Creating a Baby Registry for Working Parents

Congratulations!

Moms and Dads – I know you’re busy! But creating your baby registry is one of the most FUN parts about preparing for Baby’s arrival! That is…if you choose the best baby registry for working parents. Some registries are very user friendly, while others are…eh hem…not.

A baby registry is the perfect tool for your family, friends, and supporters to know *exactly* what it is that you want for your little one’s arrival. It’s a great way to take the frustration and headache out of receiving duplicate gifts from very well-meaning people who just want to show you love and support.

Registries are available in brick-and-mortar stores and online shopping environments, making them accessible to everyone, regardless of how the prefer to shop. So with all of these options, what is the best baby registry for working parents?

Psst! Are you decorating the nursery? Be sure to check out my simple, 7-step guide to designing a modern, fresh nursery!

Who’s Got It Right?

There are a few SHINING locations that I think are best if you’re going to create a baby registry for working parents.

I have lots of friends and family who’ve tried all the latest registry websites. You know what I mean! It seems like there’s a new one on every baby shower invitation I receive! Some have been goldmines…while others have been super clumsy to navigate. As a busy mom and discerning customer, I’ve formed some strong opinions over the years!

Read on, my friends, for (what I believe are) the TOP THREE baby registry options.

#1: Amazon Baby Registry

Amazon Baby Registry is the ONE registry that comes pretty close to having everything you need in one shopping trip. It’s at the top on many working parents’ list (and mine!) for a few strong reasons:

Amazon has EVERYTHING. Whether you’re looking for essentials from well-known companies or boutique items from small brands, chances are Amazon has it.
It’s a cinch to setup! In a matter of moments, you can create your registry AND add essentials in a flash. Amazon is know for it’s simple shopping platform, and their Baby Registry is no different. Each item has a quick “Add to Registry” yellow button that adds items in a flash. Within 5 minutes, you’ll have a pretty sweet baby registry – ready to share with the WORLD!
Many people you know shop on Amazon. Grandparents, cousins, friends, colleagues – you name them, they’ve probably shopped on Amazon. Amazon makes it simple for your friends and family to fulfill your baby registry and ship directly to you.
Free shipping for your family and friends. Amazon offers free shipping to its Prime members. Online retailers globally are abandoning expensive shipping models to keep up with online stores that offer free shipping. Your friends and family are likely going to go with the retailers who offer free shipping; that’s Amazon.
Super simple returns. It happens! You suddenly find yourself with a plethora of 3-6 month-sized clothes and ZERO 9-12 month! Or you receive two bottle warmers or a breast pump (after you received one free from your insurance company). Bottom line…it’s really nice to have a simple return/exchange process for the items you don’t need. That’s Amazon, too.

Target Baby Registry

Who doesn’t love Target? There’s just something about the quality of items they carry that keeps faithful Target customers coming back. That’s why their Baby Registry is still one of the most popular out there.

Quality of items. Target’s in-store brands are of incredible quality compared to their prices; Up and Up is leaps above the other generics out there and has a HUGE variety of all your essentials!
Easy to setup, online or in store. It’s really easy to setup a Target baby registry. Perhaps you are excited to walk the aisles and look at baby products? Target Customer Service will not only provide you with a FREEBIE GOODIE BAG for creating your registry; they also give you a sweet little scanner gun and say GO FOR IT! You get to walk the aisles and scan those items that you like; you can always edit them later. It’s like a little shopping spree for new parents.
Brick-and-mortar AND online store. I don’t know about you, but when my friends have babies, I get really excited to walk the aisles of an actual store and look at BABY THINGS. That’s why I love the Target baby registry, and many of your loved ones will, too! Some people just love to SHOP. Not online shop, but SHOP in an actual store! Target is a great option for that population.
Gift card option. This is the first item people see on your Target baby registry. I can’t tell you how much we appreciated receiving Target gift cards, thanks to our baby registry! Anytime Baby needed something, we could take that little Red Card straight to the store and get it. You can use them online or in store–either way. Target CASH!
Breast pump parts. Target carries the BEST selection of breast pump parts of ALL the stores out there. So when your gasket gets a leak or you need to replace your tubing, Target is the place.

Target is an awesome choice for a baby registry for many reasons! Click on over to their site, poke around, and see for yourself.

The Natural Baby Company

The Natural Baby Company’s baby registry is another wonderful option, especially if you’re committed to providing Baby with organic, sustainably-sourced products (toys, clothes, products, etc.). This baby registry also has LOTS of great options and is one of the broadest, in my opinion. Here’s why this is a great baby registry option:

Creating the baby registry is a BREEZE! It can be really challenging to compile all of those natural, sustainably-sourced products by piecing them together from site to site. This allows you to have all of those items in one spot! Top brands you trust with lots of great variety, all in one easy-to-setup location. Setting up your baby registry takes just a few moments and you can instantly start adding and editing your list. Poof! Easy as that.
Huge selection from excellent companies. It’s clear that The Natural Baby Company is very discerning in choosing which brands to sell. Many of these brands can only be found in your local boutiques or specialty shops. Fortunately for you, the consumer, The Natural Baby Company also provides discounts (10% off first purchase) and several coupon codes available throughout the year. Although I’m a HUGE fan of supporting local businesses (and I often do!), it’s nice to find a deal on boutique items and brands. This company has the volume and can, therefore, pass savings on to your baby registry shoppers.
Provide options for your family and friends who are committed to natural living. I have friends and family who only want the BEST products touching their family’s skin and bodies. That’s where The Natural Baby Company comes in! Their products are perfect for this group, and you can easily see why! Check out these adorable items from their website.

There you have it!

These are my top three choices in baby registry for working parents, for reasons that are personal to me. Bottom line–do what works for your family (and friends and colleagues). Consider who will want to provide you gifts – and how to help them have the simplest shopping experience possible. That will cut down on returns and exchanges later; after all, you’re about to have your hands full!

TIPS for Creating the Perfect Baby Registry for Working Parents

Parents-to-be, you have enough on your plates with doctor’s visits, baby announcements, and (oh yeah) you’re LIFE!

Creating a baby registry for working parents shouldn’t be stressful! That’s why I’m sharing my favorite top-three registries with you. These take the stress out of the process and will reduce the number of calls from Great Aunt Evelyn asking, “What would you like for the baby?!”

Here’s a few other tips (from the trenches) to make your registry process simple and stress-free.

Register at more than one place.

There’s no rule to say that you must find EVERYTHING at one registry. So if you really want that Pottery Barn crib but are cool with socks from Target, then GO FOR IT! Countless families have gone the route of having multiple registries listed on their announcements. Registries are free and only cost you your time.

It won’t be perfect. Keep updating your registry.

This is great news–you don’t have to get it PERFECT on the first try! In fact, you may read some product reviews down the road and realize that you really don’t want that item after all. No problem. I recommend updating your registry once a month, or more often as you approach your baby shower or Baby’s birth. And save your sanity by not checking it daily. It can feel stressful to see items not getting purchased right away. If you struggle with all the emotions related to checking it daily, then decide when you will look at it, and limit yourself to those times.

Request Gift Cards

Requesting gift cards is not tacky. It’s not selfish. And you will USE them!!! Many people really like to provide gift cards because they know that *unexpected* costs will pop up! (This is especially true of fellow parents out there.) Be sure that wherever you register, they have a gift card option. Nearly every baby registry for working parents has “Gift Cards” on the list! Each of the three stores above have the option, and I highly recommend asking for them!

Share digital links to your baby registry

I’m not say that you should add your baby registry to your Facebook page. But when you send out your Evites to your baby shower, provide the digital link for your friends and family. This makes shopping for you and Baby SO easy! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten an Evite with a link and literally shopped, right then and there. It is one less thing for me to remember — AND I like to shop before everyone else so I have the best selection! Provide the link and make it even simpler for everyone.

Read reviews

I know you’re busy. I know you’re tired! There’s no tired like pregnant first-trimester tired! But save yourself headache and frustration later by reading product reviews when you have time.

Companies like Amazon have an amazing bank of review on so many of their products. Take time to check them out as you build and edit your registry. But a word of caution–for every product out there, there’s great reviews! And not so great reviews. Don’t get caught up in “analysis paralysis.” Do the best you can, “sort” by reviews, and be as informed as you can.

Most Important! Have Fun!

Congratulations on your new baby, your growing family, and the best years of your life coming in a few short weeks! Enjoy this season of anticipation and joy; it’s truly amazing.

Don’t forget to read why I never sell my baby clothes and what to do with them instead!

Please leave comments below about your experience with your baby registry! Any advice for fellow parents out there?