Coronavirus + Building Your Baby Registry: What You Need to Know

There are a lot of things out of our control at the moment. As an expectant parent, the uncertainty you’re facing around bringing a baby into the world during the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented. And while we can’t offer you an easy solution to calm your worries, we can help you prepare in the best way possible as you start thinking about what you’ll need to welcome your little one home during the unpredictable months ahead.

As you think through creating your baby registry, keep the recommendations below in mind along the way. They’ll help to guide and inform you as you build your registry in the midst of this ever-changing situation. You can also use the registry essentials list at the end of this guide as a resource to help you figure out exactly what products to zero in on as must-haves as you begin adding products to your list.

1. Get Back to Basics

If you’ve ever entertained the thought of becoming a minimalist, now’s the time to embrace it.

All kidding aside, though, please believe us when we say that babies don’t need all that much stuff. (And if you don’t believe us, talk to any seasoned parent about all of the items they either bought or registered for that they wished they’d skipped.)

A safe place to sleep, gear for on-the-go, feeding and diapering supplies, a few clothing basics and some other small essentials are all you really need for your little one those first few months and beyond. (Check out our list of core registry essentials at the end of this article.)

Is it okay to feel disappointed if you’re not able to snag the crib you’ve had your eye on since the day you found out you were pregnant? You bet. But we promise that you and your baby will be just fine with these basic items, and that things won’t be like this forever.

2. Shop Around

The coronavirus is interrupting supply chains around the world and, because of this, is affecting the inventory levels on all types of different products, baby gear included.

Babylist gives you the option to add any item from any store onto your baby registry–and this is the perfect time to do just that. Shop around as much as you can for the baby gear and products you’re hoping to add to your list. (All from the comfort of your home, of course.) Look at the stores where you usually shop as well as those that you don’t always think of for baby-related stuff.

Here are some of our top picks:

• Big-box and department stores. Places like Target, Walmart and Kohl’s are great resources for baby items. We love Nordstrom too.
• Online retailers. Amazon is the clear biggie here, but don’t forget other sites like Wayfair and Overstock. And the Babylist Shop, of course!
• Baby-focused stores. Crate and Kids and Project Nursery all carry a great selection of baby gear worth a look.
• Brand websites. Go directly to the source and check out your favorite baby brands right on their own websites. Brands like Skip Hop, Britax, Copper Pearl, Boppy, Aden + Anais and lots more all sell directly to consumers online.
• Specialty and handmade. Don’t count out specialty shops and custom products, especially during times like these. We love Etsy for all things handmade as well as smaller, specialty stores like Albee Baby, Strolleria and PishPosh Baby.

Still can’t find what you want? Don’t hesitate to reach out to brands directly–many have dedicated customer service teams ready and willing to help out.

3. Work Ahead

And speaking of the possibility of not being able to find what you want…

While everyone works on their own timeline, many parents-to-be don’t rush to create a baby registry while they’re still early along in their pregnancy, surrogacy or adoption journey. Since these circumstances are anything but normal, however–this time we’re in favor of speeding things up a bit.

Starting the registry process a bit earlier than you normally would will give you more time to research backup options if the products you initially choose are out of stock. It’s also a simple way to help you feel a bit more in control during a time when so many other things are out of your control–and that can go a long way for your mental health.

4. Be Ready with Backups

If you’re adding items to your registry through Babylist, our website will automatically pull backup sites if what you’ve chosen is out of stock or becomes unavailable at the first retailer you’ve chosen.

During these uncertain times, though, we also suggest you research a few backup options on your own. This will help give you peace of mind that you’ll have another option ready to go in case an item you’re set on goes out of stock unexpectedly. You’ll have backup options at the ready to offer gift-givers in case they ask too.

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Baby Registry Essentials

Start here when you’re building your baby registry during these uncertain times. Though you can certainly add on to what’s below, these are the essential products you should focus on making sure you’re set on before your little one arrives.

Nursery

• Crib
• Crib mattress
• Crib bedding (two fitted sheets and a mattress protector)
• Traditional swaddle blankets (like these) and a few 2-in-1 swaddles

Can’t find a crib? A playard with a firm, flat sleep surface will also do the trick. So will a mini crib or even a bassinet before baby starts pushing up and learning to roll. And if you think you’re going to be super anxious without a 24/7 view of baby, then you’ll want to add a monitor to your list now, too.

On-the-Go

• Infant car seat
• Stroller
• Baby carrier (not a true must-have, but a really helpful option)

Feeding

• Bottles
• Bottle brush
• Formula
• A few pacifiers
• Burp cloths
• Breast pump, breast pads, nipple butter (if you’re planning on breastfeeding)

Whether you plan on giving your baby formula, breastmilk or a mix of both, we recommend having some formula on hand regardless. You don’t want to be scrambling around to try to find formula if breastfeeding isn’t working out or if you need to supplement a bit.

Diapering

• Disposable or cloth diapers (just be sure to have some disposables on hand, too, in case you were set on cloth diapering but then decide you’re not a fan)
• Diaper rash cream
• Wipes (disposable, cloth or a mix of both; and if you’re ever in a bind, you can make your own)

Health

• Baby bath tub (a freestanding tub or a sink insert works)
• Thermometer
• Healthcare and grooming kit
• Infants’ Tylenol or acetaminophen

Clothing

• 4-5 zip-up sleepers
• 8-10 bodysuits (long or short-sleeve, or a mix, depending on climate)
• A few pairs of pants
• 4-5 pairs of socks
• A bunting or coat (if you’re in a cooler climate)