The 38 Best Baby Shower Gifts, as Chosen by New Parents
Updated: Mar. 02, 2023Shopping for a baby shower gift? We tapped our Taste of Home editors to find the best gifts for showering parents-to-be with baby essentials that are as adorable as they are practical.
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When it comes to finding baby shower gifts for new and seasoned parents (and of course, their little ones), it’s hard to determine whether that cute toy or decoration is really essential or a gag gift at best. To ease your baby shower gift woes, we tapped our Senior Set Stylist and mom of two, Missy Franco, for her guidance on what gifts are a must for baby showers. From smart tech to aesthetic toys and wellness products for both mom and baby, here’s our list of baby shower gifts that are guaranteed to wow expecting parents.
Editor’s tip: If you’re just starting your baby shower gift search, check to see if the parent-to-be made a baby registry on Amazon or another favorite store. It’s an easy way for expecting parents to communicate their wish list items.
Baby Sound Machine
This multi-functional sound machine, clock and color-changing night light is ideal for soothing restless babies. It includes 11 different sounds like white noise, rain and ocean. Plus, users can connect their smartphones for hands-free programming. As an owner of a Hatch Rest+, Missy adds that the time-to-rise feature helps little ones adjust to when it’s time to wake up. It’s a simple feature and one of the best baby shower gifts that will continue to help through their toddler years.
Play Kit Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are the baby shower gifts that keeps on giving, especially when they’re packed full of fun like Lovevery play kits. Choose from a variety of toy kits perfect for 0 to 12-week-olds, 3- to 4-month-olds, and beyond. Every two months, recipients will score a variety of educational toys to inspire their baby’s learning. This subscription box is also a top-notch gift for baby’s first Christmas.
Foodie Swaddle
Every foodie will swoon over this muslin swaddle available in avocado, pizza, sushi and taco patterns. The swaddle is made from soft, breathable fabric designed to comfortably wrap newborns up like a little baby burrito. These gifts for 1-year-olds might come in handy for their next birthday party.
Night Light Baby Car Mirror
Car mirrors are a must for keeping babies entertained—and helping mom and dad keep an eye on their little one while driving. This light-up mirror includes a remote to control light settings, including choosing from soothing warm tones and energizing cool colors. Missy, who bought this car mirror for her second baby, adds: “I love that it has a remote and light up option so I can see my baby while driving at night.”
Montessori Soft Baby Toys
Not only does this soft baby toy bundle come with 22 toys designed for teething and educational play, they’re pretty enough to keep on display. The toys are ideal for babies 6 to 12 months old, and they feature a variety of textures and uses to keep little ones entertained. Plus, the toys are BPA-free.
Smart Baby Monitor
This smart baby monitor contains a super-powered HD camera that’s compatible with smartphones and other smart devices so mom and dad can keep an eye on their little one through the night. It comes with a wall mount to capture a bird’s eye view of baby’s activity. Plus, a breathing band is included to monitor baby’s breathing—and alert parents if they need help. Everyone will sleep soundly with this high-tech gift.
Diaper Cakes
Trust us, this baby shower gift is cuter than it sounds. Gift a diaper bundle arranged like a cute little cake. They’ll get more than just diapers including shampoo and body wash, face and body lotion, baby balm, wipes and baby laundry detergent. Choose the diaper pattern that fits your loved one’s style best (or match it with their nursery’s theme!). Every parent will appreciate as many free diapers as they can get their hands on.
Portable Sound Machine
A budget-friendly sound machine that’s perfect for on-the-go lullabies, this portable device clips onto cribs, strollers, and playsets. It features four relaxing sounds like white noise, heartbeat, ocean and lullaby. Plus, it’s received the National Sleep Foundation’s seal of approval.
Friends Baby Bodysuit
Perfect for the Friends-lover on your baby shower gift list, this baby bodysuit is downright adorable and sure to be their baby’s go-to ‘fit. Choose from a variety of sizes from 0 to 18 months old and two sleeve lengths. Now that’s one of the cutest baby shower gifts!
Personalized Pillow
The best baby shower gifts are ones that are tailor-made for baby, like this hand-embroidered nursery throw pillow. We love that it’s available in a variety of colors, making it perfect for expecting parents who love a pop of color or prefer to keep decor gender neutral. Personalize it with baby’s first or last name. It’s a gift they’ll enjoy all throughout childhood!
Wipe Clean Changing Pad
The Skip Hop wipe-clean changing pad is a registry fave—and it makes sense why. No cover is required thanks to its cushy foam surface, making it ideal for easy clean-ups, meaning no extra laundry for mom and dad.
Colorful Teething Toys
If you’re looking for last-minute baby shower gifts, this 10-piece teething toy set is perfect for babies 0 to 18 months old. All pieces are made from non-toxic materials and come in calming colors to encourage vision development. Plus, it’s one of the most-wished-for items in baby gifts on Amazon.
Baby Arrival Gift Set
Help welcome your loved one’s newborn with this baby arrival gift set. It includes diapers, baby wipes, shampoo and body wash, lotion, hand sanitizer, all-purpose balm and rash cream. Mom and Dad will be thankful to have a nourishing personal care set on hand after their little one arrives.
Baby Blanket
Everyone’s favorite cozy essential gets a pint-sized upgrade with this adorable Barefoot Dreams baby blanket. Don’t be surprised when they carry this blanket well into childhood—it’s that cozy.
Baby Food Prep System
The most adorable NutriBullet blender ever, the baby food prep system is equally convenient as it is fun when meal prepping for a little one. The set includes a blending bowl and motor, a mini cup with handles, storage containers (plus a date dial to track freshness) and a silicone tray to store up to 12 ounces of pre-made baby food. Homemade baby food, awaits!
Cloud Activity Center
Every baby needs an entertaining activity center, which is why we chose this Skip Hop play station that sits, swivels and bounces while baby plays. Missy adds that her son “loved this activity center”—and she loved that it grew with him.
Boho Rainbow Bookends
These mid-century modern rainbow bookends put the “fun” in functional when it comes to nursery decor. Etsy reviewers rave about the bookends’ stylish colors that shine bright in their child’s room. Plus, they’re so pretty that they can be used beyond baby years.
Beyond the Bump Kit
Baby shower gifts aren’t just for babies. Shower new moms with this Beyond the Bump kit featuring body oil, bath salts, body lotion and a nipple calming balm. Mom will look forward to using this self-care bundle long after their little one arrives.
Owlet Dream Sock
The award-winning Owlet Dream Sock is so much more than just a sock. It’s a wearable monitor that wraps around baby’s foot and tracks their sleep quality, like how many times they wake up, movement and even oxygen levels and heart rate. Baby’s vitals connect to the Dream App for easy monitoring by mom and dad. And with access to sleep prompts and a digital sleep coach, the app acts as a source of guidance to new and seasoned parents. The dream sock is perfect for babies 0 to 18 months old and will help new parents sleep peacefully knowing their little one is safely asleep.
Healthcare and Grooming Kit
The Fridababy healthcare kit is a pediatrician-approved starter kit that will be there for mom and baby from day one—and well into their toddler years. It includes a peri bottle, newborn clippers and nail file and a hospital bag for mom. Don’t miss the beloved Nosefrida snot sucker, which is ideal for “keeping little noses clear” according to Missy, all neatly packaged in a reusable pouch that makes for fantastic baby shower gifts.
Personalized If My Pet Could Talk Book
Perfect for pet lovers, this customizable book depicts silly conversations between baby and the family pet. Personalize it with the name of your loved one’s furry friend (bonus points if you add their newborn’s name) for a gift the whole family will enjoy.
Space-Saving High Chair
If you’re shopping for soon-to-be parents who are short on living space, this space-saving high chair is the perfect gift. It grows with baby from infant to their toddler years thanks to three recline positions and four belt adjustments, and it fits on most dining and restaurant chairs for optimal space-saving. As an added bonus, the deep food tray is machine washable.
Baby Biceps Gift Set
What’s more adorable than babies acting like adults? This Fisher-Price Baby Biceps toy set includes a pretend dumbbell with clacker beads, a protein shake that jingles, a kettlebell with rattle beads and a wearable fitness headband to help baby pump their motor skills. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on mom and dad’s faces. Note: This gift set is designed for babies 3 months old on up, so newborns will have to wait a few months before pumping make-believe iron.
Sway Swing
Not only is this simple rocker a number one bestseller on Amazon in stationary baby swings, more than 15,000 Amazon reviewers give it five stars. It’s a high-quality and affordable baby swing, with six swing speeds, plush fabric and a starry mobile to keep baby comfy and entertained.
Backpack Diaper Bag
Both mom and dad will be happy to flaunt this stylish diaper backpack that includes a spacious interior, 12 pockets, and a removable fold up pad for on-the-go diaper changes. Two interior insulated pockets keep bottles cool, while an exterior side pocket offers easy access to wipes. And the back pack easily attaches to strollers for shoulder-free carrying on the go.
The Story of You Baby Book
Give the gift of precious moments with this modern baby book that documents baby’s milestones. The book is filled with thoughtful prompts and pockets to keep track of every little memory, and you can choose from a variety of book fabric colors to fit your loved one’s aesthetic.
On-the-Go Changing Mat
This changing mat isn’t just comfortable, it’s compact and convenient for on-the-go diaper changes. It’s made from yoga-mat like material, making it one of the more plush on-the-go changing mat options on the market. More than 1,300 Amazon reviewers give this changing mat five stars.
Muslin Milestone Blanket
Help mom and dad capture their little one’s growth month-by-month with this Instagrammable muslin blanket. They’ll get one blanket printed with months one through 12, a felt triangle to frame baby’s age and a black and white triangle muslin blanket as a bonus.
SwaddleMe Easy Change Set
A newborn must-have according to Missy, this swaddle two-pack is perfect for babies 0 to 3 months old. The bottom zipper makes for painless diaper changes, so baby stays swaddled at all times.
Baby Bottles
Billed as a bottle “helping babies easily transition from breast to bottle (and back!),” these anti-colic bottles are a new parent essential. The bottle mimics the shape and feel of the breast, making the feeding transition as smooth as possible. Choose from two adorable colors.
Infant Optics Baby Monitor
This HD baby monitor grows with baby through their toddler years. Interchangeable lenses give parents multiple views of their little one, and the display screen includes a speaker and a zoom-in and out option. The best part of all? It’s noise-reducing, so parents will only hear their baby’s sounds (and nothing in the background) for a restful sleep.
Baby Travel System
As Missy’s preferred brand for car seats and strollers, the Graco Modes Nest travel system is a three-in-one car seat, stroller, and bassinet that’s guaranteed to wow any parent on your list. The infant car seat carrier easily attaches and detaches, while the stroller itself converts into a bassinet and toddler seat. The extra-large stroller basket offers optimal storage for baby essentials. Parents will be happy to have this high-tech stroller on hand through their little one’s toddler years.
Bedside Sleeper
This best-selling bassinet is lightweight and compact to move throughout the house. Moms will love that it’s designed to keep baby close to any surface and that it’s travel-friendly. The best part? The lowering bedside wall makes it easy for recovering mamas to grab their little one from the couch or bed. Missy loves this bassinet because “baby can be near mom at night, but still in their own space.”
Baby’s First Years Memory Book
From baby’s arrival to their first words and beyond, this gender-neutral memory book keeps track of baby’s milestones from pregnancy to age 5. Parents can leave sweet notes and pictures as they watch their little one grow. This gift is perfect for parents and little ones for cherishing memories for years to come.
On-the-Go Baby Dome
This portable baby dome doubles as a play center and napping spot. The canopy protects baby from harsh weather and bugs, while two hanging toys make for entertaining play. It folds flat, so mom or dad can pop it in their car trunk and pull out when adventure calls.
Diaper Caddy
A most-wished for baby gift on Amazon, this diaper caddy helps mom and dad organize their little one’s essentials around the house. It features eight external products and three roomy compartments, giving it versatile use as a diaper caddy, storage basket or changing table organizer. Plus, it’s lightweight and foldable so parents can take it on-the-go.
Umbrella Stroller
Every parent needs an umbrella stroller according to Missy, and this cloud umbrella stroller is a lightweight option designed for kiddos up to 40 pounds. The extended canopy and rear hood keep little ones safe from sun, while a roll-up, mesh seat pad keeps them cool. At under $35, this stroller is sure to come in handy when exploring parks and attractions. It’s sure to be one of the best baby shower gifts they receive!
3-in-1 Convertible Crib
A Pottery Barn Kids bestseller, this convertible crib grows with baby through their toddler years—and it’s pretty to look at. It easily adapts from crib to toddler bed to daybed, safely caring for little ones until they reach 50 pounds. Select the color that best fits your loved one’s aesthetic and they’ll be thanking you for years to come.
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