Topic Archive: registry

October 26, 2011

Instead of a Registry (I’m Going Green)

A lot of first time expecting moms, myself included, get really overwhelmed when they step into a baby superstore. There is such a huge volume of stuff and it’s hard to know what you absolutely need, what might be nice, and what would be a total waste of money. Even if you are a researchaholic like me and have lists of what items you really must have before bringing baby home, it’s still daunting to decide between 50 options for one essential item.

Another thing I feel when I go into any superstore is temptation to buy a ton because so many things are cheap. Unfortunately, much of the stuff on big-box-store shelves is not necessarily of good quality or it’s designed to be disposable. A huge amount of these superstore goods will end up in a landfill in just a matter of  days or months. I’m sure this is even more true with baby stuff that isn’t used gently. If I indulge in buying a lot of cheap stuff at a superstore I usually feel wasteful in the end.

Combining my environmental awareness and the overwhelmed feeling I get from baby superstores, I’ve resolved to get as many of the supplies and gear I’ll need for my baby boy second-hand. Enter PregTASTIC Episode 197 “Saving Money and Going Green Baby Guide.” This particular show made me feel supported in my green efforts, inspired to get things used, and alerted me to what I would be wise to buy new.

Armed with information, the concept of going green and buying used baby gear was simple enough for me. I enjoy a good yard sale, am happy to accept hand-me-downs, and am pretty savvy on Craigslist. But now that baby showers are being planned and gifts are starting to show up, I want to guide my family and friends to the used treasures that I actually need and not leave them to buy me duplicates or things I don’t really want. After throwing out many ideas of how to do without a superstore registry, I came up with a plan. I would make a wiki instead of a registry. (more…)

June 20, 2011

Registering for Baby Bunching

Recently a pregnant friend posted the question on Facebook: “I wanted to avoid having a baby registry, but everyone is telling me I need to have one. What are the essentials that I need to register for?” It was, as you can imagine, dear reader, a Pandora’s box. There was the Boppy faction vs. Brest Friend, the Björn devotees against Ergo converts. Bottle warmer users weighing in against those who declared them a waste of money. Gliders were a godsend while others swore that they simply served as a clothes collector in the corner of the room.

Reading the comments gave me a headache, and I could only imagine how overwhelmed the prospective mother was feeling. Clarifying, no. Tear inducing, yes. I realized that many of these “essentials” are personal choices and not exactly according to the personality of the parents. Usage depends many times on one of my favorite adages: each child is different.

While I wouldn’t dare open such a rudimentary debate to this sophisticated audience by simply posting my own list of essentials, I thought I should offer my thoughts on the things that you should have when you know you’re going to try for baby number two soon after number one. I’ve heard this method of family planning called “baby bunching.” It takes a certain woman with nerves of steel to survive having two under two and certain kinds of gear as well! (more…)

Episode 77 | December 10, 2007

PregTASTIC Pregnancy Resources

Clothes, books, magazines… what are your favorites? PregTASTIC shares fabulous pregnancy finds plus Kristen from coolmompicks.com contributes her priceless picks including an all-inclusive online registry! And, find out who sends the crew a surprise gift.

Episode 72 | November 5, 2007

Registry Tips and Desired Gifts

Taking care of peripheral matters for labor day, how to organize your registry, some non-traditional gift ideas, and will you mini van or not? Coming soon: Lamaze, Home Birth and Vaccines with Dr. Sears.