New babies bring such joy not only to their parents but to all of the family and friends who know them. We all want to give gifts to welcome the new little one and express joy at their arrival. None of us want to give an unwanted or unnecessary gift, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to buy! So, I pulled together this list of the best baby gifts for newborns with a little help from some new parents! This is also a great resource for a new parent needing some ideas for what to include on your baby registry.
And, just for fun, we added a few bonus suggestions for ideas of gifts to give the parents of the newborn! Because whether they know it or not, they’ll need a few things too!
Best Baby Gifts for Newborns
Muslin Swaddling Cloths/Blankets
Hannah Stewart, a mom of four in central Texas, highly recommends muslin swaddling cloths. “You will have to learn how to swaddle a baby, but you will love these blankets,” she says. They can be used as car seat covers, nursing covers, or floor blankets. The brand that Hannah recommends is SwaddleDesigns Blankets, which can be found on Amazon. Amber Murphy, mom of 11-month-old Parker, also loves her daughter’s Copper Pearl swaddle blanket, which they still use. She loves that it is lightweight and so big that it keeps growing with her baby. We also love the Butterfly Swaddle, which is both a swaddle and transitional sleep sack.
Ring Slings
Lizzie Bass, a mom of two in North Carolina, can’t speak highly enough of her ring sling. She says it has been great for babywearing with her second baby because it’s “comfy but not too hot like the stretchy wrap I tried when my first child was a newborn.” Lizzie has the Wildbird brand ring sling, but many other brands are out there. Ring slings come in various fabrics at different price points and are suitable for babies and toddlers from 8-35 pounds.
Magnetic Me Bodysuits
Magnetic Me bodysuits also get two thumbs up from Hannah. She says, “The best baby clothes gift has to be the magnetic bodysuits! These made for quick diaper changes and were great for layering baby. Super convenient because there’s no messing with snaps or zippers.”
Halo SleepSacks
Another Texas mom says that Halo SleepSacks worked great for her first child and will use them for her second little one. Sleep-sacks keep your baby warm without blankets, eliminating the risk and worry of your baby getting tangled while sleeping. And this one comes in multiple designs and colors!
Itzy Ritzy Pacifiers
Pacifiers also make great gifts! We recommend these Itzy Ritzy pacifiers because they have large vents, which help with a baby’s breathability. They’re soft and comfortable for little ones yet durable enough for them to use as their teeth start to come in. We also like that this pacifier has a collapsible handle, which is helpful for a newborn’s safety!
Lovevery Play Gym
Playmats and baby gyms are perfect for engaging small children and helping them learn. The Play Gym by Lovevery is awesome because babies can use it from the newborn to toddler stage. While it’s a little pricey, many parents say it’s worth it, and the new parents in your life will surely appreciate the gift!
Baby Kits
New parents will appreciate a baby kit because it comes with many essentials they might not even know they need! This Fridababy Baby Basics Kit has neat tools to help clear stuffy noses, relieve gas, and more. The Pipette Baby Essentials Kit set includes personal care items, such as baby shampoo + wash, lotion, and oil.
UGG Booties
UGG boots aren’t just for adults! Newborns look super cute (and cozy) in these Bixbie Booties. They get rave reviews, with moms saying they’re easy to take off and excellent quality. This is the perfect gift to keep babies warm during the cold winter months.
Gifts for the Parents of Newborns
Co-Sleepers
Lizzie loves the Halo BassiNest. It attaches securely to the parent’s bed and provides a safe place for a baby to sleep while still near mom. Both mom and baby get to have a good night’s sleep. Lizzie says, “I love being able to scoop baby up, nurse, and put her back to sleep without having to leave my bed!”
Hand and Foot Stamp
This fun gadget from Pearhead lets new parents make impressions of their baby’s hands and feet. And no ink ever touches the baby’s skin. You can put those cute little footprints and handprints on thank-you cards, the keepsake album, and anything you please.
Keepsake Box
This is another sentimental gift for parents! You can customize this keepsake box to display the baby’s name, birthdate, etc., for mom and dad. It’ll be a place where they can store future pictures, cards, ultrasound photos, and other keepsakes. This will be a meaningful gift they can use for years to come.
Sound Machines
I was torn about putting a sound machine on the baby or parent list. But since it helps the parents AND the baby sleep, I decided it is ultimately a parent gift! Sound machines come with various features and are available at various price points, so how do you choose which one to get? A glance online shows that many folks like and recommend The Hatch Rest. It combines a sound machine with a night light and a time-to-rise feature.
Water-Resistant Diaper Bag
Parents need a sturdy bag to help them carry diapers, extra clothes, baby bottles, and other baby essentials. This Fawn Design diaper bag will be a lifesaver because it’s water-resistant, easy to clean, and can hold many items. It’s also really stylish for a new mama to wear!
Comfortable Bath Robe
After my first child, I remember being shocked and disappointed that my postnatal body didn’t fit into my prenatal clothes, none of which would have been helpful for nursing anyway. I wish I had had a comfy, pretty robe handy like this one, which Amber says she lived in for the first month after her daughter was born. The bonus, Amber said, is that “Parker had a matching swaddle blanket and bow, so we both looked cute too.”
Well, there you have it: the best baby gifts for newborns! The items detailed in this article are all recommended by real moms. When you create your gift wish list, a great guide is to ask for things that will make the baby happy and comfortable. And it never hurts to ask for gifts that make life easier for you as a parent! Good luck, and congratulations on your new little one!
