The Smart Baby Registry Timeline: When to Add What

Building your baby registry isn’t a one-time task — it’s a process that evolves with your pregnancy and your growing understanding of what you’ll actually need.

Here’s a smart timeline for building your registry, organized by pregnancy trimester and baby’s first year.

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)

Focus on Research and Planning

• Research products and read reviews
• Create your registry on your preferred platform
• Start a wish list of items you’re considering
• Talk to other parents about what they actually used

Early Additions

• Big-ticket items (crib, car seat, stroller) — start researching early
• Nursery furniture — items that may have longer lead times
• Safety items — car seats, monitors, safety gates

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-26)

Build Your Foundation

• Essential gear — crib, car seat, stroller, carrier
• Feeding supplies — bottles, pump, high chair
• Sleep items — mattress, sheets, sleep sacks
• Basic care — diapers, wipes, bath supplies

Start Personalizing

• Clothing for first 3-6 months
• Nursery decor and organization items
• Travel gear if you plan to travel with baby

Third Trimester (Weeks 27-40)

Finalize and Refine

• Complete your registry with remaining essentials
• Add postpartum items for your recovery
• Include gift cards for items you’ll buy later
• Review and edit — remove items you’ve changed your mind about

Last-Minute Additions

• Hospital bag items for delivery
• Postpartum care for your recovery
• Emergency supplies and backup items

Baby’s First 3 Months

Immediate Needs

• Diapers and wipes (you’ll go through more than expected)
• Feeding supplies (bottles, formula, pump parts)
• Sleep items (swaddles, sleep sacks, white noise)
• Basic care (nail clippers, thermometer, first aid)

What You’ll Discover You Need

• More burp cloths than you thought
• Different bottle types if baby is picky
• Additional clothing for frequent changes
• Comfort items specific to your baby

Baby’s 3-6 Months

Growing and Changing

• Larger clothing and sleep sacks
• Solid food supplies (high chair, spoons, bowls)
• Teething items (teethers, pain relief)
• Activity items (play mat, toys, books)

Registry Updates

• Add items you discover you need
• Remove items you realize you don’t need
• Update preferences based on your baby’s personality

Baby’s 6-12 Months

Continued Growth

• Convertible car seat (if using infant seat)
• Crawling and walking gear (gates, shoes, safety items)
• More complex toys and learning items
• Travel gear for family adventures

Smart Registry Strategy

Start Early, Build Gradually

• Don’t rush to add everything at once
• Research thoroughly before adding big-ticket items
• Keep your registry updated as your needs change
• Ask for feedback from experienced parents

Be Flexible

• Your needs will change as you learn your baby
• Some items can wait until after baby arrives
• Gift cards are valuable for items you’ll discover you need
• Don’t feel pressured to have everything perfect

The best registry timeline? One that gives you time to research, adapts to your changing needs, and doesn’t stress you out. Start early, build thoughtfully, and remember — you can always add or remove items as you go.