When to start a baby registry
Aug 28, 2024
For such small people, babies need a lot of stuff. A baby registry can be a great way to make a dent in the shopping list. But when should you start a baby registry?
Well, there’s no set timeline. However, many parents-to-be like to wait until after the 12-week mark. After all, this is when you can generally start to relax into your pregnancy and get (even more!) excited for your little one’s arrival.
When should you start making a baby registry?
There’s no set moment when you should make a baby registry. Rather, it’s all about what you feel comfortable with!
That said, most people like to wait until after the 12-week mark. Before this, you might be keeping your pregnancy on the down-low. Plus, it’s around this time that you’ll probably get your first scan to confirm that everything’s going well.
Once that first trimester is out of the way, all bets are off! You can start your baby registry whenever you like – although starting sooner rather than later will keep the pressure off.
However, here are some factors to consider.
1. There’s no rush
First things first, don’t pressure yourself to start earlier than you feel ready.
You’ll generally be pregnant for a whole nine months. So, you’ll have plenty of time to get started.
2. There’s no such thing as too early
Equally, there’s no need to put off starting your baby registry if you’re chomping at the bit to get going!
With Moonsift, you can start collating items as early as you fancy, and just send your registry over to family and friends when you feel ready. On which note…
3. Spread out the workload
The earlier you start your baby registry, the more time you’ll have to collate the items you’re after. That way, you’ll be able to take your time choosing the right products for your baby rather than rushing to add any old thing.
Moonsift allows you to add items from any online store, so it’s a great place to save everything you’re comparing before making your final decision and sending your collections round as a baby registry!
4. Have it ready for your baby shower
If you’re having a baby shower, it’ll probably be around four to six weeks before your due date.
You’ll want to make sure your baby registry is ready at least several weeks before this, so that friends and family have time to buy gifts. If you’re using a baby shower website, try to make sure your baby registry is ready before you publish and share it.
3. Time it with your purchases
Adding newborn essentials to your baby registry can help you to financially prepare for a baby. But you’ll need to share your registry early enough so that you still have time to buy leftover items yourself before baby arrives.
Luckily, you can use Moonsift as a personal shopping list as well as a baby registry – in fact, we’ll even notify you if the price of any items you save drops!
When to make a baby registry: a timeline
As you can see, there are no rights or wrongs when it comes to starting a baby registry.
However, you might be wondering what a sensible timeline might look like. Here’s a rough idea of when might be a good time to complete each step, so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute.
From 12 weeks: start your baby registry
It’s never too early to start your baby registry. So, if you’re excited about the idea, there’s nothing to stop you from creating your registry at the first sign of a positive pregnancy test.
However, many parents-to-be prefer to wait until after 12 weeks.
After all, this is often when you’ll start sharing your exciting news with loved ones.
Although there’s no big rush, starting sooner rather than later is definitely helpful. Remember, there’s a difference between starting and finishing!
Starting your baby registry around the 12-week mark will give you plenty of time to compare and add items at your leisure, so that you finish it well in advance of your baby shower.
It will also give you one central place where you can save items you like until you’re ready to hone your baby registry and send it out.
Don’t worry. If you create your baby registry using Moonsift, you can keep it private until you’re ready to publish and share it with your family and friends.
By 20 weeks: add items to your registry
The chances are that you’ll have started adding items to your baby registry by now.
But if not, this is the time to do so.
Many parents wait until around the 20-week mark to begin seriously adding items to their registry, and honing their options down.
Not only is it the halfway mark through pregnancy, but many mums and dads-to-be will find out the gender of their baby at around this point – especially in the UK.
With that in mind, you can finally start adding all those pink or blue items to your registry.
But don’t worry if you’re not finding out. You’ll be able to find lots of gender neutral items perfect for your little prince or princess!
We’ve done (some) of the hard work for you – head over to our example baby registry to get inspired for your own.
By 28 weeks: send out your baby registry
Now you’ve done the hard work, but when do you send out a baby registry?
Well, 28 weeks marks the start of your third trimester. This is the latest that you should realistically share your baby registry with family and friends.
After all, they’ll need time to buy the items on your baby registry well in advance of your baby shower if you’re having one – or baby’s expected arrival if not.
As a rough guide, you should plan to send your baby registry out at least four to six weeks before your shower takes place.
This way, you can include the info on your baby shower invites and post the link on your baby shower website.
The last thing you want is to send around your registry after people have already bought you gifts – as this is a sure-fire way to get duplicates and miss out on the items you really want!
By 32 weeks: have your baby shower
If you’re planning a baby shower, the optimal time is typically somewhere between the end of the second trimester and the beginning of the third.
This way, you’ll have had time to get your baby registry completed – but you won’t be so far along that you’re super uncomfortable (hopefully!). Plus, your shower is unlikely to get interrupted by an early appearance from baby.
Just be sure to take into account your own specific circumstances. For instance, twins and other multiples often arrive early.
Whatever your situation, it’s important that you leave enough time so that you can still buy any essentials from your registry that weren’t gifted to you before your baby turns up.
By 35 weeks: purchase any remaining items
Most babies arrive within a week on either side of their expected due date, between weeks 39 and 41.
So, we’d usually recommend having all the newborn essentials by around week 35 – just to be safe (read our guide on when to buy baby stuff during pregnancy for more info).
Once you’ve had your baby shower, sit down and work out what items you’re still missing. Now’s your window to purchase them before your baby’s arrival.
If you create your baby registry with Moonsift, this couldn’t be easier. You can purchase any remaining items directly from your baby registry – and we’ll even let you know if the price changes.
Starting a baby registry as a first-time vs second-time parent
As a first-time mum or dad, you’ll likely have lots of questions about what you need and when you’ll need it.
With that in mind, you’ll probably want to start your baby registry pretty early on in your pregnancy – often as early as 12 weeks.
This way, you’ll have plenty of time to research and compare options. Our baby registry checklist will give you a good idea of what you need.
Meanwhile, as a second-time parent, you’ll have been here before! So, you’ll probably have a much clearer idea of what items you want or need, and won’t feel anxious leaving things for a few extra weeks.
Baby showers tend to be less common for second, third and subsequent babies. But your friends and family would still love to be involved. Sharing a baby registry is a great way to include them and get a helping hand financially preparing for your baby.
After all, babies are expensive!
Start your baby registry on Moonsift
It’s never too early (or too late!) to start a baby registry on Moonsift. With our universal ‘save’ button, you can add items you actually want from any online store in the world.
Collate items while you’re still choosing and then convert your collections into a gift registry once you’re ready.
With one simple link, guests can quickly tick items off your list and even leave you a gift message. Easy!
Simply sign up to get started.
FAQs
When should I start making my baby registry?
It’s up to you when you start making your baby registry. However, many soon-to-be parents find it helpful to start as early as 12 weeks into pregnancy. This way, you can take your time collating the right items while your registry is in private mode, before sharing it with your friends and family later down the line.
What is the etiquette for a baby registry?
There are no set rules around baby registry etiquette, but there are a few things you can do to make sure your friends and family feel comfortable.
Include a variety of price points. That way, nobody will feel pressured into spending more than they’re comfortable with.
Add a cash fund. Moonsift offers a cash fund so loved ones can contribute towards bigger-ticket items without going overboard.
Narrow your list down. This will help guests to understand what you really want.
Don’t leave it last-minute. Your loved ones will need time to sort the perfect gift.
Write thank you cards. A personal thank you card will ensure everyone feels appreciated.
Send out one link. Registering with lots of different stores can confuse your loved ones – use Moonsift’s universal ‘save’ button to collate everything you want in one easy-to-manage place.
When should you start sharing your baby registry?
We’d recommend sharing your baby registry at least four to six weeks before the date of your baby shower if you’re having one. Or if not, by the beginning of the third trimester.
This will give your loved ones time to get your gift. It will also give you a chance to buy any items you didn’t get gifted yourself, before baby arrives.
How do you politely share a baby registry?
It can be awkward asking people for gifts, but there’s no need to feel embarrassed. Here are some easy ways to share a baby registry without rubbing anyone up the wrong way.
Include the info on your baby shower invites
Link to your baby registry from your baby shower website
Email the link to loved ones
Wait to be asked
