How to Make a Baby Registry (and Get Exactly What You'd Pick Yourself)

A baby registry is a gift list for a new baby. Friends and family see what you need, pick something, and mark it as reserved so the next person doesn't buy it again. That's all there is to it. Even so, a few small decisions make the difference between a list that brings you useful things and one that brings five bottle warmers and no car seat.

Step 1: Start around the middle of pregnancy

There's no fixed rule, but many parents start the registry in the second trimester, once the first scan is done and there's some energy back. That gives you time to research the big items calmly. Aim to have the list ready 4–6 weeks before the baby shower, or before people start asking "what do you need?". They usually ask sooner than you expect.

Step 2: Choose a list that works with any store

Store registries limit you to one shop. That's fine if one shop sells everything you want, but it rarely does. The stroller comes from a specialist, the bodysuits from a supermarket, and the books from a local bookshop. A universal baby registry lets you add items from any online store, plus things without a link at all, such as a meal delivery or "help with the night feeds".

Two more things are worth checking:

• Guests shouldn't need an account. Grandparents especially will give up if asked to register before buying a gift.
• Reserved items should be visible to everyone. That's what prevents duplicates.

With Claim A Gift you can create the list without signing up, and guests reserve with just their name.

Step 3: Add a link to every item you can

This is the step most people skip, and it makes the biggest difference.

"Baby carrier" can mean a €20 stretchy wrap or a €150 ergonomic carrier. "Car seat" can mean one that clicks onto your stroller and fits your car, or one that doesn't. When guests only see a name, they guess. They choose with love, but they still guess. When they see a link to the exact product, they buy what you picked after all your research.

A link helps with:

• The right model. This matters most for car seats, strollers, carriers and cot mattresses, where compatibility and safety standards matter.
• The right size. Bodysuits in 68 instead of yet another newborn size.
• The colour and design you like, so you're not stuck with a pattern you'd never choose.
• Less effort for guests. One tap, and they're on the right page.

A link is a suggestion, not an order. Guests can still buy the same item in their favourite shop or locally. If you're happy with alternatives, add a short note like "or similar" or "any brand is fine". Where there's no link (a hand-me-down you'd love, an experience, help at home), write the brand, model, size and colour in the item name so nobody has to guess.

Tip: if you've already saved products in browser tabs, add several links at once with bulk import instead of one by one.

Step 4: Decide how many items, and mix prices

About a third of the items under €25, a third at €25–60, and 3–5 big items as group gifts works well. Everyone can find something that fits their budget without feeling awkward. For a full item-by-item list, see our baby shower gift list checklist.

Step 5: Set big items as group gifts

The stroller, car seat, cot or carrier are often too expensive for one guest, yet these are the items you need most. Set them as group gifts: you enter the gift's value, and each guest chooses how much to contribute. The list shows how much is still missing. Nobody is pressured into a fixed amount, and everyone can coordinate the purchase. Contributions are pledges, not payments or guaranteed funding. Claim A Gift does not collect or transfer money; arrange payment and who buys the item separately.

Step 6: Use quantities for things you need several of

Muslin cloths, fitted sheets, bodysuits and bottles are needed in multiples. Instead of adding the same item five times, set a quantity. Guests can reserve one or several, and the item stays available until the total is reached.

Step 7: Share one link, and save your own

You'll have two links: a guest link to share and a private creator link for editing. Keep the creator link somewhere safe (in your notes or email to yourself), or create an optional account. Without an account, a lost creator link can't be recovered.

Share the guest link:

• In the baby shower invitation, with a light line (see below);
• In the family group chat, when the "what do you need?" messages start;
• With whoever is hosting the shower, so they can pass it on.

"We can't wait to celebrate with you! If you'd like to bring something, our list is here. Each item links to the one we picked, and reserving it means no duplicates: [link]"

More wording ideas: how to word a gift list on an invitation.

Baby registry etiquette: quick answers

• Is it rude to include the registry in the invitation? For a baby shower, it's widely accepted, especially as a link with a friendly line rather than a demand.
• Should you thank people even if you can see who gave what only later? Yes. With Claim A Gift you see that an item is reserved straight away, and who reserved it after the event, which is handy for thank-you notes.
• Can you change the list later? Yes. Add items as you learn what you need. Avoid removing items someone has already reserved.

Second baby: what changes?

For a second baby, keep the list short and practical. Add what wore out or was handed on (car seat if expired or a different type, mattress, bottles), anything for two children (a double or sibling stroller, a second cot), and help for the first weeks. Many families add "meal deliveries" or "an afternoon of babysitting the older sibling", and these are often the most appreciated gifts.

FAQ

How do I make a baby registry?

Choose a registry that works with any store, add 20–40 items with a product link for each, set big items as group gifts, use quantities for multiples, and share one link with guests so they can reserve what they buy.

When should I start a baby registry?

Many parents start in the second trimester and have it ready 4–6 weeks before the baby shower.

Why should I add links to registry items?

A link shows the exact model, size and colour you chose, so guests don't have to guess. It matters most for car seats, strollers and carriers, where compatibility and safety standards matter.

Can I make a baby registry with items from different stores?

Yes. A universal registry such as Claim A Gift accepts links from any online store, plus items without a link.

Is there a free baby registry without sign-up?

Yes. Claim A Gift is free, and neither you nor your guests need an account.

By Vidmantas Markevičius, founder of Claim A Gift. Updated November 2026.