Baby stuff is EXPENSIVE. Between a crib, stroller, and car seat, you can easily drop a grand and that’s not including the myriad of other items you need. The choices can feel overwhelming when you’re a first time mama, and you want to make sure you get all the “right” stuff.
I took to Facebook to poll my mom friends on which baby items they found to be essential. There were a few clear winners (BOB Stroller, velcro swaddles, Sophie the Giraffe), but overall I discovered every baby responds to different things. While some people swear by the Moby Wrap, others hated it. Some moms said they couldn’t live without a diaper changing table and baby wipe warmers, yet others considered those items to be a complete waste of money. One baby might love brand “X” baby bottles, while another baby refuses to drink out of it.
Confusing right? Now I was faced with the tricky task of figuring out what the heck to register for. I searched the web for good deals on the “must-have” items, and in the end, I decided my best bets were Target and Amazon.com. By the way, Amazon has an awesome feature where you can register for items from other websites as well (I picked out some stuff from Urban Outfitters, Babies “R” Us, and Bed Bath & Beyond).You just have to install their Bookmarklet button which can be found here.
If you’re a first time mother and don’t know where to start, feel free to peruse my registries for inspiration.
My Amazon Baby Registry (Amazon is great for your guests because of the wide variety, discounted prices, and ability to ship large items straight to your door.)
My Target Baby Registry (Target is a good option for those who like to shop in-store or online. Super cute and inexpensive baby clothes!)
Because babies only use items for a limited amount of time, hand-me-downs are also a great option. In my case, I’m letting friends and family know that if they find any of our registry items at a consignment shop, Craigslist, or in their own garage, we’d be just as happy receiving them used. Amazon’s baby registry even allows the customer to indicate that they are getting an item elsewhere so it can be checked off on the registry. Pure genius!
Speaking of Craigslist, check out this crib, mattress and dresser we just picked up for $170! Sold separately these items retail for over $600, and in this case, they had hardly been used. Score!
Whether you’re the mother-to-be or baby shower attendee, these money saving tips will give you the biggest bang for your buck and that’s something anyone can appreciate!
The Unedited Mama 