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When the going rate for a crib is $200 and a popular stroller can set you back $550, getting ready for a baby can sure cost a lot. Traditionally, a baby registry would equip expectant parents with the right gear, but the current high cost of living means parents increasingly can't rely on a registry to get everything they need. In fact, 59% of parents expect receiving fewer gifts these days due to high costs, a new What to Expect survey of 2,099 moms finds.
"I purchased [the] car seat, stroller, crib and all of that on my own so [I] had a lot of big expenses," says one pregnant What to Expect mom who's building her registry. "I kinda feel insecure/rude pointing people to the most expensive items."
She's not alone: 79% of moms say they feel uncomfortable asking others to buy gifts that were too expensive, and 64% of moms plan to purchase the majority of items themselves. High prices are the number one concern for pregnant women.
If you're in a similar situation, there are some creative ways you can get baby-ready without spending a ton. Here are some popular ways to get more out of your registry even as things get more expensive.
Request specific gift cards or subscriptions
One strategy for getting more value out of your registry is to ask for gift cards, subscriptions, or even straight cash. Registering for store and restaurant gift cards has gotten 36% more popular in the past two years, and registering for cash funds is also 24% more common. Asks for services (like meal delivery or spa services) have also jumped 22%. Now, nearly 1 in 6 moms prioritize registries that offer non-product gift options.
Consider adding a diaper subscription (like Hello Bello or Parasol), grocery delivery (like Instacart or Uber Eats), and or house cleaning services to your registry. You can even register for things like doula or lactation consultant services, physical therapy, or mental health support.
That way, loved ones can spend exactly the amount they feel comfortable with, and you can get something really useful.
"I got gifted Postmates giftcards and had premade meals dropped off, and that was so, so, so helpful and appreciated!" says one What to Expect mom. "That was the best thing I received."
Make big-ticket items a group gift
It can feel weird to put higher-cost items, like a travel system, on your registry, but you absolutely should. Some of the best baby registries, including Amazon and Babylist, let you mark certain items as "group gifts" so givers easily contribute however much they'd like to an item without buying the whole thing.
This feature has gotten way more popular in just the past few years: 51% of gift-givers utilized group gifting in 2026, a massive 287% increase from 2024.
So go ahead: Put that pricier item on there, and toggle on the group gifting feature. "I had the Baby Brezza bottle washer on mine, and two people went together on it for me!" says one What to Expect mom.
Have a nesting party
Instead of hosting a traditional baby shower that centers on physical gifts, consider inviting your friends and family to a "nesting party." These celebrations bring loved ones together to help clean, meal prep, or ready the nursery – the kind of priceless, hands-on help that doesn't cost a lot.
Nesting parties have gotten 58% more popular since 2024, and moms are 80% more likely to opt out of creating a registry because they'll ask close friends and family to support them in other ways — like setting up the nursery or organizing a meal train.
"I did a nesting party for baby 2 and it was so much fun," one What to Expect mom shares. "Friends and family came to my house and helped prepare a bunch of food that we could freeze and use for easy dinners. They also folded baby clothes and organized them and sterilized bottles and pump parts. All while sipping wine and eating snacks and chatting with me. So fun and so helpful."
Shop secondhand strategically
Another popular approach to baby gear right now: choosing secondhand items when possible. Two-thirds of moms say they're getting more used items than they otherwise would have due to high costs. On Babylist, you can even select "Open to secondhand" when adding items to your registry and specifically request "pre-loved" baby clothes and books.
Keep in mind there are some baby items you should always buy new — like the car seat, crib, and mattress — to guarantee their safety. It's totally fine to buy clothes, high chairs, gliders, dressers, and other items gently used as long as you check for any structural damage or recalls. Consider browsing sites like thredUP, Stork Exchange, and GoodBuy Gear, which all implement quality checks on brand-name kids gear.
"I got everything in my nursery under $100," says one What to Expect user. "We got a lot of stuff secondhand. If you’re having a baby shower, definitely list what you want new on [your registry] as priority, [and] then buy the rest secondhand."
Make a minimalist registry
Last but not least, think critically about what you add to your registry; 58% of moms today say they're trying to get by with less these days, and the average registry size has dropped from 58 to 54 items in the past two years. Adopting a more minimalist approach will not only save you money and space, but it'll also benefit the environment.
"Here’s stuff I skipped getting or regret purchasing: diaper warmer, food prep gear (I could do everything with appliances I had already, like a blender); pack 'n' play; a bunch of clothes (my first grew so fast he was out of newborn size in a week)," says one What to Expect mom. "Everyone is going to be different! Our nursery is SMALL, so if something could pull double-duty or be multipurpose, it did."
Here's more on the baby gear you'll really need.
There's certainly no one way to build a registry, but by customizing yours and using a few strategic tips and tricks, you can get the help you need to be baby-ready.
Methodology
What to Expect surveyed 2,099 women who were pregnant or had a baby under 6 months old between April 7 and 23, 2026. We compared the results to our 2024 Top Trends in Baby Registry Study.
