Whether you’re shopping off an expecting parent’s registry or coming up with a thoughtful gesture of your own, there are many ways to shower the soon-to-be mom in your life with the perfect baby shower gift.
As a new (first-time!) mom with a four-month-old daughter and plenty of pregnant friends, I have a deep understanding of what makes the perfect baby shower gift — be it health essentials for mom and baby or cute décor for the nursery. But since all parents, babies and pregnancies are different, I tapped the pros for expert-vetted ideas so you can treat the parents-to-be with the perfect baby shower gift.
How to choose a baby shower gift
“As a family physician who has spent years delivering babies and seeing them in my practice, as well as a mother of four, I definitely have opinions on great baby shower gifts that are doctor and parent-approved,” says Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician and co-owner of Solomon Valley Family Medicine. “One of the great joys of my career is supporting new parents through pregnancy, delivery and then helping them navigate the world of having a new baby.”
Her main criteria? Anything that supports safe sleep. “Safe sleep is a huge soapbox of mine,” Oller says. “While I understand the exhaustion of new parents, co-sleeping is not safe nor recommended,” adding that you should steer clear of a gift like pillows or bumpers that could compromise safe sleep in a crib. Another one of her go-to categories to hit is safe car riding. “Going in on a car seat with a great safety rating is great, as big-ticket items like car seats and strollers are must-haves but also stressful to get due to the cost.”
So what should you look for in a baby shower gift? For Laura Hunter, LPN, co-founder of Moms on Call, “it’s always best to start by checking the registry [since] parents-to-be often have specific color schemes, needed items and preferences for types of feeding supplies. The registry is a great guide to ensure your gift aligns with their needs and tastes.” While second-hand items can be useful and sustainable, Hunter recommends avoiding them as baby shower gifts since it can be difficult to verify both their hygiene and safety.
A basket full of baby art might look super gift-worthy and Instagrammable, but Hunter recommends prioritizing function over fashion. “While cute outfits and stuffed animals are always appreciated, practical gifts can be a lifesaver for new parents,” she says. “Think about items that will be used frequently and provide real value like diapers, wipes, onesies and burp cloths.”
And though it might seem wise to purchase gifts that will benefit the baby in the immediate weeks or months after birth, consider the entire span of the baby’s infancy for ultimate convenience. “Babies grow incredibly fast and it’s easy for them to outgrow clothes and shoes before they’ve had a chance to wear them,” says Hunter. “When selecting clothing or footwear, consider buying a couple of different sizes. This way, the parents will have items ready as the baby grows and your gift will be useful for a longer period.”
The best baby shower gifts
If there’s one thing worth buying a new mom, let it be this viral Fisher-Price piano gym. Babies will enjoy hours of endless fun kicking the piano keys and grabbing at toy animals, which helps assist with motor development and hand-eye coordination. The bright colors also make for an engaging and interactive experience that’ll quite literally light up their life. The best part is that the piano keys can be readjusted to suit a seated baby.
“A breast pump is a big purchase, so it is a great opportunity to go in with others on a gift,” says Oller. This editor-approved pump is easy to clean and assemble and provides a comfortable pumping experience whether you’re on the go or getting chores done at home.
“As a mother who breastfed four children including twins, I know firsthand how challenging breastfeeding can be, but also how rewarding and beneficial [it is] for infant health,” says Oller. “One of my go-to gifts is a breastfeeding support basket.” This convenient caddy features a cooler bag, multiple storage compartments for milk storage bags, charging cables, pump parts and more.
Mom doesn’t have the bandwidth to tend to real flowers — what she really needs is a bouquet of baby clothes to welcome the baby into the world. This adorable arrangement includes three onesies, three embroidered bibs, two receiving blankets and a sock, cap and scratch mittens set.
She’ll be changing her little one several times per day, and messes and accidents are bound to be frequent. Lessen the blow with this mom-approved changing pad you can easily affix onto any surface or dresser. It’s seamless to wipe down, features a safety strap to prevent falls and comes with the cutest mini mobile that provides instant entertainment during their diaper change.
The combination of baby bouncing while remaining upright can help ease the effects of reflux while soothing them gently. This bouncer’s portable and lightweight design allows you to bring it from room to room — and given how useful it is for the mom who just needs to check tasks off her to-do list, it’s bound to become a daily staple.
Hunter explains that “consistent white noise helps little brains get healthy and much-needed rest as the sound prevents the brain from being over-stimulated, leading to more unexpected wakeups.” She recommends this sound machine that provides the perfect pitch of white noise at the perfect volume.
Hunter recommends “a versatile travel system that includes both a car seat and a stroller.” For next-level parental convenience and comfort for her little one, grab this popular trio that includes an extended-use infant car seat that clicks seamlessly into the stroller, a multi-position reclining seat, thick rubber tires, a sun protective canopy and so much more.
“My hands-free pumping bras were a lifesaver so that I could still chart on my computer while pumping at work,” says Oller. No matter how Mom plans to feed her child, this pretty yet practical pumping and nursing bra is a new mom’s wardrobe staple. Plus, she’ll still feel like herself in its cute lace design and funky colors.
“A cool mist humidifier is a great gift to help when babies are very congested,” says Oller. This smart option features a soothing color-changing nightlight and diffuser for a calming aromatherapy experience.
Swaddling is an art and science akin to burrito wrapping the most delicate thing you’ve ever encountered — or more accurately, “it provides the necessary elements that pediatric experts know must be in place for babies to soothe and rest safely,” says Hunter. The bedtime task will be infinitely easier with this swaddle wrap, which features a Velcro closure and arm inserts to ensure baby doesn’t wiggle their way out of it at night.
This nursery staple works double duty as a warmer to soothe the delicate skin on their bottom and as a weight to prevent those flimsy packets from flying around when you’re frantically trying to change a diaper. The warm glow also provides some much-needed visibility during a midnight change.
This 25-piece starter kit features all the basics to keep baby happy, healthy and well-groomed. “I recommend all parents have a baby health kit,” says Oller. “A rectal thermometer is a must, as it’s the only way to get an accurate temperature for a newborn. Having thermometer covers and some KY jelly or something similar to help lubricate are good gifts. A nail file and baby nail clippers are very helpful, as well as a nasal bulb syringe and saline nasal drops to help loosen things and make aspirating easier.”
Hunter recommends this travel pack and play that’s “perfect for families on the go, providing a safe and portable space for the baby to sleep and play.” It’s airport-friendly, weighs only 15 pounds and features buttery soft fabric atop sturdy non-slip feet for comfort and durability.
New parents go through *a lot* of hand sanitizer, so Oller recommends ensuring they have plenty on hand. This baby-safe option comes in a refreshing citrus scent and is equipped with a convenient pump for ease of use.
Whether mom plans to feed via bottle or breast, you can’t go wrong with this cult-favorite nursing pillow, which Oller considers a new mom must-have. Bonus: It’s also a great tool to help support babies in their quest to sit upright.
One of the most popular crib brands also happens to be incredibly aesthetic and functional. This ingenius option for small spaces (aka most nurseries!) features ample drawer storage for baby’s essentials, an adjustable mattress height and an included toddler bed conversion kit for numerous years of sweet dreams.
Most cribs are BYOM (bring your own mattress), so be sure to keep mom and baby well stocked with a mattress ready to go. This breathable mattress checks off all their boxes: It’s coated in a sugarcane-based waterproof film and it provides a supportive firm surface for safe sleep from the newborn stage all the way to toddlerhood.
It’s such a luxury to be able to avoid tossing stinky diapers in with your everyday trash. This nursery starter kit contains a fan-favorite diaper garbage pail that locks out odors, plus 48 tear-off bags that collectively hold up to 2,256 newborn diapers.
Motherhood means never again leaving the house with just your phone, wallet and keys. Luckily, this sleek diaper bag proves toting around baby’s essentials doesn’t have to be bulky. It contains every compartment you could ever need for organizing everything from bottles to outfits to diapers to pacifiers, and it comes in a sensible waterproof material that’s easy to clean in the likely event of a mess. Mom will also love that it features a laptop sleeve for plenty of functionality once she returns to work.
She’s going to be racking up tons of baby books, so ensure she has somewhere to store them in this tree-shaped kid’s bookcase in a versatile natural wood finish. It attaches securely to the wall for extra safety.
Whether she’ll be giving birth in the summer months or traveling somewhere hot with her little one in tow, this mini fan that attaches to the stroller is a safety and comfort must-have. It features three speeds and provides a cooling breeze from any direction to regulate baby’s body temperature.
Has she decided to wait until birth to discover the sex of her baby? These gender-neutral bodysuits are a total win for their baby-soft and eco-friendly materials and smart shoulder snap design that facilitates skin-to-skin contact and quick changes.
“A sleep space that can be pulled up right to the parent bed but allows the infant to have their own space [is] very helpful,” says Oller. This lightweight yet durable bassinet features mesh walls for ultimate ventilation and visibility, the largest sleep surface in the bassinet market to accommodate a growing baby and a dreamy and completely washable design for easy upkeep.
This portable and foldable diaper-changing pad is an absolute godsend while on the go. It features a built-in padded headrest for baby’s comfort during changes, a dedicated wipe dispenser and pockets to stash diapers, barrier cream, toys and more.
The new mom in your life is bound to take her daily walks to a whole new level (especially if it's the baby's preferred method of falling asleep!). Ensure all her belongings are organized in this popular stroller organizer compatible with all stroller brands. It includes a phone holder, two insulated cup holders and numerous attachment methods for Mom’s convenience.
Diaper rash isn’t just unsightly — it can also cause baby tons of discomfort. This maximum-strength zinc oxide barrier cream does a stellar job of soothing and preventing skin irritation caused by both friction and moisture for an overall happier baby. This four-ounce tube is also easier to tote around in a diaper bag than options available in a bulky tub.
Babies can’t hold their heads up for a standard bathing experience until they’re several months old, so gift the new mom in your life this practical bath support that cradles their little one in all the right places while they splish and splash around for the very first time. It features a hook and drain holes for easy drying and a soft base that won’t damage your tub.
Most babies experience some level of regurgitation during and after each feeding. Keep their onesies clean with these ultra-soft muslin burp cloths you really can’t have too many of. Bonus: They get softer with each wash.
While this nasal aspirator may seem like a gag gift, it’s going to become a daily essential for ridding babies of snot and clearing up their airways. This popular device features a filter barrier so all the gunk stays in the tube and it’s easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher.
Adding a “mini me” into the mix calls for one thing: Matching outfits featuring Minnie Mouse. Allow the two to get dolled up for their first family photo shoot in an adorable matching dress and onesie.
“I like to gift a floor mat for tummy time, which is very important to support motor development,” says Oller. This reversible organic cotton playmat features two high-contrast patterns to capture their attention from the newborn stage and beyond. It’s plush, wide enough to support rolling and folds down for easy storage and transport.
Fewer things are more fun as a new mom than documenting baby’s age for social media or a scrapbook. These boho-chic discs allow you to do just that, and they’re suitable for all types of nursery aesthetics.
This is the perfect journal for documenting the basics such as baby’s likes and dislikes, their measurements, photos and miscellaneous developments. Without an intensively detailed template, it allows mom to keep track of what matters while allowing her to stay present in the moment with her little one.
Diaper bags can quickly become overstuffed and less than chic to look at. This fanny pack — available in two cool hues — slings effortlessly over your shoulder or around your hips for quick (and stylish!) diaper changes. It includes a wipe dispenser, a changing mat and a roomy main compartment for all of mom’s and baby’s daily essentials.