Last updated: January 2025
Choosing the best baby registry can feel overwhelming with so many options. Should you register at Amazon, Target, or Babylist? What about universal registries versus store-specific ones? This guide compares the top baby registries in 2026, breaking down free welcome gifts, completion discounts, and which registry is right for your family.
What is a Baby Registry and How Does It Work?
A baby registry is your wish list for baby essentials. Like a wedding registry, but instead of towels and salad bowls, it's bottles, diapers, and swaddles. You choose the items you want or need, and your friends, family, coworkers, and even neighbors can shop from that list to help you get ready for baby. It's your way of saying, "Here's what would actually help us."
It's not just about the stuff though. It's about feeling prepared, supported, and seen as you take this big step. It's also totally customizable—so you can do you. Want to keep it practical? Go for it. Want the latest in baby gadgets? Add them to the list. Even if you decide you want to keep the list just for you, putting together the baby registry can help you sort out all the things you need or want as you prepare for baby. It's another way to satisfy that nesting instinct that will kick in, usually around the third trimester.
Why Make a Baby Registry?
It can feel weird to ask for stuff. But here's why creating a baby registry is actually super helpful (and kind of fun):
- People in your life want to help — Having a baby is a big life milestone and you'll likely find helpers and well-wishers all around. Make it easy on them and yourself by giving them a guide to what you want. A registry will save your loved ones from guessing.
- It keeps you organized — Instead of keeping mental tabs on what you still need, you can keep all the baby goods, and there's a lot of them, in one, or maybe a few, spots.
- You'll get perks — Most baby registries offer a welcome gift or samples, and many give you a special completion discount to buy items before or even after baby arrives.
When Should You Start Your Baby Registry?
There's no perfect time, but most parents start their baby registry sometime in the second trimester—usually between 12 to 20 weeks. By then, you've likely had a couple of ultrasounds, you're hopefully feeling a little more energetic and less sick-to-your-stomach, and you've started thinking about what life with a baby might actually look like.
That said, if you're ready earlier or later, that's fine too. You're free to make the list as you go and share it only when you're ready.
Types of Baby Registries: Which One is Right for You?
Not all baby registries are the same—and you might end up using more than one. Here's a quick rundown of the types of baby registries that are out there:
- Store-Based Registries — These are set up through major retailers. Think Amazon, Target, Walmart. Everything comes from that one store, and the return process is usually straightforward.
- Universal Registries — These let you pull items from multiple stores into one master list. Great if you want flexibility—or if your favorite stroller and your favorite baby outfits are not sold at the same place.
- Minimalist or Cash-Focused Registries — Some parents prefer a less-is-more approach. These registries focus on essentials only, or they let you ask for help with services, like meal deliveries, diaper funds, or postpartum care.
Baby Registry Comparison: Free Gifts, Discounts & Features
Best Baby Registries: Detailed Reviews
Amazon Baby Registry: Pros, Cons & Perks
What's great: Amazon's baby registry is a go-to for many expecting parents. With an enormous selection of products, competitive prices, and fast shipping (especially with Prime), it's super convenient. You can add almost anything to your registry, from big-ticket items like cribs to everyday essentials. It's also easy for gift-givers who can ship bulky baby items directly to your home. If any of the items don't work out, benefit from a year-long return period.
What's not-so-great: The biggest drawback—while Amazon sells a vast array of items, it doesn't offer the universal registry feature that allows for adding products from other retailers. Also, because Amazon is product-focused, you won't be able to register for services like meal kits or cash funds. Some parents opt for multiple registries as a result.
Perks:
- Free Welcome Box: If you're a Prime member, you can qualify for a box of sample and full-size baby goodies
- 15% Completion Discount: For any items your friends and family don't buy, you can get a 15% discount for completing your registry up to $300
- Group Gifting: Friends and family can contribute together on big-ticket items
Best for: Parents who want a huge selection, fast shipping, and easy returns
Babylist Baby Registry: Universal Registry with Cash Funds
What's great: Babylist is like a personal Pinterest board for all your baby wishes. You can add items from any store, including Etsy, Amazon, H&M and many more. It also allows you to register for things like cash funds for diapers, meal kits or much-needed favors from friends and family once baby arrives—think babysitting or house-cleaning.
What's not-so-great: The biggest drawback is that your friends and family will have to manually remember to check off items they purchase and then enter details like their name, where they purchased and the order number. Also, some of the perks like the Babylist Hello Baby Box and a 15% registry discount are tied into purchases from the Babylist store directly.
Perks:
- Hello Baby Box: Up to $125 in baby gifts like footie pajamas, diapers, formula and more
- Universal Registry: Add items from any online store
- Products +: In addition to baby products, register for favors, experiences and services
Best for: Parents who want flexibility to add items from multiple stores and register for services
Target Baby Registry: In-Store & Online Options
What's great: A big benefit of Target is its more than 1,900 physical stores letting you see the things you might want to add to your registry live. Of course, you can also opt to add items online. Target's baby registry is user-friendly and offers a wide range of baby products. Returns are hassle-free as well with a year-long return policy for registry items. Lots of parents are also big fans of Target's registry discount policy. Target Circle members get 15% off storewide redeemable twice online or in-store.
What's not-so-great: The selection, while broad, isn't as extensive as Amazon's. Target's welcome gift also gets mixed reviews.
Perks:
- 15% Completion Discount: Available eight weeks before your due date. Redeemable twice storewide for Target Circle members
- Free Welcome Kit: Includes coupons and samples
- Year-long Returns: For registry items
Best for: Parents who prefer shopping in physical stores with easy returns
Walmart Baby Registry: Budget-Friendly Baby Products
What's great: Walmart's big advantage is its 4,600+ physical stores. If you, your friends or family prefer purchasing in real life, Walmart will likely have the most accessible locations. They offer a vast selection of baby products, with budget-friendly brands making Walmart a more affordable baby registry choice than some other options.
What's not-so-great: Relative to other registries, Walmart is low on perks. There's no completion discount and no generous, one-year return window.
Perks:
- Free Welcome Box: Contains sample products and coupons
- Physical stores: More than 4,600 physical stores to view and purchase items
- Affordable options: Geared toward budget-friendly picks with some exclusive baby brands
Best for: Budget-conscious parents who want accessible physical store locations
Pottery Barn Kids Registry: High-End Nursery Design
What's great: If you're aiming for a stylish, high-end nursery, Pottery Barn Kids offers quality, beautifully designed furniture, décor and baby items. With its more curated selection, this baby registry offers picks that can cater to specific style, sourcing and sustainability concerns.
What's not-so-great: Prices are on the higher end, and the selection is more limited. While Pottery Barn will offer options for some of the big items on your baby registry checklist like cribs and strollers, you'll find less selection when it comes to everyday items like diapers, wipes, bottles etc., meaning you'll likely need to take care of those items yourself or set up more than one registry.
Perks:
- Design Services: Complimentary help to design your dream nursery
- 15% Registry Completion Discount: Benefit from a 15% completion discount
- Group eGifting: Friends and family can chip in for a group eGift card
Best for: Design-conscious parents planning a high-end nursery
Crate & Kids Registry: Modern Baby Furniture & Décor
What's great: Crate & Kids offers modern, stylish furniture and decor for your nursery. Their products are known for quality and design, making it a favorite for design-conscious parents.
What's not-so-great: Similar to Pottery Barn Kids, Crate & Kids will be a pricier option focused more on furniture and décor. As a result, you'll be on the hook for everyday items or will need to supplement with another baby registry.
Perks:
- Donate to a good cause: For every registry created, Crate & Kids will donate $10 to Baby2Baby, a non-profit focused on making sure children across the country get the basic necessities they need (Note: this may be available for a limited time only)
- 15% Completion Discount: Get a 15% discount to be used in store or online
- Design Inspiration: Consult with a design expert to plan your registry and your nursery
Best for: Parents who prioritize modern design and quality furniture
MyRegistry.com: Universal Registry with Cash Funds
What's great: MyRegistry.com offers a versatile platform that allows expectant parents to combine traditional baby items with cash gift funds. This flexibility means you can register for physical gifts and also set up cash funds for expenses like nursery renovations, college tuition, or other big-ticket items.
What's not-so-great: MyRegistry doesn't have welcome box or completion discount perks like other baby registries but does allow you to sync registries from retailers that do. Also, while MyRegistry.com provides a seamless way to integrate cash funds, it does require you to have a PayPal account to receive these contributions.
Perks:
- Universal Registry: Add gifts from any store worldwide, both online and brick-and-mortar, giving you unparalleled flexibility
- Cash Gift Fund: Set up personalized cash funds for various needs, from baby essentials to future savings
- Sync multiple registries: You can sync and get automatic updates from multiple registries in one place
Best for: Parents who want cash funds and the ability to add items from any store
Poppylist: Baby Registry with Concierge Service
What's great: A newer choice, Poppylist is another universal baby registry option meaning you can add items from any online store. Poppylist also supports adding things like services, for example meals. As the soon-to-be parent registering, Poppylist gives you a lot of control. Decide when you want your gifts shipped and if you change your mind, you can exchange the gift for its monetary value.
What's not-so-great: On top of credit card fees, Poppylist adds a 7% charge for gift givers to support its service. Keep in mind, as a newer service, there's less info available on customer service and reliability.
Perks:
- Registry Concierge: Personalized assistance in building your registry
- Take control of your experience: You decide when gifts are shipped to you or if you even still want them at all
- Universal Registry: Add items from any online store
Best for: Parents who want personalized registry support and flexibility
How to Choose the Best Baby Registry for Your Family
With so many baby registry options, here's how to decide:
Consider your priorities for your baby registry:
- Wide selection? → Amazon or Babylist
- In-store shopping? → Target or Walmart
- High-end design? → Pottery Barn Kids or Crate & Kids
- Cash funds? → MyRegistry.com or Babylist
- Universal registry? → Babylist, MyRegistry.com, or Poppylist
Think about your gift-givers:
- Do they prefer shopping online or in stores?
- Are they tech-savvy enough for a universal registry?
- Do they live near Target or Walmart locations?
Remember: You don't have to stick to just one registry. Many parents create multiple baby registries to take advantage of different perks and selection.
Baby Registry Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering too late — Start your baby registry in the second trimester so you have time to add items thoughtfully.
- Only registering for baby gear — Don't forget postpartum essentials for yourself like recovery items, meal delivery gift cards, and nursing supplies.
- Skipping the small stuff — While big items are exciting, don't forget everyday essentials like burp cloths, diaper cream, and extra bottles.
- Not utilizing completion discounts — Most registries offer a discount on unpurchased items—take advantage of this for last-minute needs.
- Forgetting to register at different price points — Include options at various prices so all gift-givers can participate.
Baby Registry FAQs
Which baby registry is best for first-time parents?
Amazon and Target are great baby registry options for first-time parents because they offer huge selections, free welcome gifts, generous completion discounts, and easy returns. If you want flexibility to add items from multiple stores, Babylist is an excellent universal registry choice.
Can I have multiple baby registries?
Yes! Many parents create baby registries at multiple stores to take advantage of different perks, selection, and to give gift-givers options. You can use a universal registry like Babylist or MyRegistry.com to consolidate them in one place.
When should I start my baby registry?
Most parents start their baby registry in the second trimester, between 12-20 weeks. This gives you time to research products and add items thoughtfully before baby shower invitations go out.
Do baby registries offer free gifts?
Yes! Most major baby registries offer free welcome boxes or gifts. Amazon (for Prime members), Target, Babylist, and Walmart all provide free welcome gifts with samples and coupons when you create a registry.
What's the difference between a universal registry and a store registry?
A store-based baby registry (like Amazon or Target) only includes items from that one retailer. A universal baby registry (like Babylist, MyRegistry.com, or Poppylist) lets you add items from any store, giving you more flexibility.
Can I add cash funds to my baby registry?
Yes, some baby registries support cash funds. Babylist, MyRegistry.com, and Poppylist all allow you to create cash funds for things like diaper funds, meal delivery, nursery renovations, or college savings.
Ready to Start Your Baby Registry?
Now that you know which baby registries offer the best perks and features, you're ready to create your list. Remember, you can use multiple registries to take advantage of different benefits.
Need help figuring out what to actually put on your baby registry? Most parents spend 40+ hours researching baby products. The Starter Set gives you personalized baby registry recommendations in minutes—tailored to your family, values, and lifestyle. Get AI-personalized picks for everything you need in the first three months, from car seats to swaddles to postpartum essentials.
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