Two Cents.

I do not claim to be a know it all. In fact I know very little about mothering...it is a trial and error kind of process. What worked for us will not work for everyone and vice versa.

We started out in a townhouse and very little space for mommy & daddy let alone a new bundle of joy. So I am giving my two cents (which were asked for by several soon to be mommas) on the topic of take it or leave it items for baby ;o)

SOOO here it goes

SAMPLE LIST OF ITEMS TO REGISTER FOR and my two cents:

Baby Registry Checklist A Printable Checklist of Must-Haves  -- By Liza Barnes, Health Educator  It's gift registry time! This can be one of the most fun times of your pregnancy. Use this list as a guide to make sure you don't forget any important items. You definitely don't need every item on this list-the love and care you give your child is more important to your baby's development than anything here. But when you have family and friends eager to contribute, a detailed registry helps them buy things you can use.  Clothing Your Baby Onesies--Great. Know that sizes are all across the board on all baby clothes! However if you register for them I would register for bigger sizes. Most people who buy clothes will buy NB or 0-3. Sleepers and/or gowns--I enjoyed the gowns and the zipper sleepers. The buttons take forever and the kiddos fight you the whole time! PITA (pain in the ass) Socks--I personally liked the ones that looked like shoes. Like little sneakers or ballet slippers. Super cute. But also know that these little babies have a tendency to always come off!  Hats-Not a fan of the cotton newborn hats. But that is preference. I wouldn't get too many of them. Sweaters-Not going to comment much more on clothes...get what you want ;o) Snowsuit bag-Ummm we took B out in the snow for like 10 minutes.  Bathing Your Baby Baby tub--I have already posted my faves  Baby toiletries--I still have not had to buy these. I got a few saple size packs at my showers. It is inevitable you will get some. Unless you are particular as to what you want don't register for them. If for some unknown reason you don't get any. Use a coupon for Johnson & Johnson if you use that kind..they always have a ton. You do not need baby powder...you aren't even supposed to use it on babies (or so I have read). I prefer Aquaphor for diaper rash or even olive oil over desitin or other brands.  Baby washcloths- Only need a few of these Baby bath towels-We roate between 2. Carrying Your Baby Front carrier, sling, and/or backpack-Your choice. I loved the Moby in the beginning.  Breastfeeding Your Baby Boppy (or other nursing pillow) and cover--I wasn't a huge fan of the boppy. In the early weeks I loved MyBreastFriend. The boppy never quit fit around me in the right places or lifted the baby to the right height or whatever. Once I got the hang of it I no longer needed the BreastFriend. So if you can borrow one of these or get one cheap I say do it. I never used the boppy for tummy time or anything other than letting her sleep in it on the couch. Breast pump--I loved my manual!! I am still not a huge fan of the electric. In the begining you will produce a lot more and be able to pump fairly easily with the manual. Or at least I was able to. If you can get your insurance to cover an Electric, go for it. I also would get a manual for when you are out and about. Breast milk storage and feeding set--Lansinoh. PERIOD. The other bags leak. Insulated carrying case for transporting milk safely.  Bottle-Feeding Your Baby Bottles--Do not buy all the same. The baby might hate it. I had my heart set on Playtex drop in nursers. She couldn't latch right on it. We ended up trying 4 different types and decided Dr. Brown's were the best fit. Now she will use anything but in the early months it was a no go. Keep all your receipts ;o) Assorted nipples-Always just went for the whole bottle change if she didn't like the nipple because not all are created equal ;o) Utensils for formula preparation. Not sure what that means haha SO cross that one off the list hahaha Sterilizer, if recommended --House is already equiped. Called a stove and a pan of hot water. Formula--I would keep the samples you get. Bottle and nipple brush.  Feeding Your Baby Highchair--Space saver=love Bibs--If you have a spitter they are nice to have the cloth ones. B didn't spit up much so we use the vinyl wipe off ones. We love them. Anything where I don't have to do as much laundry! Baby utensils--Whatever you want. Food mill, for grinding up food for baby--Handheld blender, blender, food processor, fork..don't need anything special Plates and bowls--whatever you want Stimulating Your Baby Board books-love Gymini-no idea what that is...unless it is like a playmat hahaha Soft blocks-love Rattles-love Teething rings-hate Puzzles-not there yet Soothing Your Baby Receiving blankets (for swaddling)--halo sleep sack with swaddle is where it is at. Pacifiers--buy several different types if you are going to use one. we tried like 7 haha Music CDs--your coice Swing--I like the low to the ground travel swings personally. They don't take up a ton of space and are more affordable. Some babies hate the swing Bouncey-Some babies hate the bouncey as well. I recomend one that actually bounces haha it is great for taking naps in early months and being able to rock them back to sleep with your foot hahaha Taking Your Baby Places Diaper bag--Stupidest invention. I can put everything in my purse I need. If we are going to be gone all day then I will bring a small bag with extra stuff. My & the diaper bag didn't mix. Too big. Too much room to throw everything but the kitchen sink. Wipes carrying case--get several carrying cases. You will leave them or loose them. Keep extra in the car. Car seat--Already posted about my love for our carseat I have not moved her out of the infant seat yet. Stroller--Already posted about the SnapNGo. We love how lightweight and small and easy it is to use. We have since purchased a larger stroller to be able to take to the zoo and the park and walking/jogging. It has a carseat adapter ...but we plan still use and plan on keeping the SnapNGo for next baby. We also will be getting an umbrella stroller for quick trips where a large stroller is not ideal like the mall or whatever. How many strollers does it take? haha Diapering Your Baby Diaper pail--nothing fancy needed in my opinion. get one that you can use regular bags with Changing table or changing pad-loved this in the early months. Now she is wanting to jump off haha Cloth-Diapering Your Baby---IMO Cloth is the only way to go. Better for the environment and your wallet. Can't get better than that! Cloth diapers--We use Kawaii Pockets & Flips Cloth wipes--We made some out of flannel recieveing blankets Wet bag (for carrying wet diapers in your diaper bag)--we use these  and we use a pail liner at home. Disposable-Diapering Your Baby Disposable diapers--dont buy all one brand. B was allergic to several kinds.  Disposable wipes--again she was allergic and we sill have to rinse them out Wipes warmer--waste of money!! Diaper rash cream--olive oil and aquaphor serve more than one purpose ;O) Putting Your Baby to Bed Co-sleeper and/or bed rails--not my style. Crib--Much needed ;O) Sheets and accessories for co-sleeper and/or crib--we have 1 sheet. That is all we need. When it gets dirty it gets washed and is back on before bedtime. Yes, sometimes she sleep on just her mattress if it is nap time. she doesn't mind. Portable crib--Pack N Play ....we don't use this at all. We did in the early months to have downstairs to use to change diapers...and when friends come over they take naps in it...but otherwise we don't have a need for it and that has been the consensus with other mommas Waterproof crib pads--get one of the waterproof mattress covers. Baby-Proofing Supplies Although you won't need this stuff right away, it's a good idea to baby-proof before baby is mobile, so you don't have to go rushing around at the last minute.----Havent done this yet ;o) Outlet covers Baby gates Door latches Toilet latch Non-slip tub mat Padding for sharp table edges Doorknob guards Stove knob guards For Mom Belly casting kit Nursing tops (for breastfeeding moms)---waste of money as well as nursing bras Some women choose to hire a Doula (a professional labor assistant) to increase their chances of a smooth delivery. If you'd like to hire a doula, but can't afford it, consider adding requests for contributions to your registry.

Here was a list I used...

PASS

DVDs for babies – Baby Einstein, Baby Genius, Brainy Baby, Baby Signing Time. They all insist adamantly that they’re not like each other (but they really are all the same). They claim to make your baby smarter, happier, funnier, better. Don’t buy it…and don’t forget that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV until after age two.

Hooded Towels – They seem snuggly and sweet and so marvelously miniature. Then, you get them home and realize they’re snuggly and sweet…and ridiculously small. Isn’t the goal to keep the baby warm after a bath? Regular, adult-sized towels are so much better for wrapping and warming.

Baby Shoes (0-6 months) – Babies don’t walk. In fact, they don’t even crawl until they’re at least 6 months. The teeny kicks may be absolutely adorable, but they’re also completely unnecessary.

Baby Oil and Baby Powder - These items are relics from the 1950s, yet they still randomly show up on registry “must have” lists. They are most definitely not “must haves.” They are “why-do-I-have-these” items.

Baby Brush and Comb – That tiny doll-sized matching brush and comb set is so cute, but also highly impractical. They will likely go unused, except perhaps by the baby’s older sibling and her collection of dolls.

BORROW OR BUY SECONDHAND

Swing – Some babies like ‘em, some babies hate ‘em, some babies throw up in ‘em. This is not an item you want to invest big bucks in. Even if your baby LOVES the rhythmic back-and-forth motion and the accompanying tunes, it’s unlikely that he or she will use the swing for more than 6 months.

Nursery Decor - Ah, the “baby’s room.” It’s what everyone wants to know about (Did you paint the baby’s room? Did you hang up those cute little letters that spell out the baby’s name? Do you have a “theme”?). It’s how you show your parenting skills even before the baby arrives. It’s as if having a flawlessly magazine-ready room will guarantee your prowess as a parent. But that’s ridiculous for 102 reasons (which I’ll save for another post in the future), most notably of which that (a) the baby does not care if the room is decorated and (b) the baby may not even end up sleeping in that room.

Mobile – Do you really need a hanging thing getting in your way as you put your baby in the crib in a sleepy stupor? Wait a minute…who said anything about putting the baby in a crib? Moving right along to…

Crib & Crib Mattress & Crib Linens – This is a little secret I’ll clue you in on. Some babies don’t sleep in cribs. GASP! We have a 2-year-old and a 1-month-old and you can search high-and-low throughout our house and you won’t find a crib anywhere. That said, plenty of people do use cribs, but I wouldn’t run out and buy that expensive cherry wood bed of luxury because it may sit forlornly in your perfectly-decorated nursery with no baby inside. Instead, borrow one from a friend or buy a bassinet off CraigsList for the first few months until you can decide what sleeping arrangements work best for your family.

Travel System Stroller (and infant car seat) – Again, you might use this. You might not. I much prefer to take my baby right out of that car seat and carry her in my arms or in a carrier when we’re out-and-about.

WAIT AND SEE

Breast Pump – If you’re returning to work post-baby and want to give your baby the benefits of breastmilk, those suction cups may become your new office-mate. If, however, you’re a stay-at-home mom, you probably don’t need a double-electric pump. You might prefer to use a manual pump or to hand express. Or you might not use a pump at all.

Bottles, Bottle Warmer, and Bottle Accessories – Childrens’ story books and Hollywood would have us believe that all babies drink from bottles…but that’s not always the case.

Pacifiers – Again, this one’s a “toss up.” Some babies use them. Some babies don’t. Our two girls never did.

Bibs and Burp Cloths – Some babies drool a lot. Other babies don’t. Some parents dutifully put bibs on their babes at mealtime. Other moms just let the mess get all over the place and then stick their kid in the bath afterward.

I am sure I will think of more things! Stay tuned.