10 Baby Registry Tips

So you are getting ready for your little ones arrival and are so excited to create your baby registry for all the fun things (and some necessities) that go with having a baby. That is, until you get to the store and are completely overwhelmed by the registry process! Here are some tips to help you through the mess!

1. Check other people's online registries - Go ahead, type in a generic last name into the registry search and see what other people have registered for. You may find things that you are completely missing! Look for baby registries where the baby has not been born yet as many people change their registries after the baby is born and eliminate items they already have.

2. Ask other moms what they found to be "must haves"- Other moms already went through it and can tell you what worked for them and what didn’t. This doesn't mean you need to register for everything they loved, but it will get your mind thinking!

3. Do not register for blankets- Unless there is a blanket you absolutely MUST have, do not register for cute blankets. People love to give baby blankets (without receipts) and you will end up with so many you won't know what to do with them. Of course, this does not apply to things like basic receiving blankets.

4. Do not register for large packs of bottles- Every baby is different and yours may not like the bottles in that family pack you registered for…now that they have been opened and used, you cannot return them! Register for small packages of 1 or 3 bottles.

5. Limit the amount of small toys and rattles you register for - These are another item that people love to just throw in with the gift, and you will end up with a lot of them!

6. Keep the gift receipts for EVERYTHING- Tape the gift receipts to everything, and resist the temptation to take everything out of the package. Wait until after your baby is born to open packages of non-essentials since you may want to return them. We did this and were so happy that we did. We ended up returning a lot after the baby was born!

7. Use the registry guide you get at the store as "suggestions" - Stores want to make money off of you so often you do not need as many of the items they suggest you need. When in doubt ask another mom!

8. Register for items that fit into a variety of price ranges - Many people cannot afford or will not want to pay for only larger priced items. That set of 4 burp rags with the adorable designs may look really cute, but for $30 it may be the only gift you get from someone. Perhaps a better option is to get the cloth diapers and use them as burp rags. Half the price for twice the rags, and a single person could afford to buy you more essentials.

9. Register for items you will need down the road - If you only register for newborn items, you may find yourself without the items you need within a few months of the birth. Clothing for past 0-3 months is a good option. Everyone likes to buy the small baby clothes so chances are you will get quite a bit of newborn or 0-3 month clothing as gifts when the baby arrives.

10. Stay gender neutral with bigger items - That is, unless you only want one child. Most people only have 1 baby shower. If you register for everything in pink, and you have a boy next, you may need to repurchase all of those big items so your little boy does not have to sleep in a pink crib or travel in a pink car seat.

Registering for a baby can be overwhelming, so don’t feel obligated to do it all at once. Take advantage of the online registries so you can alter your registry as you change your mind or decide on bigger items. Feel free to post comments with your own registry tips! The more the merrier!

Getting Pregnant...Relax!

I am not a doctor but I know that your body will not allow you to become pregnant if it cannot physically handle it. I know many women who have had a very hard time getting pregnant and when they stopped thinking about it and gave up, they concieved. Stressing out about becoming pregnant can cause your body to prevent itself from being pregnant. So my advice...relax, don't think about it and just have sex because you love your significant other, not just to make a baby.

Another basic thing that can prevent pregnancy is being overweight. Think about this. When you get pregnant your body focuses all of its efforts on taking care of your growing baby. This takes away from your health. Often, if your body is working extra hard because you have a few extra pounds, it can't focus on growing a baby. Sometimes you just need to loose a little extra weight and poof you become pregnant!

Of course this isn't the case for all women. These are just a couple things that can help. Doing these things doesn't guarantee a baby (nothing does, which yes, sucks). These are just a couple things that I have learned over the years that seem to work for friends and friends of friends. So relax, be healthy and happy baby making!

Bump, Birth, Baby!

After experiencing all these things myself, I found it beneficial to write a blog about all of the lovely things that go along with getting pregnant, pregnancy, birth and babies! I am gradually easing into using eco-friendly baby products as well as eco-friendly products in general. In this blog I will review baby products, pregnancy products, and mom products because I think it is necessary for us moms to stick together. I find that there is nothing better than a good recommendation or a good warning before spending money on something. Eco-friendly baby products and eco-friendly mom products are a few of my favorite topics and I love to share my experiences with others. I love to try out the latest products and I really love to talk about them!

I also find it therapeutic to read that other women experience the same things that I do. I am a real woman and I don't like to sugar coat things. I am always happy to get input and recommendations from others and am happy to discuss tough topics. Here topics including getting pregnant, pregnancy, birth and babies are all open for discussion. Topics including saving money are also discussed. Tips for anything and everything mom or baby related are always welcome!