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The best baby gifts can range from the practical (who knew diaper cream spatulas existed?) to the thoughtful, but they all have one thing in common: They've all been vetted by experienced parents who have been there, like our team of Parents editors. We get that sleep is the most precious commodity a parent can have, that parenthood is messy and requires things like snot suckers sometimes, and that preserving memories of your baby is always worth it.
To create our list of recommendations, we also asked caregivers about the favorite gifts they've received for their babies and added a few must-have baby products -- many of which we've personally tested. Additionally, we talked to experts and fellow parents about the gadgets and gear they find most useful, and what they value most in a baby gift.
The best gift you can give any parent is the gift of sleep, and the Hatch is known for promoting positive sleep habits with soothing white noise and automatic bedtime routines, complete with gentle music and stories. We love that the Hatch Rest can be used from birth, but it's also a game-changer for older kids -- it can be programmed to use lighting to cue when it's time to get into bed, stay in bed, or get out of bed and start the day. For working or traveling parents, the Hatch+ subscription can also be used to leave a personalized goodnight voice message to sleepy little ones.
From top to (literal) bottom, this baby care kit has it all. The viral Frida Baby snot sucker is a lifesaver for new parents, but the brand has done it again with its new device, the Windi. I had to do a double-take to make sure I understood this product correctly, but it is what it sounds like: an insertable tube to take the "wind" out of your baby's gas. (Yes, you put it where you're thinking.) Along with gas, this kit also addresses the other discomforts of new babyhood, including a silicone brush for cradle cap, safety nail clippers for tiny nails, and, of course, the original snot sucker.
As someone who was gifted one of Lovevery's kits, I can assure you that it's a wonderful gesture that will definitely be appreciated. The kits are high-quality, full of educational resources and toys for babies, and the novelty of receiving a play kit can really turn an afternoon of wondering what to do into a day of engaging fun. My baby loved the soft book that came with the kit so much that she carried it around for months -- and when we accidentally lost it at the store, I even contacted the company for a replacement, which they sent us for free!
A baby all wrapped up in an adorable robe post-bathtime is a classic childhood moment that every family needs to experience. It makes the perfect photo op that will induce sobs years later. Choose from cozy creatures like an elephant, duck, or bear, or pick a pattern if babies dressed as animals aren't your thing. The robe comes in one size, 0-9 months, and is hooded for ultimate comfort and cuteness, of course.
One can't possibly fathom the amount of mess that one small baby or toddler can produce, but as a seasoned parent, you're one step ahead to warn new parents. And thanks to your saviness in the trenches before them, they'll be well-prepared with this all-in-one first feeding set. The full silicone set includes a bib, utensils, cup, suction plate, and bowl. But the best part is that every single item is fully dishwasher-safe, so you can throw everything, including the bib, right in the dishwasher after mealtime.
Having owned several Baby Einstein products, I can attest that they're wonderful items to both own and gift. Every Baby Einstein product I've owned has all the magical qualities of being engaging, educational, and enriching beyond just the baby years. For instance, this activity gym is ideal for the newborn stage, but transforms into a sit-up toy and later, a carry-along piano.
A neck pillow helps strengthen muscles in the early months, and the piano plays music and teaches colors, shapes, and numbers in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and German.
The baby hand and footprints of all my children are among my most treasured possessions, and this keepsake is a thoughtful gesture for parents to capture those tiny hands and feet in a meaningful way. As a former labor and delivery nurse and a mom who has used a kit like this five times, I can also tell you that the clay imprint trays are far superior to the old ink pad method. The ink can be challenging, messy, and unforgiving, but if you mess up with the clay imprint, it's easy to redo it.
With babies using anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 diapers (yes, really!) in the first year of life, there may be no more appreciated or used gift for new parents than a diaper pail. Diaper pails are contraptions designed to trap away dirty diapers, but at the end of the day, they're still stuffed full of, well, dirty diapers. That's why this option features built-in antimicrobial elements, including the bags and sealing air-tight clamps that lock away the smell of the diapers between fillings. All in all, the diaper pail can hold up to 270 newborn diapers, so approximately one night in newborn land. (Kidding!)
Books are a classic baby gift, but this option takes the gift to the next level with a personal touch. You can create a truly custom book, with your own pictures, words, or phrases, or choose a preset theme. For instance, some of the book themes include 'ABCs,' 'All About Me,' or 'My Favorite People.' The books are all board book construction, designed with rounded corners and a 5 by 5-inch size, all friendly for baby hands.
We just realized we almost made it through this entire list without including a single baby toy, but that is remedied instantly with this Melissa & Doug pick. Ideal for hanging on strollers, diaper bags, car seats, or just taking along for any excursion, this ice cream toy combines all the fun elements babies love, from soft and expandable ice cream layers to vibration and chiming sounds. Plus, it's just too cute, with four total ice cream "scoops" to discover.
Why are the best gifts sometimes the smallest and cheapest? Invented by a mom (of course), the Baby Bum Brush is a spatula for smearing on diaper cream, finger-free. Then, when you're done, simply wipe the excess cream away with a wet wipe. The spatula also has a suction bottom to adhere to any surface, keeping messes of all kinds at bay.
Choosing a baby book is almost as challenging as actually finishing one, so gifting an easy-to-fill-out option is a gift that keeps on giving. As someone who has proudly finished baby books for at least most of my offspring (4 out of 5 ain't bad), I feel appropriately qualified to assess what makes a good baby book. This option has them all: space for pictures, typical baby's firsts, blank spaces for what's important to you, and extra pages for preserving memories beyond just the first year.
To kick off our search for the best baby gifts we started by surveying 875 parents to see what presents they got the most use out of and what their babies enjoyed playing with the most. We also researched the top trending toys and gear on the market to see what's making a splash in the industry.
From there, we evaluated each product based on it's age-appropriateness, safety, quality, and overall value. We also tested many of these products either in a lab, at home with our families, or a combination of the two.
Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN is a Registered Nurse turned health and parenting writer. She is a longtime product writer for Parents, and as a mother of five children and former OB nurse, has changed many, many dirty diapers.
Additional reporting by:
Anja Webb is an associate editor at Parents. She has over eight years of editorial experience. Her educational background in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies and passion for smart media usage allow her to provide a nuanced analysis of issues relevant to modern families.
Katrina Cossey is an editor, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She's researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. Katrina used the Fisher-Price Animal Activity Jumperoo to give her arms a small break and provide independent playtime for her son.