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The ultimate baby registry checklist—you're welcome

New baby must-haves you need—and nothing you don't!

Still life background of cute baby products - changing basket with baby bodysuit, newborn clothes, knitted rabbit and wooden toy Credit: Getty Images / NataliaDeriabina
Janelle Randazza
Written by Janelle Randazza, seasoned product-tester, avid shopper, and expert gift-giver.

Updated January 27, 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

和你的孩子baby showeris rapidly approaching. Suddenly you’re met with a dizzying selection of “baby registry must haves” that need to fill your nursery before your baby arrives.

For new parents-to-be, it can be an overwhelming process. What are truly thebaby registrymust-havesand what are the things you can do without?

We’ve been thereandwe’ve tested everything under the sun so we put together the ultimate baby registry checklist for you. You focus on growing and birthing a baby, or adopting a little one and bringing it into your home. However new parenthood comes to you, we’ll focus on the baby registry checklist so you can focus on everything else.

What is a baby registry?

Group of diverse women together at baby shower. Smiling young pregnant black woman celebrating baby shower with best friends
Credit: Getty Images / LordHenriVoton

Registries are common for baby showers but you don't need to hold one to make a list.

A baby registry is essentially a shopping list you can share with friends and family of everything you need and want for your baby when they arrive. It can include everything from diapers and wipes to baby strollers and baby monitors.

You simply add items to this list and they can easily shop. You can share the list with baby shower guests—though you don’t need a shower to have a baby registry. Many people want to welcome your baby any way they can and want to help you by gifting you with new baby essentials.

How many items can I have on my baby registry?

Now is not the time to be modest. The first few months of your baby's life are going to be a huge change and you're going to need a lot of stuff to relax into that change.

Common convention and etiquette experts say you can list anywhere from 100 to 120 items on your baby registry. We say go for that full 120 items and enjoy some nesting! Worst case, you can enjoy a "completion discount" on any items that haven't been fulfilled.

Where can I create a baby registry?

Pregnant woman in shop buying a baby car seat.
Credit: Getty Images / 97

Stores like Target, Walmart, Pottery Barn, and Crate & Kids offer both in-person and online registries that you can combine.

You can either create a baby registry online or in person at a brick-and-mortar location. Our favorite registries, however, are a combo of both.

Shops likeTarget,Walmart,Pottery Barn, andCrate & Barrelall have online baby registries, yet you can also go into their stores to see your favorite products up close and get a feel for the quality of each item.

How to find the best baby registry

When it comes to deciding which baby registry you should sign up for, there are lots of options. Finding the best baby registry for you will depend on a number of factors: What’s your budget? Are you focusing on specific brands? Do you want an in-store or online registry? Are you looking for free gifts and completion discounts? Is a strong return policy important to you?

We’ve rounded up the most popular baby registries to show you how each works.

The best baby registry sites

A woman holding her pregnant belly and logos of top baby registry sites
Credit: Babylist / Target / The Tot / Walmart / Crate & Kids / Pottery Barn Kids

Here are some of the best baby registry sites available.

Babylist baby registry

  • Completion discount:15% for Babylist items
  • Return policy:Nine months for items from Babylist Shop; varies for gifts from other retailers
  • Free gifts:Yes, mailed to you
  • Group gifting:是的,物品from the Babylist Shop

Shop Babylist

Target baby registry

  • Completion discount:15%
  • Return policy:Up to one year
  • Free gifts:Yes, up to $100 value
  • Group gifting:Yes, on items over $100

Shop Target

Amazon baby registry

  • Completion discount:15%
  • Return policy:Up to one year
  • Free gifts:Yes, up to $35 value
  • Group gifting:No

Shop Amazon

Walmart baby registry

  • Completion discount:No
  • Return policy:Up to one year
  • Free gifts:Yes, up to $40
  • Group gifting:Yes

Shop Walmart

Pottery Barn baby registry

  • Completion discount:20%
  • Return policy:Up to 90 days
  • Free gifts:No
  • Group gifting:No

Shop Pottery Barn Kids

Crate & Kids baby registry

  • Completion discount:10%
  • Return policy:90 days for non-furniture items
  • Free gifts:No
  • Group gifting:No

Shop Crate & Kids

The Tot baby registry

  • Completion discount:15%
  • Return policy:90 days from even
  • Free gifts:No
  • Group gifting:No

Shop The Tot

What is a baby registry completion discount?

A baby registry completion discount is a discount applied to all items in a baby registry that haven’t been purchased by your baby’s due date.

What that means is, if there are still must-have items that you need to buy yourself, you can save anywhere from 10 to 30% depending on the registry site. Most stores and sites require that you make these purchases within 60 days following your due date, though some allow for longer.

婴儿注册必需品

Woman's hand holding ultrasound images in background of wicker basket of stuff for newborn baby.
Credit: Getty Images / NataliaDeriabina

Don't skimp out on the essentials every parent needs for a newborn.

While everyone and their mother is going to want to get you cute outfits to dress your little one in, you’re going to need much more practical items.

Here are the top 10 baby registry essentials to ask for—and yes, we've tested them all.

1.Baby carrier
2.婴儿推车
3.Baby monitor
4.Infant car seat
5.Meal service of pre-made meals
6.Swaddles
7.Sound machine
8.Breast pump(If planning to breastfeed)
9.Nursing pillow(Good for nursing, bottle-feeding, and for tummy time)
10.Baby swing(Be sure to follow thesesafety measures)

The best baby registry items

After you get the big stuff out of the way, here is a checklist of everything that will make your baby's first year so much easier.

Diapering

Baby boy in diaper on changing table
Credit: Getty Images / Dianne Gralnick

You'll want to think about diapers early.

Feeding

Young father feeding his baby boy son with milk bottle at living room during weekend.
Credit: Getty Images / Edwin Tan

Feeding doesn't just stop at bottles.

If you are notbreastfeeding, you will only need the first 8 items, though we recommend you also register for a nursing pillow for more comfortable bottle feeding and for tummy time.

Sleeping

A baby sleeping in a crib.
Credit: Getty Images / jordi magrans

Safe sleep is perhaps the most important part of all.

To practicesafe sleep recommendations, a baby should only sleep with a fitted sheet, a onesie, and a sleep sack until they are a year old. Do not use a pillow, blanket, or sleep bumpers of any kind.

Bathing

Small baby bathing in a shallow tub
Credit: Getty Images / Jurasy

Tubs, towels, and more.

Clothing

Cute babies in pajamas
Credit: Little Sleepies / Reviewed

When you can, buy items with double-zipper options. They are diaper-change lifesavers.

When considering sizes, most full-term babies grow out of newborn-size clothing within a couple of weeks, while others fit in size 0-3 right away.

请记住,这是一个好主意在草原t one transition outfit for when they grow overnight (and they do!), but what’s most important is you have clothing to get you through the4th trimesterwhen you should be staying home and resting.

Also, when registering for clothing, keep in mind what season your baby is born in a what size you anticipate them to be each season.

Living

A V-Tech baby monitor with a cute star-shaped stuffy.
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

Check out our Best Baby Monitor list to find the best one for you.

First aid

A baby whose fever is being measured.
Credit: Getty Images / kokouu

Plan ahead in case of an emergency.

Playing

Mother is holding a baby girl and playing with a rattle
Credit: Getty Images / freemixer

From toys to swings and everything in between.

And stuff for you

A Black woman gets a soothing facial
Credit: Reviewed / Soothe

Remember to treat yourself too.

We know it's called a "baby shower" but you should be showered with the stuff you need, too. The first three months of your child's life (also known as the4th trimester) is a turbulent time when your body is healing and you're adjusting to new parenthood. Here are some must-haves to put on your registry.

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