After my last registry post talking about what I wish I would have registered for as a first-time mom, it got me thinking about all the things I have from my baby registry that I don’t really use. And I knew this would happen just like it did with my wedding registries. If you’ve ever had a registry before, then you probably know the feeling. There are just some obvious “what was I thinking?” moments. So after rounding up the things I wish I would have included – you can read that post here – now I want to talk about the things that, if I could do it over, I wouldn’t include and why.
I have linked all the products and have also included some alternatives I think worked better for us or could have had we decided to swap.
Baby bowls – I put these on my registry because I was clueless about when and how a baby learns to eat solid foods. I had no concept of that timeline and the different stages they go through. Now knowing a baby usually doesn’t start eating solids until around 6 months, I think it’s a waste to have these sitting around for so long. There are so many other things you could be getting use out of. My son is a year old now and we STILL haven’t used these. He loves to eat food from his high chair tray. Maybe in another year or so these might be useful when toddlers start using plates/bowls but who even knows because we aren’t there yet.
Better choice –> Divided Silicone Plates
I think the divided silicone plates would be better. They would help contain his food on his tray and would also serve as good portion guides. When he needs a snack, I use these snack cups that I also love.
Mesh Feeders – I thought these might be a good way for my little guy to try eating pureed food on his own by exploring self-feeding. Honestly, I think they were just more confusing and messy. The feeder would eventually just end up on the floor or in his lap. These are gimmicky to me but maybe they work for others. Do your research and use your best judgement.
Evenflo Exersaucer Bounce & Learn – I think bouncers are a must-have item had we chose the right one. In an effort to keep items more affordable, I picked a “best seller” on Amazon thinking that it had great reviews and was popular but affordable so win-win right? However, I think we would have been better off getting one with a few more bells and whistles on it for our little guy’s development. This Evenflo one just felt too basic with only a handful of toys for him to play with. Plus the “bouncing” capabilities seemed pretty limited. I don’t think our little guy ever really figured out how to bounce in it. I’ve seen much more bouncy and springy ones that, although are a little more pricey, look to be an overall better purchase.
Better choice –> Fisher Price Jumperoo
Traditional High Chair – These things are pretty bulky and take up quite a lot of floor space. If you have plenty of room at your dinner table, go for it. But for us, our table area is tight. If I could do it again, I would opt for a space saver option that hooks up to one of your own chairs instead. This also makes them more portable for trips to visit grandparents who might not have one, vacations, or really any place you may need a high chair away from home or a restaurant.
Better choice –> Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair
Pampers Diapers – Pampers is an awesome brand and I truly love their diapers. However, diapers will be a hot commodity in your home and they aren’t cheap. I think using Pampers during the first month or so when your baby is really new and sensitive is a good option. But after that, don’t be afraid to try out other brands and see what you like. Personally, we love Target Up & Up diapers and they are usually about $10 cheaper for boxes.
Better choice –> Target Up & Up
Bottle Drying Grass – This is something that might be nice to have but isn’t a necessity. I did like it and used it for a while. However, I started noticing black mold growing at the base. Even after running it through the dishwasher, I would still see mold so we tossed it immediately! There is no way I want the containers my baby drinks from getting anywhere close to mold. We just started putting a clean dish towel down instead whenever we would hand wash something to let it air dry. Pretty much does the exact same thing and you can change out your towels much easier.
I’m curious mommas – what are the baby registry items you would have skipped if you had to do it all over again? I would love to know what didn’t work for you or maybe you found a better solution? I love learning tips and tricks from other mommas so leave me a comment!
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