Baby Gifts for New Baby and New Parents
Who doesn’t love shopping for baby gifts? So, when loved ones become new parents, we can’t wait to start buying baby gifts! But where to start?
Here is a list of the best and uniquely themed baby gifts. Fair warning, they might not realize they need or want any of the following baby gifts. However, if something pops up unexpectedly, they will appreciate your well-thought-out baby gift.
As a bonus, included are baby gifts that might be the least practical and usually unwanted. Most importantly, some of these baby gifts might be unsafe.
Clothes, gift cards, and diapers are safe options. However, if you are looking for a themed baby gift that might be more unique, check out the suggestions below.
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BONUS! Looking for an economical and unique gift for any mom? Check out the mom self-love journal encouraging moms to appreciate themselves.
Baby Gifts: The Unique and Unexpected
From having our children, we found these items to be very useful and part of our baby gift-giving.
The Ultimate Handyman (or Woman) Baby Gift
1.-2. Batteries and magnetic screwdrivers: Yes, you heard me right! This is my ultimate favorite baby gift!
It seems like every toy requires batteries and you need a screwdriver to change the batteries. Usually, those screws are very tiny so we prefer a magnetic screwdriver. Trust me when I say, you don’t realize you need it until it is too late.
We keep our batteries and screwdrivers in the kitchen so we are ready to call when a toy crisis occurs. The BLACK+DECKER Magnetic Screwdriver Set, (12-Piece) and Energizer MAX AA Batteries & AAA Batteries Combo Pack, 24 Double AA Batteries, and 24 Triple AAA Batteries (48 Count) are great options.
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Fun (and Safe) In the Sun Baby Gift
The fun in the sun baby gift list, #3-7, provides safe sun play for the baby. You can mix and match, to make an easy-themed baby gift with all these great options.
3. Rashguard/Long-sleeved bathing suit: Sometimes, it seems hard to find long sleeved bathing suits during the summer for boys or girls. Baby’s skin is delicate and needs extra protection We still choose to keep our kids protected with rashguards.
4. Beach hat: Our son was born in the summer and a beach hat was not on our needed list. It was another item that seemed very hard to find during the summer months (unless it was ridiculously priced). This beach hat is a nice light color to help keep baby cooler with an adjustable strap so baby can’t pull it off easily. Most importantly, it has 50+ UPF.
5. Baby sunglasses: This is one of the best gifts we received for our son but did not realize it was a necessity. It is important to protect baby’s eyes from the sun just like their skin.
My son received Babiators and it was better than we expected. Babiators are a little more than other brands. If the sunglasses are lost during the first year, they are refunded for free (minus shipping). Plus, Babiators are indestructible and trust me, he tried!
6. Sunblock: Speaking of protection, baby’s skin is very sensitive. Sunscreen is used fast and furious but be aware that it does expire. We go through bottles of sunblock every year and Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for Sensitive Skin, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is still a favorite.
7. Swim diapers: We tried multiple brands of swim diapers but kept coming back to Pampers Splashers Swim Pants . It was something we did not need a value pack but usually a 20 pack made it through the summer. Like the Babiators sunglasses, Pampers Splashers Swim Pants were something we did not think about needing.
8. Baby float ring with canopy: We received a baby float from my sister-in-law and it was one of the best gifts! With the 50+ UPF canopy, baby is covered providing an extra layer of protection from the sun. With the added protection, parents and baby can all have fun! Baby Swimming Pool Float Ring with Removable Sun Canopy Safety Seat,Newest Double Airbag Inflatable Babies Spring Floatie Swim Trainer Newborn Infant Toddler is suitable for babies 6 to 36 months. Please see the description for more details.
What are your favorite baby gifts? Comment below.
Baby Emergency Supplies and Sick Bag Items
Although this might seem like a pessimistic baby gift, items 9-16, are practical and especially appreciated when the unexpected comes up.
We keep a sick bag in our house because sickness is usually unplanned. By keeping items separate, like saltines and ginger ale, we know they won’t be consumed by accident.
9. Bag: First needed is a bag to hold all the sick day supplies. Our bag is water resistant with a zipper closure and unique design. This style keeps the items secure and the unique design makes it easy to see.
The Original Floral Water Resistant Large Tote Bag Shoulder Bag is a great option. Other designs are available.
10. Diaper cream: When my nephews were born, diaper cream was part of their baby gift. It seemed odd at first, until one of the babies had an unexpected diaper rash. Butt Paste is great! Butt Paste with diaper free time quickly healed diaper rash.
11. Infant Motrin: Please note, before giving baby any medicine contact the pediatrician for dose and instructional information. Infants’ Motrin Concentrated Liquid Medicine Drops with Ibuprofen was recommended and we were fortunate we did not need it as much as we anticipated.
12. Chew/teething necklace: A chew necklace was a great option for teething, especially when we were out. The teething toys filled with some type of liquid concerned me so when the baby needed something cold, we would freeze a baby facecloth. (See the next item.)
13. Baby facecloths: Technically, not a sick item but freezing baby facecloths were a go-to when both our children were teething.
Tip! Baby facecloths are fantastic for washing your face! It is a gift that will always be used.
Burt’s Bees Baby – Washcloths, Absorbent Knit Terry, Super Soft 100% Organic Cotton
14. Burp cloths: Burp cloths is another baby gift that has multiple uses. Even with our kids past this stage, we still use burp cloths for wiping up spills, dusting, paint rags, etc…
15. Baby wipes: You can never have enough baby wipes! Another multipurpose item, this pack is designer for sensitive skin and can be used for the rest of the family too. We keep baby wipes in our car too because of the many uses.
16. Diapers: Okay, you knew diapers were going to be on the baby gift list.
Like the baby wipes, we kept an emergency stash of diapers in the car too. Going out with a baby can feel overwhelming on its own, but it can feel even more overwhelming when you realize you forgot diapers!
Tip! Get diapers a size up so when baby is ready to transition, they already have a stash available.
Baby Gifts: The Unwanted
Before we start on the unwanted baby gift list, there is a very important exception. If the new parents specifically ask for a specific baby gift, that takes precedent.
Clothing with buttons: I don’t mean snaps (although, I always found zipper closures to be much easier) but actual buttons like on a men’s dress shirt. A button closure on the back of the neck still makes me crazy!
This is a perfect alternative with a unique pattern.
Yoga Sprout Unisex Baby Cotton Zipper Sleep and Play
Large toys: Yes, when you know multiple people are buying baby gifts, you might want to find something to use in the future. However, if they don’t have lots of storage, it becomes more of a burden. Even with storage, when the time is right it could be forgotten.
Over-sized stuffed animals: A stuffed elephant that is the size of a live baby elephant might not be the best or a practical baby gift.
Stuffed animals with button eyes: Really, anything that is attached could possibly come off and becoming a choking hazard. For example, the Mary Meyer Lovey Soft Toy, 13-Inches, Oatmeal Bunny is more appropriate baby gift.
Crib bumpers: Anything loose in the crib is unsafe for baby. I’m definitely not an expert in baby safety, however our pediatrician as well as the nurses when our children were born, repeatedly, stressed this point.
“Keep soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation out of the baby’s sleep area. These include pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, blankets, toys, bumper pads or similar products that attach to crib slats or sides.”
from How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained
By: Rachel Y. Moon, MD, FAAP
www.healthychildren.org
Anything that can alter the security of the car seat: This was another point repeatedly stressed by our pediatrician and the nurses. In trying to decide what was a safe coat for our daughter to wear in the car, we buckled her in her car seat (while in our living room) with a heavy winter coat. After taking off the coat, the straps of the car seat were frightening loose.
The Never Ending Baby Gift List
Hopefully, this baby gift list makes your search easier or provides some inspiration.
When in doubt, gift cards are a safe choice. We always go with Amazon gift cards because of the variety of options and ease of use. Usually, parents appreciate any baby gift to assist with their new addition.
Comment below on your favorite baby gifts!
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*Please note, I may earn a small commission on affiliate links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the success of Mom Treading Water.