In Bloom Doula Services

As I get further along in my pregnancy I am feeling more and more compelled to prepare for this new arrival. I am beginning to plan a new nursery (something I didn’t really get to do with Holden because we were sharing a bedroom) and budget out things we will need and begin buying things in order to be fully ready when our next son is born. One of those things is making a baby registry.

I know that there is etiquette when it comes to baby registries, and that some believe you should not have baby showers after your first baby, but to me that is very old school. I think every baby and momma is worthy of being celebrated whether is be the first, third, or even her tenth baby. But even if you’re not having another baby shower per say there is another major reason why you should make registries for babies beyond your first, which is THE DISCOUNTS.

Even if you have all the major things like a crib, carseat and a stroller, there are still things you will need to stock up on and replace. Think diaper rash cream, diapers, and shampoos and lotions. You can make a registry just for yourself and then reap the benefits after. I have made five, yes, five registries during this pregnancy; mostly for research purposes and again, for the discounts. I will break down the pros and cons, the discounts you receive at each place to register and places with the best selections and return policies. I definitely have my favorites. I know five registries may seem a little be excessive, but this way, even if no one buys anything off of them I can utilize sales, coupons, and the various discounts to get all kinds of items I may need to prepare for baby #2 and postpartum life.

Amazon

I will start with the easiest, Amazon. You make it online and can add to it continuously. The best part is that you can essentially add anything to your registry, even stuff that you can’t buy at local stores. Brands I love like MotherLove and Earth Mama Angel Baby products aren’t sold at Target or Buy Buy Baby, but I can add them to my Amazon registry and receive the discount on any Prime items. Once you near the end of your pregnancy the discount becomes applicable and you can make one big stock order of anything still on your registry. I did this with Holden and got 15% off an Auto Rock ‘N Play as well and many other items. This time my Amazon registry is full of items like Yorba Nipple Cream, MotherLove Sitz Bath Soak, the Earth Mama Angel Baby New Mom Gift Set, and Blanqui Postpartum Leggings. It will be a big postpartum treat yo’self gift to myself toward the end of my pregnancy and saves me any extra store trips.

You can also get gifts from Amazon. Sample boxes with various products to try, but it doesn’t come to you automatically. You have to complete their checklist and purchase at least $10 off of your registry in order to be eligible for the gift box with samples. What I don’t like about about Amazon is that it isn’t hands-on and it isn’t as user friendly as I’d like it to be. I actually like going to the store and using the gun to scan items I am looking at. Not all items are eligible for the discount (they have to be Prime items), and I spent a lot of time going in circles trying to figure out how to get my sample box. That could just be my non-tech savvyness, but it is what it is. Plus the sample box only comes after a purchase. You get the sample packs just for registering with other stores, which leads me to my next choice.

Target

Every millennial mom is obsessed with Target right? I know I am. I love everything about Target. Their clothes, the fact that I can get groceries I need, a pharmacy is there and a dollar section. They also have the most user friendly registry. I go in-store, but it can just as easily be done online. In store an attendant gave me a free gift bag full of free samples, coupons, gifts like pacifiers and bottles, as well as my registry code for 15% off on a one time purchase. So, again toward the end of your pregnancy your discount becomes active and you get 15% off of an entire purchase, not just one item. Plus if you have a Red Card, you get another 5% off, plus free shipping. It is so wonderful. I know most moms, like me, are on a budget, so I take full advantage of any money saving deal I can get my hands on. Target also is a one-stop-shopping place for things I use regularly like Breastmilk storage bags, Baby Tylenol, and an extra changing pad I will need for having two under two in diapers. There is also an in-store only offer for any baby or maternity purchase over $30 dollars. You get some off.

In addition to the discounts Target is easy for everyone. I know that out of convenience it is where I shop over Buy Buy Baby or Babies R Us simply because those stores aren’t close to me. Those stores may have a bigger selection, but some of my less internet savvy relatives, or people who need a last minute gift really appreciate the ease of a registry like Target. Sometimes I would put the same item on multiple registries and just make sure I deleted it if it was purchased. I really wanted people to utilize my registry, so I wouldn’t get duplicates or just a bunch of simple things like baby blankets, (which I got PLENTY of) so in order to make it easy a place like Target, or Walmart is sometimes very helpful. Returns are easy at Target too. Anything can be returned that is on your registry, with or without a receipt. The same cannot be said for Babies ‘R Us. Out of all the the gifts I got, I got maybe three gift receipts. I also had returned items months after they were purchased. You can’t do that at other places either. I have not registered at Walmart, but they have a very easy return policy. Returns without receipts get store credit.

Here is what was in my complimentary Target goodie bag:

I love having sample sized of various products for my diaper bag

Buy Buy Baby

Like I said before, I don’t have a Buy Buy Baby close by. In fact it is about an hour away, and I have made two trips to it in the 14 months since Holden has been born. It is like a pilgrimage to Mecca. I love Buy Buy Baby; it has EVERYTHING in most brand and it has things you didn’t know existed or that you even wanted. The best thing about Buy Buy Baby may be the product experts on staff. When you’re a new mom and everything feels overwhelming and sometimes stressful, it is nice to have some one who is an “expert” to answer questions about products like car seats. They also give you a complimentary gift bag full of samples, goodies and coupons. And those coupons can be added to your overall 10% discount to un-purchased items on your registry. They send regular emails detailing sales and 20% deals of various items. The downside of Buy Buy Baby is the location. It makes returns inconvenient for me, and all purchases I make need to be done online. I put some fun stuff on this registry, like the toy blocks for the monthly update, maternity clothing, teething necklaces, and some books I would like for the boys.

And here is what came in my Buy Buy Baby bag:

A lot of similar items, but hey- they’re free!

Babies ‘R Us

I am not going to lie. I am not a fan of Babies ‘R Us. They have crappy return policies and the location is inconvenient. I don’t have a location near me, so I put off returning a bathtub that was honestly too big for our apartment (you can make returns from Babies ‘R Us to Toys ‘R Us since they are almost one in the same). Once I returned it after Holden was born it was passed the 30 days on the one gift receipt I did have. They refused to take my return despite the receipt, and although it may be their policy, it isn’t the policy everywhere and I am happy to take my business elsewhere to more accommodating places. They do offer a 10% discount on all remaining registry item, and do frequently have sales, but Buy Buy Baby is just an overall nicer shopping experience when it comes to baby stores. I wasn’t even going to make a registry at Babies ‘R Us this time because I was so frustrated by my experience trying to return some items, and they finickiness of their iPhone app. However, through the month of January Babies ‘R Us is having a giveaway! Everyday someone will win a $2,500 gift card for any valid registry, so I made one, and will again utilize my 10% discount if needed, so I suggest you make one there, (at least this month) too!

Babylist

Oh, Babylist, where were you when I was pregnant with Holden? More like where was I and was I living under a rock? But, Babylist is the most genius idea ever for registries. Babylist allows you to put ANYTHING from ANY website on your registry. It doesn’t have to be sold on Amazon, or at Target, or Buy Buy Baby. You can put items from Etsy shops, or specialty websites on your registry to direct anyone who would like to get you a gift to something you really want. There were things I really wanted for Holden, but went without because I didn’t know you could put it on a registry. It is so nice!

Plus you can put gifts like donations to maternity photo funds, a “baby moon” fund, or to help cover the expenses of a doula. You can request to have people come over with home cooked meals once your new baby is born, or help you clean your house while you catch up on sleep. Stuff new moms really NEED, but sometimes don’t want to ask for. I do not mind asking at all though, so if anyone would like to stop by and cuddle my babies with brownies or a lasagna in tow, I will be forever grateful. Not to mention you can also like your items on your Target, Buy Buy Baby, Babies ‘R Us or Amazon registries to your Babylist too, so it is the quintessential one stop baby registry. I had added all these beautiful bamboo swaddles from Spearmint Love, and a killer sequin car seat cover from ThreadMeKnot to my Babylist and sadly had to remove them when I found out I am having another boy, but maybe next time. The only downside of Babylist is that there are no coupons or discounts, otherwise, this would be my only registry. This time around though, I fully expect to be doing some shopping myself and am using the discounts to my advantages that other stores offer.

Hopefully this run down can give you some insight into where you’d like to register. A’int no shame in the game if you do all five like me either! Each registry brings forth a different benefit that I like to take advantage of and all five of the places mentioned (Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, Babies ‘R Us and Babylist) have apps for your phones to make them easy to update and review.

If you’re interested in checking out an experienced Mom’s advice on what to actually include on your registry, check out this list from my friend at Nourishing Little Souls. She’s got some practical advice on what you do and do not need, and what to buy used. Check it out here: Baby Registry Essentials (annnd the things you can do without).