Everyone is familiar with the wedding gift list, where friends and family can find ideas for presents to give the newlyweds. In recent years, the baby registry has also become increasingly popular in France…
But what exactly is it? Welcoming a baby requires a number of essential purchases, so it is important to plan ahead and prepare properly for their arrival. A baby registry helps you organise everything you may need before and after the birth.
This happy event will often be celebrated with plenty of gifts from friends and family who want to help you prepare for your baby’s arrival. As well as being a valuable help for parents-to-be, a baby registry is also useful for loved ones who may be short of gift ideas. It can also help avoid duplicate presents or items you do not necessarily need.
1. How do you create one?
There are also several websites that allow you to create one centralised baby registry featuring gifts from different retailers.
You can also offer your friends and family an alternative to the traditional baby registry. Some people may prefer not to choose from a predefined list of gifts, so you can set up an online fund where they are free to contribute whatever amount they wish.
2. What should you include?
It is a good idea to include a variety of products in your baby registry so that your friends and family have plenty of choice.
A few categories to consider:
- Baby’s nursery
- Feeding
- Clothing
- Baby care (hygiene / health / safety)
- Going out with baby
- Play and development
- Treats for the parents-to-be
However, remember to buy the essentials yourself before your baby arrives. Gifts may come gradually as friends and family visit, which can take place over several weeks or even months.
It is also a good idea to include gifts at different price points so that friends and relatives can take part according to their own budget.
3. When should you prepare it?
Many parents wait until around the 5th month of pregnancy before creating their baby registry. By then, you may already know your baby’s sex and have had more time to think about what you will need. You can then share the registry one or two months before your due date.
4. How should you share it?
Some couples worry that their baby registry may be misunderstood and do not want friends or family to feel obliged to contribute. You can therefore ask the future grandparents or close friends to pass the information on. When sending your birth announcements, you can also include a small card with the location or link to your baby registry.
We hope these tips will help you prepare your baby registry.
If you have chosen to breastfeed your baby, remember to include reusable nursing pads and a nursing bralette on your baby registry.
Cache Cœur recommends its starter kit, containing Day and Night nursing pads, a nursing bralette (available in Black or Nude), a laundry bag and a small travel pouch.
