Many people start organizing their baby registry in the second trimester in preparation for a baby shower in late second or early third trimester. This is a good time to start thinking about what you actually need, and what you can skip.
Essentials
- Safe sleep space — Crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards
- Car seat — Required to leave the hospital
- Diapers and wipes — Don't stockpile; babies grow fast
- Basic clothing — A few onesies in different sizes
- Feeding supplies — Bottles if not exclusively breastfeeding, or wait to see what baby prefers
Don't Overbuy
Babies have preferences and your lifestyle may not require all the gear marketed to new parents. Focus on essentials, and buy more as you learn what works for your family.
Carriers and wraps — A style that works for a friend's baby might make yours cry.
- Borrow different styles from friends to test before buying
- Start with one carrier, add more only if needed
- Some babies hate being worn entirely
Swaddles — Start with 1-3 styles and see how your baby responds.
Clothes — Babies grow quickly. Many parents swear by the ease of double-zipped (or magnetic) sleepers, so get some in newborn and 0-3 month sizes to start.
Bottle types — If bottle-feeding, babies can be picky about nipple shape and flow. Buy 2-3 bottles of one brand to start, then adjust based on what your baby accepts.
Hospitals often provides items like diapers, wipes, basic clothing, and feeding supplies for the first few days. You can wait to see what your baby needs and prefers before buying in bulk.
Secondhand
Buying secondhand can save money and reduce waste.
Great secondhand:
- Clothes — Babies outgrow them before wearing them out
- Books and toys — Check for recalls and condition
- Bouncers, swings, and play mats — Inspect for good condition
- Strollers — Check wheels, brakes, and harness
- Nursing pillows — Any non-crib sleep items
- Furniture — High-chairs, dressers, changing tables, gliders
With caution: Some items are not recommended secondhand due to safety concerns, but if you are able to verify the item's history and condition, and are comfortable with the risk, you may choose to buy them used.
- Car seats — Unless from someone you trust completely who knows the full history. Any accident makes a car seat unsafe.
- Crib mattresses — Hygiene and safety standards evolve
- Breast pumps — FDA recommends against sharing due to contamination risk
Where To Buy Secondhand
- Ask friends/family with older kids
- Facebook Marketplace and local buy-nothing groups
- Goodbuygear — Consignment for high-end baby gear
- Local consignment sales (often seasonal)
Safety check: Check for recalls at cpsc.gov/Recalls.
Registry Perks and Discounts
Baby registries can be a convenient way to organize your needs and share with friends and family. Most offer completion discounts, free welcome boxes, and generous returns for eligible items. They provide a checklist as well, so you can use the registry as a planning tool even if you don't end up using it for purchases.
Common Registry Options
- Returns accepted up to 365 days for gifts (90 days for personal purchases), even for opened items.
- 15% completion discount (20% for Prime members) up to $300
- Available 60 days before due date and expires 90 days after
- Must have $10+ purchased from registry by others
- Free welcome box (Prime members, $35 registry purchase required) Terms
- Learn more
- Returns accepted up to 1 year for gifts, even if opened.
- 15% completion discount
- Available 8 weeks before due date through 1 year after
- Must have at least one item purchased from registry
- One-time use; works on any baby/nursery items (up to $3,000)
- Free welcome kit (in-store pickup or with $35+ purchase)
- Learn more
- Returns accepted up to 9 years for unopened items from their shop (third-party sellers don't apply)
- Universal registry — Add items from any store, gifters have to mark as purchased
- Very thorough checklist and guides.
- Free welcome box (shipping not included)
- Registry benefits
practical tip: The discount often works on any eligible items, not just what's on your registry. Create registries at multiple stores to maximize perks.
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