My friend Lori was kind enough to write down some words of advice regarding baby stuff. Here’s what she said…
—————- what you’ll need NOW —————
Right now, you’ll need one combo of car seat + stroller.
They come in weight ranges… newborn +. My advice is to keep it light. YOu’ll be hauling baby around in this thing by the handle and the lighter the carseat, the happier you’ll be. So if the car seat says it can handle a wider range of baby weights (newborn to 210 lbs, for example), you’re not getting a bargain. You’re getting a pain. Keep it light. You’ll need to get another car seat later (when baby is bigger) anyway.
Britax is highly recommended. They’re expensive but really safe, really easy, really good.
I’ve also heard Graco has some nice ones.
I had a Peg Perego. They also seem good and safe.
Oh and make sure that it has a rating for an airplane seat as well. Most of them (probably all of them) do, but doesn’t hurt to make sure.
Some of the sets come with two bases, or the option to get an extra base (the base is the part that stays strapped into the car when you lift out the car seat with baby sleeping inside it). This is a good feature if you have two cars, because then you don’t have to re-install the base every time you want to take baby in a different car.
—————-what you’ll need LATER —————
Ok, later, you’ll need a separate car seat and stroller.
Car seats:
Britax makes a lovely car seat that covers a wide range of weights (the one I got goes up to 70 lbs… pretty impressive). Love it love it love it. You’re looking at $250 for this lovely item.
Strollers:
Maclaren Volo is my favorite stroller of all time. It’s lightweight, easily collapses with one hand, extremely maneuverable, is fairly adjustable, has a wide weight range, and (at least the one I got) looks good. Not the largest spot underneath for carrying gear, but as an all-around stroller, it’s the best. I looked around on Target for the one I got but they don’t seem to sell that design at Target anymore (very sad). They run about $99.
We also (pre-Volo) got a modified jogging stoller… has bigger wheels… the idea being that it’d be easier in the snow. This is true, but honestly, how many times does one take a stroller walk out in the heavy snow? Turns out not so much. The volo is fine on a shoveled walk (I was very impressed).
—————- REGISTRY —————
My recommendation is to register for EVERYTHING. The wider range you have (from little blankies to car seats) the better… some people can’t spend much and some people are so happy they’ll buy baby a whole home theater system.
Items I recommend to put on your registry:
- Diapers (hey, you’ll need ‘em) – Huggies for daytime (they’re cheaper), Pampers for nighttime (more expensive but hold more at night — critical).
- changing pad
- changing pad covers (2 – 3)
- receiving blankets – get a ton of these; very helpful. they’re cheap and easy to wash when messes happen; and they’ll happen a lot.
- little washcloths – also really helpful for messes; stick a bunch in the diaper bag and you’re covered.
- Pacifiers – get a few different kinds. Babies are weird and may only like one type and it’s good to have options.
- Papasan swing – the papasan swings both ways (front to back and side to side). Life saver. ‘Nuff said.
- Big receiving blankets from Ikea. For effective swaddling, it’s hard to find a blankie with the right dimensions; most are too small. Ikea provides ones that are just the right size.
- Glider chair – saved our lives. Get one with padded armrests. You’ll be using those armrests.
- Boppy nursing pillow – even if you don’t nurse, it’s really great for holding baby in a supported way, especially if they fall asleep on you. Plus it’s great to put on your head and pretend it’s a lion’s mane.
- Mattress pads – 2
- Crib bumper – a controversial subject (as most baby products are) but we liked it; Cam rolls all over when he sleeps and the bumper saved him from bonking himself on the hard crib edges, plus, no unattractive lines on the face from pressing up against the crib rails. 
- Crib sheets – 2 flannel, 3 regular
- Warm blankies – 3 thick, soft, warm blankies. One for bed, one for stroller, one for the couch
- Sleep sack – Generally you don’t use a blankie in the crib until they’re one (to prevent SIDS). So to keep ‘em warm, use a sleep sack. It’s a zippered pouch that is safe but warm.
- Breast pump – If you’re gonna nurse, get a motorized one. Whether or not you work, if you want to ever leave the house without baby, you’ll need to have some pumped milk to leave behind. Manual pumps are torture devices.
- Onesies (of course). You’ll need a ton of these.
- Sun hat with big brim
- baby sunscreen
- Thermometer – register for an expensive ear one. who wants to take a temp the hard way?
- Hyland’s teething gel – it’s all natural (not like Orajel) and WORKS. Miracle. And you can find it at Walgreen’s.
- Lansinoh (if you nurse). It’s soothing for um… Tatas.
- Boudreaux’s Butt Paste – The Best Ever. Period.
- Wipes. I recommend the unscented sensitive skin ones from Huggies. Their dispenser (the box) is good too. Don’t like the Pampers one. Bleh.
- Nursing bras – Tatas are gonna be sore. Take good care of them. I can’t remember the ones I got but totally worth it. I’ll look into this and get back to you.
- Nursing pads – If you nurse or not, you’ll need them at least for a little while. Don’t need to give an unexpected wet t-shirt show.
- Play yard – some come with changing pads on ‘em. A good deal. Get one that’s sturdy on the bottom. Eventually baby will be jumping in that bad boy.
- Play mat – Tiny Love (it’s a brand) has a pretty good one.
—————- NURSING —————
- Go to a class.
- Get a lactation consultant. Nothing helps better. You can read every word ever written on the subject and nothing can take the place of someone coming in and helping. Methodist offers them as part of your visit. Take advantage.
- Nursing is awesome. If you can do it, it’s really cool (and cheap). Formula is expensive.
- I have a lot more about this later.
