Congratulations, you're having a baby! Whether you're pregnant, adopting [1], using a surrogate [2], or starting a family in another way, you'll learn extremely quickly that babies need a lot of stuff [3]. Get ahead of your needs with the help of your friends and family — and a registry that includes everything you need [4], want, and think you'll get use out of. However, creating a registry is easier said than done, and can involve a lot of work on your part to ensure that you've covered all of your bases in terms of the items you ask for.
With so many registries from various stores out there, it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. Are you in love with everything one store has and want the perks that come with registering with them? Are you looking to be able to add any item under the sun from any online store to one place? Do you only want to register for the expensive stuff? The trendy stuff [5]? Whatever your needs, we've outlined the perks of some of the most popular baby registries out there to help you make the right decision.
Read up about all eight registries ahead, then get to creating your dream baby gear list!
Walmart Baby Registry
Perks of Walmart's baby registry:
- Walmart price-matches most items, as long as it's within the company's price-matching guidelines [7].
- Anything purchased from your registry can be returned for free (in-store only when it comes to gifts, however).
- You can access your registry anywhere you have your phone with Walmart's app.
- You'll receive a "Baby Welcome Box" full of a few essentials (though at press time, the welcome box is unavailable due to demand).
Register for a Walmart baby registry here! [8]
Buybuy Baby Baby Registry
Perks of Buybuy Baby's baby registry:
- There's a completion discount of 15 percent off, which you can use on any of your remaining registry items.
- A free goody bag full of samples and a Buybuy Baby coupon is available to you after you've created your registry (the catch — you have to pick it up in-store).
- You can phone a friend while creating your registry — the registry recs tool invites friends and family to suggest products they know you'll need and love.
- Using the "Registry Analyser," you can see if you've included items at various price points to ensure there's the perfect item for anyone giving you a gift.
- Using its interactive checklist tool, you can ensure you're checking off all of the things you need with your registry.
- You can become eligible for a year of free shipping from Buybuy Baby [9] after your child's birth if the amount spent on your registry gifts exceeds $1,500.
- Get rewarded for referring your friends — for each friend who registers with Buybuy Baby, you receive $25 off a $100 in-store purchase.
- Use the online "Thank You List" tool to track which gifts were purchased by which person, so you can streamline your thank you note process.
Register for a Buybuy Baby baby registry here! [10]
Target Baby Registry
Perks of Target's baby registry:
- It's a universal registry, so you can add any item from any site to it.
- Visit your local store's Guest Services counter after you've created your registry, and you can take home a welcome kit filled with coupons valued at over $100, as well as handpicked samples.
- You can purchase items on your registry at 15 percent off (but only up until eight weeks before the expected due date you've provided).
- Return and exchange registry items for up to a year — no receipt needed!
- Use the online "gift tracker" to see which gifts were purchased by which person, so you can streamline your thank you note process.
- Use Target's registry checklist to ensure you're checking off all of the things you need with your registry.
- Using Target's registry app, you can stay on top of your registry and scan barcodes to add things to it.
- You can personalize your registry page with photos and set a custom URL to include on your baby shower invites.
- It allows for group gifting, so you can load it up with expensive items that your family and friends can contribute to.
Register for a Target baby registry here! [11]
MyRegistry Baby Registry
Perks of MyRegistry's baby registry:
- You can link your other registries to your MyRegistry registry to avoid confusion over what's been purchased where.
- Get an "Add to MyRegistry" button [12] for your web browser so you can easily add things to your registry from any site.
- See what other members are adding to their registries for inspiration through the community's live feed [13].
- Use the MyRegistry app to access your registry on the go.
- You can start a cash fund — for something like college tuition — rather than (or in addition to) asking for traditional items.
- Access the baby registry checklist [14] to ensure you've added everything you need and would like to receive.
Register for a MyRegistry baby registry here! [15]
Pottery Barn Kids Baby Registry
Perks of Pottery Barn Kids's baby registry:
- Save 20 percent on any remaining registry items, plus anything else you'd like to add to it.
- You can register for applicable gifts to be personalized.
- Get advice from experts — call 1.888.885.4322 from 5am-9pm PST with any questions you may have.
- Return or exchange items by mail or in-store and Pottery Barn Kids will refund you in the form of a gift card or an exchange.
- Manage your registry on-the-go with The One Registry Collective [16] app.
- Access the baby registry checklist [17] to ensure you've added everything you need and would like to receive.
- Use the online "gift tracker" to see which gifts were purchased by which person, so you can streamline your thank you note process.
Register for a Pottery Barn Kids baby registry here! [18]
Crate & Kids Baby Registry
Perks of Crate & Kids's baby registry:
- Your family and friends can get free shipping on all registry purchases over $99.
- Get a 10 percent discount — valid for six months after your event date — which can be used toward multiple purchases of full-price items online and in-store, including furniture (some exclusions apply [19]).
- It allows for group gifting, so you can load it up with expensive items that your family and friends can contribute to (online only).
- Use the Crate & Barrel app to access your registry on-the-go.
- Get expert advice on your registry at on of the brand's private registry events.
- Access the baby registry checklist [20] to ensure you've added everything you need and would like to receive.
- Use the "Thank You Manager" to see which gifts were purchased by which person, so you can streamline your thank you note process.
Register for a Crate & Kids baby registry here! [21]