What Should I Put on My Baby Registry?
What Should Be on My Baby Shower Registry?
What should be included in your baby shower registry?
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Baby Registry List
An example of a basic baby gift registry list.
ThePracticalMommy
Baby Shower Registry
Ready to start a baby gift registry for your baby shower, but not sure where to start?
It can be a daunting task, trying to figure out what you need for your baby. Stores or websites will provide you with lists of all the must-haves, but what about the really-needs? What products suit your lifestyle and everyone's budget?
Here you will find some tips about creating a baby registry and what items you may want to consider.
Baby Registries
Baby registries are designed so that an expecting couple or parent can tell or show family members or friends who may want to buy gifts what items would be preferred. Baby registries also prevent doubles of the same gift being purchased.
You can begin your baby registry a few months or even a few weeks before your shower. Most couples wait until they find out the gender of the baby, usually around 20 weeks of pregnancy, before they register for baby items. Others wait until a family member or friend tells them they'll be having a shower.
Baby Shower for Second Baby
Not Having a Baby Shower?
If this is not your first baby, you may or may not be having a baby shower. It all depends on how you feel about having a second shower, how far apart your kids will be, and a few other factors.
You may also not choose to have a shower for other reasons as well. It doesn't necessarily mean you can't create a baby registry. A baby registry can simply be a list of things you may need for your baby, making it a way for you to keep track of items you still need, or if others ask what you need, you can direct them to the list instead of trying to remember.
How to Get a FREE Baby Registry Welcome Box from Amazon!
- How to Get a Free Amazon Baby Box from Your Amazon Baby Registry
How to Get a Free Amazon Baby Registry Welcome Box: Did you know that you could get a free Amazon baby box? Follow these step by step instructions to get your free box from Amazon!
Baby Registry Checklist
Print out a few baby shower registry checklists to see what they suggest you register for.
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Using the printed baby shower registry checklists, make your own list of things you think you might need or want for the baby.
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What to Put on Your Baby Registry
Making the baby shower registry list can be a chore, but luckily for the expectant parents, there are a lot of helpful lists out there of items for which to register. Simply google 'baby registry checklist', and you'll get a ton of checklists to use!
Here's the catch: many of those checklists come from stores or websites, places that want you to spend as much money as possible on things you may never need or even want for a newborn or a baby who's a few months old. That doesn't mean, however, that you should ignore those checklists. Print out a few of those store checklists, and find a few lists from experienced moms as well. From those lists you can create your own registry checklist of items that meet your needs as a parent, along with some items you'd like to have as extras.
Before making the baby shower registry list of items, you should think about a few things:
- What items do I really need for baby's first year of life?
- What are the items I might want but don't necessarily need?
- Should I choose store brand or name brand items?
- Of which items will I need duplicates?
- Will I be finding out the sex of the baby or should I choose gender neutral items?
Make your list after answering these questions, asking your husband or partner to check it over with you and make any suggestions. If you know any experienced moms, ask for their valuable input as well. They can make suggestions about certain items or brands they liked or didn't like.
Next, do some window shopping and comparing. This can be done online or in a store (see below for store suggestions). It would be wise as well to read reviews and compare safety guides, especially on car seats, strollers, cribs, or other baby items, Make note of the brands and styles of what you see and what you might like.
Once you have an idea of what your baby registry checklist looks like, it's time to consider where you will register for those items.
Baby Shower Registry List
| Feeding | Diapering | Clothing | Sleeping | Bath | Travel | Play | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
breast pump | disposable diapers, sizes 2, 3 | onesies | sleep sacks, or swaddling blankets | bath tub or tub insert | infant car seat | swing | First Aid kit |
bottles | wipes, sensitive | clothing 3-12 months | crib | towels | umbrella stroller | pack and play | nail clippers |
nipples | changing mat | hats | bassinette | wash cloths | full-size stroller | tummy time mat | baby scissors |
dishwasher baskets | diaper bag | hand mittens | monitor | shampoo | sling or carrier | colorful rattles | thermometer |
spoons | diaper cream | coat for the season | bedding | body wash | sun shades | teething rings | bulb syringe |
bowls | cloth diapers | dye free fragrance free detergent | extra sets of crib sheets | lotion | extra base for carseat |
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snack containers | diaper pail or trash recepticle | socks | mobile | baby brush | convertible car seat |
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bibs | changing table |
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| nail file |
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high chair |
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| bath toys |
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burping cloths |
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Baby Registry Gifts
Free registry gift bag from Babies R' Us, full of samples and coupons.
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Mobile Baby Registry Apps
A screenshot of the Babies R' Us mobile baby registry app.
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Where to Register for a Baby Shower
When registering for your baby shower, it might be best to decide on a few matters first, such as:
- Where can my guests go to a physical store to shop?
- What stores have the best values and quality?
- Which stores or websites suit my style?
- Are my guests interested in online shopping?
- Which places or websites offer me the best end-of-shower completion deals?
- Which places or websites offer free gifts or other freebies?
- Which stores or websites have the best return policies?
- Will I register at only one store or chooses a few stores and/or websites?
Once you have answered these questions, take a look at the various baby registry stores and websites.
Note: I have not mentioned specialty baby boutiques, which may be limited depending on your location. You may have to search for one if you are interested in a specialty boutique or click on the link below.
Top Baby Boutiques
- Top Baby Boutiques | Baby Bedding, Children's Clothing, Hair Accessories, Nursery Décor, Personalize
List of Top Baby Boutiques | Baby Bedding, Children's Clothing, Hair Accessories, Nursery Décor, Personalized Baby Gifts
Baby Registry Stores
| Stores | Completion | Online? | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Babies R' Us | 10 % discount | Yes | Free gift bag, mobile app, VIB card |
Target | 10 % discount | Yes | mobile app |
Buy Buy Baby | 10 % discount | Yes | referral program, announcement cards |
Kohls | -- | Yes | Free baby announcement cards |
Walmart | -- | Yes | -- |
Pottery Barn Kids | 10 % discount | Yes | -- |
Burlington Baby Depot | -- | Yes | -- |
Online Baby Registry
Baby registries online can be convenient for everyone, but there are a few things to consider.
You can register online, most often from a variety of other websites. For example, Amazon and The Bump allow you to find items you like from other websites and keep them all in one easy to find place.
One issue about registering online is that you have to make decisions about products without seeing a physical example. You might be able to find similar products in stores to check out, but you could be limited with that.
Shipping is often at a discount or completely free. Sometimes, the items can be gift wrapped and shipped directly to the recipient, which is a nice feature for those who will either travel long distances to the shower or will not be able to make it to the shower at all.
The returns can be tricky. If the item is from the website itself, the returns are free within a certain time frame. If they're from a third party website or a separate online store, you may have to do some further investigating to see what the policies are.
Online Baby Shower Registry
| Website | Completion | Returns |
|---|---|---|
Amazon.com | 10% | Free 90 day return policy for qualifying purchases |
Diapers.com | $50 registry rewards | Free returns |
TheBump.com | Depends on online stores | Returns depend on the online store used. |
Updating a Baby Resgistry
With most places and websites, you can update your baby registry at any time. Sometimes you change your mind about patterns, brand names, or even the amount.
Keep in mind, however, that these changes might not show up for a day or even a few days. It wouldn't be wise to change your mind about items too close to the date of your shower.
Baby Shower Registry Cards
Many registries will provide you with free registry cards to put into the baby shower invitations. The cards have your name, a registry number, maybe a bar code to scan, and the store with which you have registered. Just ask about them when you're ready to send out the invitations.
If you are registering at multiple places, you could make a small list of the places either within the invitation card or print out a small list to place in the invitation cards.
Find a Baby Registry
Once you have registered, and in some cases made your registries public, you can share that information with your family and friends (or allow the person throwing you the shower to spread the news).
Guests can do two things: go to the store to find your baby registry list or find the registry list online. They can use your married name or your maiden name to look up the list. If you listed your husband or partner on the registry, they can also look up those names as well.
Completing a Baby Shower Registry
Once you have had your baby shower, you might find that you have received some items that need to be returned or that you didn't receive some of the items you registered for. No problem!
For returns, you can bring the unopened items back either with the receipt or a print out of your registry list (depends on store). If you need to make returns online, follow the instructions of the websites.
If there are leftover items, you can purchase them within a certain time frame for a 10% discount (again, depends on the store). If you received any gift cards at your shower, you can use them for the extra items.
Baby Shower Gifts
A pile of baby shower gifts
Baby Shower Registry
By following these steps, you should have a solid baby shower registry list and enjoy the benefits of receiving baby gifts. Before you know it, your little one will be here and you'll be using them all!
Good luck with your pregnancy!
Comments
Marissa (author) from United States on February 20, 2013:
lildiapercake, I'm glad you enjoyed the article and found it helpful! Thanks for reading and commenting!
lildiapercake on February 20, 2013:
Being a parent is the most happiest thing in the world. But with the new angel in the house the responsibilities grew up. Whether a baby is born or not born the real thing is the list which parents make up before their child is born or not. The preparation for the baby shower program as well as the new items which shall be bought in the house is just really enjoying. The matter provided above will be really helpful to the parents-to-be. This is really a very good article.
