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Creating a baby registry is a  d a u n t i n g  task.

I am a first time mom so I felt like registering for our baby was probably the hardest thing next to labor & delivery (both were strenuous and frustrating.) The last time I wrote about registering, I was around 25 weeks pregnant so on top of feeling exhausted and hormonal, I was extremely overwhelmed, confused and just plain over it.

When I set out to register, my plan was to start with the basics and then go from there. But then again, what were the basics? Bottles, diapers, a crib? I had no idea. Not only that, I would step into the store only to find that there were a gazillion options to choose from (not to mention online)! Desperate for recommendations, I turned to Google, Pinterest, and my closest friends. Six baby showers later (gah!) and we ended up with some really great stuff that have become major must-haves for our little family.

After many inquiries, I’ve decided to share our most favorite items, divided into categories. You can find the full list at the end of this post. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and I’ll share much more about each item’s details, a few quick thoughts, and how we use it in relation to Kara’s Down syndrome.  

This week I’ll go through our favorite items for

[PLAY TIME]

Keep in mind, these are my absolute favorite items special needs or not, and the ones that I’ve found most useful (so far) for raising our Baby Lemonade.

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::::: Boppy Newborn Lounger from Target [$29.99] :::::

This is probably our most favorite and most used item. I don’t think we would have survived parenthood this long without it. It helped keep Kara inclined during the worst of her reflux days, it gave her a comfy seat on our bed when we watched movies at night, it even served as a centerpiece during dinner one night!

If you ask me what I recommend as a gift for someone having a baby, it will be this lounger pillow.  They say to use it up to 16 lbs or until baby can roll over. Since Kara doesn’t meet either of these requirements, we are still getting great use out of her pillow at 8 months old! Because of her low muscle tone, we use it a lot to help support her and make reaching easier. It is one of her happy places.

**Buying tip** This sucker goes on sale a lot. Right now, when you buy the elephant print, you get a $5 gift card with purchase + 10% off with code BABY10 + an additional 5% off and free shipping with the Target REDcard (sign up here).

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::::: Bestever Lamb Baby Mat from Babies R Us [$39.98] :::::

The name says it all. Seriously the best thing ever. It is thick & plush, easy to clean and oh-so-soft. It is also pretty to look at so I don’t feel like a hot mess when it is laying in the middle of the living room floor 24/7. I was hesitant to register for it because I thought it seemed expensive to get a “play mat” when a blanket would serve just as well. However, I’m glad I went for it because it is something Kara will grow up remembering. The head of the lamb is like a pillow so I can picture her cuddling up with it for many years to come.

**Buying tip** This item seems to go in & out of stock so if you see it available, make sure you snag it while you can!

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::::: Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes from Target [$7.79] :::::

Don’t register for one of these… register for TWO. This is hands down Kara’s favorite toy and has been since the beginning (made obvious by the worn colors on the button). When we mentioned it to one of her therapists, her response was “Oh yes, that thing is baby magic.”

Okay yeah, it’s one of those toys that plays annoying, sing-songy tunes, but believe me, you get used to it and it beats a bored & whiny baby. In fact, its so effective that Jacob likes to say “If this toy were $100.00, I’d still buy it.”

**Buying tip** Right now, this toy is 10% off with code BABY10 and buy1 get1 50% off baby toys + an additional 5% off and free shipping with the Target REDcard (sign up here).

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::::: Manhattan Winkel Rattle & Sensory Toy from Amazon [$11.99] :::::

Next to the Einstein Tunes toy listed above, this is the toy that Kara spends the most time with. We like it because it is easy for her short fingers to grasp. When she was teeny tiny and not able to control her fingers very well, she would get her hand entangled in the maze of tubes and was able to practice clasping her fingers around them without dropping it. When she got a little bigger, it was easy for her to practice transferring from one hand to the other. We have noticed a significant difference in her abilities after enjoying this toy.

(Also see the Manhattan Skwish Rattle & Teether for a more vintage-y vibe)

**Buying tip** If you’re signed up for Amazon Prime, you can get this with free 2-day shipping (Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial). OR you can get it from Target.com where this toy is 10% off with code BABY10 and buy1 get1 50% off baby toys + an additional 5% off and free shipping with the Target REDcard (sign up here).

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::::: Ark’s Baby Grabber Chewie from Amazon [$11.99] :::::

There are many reasons for this teether (a.k.a. the Chewie P.) It is easy for her to grab and short enough that she won’t gag herself when she puts it in her mouth. Her speech pathologist loves this because it is a simple way to stimulate the back part of her mouth. This is a good thing as we want to encourage strengthening the retraction muscles in her tongue so we can build a good foundation for her feeding and speaking abilities.

We use this to help with teething pain as well as in the high chair as a utensil for her to use. She likes to dip it in her bowl and (attempts to) insert it back in her mouth.

Ark’s has a whole bunch of different chewers for different sensory levels and they are favorites of all of Kara’s therapists.

**Buying tip** If you’re signed up for Amazon Prime, you can get this with free 2-day shipping (Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial).

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::::: Plastic Rainbow Slinky from Amazon [$7.99] :::::

We recently got Kara this slinky for home because she’s been using it during her weekly physical therapy sessions. We found that its perfect for her tiny fingers & hands and great for visual stimulation as well.  It is a big motivator for her to get moving. She loves the sound it makes when it collapses and is drawn to the bright colors. Same as the Manhattan toy, it is easy to practice reaching and grabbing without dropping it. Plus, how could we NOT get her one of the most timeless and iconic childhood toys ever made?

**Buying tip** If you’re signed up for Amazon Prime, you can get this with free 2-day shipping (Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial).

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Bottom line is that a baby with Down syndrome is a baby first. Though there are some things to keep in mind and some things that they might get some extended use out of, you might be surprised to find that there isn’t much extra needed to accommodate that extra chromosome.

Below is my full list. I will include details in the coming weeks

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PLAY TIME 

Boppy Newborn Lounger

Best Ever Lamb Baby Mat

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes

Manhattan Winkel Rattle & Sensory Toy

Ark’s Baby Grabber Chewie

Plastic Rainbow Slinky

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NAP & CHANGING TIME 

SoundSpa Sound Machine

Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Graco DuetConnect LX Swing and Bouncer

Little Remedies New Parents Survival Kit

Dexbaby Spin Changing Station

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BATH TIME 

Fisher Price 4-in-1 Tub

Baby Mantra Shampoo/Lotion/Massage Oil

Oball O-Float Bath Toy

Boogie Mist Sterile Saline Nasal Spray

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LUNCH TIME 

Boon Swap Baby Utensils

TalkTools Honey Bear

Munchkin Weighted Straw Cup

Ingenuity Trio High Chair

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MOM TIME

Ninja Master Prep Professional

Rumina’s Relaxed Pump & Nurse Bra

Up&Up Breast Milk Storage Bags

Seamless Racerback Sports Bra

Starbucks Gift Card