Best Baby Shower Gifts: Over 25 Ideas to Inspire You

Did you know black and white toys and books can help strengthen a baby’s eyes? Well, I didn’t know this when I was a new mother, and I wish we had owned this charming black and white card set designed with high-contrast images with “varying pattern complexity”—i.e. things your baby is likely to enjoy looking at.

The Angel Dear brand produces (in my opinion) one of the softest and sweetest baby snuggle blankets for babies and toddlers on the market. We received one of these at our first baby shower, and it is still a beloved item. There are no buttons, snaps, or anything a baby could choke or get caught on. These blankies, also called loveies, are machine washable and don’t wear and tear over time. I can’t recommend them enough, and if blue elephants are not your thing, Angel Dear makes rabbits, puppies, hippos, and other animals. The unicorn designs are also cute! Pro tip: If your baby loves this as much as mine did, buy a few in case one goes missing. You won’t regret it.

We had a version of this highly rated and award-winning colorful toy that remained in rotation for a long time in your household. This Manhattan Toy Company hit is both a teether and a rattle. Lightweight and easy to hold, it has an infant-pleasing multisensory geometric design. It allows babies (although probably not newborns) to shake, flatten, and swish it and then watch it “bounce back” to its original shape. It is made from renewable rubberwood with a non-toxic, water-base finish. It’s been a favorite of babies and parents for over 30 years!

Tummy time is a phrase you will know if you were a babysitter, have a young sibling, or are a new parent. Babies use tummy time to strengthen their little neck muscles and get a chance to lie belly down, something absolutely not recommended for sleeping until age one. There are various play and activity mats designed to entertain both you and your baby while you practice tummy time. It contains 10 toys and activities and is recommended by parents for its music-forward focus, but if your baby doesn't like the sounds, Baby Einstein sells other themed mats online.

This cloth baby book may have a cute storyline but buy it for the fun fabric tails that stick out of its slim volume, which is the perfect size for carrying around. It’s crinkley (many babies love crinkle noises) and has colorful tails of different shapes, sizes, and textures that make “reading” fun. It clips easily to a stroller, which I personally felt is one of its best features. This fun toy is made for on-the-go entertainment.

This adorable teething toy was one of my older son’s favorite things well into the toddler years. It’s somehow the perfect size for babies’ small hands and magically soft and flexible, yet firm enough for tiny gums to gnaw on. Sophie is made from 100% natural rubber from the latex of the Hevea tree and is traditionally and manually produced by the French company, Vulli. They’ve been producing the beloved French teething toy for over 55 years. It’s one of my personal go-to gifts for new babies. This gift set also comes with an adorable Sophie teething ring made from the same seemingly indestructible, all-natural (and safe) rubber.

This remains my favorite piece of baby gear I received at my shower. Sure, a stroller and car seat are absolute necessities when you have a newborn, but this turtle-shaped night light is sure to soothe a parent along with their baby in the dark. The twilight turtle projects a starry night sky complete with eight major constellations onto your walls and ceiling. There are three soft color options (blue, amber, and green) and an automatic rotation, but personally, I found it distracting.

The gentle light and night-sky effect have a mesmerizing quality and produce just enough light for you to see to tip-toe out of a sleeping baby’s room, and it comes with a timer you can set so you know it will go off. I may have missed it the most when my kids grew out of it. This constellation maker contains long-life LEDs that will not heat up. Our turtle lasted several months without needing new batteries, but keep those AAA ones on hand; this turtle needs three of them to work.

There are so many diaper backpacks on the market that it was hard to pick the “best” one. My diaper bag was not this fashionable, but I would have chosen the Everyday Diaper Backpack if given the chance. It has 10 pockets, and I always need space for a binky or a package of wipes. This extremely functional bag contains easy to use small compartments, removable pouches, and wide cushioned backstraps. It comes with several clear storage pouches so you don’t have to root around for what you need. It's roomy enough to toss in diapers, bottles, blankets, and more. Plus, outside pockets can be used for parents' items, like keys and a phone. One downside: The bag doesn’t sit upright, so if you need a bag that does, skip this one.

New parents may be nervous when they are first learning to change tiny diapers. A changing table pad—soft enough to lay your baby down, with softly curved sides and a middle strap to keep them from falling out—is a great functional gift that can be used anywhere when you need to give your baby a fresh diaper.

A diaper pail may not seem like a sentimental gift, but it will be a welcome one. According to a recent survey from Everyday Health Group Pregnancy & Parenting Registry Builder Insights (Jan-Jun 2023), 83% of parents say diapers are a “must-have” registry item, but only 43% have added a diaper pail to their registry. If you can afford it, a diaper pail is one of those indispensable gifts for new parents.

Babies generate a lot of waste, and you won’t want to throw it away in an open pail. Diaper pails have come a long way since I had my first son, but this one comes highly recommended by several parents. It is also a good choice for germaphobes, as it is designed with not only odor control but its self-sealing and cleaning system and UV light sterilization kills germs like Staph, E. coli, and Klebsiella. It comes with a diaper pail, USB cable, adapter (for the UV light system), and a reusable Snap, Seal & Toss bag. Downside: You have to purchase bag refills that come in a pack of 20.

If the price tag on the option above is a little too high for a gift, this one (also from Munchkin) is a great and affordable alternative. It uses odor control with a simple foot pedal and has a patented self-sealing system that keeps odors contained whether the lid is open or closed. And when you gift this diaper pail, it is the gift that keeps on giving: for every single diaper pail sold, Munchkin will plant a tree!

BabyBjörn built its reputation on wearable baby carriers, but it also designs excellent bouncers that keep babies upright (no more acid reflux) and safe in their tiny seats. A bouncer is not only for your little one, it’s also for you when you need your hands free, but want to keep your baby close by. This Bouncer Balance Soft seat has a safety harness, soft padding, and straps which are easy for the baby to hold. It’s ergonomically designed for newborns and babies up to 29 lbs and allows them to safely sit and rock with support given to their heads, necks, and back. This bouncer has a stylish, modern look to give you a break from all the loud and colorful baby gear you may be given. And it can fold up completely flat, so if space is an issue, this one’s for you.

Safety tip: It is not safe to allow a baby to sleep in a bouncer, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This recently hit the marketplace and is sure to be on baby shower gift lists. The Munchkin Electric Bouncer & Rocker will appeal to parents who want a little “extra” with their ergonomically baby seat. It comes with soothing sounds and classical music from Bach, Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven, and has a base for bouncer or rocking (depending on your baby’s mood). Simply plug it into a power source (no batteries needed) and set the time for the length of music and motion you want your baby to enjoy.

Safety tip: It is not safe to allow a baby to sleep in a bouncer, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Are you team Ergobaby or BabyBjörn? Personally I was Ergobaby all the way, while my husband preferred the also excellent second choice. Parents highly recommend both companies. I love that you can switch this carrier to a back or side position besides a front carrier. The breathable mesh also meant neither of us got too overheated as we strolled around the neighborhood streets, and it makes a great travel carrier because of how soft and easy it is to fold up. Pockets are always essential, and it can be hard to reach the ones in your pants when you are carrying a baby. This carrier has easily accessible side pockets, an attachable pouch for stray items, and a hood in case it gets too hot outside for the top of your baby’s head.

Pro tip: The best baby carrier for you might not work for someone else. I recommend you always buy the carrier on the gift registry, but don’t be afraid to recommend another one to a new parent.

If you are pro-pacifier (I was), then these are the ones to buy in bulk for the baby shower. Comfortable and safe to wash and sterilize in a dishwasher, this collection by Philips (in my opinion) is the best. You can buy them in size packs for 0 to 3 months and 3 to 18 months. BPA-free and used nationwide in hospitals, you can trust the Philips brand. This set comes in a four-pack (buy two) for when your child inevitably tosses it out a moving car window, or maybe that’s just my kid.

A four-pack of these beautiful muslin swaddle blankets may not be enough if you love them as much as most parents. These large soft clothes may be advertised as swaddles, but they can be used in many ways, from baby blankets, light stroller covers, soothing blankies (as we called them), floor covers, and anything else. You can also swaddle your baby in them, but that takes practice. Mainly, my family loved them because they grew softer after every wash, were made from breathable cotton muslin, and had gorgeous prints and patterns. They also hold up surprisingly well. I have three of them in our linen closet, over 14 years old. Buy these in bulk if you can afford to. Yes, they are that perfect.

Tiny feet need tiny socks, like these fold-over organic cotton baby socks for newborns and babies. They come in an eight-pack of mix-and-match colors to keep tootsies warm and protected, with a cushioned footbed and seamless toe seam to prevent irritation. Baby socks also make a great toy as soon as the child learns how to pull them off, so consider it a two-in-one gift. Stock up on these socks because they are affordable, and the mom-to-be may want more.

Next to socks, short sleeve onesies are another staple that makes a great gift. Quince makes extremely soft, organic ones that are easy to layer and take off, with dual-adjusting snaps to make changing diapers easy. You get four in a pack and there are a few color-style options available. Onesies are the backbone of a newborn’s wardrobe making these a valuable gift for an affordable price.

While there may likely be actual confectionary delights at the baby shower, you can treat the new parents to a different kind of cake—one made from diapers. You could simply wrap up a case of diapers, but this delivers more of a thrill. These diaper cakes are from Honest and come with 70 diapers, plus an array of baby products, like organic balm for sore bums, clean ingredient wipes, and more.

If you simply want an easy-to-gift basket full of goodies, this is a great choice packed with 12 developmentally appropriate products like black and white plush toys, a tummy time pillow, baby flash cards, a sweet small blanket, and it includes a short developmental guide which provides newborn developmental tips. Check the instructions for each piece, while everything is safe for a supervised newborn, some of the soft toys are designed to be reintroduced at different ages, like 3 months. It’s a one-and-done gift—everything comes in its own gift box, too.

If the mother-to-be plans to nurse, these soothing nursing pillows may help her soothe painful breasts. Designed with super-soft rayon made from bamboo and flax seeds, these all-natural and gel-free pillows are designed to soothe with two different temperature controls, as you can pop them into the freezer or heat them up in the microwave, depending on the care your nursing breasts need. Simply tuck them into your nursing bra for relief, and you can wash the ultra-thin covers when needed.

If you struggle with blanket swaddles, this sleep swaddle is extremely easy to use. Some babies love swaddles, others hate them, but this one from Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby team makes a great gift that won’t break the bank if the recipient isn’t a fan. It’s made from 100% organic cotton, extra-quiet Velcro to keep the baby safe and snug, plus a two-way safety zipper for easy changing. There are arm openings for babies that prefer to keep their little limbs free.

For pumpers on the go, this Medela wearable breast pump (a gold-star brand) is lightweight, hands-free, and makes a great gift if you can afford the price tag. Easy to use with a rechargeable pocket-sized pump and wearable collection cups designed to hold 5 ounces of breast milk at a time. It can be worn under a nursing bra or the majority of other types of bras. This gift is app-enabled (connected to the award-winning Medela Family app) for easy pump tracking to plan a mom’s feeding schedule and access virtual milk storage.

When you have a baby, your body undergoes tremendous changes and not all of them are comfortable. This postpartum sitz soak is designed to help mothers relax and recover after birthing a baby. Formulated with 100% Dead Sea salt (rich in healing magnesium), it can support cleansing, skin recovery, and relaxation and provide perineal cleansing. Pink Stork is a women-owned and operated company focused on making products that support women, which is another nice reason to consider this soak for a shower gift.

You may not feel like running a marathon, but having a comfortable, no-slip shoe that is easy to slide into for walks in the park or up and down your hallway at midnight (more realistic with a newborn) will be a welcome addition to a new mom’s wardrobe. Plus, unlike slippers, she can wear these long after postpartum. Pro-tip: Ask for the receiver’s foot size and remember that some women’s feet swell during pregnancy. In fact, studies show many women jump a half or whole shoe size after their first pregnancy. If you’re worried about the size, grab a gift certificate for these.

Some gifts are great for before the baby comes, and this Peruvian Pima cotton gown in a cute pinstripe will keep your friend or family member comfortable. A roomy cut with nursing-friendly snaps, this shower gift can travel to the hospital, birthing center or be worn at home, so mom can feel cozy when guests arrive or when she is bonding with the new baby in bed.