Essential vs. Nice-to-Have: Building Your Baby Registry Without Regrets

• Swaddles that actually stay closed – Those velcro or zipper ones from multiple brands? Add them all to compare

MyRegistry.com Pro Tip: Use the notes feature to specify your preferred colors or patterns for sheets and swaddles, giving gift-givers helpful guidance while still allowing them choices.

Feeding Fundamentals: Expect the Unexpected

The beauty of a universal baby registry is that you don’t have to commit to one feeding system or brand. On MyRegistry.com, you can:

• Add varied bottle options – Include 2-3 different types from different stores rather than a dozen of the same
• Curate feeding stations – Bundle items like burp cloths, nursing pillows, and bottle brushes as a “feeding essentials” collection
• Include both breastfeeding and formula supplies – Because flexibility is key for new parents

“I love that MyRegistry.com let me add my lactation consultant’s services alongside traditional baby registry items,” a friend recently told me. “It was the most valuable ‘gift’ we received when breastfeeding didn’t go as planned.”

The Diapering Truth

With MyRegistry.com, you can think beyond the typical diaper options at big box stores:

• Add diaper subscriptions – Services that deliver monthly can be added to your baby registry
• Include cloth diaper starter sets – If you’re considering sustainable options
• Register for diaper service gift certificates – Yes, services that take away dirty cloth diapers exist in many areas!

MyRegistry.com Pro Tip: Create a “diapering” collection that groups these items together, making it easy for friends and family to see what you still need in this category.

Beyond the Basics: Worth the Registry Real Estate

The “Hands-Free” Game Changers

One of my favorite MyRegistry.com features is the ability to add items after thorough in-person testing:

• Baby carriers from specialty retailers – Try them on at a local shop, then add your favorite to your universal baby registry
• Strollers that match your lifestyle – After test-driving options, add exactly what works for you
• Baby seats that friends recommend – Add the specific model that worked for your sister’s fussy baby

“After trying six carriers at a local baby shop, I found only one that didn’t hurt my back,” shared another mom. “With MyRegistry.com, I could add that exact model from the small boutique rather than settling for what a big box store carried.”

Transportation That Makes Sense

MyRegistry.com‘s group gifting feature is perfect for bigger transportation items:

• Car seats that prioritize safety and fit – Select the perfect model regardless of retailer
• Travel systems that work for your lifestyle – Enable group gifting for these higher-priced items
• Car seat accessories – Add smaller complementary items like window shades or seat protectors

The “Skip It” List: Save Your Money (and Space)

MyRegistry.com‘s flexibility means you can be strategic about what you add:

• Skip the duplicates – The universal nature means you won’t accidentally add similar items from different stores
• Focus on multi-purpose items – Use the notes feature to explain how items grow with baby
• Pass on trendy but impractical items – No need to add those adorable but useless baby shoes!

Baby Registry Strategy: Using MyRegistry.com Like a Pro

Leverage the Collections Feature

MyRegistry.com lets you organize items into collections, which is perfect for baby planning:

• Create age-based collections – “Newborn Needs,” “3-6 Months,” “Baby’s First Winter”
• Make category collections – “Feeding,” “Sleep,” “On-the-Go Essentials”
• Add priority indicators – Mark items as “Must-Have” or “Nice-to-Have”

This organization helps gift-givers understand what you need most urgently versus what can wait.

Take Advantage of Price Tracking

One underused feature of MyRegistry.com is price tracking:

• Items you add from most major retailers will automatically update if prices change
• You’ll receive notifications about sales on your baby registry items
• Gift-givers benefit from getting the best price when they purchase

“I added a $300 stroller to my MyRegistry.com baby registry, and two weeks later received an alert that it dropped to $220,” one mom told me. “My aunt was thrilled to purchase it on sale!”

Use the Cash Fund for Services

Some of the most valuable “baby items” aren’t products at all:

• Meal delivery services – Add a cash fund specifically for postpartum meals
• Housecleaning sessions – Create a fund for cleaning help during those first weeks
• Lactation consultant visits – Include expert support as a registry option

MyRegistry.com makes these non-traditional registry items possible through their cash fund feature.

Real Talk: The Emotional Side of Registry Building

Creating a registry can feel overwhelming, but MyRegistry.com‘s approach reduces stress by:

• Allowing gradual building – Add items as you discover them, no need to finish in one session
• Providing registry guides – Use their checklists as starting points, not rigid rules
• Enabling private notes – Add comments visible only to you about why you chose certain items

“I appreciated being able to build my baby registry on my own schedule,” said one new mom. “MyRegistry.com let me research items thoroughly and add them when I felt confident, rather than rushing through a store with a scanner.”

Special Registry Considerations Made Easy

Twins or Multiples

MyRegistry.com is particularly helpful for parents expecting multiples:

• Quantity tracking – Specify when you need multiples of an item
• Group gifting – Essential for the bigger ticket items you’ll need two (or more!) of
• Registry sharing – Send different collections to different groups to ensure you get everything you need

Limited Space Living

If you’re in an apartment or smaller home:

• Add space-saving alternatives – MyRegistry.com lets you find specialized products from any retailer
• Include convertible items – Products that serve multiple purposes are perfect for small spaces
• Create a delayed gifting option – Some gifts can be held until you need them

Eco-Conscious Registries

For environmentally-minded parents:

• Add sustainable brands – Include items from eco-focused companies that might not be at typical baby stores
• Register for secondhand – Yes, you can add pre-loved items from specialized resale sites
• Include repair kits – Add items that help extend the life of baby products

A Final Word of Encouragement

Creating your baby registry on MyRegistry.com should be joyful, not stressful. Take advantage of their universal platform to really customize your registry to your specific needs and values. Remember, the best-prepared parents aren’t those with the most stuff—they’re the ones who approach baby gear with flexibility and a sense of humor about the unpredictable journey ahead.

With MyRegistry.com, you can create a truly personalized registry that works for your unique family situation, space constraints, and parenting philosophy. And when those inevitable surprises come along (like a baby who hates the swing everyone raved about), you can easily adjust your registry on the fly.

Ready to start building your dream baby registry? Head to MyRegistry.com to create your free account and download their browser button. Your perfectly curated baby registry is just a few clicks away!

Find Something You Like?

You can add any of these items to your MyRegistry.com Baby Registry. Don’t have one yet? It’s easy! Create a Universal Baby Registry today, then add baby gifts from all your favorite stores.

Looking for More Baby Registry Ideas?

See more on our Baby Registry Inspiration Boards.

We are a Universal Gift Registry website where people can create a registry and add gifts from any store in the world. If you buy any of the products listed here, we may be compensated. Thanks for reading—we love you!