I can’t believe it’s already been a year since we first started our Baby Registry at buybuyBaby. It’s been quite a journey! At the very beginning, I was super nervous about having a baby and every time we would step into a baby store I would get overwhelmed. Luckily, the wonderful team at buybuyBaby were very patient and helped us find everything we needed. If you’d like to read more about our experience, you can find it here.

So here we are; eight months later! The team at buybuyBaby and I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to sit down and highlight some of our experiences and share some MUST HAVE products.

Below is my conversation with Sara, the assistant manager and lead registry consultant at buybuyBaby. I hope you enjoy the read and get some valuable information!

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SARA: So tell me, looking back how did you find your experience with setting up the baby registry?

ALIYA: The ONE on ONE Shopping experience was the best thing to get us prepared for baby. The process was super easy and pretty much everything we had on the registry we used. The registry consultants were professional, knowledgeable and provided us various price categories to choose from. We really appreciated the fact that we were never pressured to purchase anything. What was also great was the 10% off coupon to purchase the remaining items from our registry once baby was born. 

We also got to build this relationship with you and the entire registry consultant team.

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Speaking of which – how has the registry process changed with COVID? Is the ONE on ONE Shopping experience available?

SARA: The ONE on ONE Shopping experience is still available. The store follows all safety protocols issued by the government and requires both staff and customers to wear masks. A full in-store consultation is available and the registry consultant can provide a detailed walk through of each department.  

What’s new is customers can set up their registry over the phone. A questionnaire is emailed to the parents asking questions such as what colours they’d like in the nursery, what kind of home they have and if they’ve already started researching various products. Once that’s complete, the registry consultants build the registry and provide an email to the parents with all their recommendations. Upon receiving the email, parents can follow up with their registry consultant to ask questions or obtain further information.  

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ALIYA:  Wow that’s such a great option for parents who might feel uncomfortable venturing out with COVID. 

For myself, I really enjoyed the option of building my registry with the in-store scanner? Is that still available  or is the BedBathBeyond CA app preferred? buybuyBaby website?

SARA: We would like all customers to feel comfortable and have made all of those options available. 

ALIYA:  I’m sure it’s very helpful to everyone to have a variety of options. 

SARA:  I’m interested in hearing what 5 products you would highly recommend to parents from your registry.

ALIYA:

1. Infant Car Seat. – This is probably one of the most important things to have as you can’t leave the hospital without it. I know buybuyBaby carries a wide variety of brands – nine to be exact including brands such as UPPAbaby, Nuna, Graco, Britax. When we were deciding which car seat to purchase, the registry consultant was so helpful in providing us with the information we needed to make a decision. 
2. Stroller – There are so many options to choose from full size, travel and compact. This is one item most parents keep for five years so it’s important to make the right decision. 
3. The Boon Bathtub – we have used this tub for the past eight months and thought it was great. Bath time was made easy with this tub and we felt secure putting our daughter in it.
4. The Newton Mattress – this mattress is slightly higher in price point but I’m glad we purchased it. Ava likes to sleep on her stomach and with 100% breathability this mattress is great. 
5. Humidifier – winters are dry in Calgary and so this came in very handy. 

What would you say are the top five must haves?

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SARA: I agree with what you’ve said and here are a few more items: 

1. Bassinet or crib – Baby needs somewhere to sleep whether it’s a bassinet or crib and there are so many options available at buybuyBaby. 
2. Swaddles – velcro or traditional, this is a must have on every registry.
3. Breast pump – Medela makes one of the best pumps and is highly recommended by moms. We also carry some other brands. 
4. Bouncer or Swing – depending on the space available in one’s home, parents will need something to soothe the baby. 
5. Carrier – Another must have for parents if they want to be hands free. Ergobaby has a great carrier. It can also be used when mom and baby want to go for a walk or hike. 

ALIYA:  These are all must haves too. We purchased all of these baby products.

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SARA: What would you say you didn’t need?

ALIYA:  Not much to be honest as I truly felt the registry consultants set us up with what we needed. Maybe the wipes warmer if I really had to pick something. 

SARA: I’m so happy to hear that!

ALIYA: Do the items in store still vary in price point?

SARA: buybuyBaby carries an assortment of brands and within those brands items at various price points. There is something for all budgets. The Bed Bath & Beyond 20% off one item coupon as well as buybuyBaby coupons can be applied to  purchases. So if you haven’t signed up online, I would highly recommend you do!

ALIYA: Agreed – those savings can go towards an RESP or for future purchases. So here we are at eight months, what are some baby items you recommend we purchase at this stage?

SARA:

1. Feeding – you’ve probably ventured into solids so a good suction plate and NumNum spoons are great for helping baby develop good feeding habits. 
2. Sleep sacks – These should be used until two years of age so they need to be replaced as baby grows.
3. Safety – baby gates, cupboard locks, plug covers are all important right now as baby is probably on the move. 
4. Sensory toy – buybuyBaby carries an assortment and having one of these is great.
5. Books – this is the perfect time to start reading to your baby. After all, reading creates the foundation for learning. 

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ALIYA: I really appreciate that buybuyBABY is a ONE- STOP shop. From infancy to toddler, everything we need is available in one store. It makes life a lot easier for busy parents. Let’s go check out those recommendations. 

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SARA: It’ll be like old times again.  

Whether you’re a first time parent or third, buybuyBABY offers ONE on ONE shopping experiences for everyone. Their friendly registry consultants will help ensure you are set up with everything you need for baby without pressure. Best part, when you come into the store with your new bundle of joy, they will be their to celebrate with you.

*This post was sponsored by buybuyBABY. All opinions are my own.