Baby Registry Ultimate Guide : Part 1 - Everything you need to know to

Congratulations on embarking on the exciting journey into parenthood! As you prepare to welcome a new bundle of joy into your life, one essential task awaits: creating the perfect baby registry. Crafting a comprehensive and thoughtful registry is an exciting experience and a practical way to ensure you have everything you need for your little one's arrival. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through every step of the process, offering valuable insights and tips to help you build a registry that meets your needs and preferences.

Understanding the Purpose of a Baby Registry

First things first - do you REALLY need a baby registry? With so much to do before baby gets here, spending hours online putting together a registry might seem like a lot of work. (Spoiler alert: you’ll get a lot of tips and recommendations in this post to make this process easy peasy for you.) Putting in the effort now will save you SO much stress later on, when you’re looking at a totally ready nursery before your new little love makes his or her appearance. A baby registry isn't just a wishlist; it's a curated selection of items - for you by you - that will support you through the early stages of parenthood. Learn about the benefits of a well-planned registry and how it can make your life easier.

Think of your baby registry as the foundation upon which you'll build the nurturing environment for your little one. Each item you select contributes to the comfort, safety, and convenience that both you and your baby deserve. From the cozy swaddle blankets that will keep your baby snug to the reliable stroller that will become a trusted companion on your daily walks, every item plays a significant role in enhancing your parenting journey. By thoughtfully selecting items that align with your lifestyle and values, you're not only preparing yourself for the practical aspects of caring for a newborn but also offering yourself the gift of preparedness. Having the right gear and essentials at your fingertips can help alleviate stress and uncertainty, allowing you to focus on the precious moments with your baby.

While your baby registry is undoubtedly a reflection of your needs and preferences, it also serves as a valuable resource for your loved ones. Friends and family members who are eager to celebrate this new chapter with you will appreciate the guidance your registry provides. A well-structured registry simplifies the gift-giving process for them, ensuring that the presents they choose are genuinely meaningful and useful to you.

When to Start

Life’s about to change and your head’s spinning, from excitement and from the fact that you’ve never done this before. When’s the best time to start thinking about what you want on your registry? You’ll want to start building your registry early enough to ensure you have ample time to make informed decisions and for your loved ones to shop.

The Balance Between Excitement and Preparedness

The decision of when to start building your baby registry finds itself at the intersection of excitement and preparedness. The moment you learn you're expecting, a wave of joy, anticipation, and planning sweeps over you. (Have you heard of nesting yet? You will!) While it's absolutely natural to feel eager to begin selecting items for your little one, it's also essential to strike a balance that allows for well-informed decisions.

Considering the First Trimester

Many expecting parents find that the first trimester is a good time to begin their registry journey. By the end of the first trimester, you'll likely have shared your exciting news with close friends and family members. You can introduce your registry at this point to give your loved ones ample time to explore and choose thoughtful gifts. “But I don’t know if I’m having a girl or a boy yet!” Personally, I tend to procrastinate and I, too, didn’t want to start a registry until I knew whether everything was going to be pink or blue. Power to the parents who don’t want to know their baby’s gender until birth, you can start building your registry right away! For those who are waiting on confirmation, there are still things you can add before you know. Think, bottles, onesies, socks, furniture, humidifiers, pumping equipment, and all of the other things that are usually gender neutral. It’s never too early to start! The more you add to your registry each week, the less you need to think about it a month before your baby shower!

Creating Space for Research

Starting your registry journey early in your pregnancy also allows for adequate time to research and make informed decisions. The baby product landscape is vast and can sometimes be overwhelming (but we’re here to help!). By starting early, you'll have the opportunity to read reviews, seek recommendations, and explore different options without feeling rushed. This research phase is essential for identifying products that align with your preferences, values, and lifestyle.

Factoring in Baby Showers and Celebrations

If you anticipate hosting or being the guest of honor of baby showers, gender reveal parties, or other celebrations, planning ahead is key. Having your registry established well in advance ensures that your loved ones can access it when planning gifts for these occasions. Additionally, it affords you the chance to update your registry based on the items you've already received, preventing duplicate gifts and ensuring a well-rounded selection. While it’s not customary to give gifts at gender reveals, guests often feel uncomfortable coming empty handed. Many would love to bring a small gift from your registry, such as a book, a small diaper cake, or a toy.

Allowing for Flexibility

Building your registry is a gradual and evolving process. As your pregnancy progresses, your preferences and needs might evolve as well. Starting early gives you the luxury of time to modify and adjust your registry based on new insights or changing circumstances.

In essence, the ideal time to start building your baby registry is a delicate balance between embracing the excitement of your pregnancy and ensuring ample time for research and preparation. By starting this journey early, you empower yourself to make well-informed decisions, offer your loved ones thoughtful gift options, and create a registry that truly reflects your journey into parenthood. Remember, each step you take is a beautiful stride toward welcoming your little one into a world filled with love and anticipation.

Where to Start

Now we get to the fun and important stuff! With so many great options out there, how do you decide where to host your registry? Personally, when I was building my registry, I looked for the following key features:

What are the perks? Does the store/company I choose offer a coupon for parents once the shower date has passed (known as a completion discount)? Do they send a gift or sample box to parents so we can test out different products? Many stores and websites do, and I’ll go into that in detail shortly.
Do they offer a checklist? While this blog will share a detailed checklist of what you should have on your registry, it makes it easier when the store or website you choose has a checklist built in, where you can easily search for different items from different categories and that will tell you if there’s something else you need.
Is it easy for friends and family to access, are they getting the best deals, and will I know when something is purchased? How easy is it to add the instructions to my baby shower invite? Can my guests mark a gift as purchased if they buy elsewhere? Some registries will give you all of the information about who purchased what gift, which makes sending thank you cards a breeze. The easier a registry is, the better it is for everyone!

Being a planner, you better believe I researched every single registry out there. And because I did, you don’t have to! Here are some popular baby registries and their pros and cons. Disclaimer: This is NOT an advertisement for Amazon, I just happened to love my registry experience with them. Scroll down to see the great features for other registries as well!

Amazon

Link to start: amazon.com/baby-reg/

Pros:

Welcome box: You’ll get about $35 worth of free baby items plus a bunch of coupons when you start your registry with Amazon. Your friends and family aren’t lying when they say babies aren’t cheap. You’ll appreciate the free stuff and you’ll find it useful. My babies are 1 and 3 years old and I’m still using some of the things that came in that welcome box.
Checklist and categories: Two words: Game. Changer. Amazon has a checklist broken into categories with everything you can possibly need. It tells you what percentage you are to completing the checklist in every category and in general. This is absolutely essential for a new parent that needs guidance. I used it for my second baby too, because after two years, you forget.
Completion discount: Brace yourself, because I’m about to go on a really informative tangent. Amazon offers a 15% completion discount on most items, allowing you to purchase items remaining on your registry at a discounted price after your baby shower. This was the biggest reason I chose to do both of my baby registries on Amazon. With a world full of options and a 15% discount on almost all of them, this option made the most sense to me. Make sure you read the fine print, though! The Completion Discount redemption window begins 60 days prior to the Arrival Date you enter in your Baby Registry and expires 90 days after the Arrival Date. (That’s almost 5 months you can take advantage!) You can apply the 15% discount on orders up to a combined value of $2,000, for a maximum discount of $300.00. Terms and conditions change with time so make sure you take a look before you make your completion discount purchase. In 2020, I could only use the completion discount on two purchases (so I had to wait to see what I definitely needed), but as of writing this post in 2023, I’m not seeing that as a limitation. I purchased the items that were left on my registry after my baby shower had passed. Then, a few months after baby arrived, I added more items to my registry that I realized I needed (think: more diapers, wipes, baby body wash, lotion, diaper rash cream, snot suckers, bassinet sheets, mobiles, toys, books, etc.), and used my second completion discount purchase on that. Also, you need to access the offer through your registry, through the benefits tab, so it’s not as easy as just adding the registry items to your cart.
Gift Giver Info: Thank You notes and returns are super easy with Amazon’s registry. You simply go into the “Thank You and Returns Tab” and you can see each gift, who it’s from, the gift giver’s address, the return by date, and more. No need to collect gift receipts or keep a list at your shower.
Wide Selection: Amazon offers a vast selection of baby products, giving you access to a diverse range of brands, styles, and price points.
Convenience: Creating an Amazon Baby Registry is easy and can be done from the comfort of your home. You can add items to your registry as you browse through Amazon's extensive catalog, on your phone or on your laptop.
Universal Registry: Amazon allows you to add items from other websites to your Amazon Baby Registry using their Universal Registry feature. This means you can consolidate your registry items from multiple sources in one place. That means you can add our Dreamy Creations to your Amazon registry ;)
Reviews and Recommendations: Amazon provides customer reviews and ratings for most products, which can help you make informed decisions about the quality and suitability of items.
Group Gifting: Amazon offers the option for multiple people to contribute towards higher-priced items, making it more feasible for loved ones to give more substantial gifts such as furniture, travel systems, and more.
Easy Returns: If you receive duplicate items or change your mind about a product, Amazon's return process is generally user-friendly.
Shipping and Delivery Options: Amazon Prime members can take advantage of fast and often free shipping on eligible items.

Cons:

Online Only: If you prefer to see and touch items in person before adding them to your registry, an online registry like Amazon might not provide that tactile experience. There’s just something exhilarating about holding that scanner and scanning every item in sight that your heart desires!
Privacy Concerns: Some individuals are concerned about their privacy and data security when using online registries.
Limited Personalization: While you can add notes to your items, the customization options for your registry may be more limited compared to other platforms.
Dependent on Technology: Guests and family members who are less tech-savvy might find it more challenging to navigate and purchase items from an online registry. Even my 50-something year old parents asked me and my brother for help!
Lack of Personal Assistance: Unlike in-store registries where you might receive personalized assistance from staff, setting up an Amazon registry might not offer the same level of direct guidance. Personally, this didn’t discourage me because of the beautiful checklist they curated.
Shipping and Availability: Depending on your location and the availability of items, there could be delays in shipping or instances where items become temporarily out of stock.
Limited Local Stores: If you prefer to support local businesses or want to register for items from smaller boutique shops, Amazon's selection might not cover those options.
Returns: While Amazon does have a reasonable return policy, there are two limitations. You might have to make a trip to take your return to a local UPS, Kohl’s, or other location to avoid paying a pickup fee. You also have to keep in mind the “return by” date. I’ve let that date pass on more than one occasion and Amazon customer support is pretty accommodating with making exceptions, but it’s not guaranteed and you might get stuck donating the item if you really don’t need it. Not great compared to stores like Target or Walmart where you can at least get store credit, even if you don’t have a receipt.

Babylist

Link to start: babylist.com/registry/new

Pros:

Universal Registry: Babylist allows you to add items from any store or website, making it a versatile option. This means you're not limited to the selection of a single retailer.
Welcome box: More free stuff! Add items to your registry, spend $30 with the Babylist shop, and pay $8.95 + tax for shipping to receive a Hello Baby Box from Babylist (worth well over $8.95).
Checklist and Categories: Another great registry option that offers a checklist with completion progress for guidance.
Flexible Item Types: You can add not only baby products but also experiences, contributions to college funds, or even handmade or personalized items, giving you a wide range of options for your registry.
Price Comparisons: This is a perk unique to Babylist. It often provides price comparisons for items, helping you and your loved ones find the best deals and save money. Because they’re not a huge retailer, many of the items on your registry can be found at other stores, and Babylist will give you all of the options with pricing.
Thank You List: Babylist keeps track of who purchased what, making it easier to send thank-you notes after your baby shower.
App Access: Babylist offers a mobile app for easy registry management on the go.
Group Gifting: It provides an option for multiple people to contribute toward more expensive items, making pricier items more accessible for gift givers.

Cons:

Less Traditional: Some guests may be more familiar with traditional baby registries from specific stores, so they might find a universal registry like Babylist less intuitive.
Shipping Costs: Since items come from various stores, there could be multiple shipping fees, which might not be as cost-effective as a single-store registry.
In-Person Shopping: If you prefer to physically see and touch items before adding them to your registry, a universal registry like Babylist might not offer that experience.
Limited In-Store Assistance: Babylist doesn't have physical store locations or in-store assistance, so you may have to manage the registry yourself entirely online.
Privacy Concerns: Some individuals have privacy concerns about sharing a wide range of items from different sources in one place, although Babylist does take steps to protect your data.
Return Challenges: Since items come from multiple sources, returning gifts might be more complex, depending on the store's return policies.
Gift-Giver Experience: Some gift givers might prefer a traditional registry for a more straightforward shopping experience.
No completion discount: Since you’re pulling items from multiple stores, you will not receive a completion discount once your friends and family have finished shopping.

Target Baby Registry

Link to start: target.com/gift-registry/create-baby-registry

Pros:

Baby Advisor Consultations: Some Target locations offer Baby Advisor consultations in-store, allowing you to get personalized assistance when building your registry.
In-Store and Online Options: You can manage your Target Baby Registry both in-store and online, providing flexibility for those who prefer either option. This option is perfect for parents-to-be who like to see the items they choose in person and really experience them.
Completion Discount: Eight weeks before your expected arrival date, you’ll receive a coupon to get 15% off everything left in your registry (+ anything else you’d like to add), helping you save money. Always read the fine print, though! This promotion excludes items sold & shipped by Target Plus™ 3rd Party Partners. The coupon is redeemable up to two times. It’s a little easier to redeem than Amazon as you just have to redeem the offer through the Target Circle Offers page, versus having to navigate multiple pages to access the perk.
Welcome Kits: A great thing about being an expectant parent, free samples! Target Welcome Kit offers are automatically added to your Target Circle™ offer list in the Target app and on Target.com when you create a baby registry. You can pick up your welcome kit from Guest Services at your selected store. Unlike Babylist and Amazon, you cannot redeem this perk online.
Free registry returns: Return or exchange anything from your registry up to one year. You won’t see this with many other registries, and you’ll appreciate it when you’re in the thick of the newborn phase! There were items/boxes that served as “decorations” in our apartment for months before we got around to returning or exchanging them. By then, that option wasn’t available on Amazon. Luckily, customer support went easy on us and let us return the items, but one full year to exchange/return, no strings attached and without having to reach out to customer service, is amazing!
Wide Selection: Target offers a diverse and extensive range of baby products, including well-known brands and exclusive items.
Checklist: Target offers a checklist of necessary items for all of us first time parents who don’t know what we will need!

Cons:

Limited to Target's Selection: While Target offers a broad range of items, your selection is still limited to what Target sells, unlike universal registries where you can add items from any store. While this used to be an option at Target, effective February 2023, universal registry, which allowed registrants to add items from other non-Target sites to their Target registry, is no longer available.
Physical Store Visits: If you prefer an entirely online registry experience, you might find the need to visit a physical store inconvenient.
Shipping Fees: Depending on your location and the items you choose, you might have to pay for shipping, which could add to the overall cost.
Limited Store Locations: The availability of in-store services like Baby Advisor consultations may vary by location.
Group Gifting: Effective February 2023, group gifting is no longer being offered for new registrants.

Walmart

Link to start: walmart.com/cp/baby-registry/

Pros:

Affordable Options: Walmart is known for its competitive pricing, making it a great choice for budget-conscious parents.
Wide Selection: Walmart offers a broad range of baby products, from essentials to nursery furniture, clothing, and more.
In-Store and Online Options: You can manage your Walmart Baby Registry in-store and online, offering flexibility to those who prefer either option.
Completion Discount: Walmart typically provides a completion discount, allowing you to purchase remaining items on your registry at a reduced price after your due date.
Gift Cards: Walmart gift cards are a common and versatile gift choice, and you can use them to purchase items for your baby as needed.
Easy Returns: Walmart offers free 1-year returns on all eligible items, free of charge, which can be helpful if you receive duplicate items or need to make exchanges.

Cons:

Limited to Walmart's Selection: While Walmart offers a wide variety of products, your selection is restricted to what the store sells, unlike universal registries where you can add items from any store.
Shipping Fees: Depending on your location and the items you choose, you may have to pay for shipping, which can add to the overall cost.
Variation in In-Store Services: In-store services, such as assistance with building your registry, may vary depending on the specific location.
Limited Store Locations: The availability of certain in-store services may differ from one location to another.

Pottery Barn

Link to start: potterybarnkids.com/registry/

Pros:

Quality and Style: Pottery Barn Kids is known for its high-quality, stylish, and often unique baby products, including furniture, bedding, and decor. I can attest to this - while my registry wasn’t with Amazon, one of my favorite off-registry gifts was a sleep-n-play from Pottery Barn.
In-Store and Online Options: You can manage your Pottery Barn Kids Registry both in-store and online, offering flexibility for those who prefer either option.
Personalized Assistance: Pottery Barn Kids provides personalized assistance from staff in-store, helping you make informed decisions and offering nursery design advice.
Checklist: Not only does Pottery Barn offer a checklist, they also offer “premade registries for every style”, where they feature their most registered items to help kickstart your list.
Completion Discount: Pottery Barn Kids offers a 15% completion discount, allowing you to purchase remaining registry items at a reduced price 2 months prior and up to 6 months after your due date. Don’t forget to read the fine print, though! The discount is valid on regular priced items only.
Exclusive Items: You can find exclusive and custom-designed items that may not be available at other retailers.

Cons:

Higher Prices: The quality and style of Pottery Barn Kids products often come with higher price tags, which might not be suitable for those on a budget. That sleep-n-play I loved cost $40 (for something my daughter wore for 3 months), compared to the average $10-15 from other retailers.
Limited Selection: While the selection is excellent for certain items, it might be limited for some categories compared to larger retailers.
Limited to Pottery Barn Kids: Your selection is confined to what Pottery Barn Kids offers, unlike universal registries where you can add items from various stores.
Shipping Costs: Depending on your location and the items you choose, you may have to pay for shipping, which can add to the overall cost.
Limited Store Locations: The availability of in-store services may differ based on the location of Pottery Barn Kids stores.

BuyBuyBaby

Link to start: buybuybaby.myregistry.com/ (powered by myregistry.com)

The world changes and our lives change with it. One of the saddest changes for us Millenial kids was the shuttering of Toys R Us (and along with it, Babies R Us), one of the very few stores you could see and test out toys before begging your parents to buy them for you. Every trip to Toys R Us was an experience I will never forget. When I became pregnant with my first, my mom said to me, “where am I supposed to go to buy presents for your baby?” I recommended BuyBuyBaby (it wasn’t close, but it also wasn’t TOO far, about 20 miles from home). While it wasn’t quite the same, it was a store that she could physically go to and have the true shopping experience of our younger years. In April 2023, Bed Bath and Beyond declared bankruptcy, liquidated all of their stores, including BuyBuyBaby, and left us without any large brick and mortar stores dedicated to babies and children. Then, as quickly as they closed, they opened back up in Fall 2023, as if nothing ever happened (though, with considerably less brick and mortar stores than before).

Pros:

In-Store and Online Options: You can manage your BuyBuyBaby Registry both in-store and online, providing flexibility for those who prefer either option. This option is only relevant to those who live in the area where the few stores remain, on the east coast from Virginia to Massachusetts.
Completion Discount: You’ll receive a coupon to get 15% off everything left in your registry. I wasn’t able to find the fine print on this, so make sure you do your research if you want to take advantage.
Free Shipping: On orders $49+
Universal Registry: Because this registry is powered by MyRegistry.com, it allows you to add items from any store or website, making it a versatile option. This means you're not limited to the selection of a single retailer.
The pros above were what I was able to find on the website, there may be more that aren’t included here.

Cons:

Limited Inventory: While BuyBuyBaby is getting things started up again, the inventory is slightly limited. This is offset by the fact that you can add items from other stores with the universal registry, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a store registry over one like Babylist.
Shipping Fees: Not all items qualify for free shipping, including purchases under $49.
Limited Store Locations: Only available on the East Coast, from VA to MA.

Stay tuned for Part 2: Registry Essentials, where we provide you with a comprehensive list of items you'll want to include on your registry.

If you know of any other registries or find that some of our information is outdated, please let us know by commenting below or emailing info@dreamydiapercreations.com. We’d love your feedback!