If you are expecting a baby, you already know one terrifying fact: Babies are expensive.
Between diapers, strollers, and cribs, the costs pile up fast. You need a registry, and Amazon is the biggest player in the game. But is it actually the best? Or should you stick with Target or Walmart?
I dug into the details of the Amazon Baby Registry, specifically to see if their famous "Free Welcome Box" is actually worth the hype. Here is my reasonable review.
Transparency Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We help you find the best deals for your growing family.
The Main Attraction: The "Free" Welcome Box
Let’s start with what everyone wants to know. Yes, Amazon gives you a Welcome Box (valued up to $35) filled with full-sized products and samples like bottles, onesies, wipes, and pacifiers.
But... there is a catch. They don't just mail it to you. You have to "unlock" it.
To get the box, you must:
Join Amazon Prime (or have a trial).
Create your Registry.
Complete 60% of their "Checklist" (just check the boxes manually, you don't have to buy everything).
Purchase $10 worth of items from your registry (or have someone buy them for you).
Is it worth the hassle? Absolutely. The $10 purchase is something you’d buy anyway (like diapers), and the free box usually contains a high-quality swaddle or bottle worth more than that alone.
The Real Money Saver: The 15% Completion Discount
The free box is nice, but this is the real reason to sign up.
About 60 days before your due date, Amazon gives you a 15% Discount on eligible items left in your registry.
Reasonable Strategy: Put the expensive stuff (like the $300 car seat or stroller) on your registry. If nobody buys them for you, wait for your completion discount and buy them yourself with 15% off. That saves you $45 instantly.
The Good Stuff
Universal Registry: You can add items from other websites to your Amazon registry. Found a cute blanket on Etsy? You can add it here so your family sees everything in one list.
Diaper Fund: Relatives who don't know what to buy can just contribute cash to your "Diaper Fund."
extended Returns: You get 365 days to return items bought from your registry. This is a lifesaver if you get gifts you don't need.
The Bad Stuff (The Reasonable Cons)
The Box Varies: The contents of the Welcome Box change constantly. Sometimes you get amazing stuff, sometimes it’s mostly samples. It’s a bit of a gamble.
Packaging: Gifts from Amazon don't always come in cute wrapping. Sometimes they arrive in plain brown boxes, which some traditional grandparents might dislike.
Reasonable Verdict: A Must-Have for Parents
Even if you prefer shopping at Target, you should still create an Amazon Registry.
Why?
It’s free to create.
You can get the Free Welcome Box.
You can use the 15% Discount on big-ticket items.
You have literally nothing to lose and free baby gear to gain.