Baby Registry 101: What to Skip

The truth? Most new moms will tell you that a lot of those must-have items ended up collecting dust in the attic. So, before you get too trigger happy with that registry gun, let us give you the lowdown on some things you might want to think twice about adding to your baby registry.

The changing table
Okay, we know what you’re thinking: no changing table? But really, with all the frantic, last-minute poop cleanups you’re about to encounter, we’re willing to bet that 90 percent of them will happen somewhere other than on that pricey changing table you registered for. Instead, invest in a midsized dresser, get a comfy (and easy-to-clean) changing mat, throw it on top of the dresser and voilà! This will save you cash in the long run since you’ll be able to reuse the same dresser as baby gets older.

The wipe warmer
Let’s be honest: Whether you’re using warm or cold wipes, baby’s bottom will come out just as squeaky clean in the end. If you think a fresh wipe will be too chilly on baby’s tush, simply hold the wipe between your hands for a minute or two to warm it up with your natural body heat. This will create the same effect but won’t dry out the wipes, and—most importantly—it’s free.

Baby blankets
If you take nothing else away from this, just remember: There’s no need to register for baby blankets. People shopping for your shower and for the little one when she’s born will be unable to resist all the adorable baby blankets they see. Before you know it, you’ll be drowning in blankets, wraps and quilts. They’re soft and wonderful, and you’ll probably co-opt a few of them for your own use, but you’ll get plenty of them without having to add them to your registry.

Baby shoes
Sure, baby shoes are totally cute and irresistible when you see them on the rack, but once you get over the aww factor, are they really worth it? For pretty much the whole first year, baby’s not exactly walking anywhere. This means all of those adorable Nikes you registered for will probably wind up getting kicked off and eventually tossed in the back of a closet somewhere. (Sad, but true.) Our advice: Stick with inexpensive booties or socks to cover baby’s toes in the beginning and wait until he’s really ready to walk before you splurge on some serious kicks.

The bassinet
We know—you had one when you were little, your mother had one, your mother’s mother had one…but unless you’re getting a handed-down heirloom for baby, you can skip on getting a bassinet. It’s pretty to look at, but you’ll probably only get a few weeks’ worth of use out of it before it starts to collect dust in the corner of the room. Try a travel crib or even a playard (many of these come with a bassinet option)—both of which you’ll get more use out of later on—and spend your time looking into a good solid crib for the nursery.

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