Making your registry is one of the best parts of pregnancy. It’s like shopping, without having to pull out your credit card.
You probably already know you want to register for the basics: a stroller, a crib, linens, clothes. But even the most experienced moms may not think to register for these things.
1. Gift cards: No, it’s not rude, and yes, people like to get them for you. They always fit, the gift-buyer can spend exactly as much as she wants, and people like to picture you able to get a few things for the family or yourself. Every store with a registry allows users to ask for gift cards at that store; some stores/sites also sell gift cards to all kinds of businesses. Go nuts!
2. Diapers: If you’re like other BabyCenter parents, you’ll spend $72 a month on disposable diapers. It adds up. But you can bring that total way, way down. The secret? Put all the diapers you’ll ever need on your registry. If your loved ones/shower guests buy them for you, well, that’s a truly impressive 100 percent savings. But even if they don’t, some baby registries offer what’s called a Registry Completion discount.
If you register at Babies “R” Us, for example, the company mails a coupon to you about 6 weeks after your due date. You can use it to make a one-time purchase with 10 percent off anything and everything on your registry. I registered for Huggies Little Snugglers, because they are soft and gentle and didn’t dig into my baby’s chubby leg rolls. My daughter was a chubby-thighed little baby and the Snugglers worked great. I also like that they fit babies from 1 all the way to 37 pounds (Size Newborn to 5), so you don’t have to worry about switching brands halfway through. Plus they have a new softer, breathable cover that helps keep her comfortable and let her skin breathe.
But how many diapers should you register for? The following chart with data calculated by BabyGearLab illustrates how many diapers an average-sized baby (about 7.5 to 8 pounds at birth) might go through:
| For this size | Buy this many diapers |
| Newborn | 360 |
| 1 | 600 |
| 2 | 630 |
| 3 | 1278 |
| 4 | 2010 |
| 5 | 365 |
3. Clothing in bigger sizes: Yes, your baby will wear the most wee items imaginable when she is born. But then she’ll grow. Most babies double their birth weight by 4-6 months, and triple it by the time they dig their chubby fists into their first birthday cake. Consult a growth timeline and register accordingly for clothes. Don’t forget to think seasonally — don’t register for 6-9 month shorts if your baby will be a year old in June.
4. A convertible car seat and booster seat: Most parents think to register for an infant car seat, because you can’t even drive away from the hospital without it. But that infant car seat is only going to last your baby about a year. And then you’re going to be stuck shopping for a new seat either with a toddler trying to wander away and pull boxes on his head in a store, or use precious nap time checking out seats online.
5. Household help: Ah, what you really need — help around the house! Some registry sites, like BabyList, allow you to register for home-cooked meals from friends, meal-delivery services like Plated or Blue Apron, and cleaning/errand-running services like TaskRabbit and Molly Maid.
Sometimes it can seem a little scary to ask for all this help. But rest assured, anyone who’s coming to your shower or who asks for your registry information is interested in buying you a gift. Let them.
What clever items are you putting on your registry?
Share with usThe first hug your baby feels will be from you. Make sure the second hug feels just as good. Huggies® Little Snugglers Diapers deliver the best skin care to keep baby’s skin clean and healthy. Huggies Natural Care® Wipes feature our simplest formula ever for a gentle clean. Add Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers and Huggies Natural Care Wipes to your registry, or try them now at Amazon.com. You can find more information on the Huggies website.
This post is sponsored by Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers.
Photo credit: istockphotos.com
