As a first-time mom, registering for baby can be an overwhelming experience. What do you really need when it comes to all the bottles, bouncers, bibs and bassinets? While it’s obvious that your impending bundle of joy requires a plethora of baby equipment and accessories, it’s not always so obvious how to make those choices.
When it comes to the do’s and don’ts of registering for baby, Rachel Glasson and Marti Goyal are experts and both mamas to two little ones. Glasson owns Twinkle Twinkle Little One, a baby and child boutique located in Roscoe Village. Goyal founded Urba Baby, a community baby store with locations in Lincoln Park and Wicker Park.
Both agree that when it comes to baby registries, less is really more.
“Rather than register for every item under the sun you may need for baby, instead select special items that you really want,” says Glasson.
Here are their top tips when it comes to registering.
Registering for baby can be an overwhelming experience. We have advice from two Chicago boutique owners to help you register for all your baby’s needs.
Pare down the basics
A common mistake many moms make is registering for way toomany of the basic baby items.
“For some reason, people overbuy the necessities theydon’t need,” says Glasson. “You don’t really need 12 bottles, youcan get by with six bottles. You don’t need 15 onesies. Cut down onthe amount of basics and instead leave room on your registry forspecial items that will make you smile every time you enter thenursery.”
Skip the gear
Rather than register all at once for the baby gear youdon’t immediately need, such as toddler car seats and high chairs,Goyal suggests only registering for the items you are going to needand use for baby right away. “For example, babies don’t starteating solids for months and items like high chairs just take upspace until you really need them,” says Goyal. “Plus, there are newproducts out constantly, so why get something now that will sit instorage and then decide later you want the one you see all yourfriends using?”
Forward thinking
When it comes to selecting furniture for the nursery,Glasson says think about products you are going to want and need inthe years to come. “Why register for your glider in bright pinkwhen you could do a great charcoal gray that can transition downthe road into your main living space or a big girlbedroom,”suggests Glasson. “Pick furniture that can move withyou as your family grows and evolves.”
Gift cards
Glasson says people often register for things they thinkthey want or need, but end up never using them. She suggestsregistering for gift cards as part of your registry. “Gift cardsmake a lot of sense because you can use them down the line foritems like high chairs or toddler needs,” says Glasson.
Keep it simple
When it comes to registering, keep it simple or you willbe overwhelmed. “You don’t need a 100 different things manychecklists suggest such as a wipe warmer,” says Goyal. “You reallyonly need certain items to make your life easier and processes withthe baby faster. Don’t get carried away, and remember that less isalways more.”
The must-have baby gifts this season
When it comes to the do’s and don’ts of registering for baby,Rachel Glasson and Marti Goyal are experts and both mamas to twolittle ones. Glasson ownsTwinkle TwinkleLittle One, a baby and child boutique located in Roscoe
Village. Goyal foundedUrba Baby, a community baby
store with locations in Lincoln Park and Wicker Park.
Both agree that when it comes to baby registries, less is reallymore.
Glasson and Goyal recommend these current must-have items forbaby:
Megan Murray Elsener is a Chicago mother of two
