IL Doula & Birth Photographer

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What do you REALLY need to register for?

Jelina Sonnenberg

BABIES ARE SO EXPENSIVE.

Like, I don't get it. They are so tiny, all they do is eat, sleep, and pee/poop. Why must they be so expensive?

I am all about getting the most bang for your buck. You will pretty much exclusively see me in the clearance section of stores (what can I say, I like saving money). But I also have never met someone who doesn't like saving money either. And as a first time parent, most people feel like they need all of the things recommended (damn you Pinterest). When in reality, you really don't use like half the things you'll buy.

Like that gorgeous nursery? Yeah, my son still hasn't ever slept in his room and he's 14 months old.  It's nice to look at though. Or the Pack'N'Play that we've used like three times that is literally sitting in a storage unit never to see the light of day until baby #2 comes along and we feel like we need it again.

So here is my list of what I feel is the 10 most needed items for a baby registry! I will include links to the items on Amazon (because well, it's Amazon), and don't forget, many of these items, you can buy second hand!!

  1. Diapers: Disposable I prefer Up & Up from Target, cloth I really like the AlvaBaby pocket diapers off of Amazon)
    https://www.amazon.com/ALVABABY-Adjustable-Washable-Reusable-6BM98/dp/B00C7JW3GQ/ref=sr_1_8_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1536467956&sr=8-8-spons&keywords=pocket%2Bcloth%2Bdiapers%2Bmama%2Bkoala&th=1 

  2. Wipes: My favorites are Honest Wipes, Pampers Sensitive, and Water Wipes.
    https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Company-Wipes-Fragrance-Classic/dp/B013C9OKVU/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468036&sr=1-3&keywords=honest%2Bwipes&th=1 

  3. Swaddle Up swaddles: These were literally a life saver!!
    https://www.amazon.com/Love-Dream-Swaddle-Original-Newborn/dp/B00MJXHM48/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468406&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=swaddle%2Bup&th=1 

  4. Baby Brezza: I know it's expensive, but if you plan to formula feed, this is literally the greatest invention in the history of man kind. While my son and I were struggling with breastfeeding in the beginning we used one of these and I can't sing it's praises enough.
    https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Brezza-FRP0045-Formula-Pro/dp/B00E8KJYNC/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468441&sr=1-1&keywords=baby%2Bbrezza&th=1 

  5. EarthMamaAngelBaby Organic Nipple Butter: If you're breastfeeding (and keep it up in like a cabinet or something, one of my dog's ate like 2 different jars of this and I was pissed) but really anything they make is a must have. It is fantastic!
    https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Organic-Breastfeeding-2-Fluid/dp/B000JVCBBG/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468476&sr=1-2&keywords=earth%2Bmama%2Bangel%2Bbaby&th=1 

  6. MyBreastFriend pillow if you're breastfeeding (the Boppy pillows are ok but I feel like they don't provide enough support)
    https://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Original-Fireworks/dp/B00PC3KVUY/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468546&sr=1-1&keywords=mybreastfriend&th=1 

  7. Dr. Brown's bottles
    https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Options-Bottle-4-Pack/dp/B01845QH7M/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468594&sr=1-6&keywords=dr%2Bbrowns%2Bbottles&th=1 

  8. Bulb Syringe: I know what you're thinking, SUPER OLD SCHOOL and they never stay clean. Clean it out with super hot water and soap after every use and you won't have issues with it. With the Nose Frida, although they're amazing, I would get sick every single time I used it. I mean you're legit inhaling all of the virus/bacteria that your little one is sick with. No thank you.
    https://www.amazon.com/PACK-Sterile-Syringe-Ulcer-Bulb/dp/B00PB9KSB6/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536468712&sr=8-3&keywords=bulb+syringe 

  9. 4moms mamaRoo: OMG this thing was legit a life saver in the first few weeks of that super blurry foggy haze of brand new parenthood. Plus you can control it from your phone. So cool.
    https://www.amazon.com/4moms-mamaRoo-Bluetooth-Enabled-high-Tech-Swing/dp/B073FS5FHM/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1536468744&sr=1-1&keywords=mamaroo&th=1

BONUS!

Add Birth Photography and a Birth Doula to your baby registry! People would love to donate to it, especially family from out of town! You could even specifically ask for donations towards it in lieu of gifts  (especially if it's baby #2/3/4) if it's something you are really wanting. AND I even offer personalized gift registries just for you to make it even easier!

There are always ways to make a photographer and doula possible! Sometimes it's just about being creative! Now go be awesome!