For first time parents the idea of creating a baby registry can seem over whelming with all of the choices out there. Until you are a parent it is hard to know what you will actually use and what is a waste of money. When I was pregnant with our son I remember walking into the big box baby store feeling huge, dizzy and exhausted. I kept scanning the room for a place to curl up into fetal position. Luckily my husband who hates shopping lives for registering and researching products so I let him take the lead and I gave up a lot of control in order to survive the experience. In the end he was pretty dead on and we have loved almost every choice we made as first time parents. Now that I have been through the reality that is having an actual living, breathing human test everything out I have learned what I love and what to skip.
In this series I will be breaking a baby registry down into the items to splurge on and pass up. In each blog post I will be highlighting my favorite items and local shops. Feel free to email me with any questions you might have regarding creating your own personalized registry at info@nestingstory.ca. Nesting Story also specializes in registry management. Please visit our list of services for more information. In the Travel blog post I sourced almost all of the items from Snuggle Bugz, a wonderful shop with everything baby, located in Milton and Burlington, Ontario. You can also shop on their website www.snugglebugz.ca.
Nesting Story’s Baby Registry Picks and Skips – Part 1: Travel
Stroller(s)
My biggest mistake that I made while creating my baby registry was getting caught up in all of the bells and whistles of the fancy single stroller we bought without really thinking about the future. We thought our kids would be spaced far enough a part that we would not need a double stroller, I didn’t know then that we would be welcoming our daughter we nick named Bad Math Baby, 20 months after our son was born. We also didn’t think past the image of our son being an infant to him being in the 99th percentile for weight which made our fancy stroller catch on every crack on the side walk. For these reasons I highly recommend the Baby Jogger “City Select“.
Baby Jogger “City Select” at Snuggle Bugz
The “City Select” comes in a variety of colours as well as attachments. You can start out with just clicking the infant car seat into the stroller and then eventually purchase one or two seats. Even if you are only using this stroller for one child initially it is still a great option. The base is large enough that it won’t become top heavy and it is so light and easy to fold up. The number of seating combinations in the “City Select” is incredible!
Some stroller accessory picks you may want to pick up would be the stroller tray and parent console… a skip: the cup holder.
An additional inexpensive umbrella stroller is also great to have!!! Lend out to a Grandparent or leave as a “just in case we need it” in you car, you never know! I love the Combi “Flare” umbrella stroller, incredibly light yet sturdy and folds in half vertically!
Carseats
There is a reason why almost everyone loves and has the Peg Perego “Primo Viaggio” carseat, it is well made, adaptable to pretty much every stroller, is incredibly safe and has a sleek design… need I say more?
Peg Perego “Primo Viaggio” at Snuggle Bugz
When looking for a carseat once your child has grown out of the infant one, I have found that some of the biggest name brand options have left me disappointed, especially with the buckling systems. I am very excited about the “Foonf” carseat by Clek. Born out of an automotive supplier company and based out of Toronto, they have pretty much thought of everything! Safety features including an anti-rebound bar for rear facing mode, convenient integrated magnets to hold the harness out of the way while taking your child in and out of the car and Crypton fabric to protect against spills and stains, (previously working in the food and beverage Interior Design field I am a big fan of Crypton fabric and it’s capabilities) just to name a few!
The Clek “Foonf” at Snuggle Bugz
Some car seat accessory picks: if you have a winter baby, a car seat cover like the one by Easy Cover Newborn and for an older child JJ Cole’s “Bundle Me” (be careful to make sure your child’s buckles are pulled tight with this one). Skip: a puffy infant snow suit, instead use one of these covers and a hat with blankets tucked around your little one… it is much safer because you can tighten the harness more. The “Carseat Canopy” is also great to protect your little one from the sun.
Carseat Covers at Snuggle Bugz
Baby Carriers & Wraps
Although I loved my Baby Bjorn carrier for my little ones I did find it was limited with the weight capacity. Some more comfortable and flexible options for baby carriers are the Cuddly Wrap by Peapod Creations which is easy to use, comfortable and goes to a high weight and the Ergo Baby Carrier that is extremely comfortable and flexible and also goes up to a high weight.
Carrier Options at Snuggle Bugz
Skip: beware of any hammock-like slings, they have been recalled in the past due to suffocation.
Diaper Bags
I absolutely LOVE Petunia Pickle Bottom’s Diaper bags! Not only do they have gorgeous prints, they are so well made and my favorite style, the Boxy has such versatile straps either going over the shoulder or back pack straps. The only down side is they are on the pricey side. If you are looking for something a little more budget friendly, Skip Hop has some great diaper bags, the most popular styles being the “Versa” and the “Studio bag“.
If you require a larger bag to carry extra supplies for twins or for an older child as well, the Ju Ju Be “Be Prepared” and the Skip Hop “Duo Double” made made larger and can fit everything including the kitchen sink!
Diaper bag accessory pick: a great change pad like the Skip Hop “Pronto” change pad. There is a pocket for your wallet and keys and a strap to attach it to your stroller. The Jonathan Adler prints are fun, stylish and full of vibrant colours.
Skip Hop Pronto at Snuggle Bugz
Travel skip: a grocery cart cover. It is a great idea in theory but it can be a hassle putting it in and taking it out while juggling your little one, especially if you have more than one child. It is almost easier to give the cart a quick wipe down and be on your way!
Each parent will find that different products work for them, a variety of carriers will fit different body types, and different family plans will require different types of strollers. Which ever products you choose for your family make sure you ask others what worked for them, they have put those products through the paces and can speak from experience!
Happy registering!
