Registry Favorite Buy Buy Baby Is Closing, But There Are Alternatives

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We are all pretty bummed about the impending closure of Buy Buy Baby, and for new parents, this is a particularly devastating blow. They had what was arguably the best registry in the business, and parents are left wondering where they should make their registries. There are alternatives, and some of them are quite good.

My suggestion, as someone who spends all of her professional hours working with parenting, baby, and children’s products, is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Make more than one registry, and concentrate products by the strengths of that store, and by where you’ll get the most bang for your buck regarding things like completion bonuses and coupons.

The Basics of Registries

The vast majority of registries are done online, especially without Buy Buy Baby. However, some stores, like Target, Pottery Barn Kids, and Crate and Barrel have in-person baby registry options. For Target, that only means that you get to see what you're registering for in-person, and maybe pick up your vitamins. But for Pottery Barn Kids and Crate and Barrel, you can utilize their free design services and talk to their experts to really kit out your kid's space. If you are design-challenged like I am, this is no small deal.

Many parents view their baby registry/registries like they would a wedding registry — a wish list that combines everyday necessities with bigger-ticket, pie-in-the-sky goodies that the registrants hope a generous soul will purchase. And it certainly can be just that. Simple and straightforward. A list of “here’s what we need,” and “here’s what we’re dreaming about.” But it can also be a carefully curated guide for family and friends who want to feel as though they are really contributing to the life of this baby long after the 0-6 month onesie phase.

If done with some measure of strategy, it can benefit the parents beyond bottles and diapers. That’s because some registries, like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn Kids, and Target all have what’s called a “completion” coupon which is a discount given on any items left on your registry after your event date (baby shower or baby due date). It varies from retailer to retailer, but for a young family looking to buy a bigger-ticket item for their home in the near future, that coupon can make a huge difference.

When to Register

Start early, check in often. Once you know you’re going to have a baby shower, go ahead and begin the process. Many parents wait until they’re at least in the second trimester, or until they know the sex of the baby. Most places will let you edit or change your registry if you need to. But definitely don’t register until you read this article.

What to Register For

Here's where things get tricky. What you should register for depends upon what your goals are. If you are a young couple, paying student loans, and the initial costs of having a child are daunting (been there!), you will want to stick to things you can't live without. Beyond that list, other things like a rocker glider, beach tent, nursery decor, and other less-essential items come into play. But here are the bare basics:

• Stroller: Either go for a lightweight stroller, a double stroller if you need one, or a travel system that includes a car seat.

• Infant or convertible car seat

• Playpen: For extra budget consciousness, choose one that has a bassinet included.

• Bassinet: You need a safe place for baby to sleep, and sleep close to you those first few months.

• Baby carrier: You'll want it in the event you want to get any work done around the house. It's also good for walks and hiking. I like the carriers that can be used from day one, like the Colugo or the Tula Explore.

• Crib: Budget will come into play here. Both the budget of the parents and the givers, but more on that ahead.

• Crib mattress

• Diaper bag: They're not as hideous as they were when you were a kid. Now, they're downright chic.

• Diaper pail: This is a controversial choice, but unless you want to empty the garbage every few hours, you need a vessel for all those fumes. It's a bit like the ghost trap in Ghostbusters.

• Baby Monitor: These are one of the most ubiquitous items on registries for a good reason. They are convenient and provide peace of mind.

• Changing pad: Honestly, when I had my first child, there was no room in our New York City apartment for a changing table, so we used changing pads and either the bed or the floor, and it worked out just fine. You can get away without a changing table, but not the pad.

• Sleepers: Note how I didn't say onesies. Those are the cheapest clothing item for babies, and you can either buy huge packs of them at Costco, or get them second hand for next to nothing. Sleepers are just as essential, but more expensive.

• Sleep sacks: They're easier than swaddling blankets at night.

• Swaddling blankets: They're more than just blankets. They're play areas, shade, tummy time spaces.

• White noise machine: Trust me. These will save your bacon.

• Baby bottles: No matter how you plan on feeding your baby, it's good to have a few different types of bottles in the house.

• Baby bath tub: Babies are slippery little devils. Help keep them safe while you clean them up with a good baby tub.

What Not to Register For

I know. It seems like there isn't something you shouldn't register for, but there really are. Most of these are because the baby may not prefer them, or the parents may not, and others come down to more fiscal reasons, but here's what not to register for:

• Breast pumps: That's because most of these are covered by your health insurance thanks to reforms made 10 years ago because of the Affordable Care Act.

• Baby formula: If your baby ends up being sensitive to one formula, or they only like one brand, having an extra that won't work helps no one.

• Baby medicine or first aid kits: These are covered by your FSA dollars. If you don't have an FSA account (I did not when my first was born), go ahead and register for paracetamol and a good first aid kit.

• Baby shoes: Baby shoes are about the cutest thing ever, but not really super necessary as babies aren't known for their power-walking capabilities for about the first year of life.

• Diapers: Another controversial choice, but unless they’re easy to return or exchange, diapers aren’t the best idea because parents tend to find one they love and stick with it.

Where to Register

It's the $10,000 question, isn't it? There are a few popular options like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, and the recently popular, Babylist. Then you have your dark horse contenders, Pottery Barn Kids, Crate and Barrel, and The Tot. If you're wondering which is best, I have broken them down below. But again, you don't need to put all of your eggs in one basket. You can register for basics like sound machines and strollers on Amazon and then bigger gear like cribs at Crate and Barrel.

As someone who shops these items for a living, here are my thoughts about each place along with a completely objective breakdown of each retailer.

Amazon

Obviously, Amazon is the most popular destination for baby registries. It's easy to set up, easy to shop from, and chances are, if you want it, they have it. Their gift-wrapping is terrible, but that's neither here nor there. They do have a 15% completion bonus, which is no small potatoes. It arguably has the one of the most lenient return/exchange program as well, allowing parents up to a year after the due date to return or exchange an item.

Amazon Favorite Registry Items

Target

One benefit of using Target's registry is that you can do it either online or in person. Target also has in-house brands that many love like Pillowfort and Jungalow, both favorites for decking out nurseries. On top of that, they are one of the few retailers that brands that were primarily direct-to-consumer, like Colugo, use as a distributor. Their welcome kit, which includes tons of baby goodies, is also a real win. Not to mention, when you make a registry, you get a free year of Shipt!

Like Amazon, they have a 15% completion bonus, and a year after your due date for returns and exchanges. If you want to pick up your goodies, buyers can pick “ship to store” or “ship to recipient.” This is wonderful if the parents live in an area where packages tend to go missing.

Target Favorite Registry Items

Crate and Barrel (Crate and Kids)

Crate and Kids is a higher-end retailer, but there are a bunch of reasons to pick them. First, they have a 20% coupon for all parents transferring a registry from Buy Buy Baby or Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Just take a screenshot of proof and take it to any of their stores nationwide or call them at 312-477-2326.

Another thing I love is that with Crate and Kids is that they have group gifting, which means that the cost of an item can be split up between different gifters. For instance, if you really want this spindle crib that's $1,300, 13 of your friends could split the cost right on their website. Crate and Kids' products are of the highest quality, so it you're choosing to pick from this route, it's nice to have this option for pricier items. Crate and Kids also has free design services and experts to guide you through your nursery journey. Crate and Kids also has many of the best car seats, strollers, and baby gear, so you're nowhere near limited to furniture and accessories. The return window is much smaller though, with 30 days for furniture and 90 days for all other gifts.

They have a modern design sensibility that is near universally appreciated for its quality and beauty, and when you combine that with the 15% completion coupon, you can't go wrong.

Crate and Kids Registry Favorites

Walmart

A fan favorite, even among people who tend to shy away from the chain normally. It's all done online, and it's easy as it gets. What drives parents to choose Walmart for a registry is one reason and one reason only — the prices are almost always impossible to

beat. Full stop. There’s no completion bonus, but you do get a year for returns after your due date. You also get Walmart’s deep, deep cuts in pricing on many items from cribs to strollers to Hot Mustard Doritos, which my very pregnant friend just taught me about, and now I, too, am hooked.

Walmart Baby Registry Favorites

Babylist

The main thing that sets this newer retailer apart from other sites is that parents can register for acts of service like cooking a meal or watching the baby so the parents can nap. That's unique to the site. They are also known for the best baby registry starter kit for registering with them. They gift you with a care package full of baby goodies worth over $160. Parents can return goods for up to 9 months post due date.

Babylist is a registry-building site that pulls from many retailers (including some on this list), but they are also a seller themselves. If you’re unhappy with your registry at another retailer, transferring to Babylist is a breeze with their “find your registry” function. And yes, there’s a 15% completion bonus coupon.

Babylist Registry Favorites

The Tot

Celebrity favorite, The Tot, is one of the most chic baby retailers out there. Everything is so well-curated that even without their amazing concierge service, just registering there means that your nursery is going to be magazine-worthy. And don’t worry, that style isn’t all big-dollar buys. They have managed to create such a lovely mix of brands that there’s something at every price point.

Where they really shine is that they have a real focus on sustainable and more environmentally friendly baby products. Those aren't always easy to find, let alone in such a chic package. There is a 15% completion coupon, and all products are returnable up to 90 days after the parent's due date.

The Tot Registry Favorites

Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn kids boasts the biggest completion discount on the list with a standard 20%. It also has one of the best free, in-house design services. They have a stunning selection of cribs and furniture, along with a healthy amount of gear ranging from car seats to carriers to nursing pillows. They also have one feature that other sites don't, and that's premade registries that you can peruse, taking all of the guesswork out of it. You just pick a style, and Bob’s your uncle, there’s your registry. With retail stores across the U.S., there’s likely one nearby for you to start your registry if you don’t want to go the online route, and the experts there really know their stuff. The return policy is a bit shorter at 90 days post due date.

Pottery Barn Kids Registry Favorites

Final Thoughts

Though we will all miss Buy Buy Baby and their staff's encyclopedic knowledge of their sections of the store, there are great options ready to fill the void, and if you don't know which to choose, don't worry, I have you covered. Choose one store, or choose a few, and get ready to welcome baby with style. (And I am on team “writing please don’t spend your time with your new baby writing a thank you card to me on all baby gifts.”)

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