What to Put on a Baby Registry in Australia: Printable Checklist by Month
Capsule, bassinet, cot, pram, nappies, wraps. A plain Aussie checklist of what to put on your baby registry, when to add it and what you can leave off.
In this guide · 6
Short answer: put the safety and big items first (car restraint or capsule, bassinet or cot, pram), then feeding, sleep, nappy changing and bath basics, then clothes in the first two sizes. Start your registry around 20 to 24 weeks, finish the big items by about 30 weeks, and leave anything you can only judge once bub is here (carrier, bouncer, high chair) until after the birth. Add each item as a link from whichever Australian shop you like and share one free registry.
Most checklists online run to a hundred items and are written for American parents (diaper bags, Target, Babylist). This one is Australian, short on purpose, and split by category and by month. Print it or screenshot it. If you want the longer 58-item version, our baby registry checklist has it.
The checklist by category
| Category | Must-haves | Nice to have | Can wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | Car restraint or capsule (professionally fitted), pram or stroller | Pram rain cover, sun shade, car mirror | Baby carrier or wrap until you know what suits you |
| Sleep | Bassinet or cot, firm mattress that fits, fitted sheets, wraps or sleeping bags | Baby monitor, blackout blind | Toddler bed |
| Feeding | Bottles and steriliser (even if you plan to breastfeed), muslin wraps, bibs | Breast pump, feeding pillow | High chair and first-foods gear (around six months) |
| Nappies and changing | Nappies in newborn and size 1, wipes, nappy cream, change mat | Nappy bin, nappy bag | Size 3 and up |
| Bath and health | Baby bath or bath support, hooded towels, thermometer, nail clippers | Bath thermometer, nasal aspirator | Anything you only need once they teethe |
| Clothes | 6 to 8 singlets or bodysuits, 6 to 8 jumpsuits (newborn and 0000 or 000), hats | Cardigan or jacket, going-home outfit | Anything above 6 months (they outgrow it fast) |
| Mum and hospital bag | Maternity pads, nursing bras, comfy pjs | Nipple cream, snacks for the bag | Postnatal extras you can order after the birth |
What to add, month by month
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weeks 12 to 20 | Draft the list. Decide on your pram and car restraint first, as these need the most research. |
| Weeks 20 to 24 | Create the registry and add the must-haves. Many parents tell wider family and friends around now. |
| Weeks 24 to 30 | Add nice-to-haves. Send the link to family who like to plan ahead, and to anyone overseas. |
| Weeks 28 to 36 | Baby shower window. Put the link in the invite 3 to 4 weeks ahead (see baby showers in Australia, or virtual shower games if family are overseas). |
| Weeks 34 to 36 | Check the list, pack the hospital bag, wash the first clothes, assemble the bassinet and check the capsule fits. |
| After the birth | Add the things you only now know you need. Write the thank-yous. |
Where people in Australia shop
Our registry takes a product link from any online shop, so you are not tied to one retailer. Shops Aussie parents commonly use include Baby Bunting, Big W, Kmart, Target, Myer, David Jones, Chemist Warehouse, Amazon.com.au, Woolworths and Coles, plus independent baby boutiques for prams and nursery furniture. Compare prices and delivery times yourself, and check each shop's returns policy before you add a big item.
Weighing a store's own registry against a free one that takes any shop? Our Australian baby registry page compares them, or just paste links from several shops into one list.
What to skip or leave until later
- Newborn clothes in bulk. Bubs grow quickly and many are into 000 within weeks. Ask for sizes up to 6 months instead.
- A wipe warmer, bottle warmer or nappy-bag "system". Nice, but not needed on day one.
- Shoes. Not needed until they walk, and in warm weather bare feet and socks do the job.
- Anything you have been promised second-hand. Mark it as covered so nobody buys it twice (but not car restraints, as above).
- Lots of toys. Newborns need very little, and relatives will bring plenty.
Make it a registry people can use
- A mix of prices. A few small things (wraps, a jumpsuit), some mid-range, and one or two big items relatives can chip in on.
- Consumables. Nappies and wipes in the next size up always get used.
- One link. Put the link on its own line in the group chat or invitation. More on wording in our baby registry etiquette guide.
- Family overseas. Nan in the UK or your sister in Dubai can open the same link, pick an Australian item and have it delivered to you; see what to put on a registry when family live abroad.
Wondering whether it is OK to ask for cash, or when to send the link? See baby registry etiquette in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on a baby registry in Australia?
Start with the safety and big-ticket items (car restraint or capsule, bassinet or cot, pram), then feeding, nappies, bath basics and clothes in the first two sizes. Leave things you can only judge after the birth, such as carriers and a high chair, until later.
When should I start my baby registry?
Around 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Finish the big items by about 30 weeks and review the list at 34 to 36 weeks.
Can I add items from different Australian shops to one registry?
Yes. Paste a product link from any online shop and it goes onto the same registry, so you can mix Baby Bunting, Big W, Kmart, Amazon.com.au and independent shops.
Is a baby registry the same as a gift list or wish list?
Yes. In Australia it may be called a baby registry, gift list or wish list. It is the same idea: a list of presents that friends and family can buy for the baby.
Is the registry free, and do guests need an account?
It is free, with no app and no account. Guests claim a gift with their email.
Can family overseas buy from an Australian registry?
Yes. They open the link from any country, buy from an Australian shop and the gift is delivered to you. Your address is shown only to guests who leave their email.