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With a basic crib costing around $200 and some strollers costing more than $500, many families are rethinking how they create baby registries and prepare for their newborn.
A new survey from What to Expect, a company specializing in pregnancy and parenting, finds that many parents are scaling back their expectations for traditional baby registries, making plans to buy expensive essentials themselves and turning to alternatives like gift cards, group gifts and second-hand items.
The survey of 2,099 pregnant women and mothers with babies under six months of age found that 59% expected to receive fewer baby gifts because of rising costs. Nearly 8 in 10 moms say they don’t feel comfortable asking friends or family to buy expensive registry items, and 64% expect to buy most baby products themselves.
Rather than relying solely on registries, many parents are rethinking what support looks like, prioritizing flexible gifts, practical help, and only what they really need.
Parents are accepting gift cards and practical support
Rather than filling their registries with products alone, more parents are looking for gift cards, cash funds, and services to help them after giving birth.
Research shows that store and restaurant gift card requests have increased by 36% since 2024, while cash funds have increased by 24%. Requests for services such as meal delivery, house cleaning, and postpartum support increased by 22%. Nearly 1 in 6 moms now prioritize registries that include gifts other than products.
These options allow loved ones to donate any amount that fits their budget, while giving new parents the flexibility to purchase essentials when they need it.
Group gifts help cover expensive necessities
Big-ticket purchases like strollers, travel systems and nursery furniture remain among the biggest expenses for new parents. However, registry platforms are increasingly allowing multiple people to contribute to a single item.
According to the study, 51% of gift givers will be using group gifts in 2026, an increase of 287% from 2024.
This feature allows expectant parents to include expensive necessities on their registry without asking one person to pay the full price.
More and more families are choosing experiences over presents.
Instead of a traditional baby shower, some families are holding a “nest-down party” where friends and relatives prepare meals, organize the nursery and do housework before the baby is born.
Projections show nesting parties will increase in popularity by 58% from 2024 onwards. Mothers are also 80% more likely to skip registering altogether in favor of having a loved one help with practical tasks like serving meals or preparing the child’s room.
Second-hand shopping and small registry offices gain popularity
Two-thirds of mothers said they buy more second-hand baby products than usual to stretch their budget because of the cost. Experts still recommend purchasing certain safety-related products new, such as car seats, cribs, and crib mattresses.
Parents are also taking a more minimalist approach. The average registered item has decreased from 58 items in 2024 to 54 items in 2026, and 58% of mothers said they intentionally try to make do with fewer items by focusing on multi-purpose items and skipping products they might not use.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.
