Looking for a really special (and affordable) gift for a newborn? Sure, you can always buy a beautiful outfit, and that’s a safe bet because you can purchase in a larger size for the future, but will the parents remember the gift? Is it something they will treasure and possibly hold on to for years to come? We asked our readers for the gifts they purchased for their grandbabies (or friend’s grandchildren) that received the best responses. We also asked that the items they shared be of good value. You’ll find the most recommended items below.
How to Find a Thoughtful Baby Gift
Finding a thoughtful baby gift involves considering the needs and preferences of the parents and the well-being of the baby. Below are some general suggestions to help you find a meaningful and considerate gift. If you want recommendations for specific products, keep reading!
Ask the Parents
If you have a close relationship with the parents, consider asking them directly if there is anything specific they need or would appreciate for their baby. This can help you avoid duplicating gifts or selecting something they may not use.
Check the Registry
Many parents create baby registries at stores or online platforms. These lists contain items they’ve specifically chosen and would like to receive as gifts. This is a great way to ensure your gift will be appreciated.
Think About Practicality
Babies require a lot of essentials like diapers, wipes, baby clothes, bottles, and blankets. These items are always useful, and parents will appreciate the practicality of such gifts. You can also consider buying a subscription to a diaper or baby formula service.
Personalized Items:
Personalized gifts like custom-made baby blankets, onesies, or toys can be very thoughtful. They show that you’ve put effort into choosing something unique for the baby.
Books:
Board books or children’s books are excellent gifts. Reading to babies is a valuable bonding experience, and it promotes early literacy. You can choose classics or books with sentimental value.
Baby Gear:
High-quality baby gear like strollers, car seats, or baby carriers can be a significant gift if you have a close relationship with the parents and know their preferences. However, these items can be expensive, so consider pooling resources with others for such gifts.
Toys and Developmental Gifts:
Choose age-appropriate toys and developmental gifts that can stimulate the baby’s senses and aid in their development. Look for items like soft toys, mobiles, or activity mats.
Gift Cards:
If you’re unsure of what the parents might need or want, a gift card to a baby supply store or an online marketplace can be a thoughtful choice. It gives them the flexibility to choose what they need.
Handmade or DIY Gifts:
If you’re crafty, consider making something special like a hand-knit baby blanket or a personalized baby scrapbook. Handmade gifts often carry sentimental value.
Meal Delivery or Cleaning Services:
Offer to arrange meal delivery for the new parents or hire a cleaning service to help with household chores. This can be a practical and considerate way to ease their workload during the early days of parenthood.
Safety Items:
Consider gifting safety items such as baby monitors, outlet covers, or cabinet locks. These show that you care about the baby’s well-being.
Educational Savings:
Consider contributing to an educational savings account for the baby’s future, such as a 529 plan. This is a thoughtful gift that can have a long-lasting impact.
Remember that the thought and effort you put into the gift often matter more than the price. Pay attention to the parents’ tastes and preferences and choose something that will make their journey into parenthood a little bit easier and more enjoyable.
Best Loved New Baby Gifts Suggested by Our Readers
Check out these suggestions of well-loved and much-appreciated gifts contributed by our readers.
Unisex Infant Swaddle Blanket/Stroller Wrap
Crafted from high-quality knitting wool and lined with polar fleece, this adorable blanket/wrap is thick, warm, soft, and comfortable for your baby! Keep the little one cozy in this gorgeous, unique, and super-soft gift!
Baby Monthly Milestone Blanket for Boys & Girls
We love this high-quality milestone blanket made from incredibly thick and soft premium-quality 250 gsm flannel fleece! Large, stylish, and comfortable against the baby’s skin, this special blanket lets you track progress through the first weeks, months, and years. Fabulous for photos! New parents love this sweet and affordable gift!
Baby Soother Lovey Helps Calm Child at Nap Time Routine – Newborn Essential
What’s better than a stuffed animal with a built-in sound machine? It’s incredibly easy to use: Simply press the in-ear buttons to trigger the sound choices of white noise mixed with a heartbeat or a lullaby. On the back of the sound device, you can choose from two volume levels and two lengths: 20 minutes or 40 minutes.
With its three-in-one approach, the baby will fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The combination of auditory and tactile comfort helps drown out sounds nearby and brings a sense of familiarity and comfort. The wide-bodied design also serves as a children’s stuffed animal toy and security blanket that is a fleece material and wrinkle-resistant. You can also attach a pacifier to the blanket using the built-in hook and loop. Choose from different designs.
Personalized Night Light with Moon
With an acrylic plaque and smoothly polished, this night light provides three kinds of light (warm, white, and seven-color changing). The perfectly warm and soft light helps little ones feel relaxed and fall asleep quickly. It’s a creative gift that decorates the nursery beautifully, and new parents love the personalization!
Diaper Bag Backpack with Changing Station, Great for Travel
Want to encourage your children to bring your grandbaby to visit? This stylish mommy bag makes it easy! This backpack provides a portable changing station that is safe and hygienic. The large inside has 16 pockets to carry newborn essentials. Three insulated aluminum foil pockets are included to keep baby bottles warm on the go. High quality, comfortable, and convenient, this backpack is a favorite among new parents.
Baby Shopping Cart Cover/Highchair Cover
Don’t you wish this item was around when our kids were babies? Baby will not have direct contact with public shopping carts or highchairs, so they will not be exposed to germs from all the others that sit there! This supermarket cover protector can be easily folded and rolled into a stylish pouch for easy transport. The storage pocket is a nice extra and the toy loop is fabulous!
100% Cotton Mommy and Me Robe and Swaddle Set
Picture perfect and giftable! Capture those precious first moments in style with this elegant 4 piece set that comes in different design choices. This beautiful and practical gift set, which includes a robe, socks, baby swaddle blanket, baby hat, and gift box, is made from 100% super soft and comfy material. Perfect for the first-time mom!
Baby Sound Machine, Night Light, and Time-to-Rise Sleep Trainer
This fabulous all-in-one product combines a night light, sound machine, and time-to-rise alarm in one smart bedside device. You can customize color, brightness, sound, and volume levels to create the perfect sleep environment for the baby. With 11 crystal clear high-quality sounds, all soothing, this easy-to-use product grows with the child: Soft light and white noise for newborn feeding sessions, comforting night light for a preschooler, and sleep training for older children! Includes toddler lock feature and stays cool throughout the night for safety. Techie parents will love that you can adjust remotely with a smartphone app! Sleep well!
Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced Formula Dispenser Machine
Here’s another brilliant product we wish was around years ago! The Baby Brezza is the most advanced way to automatically make a warm, formula bottle instantly. The patented mixing technology automatically mixes formula and water to perfect consistency. Works with virtually all formula brands and all bottle brands/sizes. It’s also fully customizable – choose 1-ounce increments between 2-10 ounces, 3 temperature settings, and formula/water or water-only dispensing. This item is a bit costly, but everyone we know who has one says it is worth every penny! Makes life so much easier than having to get up in the middle of the night to warm up a bottle.
Personalized Minky Baby Blankets
Plus, cozy and stylish 100% Minky velour personalized baby blankets make the best gifts! This baby blanket will be a keepsake blanket that will let your child know just how important they are to you. Not only is this blanket beautiful, but it also provides extra sensory stimulation and softly stimulates the senses which are critical for development. The large size is great for many different uses!
Baby Socks Gift Set
What an adorable baby shower gift! Four pairs of comfy socks, all with different funny and cute quotes on the bottom, come beautifully packaged and ready for gifting. Gender-neutral means that the socks are perfect for both baby gifts and boys. The quotes are fun and make everyone smile!
Welcome Baby Amazon.com Gift Card
OK, so maybe you can’t decide what to buy and prefer to give a gift card. That way, the parents can pick out their gift. Amazon gift cards are always a good choice, especially with no fees or expiration dates. And it comes in a cute “Welcome Baby” gift box!
Ready to Purchase Your Baby Gift?
When choosing a thoughtful baby gift, think about what would make the parents and the little one smile! You can start by asking the parents if they have any special wishes or check if they created a baby registry. Practical gifts like diapers and baby clothes are always handy but don’t forget about personalized items, cute books, and fun toys to add a personal touch. And if you’re still not sure, gift cards are a safe bet, giving the parents the freedom to choose. Handmade goodies offers for meal delivery or help with cleaning, and contributions to the baby’s future education can also show your love and support. The most important thing is to make sure your gift comes from the heart, spreading joy to the whole family.
FIND MORE UNIQUE BABY GIFTS HERE. Have other good ideas for special baby gifts to share? Drop us a note in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!
