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Congratulations on your pregnancy! What an exciting time!
I think I can safely say most soon-to-be parents look forward to creating their baby registry. It is so fun to receive items for your little one.
As fun as it can be though, it can also be daunting. Stick with me for a few solids pieces of advice to make the best registry possible.
When to Start
You can start your registry as soon as you would like to! Some people will be more comfortable waiting until you are safely out of the first trimester at about 12 weeks. Others will have started on it the day they confirmed the pregnancy.
Whichever type of planner you are doesn’t matter. You can create a baby registry at any time. All you need to do is make it private!
This way no one can search and find it!
Why don’t you want anyone to find it?
You don’t want anyone to check out your registry and possibly make a purchase before you have nailed down what you want! making it private is a great feature to enable while you are working on your registry.
Wait to go public with your registry until your baby shower invitations are ready to be sent out. Don’t forget to make it public though!
If you need or want to start purchasing a few items for yourself before your baby shower you can put them on the baby registry and make the purchase yourself. This will typically get you a discounted price.
You can do this with large or small items. Say for example you want to purchase your baby crib early or go ahead and get that stretch mark cream. Some items you won’t want to wait to get! Check out my article detailing 4 Things Every Expecting Mom NEEDS to Buy Before the Baby Shower.
Registries are free to start and some will come with a welcome gift. It is typically a small box of sample-size packages of baby products to try.
Pro-Tip: Keep the sample size items, such as body wash and lotion, for when you are traveling.
Where to Register
You can make your baby registry wherever you would like! A few popular options include Target, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, and Wal-Mart. Every registry will come with pros and cons.
Consider what is most important to you. Is that a physical store versus online availability? How do you feel about their return policy? What discounts do they offer when you set up a registry with them?
Another great feature offered at some locations is the ability to contribute to a large gift. This easily allows multiple people to go in together on a big purchase.
Look at these options and decide what works for you.
For our registry, we had some older relatives that aren’t comfortable with online shopping so we made sure to have a storefront nearby.
I suggest you choose 2 places to register. If you go above that it will be difficult for you to keep track of what you have registered for already. Going with one option is fine, but limits your guess to just that one option which might not be a place they are comfortable with.
Two baby registries is the sweet spot. But you can honestly do whatever fits you.
How to Organize
There are so many things to put on the registry. You can work your way around the house going from room to room. Such as a high chair and bibs for the kitchen. Toothbrush and body wash for the bathroom.
You could start with items you will use during the newborn phase and then move on to products that you will need as your baby grows. This would look like going from bottle to sippy cups.
You could even go from large items to small items. Work your way down from strollers and car seats to the little details of pacifiers and butt paste.
Find whatever way works for you. Often time wherever you choose to register will provide you with a checklist.
Do not buy every product on this checklist! Don’t you do it!
Use the list to keep you organized and on track for getting everything you need.
Speaking of needs.
Another great feature with many registries is the ability to favorite items you particularly want or need. This gives your guests guidance on what gifts are most important to you.
Don’t be afraid to favor both low and high-priced items. Different price points will serve different people.
What to Add to the Registry
Diapers
I don’t know why but some people recommend you don’t put diapers on your baby registry. I think this is completely ridiculous! If I see a momma with diapers on her registry I applaud her for being practical! That is putting a need over a want!
This can also help with getting diapers of varying sizes. I don’t see diapers on your baby registry as a problem. Go for it!
Clothes
You will likely get plenty of clothes, especially if the gender is known. (Our first baby was a surprise) I think registering for clothes is great though. It gives people an idea of what your style looks like. I don’t think you should go crazy, but basic staples are perfectly fine.
Multiples/Bulk
Do not go too crazy on registering for bulk or multiples. You don’t know what will work for your baby until they arrive. I don’t know why but I feel like every new mom feels the need to stock up on baby lotion and body wash. I did it myself!
The nesting must be strong in this area.
Do not do this!
Our lotion did not do well with our baby. Nor did the body wash. We gave what we had leftover to friends and family with little ones.
Another thing. Sometimes the smaller size is better!
Hear me out on this.
Take butt paste for example. You do not want a massive bulk size in the diaper bag. You want small, compact, and lightweight. In your home will you be doing all diaper changes in one area or will you likely use two spaces? Multilevel homes…I am looking at you.
Two or three smaller tubes will suit your needs better than one large bulk size.
Seasonal
Items that are often overlooked are those random seasonal items. Swimsuits, sunhats, winter hats, and even sunscreen can easily be forgotten. You don’t remember them until you need them.
Think about the upcoming seasons. Start from when your child will be born and work from there. The further out you go the more difficult it is to accurately match the size of your baby to the season.
Items like hats though typically come in a very generic size so they are easy to estimate for future sizes.
Gift Cards
You can’t go wrong with gift cards. They are easy, you can combine them, and you can save them for later. If you think about it would you rather store a high chair for the first six months or store a gift card? If you are given gift cards consider keeping them to make purchases as your baby grows.
Pro-Tip: Get out of the baby aisle! Some items can be found for a better price throughout the store rather than in the baby section. Also, consider items such as hangers and baskets for organization.
What to Leave Off
There are a few things I recommend you leave off your registry.
My first suggestion is too many large items. Firstly, you don’t need all that many. You need to think about what you need. For example, a car seat. That is a priority. If you would like click to check out my article breaking down The Most Expensive Large Baby Items: Are They Worth the Investment?
My next priority would be a safe sleeping space for your baby. This could be a floor bed, crib, or even a bassinet. Before you go the bassinet route, check out my article Why Baby Bassinets are an Absolute Waste of Money. It will give you my perspective on skipping the bassinet altogether.
Think about the items that would be helpful for your lifestyle, this could be a stroller or a carrier.
And lastly the extra stuff you don’t need. Just leave it off!
Most of these large items take the form of some type of seat to put your baby in. This could be a swing, lounger, or activity center. I strongly recommend skipping these items. You can read about my thoughts in Instead of Buying a Baby Swing Give Your Baby the Freedom to Move.
Too many large items feel demanding on your friends’ and family’s budgets. Be considerate of them when making your registry.
This one may go against the grain, but I recommend skipping on mommy items. Some people register for postpartum and nursing care items. You absolutely can do this, but I think it is something to consider skipping. I just don’t want to thank my baby shower guests for the maxi pads or nipple cream. No thanks.
Your baby registry should be focused on your baby.
Check out my post on The Baby Registry Items You Can Skip to Save Money and Space.
My final thought here is looking into the future is great. I don’t believe you should only register for newborn items. At the same time though don’t extend to over the first year. Keep in mind there are opportunities for gifts at baby’s first Christmas, birthday, and even other random holidays.
Error on the Side of Minimalism
If you feel like you are going a bit out of control with your registry put yourself in the shoes of a minimalist. Register for items you will 100% use. This would be the car seat and sleepers/pajamas. Items that without a doubt will get used.
Don’t register for items that have one specific use or are for a just-in-case situation.
This is my quick list of what we have spent money on this first year for our daughter:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Pajamas
- Clothes
- Bows (surprise it’s a girl)
- Car seats (next size up)
- Bear suit for cold weather
- Sun hat
- Winter hat
- Pain medicine for teething
- New lotion
- New body wash
These are items we didn’t receive, forgot to register for, had to swap out, or ran out of. These are the main areas we spent money during our first year as parents.
Good luck to you on creating your baby registry. I urge you to take your time, think about your lifestyle and how it will look with a baby in your home. Remember you don’t NEED every little or big thing.
Here is a printable PDF you can get below. It is a basic list of what you could put on your baby registry if it pertains to you!
Check Out My Articles
The Top 11 Baby Items You Shouldn’t Waste Your Money On
The Top 16 Baby Products Every New Parent Needs: A Handpicked Selection
Money-Saving Baby Item Swaps that are Simple and Effective