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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Baby Registry Must Haves and a Baby Shower Gift Basket

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NurseryMusts   #CollectiveBias

I haven't spilled the beans yet (on here), but my sister-in-law is pregnant with her first child and she is due in July. We are over the moon excited for her and her family.

Since she is a first time mom, she wasn't too sure on what she really needs versus what is a luxury item. She lives in the city, in an apartment and doesn't have much room. She needs to be prudent in what she chooses. Since I have two little ones and space is limited when you have two, she asked me for help with the MUST HAVE items for her registry list.

I have complied a list of my top registry items from my favorite store Target, and some of these items will be making an appearance in her baby shower gift basket. We all know my love affair for Target and it's easy one stop shopping.


Bottles
I have spent more time and money on bottles than I care to admit. Since my girls were preemies, spent time in the NICU and had latch issues, we only breastfed for a short time. We relied on bottles to give them my breast milk and then formula. My girls were a little gassy from drinking milk from the bottle, so we were always searching for bottles designed to reduce gas and Colic. With the Playtex VentAire Bottles, it has a vent on the bottle that reduces indigestion and it sits at an angled position to promote an upright feeding feeling which is said to prevent ear infections. This is something I want to share with my sister-in-law in hopes she doesn't have to buy a bunch of wasteful bottles.
I found the Playtex VentAire Bottles down the bottle and bottle accessories aisle. 

I recommend getting two sizes (6 oz and 9 oz), so you do not have to run out during the first few months when it is hard to get out of the house and go buy those coveted items.

Bottle Accessories
Along with the bottles comes the accessories. You will want extra nipples, a bottle cleaning brush, a bottle/accessories drying station and a bottle cleanser.

Diaper Genie
When you have one, two, three or more little ones, you need something to keep that pesky smell away that comes along with changing diapers. Enter the Diaper Genie Diaper Pail Complete. The Diaper Genie has been around forever and was always the brand my friends and mom recommended when keeping the stink away. The charcoal filter combined with the airtight lid prevents odors from escaping. The bags are made with a 7-layer plastic which controls the smell as well. Plus the pail holds 270 dirty diapers! When you live in a small apartment and don't have the time to run out to the trash can each time you change a diaper, the Diaper Genie will save you that precious time and the smell.
I found my Diaper Genie Complete down the aisle with diaper changing items and baby monitors.

Diapers
We all know that diapers are a must have and stocking up on them is essential. At my baby shower, my mom did a diaper raffle. Basically, this is where you bring a sleeve of diapers and you are given a raffle ticket to win prizes. This is an easy way for the parents to be to stock up on diapers and different varieties because you never know which ones will work for your little one. We tried three brands and found the ones that work perfect for us. Request newborn, size 1, 2 and even 3. 

Pacifiers
Some people are against pacifiers, but I found that they were a lifesaver with my girls. The NICU used them to help the girls learn to suck, swallow and breathe at the same time and we still use them. They help soothe your baby when they are fussy, at nap time and when they sleep at night. I would recommend getting 2 to 4 per baby. Just in case you lose or misplace one.

A Good Set of Nail Clippers
We have gone through two pairs of nail clippers and I can not stress enough that you need a quality pair of baby nail clippers. Spend the extra few dollars and get a quality pair. I found that clipping the babies nails was easier and less time consuming than filing them down.

Swaddle Blankets
We used swaddle blankets from day one. The NICU nurses taught us how to swaddle the girls and we never turned back. We still use the swaddle blankets, but now as blankets that the girls take to daycare to cuddle with. They are soft, stretchy and last forever. I can't wait to help teach my sister-in-law to swaddle her new bundle of joy. 

Some other registry essentials to add to your list:
A stroller
Baby carrier
Car seat
Car seat cover
Compact changing table
Changing pad
Changing pad covers
Waterproof pad (to go over the changing pad cover, so you don't have to change the cover as often)
Clothes (zip up sleepers, onesies and a few outfits)
Crib (mini crib if you are in a small apartment), bassinet or co-sleeper
Crib mattress
Crib sheets
Baby laundry detergent
Light and white noise sound machine
Baby shampoo/body wash
Baby bath
Washcloths
Baby towels
Wipes

When you are putting your basket together, consider the gender (we don't know my sister-in-laws), space and overall feel you want to create. First, gather or buy a basket that is big enough to fit your items. Next, fill your basket with the items making sure you can see all of the items. Finally, add a gender specific ribbon or a gender neutral bow to complete the look.

All of these items can be found in the infant/toddler section at Target.

Did I forget any baby registry essentials? If you're shopping for a first time mom, don't forget to add the Diaper Genie Complete and Playtex VentAire Bottles to your shopping list!

14 comments :

  1. Great list! Congrats to your sister in law and family! That's so exciting. I think you hit everything that are essential for baby and mom's sanity. :)

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    1. Thank you. I tried to remember everything that I needed...not just what I wanted.

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  2. I have a baby shower coming up in May for my best friend. This definitely gives me great ideas!

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  3. Such a great list! My brother and SIL are having their first baby at the beginning of June and I've just been spoiling them with goodies! I need to send my SIL your link because she's worried she's going to forget something!

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    1. Thank you. Yes, please send her my link. I can't wait to spoil my niece/nephew!

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  4. This is a great baby essentials list! And congratulations to your sister-in-law. Such an exciting time as a first time mom. :) #client

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    1. Thank you on both accounts. And thank you for allowing me to participate in this campaign.

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  5. Congrats to your SIL (and to you, auntie)! We went through so many different brands of bottles before we found one Mila liked (Medela) but I had Playtex ones on my list to try next. I had no idea bottles could be such an ordeal!

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    1. Thank you! I can't wait to see what she is having. Bottles are crazy. We bought so many of them as well. We stuck to two different ones so far. Now we are transitioning to sippy cups and the girls seem to like them. but again, there are so many that we have tried so far in the sippy cup area.

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  6. Great list! Don't forget the diaper genie refills! At age three P is potty trained but wears pull-ups at night, so we are STILL using the diaper genie!! Never enough refills!!

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    1. Yes we do need the refills too. I love that this one can fit 270 diapers per refill bag. I didn't even think of putting the pull ups in there as well. Great idea.

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  7. Awesome list! Excited for your sister-in-law and you getting to be an aunt! Such fun times. Your list is great, and especially since she needs to fit things into a small space. It's funny how kids can be so different too. Ben only liked MAM pacis for some reason!

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    1. Thank you. I am excited to see what she is having. We gave her some items that were gender neutral from us and then we are giving her a few extra things (like the diaper genie and bottles).

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