Becoming a parent is a journey - filled with anticipation, excitement, and a whole lot of preparation. At Popins, we work with clients to prepare for maternity leave; and while conversation starts with “who will cover what” at work, what is often top of mind for expecting parents is the impending one-time events - like giving birth and preparing for a baby shower. 

Two separate events - and stay with me - I believe a well executed baby shower can positively impact the birth (and recovery) experience.

The Baby Shower is a gift-giving centered party - intended to be a joyful celebration of an expected baby; for parents-to-be, a chance to be loved on and “showered” with gifts.  

But which gifts? Enter the (fairly new concept of) The Baby Registry. For many first time parents, a Baby Registry has become an expected accompaniment to the Baby Shower. 

With an explosion of baby products promising happier, smarter, better sleeping babies - creating and curating “the list” can be daunting and time-consuming. So it’s tempting (and easy) to add it all to the registry…resulting in a lot of gifts you don’t actually need or use once your baby arrives. (Angel Carr, a postpartum doula, has actually returned baby shower items for clients!).

With no registry in place, loved ones flounder - either bugging you for your list, or getting you items they think you will need. Some will be right, some will be wrong, and some will be duplicates.

Enter: The Baby Registry Consult. 

The Goal: Guide the curation of a baby registry that fits your lifestyle & parenting goals, so that you can get the stuff & support that you need at the start of your parenting journey.  And save time in the process! 

Sign up for a personalized consult here - or read on for the DIY cliffnotes.

Step 1: Choose Your Registry Platform

There are a number of registry platforms - from broad product-based sites like Amazon and Target, to upscale color-coordinated sites like Pottery Barn. Newer on the scene is service-oriented BeHerVillage, a registry platform that connects parents with local & virtual services that support new families and makes gifting desired services easy.

I'm partial to a hybrid approach: a BeHerVillage registry that offers some flexibility (you can add "Lactation Consult" but use the money elsewhere if breastfeeding is going well) + an option for people who really want to wrap a gift and watch you open it.  

Step 2: Decide What Makes the List

Baby Stuff 

Your registry should have a few key items that match your parenting goals and lifestyle. 

Consider if you want to buy your own essentials (like baby nail files, nasal aspirators, digital thermometers) or have them gifted. Muslin blankets are great for swaddling early on and are versatile for years - as bibs, rags, painting smocks. Sleep sacks and onesies (through 12 month sizing) are practical items that can also be cute. 

Baby books are useful and joyful. Consider asking everyone to bring one to the shower; you'll get an entire library without having to specify each book on your registry. 

Big Ticket Items

Major items such as strollers, car seats, cribs, pack & plays, and high chairs should be on your registry, for gifters who want to take care of a large item for you. 

Mom Stuff 

Most people don't want to register for (or gift!) hemhorroid cream. But, recovery boxes for the birth parent (like these from Mombox) can be pretty & practical. For moms hoping to breastfeed, Silverette cups & a Haaka/manual pump are great to have on hand.

Parent Support

While cute onesies and rubber ducky bath thermometers (my personal weakness) are absolutely tempting, don't overlook the importance of service-based items such as doula support, pelvic floor physical therapist visits, or lactation consultations. These invaluable resources can prepare you for birth, support your labor & delivery, and help you recover faster and better postpartum. 

Beyond perinatal experts, I also recommend considering help to take care of the daily basics - cleaning, laundry, meals - for some time after you bring your baby home.  That might mean registering for a Roomba or a cleaning service!

Step 3: Decide What Stays OFF the List

Be mindful of items that may not be safe or practical for your baby. 

• Bouncers and swings have a history of recalls. 
• Crib mattress toppers may look cozy to Grandma but are out of alignment with newborn safe sleep guidelines.
• Bottle warmers? You might find it’s essential. Or your baby might not get a bottle for weeks and then be absolutely fine drinking cold milk.
• Baby socks with little grippies? Adorable. But your 3 month old is not going to be walking. Those socks will be soaked from being sucked on (your baby will likely be flexible enough to put their toes in their mouth. Impressive.), and/or kicked off. They will match the first time they are put on, and never again.

This "avoid" list from BeHerVillage is a good point of reference.

A Note on Baby Blankets & Stuffies:

I don’t recommend registering for them. One reason? Safe sleep guidelines prohibit them from the newborn crib (use layered clothes & sleep sacks instead). 

And also…I hope that you get a couple (or many) blankets & stuffies from a talented (or at least well-intentioned) loved one. 

Small blankets that transform into “stuffy blankets” after your baby outgrows them. Large blankets that you save for your toddler and that keep your kindergartener warm. 

Gifts that make you smile with gratitude for the people who bind their love for your family into stitched pirate scenes & sock monkeys.

Wishing you a stress-free registry creation & curation process!

If you'd like personalized help to save time and be connected directly with the resources you need, I'd love to chat. Sign up for your Baby Registry Consult here!