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'Think long term:' Looking at baby registry dos and don'ts

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When you’re a new mom, it can be overwhelming to figure out what you need for the baby.

Some items are necessary, others end up being a personal preference.

There are so many baby items you see in stores and think it is a must-have. Then you get home and realize - it wasn’t necessary to put on your registry.

Things like bottles, high chairs and cribs are a must. That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes your baby registry.

We met with parenting expert Carly Dorogi at Modern Natural Baby in Ferndale.

“Think long term, which is sometimes hard to think about when the baby isn’t even in your arms yet.”

Long term means registering for clothes in sizes from newborn to 24 months, skipping the expensive outfits, especially the first three months.

“They’re not going out on the town every night. They don’t need the fanciest outfits, so I like a simple white bodysuit and getting several of them because you know there’s going to be those diaper blowouts and messes.”

Bodysuits with adjustable snaps means babies will fit into them longer.

Dorogi explained, “I don’t know why all baby clothing doesn’t have that. It’s the smartest, most simple thing.”

Thinking long term also means car seats.

Carly says it is better to splurge for the ones that convert as the child gets older.

“One car seat, (an) investment that’s going to last longer and stretch our dollar over many years.”

That concept applies to high chairs too.

One from Nomi starts off as an infant bouncer, then high chair, then converts into a desk chair that holds up to 330 pounds.

The $380 price tag is a shock but Carly says, “Totally worth the money, tons of bang for your buck.”

Skip the expensive toys and opt for something like a cloth covered paper toy that’s only $5.

7 Action News Reporter Syma Chowdhry posted on social media asking parents what items they wished they skipped on the registry.

Many moms and dads said diaper genies, wipes warmers, bottle warmers, play yards and swings.

Others wrote in, completely disagreeing.

If you have friends who are parents, it might be a good idea to ask to borrow some items to see if it’s a good fit for you.