Most Used Registry Items

It has been almost three months since Edith arrived and as most new parents will tell you time is quickly flying by.

 When we registered for gifts for our shower we tried to be practical and register for the essentials that we knew (well thought) that we would need for the first six or so months.  Having not had a baby before we really had no idea what we would need and wouldn’t need and so I spent months reading other mom blogs and websites for suggestions. One of my husband’s co-workers told him that all we really needed were diapers, a safe place for them to sleep, some clothes and a boob and I have to say she was right but obviously we have found so many other items helpful during these past few months.

So here are the highlights of what was on my registry (this is a condensed list):

• Cloth Diapers
• Jogging Stroller and accessories including infant carseat adapter
• Infant Carseat
• Babycarrier
• Baby Swing
• Bouncy Chair
• Nursing Pillow
• Playmat
• Crib and essentials
• Pack n’Play
• Breast Pump
• Bottles
• Hooded Towles and wash clothes
• Natural Baby Soaps
• Onesies
• Muslin Blankets
• White Noise Machine
• Diaper Bag

As much as I’d like to say that all of these items have been useful to be honest there are a few that we have never used or are rarely used. I won’t say that they are not good to have or that in the future they maybe perfect but during the first few months things such as the white noise machine, jogging stroller (which I love), crib and playmat have either rarely been used.  I would say that this is mostly due to Edith’s age and development.  The white noise machine does nothing to soothe her, the jogging stroller while wonderful can’t be used for jogging yet and Edith is going through a “I hate my carseat” phase so we rarely use it for walks, the crib is nice to have but Edith sleeps in our room right now and the playmat is also nice to have but Edith hasn’t really started to take an interest in it yet.

So what do we use the most:

• Cloth & Disposible Diapers: Right now because Edith is so tiny and we have a limited number of newborn diapers we are doing a combination of of disposibles and cloth.  I try and use cloth excuslively at home with the exception of nights when we put her in a disposible.
• Infant Carseat: Although Edith hates her carseat (I’m hoping this is just a phase) it is essential to have, I mean you can’t even leave the hospital without one.  We use ours for travel in the car (obviously) and it is used with her stroller to push her around.
• Babycarrier: Since Edith is now boycotting her carseat and therefore her stroller as well we have been doing a lot of babywearing especially in the Ergo Bundle of Joy Carrier.  She loves being held so close while we walk and both my husband and I love to babywear.  The infant insert is really great to have; I love the extra support and comfort it provides for her.

• Baby Swing: This was an item that Edith hated for the first five weeks of her life but one night after a particularly tiring day we decided to give it another go.  We placed her in, crossed our fingers and turned it on and soon our fussing baby calmed down. Now we use it on a daily basis as a soothing device and I couldn’t be happier having it.  This is one of those items that I questioned the need for at the beginning but was glad we tired it out again because now it is one of the most used items in our house.
• Bouncy Chair: Another essential item from day one of being home we have used this.  It is amazing to have because I can set Edith down in it when I need to get work done, she needs a nap or I just need to go to the bathroom and need a place to put her.  She loves it because she can sit and babble and coo at us in it.
• Pack n’Play: We do a combination of bed sharing and co-sleeping (sleeping in the same room) and so the pack n’play has been great for us.  Edith sleeps in the bassinet part of the pack n’play at night and it has been great to have to take with us on trips.
• Muslin Blankets: These have to be the most useful item out of everything on my registry.  I absolutely love my huge muslin swaddling blankets.  They are soft and are wonderful for nighttime swaddles or during the day as a blanket.  I also use them when we are out to cover the carseat when it is too sunny, windy or Edith is sleeping.  Lastly I often use them as a nursing cover when we are in public. I tie two ends together and slip it over my head and it makes a quick, easy and light nursing cover.

So what can I tell you maybe you do need more than diapers, a place to sleep, some clothes and a boob.  I know that for every family the essential items are different but above are what works best for us.  If nothing else these would be my top recommended registry items.  Over the next few months our most used items list will change as Edith develops more and I can’t wait (or maybe I can just a little) to see what we will find most useful three months from now!

What was on your registry that you used the most?  Was there anything that you received that was invaluable, but not on your registry?