What to Put on a Baby Registry in Canada: Checklist by Month
Crib, stroller, diapers and a proper snowsuit. A plain Canadian 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-ticket items first (car seat, crib or bassinet, stroller), then feeding, sleep, diapering and bath basics, then clothes in the first two sizes, plus winter gear if the baby arrives between October and April. Start your registry around 20 to 24 weeks, finish the big items by about 30 weeks, and leave anything you can only judge once the baby is here (carriers, bouncers, a high chair) until after the birth. Add each item as a link from whichever Canadian store you like, and share one free registry.
Most online checklists run to a hundred items and are written for American parents and American stores. This one is for Canada, short on purpose, and split by category and by month. For the longer 58-item version, see our baby registry checklist.
The checklist by category
| Category | Must-haves | Nice to have | Can wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | Car seat (correctly installed), stroller | Rain cover, stroller bunting bag, car window shades | Baby carrier until you know what suits you |
| Sleep | Crib or bassinet, firm mattress that fits, fitted sheets, sleep sacks | Baby monitor, blackout curtains | Toddler bed |
| Feeding | Bottles and a sterilizer (even if you plan to breastfeed), burp cloths, bibs | Breast pump, nursing pillow | High chair and first-foods set (around six months) |
| Diapering | Newborn and size 1 diapers, wipes, diaper cream, change pad | Diaper pail, diaper bag | Size 3 and up |
| Bath and health | Baby bath, hooded towels, thermometer, nail clippers | Bath thermometer, nasal aspirator | Anything for teething |
| Clothes | 6 to 8 sleepers, 6 to 8 onesies (newborn and 0 to 3 months), hats, mittens | Cardigans, going-home outfit | Anything above 6 months (they outgrow it fast) |
| Winter | Snowsuit or bunting in the size they will be when it is cold, warm hat, mitts, booties | Fleece liner, car-seat-safe layers | Winter boots until they stand |
| Parent and hospital bag | Nursing bras, maternity pads, comfy pajamas | Nipple cream, snacks for the bag | Postpartum 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 stroller and car seat, as these need the most research. |
| Weeks 20 to 24 | Create the registry and add the must-haves. Many parents tell family and friends around now. |
| Weeks 24 to 30 | Add nice-to-haves and winter gear. Send the link to family who like to plan ahead, and to anyone living abroad. |
| Weeks 30 to 34 | Review the list. Pack the hospital bag. Mark anything you were given or already bought. |
| Weeks 34 to 36 | Wash the first clothes, assemble the crib or bassinet, and check the car seat is installed. |
| After the birth | Add what you only now know you need, and write the thank-you notes. |
Where people in Canada shop
Our registry takes a product link from any online store, so you are not tied to one retailer. Stores Canadian parents commonly use include Walmart.ca, Amazon.ca, Costco.ca, Canadian Tire, Well.ca, Indigo, Shoppers Drug Mart and Giant Tiger, plus independent baby shops for strollers and nursery furniture. Compare prices in Canadian dollars and delivery times yourself, and check each store's returns policy before you add a big item. Costco items usually need a membership to buy.
If you are deciding between a store's own registry and one that takes any store, see which baby registry works in Canada.
What to skip or leave until later
- Newborn clothes in bulk. Babies grow quickly and many are in 0 to 3 months within weeks. Ask for sizes up to 6 months instead.
- A wipe warmer, bottle warmer or diaper-bag "system". Nice, but not needed on day one.
- A snowsuit in the wrong size. Guess the size for the month it will be cold, not the month of the shower.
- Shoes. Not needed until they walk.
- Anything promised second-hand. Mark it as covered so nobody buys it twice (but not car seats, 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 (burp cloths, a sleeper), some mid-range, and one or two big items relatives can go in on together.
- Consumables. Diapers and wipes in the next size up always get used.
- One link. Put it on its own line in the invitation or group chat. More on wording in our baby registry etiquette guide for Canada, which covers asking for cash and who to send the list to.
- Family abroad. They can open the same link from any country, pick an item from a Canadian store and have it sent to you.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on a baby registry in Canada?
Start with the safety and big-ticket items (car seat, crib or bassinet, stroller), then feeding, diapers, bath basics and clothes in the first two sizes. Add winter gear if the baby arrives in cold months, and 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 Canadian stores to one registry?
Yes. Paste a product link from any online store and it goes onto the same registry, so you can mix Walmart.ca, Amazon.ca, Costco.ca, Canadian Tire and independent shops.
Is a baby registry the same as a gift list or wish list?
Yes. It is a list of gifts that friends and family can buy for the baby, whatever you call it.
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 outside Canada buy from my registry?
Yes. They open the link from any country, buy from a store that delivers to you and the gift arrives at your address. Your address is shown only to guests who leave their email.