Bringing a new bundle of joy into the world can be a bit overwhelming, especially when faced with the daunting task of accomplishing everything in the 40 weeks leading up to delivery. From putting together the nursery to making sure there’s enough diapers to last a lifetime, things can get hectic really quick. However, little things like registries and understanding that every baby’s needs are different can make you feel a bit more at ease.
Creating your registry takes time and effort, and having items picked out by your 20th week will give friends and family a perfect window of opportunity to pick out just the right items before your due date. Plenty of your favorite stores offer the ability to easily create registries, including Babies R Us, Target, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, Pottery Barn Kids and Wal-Mart.
So, what should you add to your registry? If you are first-time parents, you will be starting from scratch. Stay away from clothes, as you will get plenty of those. Add things like highchairs, bouncers, sheets, burp cloths, tubs, towels, etc.
It is no fun working alone, so bring in the grandparents, aunts, friends and other mommies for their advice on what to add to your registry. Remember to have fun with it and ask them what their must-have items were. Keep in mind your space, your nursery décor and what you may be able to borrow. Babies grow out of things very quickly, so keep that in mind as well.
Mom to mom
Mother of three, Jenn Petion said that it’s important to include the essentials, but also have fun when creating your registry. Petion said that one of her bestkept secrets is Target’s up & up™ generic diapers and formula.
“It’s much cheaper than the name brands, and the diapers are more absorbent. The formula has the same nutritional content as the name brand, but is less expensive than the name brand even if you catch it on sale and have a manufacturer coupon,” Petion said.
Megan Martin hadn’t heard of Remedy Phytoplex Z-Guard, but after she saw the NICU using it, it became a lifesaver for treating diaper rash. Other items like the Chicco Lullaby Baby Playard and OXO Tot Bottle Brush made it onto the mother of two’s registry.
“A new find for me that has become a goto baby shower gift is the Love to Dream sleep swaddle,” Martin said. The swaddle comes in sizes up to 36 months and allows you to swaddle with arms up so your baby can self-soothe and establish an easy and peaceful sleep routine.
Essential mama must-haves
- LOTS of Diapers
- Pacifiers
- Breast Pump & Extra Supplies
- Bottles
- Crib
- Baby Carrier
- Strollers
- Diaper Bag
- Bedding
- Burp Cloths
- Highchair
- Booster Seat
- Bouncer
- Baby Bathtub
- Noise Machine
- Pack and Play
- Boppy Pillow
- Swaddling Blankets
- Car Seat
- Baby Food Maker
- Bottle Brushes
- Teethers
IN THE NEWS
Breast pumps
The Affordable Care Act (2010) requires most health insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump as part of women’s preventative health services. These rules apply to Health Insurance Marketplace plans and all other private health insurance plans, except for grandfathered plans. So, how do you get a breast pump?
• Contact your health insurance’s member services department regarding what’s covered.
• Talk to your pediatrician about the best options for you and your baby.
• Choose a breast pump and try to order it as soon as possible.
DID YOU KNOW?
In a baby’s first year, new parents will have brought home an average of 2,788 diapers for a total cost of $557.60.
According to The U.S. Department of Agriculture, a middle-income family with a child born in 2013 can expect to spend about $245,340 ($304,480 adjusted for projected inflation*) on food, housing, child care, education and other childrearing expenses up to age 18.
The average newborn spends at least 16 hours a day sleeping.
A baby should be burped after about 2.3 ounces while bottle-feeding.
Three months is the age at which most babies begin getting two-thirds of their sleep during the night.