What so you need on your registry that will leave you feeling prepared for your newborn? Today we are joined be Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of BeHerVillage who is changing the narrative about how we prepare for parenthood and how being intentional about how we create our baby registry can make all the difference.
We will cover:
Biggest mistakes most people make when making their baby registries
How to prepare your family for the transition of parenthood
Essentials families should add to their registry
How to get started with creating a registry that will work for you
Listen to the podcast now:
When we think of baby registries, most people imagine an endless list of baby products—cribs, diapers, strollers, onesies, and all the gear. But what if there was a way to reframe the registry process to better support you as a new parent, while still preparing for your baby’s arrival?
In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kaitlin from Be Her Village, a platform that is revolutionizing how families approach baby registries. Kaitlin’s journey into motherhood was marked by a lack of postpartum support—something many parents can relate to. This experience led her to create a more intentional way for parents to receive the help they truly need during this life-changing time.
Here are some takeaways that will change how you think about your baby registry.
1. Don’t Forget About You
The most common mistake new parents make when creating their registries is forgetting to think about their own needs. As Kaitlin shared, the baby doesn’t need a room full of products—the baby needs you. But in order for you to show up as your best self, you need to be well-supported, rested, and cared for.
Instead of only focusing on products for the baby, consider what you will need in those early days and months after giving birth:
Meals: Add meal delivery services or meal prep funds to your registry.
Postpartum care: Think beyond just nipple cream—consider a postpartum doula, lactation consultant, or even pelvic floor therapy.
Emotional support: Include funds for mental health services or a membership to a new-parent support group.
2. Shift Your Mindset: It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Asking for support in the form of services—whether it’s help with breastfeeding, sleep training, or just having someone hold the baby so you can nap—can feel uncomfortable. Many parents hesitate to ask for things like postpartum doula care, thinking it might be too “luxurious.”
But it’s time to reframe that. Kaitlin shared that the most empowering thing you can do as a new parent is to ask for what you really need. Friends and family want to support you, and they will be more than happy to help in ways that genuinely make your life easier. If that means funding a night nurse so you can sleep, or covering the cost of a postpartum support group, then that’s what they will gladly do.
3. Reimagine Your Baby Registry: It’s More Than Just Gear
According to Kaitlin, billions of dollars are spent each year on baby gifts, but much of that money is used to buy items that new parents don’t actually end up using or needing. Instead of registering for every product on the market, think about what will really support your family in the long run.
Consider adding these services to your registry:
Doula support for both birth and postpartum care.
Lactation consultants to help with breastfeeding challenges.
Housekeeping services or childcare help for older siblings.
Education funds to cover childbirth classes, postpartum workshops, or parenting resources.
Platforms, like Be Her Village, allow parents to create registries that focus on these types of needs, giving family and friends the chance to contribute in ways that truly make a difference.
4. Flexibility Is Key
A key point Kaitlin emphasized is the importance of financial flexibility. Life with a new baby is unpredictable, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances—whether it's paying for an unexpected lactation consultant or covering unpaid parental leave—is invaluable. When structuring your registry, it’s okay to mix traditional baby products with funds for services and support systems. The goal is to create a registry that allows you to have the flexibility to meet whatever challenges come your way.
5. Normalize Support as a Gift
There’s a cultural shift happening, and it’s time to normalize asking for support as part of the baby registry process. We need to move away from the idea that parenthood means doing it all on your own. Instead, we should embrace the "village" mindset, where loved ones are part of helping raise our children—and helping us as parents.
Kaitlin’s work with Be Her Village is aimed at doing exactly that—creating a culture where asking for practical support is just as common (if not more so) than asking for baby gear. With a registry focused on support, you’ll be giving yourself the best gift: the chance to truly rest, recover, and enjoy those early days with your baby.
Ready to Build Your Support-Based Baby Registry?
If you’re feeling inspired to rethink your baby registry after listening to the podcast, it’s easier than you think to get started. You can check out be FREE Ideal Registry Quiz which can give you customized recommendations based on your lifestyle. From here Be Her Village allows you to create a registry that includes everything from doula services to lactation support, all while making it simple for family and friends to contribute in meaningful ways.
Remember, your baby needs you to be at your best—and that starts with making sure you have the support you need.
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