51 Best Baby Shower Gift Ideas for the New Baby

So, you’re going to be a guest at a baby shower soon, but you have no idea what gift to buy the parents-to-be? Choosing the perfect gift for the baby shower can be quite challenging. Baby shower gift registry lists can be helpful but sometimes there may not be one. Or you might like to surprise the parents-to-be with something personal and thoughtful that’s not on the list. So, what do you bring to a baby shower? If you need some inspiration or have no idea what to get for a baby shower, our list can help you choose from among the best baby shower gifts.

Big-Ticket Baby Shower Gifts

If you’re feeling extra generous or are super close to the parents-to-be, you might like to go all out and purchase a bigger ticket item that you know they will need and want. And, you don’t have to know whether the parents are having a baby boy or girl to buy them one of the following baby shower gifts as they’re for any gender:

1. Stroller. Many parents-to-be like to select a stroller themselves, but if you know which one they want, then this is one baby shower gift that is sure to get plenty of use.

2. Crib. This is obviously a nursery essential, but there are so many to choose from and many factors to consider, safety being the most important. If you opt for this, start by finding out what type of crib the parents would like, and go for that.

3. Crib mattress. If you’ve purchased the crib, you might also like to get the crib mattress at the same time. Oftentimes, these two pieces are purchased together for safety reasons, because the mattress should fit snugly into the crib.

4. Changing table. Here’s another nursery staple that will be put to good use and makes a great gift. As is the case with the crib, the parents might have their eye on a specific style or brand, so if it’s not specified in the registry, it's important to find out what type of changing table they would like.

5. Baby bouncer or swing. There are many baby bouncers and/or swings to choose from, and you'll want to check the child age and weight requirements of a particular style before you purchase it. Remember, some seats are designed for newborns, while others are designed for older babies.

6. Glider/rocking chair. A sturdy glider or rocking chair will keep either parent comfy while feeding or cuddling the baby, and the gentle back-and-forth motion can help soothe the little one. You could also consider giving a small side table that can go next to the chair for items needed during feeding, or even a footstool.

7. High chair. This will come in handy when the baby eventually starts on solid foods. There are so many different types of high chairs on the market ranging from cute and budget-friendly to contemporary and quite expensive. If the parents haven’t specified the model they would like in the registry, you might like to check with them.

8. Activity center. An activity center can provide babies with hours of fun and may also help boost their development. This is the type of gift older babies can begin to use just before they learn to walk.

Baby Shower Gifts for the Nursery

Selecting a good baby shower gift for the nursery can be tricky. What do the parents really need? Here are some great baby shower gift ideas that are absolute baby must-have items for the nursery for either a boy or a girl:

9. Diaper pail. A diaper pail is a must for storing those soiled diapers until they are taken out to the trash can. Some of the better diaper pails tend to be pricey, but the parents will appreciate having an odor-free home.

10. Bedding. During the first year of life, babies need only a fitted bottom sheet in their crib—loose bedding items such as top sheets, pillows, quilts, and blankets need to stay out of the crib to reduce the risks of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and suffocation. But you might like to purchase a matching bedding set and/or a blanket that could be used later on, during the toddler stage. There are very adorable sheet sets on the market, and parents will inevitably need multiple sets down the line.

11. Mobiles. Choose something colorful—red is one of the first colors the baby will be able to see. There are also mobiles that play music, so there's no shortage of options. Find out if the baby will have a themed nursery, then select a mobile to match.

12. Night-light. A dim night-light can help settle the baby and make it easier for parents to walk around without stubbing a toe during nighttime feedings.

13. Sound machine. When it comes to lulling babies to sleep, playing white noise or another comforting sound from a sound machine can do the trick. Most sound machines offer a variety of options from shushing noises to womb-like echoes to help lull a baby to sleep.

14. Swaddle blankets. These blankets have more than just one use, making them a perfect baby shower gift. In addition to wrapping a newborn securely and providing comfort, swaddle blankets and even receiving blankets can double as burp cloths, tummy time mats, nursing covers, and more.

15. Babyproofing items. There are all kinds of safety items the new family will need, including electric outlet covers, corner covers, and baby gates.

Practical Baby Shower Gifts

Every parent can use some common, practical baby shower gifts, whether for diapering, feeding, or bathing their baby. Read on to learn about some of the best practical baby shower gifts on the market. With our helpful list of baby shower gift ideas on hand, you'll be sure to choose something the new parents will find useful for their girl or boy!

16. Diapers. It should come as no surprise that diapers top this specific baby shower gift list. Every baby needs diapers—lots of them! Even a few boxes of diapers can help a lot. You might even like to give several different sizes, so that the diapers can be used in the first few months no matter how big the baby is and how fast they grow. Here’s a great diaper gift idea: Consider registering the new parents for a diaper subscription service. Diaper subscriptions help parents have the diapers they need when they need them. Certain diaper subscriptions even help parents keep up with their developing baby, allowing them to easily update the size of the diapers and delivery frequency they’ll need for their little one.

17. Wipes. In addition to diapers, parents will go through an abundant amount of baby wipes. If you’re considering giving a diaper subscription service as well, you might like to choose a provider that offers baby wipes as an additional product to include.

18. Clothing. Baby tees, jumpsuits, booties, shoes—you name them, babies will need them. Consider buying larger sizes, too, as babies grow out of newborn sizes quickly (and some larger babies never fit into these small sizes).

19. Breastfeeding supplies. If you know the mom-to-be will be breastfeeding, you could get her some breast milk storage containers, a nursing cover, or a nursing pillow. Breast pumps are now covered by most insurance plans, and nursing bras are a very personal choice, so it's best to check first before buying these items.

20. Baby bottles. Baby bottles are essential for feeding, whether the mom-to-be chooses to nurse or formula-feed. For breastfed babies, breast milk can be pumped and stored for bottle-feeding at a later time. Stock up on BPA-free plastic bottles or go with glass baby bottles with interchangeable nipples. Useful baby shower gift options include a set of baby bottles with a range of bottle nipple sizes to fit throughout a baby’s first year.

21. Bottle accessories. Parents will appreciate having some basic accessories for bottle-feeding like a bottle warmer or bottle sterilizer.

22. Burp cloths. These will help protect the parent's outfit during each feeding, plus they're handy for wiping up messes or cleaning the baby's sticky hands. You can assemble a few of these as your gift or add them to a baby shower gift basket.

23. Pacifiers. When they’re not breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, babies often like to suckle on pacifiers to soothe themselves. A package of pacifiers would make a very thoughtful gift—the more the merrier as pacifiers often get lost easily.

24. Teething toys. When the baby’s teeth start coming in, teething toys will be very beneficial to soothe their gums. A package of multiple teething toys can make a very practical gift.

25. Bibs. Babies are messy, especially when they eat! Bibs are great for capturing food, drool, and burping messes, helping the baby’s top to stay clean for just a little bit longer. Opt for packs of three or more or buy a bigger bunch, since most parents go through a quite a few throughout the day.

26. Utensils. In no time at all, the baby will be eating solid foods, so you could give a set of dishes and utensils in a cute pattern, as well as colorful sippy cups.

27. Baby food maker. If you know the parents are interested in making homemade baby food for their little one, you may like to get them a dedicated machine that makes blending, portioning, and storing baby food easy.

28. Baby bathtub. A portable baby tub is the ultimate baby shower gift for bath time. Some tubs even come with a built-in thermostat to help parents make sure the bath water is just the right temperature for their little one.

29. First-aid kit. For all those little emergencies that the parents might not yet be prepared for, give an emergency kit with a baby thermometer, tweezers, nasal aspirator, calamine lotion, bandages, a cold pack, etc.

Baby Shower Gifts for Travel

There will be times when the parents need to travel with their little one in tow. Whether that means braving an airport or just heading across town to the grandparent’s house, they will need a variety of portable items to help get from point A to B. Look at this list of baby shower gift ideas and consider giving one of these on-the-go essentials that are ideal for a boy or a girl:

30. Diaper bag. If the parents-to-be are close friends, you may know their personal style well enough to buy them a diaper bag. Or, they may have included one on the baby registry. If not, look for one that is spacious and has easy-to-access compartments. The parents will be hauling this bag around for a couple of years, so go for something classic and versatile.

31. Travel crib. Look for safe, lightweight options that can be assembled and disassembled easily. A portable play yard can also provide a safe space for the baby to play or sleep while under the parents' watchful eyes.

32. Play mat. A play mat is another great option for travel or for use at home. It can keep babies busy and entertained away from home.

33. Emergency diaper bag. Put together a smaller diaper bag with the essentials that the parents can keep in the car or use when on a short errand.

34. Changing pad. Any area can be transformed into a diaper-duty station with a changing pad, diapers, and wipes.

35. Baby carrier or sling. A good baby carrier is ideal for parents to keep their hands free while running errands or just moving around the house. It's also cozy and soothing for the baby.

36. Stroller accessories. These can range from toys and books for the baby to accessories for mom and dad, like cup and smartphone holders. Stroller covers, umbrellas, and even stroller hand muffs are great options for traveling with a baby in any weather condition.

Baby Shower Gift Basket Ideas

If you’re thinking that you’d like to give an impressive gift basket filled with lots of small, useful items, choose one of the following baby shower gift ideas. They fit into almost every budget, and are ideal for when the parents-to-be haven’t revealed whether they’re having a boy or girl:

37. Diapering gift basket. A practical and fun way to package several diapering-related gifts is to place them in a cute basket. To make the gift even more practical, you could use a diaper bag instead of a basket. You can easily fill the basket or diaper bag with useful baby shower gifts including diapers, wipes, diaper creams, lotions, changing pads, and more.

38. Toiletries gift basket. Fill a cute storage basket or even a baby bathtub with practical baby shower gifts featuring a bath-time theme. Shampoo, body wash, and lotion designed for infants are all essential. You could also add accessories such as a waterproof thermometer, some toy rubber ducks, and a soft towel to round out your baby shower gift basket.

39. Baby-friendly laundry essentials gift basket. New parents will soon discover that doing frequent loads of laundry is a necessity—babies can go through multiple outfits in just a day—and a selection of laundry supplies makes a nice gift. Look for a gentle detergent that won't irritate a newborn's delicate skin, and combine it with stain removers, laundry bags, and more. Mesh laundry bags are great for keeping socks, bibs, and other small baby items organized and intact. You might also like to include a laundry basket (which can double as the gift basket) for the nursery.

40. Cleaning supplies gift basket. With a new baby, messes are bound to happen, and every parent could use some help keeping things tidy. Gather a variety of cleaning products and sanitizers, and don't forget some sponges, dust cloths, cleaning wipes, and a bucket or organizer (either of which can double as the gift basket).

41. Combination baby shower gift basket. Combine lots of smaller necessities in a lovely basket. These can include diapers, diaper cream, wipes, a burp cloth, body suits, pacifiers, a toy rattle, and more.

Personalized and Unique DIY Baby Shower Gifts

Handmade or personalized baby shower gifts come from the heart and can be unique and meaningful for the new parents. Also, if this is baby number two or three, the parents may already have most of the basics needed for a newborn, so a personalized gift might be more appealing. If you would love to get creative, consider one of these cute, cool, special, and thoughtful baby shower gift ideas:

42. Monthly milestone blanket. You don’t have to be a social media influencer to know these monthly milestone baskets are all the rage on social media. Even if the parents aren’t avid posters, you might like to get them this type of blanket so they can take monthly photos of their baby to track their growth. If you’re handy you can go one step further and personalize a plain blanket: Try embroidering it or painting it with non-toxic fabric paint.

43. Memory book. These books allow for a little creativity throughout the baby’s first year, as parents can jot down special milestones and add pictures. Once the baby is all grown up, the family will love looking back at this special keepsake, too.

44. Professional photo shoot. A photo shoot is sure to be a hit with the parents-to-be and will provide memories for years to come. There are many photographers who specialize in photographing babies, and you might like to allow the parents to select someone they feel comfortable with in their local area.

45. Baby books. It's never too early for parents to start reading to their baby and having a nice selection of books at hand is key. Prepare a gift box of new or classic children’s books or add a personal touch by including some favorite titles from your own childhood.

46. Toys. Consider giving toys the baby can play with in the years to come. This means that as the baby gets older and is looking for something new to play with, the parents can simply reach for something that has been waiting on the shelf for just the right moment.

47. Diaper cakes. A DIY diaper cake is both fun and useful. Consider using various diaper sizes, so there’ll be plenty of diapers on hand for later, when the baby grows out of the smaller sizes. Avoid using hot glue to assemble the diaper cake so that the diapers will still be usable.

48. Handmade clothes. If you knit or sew, consider making clothes, socks, hats, or mittens for the baby.

49. Handmade art for the nursery. If you’re particularly creative, you may feel inspired to create a homemade baby shower gift in the form of a work of art to decorate the nursery. This could be a mural that you paint yourself or hire an artist to create the work. The simplest option could be purchasing wall decals that match the theme of the nursery.

50. Personalized baby shower gifts. Order a baby book or children’s book online that can be personalized with the baby’s name and date of birth. Buy a cotton playsuit or security blanket and personalize it by printing a message on the front or back. Or, have the child’s name stitched or embroidered onto a teddy bear or other plush toy.

51. Gift certificates. If you're in any doubt or need a last-minute baby shower gift, purchase a gift certificate to a local baby store, or even a local supermarket. This is a great way to help parents purchase exactly what the need.

The Bottom Line

Your baby shower presents will be appreciated, no matter how big or small. So, don’t worry too much about what you end up selecting to buy for the parents-to-be. And our article about what to write in a baby shower card can help you personalize it even more!

Keep in mind that your gift doesn’t have to be geared toward the new baby; you can also purchase a baby shower gift for the mom-to-be.

If you happen to be the lucky one who is organizing the baby shower, then explore our baby shower category, which includes lots of exciting information on themes, games, invitations, and more.

Plus, take advantage of our baby shower planning checklist, which can help you organize the perfect shower with ease.

If you yourself are a parent of a young child, you might like to save on all your diapers and wipes purchases. Download the Pampers Club app today to get started earning cash back for those much-needed diapering supplies.