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How do you make a baby registry?

How to make a baby registry: when to start, where to register, a must-have list by category, recall checks, group gifts, and items most parents skip.

Storybook Studio Editorial Team5 min read
A paper-cut checklist pinned to a corkboard beside small paper icons of a stroller and onesie

The short answer

Make a baby registry around 20 weeks by choosing one or two stores with good return policies, adding essentials by category (car seat, diapering, clothing, feeding gear), checking every gear item for recalls and safety standards, offering a range of price points, and using group gifts for large items.

Start a registry around 20 weeks: pick one or two stores with generous return policies, add essentials by category, and check every gear item for recalls before you add it. Give guests a spread of price points and use group gifting for big items like a car seat or stroller.

Key takeaways

  • Return policy and completion discounts matter more than store size.
  • Group gifts let several guests share one big item.
  • Every piece of gear should be checked against CPSC and NHTSA recall lists.
  • Skip gadgets you can buy later once you know what you'll use.

When to start

Around 20 weeks gives you time to research before a shower, which often happens between 28 and 34 weeks. Starting earlier is fine; you can add and remove items any time.

Where to register

Compare a few things across stores:

  • Return window and policy. Many registries extend returns for months; some require receipts.
  • Completion discount. Some stores give a discount on remaining items after the shower.
  • Universal registries. Some let you add items from any website to one list.
  • Shipping. Free shipping to your address helps guests who live far away.

Two registries is plenty. More confuses guests.

What to add, by category

Travel gear

  • Rear-facing infant car seat (or a convertible seat).
  • Stroller compatible with the car seat, if you want a travel system.
  • A soft carrier or wrap.

Diapering

  • Diapers in a couple of sizes, not just newborn.
  • Wipes, diaper cream, a changing pad.
  • A diaper bag with room for two outfits.

Clothing

  • Six to eight bodysuits and sleepers in 0–3 months.
  • A few items in 3–6 months; babies outgrow newborn size fast.
  • Socks, hats, a warm layer for the season.

Feeding gear

  • If breastfeeding: nursing pillow, breast pads, a pump (check insurance; many plans cover one).
  • If formula feeding: bottles and a bottle brush.
  • Burp cloths, bibs.

Bath and care

Safety checks before adding gear

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sets mandatory standards for many nursery products, including cribs, play yards, bassinets, high chairs, strollers and carriers. Before adding an item:

  1. Search the product name on the CPSC recall site.
  2. Search car seats on NHTSA's recall lookup.
  3. Prefer new car seats; a used one may have hidden crash damage or be past its expiration date.
  4. Register each product with the manufacturer after you receive it so you get recall notices.

Avoid crib bumpers, inclined sleepers and weighted infant sleep products; the CPSC has warned against or banned several of these.

Price points

Aim for a mix so every guest finds something:

  • Small items: socks, board books, bibs, wipes.
  • Mid-range: bath tub, carrier, monitor.
  • Large items as group gifts: car seat, stroller, crib.

Mark the items you want most as favorites if the registry offers it.

What many parents skip

  • Wipe warmers and bottle sterilizer gadgets.
  • Lots of newborn-size outfits.
  • Shoes for infants who don't walk.
  • Specialty storage for every item.
  • A changing table, when a pad on a dresser works.

These aren't bad, just easy to buy later if you find you need them.

Registry etiquette

  • Share the link quietly. Put it on the shower invitation insert or a shower website rather than in a mass message.
  • Keep it updated. Remove items you bought yourself so guests don't duplicate them.
  • Include books. Many hosts ask guests to bring a favorite picture book with a note inside instead of a card; it builds a small library.
  • Be gracious about off-registry gifts. Some guests prefer to choose; a thank-you is the same either way.
  • Think beyond the first months. Add a few items for 6 to 12 months, such as a high chair and outlet covers, since early gear arrives in bulk and later needs often don't.

Thank-yous

Keep a running list as gifts arrive: giver, item and date. Many registries track this automatically. Write notes in small batches.

A note for later

Weeks later, some families like a printed story about the first days at home. The new baby book is built from the moment you pick, such as coming home or meeting family, plus optional details and photos of real places; you approve a proof before it prints in softcover or hardcover with a PDF. Look through a sample new baby book, see the gift guide and check pricing.

Frequently asked questions

How many items should a registry have? Enough for every guest to choose something, often 100 or more listed items across price points.

Can I register for secondhand items? Some universal registries allow it; never accept a used car seat with unknown history.

Is it okay to ask for cash funds? Yes; many registries offer funds for things like diapers or childcare.

Related reading:

Sources

  1. Recalls, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, accessed November 3, 2026
  2. The Safe Nursery, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, accessed November 3, 2026
  3. Car Seat Recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accessed November 3, 2026

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