Published on January 14th, 2022 and Updated on January 15th, 2024
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Get ready for a new face around here….
No drinks for me! But I do have some news….
We’re finally expecting!
No matter how you receive the news, there’s nothing more exciting than finding out your loved ones are having a baby. And, to welcome the stork in transit, there’s nothing more fun than a baby shower filled with mocktails and gifts. Some of the more common baby shower gifts include a diaper bag, baby monitor, baby clothes, baby bottles, crib mattress, and baby carrier. While there is nothing wrong with giving the expectant parent any of these gifts, the risk is everyone else might bring similar gifts. You could always opt for a gift card, but if you’re looking for a unique baby shower gift we’ve got some ideas!
Of course, the greatest gift is already well on its way, but that doesn’t mean the gift-giving should end there (especially with all the work mom’s doing to build that baby). To congratulate the expectant parents in your life and prepare them for their journey into parenthood, take a look at our top picks for the best baby shower gifts for both baby and mom. The good thing is any of these items are fit for baby shower gifts for a girl or baby shower gifts for a boy.
Gifts to Soothe the Sweet New Family Member
Sure, your average newborn spends most of her days lying around and being carried from place to place (ah, the dream), but she still needs restful sleep to ensure her health and development. Plus, once a baby starts catching some zzz’s, mom and dad can take a rest, too.
Help soothe any nighttime cries and naptime wars with the following sleep-inducing gifts.
#1 Baby Swaddle or Sleepsack
When the baby was snug as a bug inside mom’s womb, he was exactly that—snug. Once the new baby is inside his crib, that same snugness is no longer there. Unless, of course, he’s swaddled. Swaddling blankets, like these cotton muslin swaddles, are used to wrap babies tightly, creating a warm and cozy cocoon that reminds them of mom’s womb. Re-creating this familiar sensation can help a baby fall asleep in the much wider expanse of his crib.
However, swaddling blankets should only be used for the first 2 to 4 months. Around this time, babies learn to roll over onto their tummies. If a baby rolls onto his stomach while he’s swaddled, he won’t have the use of his arms to prop himself up and keep his airway open.
That’s when a modern sleepsack, like the 100% cotton Halo Sleepsack, comes into play. A sleepsack is essentially a wearable blanket that zips closed at the bottom to keep the new baby warm, while allowing for arm movement (you know, in case he does want to take a midnight crawl around the crib). You can slip this wearable blanket over pajamas, and voila! Breathable and safe comfort, all night long.
#2 Sleeper Stations
Celebrating your BFF’s or sister’s pregnancy? Go all out with a sleeper. You’ll take a load off mom’s back (literally) with a sturdy place for her little one to snooze.
According to pediatricians, parents and babies should share a room for the first 6 months, as this can decrease the risk of SIDs (sudden infant death syndrome) by as much as 50%. This is because sleeping in the same room makes it easier for parents to:
- Respond to cries faster
- Monitor their baby girl as she falls asleep
- Feed her more easily
With a light bassinet, like the Halo Swivel Sleeper, cohabitating is a breeze. This sleeper, in particular, features an adjustable base and 360-degree swivel to fit any adult bedroom.
If you’re ready for the big leagues, you can’t go wrong with a quality slatted crib. The convertible DaVinci Kalani model not only works as a baby crib—it can also turn into a toddler bed, daybed, and full-size bed. Consider it the gift that keeps on giving.
#3 White Noise Machine
Parents know all too well; one tiny creak of the floorboard, and it’s game over. To drown out those pesky household noises, as well as ambient sounds from the neighborhood, we have one quiet answer—a baby-friendly white noise machine. So long as noises stay below 50 decibels (to prevent sleep disturbances and baby hearing impairment), those ocean waves can safely soothe any newborn to sleep (and let new parents rest easy).
For a long-term gift, consider the smartphone-controlled Hatch Rest Machine. It can be used for years to come due to its part noise machine, part night–light functionality. While parents should avoid using a nightlight in their newborn’s nursery (as sleeping in darkness helps set a baby’s circadian rhythm), they’ll appreciate the variety of glowy nightlight colors they can choose from once their baby becomes a toddler.
Plus, the Hatch offers several soothing soundscapes, such as:
- Crickets
- Rain
- Ocean
- Birds
- Water stream
- Classic lullabies
Gifts to Help Mom Feel Rested
Pregnancy is a marathon. While trekking to the finish line, the expectant mom in your life will likely have one thing on her mind—rest. (Well, rest and that post-pregnancy glass of wine).
Step in as her sleep guru and give the gift of relaxation with these stress-releasing baby shower gifts for mom.
#4 Home Spa Essentials
By the third trimester, going to the salon can feel more like a chore than a pleasure. In fact, putting on anything other than her robe and leaving the house at all is likely not high on your expectant mom’s list of fun activities.
Fortunately, you can deliver pampering straight to your loved one by putting together an at-home spa kit.
For a mom-friendly spa kit, consider incorporating these maternity beauty items:
- Body oil – Shifting hormones + stretching skin = major skin changes. Quality body oils can soothe growing bellies and other body areas (hello, swollen breasts!), which also helps to prevent stretch marks. For the best skin nourishment, look for hydrating oils like squalane, camellia, jojoba, and almond.
- Nipple balm – During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, nipple sensitivity levels and chafing can soar. A soothing nipple balm, like the trusty Lansinoh Lanolin Cream, can make a world of difference to your new mom.
- Toothpaste – You may not think of toothpaste as a maternity gift, but morning sickness (a pregnancy symptom that affects nearly 70% of women) can increase the risk of enamel erosion if teeth are properly cared for. A specially formulated toothpaste, like Spotlight Oral Care, can protect those pearly whites and keep mom feeling fresh.
- Bath salts – Encourage relaxation with a luxurious bath, complete with maternity-safe bath salts, like Pink Stork Pregnancy Flakes. The soothing magnesium found in bath salts is believed to help alleviate sore muscles, reduce stress, and provide relief from any itchiness your loved one may be experiencing as her skin stretches.
- Candles – To set the spa mood, consider a non-toxic soy candle that’ll leave your favorite mom-to-be feeling relaxed (not nauseous). Lavender, chamomile, and neroli are all excellent choices.
Crunched for time before the baby shower? No worries. Pre-made baskets like the Honest Company Pregnancy Gift Set have all the essentials ready to go.
#5 Maternity Pillow
Sure, it’s important for babies to catch zzz’s, but don’t sleep on mom’s needs! In fact, according to science, the better mom sleeps, the healthier her pregnancy will be. Research has found possible relationships between sleep deprivation during pregnancy and:
- Longer labor
- Higher cesarean rates
- Preterm labor
- Postpartum depression
When you consider the fact that nearly 75% of pregnant women suffer from insomnia, it becomes clear that there’s one baby shower gift all new mothers need—a maternity pillow.
Curved and cushiony, maternity pillows support pregnant bodies from head to toe, reducing instances of acid reflux and preventing body aches. Choose an ultra-soft maternity pillow for peak comfort, like the 300 thread-count Leachco Snoogle. Bonus: it’s available in 22 stylish colors. There’s no reason to not give this practical baby shower gift!
Gifts to Promote Lifelong Health and Happiness
Pregnancy is just the first (baby) step. Once the big day arrives, your new mom has 18-plus more years of parenting adventures ahead of her.
Sprinkle a little fun and ease into those first few trips around the sun with these unique baby shower gifts for infants.
#6 Baby Books
Kids are like sponges, soaking up every little sight and sound. Introduce them to the world and inspire a love of reading with these baby-approved books:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
- Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown
- Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear – Bill Martin, Jr.
- The Snowy Day – Ezra Jack Keats
- Good Night, Gorilla – Peggy Rathmann
- Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss
- Five Little Monkeys – Eileen Christelow
Want to teach fine motor skills and morals with the turn of every page? Check out book subscriptions like the Little Feminist or Literati’s Club Neo. Every month delivers a new literary adventure, along with tactile board books that sneak in universal childhood lessons, like the colors of the rainbow and the meaning of community.
#7 Playtime Station
What’s playtime without a few toys? As it turns out, those baby rattles are more than just fun distractions. Experts agree that physical toys aid developmental markers like fine motor skills and balance.
One way to get the ball rolling? Gift a baby playtime station. This 3-in-1 play gym is an organizational mastermind, combining a ball pit, mobile toys, and mat space into one nifty area so that parents can (at least try to) preserve some open carpet space.
For a simpler, more travel-friendly option, young explorers will love this colorful Crawl and Discover Mat. It includes reversible panels and tethered toys to interact with, as well as crinkling textures and a removable mirror to keep little ones entertained and stimulated.
Choosing the perfect baby shower gift involves considering both the needs of the expectant parents and the development of the baby. With our selection of unique and thoughtful gift ideas, ranging from sleep aids to home spa essentials and interactive play stations, you’re sure to find the perfect present to bring joy, support, and long-lasting memories to the new family.
Sources:
- Healthy Children from the American Academy of Pediatrics. How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx
- NCBI. Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4935047/
- NCBI. Sleep Deprivation during Pregnancy and Maternal and Fetal Outcomes: Is There a Relationship? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824023/
- NIH. Poor sleep quality, antepartum depression and suicidal ideation among pregnant women. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27930912/
- Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Infant Sleep Machines and Hazardous Sound Pressure Levels. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/133/4/677
- Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/143/1/e20183348
- Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Swaddling and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/05/05/peds.2015-3275
- WebMD. When Do You Stop Swaddling a Baby? https://www.webmd.com/baby/when-do-you-stop-swaddling-baby#1
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SneakPeek aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to help our readers make informed decisions regarding their health before, during, and after pregnancy. This article was written based upon trusted scientific research studies and/or articles. Credible information sources for this article are cited and hyperlinked.
