Building your baby registry with DTC brands
Congratulations on your pregnancy! If you feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as you prepare for your bouncing babe’s arrival, take a deep breath—building your baby registry is a great way to unleash that energy. But before you sprint down every aisle at Target with a price gun, consider adding some direct-to-consumer (DTC) products to the mix.
First, let's clear up a little confusion: DTC doesn't mean "direct-to-cry," although there will be plenty of tears (happy and otherwise) very soon. Direct-to-consumer means a brand primarily sells directly to the consumer vs. through a retail channel.
Since I’m admittedly in a DTC bubble, I polled parents on Twitter about the distribution of DTC vs. typical retailer products on their baby list:
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Well, good thing I’m here to enlighten you.
Why you should consider DTC products for your registry
DTC product options offer benefits to parents like better innovation, convenience, great customer service, and even higher quality. Though it can take some research and digging to find your faves, exploring all baby product options can pay off tenfold. Here are some pros of incorporating DTC brands into your baby registry:
DTC products have the convenience factor. You can easily research and compare different brands and products online, read reviews from other parents, and even watch product demonstrations before making a decision. You'll have enough on your plate without having to spend hours with a salesperson in BuyBuy Baby comparing diaper pail brands (spoiler alert: they all smell).
DTC brands also tend to be more personalized and innovative. Many DTC brands are started by parents who have identified a need or gap in the market, and they design their products with those needs in mind. This means you might be able to find some truly unique items for your registry—think of it as a chance to show off your family’s quirky taste and creativity.
You get what you pay for. Let's talk about the elephant in the room: price. It's no secret that DTC products can sometimes be more expensive than their traditional counterparts. However, when it comes to baby gear, you usually get what you pay for. If you’re on a tight budget, check used options on Facebook Marketplace or second-hand sites like GoodBuy Gear.
Higher-quality products may be more expensive upfront, but they could potentially save you money in the long run by lasting longer or needing fewer replacements. Plus, if you're fortunate enough to have family and friends willing to pitch in for some of the pricier items on your registry, it might not be as much of a burden on your budget.
Building a baby registry with DTC products
You can still use your favorite and most convenient universal registry platforms—like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Babylist, or Poppylist—when adding different DTC brands and products to your list.
Besides product quality or gems that match your vibe, look for brands that align with your values and priorities. Pro tip: read the “Mission” or founder stories on DTC brand websites (I like writing them, too). So many DTC parenting brands have honest, noble roots you can’t help but cheer for.
Choose a budget or general price tier.
Have a ballpark idea for the cost of items even if you’re not the one doing most of the buying. You may not receive everything as gifts and will likely end up purchasing a few items yourself (womp, womp). Having a budget saves you from expensive replacements later, too. Keep in mind that you don't have to include everything on your registry—you can always add items later or purchase them separately.
Add a mix of items.
Even if you swore off Amazon forever, don't feel like you have to stick to just DTC brands—even I, *the* DTC Mom, mixed and matched products from different sources (yep, we use Costco’s Kirkland diapers). Just be sure to do your research and choose products that are high-quality and safe for your baby.
As you build your baby registry, it's important to remember that every family is different—there's no one-size-fits-all approach to what you'll need. That’s why I like Poppylist’s registry platform, which provides you with products based on your parent type (I’m Minimalist!).
>> Check out DTC Mom’s sample registry on Poppylist! Duplicate and edit it to make it your own.
Prioritize first and most-likely needs.
Think about what you and your baby will need in the first few months, and try to prioritize items that will be most useful. For example, you'll probably want to have plenty of diapers, wipes, and onesies on hand, but you might not need that walker toy or baby gates just yet. The milestones will sneak up on you, though! Poppylist’s registry allows the recipient to choose when their gift is delivered, so you can space out all the gear without sacrificing the thank-you note.
It's easy to get caught up in the big-ticket items on your registry, like strollers and car seats, but don't forget about the little things that can make a big difference. Some examples might include a comfortable nursing pillow, a portable changing pad, or a hands-free pumping bra. Plus, you want to save some fun shopping (e.g., clothes) for yourself.
Be prepared for returns.
Even if you do your research and choose high-quality products, there's always a chance that something might not work out for you or your baby. Most retailers and DTC brands have flexible return policies for products that aren't a good fit. It’s better to have something that works well for you than to struggle with a product that doesn't meet your needs. Especially check the return policy on big-ticket items (e.g., strollers, bassinets, monitors) before you add them to your registry.
Embrace the “woosah.”
Take a deep breath! You won’t know everything you need right off the bat, especially if it's your first parenting rodeo. Your needs and preferences may change as your pregnancy progresses or when your baby is born. A registry is a starting point, not a set-in-stone list of everything you'll ever need.
Remember: your baby will need love, care, and attention (or your boobs) far more than they'll need any specific brand of diaper or stroller. Don’t lose sleep over Graco vs. Mockingbird, and definitely invite your partner or BFF to help with any overwhelming research or shopping.
Building a baby registry with DTC products can be a great way to find high-quality, personalized, and innovative products for every stage of your baby’s childhood. Just be sure to do your research, remain flexible, and have fun with it.
