We're reader-supported and only partner with brands we trust. When you buy through links on our site we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.

pregnant-woman-shopping
When I found out I was having my first baby years ago, I experienced a flood of emotions—mostly joy, but also nervousness. Having a baby is one of the most wonderful experiences a human being can have, and I was beyond excited. Now I know it also isn’t cheap. This means that selecting your baby shower registry site is a very important decision. You want to make sure you get every advantage, every available perk, and the best possible prices for your registry list. Here are some of the “best of the best” places to register for your baby shower—complete with details and registry how-to’s!

The 5 best baby registries

Here are recommendations from new moms for the crème de la crème of baby registry retailers!

1. Target

Target’s baby registry is an ideal option for many reasons—they have great perks, they are everywhere (online and offline), and registries can include items for both baby and Mom!

2. Babies “R” Us

No surprise that Babies “R” Us is #1 in many expectant moms’ books! As well, the registry program got a recent facelift with extra savings attached!

3. BabyList

This very unique “universal baby registry” service is free and permits you to register at any store (online or offline) to register for items and services—and automatically merges it all into one registry list (view an example multi-store registry list).

4. Amazon Universal Baby Registry

Amazon has so many offerings it’s easy to forget about their awesome baby registry! This registry is also a universal registry so you can add items from any online site to your Amazon registry with the click of a button.

5. Buy Buy BABY

This online and brick-and-mortar baby-centric retail chain is linked to Bed, Bath & Beyond and is making a name for itself as a baby registry retailer as well!

  • Website: http://www.buybuybaby.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buybuyBABY
  • Free Registry: http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/page/BabyRegistry
  • Perks: You get access to free in-store registry consulting services and online helps to help you build your list, the referral program gives you a $25 gift card good for any $100 purchase, complementary announcement cards, when you register online and then visit a store you will receive a free goodie bag and a coupon, a few weeks after your delivery date you will receive completion coupons (the discount is not listed but readers state it is 20% off).
  • Free Apps: For iPhone/iPad

5 Key tips for building your baby registry

Creating a baby registry list that guests will actually shop from ranks at about the same difficulty level as medaling in the Olympics. Price, item type, shopping options, and more all must be carefully weighed.

1. Be sure the “big things” are on the list!

Create your “top 5 must-have” list of items and make sure they are on your registry. I suggest strollers, car seats, breast milk pumps, diaper Genies, and (of course) lots of DIAPERS.

2. Consider an online registry that permits you to register for services.

A maid, a doula, food delivery, new mommy classes—services are awesome, but few expectant moms get these as gifts because they’re not on the registry list.

3. Check the price range (top to bottom).

If you offer items at a range of prices, gift-givers will be less likely to “go rogue” and shop off your list (on average, 30% of registry gift-givers will shop in the $15 range).

4. Add personal notes to items on your registry list.

If you’re able (that is, if the registry service permits this) consider adding a personal note to each item you have selected to let potential gift-givers know why and how much you want of each item.

5. Include gift certificates as a registry option.

Uncertain gift-givers will appreciate the option to offer a gift certificate instead—and this way, you can shop off your own registry at a discount before it closes, and use someone else’s money to do it!

 

 

The 5 Best Baby Registries and Tips for Building Your List