baby mega store aversion

[Anonymous]

I just entered third trimester territory so my husband and I decided to finally start putting a registry together. Today we made our way over to Babies R Us. It was the first time either of us had ever been in a baby mega store and I think we were both a bit shocked by the experience. We took a lap or two around the place just taking it all in and then, feeling overwhelmed, we left. I’m really surprised by my reaction because normally I love to shop, but there was something about seeing thousands upon thousands of baby related items in one place that didn’t sit well with me.

That being said, I know most of the people on these boards probably have or have had a BRU type registry and this isn’t an attack. I know that it’s a really convenient way of letting friends and family across the country know what you like/need which is why we went there in the first place. I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else out there had the kind of reaction that my husband and I had. Are there local baby stores around here that aren’t quite as intense (for lack of a better word)? Did anyone skip the whole baby registry thing all together? Perhaps I’m just looking for confirmation that it is indeed possible to give birth to and raise a child without ever entering a baby mega store…

[Anonymous]

I had your same reaction, but really, if you can get past it, you will probably come to appreciate such stores. Instead of having to shop around for the different types of high chairs, they are all in one place. Same for strollers, cribs, and the like. If you've already made your decisions about these things, I suppose you could probably avoid such stores. But, really, they are quite convenient if you don't have that much time to shop. As to whether you can get by without them, probably so. Just about every necessity that you would find at BRU, you will find at Target, Walmart, KMart and the like.

[Anonymous]

I didn't like the megastores either but used one for a registry. The good news is that, post-registry, I found that I rarely needed to shop in stores, just as the pp said.

If you're not already using the "Baby Bargains" book, I highly recommend it. That--and online reviews--made it much easier to do my decision-making at home, rather than trying to do it on the fly at the big stores.

[Anonymous]

We also had that same reaction. We did go back, but now we do most of our shopping on line.

[Anonymous]

Ditto the PP who recc'd the Baby Bargains book. It was my bible... Not only for bargains, but it just helped me figure out what the heck I even needed and then within different price points, the recommendations for products was invaluable. My advice is to get the book, go through it, then take it to the store with you when you register. It will help you quickly narrow down what you need/want. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I chose not to register at all, though I did end up buying most of the stuff I needed/wanted either online or at a Babies R Us. I was much happier just getting clothes, toys, and books from friends and family instead of the big-ticket items.

[Anonymous]

First of all, there is no law saying you MUST have a registry. It can be a convenience if you're having a shower, but it's not a requirement. Except for close family or friends, most people are going to buy relatively small items (clothes, toys, blankets, etc.) so in my experience baby registries are far less central to the shopping/giving/getting experience than, say, wedding registries (although of course lots of people opt out of those too.) I did not have a registry and certainly have no plans to do so with #2 - but I've also inherited my mother's aversion to baby showers as bad karma.

No matter what you do, it's good to check out baby gear in person, and yes the big stores have more stuff so it makes it easier. I found Great Beginnings up in Gaithersburg to be the most comfortable place to do this - it's a huge facility so even when it's crowded you don't feel cramped or stressed (ala Buy Buy Baby, which just scares me on the weekends.) Plus they have little water bottles and candy to keep us preggos happy while we shop...The tradeoff is that it's a hike, and it's closed on Sundays, but if you need to do a big review of your options, it's a good one to consider. Then you can always buy what you want off the internet.

[Anonymous]

I think most people have the same reaction you did. I had a friend of mine offer to go w/ me on that day and help sort through everything, of course I didn't think I would need hekp I mean how hard could it be? So when I came home in tears overwhelmed by the whole BRU experience I knew why she had offered. I did an online reg. on wishlist.com that way you can pull items from any website or store and people just log onto your site and view your list. I will say that over 1/2 my items were from BRU but it allowed you to put many different items up without being limited to 1 or 2 stores. Also BRU online has reviews for most of their products. I found this really helpful when deciding between different brands of products. Most items had around 10 reviews everything from bottle brushes to highchairs to clothes

[Anonymous]

I never did a baby registry. Though I am also more of a minimalist type of person and really did not buy much for the baby. If you are someone who wants 'the works' then you need to just work through your aversion to the big box baby store (which I think most of us have to some extent).

All you REALLY need right now is a car seat and maybe a bassinet. Some clothes and diapers of course, too. You will get a lot of the little stuff as gifts (even if you don't have a shower, some people will give you gifts) and the big stuff - if you decide you want it - you can find online or at Target, Walmart, etc.

Be well and don't make yourself crazy. You can get things a little at a time, and a lot of it can just wait. We didn't even get a crib until our baby was 11 months old, and then I found it on craigslist the same day we decided we needed one.

[Anonymous]

If it makes you feel any better, I had the same reaction to the mega store you did. I managed to register for a thermometer and left completely freaked out.

It's really overwhelming, and the pregnancy hormones don't help a bit. I eventually went back too, but noticed that most of the folks shopping were not visibly pregnant or carrying babies. I think a lot of folks go there to buy shower gifts.

[Anonymous]

I had the same reaction too. It's just a bit overwhelming. I created my entire registry online. I'm at the end of the pregnancy and there are some items I need to buy - so I'll brave the store during a non-busy time (is there such a thing?) and try to buy all the remaining needed items at once.

[Anonymous]

I 100% agree with all the previous posts. After having a breakdown at bbrus and finally registering online after the fact. I would like to advise to resist your nesting urges to open every box and washing every sleep sack or swaddle blanket you receive. I know it can be a really exciting time getting ready for baby but chances are you will not use a lot of items you get once you are home. So keep a lot of stuff boxed up and return it once you assess your situation!

[Anonymous]

Not that it's much less overwhelming, but Buy Buy Baby (the Rockville location more than the VA one) is a lot nicer than BRU and their staff is more helpful. It makes it seem more manageable. I really can't stand BRU and find it so worth the trip to Buy Buy Baby instead.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone registered at Great Beginnings? I've heard it's a great store, and we are definitely planning to make a trip out there to pick out a stroller, but the location is not convenient for us (or for any of our friends and family). Anyone have any experience with ordering stuff off of their website?

[Anonymous]

I registered at Kaboodle (a site that allows you to link to multiple stores with photos) without ever having entered a baby mega store. I read a lot of reviews, consulted the mom blogs, and was very happy with everything we received.