Baby Registry

When can I register for my baby and where?

A baby registry is a great way for you to add and organize all of the products that you want and need for your baby. Your friends and family can access your registry, see what you want and purchase items that they know you will use.

When Can I Start My Registry?

You can do a baby registry whenever you are ready, but you should consider waiting until your second trimester to begin. Some women choose to wait until after their 20 week ultrasound to see if the gender can be determined. However, you can start thinking about baby products as early as you want. Look at the differences in brands and find products that you are comfortable with. There are many products on the market, all with pros and cons.

Where Should I Register?

Ideally, you should register at a store(s) that is easily accessed by your friends and family. You are more likely to get items that asked for if you register at stores that are easy to find and easy to shop. Consider registering at several places so that your friends and family have a choice. You can often register at many stores online. Make sure that you have done your research and you really want the items that you put on your registry.

What Do I Put On My Registry?

You can put anything that you want for your baby on your baby registry. Again, the market is saturated with baby supplies and equipment. Take the time to research products and test them, if possible, before adding them to registry. Remember, your baby will need clothes, a car seat, crib, feeding supplies (whether it be a bottle or a breast pump), blankets and bathing supplies. You may also want to register for more luxury items such as a swing, jumper, bouncy seat, baby gate, etc. Since you are creating the registry anyways, you might as well add the items so that your friends and family have a range of choices to choose from. If you have chosen a theme for your baby’s nursery, make sure to state that on the registry.

Is There Anything I Should Not Register For?

It is usually best to not register for clothing because stores sell out so quickly and generally do not restock because of seasonal changes. Most people that come to a shower or visit during the first weeks after birth will bring clothing anyways. If there are any items that you feel obligated to purchase yourself because of personal desires, do not add those to the registry either.

Do I Include Expensive Items As Well?

Yes, you should include everything that you want for your baby. It is always best to give your friends and family a wide range of items to choose from, whether they be $1 or $500. Who knows, maybe your friends and family will go in together and get one of the big items on your registry for you!

Is It Rude To Create and Use A Baby Registry?

While baby registries are a fairly new trend and some people may find them rude, they are becoming widely accepted and even appreciated by gift givers. Registries make finding the perfect, useful gift easier by taking the guess work out. However, you should not push your registry on anyone. Feel free to let your friends and family know where you are registered, but accept the fact that some people will not shop from your registry because they want to find a more hand-picked gift.

Comments: Baby Registry

Comments 1 to 11 of about 11.

registryquestion - 526 days ago.
Hi, My wife and I are expecting and we are having a very difficult time with the registry process. I am an entrepreneur, so I see this as an opportunity to create on that works for everyone. It would be a HUGE help if you could answer 4 quick questions to help me create the easiest registry system out there. Thanks so much, and just follow the link below. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3YG28XX

nadinesky - 982 days ago.
Hi Sitama...I design custom baby shower invitations, sonnogram ones too, and lots of people include their registry at the bottom, subtle and cute...no one ever seems to mind...if anyone is looking for invitations feel free to give me a message!

dominique23 - 1014 days ago.
sitama- you could just put in your invites, if you would like to bring a gift or need gift ideas, we are registered at target or where ever. its not rude, when people come to a baby shower or even a party, that kinda is the point for them to bring gifts, its to help the new parents out. and most people love shopping for baby things :)

sitama - 1218 days ago.
We are planning to throw a party rather than a traditional baby shower. However, we have started a baby gift registry. HOWEVER, we're unsure of how to phrase the fact that we are registered on the invitations. We feel awkward about telling people to bring us gifts, let alone telling them exactly what. Any ideas on how to phrase the invite?????? I'm worried about sounding rude or like we have a sense of entitlement...

mamalala - 1573 days ago.
shesxchaotic: Actually depending on where you register, they supply you with a list. I registered at both BabiesRus and Target.. Both of these places supplied my husband and I with of both essential items and 'nice-to-haves'.. hope this helps!

shesxchaotic - 1593 days ago.
Hi everyone! Do any of you know anywhere that there is a basic list of everything you might or will need? This is our first baby and we're trying to find a really detailed list of what we'll need and we can pick what we actually will need. I hope that came out right haha.

kungfu-ronin - 1594 days ago.
I am pregnant with my second so i only registered at one place. even the first time i registered at only one place,. but only because i didnt know too much about the whole registry thing. i wish i had registered at more because some places carry better strollers or car seats ect. I dont think there is really a limit esp if it your first shower. i registered for 20 essential things for my second shower as to not 'overdue' it, and since my family was nice enough to throw me a second shower i didnt want to look greedy so to speak. i do think five is a lot yet it also gives people a varitey to buy from. don't worry about registering at too many places, your only pregnant a few times in your life enjoy it!

erin b - 1594 days ago.
I've registered at two places. A friend of mine that just had her baby was registered at three. I think five could be overwhelming to some people though.

joyous - 1594 days ago.
Is there such thing as registering at too many places. I just wanted to do 2. My husband and mother in law are up to 5 already!!! Is there a 'proper limit' to these things?

jacquelyn - 1625 days ago.
I registered for this baby just incase. My daughter is only 7 months old, so I'm pretty sure there's no way I'm getting a shower, but I have nothing for a boy so I basically have to start from scratch. I'm hoping that my family will surprise me by buying off my registry even without the shower. And if they don't i'll get a discount on anything that wasn't purchased from it so it will be cheaper if I have to buy everything myself.:-)

KarenBG - 1625 days ago.
So excited this forum is here! I can't wait to register!