BEFORE YOU BUY
Nix the nonessentials.
Consider leaving non-essentials like baby monitors, slings, Boppys and readymade swaddling blankets off of your registry. Or register for them but leave them in their packaging until baby is home. A baby monitor may seem imperative but you may be able to hear your child crying from anywhere in your home. You won't know for sure until he is home crying. Some non-essential items turn out to be lifesavers while others collect dust and take up valuable nursery closet space. What gear you end up using is a matter of personable preference, so if possible, borrow items like slings and Boppys from a friend to see if you really want them.
Limit the amount of clothing on your registry.
At your shower and after the baby is born, friends, family, and near strangers will attempt to bury you alive in onesies.
Don't rush decorating decisions.
If you're overwhelmed, go with the Moses basket. It's portable, meaning easy transport from room to room, and serves as a bed for the few months until you have made some decorating decisions. It can be preferable to a crib because it allows baby to sleep in your bedroom so you can easily scoop her up into your bed when she wakes up for night feedings.
Consider used items.
Often moms end up having to purchase the bigger items like strollers and car seats themselves. If this is your situation, consider purchasing some of the larger items that have a limited life span on craigslist or another local online message board. If you're not opting for a travel-system stroller but an infant car-seat stroller, buying it used is a good option: You're only going to use it for three months, and the previous owner only used it for that long, so it should be in fine condition.Stick to your guns.
Don't let your sister-in-law (or best friend, cousin, neighbor, etc.) make all of the decisions. Your registry is public and will invite unsolicited advice from those that see it (this will help prepare you for when the baby's born—you'll have unsolicited advice coming out of your ears). Don't make changes based on the preference of friends and family. Looking at user reviews of baby gear (on sites like Amazon) can be extremely helpful—you'll see how a great many women feel about a particular item.
SITE REVIEWS
Picking the right website on which to register is half the battle. Research return and shipping policies before you make a decision. And remember, it's fine to register on two sites if one doesn't have all that you want. You might register on an online boutique for harder-to-find, high-design or green items and a large chain retailer for the bulk of your picks.
buybuy Baby
Selection: The selection of products leaves something to be desired. If you're looking for a wide range of brands and modern nursery items, you may be disappointed. The green/organic product selection is extremely limited and cribs are not available for purchase online.
Ease of Use: Using the site is fairly simple.
Gift Return Policy: The store will refund returns with receipts within 90 days after purchase. For returns without receipts within 90 days after purchase, a store credit for the item's current price will be given.
Completion Program: Any item that remains on your registry will be 10 percent off.
Customer Feedback on Products: None.
Special Features: The registry includes helpful buying guides and a print-out checklist of newborn essentials.
Babies-R-Us
Selection: The site offers a wide range of brands and products and gets high marks for its selection of baby gear. For décor and furniture it gets lower marks since it fails to carry any of the smaller more modern brands like Oeuf, Nurseryworks, or Cariboo. It does have an expansive "Natural & Organics" area that is fully-stocked with all categories of products and a good number of brands.
Ease of Use: The site is intuitive and easy to use.
Gift Return Policy: The gift giver (not the gift recipient) will receive a refund in the original form of payment.
Completion Program: You'll receive a coupon, valid for one shopping day or one entire online order. for 10 percent off any item that remains on your registry
Customer Feedback on Products: The site features customer comments and ratings that indicate whether the commenter is a "verified purchaser" of the product. It is possible to sort by top-rated products.
Special Features: The Quick Start Registry is a timesaver. It lists all of the baby gear you might want to include in your registry and allows you to remove whichever items you do not want. The Buying Guides, which explain the products, are more useful than most and can help you choose the right gear for their newborns.
giggle
Selection: The selection is excellent, particularly if you are looking for modern, top-of-the-line gear and furniture. The site offers a wide array of green and organic items. It does not contain a great deal of lower-priced options.
Ease of Use: The site is a breeze to use. Its design is clean and intuitive. Your picks are organized by category, making it easy to keep track of what has been purchased and what you still need.
Gift Return Policy: The site will give store credit only for gifts, up to 30 days from the date of purchase.
Completion Program: The site will give 10 percent off all the items remaining on the registry, excluding gear and furniture.
Customer Feedback on Products: None.
Special Features: Giggle offers a free in-store or phone consultation to help create your registry. The site's Quickshop Checklists provide a handy tool and cover all types of situations, whether you're preparing for multiples, staying eco-conscious or creating the ultimate luxe nursery. The Giggle Criteria is another useful feature that displays a letter-coded system for each product and indicates various criteria including whether a product is tested, space-saving, innovative or a good value.
Target
Selection: Target has a wide selection of products in a range of prices and stands out for having well-designed, reasonably priced items—including an exclusive line from DwellStudio.
Ease of Use: The site is easy to use. "Recently Viewed" and "Browse Similar Items" tabs make for easy navigation.
Gift Return Policy: Store credit will be given for the original purchase value of that item. The receipt or gift receipt is required. The merchandise credit can be used in any Target store.
Completion Program: Registrants will receive coupons for 10 percent off of all items remaining in their registry.
Customer Feedback on Products: Products receive customer reviews and a ratings average.
Special Features: Buying guides and checklists can help you make the right picks.
Amazon
Selection: Amazon has a vast selection of baby gear. Any products for sale on Amazon (including items from third-party sellers) can be added to your registry.
Ease of Use: The site is smartly organized and fairly simple to use, but it can get a tad confusing because of the sheer magnitude of offerings. Sorting the products by categories, brands, price range, and top sellers makes it easy to find what you want.
Gift Return Policy: Gifts can be returned through Amazon's Online Returns Center for a gift card.
Completion Program: Amazon does not offer a discount on items remaining on a registry.
Customer Feedback on Products: Products receive dozens of customer reviews and a ratings average, and they're discussed on message boards. No other baby registry rivals the volume of customer feedback you will get on Amazon.
Special Features: Free shipping for all orders over $25. The Baby Registry Essentials page lists the top five sellers in each category to help you choose the most popular gear.
