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Before my twins were born, I did a lot of research. But it turns out, I didn’t do all of the research. Understandable, I was busy creating four sets of lungs and two sets of livers, but now I have a whole new appreciation for the best baby shower gifts like the best-ever burp cloths, the safest baby cribs, and the best baby bottles to lessen gas and help symptoms of colic. Not only are baby showers a fantastic way to throw a little love and appreciation at an expecting mama, but they’re also a great way to gift must-have items to a baby’s nursery.
Oh, and my-not-secret to the best baby shower gift? Tailoring each present to the parent in receipt. Because while a layette of newborn items appears positively dreamy, when you realize those ultra-expensive onesies last at most a few weeks, you’ll definitely be misty-eyed — but also in need of some stuff you didn’t even think to stock up on.
What’s the best gift for a baby shower?
From fancy strollers to the best organic diapers there are so many wonderful gifts out there (and listed here in this article) that you can pick from when choosing a baby shower gift. So, yeah…all the thinking and pondering can definitely get a little overwhelming. Ask your “baby shower shopping brain” the questions below while you look for the perfect gift.
- What does the mom-to-be like?
- What will be the most helpful?
- What will last?
- Is this the family’s first baby, or do they already have children?
- What category do you want your present to fall into?
What can I give my baby instead of gifts?
If you’d still like to shower your baby (and yourself) with with some gift-giving love, but want to skip the traditional presents, there are other avenues to explore. Postpartum parties, gift cards, or starting a diaper collection are all fun and different ways to celebrate the birth of your baby.
- Partying Postpartum: There’s no hard core rule for how to throw a party postpartum. You can get friends to sign up and bring over your favorite meals or help out with household chores so you can rest. It can also be a true gathering where you infuse a little grown-up time into your mommy and me time—which is truly a gift to your parenting sanity.
- Gift Cards: Either choosing your best go-to baby store or having friends gift you from their own favs, is a wonderful way to buy the items you need. Gift cards give you the freedom to choose gifts for your baby without the pressure of having to store objects you won’t initially need. Gift cards are also great because you can measure what you already have against what you truly still have to purchase.
- Diaper Drives: Ask friends and family to help you stock up on diapers—‘cause you’re seriously gonna need ‘em. This way your sleep-deprived brain doesn’t have to worry about empty diaper boxes. Stock up for the first few weeks and take a more restful approach to your postpartum recovery.
What do new moms want for a baby shower?
Here’s the thing: New moms need the best baby shower gifts because they’re the ones who don’t know what they need yet. (I’m not saying that to be mean, I’m saying it because it’s actually true. I had no idea wtf I was doing and I thought I studied pretty hard.) Here’s a list of a few of those must-have mom basics to build on when searching out gifts for your next shower.
- Essentials: This can include all the things from baby bottles and a baby bottle sanitizer to gentle wipes all the way up to a baby swing and a car seat.
- Baby clothing above size 0-3 months: You might think a newborn baby doesn’t need a lot of “going out” outfits, but when you factor in the spit-up, occasional projectile vomiting, and diaper blowouts a baby can have several wardrobe changes a day. Function beats fashion at this age, and having a good selection of clothing can cut down on the amount of laundry and increase your own personal nap times .
- Parenting books: Popular parenting books that cover feeding, sleep habits, and child development are helpful tools to have on hand when you’re a new mom. Reading material like this can ease a worried mom’s mind and support confidence levels when new mama’s are trying to figure out baby schedules and the unpredictable sleep habits of a newborn.
- Blankets: Simply put–you can never have too many baby blankets.
- Mama + baby bundles: Bundles are a great way to give a new mom many different items in a cute, well…bundle. Choose from things like diaper bundles, bottle bundles, or breast feedings bundles and you’ll be giving your pregnant friend lots of necessary items new mama items.
- Take-home outfit: A cute and comfy take home outfit for baby is a must, and it’s always nice to have one gifted by a loving friend.
How much should you spend on a baby shower gift?
There’s no exact price range for a baby shower gift. There are ways to decide how much to spend like checking out your friend’s baby’s registry or asking your friend what they most need. You can always go in with a group if you’d like gift-giving to lean a little more on the unexpected and extravagant side of things. Most experts out there agree that $25-100 is a common range and price can depend on how well you know the mama. To help you out, ask yourself the following questions when considering how much you want to spend.
- How much money do you have to spend?
- How close are you to the recipient?
- What is the intention/thought behind the gift?
- Is it practical?
15+ Best Baby Shower Gifts of 2023
Best baby shower gift for tummy time: Piccalio Play Mat
Babies spend a lot of time on the floor. First, with tummy time, then as they learn to crawl, play, and explore. Piccalio’s baby play mat offers a soft, safe space for baby to discover the world. The natural rubber core provides just the right amount of cushion but is also firm enough for building a tower of blocks. Plus, it doubles as an excellent exercise mat for mommy.
Adorable enough to earn a spot in the living room, the 42×42″ play mat features a practical waterproof cover and a two-sided organic cotton outer cover (both are machine-washable). You don’t have to worry about toxic chemicals with this play mat either, as it’s made of all-natural materials.
Best gift for baby bath: Evereden Baby Cleanse and Hydrate Bundle
Evereden is a brand you’ll get to know well once you have a baby— because you’ll be using it, too. (The Mama Must-Have Duo is a shower gift for mom!)
The head-to-toe cleanser, ultra-hydrating lotion, and creamy face cream nourish baby’s skin. Plus the bundle comes with a bonus baby massage oil which you’ll love post-bath time. All products are pediatrician formulated and safe for sensitive, dry skin.
Best gift for expectant mom: bbhugme Adjustable Pregnancy Pillow
Since mom deserves the most gifts, we love gifting her a pregnancy necessity. Remi on the Bobbie team says, “I thought I didn’t want or need a pregnancy pillow…until I slept with this. I am a natural side sleeper and have found myself wanting a bit of extra support during pregnancy, without the bulk that many pregnancy pillows have.”
This pillow is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver, yet very supportive and cozy. Anything that helps mom sleep during pregnancy is a win!
Best gift-able baby stroller: Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0
New for 2024, the updated Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0 is an expandable, multi-functional stroller designed for maximum versatility. It grows with your child, and is convertible as your family expands. Add another seat by pairing with their 2nd Seat Kit or make room for three with their Riding Board. Bobbie moms love the huge storage basket as well as the smooth strolling and never flat wheels— plus the lifetime warranty!
Best baby shower gift for a second baby: Honest Diaper Cake Deluxe
Forget the cute stuff — diapers and wipes are what really matters — except that this diaper cake is super cute. Diapers and baby wipes are the two most important things for a new mom, straight up. No joke. Not to be confused with a real-life edible cake, this diaper cake from Honest comes with wonderfully useful stuff like 70 size 1 diapers, wipes, shampoo and body wash. Each Honest cake is made to order, so you can pick and choose what you think will be most needed.
Best shower gift that lasts from baby to toddler: Lalo The Chair 3-in-1 High Chair and Play Chair Combo
This high chair is a breeze to clean and is designed to grow with baby, so you don’t rip through your baby shower gifts before their first birthday. Great to serve baby food whether you’re spoon-feeding or on the baby-led weaning route. (Or maybe a mix of both, too.) Parents will love the dishwasher-friendly tray, wipe and clean design, plus add-on infant inserts, a booster modifier, and ultimate into one of their play chairs, which I happen to have two of in our current playroom. (They’re fantastic, swear.)
Best gift for a first baby: Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip Infant Car Seat and Base
Throughout my pregnancy, I really prepared — twins, after all, aren’t an easy thing to plan for. But I did somehow initially skip over the importance of infant car seats. I mean, you can’t leave the hospital without one. This car seat includes a removable infant head and body support insert so newborns (and smaller infants) will be properly supported as they ride in the car for the first time. The Chicco KeyFit is easy to install and this rear-facing seat works with infants starting at 4 pounds up to 30 pounds.
Best baby shower gift to stop diaper stink: Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
Can you handle the most stylish, oh…and functional diaper pail out there? Yes, yes, you can. A diaper pail can get funky fast, but the Ubbi is well-loved for its ability to stop the stink. The Ubbi is hardcore when it comes to dealing with diaper odors, because it’s actually made of powder-coated steel which helps keep poopy odor where it belongs—inside the pail. Plus, this award winner has rubber seals and a sliding lid that cuts down on air disruption which keeps all those stinky odors inside. No special bags are needed because this pail will work with any standard trash bag or reusable cloth liner. And it has a childproof lock, so older kids won’t “help” you change the diaper pail.
Best baby shower gift to put baby to sleep: Hushh 2® Portable Sleep Sound Machine and Night Light
As a parenting journalist, truth be told, I’ve already waxed poetic about a portable sound machine, so I’m happy to introduce you to the next gen, upgraded version of the award-winning Hushh portable sound machine for baby. The Hushh 2® Portable Sleep Sound Machine and Night Light can put your babe to sleep with a multitude of comforting sounds. This new version has backlit buttons (easy to see in a dark nursery), is highly durable (we put it through the toddler test) and a super long battery life (up to 34 hours on a single charge). Hang it on the stroller, keep it near the crib, pack it in the diaper bag- it’s an easy win for sleep and nap-time.
Best baby shower gift for easy feeds: Bobbie Baby Formula Gift Card
Put function first (and oh-so-cute aesthetics second) with a gift card from Bobbie, the organic, European-inspired formula that has drawn a cult-like following for good reason. Making sure new parents have the things they need like the best formula can give parents peace of mind when it comes caring for their infants. A digital Bobbie gift card can be used to purchase any of their formula types and be purchased easily online. Formula will show up at mamas door exactly when she needs it, which may be right away or when she adds combo-feeding into her formula feeding routine.
Best baby shower gift for baby bath time: FridaBaby 4-in-1 Grow-With-Me Bath Tub
So, baby is going to need a safe space to wash up (sometimes multiple times a day), and what better place than in a Frida Bath Tub! The great thing about this tub is that it grows with your baby. From newborn all the way to toddler, the Frida Tub will start out cradling your infant, support them as they sit up, and then give your toddler the space they need to splash and explore with some water play. This tub is easy to clean, has an easy-release drain plug (yay!), and has no-slip feet.
Best baby shower gift for reading library: Eric Carle Classic Board Books Box Set
Studies show reading to newborns increases the parent and baby bond and supports language development. So, grab this 6 book set of best-selling author Eric Carle’s sturdy and durable board books to begin a baby’s love of reading. Featuring favorites like 10 Little Rubber Ducks and From Head To Toe, these colorful and easy-to-follow books introduce concepts like counting, colors, and body parts to little ones while you read before bedtime, nap times, or any time!
Best baby shower gift to help mama be hands-free: Kindred Bravely Organic Cotton Skin-to-Skin Wrap Top
While not to be used as a traditional baby carrier, this super soft shirt offers a chance for lots of newborn snuggles and skin-to-skin contact, both of which are so important in those early days. It also keeps you hands free for a minute — even if that just means scrolling Instagram for a mini-baby break. 100% machine washable organic cotton means it’s super gentle on the most delicate of skin.
Best baby shower gift for your sister (or bestie): Skip Hop Diaper Bag Backpack
There are so many diaper bags. Like, at least a gazillion. But the unequivocal best is the Skip Hop. Sleep-deprived parents don’t always have the brain power to think about all the accessories that go into a diaper bag (like diapers), and now they don’t have to. This diaper bag seriously has everything you need and in the most organized way possible. It includes two insulated side bottle pockets, elasticized interior pockets and a cell phone pocket. The changing pad pocket holds tablets and laptops up to 15” and really the only thing this magical bag doesn’t come with is a rabbit and magician’s hat. Perfect for traveling or using on your daily adventures, you won’t be disappointed with this tote.
The most practical baby shower gift: LEVOIT Air Purifier
While there are many gifts you need for the baby’s room, one of the most practical is a nursery air purifier. Parents love this for its sleek design and whisper quiet feature. Choose Sleep Mode at night and then forget all about your air purifier while you sleep. QuietKEAP Technology reduces noise levels to a near-silent 24dB in sleep mode, ensuring it won’t get in the way of a good night’s rest (yay!) and parents can even choose from specific filter options depending on which culprit you’re most concerned with (allergens, pets, etc)— yay, again!
The smartest baby shower gift: Skip Hop Light Up Diaper Caddy
Stop bumping into rocking chairs and bassinets during those middle of the night diaper changes with this light up diaper caddy. A genius idea, the handle on this carryall has a touch sensitive light that shines softly so parents can see where the diaper lives in the caddy and then how it fits on their squirmy, sleepy newborn. Easy to move from room to room, this caddy has a movable center so you can customize all your diaper needs.
Best gift for new moms: FridaBaby Baby Basics Kit
It’s hard for new moms to imagine their little bundles of joy producing as much snot and gas they do. But babies are messy and require some tools to help with clean-up. The FridaBaby basics kit gives parents the ability to use the classic “snotsucker” tube, “gasspasser,” tiny nail clippers, and skin soother. This kit covers all the bases when it comes to practical newborn care.
Best gift for hospital delivery: Quince The Essentials Hospital Set
Packaged in a beautiful gift box, this set of ultra-practical items makes a great shower gift for any expectant mom. It includes a cozy nightgown and robe, full-coverage brief, and luxurious cashmere socks to keep you warm and covered (fully-covered). You don’t know how many people will be coming in and out of the room, but at least you’ll look cute and will have all of your parts concealed (at least before and after delivery).
The bottom line on the best baby shower gifts
What really matters when it comes to buying the best baby shower gift is thinking of both the recipient and the baby— practicality with a dose of adorableness, too. Sure, those “ooohs” and “ahhhhs” can feel extra special, yet they’re attainable with function-first products mom and baby will assuredly appreciate.
