A few years ago, before I had Baby D, I created my baby registry at Babies“R”Us and I was confused as to what to include. I even got some help from my mommy friends. They gave me suggestions based off their experiences, and even offered to come in-store with me. However, I chose to go in-store with my husband to create the registry, but ended up adding and deleting items later through the Babies “R” Us website. When I look back at it now as an experienced mom, there were many things that I should’ve added, others that I could’ve lived without, and some that would have prepared me better for baby #2, Zoey.

Baby Registry Tips From a Mom of 2 under 2 [MOTHERHOOD]

Nursing Pillow

At first I thought why do I need this U shaped pillow? Can’t I just use any pillow for support? I added it to my baby registry anyways but never opened it. When Baby Z was born, I decided to try it and saw the advantage of placing her on the pillow and having both arms free. Free to hold a book, use my laptop or to even eat. But the real eureka moment was when I took it to the salon. It was perfect for those long hair appointments. I nurse her and she falls asleep on the pillow. And when she’s awake, it works as a great back/head rest so she can face me. *Never use with baby unattended.

Huggies Diapers

The amount of diapers that I go through on an everyday basis is insane! With the average child having more than 10,000 diaper changes in their lifetime, they certainly shouldn’t be skipped. If I were to shop from a baby registry and see diapers, I would totally buy them as part of a bigger gift on the registry. You can even get creative and make a diaper cake or a diaper motorcycle, like I did for one of my friend’s baby shower gifts! Huggies diapers come in a variety of sizes – ranging from preemie to size 6. Huggies are also great because they have benefits like the wetness indicator that helps a new mom know when her baby is wet and the umbilical cord cut-out to ensure baby is comfortable. Make sure if you’re adding diapers and wipes to your registry you add the Huggies Natural Care Wipes and the Huggies Snugglers!

Here’s how you can save big: Babies “R” Us is hosting its Baby Fest promotion from September 15-21st and Jumbo packs of Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers and Natural Care Wipes will be 40% OFF! You can check in-store and online at www.BabiesRUs.ca for more details. Also, see below for how you can win a $200 Babies R Us Gift Card and get a head start on stocking up.

Gender Neutral Tone Clothes

Make sure you only choose neutral tone clothes. If you’re planning to have more than one baby, then this is great for re-using clothes and not worrying about getting too many pink or too many blue clothes. I did this for my son’s baby registry and it definitely came in handy since my second child is a girl. Now I have lots of clothes in browns, beige, grey, yellow etc.

Huggies Baby Wipes

Make sure you add Huggies wipes to your registry! Just like diapers, you’ll need a lot of them. There’s an extra box by our bed of Huggies® Natural Care Wipes. They’re hypoallergenic, fragrance and alcohol free and include TripleClean* layers. These wipes are also perfect for refilling your Pop-Up® tubs at your diaper stations. When I’m out and about with my little one I use the travel friendly pack – the Huggies Clutch ‘N’ Clean.

We always keep a Huggies wipes box + a diaper at the end of the bed for late night quick changes.

More Than One Feeder

Both of my children have a preference for what bottle they want drinks in. It’s a good idea to add different types and brands to your registry. If your first child prefers one over the other, you save the other one for your second child. It will save you time in going out to find a bottle that your baby prefers. True story: as a gift I got the bottle where you insert disposables into. I never used it for my first child but for my second child, that’s all I use.

Daddy Friendly Baby Bag

We have two diaper bags and neither of them are pink. We have a navy blue one and a brown one. What’s great about them is that my husband feels comfortable holding both and will grab the diaper bag when he goes out solo with our babies.

No swaddles or receiving blankets

This is the most popular off-registry gift that I’ve gotten for both of my children. I have so many blankets now, that I keep the extra ones in a box. I wish I hadn’t added it to my registry and you’ll thank me later.

G I V E A W A Y – $200 BABIES “R” US GIFT CARD

*This giveaway is only open to Canadian residents.

$200 Babies “R” Us Gift Card

Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Huggies. However, all views and opinions expressed in this post are of my own regarding the products and experiences.

Today is Global Hug Your Kid Day and I’m excited to share some ‘first Hug’ stories with you.

^{When I first got pregnant, the very first emotion I felt was being scared. Being a mom is a big responsibility. The first thing I did though was hug my belly. Hug and rub. That first hug was to give my baby loving vibes and to remind myself that everything was going to be okay.}

^{As soon as Baby D (my first child) was born, the first thing my midwife did was place him on my chest for skin-to-skin contact. Before they cut the cord, I hugged and cradled him. It was the most amazing feeling in the world and all I could do was just cry the biggest happy tears of my life. I kept thinking, “Oh my god, he’s here. This is it. I want to hold you forever.” They put him in his first Huggies Little Snugglers newborn diaper and gave him back to me.}

^{The first HUG. [Huggies – No baby unhugged.]}

Everyday at least once he’ll ask for a ‘baby hug’ (A hug from his baby sister)

^{I didn’t clothe him right away. In his first pictures he was only in a diaper and a blanket. I wanted him to get all the skin-to-skin hugs

he could get.}

Skin-to-skin or Kangaroo Care is the practice of hugging and holding your newborn infant, clad only in a diaper, against your bare chest. In the hours, days and weeks after birth, it is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child. Some hospitals even provide special chairs and body wraps, to help moms and dads provide skin-to-skin comfortably, for hours at a time.

^{Baby D is now 2 and a half years old and I still practice skin-to-skin with him. During bath time I’ll make sure I’m wearing a tank top and as soon as he’s out, in a towel, I hold him and hug him. We continue our hug all the way to our room where I have his clothes ready. Perhaps those hugs are why he’s sup}^{er friendly and hugs everyone, including strangers. Many times we’ve gone grocery shopping and as soon as he’s out of his stroller or the grocery cart he’ll go up to someone and hug their leg. There was one lady and her reaction that I’ll never forget. When Baby D hugged her and I walked over to get him (he wouldn’t let go), I apologized to the lady as he came to me and she smiled with tears in her eyes and said, “Usually children don’t like me or come to me, so that hug was really special and sweet.” I didn’t even think that the power}^{of his hug could move someone like that.}

^{The power of hugs is real. It’s comforting when you’re down and can lift you even higher in spirit when you’re happy. When you greet people you love, always be aware of your hug. You can immediately make someone feel how much you missed them or love them by the way you hug. A strong and long hug is always a lasting one.}

^{My first hug with Baby Z (my second child) was very similar to how Baby D got his first hug. The only difference was that the first hug was cut a little short because she was born at home, and I was on the floor, totally un-planned. That’s a story for another day. What I thought was really special though was when Baby D got his first hug with his little sister. I didn’t tell him, he just knew that the first thing he wanted to do when he saw her was to embrace her in a long hug and a kiss. He walked into the room, saw her and said “Aweee… baby!”.}

That first hug is a very powerful and emotional one. My best friend just had her baby and when they first placed her sweet angel on her chest we did a video call and we both cried happy tears for that beautiful moment. I felt that hug. I knew how she felt. It was just such a beautiful moment and I was honoured to share it with her, along with her family by her side.

My hugging plan with Baby Z is right after her diaper change to give her hugs and skin-to-skin. Did you know a child could have up to 5,000 diaper changes in his or her life? That’s 5,000 opportunities for hugs! There will be days when you’re super busy and you might forget – I’m guilty of that – I now keep some sweet reminders around her changing table to remind me to give her skin-to-skin time. When I’m changing her diaper and read the Huggies label, it’s a reminder of its own.

^{I also try to use products that nourish and protect her skin, like Huggies Natural Care wipes and Consonant Baby Lotion. They both contain Aloe and Vitamin E. I’m also obsessed with this whipped shea butter bum cream by Charlotte Cosmetics. So natural, that you can eat it!}^{Do you remember a hug that had a lasting impression on you? How about a ‘first hug’?}

Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Huggies. However, all views and opinions expressed in this post are of my own regarding the products and experiences.

huggies wipes