are easy to pull back for breastfeeding.
#17] Play Mat. We have wood floors + a couple sheepskins around the house, + it’s been perfect for Noah crawling. No play mat needed!
#18] Online resources. I had intended to buy various “courses” — like Taking Cara Babies, introducing solids, gentle sleep training, etc… but never got to any of it! + I didn’t need it! It’s wild how the mama’s intuition kicks in so fast. Also, ZERO part of me wanted to be taking an online course while a newborn lol. I just wanted to cuddle + love on my baby! What worked for me: having a few trusted people that I would ask questions to.
I think that’s it! After writing this, I realized that I didn’t use quite a lot! It’s a good reminder to keep receipts, don’t buy everything all at once (especially lots of clothes + toys!), + just listen to your baby (+ yourself!) to see what will serve you both best. Building a registry was so stressful for me, so I GET IT if you feel overwhelmed. Trust me that soon enough, you’ll be a pro + you’ll be giving advice to others on what did + didn’t work for you. 😉
I’m curious: What was on your baby registry list that you ended up not needing?
Love,
Elisabeth
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