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Even though I opted out of a baby shower three years ago, I still created a baby registry. My husband and I needed a central, easy-to-access list of all the baby gear we planned to buy before welcoming our daughter. We also wanted to track prices and shop strategically because babies are expensive, and every penny counts.

I’d spent over a decade researching and reviewing baby products, so I knew exactly which items to add. What I didn’t know? The clever registry hacks that could have saved us even more money.

Now I’m older, wiser and 20+ weeks into my second pregnancy — which means I get a registry re-do. And this time, I’m not skipping the money-saving tricks.

1. Add Everything (Even If You Don’t Want People to Buy It)

Worried that adding big-ticket items like a crib will raise eyebrows? I get it. But the potential benefits outweigh the awkward comments.

Most registries let you mark high-cost items as eligible for group gifting, so multiple people can chip in. Plus, many retailers offer a completion discount (typically around 15%) that you can use on items from your registry before your due date. That discount only applies to products already on your list, though. I missed this the first time, and it cost me.

Completion Discount Cheat Sheet:

  • Amazon: Starts 60 days before your due date
  • Target: Begins eight weeks before your due date
  • Babylist: Applies two months before baby’s arrival

2. Create Multiple Registries and Keep Them in One Place

Building registries with multiple retailers gives you flexibility, more chances to save, and access to exclusive perks.

For starters, you’ll get multiple completion discounts. Then there are the welcome kits — free sample boxes that many retailers offer once you meet specific requirements. These often include diapers, wipes, bottles, and coupons, letting you test different products before stocking up.

Each retailer also has its own perks:

  • Amazon offers the widest product selection
  • Target lets you stack deals for bigger savings
  • Babylist lets you add non-traditional items (like a coffee shop gift card), as well as items from various retailers

Pro tip: Link all of them to What to Expect Registry so you can manage everything in one place, and receive reminders about claiming freebies and discounts. 

3. Add Non-Traditional, Time-Saving Items

If, like me, you were given a lot of hand-me-downs then you probably don’t need to register for a ton of new baby gear. But there are other items equally helpful in those early days of parenthood. Things like:

  • A meal delivery subscription
  • A cleaning service fund
  • Grocery or coffee shop gift cards
  • Even a box of paper plates to avoid dishes on top of bottles

Even if no one buys them right away, adding these thoughtful extras can give loved ones ideas for how to help once the baby arrives.

Bonus Tip: Lean On Parent Recommendations

No one knows baby gear better than the parents using it day in and day out. If you’re the first in your circle to have a baby, tap into the What to Expect community where moms, dads and caregivers share honest feedback on what’s worth it — and what isn’t.

You can also browse What to Expect’s editor-vetted product guides, which make narrowing down your list way less overwhelming.

Helpful Reads:

Final Thoughts

Making a baby registry isn’t just about shower gifts (though those are great too). It’s a smart, strategic way to stay organized, save money and make sure you’re getting exactly what you need.

Building your registry with What to Expect Registry also gives you access to trusted guides and real-parent reviews, so you can skip the guesswork and focus on preparing for baby.

Let’s be honest: scrolling through hundreds of options is overwhelming. But a few smart hacks? They make a big difference.