Inside: Learn when to start baby registry so you’re well prepared for your baby shower. Plus, banish the overwhelm when getting ready for baby with this guide. This post contains affiliate link for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure here.
Preparing for a baby is time-consuming.
There are a ton of things you need to do when you’re preparing for a newborn. And while all the pre-labor tasks aren’t fun and exciting, there’s one thing that almost every mom looks forward to:
The baby registry.
The time when you get to start looking at all the adorable baby gear, supplies, clothes and more that your little bundle of joy will need.
Some moms get so excited about creating the baby registry they wonder, “When’s the best time to start a baby registry?”.
If you’re looking for advice on when exactly to start your registry and some helpful tips, read on to find out more.
This Is When To Start A Baby Registry…
The truth is, it’s up to you!
Yeah, yeah, it’s probably not the answer you were looking for. Just realize every situation can be different, which means you know best when to start your baby registry.
That being said, there are a few more common guidelines to think about when deciding when to start your baby registry:
- You absolutely must have a registry completed before your baby shower if you want to receive specific items. Give yourself at least a few weeks to determine you and your baby’s needs for the registry.
- Will your baby shower be out of town? If you will be flying, you may need to do it earlier on in your pregnancy which means your registry will need to be completed ahead of time.
- Do you want to pick gender-specific baby items? If so, you’ll likely need to wait until your 20 weeks to determine your baby’s gender.
If you’re still looking for a set-in-stone answer, it’s common for many women to start a baby registry around 20 weeks, when you find out the gender of your baby.
The Benefits Of Starting A Baby Registry Early
If you’re eager to get started on your baby registry, you’ll love knowing all the benefits of getting started early (so you can tell your husband you’re not crazy for starting your registry at 12 weeks ?.)
Quick Note: Most baby registries allow you to create a registry without making it public, so you can start as soon as you want without anyone else knowing.
Plenty Of Time For Research
Research may not sound like a fun task, but trust me, you’ll get sucked into researching baby gear pretty quick. You’ll have questions like:
Which car seat has the highest saftey ratings?
Is the crib mattress firm enough for infants?
Will this stroller fit in my car?
Do I need a bassinet or is that just a waste of money?
When you’re a first time expecting mom, you’ll quickly realize there are seemingly endless options for baby gear. And when it’s all new to you, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
Registering early will give you plenty of time to read product reviews, talk with experienced moms (this is one of the best ways to know what’s actually useful) and whittle down your wishlist to all the baby registry essentials.
Access To Baby Related Discounts
Another great reason to register early is to gain access to all the baby discounts the baby registry provides.
Most places will give moms some sort of welcome goodie bag or box that is filled with baby-related coupons and deals. While you probably won’t use all the coupons included, there may be a few discounts on products you will want to buy.
A Better Return Policy
If you’re going to buy baby items yourself over the course of your pregnancy, then doing it through your baby registry will have added benefits.
Most of the time, retailers have an extended return policy for items purchased from a registry. With Target’s Baby Registry and the Babies R Us Registry, you’ll have a year from your due date to return items.
With Amazon Baby Registry you’ll get 90 days from purchase for all baby registry returns.
Note: If you begin your baby registry early, be sure to periodically check in to make sure none of the items you saved have been discontinued or are out of season.
Now you’re armed with more knowledge on exactly when to start your baby registry. Remember, this is a special time, so relax, have fun and enjoy this!
More Must-Read Baby Articles:
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- 7 Awesome Amazon Baby Registry Benefits You Need To Know About
- How To Find The Best Nursery Glider In Your Budget
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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.