Best baby registry completion discounts: where to score the biggest savings

Discount offered: 15 percent

Rules: Target issues parents a coupon eight weeks before the due date specified on the registry. You can use it for anything left on your registry, plus anything else you'd like to add. Yes, that means you can go back for that car seat you had your eye on and save an extra 15 percent.

The discount is available to use twice: in-store (by showing your registry barcode either on your phone or printed out) and/or online (by using the Target-issued registry completion promo code). You can also combine the registry-completion discount with coupons, Target Circle offers, and a RedCard discount. The coupon expires six months after your due date. Your baby registry must have been active for 14 days before the offer begins. 

Parents say: While this discount is nice and has a longer window for availability, it can be a wash when Target's prices are compared with sale prices at other stores. However, if you stack your coupons correctly, you can expect to save big. Plus, Target stores are pretty ubiquitous, making it the easiest stop for in-store shopping, exchanges, and returns.

Discount offered: 15 percent 

Rules: A message will appear at the top of your online registry once the completion discount is available, usually around 60 days before your specified due date, and is active for 90 days. It may be used on two orders up to a combined value of $2,000 for a maximum savings of $300 for Amazon Prime members. Not all registry items are eligible for the discount, only those fulfilled by Amazon. Look for "Ships from Amazon" under the Add to Cart button on your item's link. If it's there, this item is eligible for the completion discount. 

Parents say: Amazon is a top registry destination for a reason, because the site offers a winning combination of plentiful product and good prices. The most common downside is that not all items are eligible for the completion discount, but otherwise the already-low prices on baby gear and goods, combined with a registry-completion discount, offers some of the biggest savings around. Deal-sweeteners like the ability to add items sold at any retailer to your Amazon list (a.k.a. a universal baby registry) and unlimited free two-day shipping on eligible items with Amazon Prime with no minimum spend are another reason parents commonly register here.

Discount offered: 15 percent

Rules: Valid for six months after your expected due date, and can be used multiple times both online and in-store toward full-price items (as in, you can't use it toward anything that's on sale). This discount can't be combined with any other savings, except free shipping – if your order qualifies (order must be $99+ for free shipping). A completion card will be mailed to the address associated with the registry once your due date has passed. Watch out for the long list of brands excluded from Crate + Kids' baby registry completion discount, which include many very popular names like Aden & Anais, Boon, Nook, and Nanit. 

Parents say: Meh. This program lacks a favorite perk of most others: the ability to use the coupon before your expected due date.

Discount offered: 15 percent

Rules: Beginning 60 days prior to your due date, and for 180 days after, you'll be eligible to use the savings both in-store and online. The savings can only be applied to full-price merchandise (nothing on sale), can't be combined with any other coupons or savings, and (this is the deal-killer) baby gear is specifically not included. So no 15 percent off deals on car seats, strollers, diaper bags, baby carriers, highchairs, and so on. 

Parents say: The prices here tend to be higher than at other outlets, and it's irritating that so many types of baby gear are exempt from the completion discount. While the discount helps, this is one of the pricier registries, completion discount notwithstanding.

Discount offered: 15 percent

Rules: You're eligible for your 15 percent registry discount 60 days before your due date, as long as your registry is at least 30 days old. The discount can be used one time only, and applies only to items sold in the Babylist Shop, not those sold by any other retailers, even if you transferred items from other retailers onto your registry list on Babylist. Your discount expires six months after your baby’s expected arrival date. Lovevery, Pampers, Mockingbird, Guava Family, and Nuna items are excluded from savings and the discount can only be used one time.

Parents say: Given that the discount only applies to Babylist-sold items and can only be used for one purchase, this is one of the least exciting registry-completion discounts, but it's better than nothing (which is what you'll get from some big-box retailers).