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Finding a gift for new parents and their newborn is a thoughtful gesture. Many people struggle with picking a gift that is unique versus something more practical. But, our baby experts assure you that practicality is the way to go. Adjusting to life with a newborn can be overwhelming, and your friends will appreciate practical gifts that make their lives with a new baby simpler.
That's where we come in.
No one tests baby products as extensively or comprehensively as we do here at BabyGearLab. And our experts have put together a list of great gift ideas, all of which were quality vetted through our extensive review testing process. We constantly update this list, so it is always fresh, as new and interesting products come on the market and undergo our detailed review and testing.
Here is our list of favorite baby gifts with something to fit every budget.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on September 29, 2022, to incorporate our latest picks for Baby Backpacks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Bath Time Gifts
Bath time can be fun or anxiety-inducing depending on your experience or knowledge level. But with the right baby gifts, you can make bathing a baby a more enjoyable experience for parents and little ones.
Bath Toys
Bath time isn't all about getting clean; it's about fun too! Much learning and adventure can happen in the tub with the exciting tub toys!
Bathing an infant is easier with a useful bath for support and proper positions. Parents will love the help of a great infant bath tub. With options that fit in tubs and sinks and others that support little bodies, here are our favorites.
Don't forget a great baby shampoo for sensitive skin and eyes for your gift bag. Most infant shampoos are good for hair and skin with light to no fragrance and easy-to-use bottles.
Newborns are not the most interactive humans on the planet, but this stage is short and will be over in the blink of a sleepless eye. Because babies are rapidly advancing, soon they will need and want more interactive items, including toys and books.
Teething Toys
When little ones' teeth begin to appear, babies will appreciate a great toy for teething to help relieve some of the discomfort associated with this right of passage.
It is never too early to encourage a love of reading. Most parents love and appreciate the gift of baby books to create this routine and tradition of reading to their baby.
No matter how you feel about little ones sleeping with night lights, being able to see at night for diaper changes and feedings without turning on a bright overhead light can be a game-changer.
As any experienced parent can tell you, soothing a new baby and getting them to sleep are priorities for every new parent. Gifting helpful devices to increase the potential for a restful night's sleep is something mom and dad will appreciate and remember.
Swaddles and Sleep Sacks
Swaddling can be confusing and daunting, not to mention often fall apart while little ones sleep. A great swaddle or sleep sack can be the best solution to quick and easy nighttime slumber.
Studies indicate pacifiers can potentially help prevent SIDs, a common concern for many new parents. With several pacifier styles and types available, you might want to buy a few so the baby has a choice.
A bedside bassinet could be a great gift for those looking to stay close to little ones at night. A bassinet allows for easy monitoring and nighttime feeding.
Buying baby gifts is fun and addictive. So fun, it can be easy to forget the lovely person who gave birth to this adorable creature. Don't forget mom when looking for gifts. We promise there has never been a mom ever who was sad about receiving something for her own care or journey into nursing and motherhood.
Nursing Tops
A useful nursing top can be a great way to nurse in public without putting on a show. No matter where or how someone chooses to feed in public, a nursing shirt can keep everything under wraps.
Given the number of feedings little ones could demand when growing, there is a chance nipples can get sore, and a soothing nipple cream can help bring relief. Mom will thank you later after her first use of these soothing creams.
All new parents need a break every now and then. Whether they hope to grab a bite to eat or get in a quick shower, there are devices designed for soothing or entertaining little ones to get grown-up hands available for other things beyond holding the baby.
Tummy Time
As little ones get older, tummy time can also be a form of entertainment, so don't forget a fun baby gym!
Little ones love the bonding experience of a wearable baby carrier and parents love the hands-free designs that allow them to be on the move getting things done with a baby on board.
Every nursery is unique, and most parents have a vision of how they want it to look or what they want to include inside. But, there are still great baby gifts to be had in this category, even if you don't know or share this vision. With big and small items in this group, there is something for every budget.
Sound machines offer soothing white noise and lullabies to bring comfort. They can also help mask ambient noise if the home is busy or loud while little ones sleep.
Healthy crib mattresses can be expensive, making them a great gift if your budget is higher. Given the amount of time little ones sleep, it is important to give them the safest, most comfortable place to slumber.
How someone feeds their baby is a personal decision. But there are baby gifts that can make either choice easier or help create a hybrid of both options.
Even breastfeeding moms will need baby bottles. Buy the gift they will use again and again with a useful baby bottle for dads and other caregivers to enjoy the bonding involved in feeding.
Bottle feeding is easier with a quick and simple bottle warmer. Warmers allow parents to swiftly heat up bottles without much fuss or muss. A wonderful middle-of-the-night feeding tool.
Breastfeeding moms will likely need a great breast pump whether they plan to go back to work or need to run an errand. Pumping and storing milk is a useful practice to boost supply and have food on hand if mom is not.
Diapers and diaper changes are non-negotiable with babies, and every parent will need some supplies to get going or up their diapering game. While perhaps not the coolest gift at a baby shower, we promise that all parents love and appreciate any item from the diaper category.
Cloth Baby Wipes
Cloth baby wipes are reusable and a great pairing with cloth diapers. While perhaps not the go-to for every kind of mess, many environmentally-friendly parents will love adding less to their trash bag.
With the guarantee that all babies make messes, providing baby wipes can make you the superhero of gift-giving. There is no end to the need or the various ways one can use wipes. From tushies to boogers and changing pad cleanups, every baby needs baby wipes.
While perhaps not the best standalone gift, at some point, every baby will need diaper cream. Tossing a tub or a tub into a gift bag with other diapering-themed selections can give new parents supplies they might otherwise forget but need.
Babies make diapers, and diapers stink. Whether cloth or disposable, parents need to keep them contained in a stink-free diaper pail. While not adorable like some gifts, this gift will be one they use every day and be eternally grateful for.
Diaper bags keep all diapering supplies in one place for running errands or travel. Gifting a useful diaper bag with lots of storage will be a big hit at any baby shower.
We hope you've found our guide to the best baby gifts helpful. We've spent hours and hours testing and compiling information to bring you the gifts we feel are sure to please the pickiest parents or babies. If you didn't see what you are looking for we've also picked awards for car seats, health and safety, nursery items, and more.
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Wendy Schmitz, Juliet Spurrier, MD, and the BabyGearLab Review Team
We've got the best baby gear in one comprehensive list. If...
Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.
BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.
