I just realized I have five pregnant friends right now! While I have several favorite baby products, they’re all a bit lacking in inspiration. What’s your favorite baby gift to give? If you don’t have one, what’s a gift you would have loved to receive when you were pregnant?
ShorterMama says
I have a TON of preggos around me as well. Many more than 5 – thankfully I don’t have to go to all the showers, because the number of pregnant people I know is pretty steep. What I did for the last shower was to get the bath tub that my friend registered for. Then I made a hooded towel for the baby and put that towel and baby washes, a rubber ducky and wash cloths in the tub. It was a big hit – especially the towel.
I’m doing similar things for some up coming showers and even making some fabric blocks/toys for one baby on the way.
I am preggo as well and have my shower in less than 2 weeks. As boring as it sounds, I would really like the stuff on my registry. There’s a lot of stuff that I’m going to NEED for the baby – vs. cute stuff I may WANT or LIKE. There’s a ton of cute-sie stuff that people can’t seem to see beyond. And that’s very nice in thought, but there are things that I’ll need to care for this little one that when all added up into just my and my husbands pocket – is a lot. The practical things I registered for will definitely be most helpful. The things I want the most are probably the cloth diapers. And they could be a blessing through multiple kids!!
I actually didn’t find out the gender of the baby, partially to avoid getting a ton of clothes! I can get used clothes crazy cheap (since they only wear something for about 3 months) and make little fabric play things, but I can’t make a pack and play or car seat. Thankfully someone already got the car seat – so we can bring the little one home 🙂 I guess we’re set then 🙂
Shannon F. says
If you sew/quilt, a handmade quilt is always the gift I give that mamas say they cherish the most. If you’re short on time or don’t sew, a Moby wrap is an essential gift for new mothers, and it’s a great introductory carrier for mother’s who aren’t familiar with baby wearing.
Virginia from Lady V dZine says
By far, my favorite baby gift to give has been diaper cakes. They are SO fun. They are typically customized, so you can add all of your favorite baby must haves including bath products, onesies, and even a lovie. I made one for my sister’s shower, and EVERYONE loved it. I have since ordered them for several friends, and always have a pleased mamma to be on the receiving end of the cake.
BB says
A family sized battery charger! My MIL got us one while I was still in the hospital and it’s gotten more use than any baby item we received. Check their registry and throw in a pack of batteries that will fit something. (hint hint the swing)
Kate @ The Shopping Mama says
My favorite right now that is super affordable is personalized tees from TheFunkyBee.com. So cute and anything personalized is always fun.
Beth says
A piggy bank or a wubanub (soothie pacifier with animal attached).
Ann Marie @ Household6Diva says
I agree with Virginia — Diaper Cakes are the way to go!!!
Here is a tutorial if you need directions! 🙂
https://www.household6diva.com/2010/05/baby-diaper-cake-how-to-what-is-make-it.html
Nicole Perkins says
I completely agree with ShorterMama, get something from their registry. I had my baby shower on Saturday and only three people bought anything from my registries. This was a huge disappointment to me, as those are things I REALLY NEED! I didn’t have all expensive things on there, I had plenty of items in the under $25 and under $15 categories. I spent a lot of time going out to the stores with my husband and hand selecting those items, so they are things I really would have appreciated.
Be careful when it comes to diaper cakes, they are a really cute idea but the reality is you don’t know what type of diaper the Mom to be plans on using and/or what the baby might be sensitive to. It may be allergic to the new type of Pampers for example. Also, babies grow very quickly and if you get a ton of diapers in newborn or size 1 you won’t be able to use them all before the baby outgrows them. Case in point, a neighbor of my Mom’s gave me a huge 32 gallon bag full of newborn and size 1 diapers she had received at her baby shower and never used.
So I say, pick something from the registry that resonates with you. For example, I had registered for the book Pat the Bunny. My Aunt bought the book because it’s something she read to her son when he was a baby. She told me at the shower why the gift she chose was personal to her. This really made the gift even more meaningful for me.
Also, don’t give them clothes. Clothes are very personal to taste and I can’t say I liked any of the clothes that were picked out for my baby.
My favorite gifts I received were a hooded towel that someone put appliques on with the baby’s name and gold stars, children’s books and the Boppy nursing pillow and covers that I had registered for. Well and the crib and changing table set we got from our MIL but that was a super special and expensive gift. 🙂
Sunshine Crawford says
I agree with the comments above….I know it sounds boring, but get something off of the registry! Practical, usable, items! I too just had my baby showers a couple of weeks ago and received maybe 3 items off of my registry. The things I needed the most I did not get. We did not register for any clothes at all because we wanted the more important things (diapers, wipes, toiletries, bottles, burp clothes, etc.) and received hardly any causing us to have to spend a lot of money out of pocket. I know these gifts may not always be the top gift talked about or the rave of the party, but the mother will appreciate them more than you know!!
Melissa says
I always buy off the registry, but then I also throw in things that have made my mom-life easier and/or more enjoyable, like Hyland’s Teething Tablets, Huggies disposable changing pads, Teething Bling, and stroller swivel hooks.
bitt says
I always give books and then something they wanted off the registry or a toy. I think books are important and often new parents can’t put the effort into getting them because they are concerned with the essentials. Of course if there is a registry I look to see if those needs are being met, and if not a lot has been bought off it, I get something there or a gift card.
Pamela O. says
I am all for practical so I also say the registry is the way to go. Get the mama what she wants. However, when choosing off the registry I try to buy those things that are necessities, if no one has purchased those, first.
But if you have a big budget for a gift adding something that you have enjoyed as a mom is a nice touch. I have recently fallen in love the ‘Sophie the Giraffe’ which I purchased for my 3rd baby. Not a frugal gift but my baby LOVES it and I think it would be a great gift to any baby, boy or girl. Aden&Anais swaddling blankets are another favorite of mine, to receive or give. 🙂
Liberty says
I just had baby #2, and a gift that I received and have given to friends is the Exergen TemporalScanner Temporal Artery Thermometer. After primarily using a rectal thermometer for accuracy, this is a big improvement. It is easy to use and I can even check the kids while they are sleeping. The other nice thing is that it is used by/on everyone in the family.
Brittany says
Baby Gift….wow it’s been soooo long since I have given one…I’d have to say necessities are always the best! Diapers, Bottles, that kind of stuff! Or gift cards!!!
emmy says
I always give the gift i found most useful, everyone gives baby toys and cute clothes, i give, bottles and diapers and i love giving dshwasher bottle racks, (i give 2 so they have a clean and dirty one) I’m practical, and if the new moms were like me they were walking around target going what do i need?? we made the mistake of registering for stuff we didnt need, so when my friend asked us what we wanted i told them give us what you sound most usefull or something you couldnt live with out, and i always put that in the card when i give my gifts, these are things i didnt see on your regisrty that i learned quick that i coulsnt live with out!!
Melissa Husen says
I have two standard baby gifts.
For parents with little baby experience: an Itzbeen baby timer (I still use mine over a year after DD was born), a copy of “Happiest Baby on the Block,” and a copy of “Baby 411.”
For parents with more baby experience: a general first aid kit for baby with Vaseline, saline drops, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, hydrocortisone cream, and anything else you might have to run out to buy in the middle of the night.
They aren’t the cutest gifts but when you’re sleep-deprived and desperate, cute doesn’t help.
Robin says
We just had baby #2 and the best gifts we got were gift cards. I know it is not fun, but it is so helpful when we need to buy diapers, diaper rash cream, wipes, etc and we can just run in, pick it up and not worry about paying!
We also received great hooded towels from Pottery Barn Kids that have been incredible.
Melanie says
For new moms my favorite is the book “What to Expect the First Year”. I found that with my first baby I used it all the time to know where she should be developmentally and if she was sick I turned to it to figure out if the symptoms were serious and warranted calling the doctor. I haven’t really used it with my second baby so I think it is best just for new moms.
Jonna says
I typically try to get the mom something from her registry, if she has one, and then a few of my favorites. I tend to give ‘later’ gifts over the ‘now’ gifts since in my experience people tend to give a lot of clothes for the first 6 months. Three of my standbys are: 1) Snack Trap cups (enough said) 2) Summer Infant Tiny Diner Placemat (I get asked every time I use this by either patrons of the restaurant or my server where I got mine – they are a must have and easy to carry in the diaper bag – one server even thanked me for using it) 3) A pair of Robeez Soft Sole shoes 12-18mo w/a coordinating outfit. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I used these easy on/off shoes. They help little ones learn to walk and they are so much easier when running to the grocery store to slip these on and forgo the socks/shoes. And, they keep their feet warm without needing socks.
Miranda says
I always give new moms an itzbeen baby timer. It is wonderful when you are breastfeeding, but i used it for at least the first year. The timer is about $25, so I usually get a basket that will match their room, baby tylenol, motrin, mylicon, and a 3 pack of the interlock gerber burp cloths(these burp cloths are wonderful! they are absorbant and not stiff like other burp cloths.).
Gina says
I have to agree that I go off the registry and know that I appreciated that as well with the arrival of our first child. I think that either “Baby 411” or “What to Expect the First Year” are great gifts to give!!
I think that I received 3 diaper cakes!! I appreciated them but have to say that it was kind of a pain to unroll all of those diapers and find storage for them since they were not all confined in a package any longer.
I have never really given clothes and was VERY surprised by how many outfits we received for our daughter and I agree with previous posts that as helpful as it is to have so many clothes there are many outfits she never wore (either due to wrong size/season or they were not things we particularly liked).
Once baby arrives my favorite gift to give is a homemade meal or two. If you can arrange with some friends to each make a meal and then collect them and deliver to the family with the new little one, I bet you will have very grateful parents! Our friends and church did that for us and we so greatly appreciated that we could concentrate on our new baby and not on meal preparation. Along with that I typically give a book or gift card as well.