Baby Registry Tips from a Second-Time Mom

Never before has the phrase “time flies” felt more true. We just welcomed baby number two, yet it feels like I just finished setting up our 22-month-old daughter’s nursery. Rewind to two years ago and I was stumbling through the registry process and sending nonstop texts to my experienced mom friends, “Do I need this?” “How does this work?” “There are different bottle nipple levels!?”

Now, despite the fact that I have two under two years old (the first of whom passes her time by diving from couch to couch), I feel more at ease about what to expect with our second daughter. This is why I’m super excited to partner with Pottery Barn Kids to share some of my second-time mom baby registry tips with you.

Project Nursery's Meghan Basinger

Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn Kids

I know most multi-tasking mamas take care of business online, and PBK has made the online registry process super easy, but you can also pop into your local store and touch and feel things for yourself. I highly recommend doing so—it’s a fun experience whether you’re a first-time mom or a veteran.

Let’s get to it, shall we? I’ll share the tips I learned along the way.

Baby Registry Tips

Baby Registry Tips

Identify Your Style. Whether you know baby’s gender or not, it’s helpful to focus in on an overall look. I hesitate to say theme because I think you should allow yourself some fun and flexibility, but at the end of the day, you’ll feel better when boxes start arriving if they look like they’ve been ordered by the same person even if baby-brain has fully set in by now. Personally, I love shades of grays and whites as a base with subtle pink details since I’m a mom of girls. A registry with an obvious color palette also helps deter Grandma from sending a box of lime green goodies that she just knew you’d love.

Diaper Bags from Pottery Barn Kids

Baby Registry Tips

Baby Frame from Pottery Barn Kids

Make the No-Brainer List. Crib, bedding, diapers and feeding necessities. At the end of the day, if you have these items when you come home from the hospital, you’ll be A-OK.

Make the I Gotta Have That List. You know, the chandelier, the adorable hooded unicorn bath towel and the prints for the perfect gallery wall. Don’t be shy about adding these to your registry list, too. Your friends and family want to spoil you as you enter into motherhood. Plus, you can cash in on the 10% completion discount PBK offers for any items not gifted to you—so think big!

Hooded Bath Towels from Pottery Barn Kids

Registry Completion Discount from Pottery Barn Kids

Use Forward-Thinking. Those newborn onesies and swaddles are going to be calling your name. And yes, you do need those, but before you know it, you’ll be searching your kitchen cabinets for kid-friendly plates and bowls. Add these to your list now and dial back on the blankets.

Baby and Toddler Feeding Essentials from Pottery Barn Kids

Don’t Be Shy, Personalize! People love gifting personalized items. If you’re ready to share your little one’s name, take full advantage! If not, this is when the completion discount comes in handy once again. Most PBK stores have an embroidery station, and nothing gets a mama’s heart fluttering like watching that sweet name get stitched across a Boppy or Anywhere Chair.

Embroidery Station at Pottery Barn Kids

Personalization Options from Pottery Barn Kids

Personalized Baby Gifts

And listen up, rookie mamas, register in rounds. In a few weeks, I’ll be back chatting nursery design. You better believe I plan on adding decorative pillows, accent pieces for shelving and more fun goodies once I nail down Kingsley’s room with the help of PBK’s Design Services.

Photography by ShelbyRae Photographs

Products and/or samples were received, but all the opinions are my own.

Meghan Basinger

Meghan Basinger

Meghan is the co-creator of two little girls, Bauer and Kingsley and is happiest when re-arranging furniture.

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