When to make your baby registry: the right timing
There's no set date, but there is a right moment. Too early, and you have no idea what you'll need; too late, and loved ones don't have time to organise. Here are the markers to create and share your registry with peace of mind.
The sweet spot: months 5-6
Most parents build their registry around month 5 or 6 of pregnancy, once the anatomy scan is done and the worst of the nausea is behind them. You still have energy, you may know the sex, and there's plenty of time left to share it.
Why not too early
- It's easy to overestimate what you'll need early on.
- Preferences (nursery theme, brands) get clearer over time.
- Many prefer to wait for a reassuring milestone before announcing widely.
Why not too late
- Loved ones like time to choose (and sometimes to order).
- If you're planning a baby shower, the registry needs to be ready beforehand.
- The final weeks are tiring — better to have the registry and the hospital bag sorted with a clear mind.
A simple timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Months 4-5 | Start jotting down ideas, scope out the essentials |
| Months 5-6 | Create the registry, add gifts and a theme |
| Months 6-7 | Share the link (family, baby shower) |
| Month 8 | Pack the hospital bag, take a breath |
When to share it
As soon as it holds a dozen ideas at different prices, share the link: by message, in the announcement, or at the baby shower. An online registry updates in real time — so you can keep adding to it after sharing, without resending anything.
Good to know: with an online registry, each reserved gift automatically greys out for everyone else — you share once, and the zero-duplicate promise takes care of itself right up to the big day. See an example list.
To fill it in, follow our what to put on a baby registry checklist, and still torn with a cash fund? See registry or cash fund.
Frequently asked questions
- When should you make your baby registry?
- Usually around months 5-6, after the anatomy scan: early enough to share it, late enough to know your needs well.
- Is it too early to make a registry before the scan?
- A little: you tend to overestimate your needs and preferences firm up over time. Month 5 is a good marker.
- When should I share my registry?
- As soon as it holds a dozen ideas, and before any baby shower. An online registry keeps updating even after you’ve shared it.