How Many Items to Put on a Baby Registry

Are you in the process of making your baby registry? You may already have an idea of what you want, and choosing all those cute baby clothes can be a lot of fun. But how many items should you actually put on a baby registry?

When you’re unsure how many items you need, it can be more confusing than fun. How many things will your baby truly need, and why? What if this is a second baby? What if you’re having twins? Don’t worry: we’ve got you covered with the simple guide below.

What this article covers:

• How many items should you add to your baby registry?
• Factors that can affect the number of items on your registry
• What about a second baby registry?
• What about a baby registry for twins?
• How many expensive items can you add to your baby registry?
• How much is too much?
• Registry-worthy gifts from Estella

How Many Items Should You Add to Your Baby Registry?

First-time parents’ baby registries typically include between 100 and 120 items. That should be more than enough to cover everything you’ll need, because with any baby registry, the aim is to only add things you’ll actually use.

That number depends on several factors. To get an idea of what’s right for you, ask yourself:

1. Is this your first baby?
2. Which season or climate will your baby be born in?
3. Do you want all of your baby’s items to be new?
4. Would you be happy with some used items?
5. Are you expecting twins?
6. Do you have limited space?
7. How many baby clothes will you need?

Factors That Can Affect the Number of Items on Your Registry

Many factors can influence the number of items on your baby registry, especially if guests will be choosing gifts for a baby shower from it. These four matter most.

First Baby or Not?

First-time parents usually need more items than parents who have had a child before. You’ll need a crib, a stroller, a baby carrier and a variety of clothes and other essentials, so the registry for a first baby will almost always be longer than for a later child.

You might also receive pre-loved items from close friends or family, which will affect how many items you need to add. But if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need quite a few. Before compiling your list, consider the other factors below, too.

The Climate or Season Your Baby Will Be Born In

Many parents forget this one, but there’s a real difference between a summer and a winter baby registry, mostly in the clothes you’ll need.

Will your baby be born in summer, or do you live somewhere warm? You’ll want more short rompers and lightweight blankets. Colder weather means more long-sleeved rompers, warmer bodysuits, cozy booties and hats, so add these if your baby arrives in winter or you live somewhere cool.

Budget

One of the most important factors is budget, and there are many ways to build a functional registry within it. Gently used items in good condition can save a lot of money, whether from a consignment shop or from friends and family who no longer need them. Since your loved ones will be buying from your registry, consider their budgets too, and include items at a range of price points so everyone can contribute.

Special Needs

Has your doctor made you aware of any special needs? Some babies need specific items that others don’t, so talk with your care team as you plan. Some items, like breast pumps, are often covered by health insurance, so check before adding them to your registry.

What About a Second Baby Registry?

If this isn’t your first child, you might still be wondering how many clothes to put on your baby registry. Between hand-me-downs and clothes your first child never wore, you won’t need as much as last time. You’ll probably need no more than about 30 additional items, unless you’ve already given everything away. For more ideas, see our second baby registry guide.

For second-baby gifts that feel special and new, the Baby Loves NY Gift Set and the NYC Baby Rattle Gift Set are two of our most-loved choices, and nothing the first baby already has.

If you have items you can reuse for your second baby, adjust your list accordingly. Otherwise, guests will buy things you already have plenty of. Reusing items lets you focus your new registry on what you actually need for your new arrival, which is the whole point of a baby registry.

What About a Baby Registry for Twins?

Many parents of twins find this the biggest challenge. You may be worried that you’ll need two of everything, but that’s simply not the case. Here are our tips for a twin registry.

You Won’t Need to Double Up on Everything

Many items can be shared. You’ll want a stroller designed for twins, and each baby needs their own car seat. But you don’t need two baby bathtubs, diaper pails, diaper bags or changing pads; you’ll quickly find a routine that works for both.

Gender-Neutral Clothes

Twins can share clothes, but if you’re expecting a boy and a girl, it can be trickier. Gender-neutral rompers and bodysuits give you more flexibility, and a few practical newborn romper gift sets make sure you have enough in the beginning.

And a Minimalist Baby Registry?

You’re free to have as many or as few items as you like. If you live a minimalist lifestyle, a minimalist baby registry may suit you best. It focuses only on what you’ll need right after the birth, usually about 35–50 items at most. Even the most streamlined registry has room for a few soft knit baby outfits and a first baby rattle.

How Many Expensive Items Can You Add to Your Baby Registry?

A common rule of baby registries is to avoid adding too many expensive items. A few are fine, as long as there are plenty of lower-priced options, so everyone has a choice.

Registry Etiquette Is Relative

If you have a large circle of family and friends, you’ll probably want more options. But is it rude to put expensive items on a baby registry? It depends on your loved ones’ budgets and your relationships. What feels like too much for some is perfectly fine for others, but resist the urge to go overboard.

Stick to the Essentials

Rather than worrying about etiquette and what not to put on a baby registry, focus on your baby registry must-haves. Especially with expensive items, include only true essentials. A crib, stroller and car seat qualify; designer nursery furniture usually doesn’t, and most parents buy those big pieces themselves.

Group Gifts and Contributions

One way to handle larger items is to allow group gifting, which takes the financial pressure off any one person. Many registries support this. Alternatively, loved ones can contribute what they can toward a bigger purchase that you buy yourself.

Consider Used Items, Within Reason

Accepting some larger items used can help a lot, but not for everything. A used crib that meets current safety standards can be fine, but a second-hand car seat is usually not a good idea unless you know its full history.

How Much Is Too Much?

If space isn’t an issue, you may want a longer registry. But most people agree that more than 150 items is too many, even for first-time parents of twins. And if you live in a small apartment, you may want just the essentials to start.

Registries usually get too long for two reasons: uncertainty about what’s essential, and running out of time.

Establish Your Must-Have Essentials

Rather than focusing on brand names, start with the essentials, then add a few special things. Essentials depend on your situation, but usually include:

• Swaddles and a sleep sack
• A changing pad and diaper bag
• Diapers and baby wipes
• Bibs
• Baby bottles and a bottle brush
• Newborn baby clothes: at least a few rompers and bodysuits in 0–3 months

Don’t Leave It to the Last Moment

Registries often end up with unnecessary items when they’re rushed. Most last-minute registry items may be useful, but you’ll probably add gimmicks you don’t need. Start early in your pregnancy, so you have time to find out what friends and family can pass along. Babies sometimes arrive early, too.

Create a Checklist

One of the best registry tips is to make a preliminary checklist before finalizing your registry. If it’s getting long, go back through calmly and pare it down. Organizing by category makes it easier:

• Nursery and bedding: crib, fitted sheets, swaddles
• Newborn baby clothes: bodysuits, rompers, hats, booties
• Diapering: diapers and changing supplies
• Getting around: stroller, baby carrier, car seat
• Bath time: baby bathtub and wash products
• Feeding: bottles, formula or breastfeeding supplies
• Toys: soft toys, rattles and first books
• Everything else

For the full list, see our baby registry clothing checklist.

Registry-Worthy Gifts from Estella

Every registry deserves a few gifts that feel truly special, the ones that get kept long after the baby grows. Estella is a family-owned New York brand making baby gifts since 2003: our toys are hand-knit by artisans in Peru with an organic cotton exterior, and our clothing is organic cotton. You can also create an Estella baby registry.

NYC Embroidered Baby Gift Set

Three embroidered organic cotton bodysuits, four hand-knit rattles and an NYC ABCs board book, all in a gift box. Our bestseller.

Baby Loves NY Gift Set

A hot dog and pretzel print organic cotton bodysuit, five hand-knit NYC rattles, a wood bead pacifier clip and the NYC ABCs board book.

Whale Baby Gift Set

A knit romper or gown with a matching hat and a hand-knit rattle: a sweet, coordinated newborn gift.

NYC Baby Rattle Gift Set

Four hand-knit New York icons: a taxi, a hot dog, a pretzel and the Big Apple.

Frank the Dog

Our most iconic piece: a 12-inch hand-knit dog with floppy ears and a little taxi on his chest.

My son’s favorite toy: My son received this pup as a gift and loves him so much!! A perfect size to hug. My new go-to for expecting mamas.

Frank NYC Baby Gift Basket

Twelve pieces built around Frank the Dog in a handwoven rattan caddy that becomes the nursery’s diaper station. A perfect group gift.

Conclusion

There are general guidelines for how many items to put on a baby registry, and some basic do’s and don’ts. But if your situation calls for a different number, that’s perfectly fine. Only you know what’s right for you and your baby. That said, every registry benefits from at least one gift that feels truly special. Browse our baby shower gifts and newborn baby gifts.

Keep reading:

• Is a Baby Registry Necessary?
• Minimalist Baby Registry
• Unique Baby Registry Items
• Baby Registry Clothing Checklist
• Baby Registry Must-Haves
• Most Forgotten Baby Registry Items
• Sustainable Baby Registry
• Winter Baby Registry
• Summer Baby Registry
• Second Baby Registry