When I was pregnant with my first son back in 2006, I spent weeks researching baby registries, comparing perks, and trying to figure out which retailers would give me the best bang for my buck.
Fast forward to today, and the registry landscape has changed dramatically. Universal registries are now the norm, completion discounts have gotten better, and unfortunately for Canadians, some of the best U.S. perks still don't cross the border.
Here's everything I've learned about creating a baby registry in Canada.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Canadian Baby Registries
After creating registries for my own two kids and helping hundreds of Canadian parents over the past decade, here are my top picks:
Best Universal Registry: MyRegistry – syncs multiple stores, barcode scanner, works seamlessly in Canada
Best for Discounts: Amazon – up to $750 off for Prime members, massive selection, 365-day returns
Best In-Store Experience: Babies R Us – 80+ locations, expert consultants, $100 savings card
What to Look for in a Baby Registry
Not all registries are created equal. From personal experience and feedback from hundreds of parents, these are the features that actually matter:
Universal Registry Capability
Instead of forcing your friends and family to shop at three different stores, a universal registry lets you add items from anywhere – Gap for onesies, Etsy for personalized nursery art, Canadian Tire for that great car seat deal.
Personal tip: I wish universal registries had existed with my first. I created separate lists at three stores and my poor relatives were confused about where to shop. My friend used MyRegistry and it was so much simpler.
Completion Discounts
Most retailers offer 10-20% off remaining registry items after your event date. This is where you can save serious money on big-ticket items like strollers and car seats.
Smart strategy: Always add expensive items to your registry even if you think no one will buy them. If they're still there after your shower, you can grab them with the completion discount.
Free Shipping and Easy Returns
Canadian shipping costs can kill a good deal. Look for free shipping thresholds under $50 and generous return windows. When you're sleep-deprived with a newborn, the last thing you want is complicated return policies when you recieved a duplicate of something.
Detailed Canadian Baby Registry Reviews
1. MyRegistry – Best Universal Registry for Canadians
Best for: Canadians who want one registry that syncs with multiple stores
Unlike Babylist, which defaults to U.S. retailers and doesn't offer completion discounts for Canadians, MyRegistry is a true universal registry that doesn't sell anything itself. You simply sync your registries from other stores, and all your gifts show up in one place.
Why I recommend it: The auto-sync feature means when you update your Amazon or Babies R Us registry, it automatically updates on MyRegistry too. No more managing multiple lists. The barcode scanner app is also helpful when you're in a store and find something you love – just scan it and add it on the spot.
Key Features:
- Syncs automatically with outside registries (must be set to public)
- Barcode scanner to add items in-store
- Thank you note tracker (lifesaver after the baby arrives)
- Cash fund option (PayPal charges 2.5% plus $4-7 handling fee)
- Free to use
The catch: MyRegistry doesn't offer completion discounts since they don't sell products. However, you still get completion discounts through the individual stores you've synced (like Amazon or Babies R Us).
Real experience: Based on feedback from Canadian parents in the Pregnant Chicken community, MyRegistry is easier for less tech-savvy relatives to navigate compared to other universal registries. That matters when it's your 70-year-old aunt trying to buy a gift online when she used to buy everything at the Bay.
2. Babylist – Best for First-Time Parents (with caveats)
Best for: First-time parents who need guidance on what to register for
Babylist is beloved in the U.S. for good reason – their site is packed with expert buying guides, product recommendations, and helpful advice. The problem? Canadians miss out on key perks like the Hello Baby welcome box and completion discount unless you have a U.S. shipping address.
Key Features:
- Universal registry – add items from any website
- Register for non-buyable items (babysitting, dog walking, meal delivery)
- Price comparison feature across retailers
- Cash fund option for big purchases or college fund
- Happiness Heroes customer support team
- Excellent mobile app
The Canadian problem: No completion discount on Babylist items for Canadians. The recommended retailers default to U.S. URLs, so you have to manually find Canadian links. No Hello Baby welcome box without a U.S. address.
Verdict: If you're a first-time parent who has no clue what you need, Babylist's guides and recommendations are genuinely helpful. I also love their non-buyable items which most parents find inclrdibly helpful. Just be meticulous about adding Canadian store links, and import other registries to still get completion discounts.
3. Amazon – Best for Completion Discounts
Best for: Prime members who want maximum savings and easy returns
If you're already a Prime member, Amazon's baby registry is a easy choice. The 15% completion discount (up to $750) for Prime members is the best in Canada. Plus, everyone knows how to shop on Amazon, and the 365-day return window means you can return duplicates or unwanted items up to a year after shipping.
Key Features:
- 15% completion discount for Prime members (10% for non-Prime), up to $750
- Free shipping on orders over $25 (free for Prime members)
- 365-day return window
- Universal registry capability
- Prime members get a welcome gift when $25+ is purchased from registry
The catch: General Amazon turdness aside, you have to be careful about quality. Amazon is full of drop-shipped products and knock-offs. Stick to items from reputable brands. Also, the completion discount only applies to items sold and shipped by Amazon.ca, not third-party sellers.
Pro tip: Even if you create registries at other stores, set up a private Amazon registry and import it into MyRegistry. That way you can still get the completion discount and welcome gift, but your guests only see one registry link.
4. Babies R Us – Best In-Store Experience
Best for: Parents who want hands-on help and prefer shopping in person
With 80+ locations across Canada, Babies R Us makes it easy to see products in person before adding them to your registry. The in-store consultants can walk you through what you actually need (versus what marketing tells you to buy), and the R Club membership gives you extra perks.
Key Features:
- 15% completion discount for R Club members (10% for non-members)
- Free shipping on orders over $49
- Baby goody bag with samples and coupons
- $25 coupon when you add 25 items and sign up for emails
- $100 savings card when $1000+ is purchased from registry
- In-store consultants available
The catch: Some parents report items going out of stock frequently. They also don't carry some higher-end brands like Bugaboo or Nuna. If you want those premium brands, you'll need to add West Coast Kids or Snuggle Bugz to the mix.
Smart move: Sign up for R Club at least 3 months before your event date to maximize discounts. Also, returns by gift recipients are issued as gift cards, so factor that in.
Note: As of January 2026, it looks like Babies R Us is revamping their site and registry so you can't create a registry online at the moment (a classic Canadian retailer move that could only fly here).
Other Canadian Baby Registries Worth Considering
Indigo Baby – Best for Books and Unique Gifts
With nearly 200 locations, Indigo has a surprisingly extensive baby selection beyond books. The 20% completion discount is solid, though there are exclusions. Returns are store credit only, so I'd stick to smaller items and books rather than big-ticket gear.
Perfect for: Building a baby library, beautiful blankets, unique nursery decor. Free baby memory book when you register as a Plum member.
Snuggle Bugz – Best for Quality Gear
This Canadian retailer has 7 locations in Ontario and BC and carries high-quality brands. The 10% completion discount excludes big items like car seats and strollers, but their price match guarantee and $25 gift card for every $500 spent add value.
Worth it if: You live near a location and want access to premium brands with expert advice. Registry consultants available in-store and online.
West Coast Kids – Best for Premium Brands
If you're looking for brands like Bugaboo, Clek, Kyte Baby, Nuna, or UPPAbaby, West Coast Kids (6 locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto areas) is your spot. The 20% completion discount on select items and 10% price beating policy help offset higher prices.
The trade-off: Higher prices, completion discount excludes car seats and strollers, and returns are store credit only. I'd add a few special items to a universal registry rather than making this your primary registry.
Crate & Kids – Best for Nursery Design
For parents with champagne tastes, Crate & Kids offers gorgeous modern furniture and decor. Free design services help you create an Instagram-worthy nursery. The 15% completion discount is nice, but prices are steep.
Reality check: I'd cherry-pick a few statement pieces (personalized chair, special blanket) and add them to a universal registry. Let others handle the everyday basics.
My Registry Strategy for Canadian Parents
After helping thousands of parents and creating my own registries twice, here's the system I recommend:
Step 1: Create Your Foundation Registries
Start with stores that offer strong completion discounts and perks. Keep these private initially:
- Amazon (if you're a Prime member) – 15% completion discount up to $750
- Babies R Us – join R Club for 15% discount, baby goody bag, and coupons
Step 2: Set Up Your Universal Registry
Import your Amazon and Babies R Us registries into MyRegistry or Babylist. This becomes your single, shareable registry link.
Step 3: Add Unique Items
Fill in gaps with items not available at your main stores:
- IKEA for affordable nursery furniture
- Etsy for personalized items
- Baby Gap or H&M for cute clothing
- West Coast Kids for premium brands like Bugaboo or Nuna
Step 4: Include Various Price Points
Make sure you have items at every budget level:
- Under $25: Bibs, pacifiers, books, small toys
- $25-75: Clothing sets, blankets, bath supplies
- $75-200: Baby carriers, bouncer seats, activity mats
- $200+: Strollers, car seats, cribs, high chairs (for group gifts)
Why this works: You still get all the completion discounts from individual stores, but your friends and family only see one registry. No confusion and (hopefully) no duplicate purchases, and you can track everything in the app.
Final Recommendations
Here's what I'd do if I were creating a registry today:
For most Canadian parents: Set up registries at Amazon and Babies R Us (keep them private), then import both into MyRegistry. Share only the MyRegistry link. Add specific items from other stores as needed.
For first-time parents who need guidance: Use Babylist's buying guides to figure out what you need, but create your actual registries at Amazon and Babies R Us, then sync through MyRegistry to avoid Babylist's Canadian limitations.
For parents who want premium brands: Add West Coast Kids or Snuggle Bugz to your MyRegistry alongside Amazon and Babies R Us.
For parents near major cities: Take advantage of in-store registry consultants at Babies R Us, West Coast Kids, or Snuggle Bugz before finalizing your list.
One last piece of advice from someone who's been through this twice: no matter how perfectly you plan your registry, at least one person will ignore it completely and get you whatever they want. That's just parenthood in a nutshell – you can't control everything and some people kinda suck.
Also check out: Best Canadian Baby Brands: 15 Companies That Are From Canada
About the Author: Amy Morrison is a Canadian mom of two boys who has been writing about pregnancy and new parenthood since 2010 through Pregnant Chicken. She's helped thousands of parents navigate baby registries, gear decisions, and the overwhelming world of preparing for a new baby. Her advice comes from personal experience, extensive parent feedback, and a decade of staying current with products and retailers.
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