When planning a baby shower for yourself or a loved one, it’s a great idea to set up a baby shower registry! Not only do baby registries allow friends and family to shower those expecting with baby gifts, but they can be a great way to organize who is bringing what. With the help of a baby shower registry, they can have everything needed to walk into the exciting new journey of parenthood prepared, or at least with some extra diapers and teethers.
What is a baby registry?
When mapping out how to plan a baby shower step by step, a registry is a practical starting point because it helps guests know exactly what the parents need.
Start by compiling a list of all the things you know you’ll need for a new baby, then visit our portal and create the online registry. This user-friendly tool can be sent out to all of the baby shower attendees and utilized as a platform to fund everything thats needed.
When to start creating a registry?
Create this registry a few weeks prior to the event! This gives all attendees the chance to look it over and make sure they find the perfect way to contribute.
Most expecting parents should start their baby registry between weeks 12 and 20 of pregnancy, well before shower invitations go out. This gap gives you time to research big-ticket items like car seats and strollers, and gives guests plenty of lead time to shop.
How Many Items to Include in Your Baby Registry?
There is no wrong answer to this question, though we recommend including quite a few items of varying price points! If you’re primarily planning on sharing your registry with baby shower attendees, we advise including twice the amount of items, as the party headcount. If you’re creating a generic baby registry with the goal of sharing it widely to your network of friends and family, most registries will typically include 100-150 items.
Items to Include on Your Registry
Below are some must have baby registry items that we feel are incredibly important for new parents. Many of these gift ideas can also match unique baby shower themes, making your registry both stylish and functional. Here is a quick overview of the must-have baby registry categories every new parent should cover before their baby arrives:
- Sleep & Nursery: Crib or bassinet, firm mattress, fitted sheets (2-3), swaddles, sleep sacks, white noise machine, video monitor
- Feeding: Bottles, nursing pillow, breast pump, burp cloths (20+), bottle brush, sterilizer
- Diapers: Newborn and Size 1 diapers, wipes, changing pad, diaper pail, diaper rash cream
- Gear & Travel: Infant car seat, stroller, baby carrier, portable play yard, diaper bag
- Health & Bath: Baby bathtub, thermometer, nasal aspirator, baby soap and lotion, hooded towels, first aid kit
- Clothing: Zippered sleepers, onesies, hats, socks, mittens, swaddling blankets
- Safety & Convenience: Bouncer or swing, cool-mist humidifier, nightlight, outlet covers
Some of these may be items that the parents want to pick out for themselves, therefore the registry can be set as ‘cash to couple.’ This will allow guests to fund the item, while giving parents the freedom to choose the specifics. We recommend at least 20 items on your registry ranging in price. Allow for as many things as there are guests at least and consider giving multiple spots for certain items like diapers. After all – you can never have too many diapers!
1. Diapers and Wipes
A perfect addition to any baby registry is a diaper category! Here you should account for different size diapers that the parent(s) can use over the first few months. You may even consider cloth diapers or a reusable diaper option for the more eco-friendly family!
2. Car Seat/Baby Carrier
A car seat or a baby carrier is a very useful gift that will be used right away when traveling with their bundle of joy. Potentially coordinate with someone gifting a stroller, as sometimes strollers pair with a detachable car seat, depending on the brand.
3. Stroller
There are so many stroller varieties new parents can consider, that it may be a good idea to check in to see what style they want. Since it's something they'll use almost every day, it's a good idea to make sure it's what they're looking for and has all the right functionality.
4. Portable Changing Pad
An important registry item that will be valuable to many new parents when they're out and about, is a portable changing pad. This baby gift will provide ease for changing anywhere and cleanliness, knowing it belongs to you.
5. Diaper Bag
A diaper bag makes for a great baby shower gift! You can get stylish with this and choose one that offers both functionality and fashion. There are so many unique diaper bags in different carrying styles online right now, the options are endless!
6. Baby Bathtub
A baby bathtub and bath toys are great shower gifts because of their practicality. You know the baby will get immediate use out of this! While there are so many other baby gifts you may initially gravitate towards, try to remember which ones they'll need and use within the first few months with their little one.
7. Assorted Baby Clothes
Baby clothes -- what may universally be the most fun baby gift to give. Picking out baby clothes in a variety of sizes can be a useful and thoughtful gift to new parents, as they will grow out of things quickly. While it's fun to throw in some over-the-top outfits, try to remember the basics as well. Onesies, baby socks, bibs, swaddling blankets, and baby-safe laundry detergent will all be beneficial gifts for the baby's arrival!
8. Bouncer/Play Pad
A fun baby registry item is a bouncer or play pad. The play gym is definitely a gift item that will get an extended use and contribute towards early development during formative years. While they won't be using this gift right away, it will provide a lot of mental stimulation and entertainment for their little one within their first year!
9. Crib Mattress
A crib mattress is a great gift that will likely need to be coordinated with anyone gifting a crib, or with the family if they already have one. Make sure to read up on the best type of crib mattresses for babies and consult with the parents ahead of time to make sure the gifted mattress matches their needs.
10. Baby Monitor
A common item on every baby registry checklist is a baby monitor, and it's for good reason. Available with a variety of price ranges and features, this is absolutely a “must have” item for all expecting. Whether they’re techies looking for the latest in AI or just want the basics, we’d highly recommend adding this gift to every baby registry. This gift is incredibly useful and can help give new parents peace of mind when their baby is sleeping and out of their direct line of sight.
11. Nursing Pillow
A nursing pillow supports your baby's weight during breastfeeding and bottle feeding, reducing strain on your back, neck, and arms during long feeding sessions. It also doubles as a tummy time prop as the baby grows. The Boppy Original is one of the most widely recommended options and makes for an easy, practical gift at any price point.
12. Burp Cloths/Wash Cloths
This is the single most underestimated item on most baby registries. Burp cloths are single-use per feeding for many babies, meaning you'll go through multiple a day. Muslin and terry cloth versions are both popular for their softness and absorbency. They're an easy, low-cost gift that guests love to grab.
13. Waterproof Crib Pad
A waterproof mattress protector is one of those items you don't think about until you desperately need it. It sits under the fitted crib sheet and protects the mattress from blowouts, spit-up, and leaks. Register for two so a midnight incident never leaves you without a clean setup.
14. Diaper Caddy
A diaper caddy is a portable organizer that holds diapers, wipes, cream, and other changing essentials so you can carry everything from room to room without running back to the nursery. Most parents end up with a changing station in the living room, bedroom, and nursery, as a caddy makes all three work. It's a practical and affordable gift guests can easily personalize.
15. Grooming Kit
Newborn nails are thin, sharp, and grow fast, and trimming them is one of the most nerve-wracking tasks for new parents. Most grooming kits include a nail clipper with a safety guard, a nail file, a hair brush, a comb, and more, all in a compact case. It's a highly recommended, top baby registry gift that gets used from day one.
16. Portable Sound Machine
A dedicated home sound machine is already on most registries. but a portable version is a separate must-have. A compact sound machine clips to a stroller, diaper bag, or pack-and-play so you can recreate a baby's sleep environment at grandparents' houses, in hotels, or on the go.
17. High Chair
The high chair is a long-term investment that adjusts to grow with your child from infancy all the way through adulthood. With the infant insert, it can be used from birth. While it's a premium item, its durability and versatility make it one of the best value-per-year purchases on any baby registry. It's ideal to list as a group gifting option.
18. Postpartum Recovery Items
New moms are one of the most overlooked categories on baby registries. Postpartum recovery items make a real difference in those first weeks. These items can be grouped into a 'postpartum care' fund or wish list category for guests who want to support the whole family.
19. Extra-Long Charging Cables
This is the most practical small gift on any registry and one that experienced parents universally recommend. When you're nursing, feeding, or settling a baby at 2 a.m. and your phone is across the room, a 10-foot charging cable becomes essential. Register for a few as they make an easy, inexpensive add-on gift that gets used every single day.
20. Pacifiers
Pacifiers are a practical soothing tool that many new parents swear by in those early weeks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends pacifier use at sleep time, as it has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. If you're breastfeeding, most pediatricians suggest waiting 3–4 weeks before introducing one — and since babies can be picky about shape and size, it's worth registering for a couple of different styles to find what works.
So What Are You Waiting For?
While these are our must have baby registry items for new parents, there are so many more amazing items that could make great gifts. Consider cash gifts or a gift card for the family to purchase things they may not have considered for the registry, or for when they need to restock on formula & diapers. And if you’re feeling ambitious, try group gifting for a larger, more expensive item that you know would be a valuable gift. No matter what you choose to give, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness and well wishes!
Luckily, if you're in the planning seat and in charge of setting up this baby registry, you've come to the right place. Celebration.com makes it easy to create a great gift list for your loved ones, all baby essentials included. Start setting up your registry today and be sure to share it with everyone attending the shower!
Baby Registry FAQs
When should I start a baby registry?
Start your baby registry around the beginning of your second trimester — typically between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy. Aim to have it fully built out before sending shower invitations, which usually go out 4–6 weeks before the event. Starting early gives you time to research bigger purchases like car seats and strollers without feeling rushed.
What are the must-have baby registry items?
The essential baby registry items every parent needs include:
- a rear-facing infant car seat
- a stroller
- a safe sleep space (crib or bassinet) with a firm mattress
- diapering supplies (diapers in multiple sizes, wipes, a changing pad, and diaper rash cream)
- basic clothing like zippered sleepers and onesies
- feeding essentials
- a baby monitor
- a baby bathtub
How many items should I add to my baby registry?
There is no right answer to this, but aim for 80 to 120 items, mixing essentials with varied price points so guests at every budget can find something meaningful to contribute. If sharing your registry widely beyond your shower guests, 100–150 items is common. Be sure to include small, affordable items like wipes and burp cloths alongside bigger purchases like a stroller or crib.
Can I add items from multiple stores to one registry?
Celebration.com's universal registry lets you add items from any retailer into a single, easy-to-share list. Whether the best car seat is at one store and the best monitor is at another, everything lives in one place so guests don't have to hunt across multiple websites to find your gifts.
What is a completion discount?
A completion discount is a benefit offered by most major registry platforms, including Target, Amazon, and Babylist that gives you 10–15% off any remaining unpurchased registry items around or after your due date. The completion discount is a great incentive to register generously, as you can buy whatever guests didn't purchase at a discount once the shower is over.
Is it okay to ask for cash on a baby registry?
Adding a cash fund to your baby registry is widely accepted and appreciated. Many platforms let you create dedicated funds for specific needs, such as a diaper fund, college savings contribution, or a 'cash toward a stroller' option. This gives guests the flexibility to contribute financially without choosing a physical item.
How do I handle returns from my baby registry?
Check the return policy of each retailer where your registry is hosted. Most major retailers offer extended return windows for registry purchases, often 90 days or more from your due date rather than the purchase date. Keep gift receipts when possible, and note that some platforms allow you to manage returns directly through your registry dashboard.
Should I make my baby registry public or private?
This comes down to how you plan to share it. A public registry allows guests to search for it by your name on the retailer's website, which is convenient for larger showers. A private registry is only accessible via a direct link you share yourself, which gives you more control over who can view it. Many parents opt for private and share the link in their shower invitations.