Parentpedia

What Experts Say

It can feel a little strange to stroll through the baby store aisles picking out your own presents, but as Vicki Iovine says in "The Girlfriends' Guide to Baby Gear," you're really doing your friends and family a favor when you register. Everyone wants to share a gift to celebrate a new baby and they want those gifts to be something that will actually make your life easier. Registering lets them choose something you'll really use.

Here are some tips to make registering easy on you too:

Put big and small things on your list. Your friends might want to pool their resources for a big-ticket item like the crib or stroller, or they might need something more budget-friendly like the six-pack of pacifiers.

Don't double register. Don't go to two stores and make duplicate registrations unless you want duplicate gifts. If you have friends or family who live in other cities or states, choose to register with a mega-store that has an online presence so people can buy in-person or online.

Ask about return policies when you register. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, and you may still end up with two identical bouncy seats.

Register before your shower invites go out. That way your hostess can let people know where they should shop.

Register with your list in hand. When you get to the store (or Web site), it's easy to become overwhelmed. Who knew that there were so many different kinds of bottles? If you don't have an experienced friend who can help you muddle through your choices, talk to the salespeople. They're used to helping confused expectant parents make sense of their options.