54 answers

Baby Regestry for Second Child?

I was wondering what other moms thought about making a baby registry when you are having a second child. Should you do it or not? The circumstances surounding this are our first child is 18 mo., not sleeping in the crib still, (so we don't need another) we have most of the furniture that we need. We are having a girl this time and our older child is a boy, so we would mostly be registering for things like onesies, blankets, burp cloths diapers, etc.; the things that individually don't cost much but together add up. No one is throwing a baby shower.
I am mostly wondering because I am not wanting to seem like we are "asking people to buy us things or come across as rude. I know it isn't considered rude to have a registry if you are having multiples, or if it has been several years since you had a baby, but neither of those applies to us. I wouldn't have even thought about starting a registry but I got one of those magazines advertising in the mail yesterday, and it got me thinking about it. I appreciate everyones opinions, Thanks.

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Well, my daughter surprised us by arriving 2 months early (actually the day after I posted this) and I obviously didn't make a registry, although I had pretty well decided not to register by that time. Thank you everyone for responding, though my insinctual opinion was that it would be a little tacky. It turns out too, that because of her early arrival, a ton of people have bought us clothes (I think people like having an excuse to buy those teeny-tiny preemie and newborn sized outfits). Thanks again.

Featured Answers

My sister just had her second baby. Another boy. She asked the same question. My mom thought it was inappropriate but we did not feel the same way. We did enough research about throwing a "baby sprinkler" that we convinced her that it is no longer considered rude or inapproriate. Most people in this generation now don't look at it this way. They look at it as each child needs their own day and what a great way to do it. So I gave her a "baby sprinkler". (this is waht it is called after the first baby is born).She put just the few items that she did not receive with her first that she found she could use with her second that she never got. No one questioned it. And she received most of the things she asked for. It was a fun way to be introdcued to the new baby(we didn't have it until after he was born, get together and have fun. We put on the invitations that this was a way to meet the baby, play games and eat, then at the bottom we added "if interested registered at: blah blah blah" When you went to the regisrty wou could tell that there weren't a ton of things and nothing really big or expensive. We planned on throwing a party anyway, so we tried to make it easier for people to decide on what to buy if bringing a gift. That way they were not calling my sister non stop. I am guessing that things were different in my mom's generation than they are now since no one even blinked an eye when invited. I would go ahead and do it and have fun!
Hope this helps,
S. D

2 moms found this helpful

I have never loved the idea of a second baby shower/registry for many of the reasons already mentioned. However, my friend who threw my first one 4 years ago for my daughter wants to throw me another because I am having twins (boy/girl). (Also, I actually never owned a lot of the big basics because people lent them to me originally.) Even so, I was still a bit uncomfortable with having a 2nd shower until we had an idea that may be able to tweak to work for you...

She is making it a green shower - inviting people to "recycle" or even lend their old baby things, or peruse summer garage sales on my behalf (since I am already getting too large to do a lot of my own legwork). To keep it limited to the things that would really be useful, I created a wishlist. My friend is keeping track of so that she can let people know what I still might need.

If you are like me you probably already have friends who are offering their old things anyway. I feel like this is a nice way to gather the things I'll need, and also enjoy spending time with friends.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.,
Don't listen to the some of these moms! I had baby #2 last August and my family requested I register because they knew I had most things but wanted to know what I really needed. I had the same situation...boy first, then a girl. So if you still feel weird about doing a registry...then do a wish list for family and friends. Most stores like Walmart and Target have wish lists. Send it out to them, this way they know what you are needing.
Congrats and Good Luck!

More Answers

Personally, I don't think it is appropriate to do a registry for baby #2 sans shower, and to be frank, I almost find it a bit vulgar. It is not an opinion I would normally volunteer, but since you asked! : )

It is more than a little like asking people to buy you things, it is also showing that you expect they'll buy you things - almost obligating them to do so. When you are having your first baby, yes! You need stuff! And lots of it. Everyone knows that most people could not afford to stock their home with everything necessary for a first baby - this is why we have showers the first time around. And to prevent people from doubling up on what they buy and to help them sort through all the different things that are out there, we need registries. But now you have all the big bulky and expensive basics. You're just looking for little things like clothing and burpies (and diapers?!? Come on). You shouldn't expect others to supply that for you - you need to be prepared to buy those things for yourself. Yes, these costs do add up - unfortunately, that is part of life with a new baby. And if you can't afford that, then you've got a long road ahead with 2 kids!

Now, all that being said, you do know that when the baby is born, friends and family will shower her with all the gifts you need anyway - probably more than you need - without you having to ask for them. People will want to celebrate your new baby joy and none of them will come to see that new baby empty-handed. And unless they live under a rock, these people will realize that you will be in need of girl-type things. You don't have to insult them by setting up a registry. Besides, how would you even tell them about this registry? Doesn't that seem like an awkward conversation?

I apologize for being so blunt, but there just doesn't seem to be any other way to address this question. And I guess when you ask for opinions, you need to be prepared to get them! In the end, you need to of course do what seems best for you. But if one of my friends set up a registry like that, I'd think they were being a little presumptuous - and I'd be highly disappointed in them.

3 moms found this helpful

Okay I don't think it is tacky!! I am having number two in August and I DID register. I did it for family..my parents and in-laws mainly. They will be wanting to get us some items so I felt the easiest way to show them what we want is to register. We registered for a double stroller, car seat, new bottles, etc, etc. If you feel like you need to register then do it. Just because you register doesn't mean you are EXPECTING a shower. Congrats on the baby...isn't it fun being pregnant during the summer ;)

2 moms found this helpful

Sorry in advance if this sounds rude, but this is really tacky. Your first child isn't even two yet! I've heard of people doing a registry for a child who is many years younger (about a 10 yr. gap), but that is a special situation. If you register that would be beyond tacky. People WILL buy you things--everyone loves a new baby so why register? They will love to buy "pink" things. Also, why get new burp cloths and bibs? Do these items really need to be gender specific?? Do NOT do it!! Buy yourself a couple packs of onsies and sleepers and re-use the others.

Congrats on your second baby!

2 moms found this helpful

My sister just had her second baby. Another boy. She asked the same question. My mom thought it was inappropriate but we did not feel the same way. We did enough research about throwing a "baby sprinkler" that we convinced her that it is no longer considered rude or inapproriate. Most people in this generation now don't look at it this way. They look at it as each child needs their own day and what a great way to do it. So I gave her a "baby sprinkler". (this is waht it is called after the first baby is born).She put just the few items that she did not receive with her first that she found she could use with her second that she never got. No one questioned it. And she received most of the things she asked for. It was a fun way to be introdcued to the new baby(we didn't have it until after he was born, get together and have fun. We put on the invitations that this was a way to meet the baby, play games and eat, then at the bottom we added "if interested registered at: blah blah blah" When you went to the regisrty wou could tell that there weren't a ton of things and nothing really big or expensive. We planned on throwing a party anyway, so we tried to make it easier for people to decide on what to buy if bringing a gift. That way they were not calling my sister non stop. I am guessing that things were different in my mom's generation than they are now since no one even blinked an eye when invited. I would go ahead and do it and have fun!
Hope this helps,
S. D

2 moms found this helpful

I would say registering is probably not a good idea if no one is throwing a shower. BUT....you should throw a welcome baby party after she is born. While some people think 2nd, 3rd etc baby showers are tacky (still living in the past I guess), I feel like each child should have their special day. A few weeks after your little one is born you throw the welcome baby party for friends and family to come meet your little.

1 mom found this helpful

Apparently People here Cant Read either. and What is up with that one post talking about the gravy train totally calling you irresponsible...Reading these responses is really getting me fired up. HOW RUDE!!!!!! Some of these posters need to get off their high horse.
By the way the Miss Manners Guide to Congeniality says a registry for a second baby is absolutely acceptable and welcome.
Why Is everyone commenting as if youre asking about a shower??? Your post clearly states that there is no shower, therefore What is the big deal? By REGISTERING You're not asking for gifts, though letting those who want to buy you gifts know what you need. Taking the two babies out to do returns and exchanges of a bunch of items you already have or just don't need to get what you do in fact need within the first few months is a pain in the rear.

I just had a daughter and my kids are 18 months apart. I went through all of his old things and pulled out anything that she could use (plain onsies, burp rags, some tee-shirts, jeans, car seat covers, baby carriers etc...), then created a registry for the things I still needed or was missing (sheets, blankets, towels, sleep sacks, swaddle blankets, bottle nipples, clothes hamper). I didnt announce it, though was surprised when many of my friends used it. I viewed it as more of a shopping guide for myself so when I went to get ready for the baby I didnt forget something important or go overboard. Come on preggo brain plus mom brain, I would have come home with a whole lot of junk for my son, and missing vitals for the new baby.

Congrats on the new baby!!!

1 mom found this helpful

Congratulations on your up coming baby.

It is really up to you if this is the norm for moms to do it in the area you live, then go for it but I just think it like you a begging for gifts.
I don't want to sound rude so sorry but registering for a second baby is just not something I would do.

Good Luck on your New Baby ^j^

1 mom found this helpful

I would not and did not create a registry. My first child's shower was planned and I had complications, it was cancelled and I ended up not getting anything for her except a few items. I however did not expect anything from anyone. My second there was not a shower just a few misc. gifts. Some that I didn't need that had gift reciepts or tags that I knew where they were from got exchanged for the things needed like diapers. On my third I recieved one gift that was new an ornament with his name on it and then alot of handme down gifts since it was our first boy. I am in the school that you can have shower for the first(I still question the whole registry thing, it still is asking people to spend money on what you chose instead of a real gift/surprise from their heart). If someone asks you what you would like be prepared with a general statement of babies can always use .... fill in the blank. Don't however say babies can always use the tropical bouncy chair that they sell at Target. Fill in the blank with something that has a flexible lower pricepoint...diapers, type of bottle you intend to use, sleepers, socks....keep it low priced.

As my Mother said to me don't expect a shower, if you need one to afford the child you are having, maybe you should think good and hard how you will afford the future because that is alot more expensive than a package of diapers or onsie.

1 mom found this helpful

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