Things You Should Consider Adding to Your Baby Shower Registry

When you’re expecting your first child, creating a baby shower registry can be complicated. Of course, there are items that you obviously need, like a car seat and a stroller, and fun things you’ll want, like nursery décor and cute toys. However, it can be hard to determine which baby registry items are necessary and which you’ll never use. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of useful items you should consider adding to your registry.

• For the nursery, you’ll need things to help baby sleep and help you keep the room tidy. Soft, fitted crib sheets and a waterproof mattress protector are essential, lightweight receiving blankets serve a wide variety of purposes, and sleep sacks will help keep your baby warm and swaddled. A baby monitor gives you peace of mind, and a white noise machine helps your little one stay asleep. You’ll also want baskets in the nursery, to hold laundry and toys, making cleanup easier.
• Be smart about baby clothes. Your tiny baby will quickly outgrow newborn clothes, so register for a variety of sizes and a range of seasons, along with baby-sized hangers. When possible, choose clothing with zippers instead of snaps. Trying to connect snaps on a squirming baby is like working on a puzzle that’s trying to get away.
• Register for mealtime. Put plenty of bottles, a bottle brush, and a drying rack on the list, and if you’re nursing, include a nursing pillow, nursing pads, and possibly a breast pump. You’ll also need plenty of burp cloths and bibs. It’s also worth registering for a highchair, baby utensils, and baby food storage containers, even though you won’t need them immediately.
• Bath items are important. A newborn to toddler tub is a great way to safely adapt to baby’s various stages. Baby soap, shampoo, and lotion will protect your little one’s delicate skin, as will lightweight washcloths and soft baby bath towels.
• Remember to include health and safety items. Diaper balm, an infant thermometer, gas relief drops, and a cool-mist humidifier are all items you’ll need at some point.
• Diapering is a big part of baby care. Register for diapers in various sizes, and request plenty of wipes. Don’t forget to include on your registry changing pads, a diaper pail, a diaper bag, and a wet bag to go in the diaper bag.

Of course, registries vary because each family operates a little differently. At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people start families with healthy pregnancies. We pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.

How to Plan a Baby Shower as We Continue to Navigate Through the COVID 19 Pandemic

Baby showers are a lot of fun, but planning one during COVID can be stressful. Here are a few ideas that could make the process easier for you.

Hold Separate Events

If you’re concerned about possible infections, maybe it’s not the best idea to have all your baby shower guests in one place at one time. You could have a separate baby shower for work friends. If you have a lot of family in another state, consider having one shower there and one where you live.

Take It Outside

Outdoor events are much safer than indoor events in terms of infection. If you’re worried about rain, reserve a covered area at a park, or rent a large tent.

Space and Ventilation

The COVID infection risk of an indoor event depends partly on how packed-together everybody is. With a larger venue, guests can spread out. Also, check ahead to see if the venue is well-ventilated, preferably with a HEPA filter or other advanced air purifier. Some indoor venues create a cross-breeze by leaving some doors or windows open, and running fans, which reduces risk.

Spread Out The Refreshments

At many get-togethers, there’s a time where everyone crowds together to get a meal or cake. Avoid this by 1) having snacks instead of a meal, and 2) spreading the foods and drinks out as much as possible so people don’t have to get too close. This will likely require more tables.

Require Masks, Vaccination and/or a Negative Test

One positive recent development is the wide availability of the COVID vaccine, which is free to everyone. If a guest can’t or won’t provide proof of vaccination they can provide proof of a recent negative COVID test. This has the potential to be a bit awkward or even contentious, but as host, it’s your responsibility to keep your guests safe and avoid causing an outbreak. As per masks, make sure to have some available at your party in case anyone forgets theirs. If there’s a gender reveal, you can ask guests to come with either pink or blue masks, indicating their guess.

Have a Drive-by Shower

A newer custom that’s sprung up during the pandemic is the drive-by event, in which the hosts are outdoors, perhaps on a front yard, and guests drive by in a kind of parade or caravan. If you want any time to socialize with the guests without tying up traffic, you need to make an effort to space the guests out, perhaps by giving everyone a limited timeframe in which to drive by.

Just Zoom It

These days it’s easier than ever to be there without going there, via apps like Zoom. People did get burned out on teleconferencing when school and work was remote every day, but those days are over for most of us, and we’re glad to have those apps and to know how to use them.

Dr. Joshua Green of the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is a leader in helping men become parents. For more information about the vasectomy reversal procedure, please contact our Sarasota, FL clinic at 941-210-6649 or schedule a free consultation online.

How to Throw a Baby Shower During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has really put a damper on social interaction this year! If you or someone you love is having a baby, though, it’s still important to celebrate the impending arrival. How do you safely throw a shower while a pandemic is raging? We’ve got several great ideas.

• Have a “Drive-Thru Sprinkle”. A drive-by baby shower is the easiest option for local guests. Arrange a time for a car parades, and have guests decorate their cars and drive by to drop off gifts. The mama-to-be can sit on a comfy chair and enjoy receiving well wishes and packages, and guests can pick up individually packaged cupcakes and party favors. The organizer can even decorate the lawn ahead of time with balloons, yard signs, and fresh flowers.
• Start a meal train. Especially for couples who don’t want a traditional shower, bringing food after the baby is born can be a great gift. Let people select nights to drop off dinner and use a free service like Meal Train to organize it.
• Have a game day. You could either host a virtual game party on a meeting platform like Zoom, or you could use an app like Bunch or a site like Kahoot to get a group together to play. Kahoot even create a trivia game with questions about the parents and the coming baby. Send virtual gift cards to the winning guests for prizes.
• Host a virtual shower. Just as with meetings, classes, and other gatherings, showers can easily be held online. Ahead of time, the host can send decorations, games, and snacks to the mom-to-be, and snacks, favors, and games to the guests. Choose a platform like Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts, and plan your party to fit within the allotted time frame. The mom can even give people a virtual tour of the nursery, so guests can enjoy the décor!
• Send gifts instead of bringing them. Online shopping is something most people are doing right now anyway and picking up something for baby is fun and easy. Amazon and other sites make it easy for parents to register for things they want and need for the new little one.
• Delay until a safer time. While it’s fun to have a shower before the baby arrives, it’s also fun to meet the new arrival in person! By planning a welcome party instead of a shower, you can do it when things are safer, and celebrate with the newly created family.

Things look a little different this year, but there are still plenty of ways to welcome a new baby. At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people build their families. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 for a free consultation.