31 Days of Baby Saving Tips: Day 24 - Don't Register for Things you might get a million of

I had been warned by the older mothers that I know not to register for clothes or blankets.  We are friends with a LOT of older and middle-aged woman, many of whom know how to knit, or crochet.  Needless to say, we received a huge amount of blankets, like about a dozen heavy weight, and probably 2 dozen light weight!  Needless to say, I'm glad I didn't register for more.  I also didn't register for clothes, because I was told that if people see something cute, they're going to buy it whether you registered for it or not.  I was also blessed to receive 5 large trash bags of used clothes to go through from two different families.  This has made up most of Howard's wardrobe.  We received a few outfits as shower gifts, some the Christmas before he was born, and some more in the hospital after he arrived.  Howard has had plenty of clothes since the day he was born, and I didn't even register for any!  So, when you make your registry, don't register for things you will probably get a LOT of (blankets), or things you can get for free or very cheap at the thrift stores (clothes), register for all those other needs!

31 Days of Baby Saving Tips: Day 23 - Register for things you Need, not just Wants

When you start your baby registry, it's a very exciting time, one filled with hope.  You hope that you get everything you register for, and more, because baby presents are fun!  It's also very easy to get carried away, and register for every cute baby thing that you see.  Do NOT do that.  When people look at your registry, they want to see what things you NEED.  Shower guests are helpful that way.  They want to buy you something that you need, and can use, not something that you will realize you don't actually need and end up returning.  And, don't just register for things that you will need right away, go ahead and put that booster feeding chair, and covertible car seat on there.  Some people, especially other moms, know that those things will be helpful for you to have and not have to purchase yourself later.  I chose my registry very carefully.  Did I get everything on it, no.  Did some people just go out and buy stuff they liked, yes.  But over all I ended up with most of the things I needed, and only had to return a few things to buy other needed items.  Here's some suggesttions for your registry in no particuallar order...

• Diapers in various sizes, Wipes, and Diaper Cream OR Cloth Diaper Covers and Inserts
• Diaper Changing Pad (if you are setting up a changing table)
• Diaper Pail/Trash Can
• Diaper Bag, and Portable Diaper Changing Mat (I LOVE mine, very similar to this)
• Breast Pump/Bottles/Nursing Pillow OR Bottles/Nipples/Formula/Bottle Brush/etc
• Feeding chair/ High Chair, bowls, spoons
• Burp Cloths, Bibs, and Binkies
• Gas Drops and Baby Tylenol
• Thermometer (we have a rectal, and an ear style)
• Teethers (including Sophie - Howard LOVES his), and Teething Gel
• Crib/Bassinet/Pack and Play (whatever you start with, remember that eventually you will need a crib, babies do tend to get bigger you know...)
• Crib/Bassinet/Pack and Play Sheets
• a Swing or Bouncer of some kind (so thankful for our swing, it's the only thing Howard will sleep in, however, we only have about 10 more lbs until we have to move him into the crib, so not looking forward to that)
• some Swaddles or receiving blankets
• a heavy blanket or two
• Car seat of some kind (some start out with the snap in base kind and then go to a convertible, some start with the convertible with a newborn insert, your choice)
• Stroller
• Carrier (Howard LOVED being in his Baby K-tan. We've worked up to a Boba now.)
• Clothes - I prefer the zip sleepers cotton or fuzzy depending on the time of year, and onesies long or short sleeved, with leggings/shorts.  I don't like two piece outfits for little ones since their stomach ends up hanging out everytime you pick them.  But once they get mobile around 6 months, it does make them easier to diaper.  Howard was born in April, and I kept him in a cotton sleeper during the day (because of the AC), and a fuzzy sleeper at night for the first month or so.  And put him in his cute onesies when we would go to the drs or out to run errands.  However you choose to do it, your going to want at least 7 sets of day clothes, and 7 for night.  This allows for diaper blowouts, and massive spit ups (neither of which we had a whole lot of), without having to do laundry more than once or twice a week.
• Socks/Crib Shoes
• Bathing items: soap, lotion, powder, wash clothes - look for ones that are more substantial, towels, and a tub if you want (we put Howard on a rolled up adult towel in our tub until we got his bath sponge, which all of us LOVE)
• Books and Toys (play mats, keys, blocks, stuffed animals, etc)
• Rocker/Glider
• Dresser

* Contains affilate links*

31 Days of Baby Saving Tips: Day 22 - Research Cheaper Options

Once you reach your third trimester, your OB will probably recommend that you take a birthing class, especially if you are a first time mother.  Since it was my first time giving birth, I agreed that this was a good thing to do.  However, the class she recommended at the hospital would have run us about $150, which we simply did NOT have.  I talked with older moms that my husband and I are friends with, and found out that the class use to be free!  That figures.  So, I started to look into other options.  There were several other nearby hospitals that offered classes for FREE, and online.  That was the road we took, as I was still experiencing severe morning (all day) sickness.  This provided my husband and I with all the information we needed without having to leave our home.  I ended up having a c-section, which I hadn't planned on, but still felt knowledgeable about thanks to the online class we completed.  Another FREE option was the health department.  They offered classes one day a week for 6 weeks.  SO, to save some serious cash, research your options, sometimes you can still get what you need (what ever that may be) for cheaper or FREE!