Most first-time moms have a baby shower, typically hosted by a close friend or relative. This is a time to not only celebrate pregnancy, but to give the mother gifts that will help her care for her baby, since most first-time moms don’t already have the necessary items like strollers, car seats, bottles, and so forth. Your registry will allow those attending your shower know what to purchase.
So when should you start a registry? These are a few things to consider:
- How far along are you in your pregnancy? Most moms wait until they are at least 12 weeks along, or the first trimester. A pregnancy calendar can help you see changes and developments occurring at this stage. Most people wait until after the first trimester because the risk of miscarriage diminishes greatly after this point.
- Do you know the baby’s gender? If you are planning on finding out the gender of your baby, you will want to wait until you have the results; this is usually done via ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Waiting until you know the sex can ensure more gender-appropriate and personalized gifts and items for your baby.
- How far in advance do you like to plan? Some new moms begin their registries at 12 weeks and barely get it done in time for their shower. Choosing a registry involves deciding what you really need, reading safety reviews, asking other moms for advice, and so forth.
Although it’s up to you when to start a registry, it’s best to do so earlier rather than later so you can adequately plan.
