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You can of course put absolutely anything you want on your baby registry! It is yours after all!
However, if you are here seeking some guidelines and boundaries, you are in the right place.
We are going to discuss items I have seen on baby registries that may be pushing the limit.
They may make you seem tacky or selfish, maybe to the point of your baby shower guests feeling like you are taking advantage of them.
We want our guests to feel appreciated for the blessings they give us.
When it comes to the following items, think twice before adding too many to your baby registry!
Postpartum Care Items
Some expecting mommas will put a fair number of postpartum items on their baby registry.
I just couldn’t do it!
I couldn’t handle friends and family buying me giant pads and disposable underwear!
First off, the hospital does supply a decent number of supplies. I was able to bring home extras as well.
I only used one bathroom in our house, so I only had one place to keep stocked. If your house has multiple floors, you may need postpartum supplies in multiple bathrooms.
That would impact your need for more supplies.
Now on the flip side, I have seen where guests are excited to get postpartum items and take care of mom. They feel like they are fulfilling an important need, while everyone else is focusing on the baby.
For more on which Postpartum Items to purchase check out, 5 Affordable Postpartum Products Under $10 that Will Make Your Life Easier.
Room Decor
IDK what it is, but I don’t feel like it is my job to purchase decor items for the baby’s room.
This would include items like curtains, wall art and decals, rugs, wallpaper, and any other decorative items.
If you put one on the registry, I can roll with that. If you do all of these items, I think it is a bit much.
Large Furniture
A couple of quick examples of this would be a rocking chair, crib, and dresser. Depending on the price of these items it may not be realistic for you to ask your baby shower guests to purchase them. They may see a large price tag on a stroller or car seat and find that more appropriate.
Products for Mom
This is similar to the postpartum section but not exactly the same. This is more like new pajamas, a fresh robe, stretch mark creams and oils, hair growth serums, and vitamins. Again, some people are really into pampering the new mom, which I think is great. However, others are going to say this is a baby shower, not a mommy shower.
Big Kid Toys
I recently reviewed a baby registry they had a lot of “big kid” items. Things like splash tables, ball pits, riding cars, kiddie pools, and basketball hoops.
These items are great …for your baby’s first birthday or first Christmas! You don’t have to get items for their entire life on the baby registry, so hold off on some of these “big kid” toys.
One larger toy I will make an exception for in large shapes like the nugget. These could be great for a baby climbing and crawling on even at a young age.
Duplicates
Be careful about asking for multiples of items. Don’t ask for 2 diaper bags and 2 wipe warmers.
(don’t get one wipe warmer :))
For most items, it is going to come across as excessive to ask for duplicates. One exception would be to ask for multiple car seat bases. That is very normal.
When it comes to small items like pacifiers and clothing of course you are going to ask for multiples. I am talking about larger items for the most part.
Baby Shower Supplies
I recently came across a baby registry that included games for the baby shower! I did not like this at all. You are telling people to come to a party to give you a gift and also pay for the party supplies!
This is downright tacky!
Now if you are putting the items on the registry to get the 10% or 15% discount you may get for buying off the registry, great! That is fine, put the items on the registry, purchase them, and then please remove them from the baby registry.
Future Items
When it comes to future items once again you need a bit of balance. For example, if you already asked for a bassinet and a crib, I think adding a twin bed is just too much. Some other future items include a potty seat, highchair, next-level car seat and booster seat, a learning tower for the kitchen, and as I said, a big kid bed.
Some of these you need to wait on. But some of these are actually practical.
The highchair for example is something they could use around 6 months old. This makes it perfectly fine to go on the baby registry.
If you plan on doing elimination communication, or potty training from birth you may need supplies in that category. However, if you plan to potty train around 2 or 3 years old, please don’t put a potty seat on your baby registry. You do not need to store this item for that long. Again, it would be something they could get for a birthday or Christmas.
Clothing
You can definitely put clothing on your baby registry but don’t go crazy.
If you go crazy on clothing it makes it seem that you see your baby as a doll to dress up, rather than a child with needs that you must care for. We need to make sure the majority of items are need-based.
I also would limit getting items into the toddler years. 18 months to 2T should be the cut-off on future clothing.
I do recommend not only getting newborn and 0-3 month clothing, please spread it out!
Putting a little clothing on your registry helps baby shower guests know your style.
Diapers & Wipes
I have heard putting diapers and wipes on your baby registry can be tacky. I completely disagree. I see it as one of the most practical items. It lets people know what brands you want to try and can help you get a variety of sizes.
I love buying new moms practical items that I know will be used.
Conclusion
When it comes to what not to put on your registry you need to consider multiple factors.
How many items are on your registry?
If the number is well over 100, I would start eliminating some of the items on this list.
How many guests are invited?
If you have a list of 200 items but are only inviting 20 people you may want to focus your list on needs over wants. It would be a shame if your 20 guests only purchased the frivolous items, rather than the practical. Make sure you get the items you truly need!
Also, consider your guests’ budgets. If you work with a bunch of doctors and lawyers, they won’t have a problem seeing some large ticket items. But if most of your family and friends are just trying to get by, realize they are going to have a smaller budget, so you don’t need to have 10 items that are $500+.
Know your audience and respect your guests. Focus on the needed items first. Remember you can always add more products as your baby shower approaches if necessary and you can even add items after your baby registry if it helps you get a discount.
And finally, you of course can do whatever you are comfortable with. These are my thoughts surrounding baby registries and baby showers.
If you are an expecting mother, I wish you well in the final months of pregnancy and a smooth and healthy delivery.
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