How many items should I add to my baby gift list?

Babies.cy users had an average of 121 items on their gift list. But don’t get stuck on a number—gift list for what feels right to you. You can always add or delete items as you go along.

Is it okay to add big purchases to my baby gift list?

Yes! Your friends and family want to know what you really want and need, so there’s no issue with adding a stroller, crib or other item that might be higher in price.

How to Create a Baby Gift List

Feeling stressed out by the thought of adding one more thing to your to-do list? We’ve broken down gift list-building into five easy takeaways to help keep you organized and on track.

Evaluate Your Lifestyle: Think Before You Add

You’re going to encounter a lot of different types of baby gear on your gift list journey. Before you add anything to your baby gift list, pause and ask yourself this:

How will this item fit into my family and our particular lifestyle?

Do you live in a 50m² – 60m² one-bedroom apartment in a city or a spacious home in the suburbs? Is minimalism your jam, or do you love Allll the things? Are you having twins, or are you building your family through adoption?

Ask yourself these questions—and spend some time truly thinking about the answers, as they’ll influence what products you add to your registry. City dwellers without a car need a roomy, durable stroller that goes the distance, while suburban parents may be more concerned if that stroller fits in the trunk of a car. A tech-loving parent may relish in the idea of a monitor that gives them access to baby’s every breath, movement and sleep pattern, while someone who’s overwhelmed by too much information may prefer a simple audio option.

Just like every family is different, the same should hold true for every baby gift list. A well thought-out baby gift list may take a bit of extra time, but we think it’s time well spent.

Needs vs. Wants: Keep It Simple

“I can’t imagine my life with my new baby without the 225 items I added to my gift list!” said no new parent, ever.

Baby gear has come a long way, and there’s a lot to be excited about. (We get it; we are also parents after all.) And there is certainly room on every gift list to have some fun with a few splurge items or a product or two that you absolutely love. But remember—short of diapers and a safe place to sleep, it’s easy to get carried away and let the “wants” trump the “needs” when it comes to gift list-building. Adding too many items can get overwhelming, be tough to manage and leave you with lots of unused baby gear once your little one arrives. Remember to pause every so often while building your baby gift list and ask yourself if the items really deserve a spot on your list.

A few other tips to keep in mind when you’re trying to figure out what you need:

• Babies grow—and fast. Although sleepless nights may feel like they last forever, remember that babies grow pretty quickly, especially over that first year. Some babies skip newborn sizes altogether (both clothes and diapers), and most parents tell us they’re changing out their little one’s wardrobe every few months during the baby and toddler stages, so don’t stock up on too much of one size.
• Don’t forget off gifts. Lots of people love utilizing baby gift list and buying exactly what’s been asked for—but not all. Some gift-givers may decide to choose a gift on their own rather than stick to the gift list. What’s the most common gift they tend to choose? Blankets and clothes. (Trust us on this one.) Personalized baby blankets and teeny, tiny baby outfits are a favorite among off-registry gift-givers, so don’t add a ton to your gifts list unless you’re down with a very warm baby who’s getting an outfit change eight times a day.
• Focus on the first six months. It’s tempting to want to put all the things on your gift list that you think you may need for the first few years, but we’d advise against it. While things like a convertible car seat or supplies for starting solids will eventually make it onto your shopping list, it’s overwhelming to anticipate those needs so far in advance. There’s also a strong chance that your preferences will change over time, and you’ll discover new brands to love once baby arrives. Keep it simple and focus your gift list around must-haves for the first six months or so.

One Step at a Time: Try Not to Get Overwhelmed

From crib bedding to diaper bags, it’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking about all the things you and your baby are going to need over the coming months. Here’s where a little organization can go a long way.

To help figure out what’s really important, start by breaking up baby’s needs into larger categories and working on adding items within each category as you build your gift list. There’s no “right” way to do this; some parents find that checking the bigger ticket items like a stroller or car seat off the list first feels right, while others prefer to start with more fun things like clothes or room decor. You do you—just remember to take things one step at a time.

Here are the categories we think are the most helpful to work with and some highlights of what’s included in each.

Nursery: If you’ll find it in your nursery, you’ll find it here. A crib and a mattress, crib bedding, furniture (changing table, glider, etc.), a monitor and white noise machine, blankets and swaddles, and room decor should all go in this category.

Feeding: Bottles are the obvious add to this important category, but don’t forget other crucial items like bibs, burp cloths, formula or a breast pump.

On the Go: Sometimes also called “Transportation,” all things transportation related make up this category. Your stroller, car seat, baby carrier and other similar items fit in here.

Health and Safety: This isn’t the most exciting of categories, but it is one of the most important. You’ll want to include things like a first aid kit, a humidifier and a thermometer here, as well as bathtime needs like a tub, towels, washcloths and baby wash.

Diapering: Cloth or disposable diapers, wipes, diaper cream and a diaper bag are the biggies in this crucial category—along with any on-the-go diaper changing supplies too.

Clothing: It’s easy to go overboard here, so try to stick to the basics. Bodysuits are a great staple, as are pajamas, as well as some separates like pants and a few newborn caps.

Gear: Items like a bouncer, a swing and a playard or travel crib are popular choices for this category. Just remember that babies can be pretty particular about what they like, so there’s no need to get one of everything to start.

Playroom: Don’t forget to add some fun! Newborn-friendly toys, board books and a play mat are all good additions to this category.

Do Your Research (Or Not): You Do You

There’s certainly no shortage of information, reviews and how-tos when it comes to baby gear. But do you need to research each and every item you add to your baby gift list? It depends.

If you’re the type of person who likes to know the ins and outs of anything before you buy, then we definitely recommend diving headfirst into research when you’re making your gift list.

But what if the thought of all of this research makes you break out into a cold sweat? Then skip it. Limit your research to the biggies: strollers, infant car seats and newborn diapers. Talk to friends and other parents about what baby products they love and why. (And which ones they don’t.) Hit the interwebs and watch videos of real parents reviewing and demoing popular baby products. Do what works for you in terms of getting informed without stressing yourself out.

Boss Baby: Sometimes It’s Best to Wait and See

Isn’t there a saying about how the best laid plans often go awry? Nothing could be closer to the truth when it comes to what we think having a baby will be like versus what reality actually entails. And your baby gift list is no exception.

They might be tiny, but babies sure to have opinions on what they like versus what they don’t. (And they’re not afraid to let you know, either.) Keep this front of mind when building your gift list. Tempted to wp-signup.php for a swing, a bouncy seat and a jumper? Add just one and take it for a test ride when baby arrives to see how it goes.

Ready, Set, Gift List

Building your family brings with it lots of excitement—but it can bring some stress too. Creating your baby gift list shouldn’t add to that. A little bit of know-how and some useful guidelines will help you to streamline the process and build a gift list that works for you and your family.