Registering for your precious new arrival (whether first or third) can be overwhelming! Retailers that offer baby registry services are there to help guide you on your way but offer so many options that it may be challenging to figure out where to start or what to select. When I was expecting my first child, I wanted to make sure that I included all of the essentials on my baby registry and some of the amazing new luxury items that would make my life a bit easier with a newborn.
In today’s blog, I’m sharing some of the best tips I received about creating a baby registry and our favorite retailers and baby products to get you started on your way!
1. Evaluate your home.
Your home decor and layout will definitely change once the baby arrives, but you don’t want your entire home to be overrun with baby gear. If you’re working with a smaller space, register for space-saving items or evaluate if it’s necessary to have that item at all. Remember: there are certain things babies only use for short periods of time, and then the storage of all the gear begins!
2. Think about your lifestyle.
Do you and your partner travel frequently or spend a lot of time outdoors? Babies can tag along to a lot more places than you may think! Register some items that fit your lifestyle before the baby so that your new bundle of joy can join you in doing things you already love. Consider baby carriers, bike seats, and a travel stroller to make adventures with your little one a little easier.
3. Do your research- before selecting items.
There are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to baby gear. Invest time in researching brands and products before heading to your local retailer. Our team of Real Moms has the scoop on all the latest baby products! Online reviews and ratings are informative when deciding between different brands of the same type of product. Also, consulting family and friends in a similar life stage can be helpful. They may even let you borrow or test out an item!
4. Pick out items at different price points.
Choosing items at varying price points is important, so all your friends and family have something special to pick for your growing family. Besides, there aren’t many other times in life when your loved ones are willing to splurge on your own hand-picked items! With that being said, those who are on a budget want to help too! So, make sure there’s something for everyone. (These are our favorites under $20!)
5. Don’t forget about yourself.
While baby registries are primarily about your baby, think about the things you may need in those first couple of weeks and add them. Anything from nursing bras to a soft robe for postpartum days is appropriate to put on your baby registry. Mom needs to be comfy and prepared, too!
Our Favorite Baby Registry Retailers
Here are some of our top baby registry sites that make registering and receiving gifts a breeze:
Target
With Target, creating a baby registry is easy to do either in-store or online. Simply enter your personal information and your registry will be created and ready to share! One of the coolest features of the Target baby registry is the fact that it is universal. You can add gift items to your Target registry from anywhere on the internet. You get a built-in gift tracker to keep up with thank-you notes, too. If some items are left on your registry after your shower and baby’s arrival, you can purchase remaining gifts with a 15% completion coupon that’s good for a one-time purchase in-store and online.
By far, my favorite baby item from Target is my Ingenuity SmartClean Trio Elite 3-in-1 High Chair. This versatile piece converts from high chair to booster seat to toddler seat and it’s easy to clean because there’s no fabric on the chair!
Amazon
Amazon is always making life easier, and its baby registry department is no different. I knew my friends and family would love shopping on Amazon because of fast and free Prime shipping. If you’re already a Prime member, it’s easy to register online and pick out items from not only Amazon but anywhere on the internet with the universal button! You’ll receive a welcome box with $35 worth of products when you set up your registry. And once your baby arrives, you’ll receive a 15% completion discount for all remaining items on your registry. Amazon also has great subscription services to make ordering diapers, wipes, formula, and much more a cinch!
We got so much use out of our Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat when my baby was too small to sit up on his own. It folds up and travels well, too. With over 25,000 five-star reviews, you don’t want to miss out!
Walmart
Registering with Walmart ensures that you will have a huge selection of everything needed to welcome your new bundle of joy. Creating and managing your registry on the go is easy to do with the Walmart registry app. They carry all the top brands and you get a special welcome box that’s a $40 value! Returns are easy to do and are accepted for one year after purchase.
My favorite Hello Bello Products are sold exclusively at Walmart along with many other natural and organic products to keep your baby healthy and happy.
Crate&kids
Crate and Barrel’s baby line Crate&Kids is full of fashionable and classic pieces for your baby registry. They have the latest styles of bedding, furniture, and decor to help you create a stylish and functional nursery. Their registry app allows you to track and manage all gifts. You can even enjoy a 10% completion discount for all of the items that weren’t purchased off of your registry!
Crate&kids has beautiful crib bedding options – lots of organic options too! We decided to go with a neutral bedding set that will last for many years (and many babies!) to come!
Get Started Today!
Our Create a Registry page, where we list the perks of our favorite baby retailers, makes it easy to get started. And our experienced moms at RegistryFinder.com have curated our own list of baby must-haves to keep in mind when registering. And don’t forget to grab our baby registry checklist to help you complete the perfect baby registry!
