Tiny socks, rubber ducks, diapers galore. Picking out items for your baby registry is one of the most fun tasks on your pre-baby checklist. Not only does it help you keep track of all the things you want and need, but it’s also a lovely way to include friends and family in your new adventure (and make it easy for them to browse and shop).
By now, you’ve answered the question, “What is a baby registry?” You’ve set up your registry list and added your must-have items. But it’s sometimes hard to know just how many things you actually need—and every new parent’s registry will look a little different. Here are some general guidelines to help you make sure you’ve got your baby basics covered.
Determining the right number of items for your registry
So, let’s dial it in: How many items on a baby registry is ideal? You don’t want too few items, but you also don’t want too many. Where’s the Goldilocks-approved sweet spot that works perfectly for your family?
When adding items to your registry, consider these questions:
- Is this your first baby? Your friend might have over 100 items on her registry, but that doesn’t mean yours needs to match. If this isn’t your first baby rodeo, you probably already have a lot of the baby essentials, meaning your second baby registry will be significantly smaller—which is just as it should be.
- How much storage space do you have? Smaller living spaces mean less room for big items like baby swings and activity centers. So if that’s your home, focus on adding pint-sized necessities like baby clothes, bottles, diapers, and swaddles to your list.
- Which items are essential and which are optional? We recommend including all must-have items on your registry. This keeps your list organized and helps people prioritize what to get you. If all the essentials are accounted for, feel free to add a few of your favorite would-be-nice items. And remember, when in doubtin the case of your baby registry, it’s quality over quantity that matters.
Categories to include
A baby registry is also a great way to get yourselves organized, helping you easily visualize all your gear in its relevant category (feeding, clothing, bathtime).
Here are some of the essential categories to help you make sure you’ve registered for what (and how many items) you need:
- Nursery items. From cribs and sheets to a baby monitor and nursing pillows, think of what will make you and your little one comfortable in their room. The Nanit Pro Camera keeps an eye on your baby while they’re in their crib, so you can rest easy wherever you are. With real-time access to the camera, you can see exactly what they’re doing and receive daily insights into how they slept at night.
- Clothing. Stock up on various clothing sizes that will last your little one through their first year. Consider their age during each season, so you and your loved ones can pick pieces that fit perfectly during both the hot and cold months.
- Baby gear. Don’t forget the essentials like an infant car seat, baby carrier, stroller, and diaper bag. Compare different options for safety, affordability, and comfort, then add your top picks to your baby registry.
How to update and manage your baby registry
Many registries automatically update themselves as people buy things from your list, but there are a few instances when you might need to sneak into the registry on your own and make adjustments. These include:
- Updating availability. If a registry item becomes unavailable, replace it with a similar item.
- Receiving duplicate gifts. Some family and friends might choose to surprise you with a gift they picked out on their own. If this happens—and the item happens to be on your registry—switch it out for something else you’d love.
- Changing your mind. As a parent-to-be, your needs evolve—and that’s okay. Last week, you might have felt as if you really needed that wipe warmer. Today, not so much. So, make sure your registry list reflects your current state of mind (and need).
Don’t forget the gadgets
At Nanit, we design our tools to ease your mental load, keep up with all that you’ve got going on—and help you be the parent you want to be.
If a reliable baby monitor is still on your list, the Nanit Pro Camera won’t disappoint. When used with our Breathing Wear, it offers 24/7 breathing motion monitoring, giving you peace of mind that your little one is always sleeping safely. Nanit’s Sound + Light provides soothing white noise, an audio monitor, and a friendly night light (also great for middle-of-the-night diaper changes!).
Explore Nanit and our wide range of family-first solutions.
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Choose Floor Stand for:
- Parents most-loved stand
- Minimal assembly
- Freestanding (comes with optional wall clip)
- Adjustable height for bassinet and crib
- Compact base to slide under crib or bassinet
- Ability to move from room to room
Choose Wall Mount for:
- Securing to the wall next to your crib
- Know your way around a drill
- Space saving design
Key takeaways
- Figure out how many items should be on your baby registry. There’s no perfect number Tailor the list to your needs.
- Consider what’s essential vs optional. Include all must-have items first. If your list of essentials feels short, add some optional items to balance it out.
- Make regular updates. Keep your registry current by updating unavailable items, removing duplicates, and adjusting for your changing needs.
