Why do people make baby registries?
Feb 28, 2023
There main reasons parents-to-be make a baby registry are:
Gifting: to help inform friends and family that want to buy gifts which items they actually need
Planning: to keep track of all the things they need to buy before and after their baby arrives
Avoiding duplicates: to avoid receiving multiple versions of the same gift for the baby
Creating a registry also helps new parents evaluate all the things they need for the baby, so they can be more prepared for the arrival of their newborn and budget accordingly.
What do baby registries do?
A baby registry is comprehensive list of items made by expectant parents of what they plan to buy, or would like to receive as gifts for their baby.
Help with gifting:
Parents-to-be add all the items they think they will need for the arrival of their baby to a registry and then share this with any friends and family. A baby registry is typically shared with guests before a baby shower, but you don't need a baby shower to create and share a baby registry. It's likely that friends and family will say "we'd like to get something for the baby, what do you need?". This is where a baby registry is very helpful.
It not only informs them what items are most wanted or needed by the parents to be, but also shows what items have already been purchased by other well wishers. Using a registry like Moonsift, you can also mark off items as bought yourself, and even continue to add and remove items from the registry after it has been shared.
Traditionally, parents would create this list in a physical store that specialise in baby products. Nowadays people prefer to make their gift lists online so they have more choice and it’s easier to share with family and friends.
Act as the perfect checklist:
People also find that a baby registry acts as a helpful checklist. It's a great way to make sure you have everything you need before your baby arrives.
Whenever you or anyone else buys an item from the registry, they will be a prompted to mark it off as ‘bought’. This makes it easy to keep track of what has and has not been bought yet. Then, as the due date nears, you can check the list and make sure any remaining must-have items are acquired.
Ultimately baby registries act as a shared checklist of all the things you need for your newborn and help to ensure that between you (the parents), your family and friends, everything you need is in place by the time the baby arrives.
Check out our baby registry checklist here.
Example items on a baby registry:
A registry will usually include items that relate to the baby’s:
Clothing (such as bodysuits),
Feeding (such as a steriliser and high chair),
Nursery (such as a baby monitor and bassinet),
Bathroom (such as baby bath and thermometer),
Travel (such as baby carrier and car seat),
Play (such as a play mat and sensory toys).
You may also keep a second registry, for example to capture items that the expecting mother may need, such as maternity clothing or a nursing pillow.
Is it necessary to have a baby registry?
While it is not absolutely necessary to have a baby registry, and comes down to the preference of the parents, it is very helpful to have a list of all the items you need and want for your new baby. Not only for the parents, but for friends and family, who may be unsure about what gifts are appropriate to give the expectant parents without one. Ultimately making a baby registry is free on platforms like Moonsift and will only make life easier for you before and after your baby arrives.
Particularly good for first time parents
It is especially recommended for first time parents. The process of creating a registry can help them think about everything they need and budget for the items they are going to need to construct a nursery in preparation for their baby’s arrival. When it is your first child, there is a lot more equipment you will need to acquire. You may well be starting from scratch.
It is very easy to for first time parents to underestimate how many things they are going to need as they have not been through the process before. Without a registry it is easy to lose track of what you have already acquired and all the items you still need. Also, it’s the easiest way for parents to communicate what they already have and what they still need to people wanting to buy a gift.
First time parents are sometimes unsure which items they actually need and which items are a just ‘nice-to-have’. With a registry provider like Moonsift you can make a second registry that you keep separate (and private) from the one you share. On this private registry you can keep track of items you may or may not need, or simply items that you would prefer to buy yourself. Then on the registry you share with friends and family, you can simply list the items you know you definitely need and want others to buy for you.
Still very helpful if you already have kids
For parents that already have children, while a baby registry is less essential, it is still extremely helpful. Friends and family are still going to want to buy gifts and will be looking for guidance on what to buy. In fact the issue of being gifted duplicates when you already have a lot of items from your previous baby is even more common. So while your registry is likely to be shorter because you already have a lot of the items from a previous child, it is still very helpful for all parties.
Save money, hassle and stress
Ultimately having a baby registry is going to save you both time and reduce stress by keeping you more organised and helping you feel prepared. It will also save you money by avoiding duplicate gifts and getting help from friends and family.
Always use an independent universal baby registry like Moonsift if you want to ensure you and your loved ones avoid paying higher prices than needed on the items. A lot of registries charge a mark up or have higher prices vs. equivalent products on other stores - either by keeping the product at the RRP or not offering discounts. Use a registry that allows you to add products from any store you like, that way you can choose stores you know offer good value, warranties and return periods.
