Category Archives: registry

Should I Have A Baby Shower For My Second Child?

Baby showers are a lot of fun! For your first baby. When you are having a baby shower for your second baby, regardless of having a different gender, things begin to get dicey. Who do you invite? Do you still have a registry? At first I was hesitant to even have a shower, but several family members coaxed me into the idea, assuring me it is perfectly fine. In planning my second baby shower I have been struggling with some of these hurdles and found ways to manage negative connotations that may be associated with the event.

Should I Register?

I want to celebrate the birth of our son, but I do not want anyone to feel that I am gift grabbing. I am not looking to have a baby shower just to receive clothes and toys for the baby. I genuinely want an excuse to celebrate with all our friends and relatives since I am just as excited about this baby as I was about our first. But I know a lot of people who really do want to get us stuff, so I feel as if I should have a registry more as a guide. I did not put down where we are registered on the invitation, and only mention we have a registry when asked. This way, if someone is not looking to get us anything, they should not feel obliged to do so.

What should I register for?

Again, stressing I am not trying to have a shower just to get gifts, I thought it would be best to register for small items that would not set anyone back, but would make everyone feel comfortable giving. This way, those who feel they cannot show up without a gift have something, and the rest of our guest list doesn’t have to worry about it. I comprised my entire registry of onesies, pacifiers, and booties. Nothing is over the $5-$10 range.

Who Should I Invite?

This too becomes a concern. We were so excited when I was pregnant with my daughter we invited everyone we knew to our baby shower. It was a massive event which took almost as long as a wedding to plan and coordinate. Even though my excitement has not weaned, others’ has. This time around, we limited the invite list considerably. We kept it to family, and a few close friends. Now I am beginning to wonder if we limited it too much. I fear some of our friends may feel slighted that they were not also invited. What if they hear about the baby shower from mutual friends and feel as though we do not perceive them as important? Will they wonder why we didn’t want them there celebrating with us? Hopefully not.

What do you think about second baby showers?

4 Things no Baby Registry Needs

Remember when you were creating your very first baby registry for your first born? Did you consult all the books, magazines, online articles and baby gurus? I did. And in the end, I was just as confused. I did not know what half of the stuff on my baby registry was for, but trusted the “experts” nevertheless.I should have asked my friends who had had children in recent years. Better yet, I should have made a list and tucked it away until after my daughter was born and played it by ear. Each child is different, and even though I have friends and family who would have sworn by their baby wipes warmer and bumbo chair, my daughter never needed or used such items.

As I sit at my computer creating my registry for my unborn son I have a much better idea of what is really needed, and as I cross off item after item, I also realize I have no idea what this child will be like, or what he will like. Back to square one.

What if he is more aggressive than my daughter on the nipple? Will I need Lansinoh cream this time? What if his skin is more sensitive? Should I tack on some sensitive wipes and diapers too?
After much deliberation and frustration, I admit my registry is not yet complete. However, I did manage to concoct a list of things I am absolutely sure are not needed on this registry, or any other for that matter.

1. Bottle Sanitizer/ Sterilizer Kit
A dishwasher is enough. The hot water used to clean your dishes works just fine on the bottles, nipples and caps. If you don’t have a dishwasher, normal hot water with some soap and a regular bottle brush will also do the trick. Your kid will grab everything off the floor and stick it in their mouths. Those things are a lot dirtier than their bottle. In fact, my daughter stuck our cat’s paw in her mouth the other day. We do not have disinfectants for our cats.

2. Double Strollers
Unless you are having twins or other multiples, regardless of how close in age your kids might be, these strollers are more of a headache then a help. They are very cumbersome to navigate, especially if you are trying to go grocery shopping, or run any other errands in closed spaces. Not to mention simply getting the stroller in and out of the car is a feat onto itself. I confess I coveted one such stroller for many months, until I finally made my way into a brick and mortar store to play around with it. No wonder I usually see the dads maneuvering these around.

3. Bathrobes for Newborns
Very cute. Completely impractical. A hooded towel to dry off the tot will do.

4. Lansinoh Cream
This is not a completely useless item. Some women really need it. However, you won’t know until your baby is born, at which point you can get some at the hospital or nearest drug store. I have a giant unused tube of it at home. I am actually hoping to need it this time around just so I can feel as though the product and money were not wasted.

What items do you find to be unwarranted on a baby registry?