Parent-Approved Best Baby Shower Gifts

Are you wondering how to pick the best baby shower gift? Look no further. Here is a round-up of the essential gifts experienced parents say made their lives as new parents a bit easier.

• Miracle 360 sips cups—”The only spill-proof cup I’ve found.”
• Gift card to a restaurant for date night— “It was both permission and a reminder to take some time to reconnect with my husband in the fog of new parenthood.”
• A kit for the car full of snacks for the parents and supplies for the baby— “I never realized until [my son] was born, how easy it was to forget to eat!”
• PODEE hands-free bottle— “It’s a lifesaver and allowed me to drive in peace, spend hands on time with my other child, and grocery shop without a screaming infant.”
• Stylish, colorful necklaces and bracelets— “A parent can wear them and kids can chew on and hold on to them while being fed.”
• Burp cloths— “You can never have too many.”
• The book, “From Ouch! To Ahhh…The New Mom’s Guide To Sex After Baby”—”My best friend gave me this book and now I buy it for every new mom I know.”
• Backpack diaper bag—”I ended up using so often bc it’s nice to have your arms free (it’s also a good bag for dads bc not so girly/purse feeling.)”
• Triple butt paste
• Massage— “It’s usually all about baby but it’s mom who really needs some TLC!”
• Baby Bjorn
• Ergo
• Slings—”I went to the a movie every week with my newborn in a sling. I’d pop my breast in his mouth and he would sleep happily cocooned for most of the length of the movie. I did this for four months.”
• Baby swings —”You use them for a short time but they are worth it!”
• Baby fingernail clippers
• Waterproof pads that go under a crib sheet
• Swaddling blankets like Aden & Anais
• “A laundry basket filled with all the little things – pacis, burp clothes, soap, lotion, food containers for when they get older, etc., etc. I loved it and pretty much used everything in it.”
• Gift cards to a favorite store—”My aunt gave me a gift card to Target and told me to spend it on myself (she also gave a little gift for baby). I loved that and it gave me some time out from home by myself to shop.”
• Pay for a house cleaning
• Tucks medicated pads
• Miralax
• BOB stroller
• “A friend wove a shawl for me— perfect for a September baby and her mother in the north country.”
• Electric socket covers
• Small diaper bag with the basic things you would need to take the baby out for the day.
• Kimono newborn tops
• Gel nursing relief pads (boob tubes) & organic lanolin for breast care.
• The book, “Positive Discipline: The First Three Years.”
• Soothies
• Extra-long super maxi pads—”Add these to the ‘I had no idea I would need this’ list.”
• A great shade of lipstick— “There will be times you haven’t showered in days and maybe haven’t changed your shirt despite spit up and snot. But hot damn, the lipstick will make you feel gooood.”
• Shark steam mop—”Cleans and sanitizes, no chemicals, and still going strong six years later. Win!”
• Multi-packs of lovies— “Three or four identical lovies tucked away means that when your child inevitably loses their precious lovey, you have another one ready to give her at a moment’s notice!”
• A book shower— “Everyone gave me their favorite children’s books with a hand-signed note inside the cover about why they loved it. It felt personal and it was so fabulous to have all of those lovely books to read to my kiddos.”

Thank you to all the parents who contributed their creative, thoughtful and practical baby shower gift recommendations. Are there any you others think should be added to the list? Comment below.

Sarah J. Swofford, MPH is the author of “From Ouch! To Ahhh…The New Mom’s Guide To Sex After Baby.”