The ultimate baby registry guide & all the secrets you need to know to maximize your savings

Congratulations! What an exciting time for you and your growing family. Baby registries are an amazing opportunity to stock your nursery with the help of family and friends. But there are so many baby registries to choose from and a variety of baby items to select. Where do you start? How do you know what you’ll need? This article covers all the baby registry secrets you need to know before you create your baby registry.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using a provided link. Please see my disclosure for more details. I only recommend products I love. Thank you for supporting my family!

In this article:

• The biggest registry mistake first-time parents make
• What to know before you sign up for a baby registry
• What are baby registry benefits and why do they matter?
• Choosing the best baby registries for your family
• What do babies actually need? Your registry checklist

The biggest registry mistake first-time parents make

When I was pregnant for the first time, I was so excited to go shopping for all the baby things. There’s something about being in a store full of baby items that you can touch that adds to the excitement. 

But with so many brick-and-mortar baby specialty stores closing, and for sheer convenience, more parents are choosing to build baby registries online. And once advertisers learn you’re pregnant, suddenly infinite baby registry options appear. So which baby registry should you choose? What’s the best baby registry?

All-in-one baby registries that let you add all of your favorite products from multiple stores to one registry link are gaining popularity. These registries get an A+ for convenience for you and your baby shower guests. But don’t make the mistake a lot of first-time parents make!

Here’s the first baby registry secret: the biggest mistake first-time parents make is choosing to create only one baby registry. I repeat: do not forfeit really amazing money-saving benefits for everyone else’s convenience! (People buy from wherever they want and can find the best deals anyway.)

The biggest mistake first-time parents make is choosing to create only one baby registry.

Instead, maximize your benefits and create multiple baby registries from different stores. You don’t need to share all of the links with family and friends, but having multiple baby registries will provide benefits you would otherwise forfeit. 

What to know before you sign up for a baby registry

Before you start signing up for any and all baby registries, the first thing to consider is whether you care if a company may sell or share your information. 

Congratulations: in becoming a new mom, you’ve also become a hot commodity for any and all marketers who view mothers as their primary target audience. According to Girl Power Marketing, “…moms are the most coveted consumers in the U.S. market. Their buying power tops $2.4 trillion annually, and they control or influence 85 percent of all household purchases.”

So, before signing up with any registry, consider how important it is to you whether or not your information is shared with a third party. In reality, this happens all the time when we share our information on the internet–it’s not specific to baby registries. But it’s a point worth mentioning.

In some cases (certainly not all), a website may share data such as your email, purchase history or other information with a vendor, affiliate, or other third party. In some cases, this can be beneficial. You may receive information tailored to you that you may find helpful. But it also can lead to an annoying number of emails to which you then have to unsubscribe. And snail mail you never asked for. (I see you Gerber life insurance.) Who has time for that as a new mom?!

The good news is information about how a company or website shares your information is easily accessible by clicking on a website’s privacy policy.

But now that we’ve got that covered, let’s move on to the fun stuff to consider when choosing a baby registry: baby registry benefits!

What are baby registry benefits and why do they matter?

Baby registry benefits are especially important if you’ll be having a small baby shower–or no baby shower. But they’re equally important even if you are having a huge baby shower because you, the parent, will be buying the remaining items. The leftover stuff often is the expensive stuff!

Almost all baby registries will entice you to sign up by offering to send you a cute little welcome box of sample products. And most will usually reward you with a store “completion coupon” as a thank you for creating a baby registry. You’re driving sales on their website–they should be thanking you! 

But, of course, there’s always a catch. 

Here’s another baby registry secret: Not all benefits are created equal. Baby registry benefits differ by store so pay close attention to the fine print. 

Here’s another baby registry secret: Not all benefits are created equal. Baby registry benefits differ by store so pay close attention to the fine print. 

Here are some things to look for.

The Welcome Box

The baby registry welcome box is so exciting! Who wouldn’t want a box full of free samples? These welcome boxes include everything from bottles, to diaper and wipe samples, to shampoo packets, to a million coupons for the most random stuff you may (er – may not ever) use.

Nearly all welcome boxes come with stipulations. The most common registries’ requirements include:

• Paying for shipping
• Adding a certain number of products they recommend to your registry 
• Make a purchase first and spending a certain amount
• Buying the box outright, then being credited with a promo coupon for future purchases.

For these reasons, the welcome box shouldn’t be your main reason for choosing on a registry. 

So what baby registry benefits should you focus on? Enter the completion coupon and return policies.

The Completion Coupon: The hidden-in-plain sight baby registry secret

A completion coupon offers you a discount on items you still need to buy from your baby registry. It’s an enticement to buy more things from their store. It’s also super convenient when you still have items left to buy!

The baby registry secret here is to know which completion coupons will benefit you most. Completion coupons range from 10-20% off, but do have some stipulations. 

Here’s some of the fine print:

1. Registries do not reward procrastinators so don’t expect to get the discount right when you sign up. A completion coupon becomes available after your registry has been active for a certain time, or after your baby shower or due date, which you provide when you sign up. Enter a due date or baby shower date that is at least 60-90 days away.
   
2. Some coupons are a link or code you gain access to, while others are snail-mailed. Speaking from experience, don’t rely on coupons delivered via snail mail, especially if there’s any chance you’ll be moving!
   
3. All have expiration dates. They range from 90 days after your due date to six months.
   
4. Remember the all-in-one baby registries that allow you to add products from multiple stores to one registry? Here’s where the big bummer comes in: The completion coupon is only good for products sold in their store. So if you didn’t add many products from their store to your registry, or their store is out of stock or just doesn’t have an item you want, the completion coupon may not be as useful as you had hoped. Their store also may not be the cheapest price for the item.
   
5. Most–but not all–have brand name limitations. Choose wisely or forfeit a discount for pricier travel systems.

To summarize, the benefits of having multiple baby registries include:

• Access to multiple completion coupons, so you can maximize your savings.
• Discounts on everything from basics to bigger ticket items, without being forced to compromise.
• Shop when and where it’s most convenient for you.
• More flexibility to return items.
• Greater access to a variety of baby items to best suit your preferences.

So, which baby registries should you choose?

Choosing the best baby registries for your family

We’ve covered the baby registry caveats and benefits. Here are some tips to help you determine the best baby registries for your needs:

• Create a registry for at least one brick-and-mortar store that you shop at regularly. This is the place where you’ll buy diapers and clothes, and do all of your day-to-day shopping.
  
  I chose Target so that I could easily exchange diaper sizes and registry items without needing to keep track of (or remembering to bring) receipts. The app is quite handy for initiating returns. I primarily used the completion coupon (you can use it once online and once in the store) for postpartum supplies.
  
• Choose an online retailer that offers quick shipping, a plethora of products, more competitive prices, or other convenience factors important to you. I recommend Amazon’s Baby Registry because it has the most generous completion discount without limitations on brand names. This means travel systems, car seats, and other higher ticket items were fair game.
  
• Consider a store you would like discounts to for splurge items you love. An example would be Pottery Barn Kids. It offers a generous 20% discount, though the terms and conditions reveal what’s actually eligible is pretty slim. That said, there may still be beautiful, high-quality items that would be nice to have gifted. 

All-in-one baby registries such as Babylist may also be a great option for this category. For example, perhaps you want a name-brand diaper bag that’s not available from other retailers and that isn’t excluded from the completion discount. Or maybe you prefer some of the creative gift card options they provide. Babylist also does a great job of attractively displaying non-Babylist store items so that other miscellaneous items can be contained to one registry (i.e., cute Etsy nursery décor). This is perfect if it works for you and your preferences! 

My simple recommendation is this: Don’t limit yourself to one single baby registry. Do your homework and maximize your savings. 

What do babies actually need? Your registry checklist

Here’s a baby registry secret no one will tell you: you don’t have to buy all the stuff that’s recommended to you. 

Here’s a baby registry secret no one will tell you: you don’t have to buy all the stuff that’s recommended to you. 

The reality is your home is going to fill up so unbelievably quickly with baby gear. It will become overwhelming. It’s only a matter of time. So I’m going to help you prevent that by reassuring you that it’s OK if you never bring it into your house to begin with. There are items that will make your life easier, yes. But must-have and nice-to-have are two very different categories.

I will be totally honest and break them down for you–then you decide!

Must-Have Baby Items

• A car seat
• Diapers (sizes newborn to 5)
• Wipes
• Diaper cream
• 100% cotton double-zipper jammies
• A pack of onesies (if your baby will be born in colder weather)
• Outfits (assume two changes daily)
• Some sort of swaddle or sleep sack to keep baby warm
• A swaddle or muslin blanket
• Baby wearing wrap
• A humidifier 
• Saline spray
• Infant Tylenol or Motrin 
• A baby bath
• Gentle baby soap 
• Baby monitor
• A safe spot for baby to sleep (crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play)
• Sheets 
• Sound machine (yes, I consider this essential)
• A wipeable changing pad
• Pacifiers
• Bottles 
• A safe spot for baby to sit and eat
• Burp cloths
• Bibs
• Baby-safe teethers
• A few books or toys

That’s it. If the list seems basic, it is. That’s because it’s all you really absolutely need when you have a baby. Every baby is so different that other items become hit or miss depending on your baby’s personality and interests. 

So if you’re tight on space and budget or don’t want the baby clutter, don’t feel bad if these basic baby necessities are the only items you choose to put on your registry. Your baby will be fine! Even a crib only becomes a necessity once your baby outgrows their safe sleeping space.

But if you’re looking for a more thorough list of essential baby registry items, see below. You can also find all my favorite, well-loved baby items here. 

The Complete Checklist: Essential and Nice-to-Have Items 

Nursery Setup

• Crib
• Really comfy rocking chair
• Sheets (at least 2)
• Mattress protector (2)
• Sound machine 
• Blackout curtains
• A wipeable/waterproof changing pad

Diapering

• Diapers (sizes newborn to 5)
• Wipes
• Diaper cream

Pharmacy

• Automatic snot sucker
• Thermometer
• Humidifier
• Saline spray
• Infant Tylenol
• Gas relief drops
• Nail clippers

Resting/Lounging/Snuggle Time

• Pack-and-play with bassinet
• Snuggle Me baby lounger
• Floor mat play station
• Books

Bath Time

• Supportive baby tub
• Gentle microbiome safe cleanser
• CeraVe cream

Traveling/On-the-Go

• Diaper bag
• Pacifiers and pacifier clip
• Travel clip-on sound machine
• A car seat or combo stroller travel system
• Baby wearing wrap
• Stroller cup holder/essentials attachment

Feeding/Teething

• Bottles
• Burp cloths
• Bibs
• High chair (one that converts into a toddler seat is great)
• Baby led weaning food set
• Nubby teethers

(Planning to breastfeed? See my favorite nursing supplies here.)

Clothing

• 100% cotton or bamboo viscose double-zipper jammies
• Swaddle or sleep sack to keep baby warm, plus at least one backup for middle-of-the night blow-outs
• Outfits
• Socks

How much baby clothing should you buy and what do you really need? 

Realistically, it’s a safe bet to anticipate going through 1-2 outfits a day between spit up, blow-outs. 

Get my suggested nursery starter inventory and other helpful nursery set-up tips and tricks in A Practical Mama’s Roadmap to Making the Most of Nesting!

Here are some other things to consider:

• Do you plan to announce the sex of your baby prior to your baby shower? People will likely buy you gender-specific clothing. In this case, wait to buy clothing until after your shower when you can take inventory of what people have already purchased. Clothes are a common congratulations present once the baby is born, but the outfits will almost always vary in size.
  
• The season your baby is born (additional layers are necessary for winter babies). Whereas underlayers such as white onesies aren’t as important in the summer.
  
• How frequently you’re willing to do laundry (less clothing means more laundry).
  
• How much space you have to store clothes (you may opt to do more laundry if you have limited space to store clothes).
  
• Your budget! Baby clothes can get pricey since babies grow so quickly. (A Practical Mama’s Roadmap to Budgeting for Baby offers tips about how to save on baby items.)
  
• Whether more kids are in your future. (If so, consider gender neutral clothing as a starting point for your stockpile).

And the final baby registry secret I have to offer? Don’t forget to include necessary items for YOU on your baby registry! These can include nursing tops, bras, breastfeeding supplies, postpartum pads, hospital bag items, etc. Find all of these suggestions and more here. Happy shopping, mama!

P.S. You can follow me on Instagram for life updates and mom hacks!