What is a baby registry?
Feb 28, 2023
A baby registry is a list of items expecting parents would like to receive as gifts from friends and family for their baby.
Creating and sharing a baby registry helps to ensure parents have everything they need for their baby. Friends and family will be asked to mark off which items they have bought so the parents don’t end up with lots of one item and none of another.
A baby registry is not only helpful for the parents, it makes life easier for family and friends who want to give a gift but aren’t sure what the parents need. Gifters still get the enjoyment of picking out an item to gift, while knowing that whichever item they choose will be well received.
Without a baby registry, it’s likely parents will be sent multiple versions of some items e.g. lots of pyjamas, while not ending up with other key items you need e.g. a changing mat!
How does a baby registry work?
How a baby registry works from the parent's perspective:
Step 1: Choose a registry provider to make your baby registry on. More on this later in the article.
Step 2: Browse baby products and pick out the items you want to add to your baby registry. If you're using a 'universal registry' like Moonsift, you can add items to your registry from any store you like.
Step 3: Share your baby registry with friends and family. Ideally, do this a few months before the baby is due so that they have time to buy the items. Do this by simply sharing a link to the registry e.g. in an email, a message or as part of your baby shower invitation. You should still be able to edit the directory after it has been sent.
How a baby registry works from the gifter’s perspective:
Step 1: Browse through the items on the baby registry you have been sent.
Step 2: Once you’ve decided which item you'd like to gift, purchase it and mark it off the registry so other people do not buy the same item.
Step 3: Have the item delivered to the parents or receive it yourself so that you can wrap it and give it to them in person.
What is the best way to make a baby registry?
The best way to make a baby registry is online. This makes it easy to add, edit and share the registry with family and friends. Better yet, if you create a ‘universal registry’ you can add items from any store you like.
Traditionally registries were made from single department stores like Target in the US or John Lewis in the UK. The problem with this was you were limited to only choosing from the items they listed and had in stock.
Fortunately, there are now platforms like Moonsift that make it easy for you to create a universal registry. A universal registry allows you to add and combine products from any store in the world in your registry.
Consider the 'categories' of products you need
Once you’ve decided which platform to make your baby registry on, the best way to decide which items to add is to think about it in terms of:
‘Feeding’ e.g. bottles & sterilisers
‘Sleeping’ e.g. cot, bassinet & monitor,
‘Going out’ e.g. carrier, pram & car seat,
‘Washing’ e.g. towels, muslins & bath,
‘Clothing’ e.g. bodysuits, booties and everything else!
💡 Try to make sure there are items at different price points so it caters to different budgets.
A baby registry is not only helpful for sharing with people buying gifts, it can also be helpful to use as your own checklist of what you have already and what you still need.
If you can cover all the above categories on your registry, then you just need to make sure you are stocked with the other essentials e.g. nappies, baby wipes & nappy rash cream.
See our baby registry checklist here.
How does a baby registry work on Moonsift?
Add items from any store in the world
Moonsift is a universal baby registry. This means it allows you to add products from any store in the world and combine them together in your registry - from big department stores to local boutiques.
There are no limits on what products you can add, or which stores you can add them from. This means you can add items from the stores you know offer the best prices, returns policies and warranties.
Clever new technology means that you can add products to your Moonsift registry directly from any online store. You can do so from any device; your computer, laptop, iPhone or iPad.
Curate and organise the items
Moonsift is acclaimed for its clean modern design. Organise all the items you've chosen on a clean online board and add additional information, such as notes, as you like. For example, you might want to include a welcome note or instructions on where to send gifts.
Share your registry with family & friends
Once you’ve added all the items, you can share your registry anywhere with a simple link. For example, you might share it via email, on WhatsApp or Messenger, or add it to your baby shower invite.
People you share your Moonsift baby registry with will be able to browse all the items from any device. Once they decide what to buy, they will be directed to the store to buy it and told to mark it as bought so that you don’t get any double-ups.
Choose when to reveal which items have been bought
You can reveal which items have been bought and who bought them at any time. So you can choose whether to keep it as a surprise or track the items that have been purchased and which you still need to get in real-time.
