The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Babylist Baby Registry (from a Mom of Three)

When I found out I was pregnant with my first, I was so excited to start researching baby products and make my baby registry. Making a wedding registry is fun, but making one for my baby felt even more exciting. However, I quickly felt overwhelmed with all the different options, opinions from friends, family members, and even strangers, and the lack of a one-stop shop for baby items made it even more confusing. The more I researched, the more I was sure (in 2020) I wanted a Nuna car seat, with the Mockingbird stroller, and an Ikea crib, but there were no sites that sold all three.

Then I discovered Babylist, a baby registry that allows parents to add products from any site, gives people the option of where to buy, and my favorite part, they had tons of sample registries I could use to comb through the 1000s of products being marketed to me as a new moms. I have spent hours on this site. The ability to add items from any place, from Nuna to Nordstrom, Zoe, Ergobaby, and more, without having to link to multiple sites on your baby registry invite is a game-changer.

After raising three kids and trying out several registries, I’ve learned a lot, and I hope this post will help make the baby registry process a little easier. From how to create your registry, tips on how to get the free Hello Baby box and registry discounts (from Babylist and other sites), to even sharing some of my favorite products I would register for again as a mom of three, here is my baby registry guide. As a mom who wants to keep it simple, I love being able to add exactly what my family needs from any store while still keeping everything organized in one place.

Use this link to sign up for a Babylist Registry.

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Disclosure— This post is in partnership with Babylist, but all opinions in this review are my own. Honest Reviews are very important to me, and I do turn down opportunities when I am not able to do this. This post also contains affiliate links. You don’t get charged any extra, but my family receives a small commission when you shop through one of my affiliate links, and we are grateful for your support! <3

Why I chose Babylist As My Primary Registry 

There are many baby registries out there, but I chose to use Babylist for several reasons:

Add anything to your registry
With Babylist’s universal registry, you are not stuck with just one store. You can add products from Amazon, Target, Etsy, H&M, or wherever you find something you love. The browser button makes it easy to clip items as you shop.
Plus, if you have already started a registry at Amazon or Target, you can link it to Babylist so everything appears in one place. Then you only have one link to share with guests.

Add meaningful gifts and cash funds
Sometimes, help is more valuable than stuff. Babylist lets you add services like meal delivery, house cleaning, or dog walking. Your loved ones can contribute whatever amount feels right, and Babylist transfers the funds to your bank account.

Free Hello Baby Box and completion discount
Babylist offers a free Hello Baby Box (just pay shipping) and a 15% completion discount. The discount becomes available 60 days before your due date and expires 90 days after your baby arrives. You can save up to $300 on Babylist Shop items, which is perfect for big purchases like a convertible car seat or a high-end stroller that I helped you find. ;).

Gift-giver flexibility
Babylist shows multiple retailers for each item, so gift-givers can choose the best price or fast delivery option. 

Price change alerts
If something on your list drops in price, Babylist will email you so you can snag the deal.

Babylist exclusives and guides
Babylist sells products you cannot get anywhere else, like an exclusive Nuna color or curated sample boxes for bottles, pacifiers, diapers, and swaddles. I wish these had been around with my first baby!

Free registry insert cards
Babylist sends free cards you can tuck into shower invitations so guests know where you are registered. Once your registry is public, friends can also find it by searching your name. Of all the registries I have used, Babylist is by far the easiest for guests to navigate.

Pregnancy and first-year emails
The Babylist app gives you weekly pregnancy updates and fun size comparisons (my favorite was “your baby is the size of a ’90s Tamagotchi”). I read every single one during my first pregnancy and loved the ones that continued after my baby was born.

Registry Completion Discount
Babylist offers a 15% registry discount on almost anything in the Babylist shop, up to $2000 ($300 in savings). You can use your discount 60 days before your baby’s expected arrival date and is valid for 90 days after. 

How to Get the Babylist Hello Baby Box and Registry Discounts

The Hello Baby Box is Babylist’s free registry welcome gift (just pay shipping). It is filled with curated samples like bodysuits, bottles, diapers, and coupons. When I first got one a couple of years ago, the swaddle from Little Unicorn was my favorite item. This time, I found a Kyte Baby onesie with a 20% coupon inside, and honestly, that alone made it worth the shipping. Each box is a little different, but here’s how to qualify:

Requirements:

1. Create a Babylist registry: Sign up, add your name, due date, and a valid U.S. shipping address.
2. Add at least 3 Babylist shop items: Babylist sells so many baby items and has exclusives and sample kits (like diaper or glass bottle boxes).
3. Add at least 3 items from other retailers: Use the Babylist button to pull in products from outside stores. Some of my favorites to add are the Woolino Sleep Bag, Kudos diapers, and the Wildbird Buckle Newborn Wrap (not the carrier it’s a little confusing because they both say buckle), and Tubby Todd.
4. Complete 40% of the checklist: Use the registry checklist tool to ensure you’ve covered the basics. This is a great guide to help you think through the items you might need.
5. Make a $30 Babylist Shop purchase: This can be from you or a gift giver.
6. Pay shipping: Verify your address and pay the $8.95 plus tax for shipping (it’s worth it, in my opinion).

Important to know:

• Only the registry owner can order the box.
• One box per household per year.
• Ships to U.S. only (+Alaska and Hawaii have a surcharge).
• Items change frequently and are sized for babies under 2–3 months.
• Cannot combine with other Babylist orders, and the shipping fee is non-refundable.

Step‑by‑Step: Creating Your Babylist Registry

Creating your Babylist registry only takes a few minutes. Here’s how I did it:

Step 1: Create your account

Go to Babylist – Add your name, due date, and shipping address. You need this information to qualify for the Hello Baby Box. Pro tip: Keep your registry private until you add a few basics, then flip it to public.

Step 2: Add the Babylist button or use the app

Install the Babylist button on your browser (or use the app) and start adding products from any online store, including Amazon, Target, Etsy, and small shops. You’ll see multiple buying options and can add handmade or specialty items too.

Step 3: Link other registries (optional)

Have you already started an Amazon or Target registry? Link it so everything shows in one list. Share only your Babylist link to avoid duplicates.

Step 4: The registry checklist

Babylist’s checklist walks you through categories like feeding, sleep, and travel so you can see what you might be missing. While it leans toward items sold in the Babylist shop, it’s still a great guide for covering the essentials. You’ll need to complete at least 40% to qualify for the Hello Baby Box anyway. 

Step 5: Add meaningful gifts and cash funds

Beyond physical products, Babylist allows you to register for meals, house cleaning, or even a doula visit, and set up cash funds for diapers, college savings, or parental leave (whatever your heart desires). I think it is especially nice for families who already have a lot of the essentials. 

Step 6: Organize and customize

Decide whether your registry is public or private, whether group gifts are allowed, and which items are “must‑haves.” You can mark items as private if you plan to purchase them yourself, then filter your registry to see price drops and deals, which Babylist notifies you of. I would keep an eye on your registry, though, because I did find a few things sold out and sometimes got updated to a different color I did not want. You can add notes as well in case this were to happen. 

5 Tips from a Mom of 3 for Building Your Babylist Registry

1. Mix price points
Not everyone has the same budget. Add a mix of affordable items and a few splurge-worthy ones. Babylist’s group gift and cash fund options make it easy for friends and family to chip in on the bigger stuff.

2. Mark private purchases
If you plan to buy something yourself or know a less tech savvy family member is already getting it, mark it as private so you don’t end up with doubles.

3. Add more than just baby items
If you already have many of the essentials, consider adding meal delivery, house cleaning, or a fund for a postpartum doula. 

4. Start with the basics
Your registry does not have to be perfect from the start. You can always add or delete later as you figure out what you actually need (that’s also a great use for the 15% completion discount!)

5. Include the unglamorous essentials
It is tempting to only pick the cute items, but do not forget things like a baby thermometer, nail clippers, postpartum items, or diaper cream. They may not get the same “aww” reaction, but you will be glad you have them.

My Top Babylist Registry Picks

I’ve tested over 100 strollers, more than 30 car seats, and more baby gear than I can count. There are so many options out there that it can feel overwhelming. I started The Stroller Mom to make it easier to find the best gear for your baby, but I’ll be honest, it’s still a lot to sort through. I’ve shared videos and blog posts on everything from high chairs and bouncers to travel cribs, sound machines, and my nursery must-haves. I’m always testing and sharing new finds, so if you’re not already following on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, come join me there.

Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order) that I would definitely add to my registry again.

Babylist vs. Amazon, Target, and Walmart

I get this question a lot: “Should I use Babylist or Amazon?” I’ve used both, so here’s my take: You should create both! 

The free welcome boxes and registry discounts alone make it worth it. Having a baby is expensive, and these perks help! But I would only share the Babylist registry with your friends and family. Having two baby registries is confusing, especially if you have the same items on both. Make the Amazon registry so you can get the beneifts, and let Babylist be your main registery and here is why:

• Flexibility: Amazon’s registry is limited to Amazon products. Babylist lets you add items from any retailer. If you want the freedom to mix brands and support small shops, Babylist is the winner.
• Cash funds & experiences: Babylist allows cash funds and service requests like meal deliveries, house cleaning, or doula support.
• Price comparison: Babylist compares prices across stores and alerts you to price drops. Amazon only shows Amazon’s price.
• Welcome box: Amazon also offers a free welcome box, but Babylist’s Hello Baby Box is curated with higher‑value samples. I share both boxes above for reference.
• Completion discount: Amazon and Babylist both offer a 15% completion discount, so I like to use my Babylist discount first and then save my Amazon after the baby is here for any last-minute items we might find ourselves needing (it happens…).

So my take: Make a registry in both places to snag both welcome boxes and a registry discount, but only share Babylist to avoid confusing your friends and family.

Quick note on Target and Walmart – I have also tried creating both Target and Walmart baby registries and got their boxes a few years ago when I had my second. I was underwhelmed, but if you shop at either of these stores, you can easily create a registry to get the benefits using this link for Target and this one for Walmart. 

Final Thoughts 

Creating a baby registry should feel exciting, not stressful. I have really liked that Babylist takes so much of the guesswork out of the process and lets you make a list that actually works for your family. Whether you’re adding your dream stroller, asking for meal delivery, or mixing in a few handmade gifts, you can keep everything in one place and make it simple for your friends and family to celebrate with you.

If you decide to try Babylist, I’d love to hear what your favorite registry item ends up being. And if this guide helped, shopping and signing up through my links is a great way to support The Stroller Mom. Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions