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Baby registries are great for lots of reasons. Your friends, family and coworkers will likely be pretty excited to give you gifts, and registries are an easy, convenient way for them to do that. Registries increase your chances of getting just what you were hoping for—and what you’ll actually use. They’re also a good way to stay organized in terms of what baby products you want, have already received and still need. Read this guide to starting a baby registry and stay organized from the beginning.

There’s no right answer to this one, as the answer depends on whatever timeline you’re most comfortable with. Some parents start a registry toward the end of the first trimester, while others wait until they’re a bit further along. Some parents kick off their registry shortly after finding out about baby but wait to begin adding items to it until around the 20 week mark, which is right around when the anatomy scan takes place. Keep in mind that most registries allow a “private” mode so you’re the only one who sees the registry until you decide to make it public.

There are a LOT of choices to make when you’re building your baby registry. But if you stick to this list of registry essentials you should be ready from day one: infant car seat, stroller, safe sleep space, mattress and bedding, diapering supplies, bottles, first aid kit and thermometer, clothes and bath products. Read our list of the most popular baby registry items of the year to learn more about what real parents are loving.

The average Babylist registrant adds 125 items to their registry, though that’s not always the final number they land on by the time they’re ready to share it with family and friends. (Decisions, decisions.) But don’t get stuck on a number—register for what feels right to you. You can always add or delete items as you go along. Babylist’s baby registry checklist can help you jumpstart your registry-building experience.

There are a lot of no-brainers when you’re thinking about what items to add to your baby registry. But then there are those other items: the not-so-exciting (diaper rash cream, snore), completely unfun (nasal aspirator, ew) but oh-so-useful ones that you’ll rely on again and again when you’re in the thick of it with your new baby. Keep this list of overlooked baby registry items handy when you’re registry-building so you’re sure to add them to your list (you can also use the Babylist baby registry checklist to help keep track of what you need). These often-overlooked items may not get the most oohs and ahs at your baby shower, but we promise you they deserve a spot on every baby registry.

We won’t sugar coat it: it costs a lot to raise a baby. It’s one reason having a registry is so nice—but once you get all your registry must-haves crossed off your list, you’ll still be spending money on them for (many, many) years to come. The good news is, there’s lots of baby stuff you can get for free, and they’re fairly easy to get through lots of different channels. Here’s our breakdown of the best free stuff you can get while pregnant.