Best baby registry welcome boxes: Here's what you get for registering

What they offer: Free Welcome Box, valued at up to $35

How you get it: Amazon Prime members who create a baby registry are eligible for a Welcome Box after they add at least 10 items from their registry checklist and have made or been gifted over $10 worth of purchases (not including gift cards, shipping, or tax). Once eligible, you'll see a "Claim Now" button on the left side of your registry. Click it, and the Welcome Box will be added to your cart. Don't worry if you see a price of $35 added to your cart; it will be credited at checkout and you won't be charged. The box only ships to addresses within the contiguous United States.

When it arrives: Boxes are subject to availability but should arrive within days once claimed.

What's inside: It’s a surprise, says Amazon, and contents vary. But you might expect to receive a cotton swaddle blanket, onesie, or teething toy, a bottle or nursing pads, diaper and wipe samples, laundry detergent samples, and baby wash and lotion samples. Expect some coupons too.

Pros and cons: This has often said to be the most coveted of the baby-registry free gifts. Beyond samples, the full-sized swaddle blanket or onesie make this box different from the others. The only downsides? The box inventory occasionally runs out; however, you can sign up for notification alerts when it's back in stock. Also, it’s not available in Alaska or Hawaii. 

Parents say: “I got mine in early January: 3 bottles, 2 onesies, lovey, full-size wipes, book, 2 diaper samples, 1 Dreft sample.”

“I got mine last Wednesday! I washed the swaddle blanket and I absolutely love it! I'm going to register for more because I think it will be the perfect breastfeeding cover, swaddle blanket, lightweight blanket for summer, and good for covering public changing tables!”

What they offer: Welcome Kit worth more than $100 in coupons and free samples

How you get it: Anyone who completes a baby registry is eligible for a Welcome Kit. You can get a barcode as soon as you create your registry to present in-store for kit pickup, or get the kit shipped to your home (it ships free if you spend $35 or more on registry purchases). If you plan to pick up in stores, we recommended calling first to check on supplies, as Wecome Kits are subject to availability.

When it arrives: You can pick up the kit at your Target store as soon as you've completed your registry, or have it shipped.

What's inside: Inside a reusable tote bag you'll find a mix of samples and full-sized products like bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, baby skincare products, detergent samples, and nipple pads. However, many parents think the best part of this bag are the Target Circle offers. After downloading the Target app, scan the barcode to get high value offers and coupons for baby products (everything from clothes, to bedding, to personal care items, to formula) added straight to your Target account.

Pros and cons: Some felt the process of going to the store to collect the bag was a bit of a hassle, but the coupons made up for any inconvenience. Other parents appreciated being able to ship the welcome kit, but were annoyed to have to pay for shipping. 

Parents say: “We picked up a bag on Tuesday with no problem and everything in there looked good. Just like the one I got last pregnancy.”

“I got mine a few months back, it had a bottle from Dr Brown. Mama paci, a ton of wipes and diaper samples, and coupons galore.”

“Got one this past week. Had Dr. Browns bottle, MAM bottle, pacifier, Gerber onesie, diaper samples from Huggies, a diaper/wipe/changing pad sample from Pampers, and a lot of different coupons and travel sample size bath stuff.”

What they offer: Hello Baby Box, value not disclosed

How you get it: When you create a Babylist registry, you must add three items from the Babylist store and three items from any other store. Then you or someone else must make a minimum registry purchase of $20 from the Babylist Shop. Once you've done that, log into your registry and click the "Hello Baby Box" button to verify your shipping address. You'll also have to pay $8.95 and a surcharge (if you live in Alaska or Hawaiii) for shipping. You can receive your box anytime from nine months before your due date to four weeks after. 

When it arrives: Most users report receiving their box within a week.

What's inside: Items change regularly, but look for a collection of coupons as well as samples including diapers from Pampers and Huggies, Lansinoh breast pads, FridaBaby boogie wipes, Evenflo bottles, Cetaphil baby wash, Pipette hand sanitizer, wipes from Honest Company and Water Wipes, and photo cards from Milestone Baby.

Pros and cons: The items in this bag are top-notch, although some don't care for the hassle it takes to qualify for the box or the fact that shipping isn't free. It's considered "almost" as good as the Amazon box, making it ideal for anyone without an Amazon Prime account.

Parents say: "One hundred percent worth it. One of the best boxes I got."

"It was definitely worth it, I received boxes from Amazon and Target as well and Babylist was by far the best."

What they offer: Walmart Baby Box

How you get it: Once you've created your baby registry, visit Walmart's welcome box order form, put in your details, and submit. Your box will be sent to the address you provided, and you will also receive an email as your first trimester begins offering a free postpartum care box.

When it arrives: In general, moms report waiting 4 to 6 weeks from the time they sign up until they receive their box. That’s just an average, though – some say theirs came much sooner, while a few said they were still waiting after 2 or even 3 months.  

What's inside: A mix of samples and full-sized products from brands including Huggies, MAM, Dr. Brown’s, Dreft, Johnson’s, and Enfamil. Full-sized samples may include a bottle, pacifier and/or a set of milestone cards for your monthly baby photos.

Pros and cons: Although the value of this box isn't as great as some of the others, it ranks as one of the more popular registry gifts because it's free, easy to request, and ships free to your home. But some recipients also complain that shipping took a long time. 

Parents say: "My free Walmart box just came in today, I ordered it about a month ago so it came earlier than expected since they say around 6 weeks for delivery. It was pretty good, the box was totally packed! Much better than the box I got from them with my last pregnancy 2 years ago."

"No warning, it just showed up about 8 weeks after I requested it. Since it was totally free, I was fine with waiting and was very happy with it when it arrived."

What they offer: Hey, Milestone Pregnancy Sample Box or Newborn Sample Box, value not disclosed

How you get it: Hey, Milestone (formerly Noobie Box) isn’t actually a registry platform – it’s a service that provides curated sample boxes. Place your order at heymilestone.com just like any other online shopping order. You won’t pay for the box itself, but you’ll pay $12.95 for shipping and handling within the contiguous US (Hawaii and Alaska addresses aren’t eligible). You’ll get a notification email and tracking number when your box ships. 

When it arrives: Boxes are usually delivered within 5 to 7 days of placing your order. 

What’s inside: Samples and coupons geared for your newborn and you. The contents change each month, but you might find things like WaterWipes, Purell single-use packets, Hip Peas snacks, Eucerin body wash, a Nanobebe bottle, and Aquaphor diaper rash cream. 

Heads up: Don’t expect any full-size swag – this box is all about the samples. Not every parent felt like the box was worth the shipping fee though. (But if you like it, you can opt to join Hey, Milestone's Sample Club for $35 and three more sample box shipments.)

Parents say: “ I ordered all three for $24.95 shipping (each ships for like $12 Individually so it was cheaper per box to buy all three). I added up just a few of the items and it’s definitely worth well over $25!"

"Looks like Noobie is actually called Hey, Milestone now. If you order one box shipping is $12.95 but I just ordered all three and shipping was $8.33 per box. Hopefully whatever is in each is worth $8.33."