Preparing for your little one but excited and confused about the baby registry? You won’t miss a thing with the help of this baby registry list. From when should you start a baby registry to what to put on a baby registry and what to skip, we’ve got you covered!

What Is A Baby Registry?

A baby registry is a curated list of gifts an expecting couple creates to receive at their baby shower or before the arrival of their baby. This makes the baby shower gift experience easier and more guided for their guests. This list is the right start to organize your nursery essentials and other items, both big and small, you might need with your baby.

Creating a detailed baby registry list helps your friends and family find more options to pick the perfect gift. Although your list must include both low and high-cost items to suit everyone’s budget, the main aim should be to include things you know you will use and enjoy with your baby for months and even longer.

Moreover, a baby registry sets up your guests for success by giving them an idea of what you have already bought and what you have been eyeing for long. It might feel weird to register for baby gifts but it is honestly appreciated as it gives your guests the confidence of buying something meaningful and useful for the parents-to-be.

Furthermore, creating baby registry essentials ensures that the guests are not buying gifts that others have already bought. Meanwhile, you get to track the guest purchases on your end too, which makes writing thank-you notes a lot easier.

When To Start Planning A Baby Registry?

While there are no fixed rules as to when to start building a baby registry, it is a great idea to start at around 12 weeks. Trust us, making a baby registry might seem easy but can take the whole nine months to figure out and plan what you want and what you need. Moreover, it is no harm in starting early.

The quicker you get started, the calmer and more organized you will be by the beginning of your third trimester. Ideally, you should get your registry list ready by the time your baby shower host sends out the invitations so that you and your guests are organized.

Where to Register Your Baby Registry?

Although creating a baby registry brings a new level of enjoyment to baby planning, you are probably wondering where to list your registry items. Well, luckily, there are many all-in-one free baby registry tools available online to create your baby shopping wish list without any hassles. Most of these baby registry sites offer exciting discounts on items you’ve shortlisted and even offer extended return windows.

Here are the best baby registry sites you can consider while making a baby registry list. Depending upon your preferences and the types of items you need, you can get started with the site you like the most.

  1. Amazon – Enormous collection of products, impressive return policies
  2. Walmart – Low prices, 90 days return window
  3. Target – 15% completion discounts, brick and mortar store available to look for items in person, excellent return policies
  4. Babylist – Allows you to add products from multiple retailers
  5. Buy Buy Baby – Great discounts, massive selection amongst baby gear
  6. MyRegistry.com – Perfect for cash gifts
  7. The Bump – Allows you to add items from your favorite store, gives personalized suggestions
  8. IKEA – Perfect for baby nursery furniture, massive discounts

To get started, sign up for the baby registry website you are most intrigued with. Gradually add  items you think might come in handy and once ready, share your registry URL with your baby shower host. Your guests can purchase or contribute towards any gift on your list while you prepare for so many other things.

Things to Consider While Building Your Baby Registry List

A well-rounded baby registry has a mix of practical picks at a range of different price points. From baby essentials to clothing, gear, and more. A perfect baby registry encompasses everything while giving enticing gifting options to everyone.

Here are a few important things to consider while creating your baby registry list:

1. Baby Essentials

This is the first and the most important rule of building a good baby registry. Although you can combine both inexpensive and pricey items, your baby registry should not look like a list of personal or random items you want. It should be a well-curated list of what you will need with your baby in the first place.

2. Items That Suit Your Style

The baby world is full of baby gear and not every item is meant to fit in each family out there. If you do not travel frequently, you might not need a travel crib. Similarly, if you are a suburban parent, you might be more interested in buying a stroller that fits in your car, and so on. So, based on your lifestyle, pick the right products that you think you’ll really use.

3. Items That Are Made To Last

Don’t expect your guests to choose items that you will hardly ever use or just once or twice. The best baby registry is the one that features items that can be used for months and won’t need frequent replacing.

4. Keep Your Needs vs. Wants Sorted

No parent has ever said they can’t live without a baby monitor if they share the room with their tot but every parent needs a bunch of diapers even if they aim to toilet train their baby real quick. Similarly, a white noise machine is something you might want to buy but is not essential. So, do not get carried away with your “wants” and prioritize your “needs” while building your baby registry.

5. Think Long-Term

Even when buying essentials, remember that babies grow – and pretty fast. From diapers to clothing, don’t stock the newborn sizes only. Similarly, do not only list toddler sizes. Ensure that your registry is a perfect combination of products you will use for a long time. However, ideally, you should focus on listing items that you will essentially need in the first six months.

6. One Category At a Time

You can never build a baby registry seamlessly if you keep on adding items randomly. Make a checklist of important baby items as per various categories. Start with the basic ones first and move to furniture and baby gear later on.

Step-By-Step Baby Essentials Checklist Ideas: What to Put on Your Baby Registry

Ready to start building out your baby registry? Here’s a useful category-by-category breakdown of essential baby items you should consider adding to your list. To help you get started, we’ve listed up the most meaningful baby items ranging from basics to the unexpected – and everything in between.

Clothes

Needless to explain, no baby registry is complete without clothes. However, picking the right types of clothing items along with a variety of sizes is highly crucial. Here are the must-have baby clothes we recommend adding to your baby registry. Plan on registering for different sizes in each type of clothes mentioned below.

  • Sleepers (5 to 7)
  • Shirts (5 to 7)
  • Leggings (5 to 7)
  • Onesies (5 to 7)
  • Rompers (4 to 5)
  • Half as well as full-sleeved bodysuits (7 to 10)
  • Night suits (3)
  • Zip up sweater (1)
  • Fleece jacket (1)
  • Socks (4 to 5)
  • Mittens (3)
  • Hats (2)

Infant Feeding

From getting a good latch to proper digestion and everything in between, infant feeding is a roller-coaster ride. However, having these things on hand will help your infant feed comfortably.

  • Feeding bottles and nipples (2)
  • Infant formula
  • Bottlebrush
  • Burp cloths (5)
  • Bibs (5)
Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Bottle sterilizer

Nursing & Breastfeeding Supplies

Who said your baby registry is only limited to baby items and not nursing supplies? Here are some breastfeeding items you need to add to your registry list.

  • Nursing cover – Only if you find it useful
  • Nursing bras (3 to 5)
  • Nipple cream
Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Breast pump
  • Breast pads
  • Breastmilk storage containers
  • Breastfeeding/Nursing pillow

Solid Feeding

Your baby will start semi-solids within a few months, so why not add the most useful products to your baby registry list?

  • Highchair
  • Baby spoons (6)
  • Sippy cups (3)
  • Bowls (2 to 3)
  • Silicone placemat
  • Silicone waterproof apron bibs

Bedding & Sleep Accessories

Putting a newborn to sleep is already a challenging task for most new parents. The wrong or incomplete selection of products makes it even more difficult. Here are a few things we definitely recommend putting on your registry.

  • Crib mattress
  • Crib fitted sheets (5 to 7)
  • Waterproof mattress cover (2)
  • Sleepsacks (3)
  • Swaddle blankets (5)
  • Fleece blankets (2 to 3)
  • Warm blankets (2 to 3 depending upon the weather)
  • Pacifiers (3)

Diapering & Toiletries

Although toiletries might not seem like the most exciting category to add to your registry, they are a must! Mark our words – you will use them the most, almost every single day.

  • Unscented baby wipes
  • Baby-safe body lotion
  • Massage oil
  • Baby powder
  • Sunscreen
  • Nappies and diapers – cloth and/or disposable
  • Diaper rash cream
  • Baby-safe mosquito repellent
  • Silicone finger toothbrush
  • Fluoride-free toothpaste
  • Soft-bristle hairbrush
  • Cotton swabs
  • Baby-safe laundry detergent
  • Diaper pail
Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Eye wipes
  • Nappy liners
  • Prickly heat baby powder

Bathing

Bathing your bub can make you panic even if you want to stay super calm. However, the right baby bath essentials will make bath time a lot easier for you. Here are some important baby bathing items you should consider adding to your registry list.

  • Baby bathtub
  • Bath towels (1 medium-sized and 1 large)
  • Hooded towels (2)
  • Cotton washcloths (3)
  • Baby-safe shampoo
  • Shampoo rinse cup
  • Fragrance-free soap or baby-safe body wash
Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Bathrobe
  • Bath thermometer
  • Bathing suits
  • Bath toys

Nursery Furniture & Essential Accessories

Regardless of the theme of your nursery, here is the list of the most important nursery furniture and accessories that you need. Whether you are opting for a space theme, adventure theme or floral theme, we recommend looking for neutral colours.

Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Cot mobile
  • Cot mosquito net
  • Clothesline or drying rack
  • Cradle
  • Travel crib (depending on your lifestyle)
  • Footstool
  • Toy storage basket

Gears & Travel Items

You need some of these baby gear to make your outings and vacations a lot easier with your baby.

  • Car seat
  • Baby carrier
  • Pram or stroller
  • Diaper bag
Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Stroller rain cover

Playtime

You won’t even notice how quickly your newborn will transition into a playful toddler. So, adding a few important playtime items to your registry list is a must.

Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Board books
  • Play tent

Health

Many parents forget to add health products to their registry and have to rush at the last moment in case of an emergency. Here are a few must-have baby medical items that you need to add to your registry.

  • First-aid kit
  • Nail clipper
  • Nasal aspirator
  • Baby ear syringe
  • Saline nasal drops
Useful But Not Must-Haves:
  • Teething toys
  • Nail scissors
  • Nail file

Safety

It is extremely important to babyproof your home and add safety products to your baby shower list before your little one arrives. Here are our top recommendations for the same.

  • Safety gates
  • Cabinet and drawer latches
  • Edge and corner guards
  • Electrical outlet cover
  • Furniture anchors
  • Toilet seat locks

Machinery & Random Equipment

Apart from all the must-haves listed above, here are a few machines and equipment you can consider adding to your registry. We wouldn’t label them as essentials or non-essentials. You can add them to your list if you find them useful as per your lifestyle and preferences.

  • Humidifier
  • White noise machine
  • Baby monitor
  • Food processor
  • Bottle drying rack

When To Make Your Registry Public?

Most parents-to-be choose to share their baby registry until they are having a baby shower. However, some parents even make it public as soon as they step into the third trimester to let their guests consider the best gifts and even look for some discounts.

The exact timing of when to make your baby essentials checklist go live is dependent on your choice as parents, but it’s better to make sure it’s neither too early nor too late before gifts start arriving. You can also use a private URL to share your registry partially without sharing all the times you want.

What to Exclude in Your Baby Registry?

Wondering what not to put on baby registry? We have your back! While you can register for just anything, avoid adding things that will end up collecting dust on one of the shelves of your nursery. Here are some things we think you don’t need to add to your baby registry. However, depending on your lifestyle and preferences, you can figure it out the best.

1. Gender-Exclusive Items

Although it might sound fancy to register for pink or blue baby items as per your baby essentials, think in the long run. It is rather a better option to opt for neutral tones so that these products come in handy with your next baby and still resonate with the interiors of your home whenever you feel like giving it a makeover.

2. Products That Allure You

Fancy baby items like a wipe warmer, food processor, pacifier holders, etc. might look interesting to be added to your registry, trust us, you will only use them once or twice in the beginning.

3. Infant Focused Items Only

From diapers and clothing to gears, do not limit your baby registry to just infant products as your baby will outgrow them in the snap of a finger. Consider adding items you will use until toddlerhood.

Items You Must Not Add To Your Baby Registry

If you are wondering what not to put on baby registry, here are some baby items that we don’t find worth the hype. While some of these are overpriced, others can pose a threat to your baby’s safety in some or the other way.

  • Baby wipes warmer
  • Drop-down crib
  • Crib featuring large decorative cut-outs on the headboard and footboard
  • Dressy clothes
  • Crib bumpers
  • Bottle warmer
  • Fancy bedding

Baby Registry

Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Baby Registry

Have some questions about what to put on a baby registry and what to skip? Reading our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the same is sure to help you.

Do you have to pay to make a baby registry?

If you are considering one of the best baby registry sites listed above, you don’t need to have any exclusive membership or payment to get started. However, some sites might charge an additional amount if you need personalized suggestions.

Where do I make a baby registry?

You can consider sites like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Ikea, BuyBuyBaby, The Bump, Babylist, etc. to make your baby registry easily.

Can you create a private baby registry?

Yes. Most baby registry sites allow parents to create a private registry list and even share the items partially.

When should you start a baby registry?

You can start building your baby registry as soon as you are 12 weeks pregnant. You can also start a little earlier or later as per your preference. However, you should aim to finish creating it by the time your baby shower invitations are sent.

Wrapping Up

A well-thought-out baby registry might take a bit of extra time, but trust us – it’s time well spent. While the process might be exciting for some parents, others might find it overwhelming. Remember that no matter what and when you decide to register, you should focus on enjoying the process of creating your baby shower list.

Although we wouldn’t say you must pick expensive items only – even for the basic ones, don’t be afraid to include higher-priced items on your baby registry essentials list. If you don’t think any of your guests will purchase something pricey, you may have friends and family members who would want to go in together on a group gift.