Baby Shower Gift Guide: The Best Presents for New Parents
Did you know that baby showers are big news these days? Right up there with gender reveal parties, the imminent arrival of a new life is a cause for big celebrations and an opportunity to shower soon-to-be parents, especially nearly new mums with love, support and baby gifts.
Hosting a baby shower party is such a nice thing to do. By creating a lovely atmosphere for friends and family to get-together you can all show your thoughtfulness for the soon-to-be parents and share experience and collective wisdom before baby arrives! As well as a great excuse for a party, if planned correctly, with nice food and maybe a few decorations, a baby shower can be a great way to help new parents relax and support them to plan for the arrival of their baby with everything they want and need.
At Inch Blue we know how exhausting and potentially overwhelming those first few days, weeks and even months of new parenthood can be, so we’ve compiled a list of baby shower gift ideas. Share this blog with the friends and family you’ve invited along if you’re throwing a baby shower. Or if you’re a soon-to-be parent yourself please feel free to share it and drop some serious hints to your loved ones. You may already know if you need baby shower gift ideas for a boy or baby shower gift ideas for a girl!
1. Essential Baby Shower Gifts
When it comes to the first few days home from the hospital, it’s all about establishing routines which mostly focus around feeding, sleeping and changing the baby. There is a lot of equipment required to help make changing babies’ nappies easy so some absolutely essential gift ideas for a baby shower are:
Baby changing station – if you have space and budget, a changing station in baby’s room can be really helpful for new parents. It provides a place for all your changing essentials, and saves on the bend and strain of picking baby up from the floor.
Baby changing bag – these are essential for leaving the house. Many designs now include a mat, nappy bags, wipes, cotton pads and all the accessories you need for changing baby on the move. You could even create your own with a stylish tote bag.
Changing mat – a shaped mat can keep the baby safe and supported during changing. Wipe clean or washable baby mats are definitely best for obvious reasons!
Nappies – there are so many choices when it comes to what nappies parents intend to use, they’re pretty personal. Nappy subscription services can save money, but you need to be clear on the type of baby nappies they want to use as there are eco and biodegradable alternatives available now as well as washable and reusable nappies. Be sure you understand the new parents’ preferences before buying these as a gift.
2. Baby Feeding Essentials
Feeding equipment should also feature highly on the baby shower list as even if mum is breastfeeding, she will need other supportive equipment. Having these gifted can be a huge help for new parents on a budget.
Bottles and sterilisers – babies have an immature immune system so sterilising bottles and feeding equipment is essential for killing harmful bacteria. Electric or microwaveable sterilisers can make a great gift for new parents to help establish a safe, sterile feeding regime early on.
Nursing pillows – make a great gift for both mum and baby as they help create a safe, comfortable and stable position for feeding. A nursing pillow can reduce back and neck strain and help baby latch on more easily for breastfeeding. This also reduces the chance of reflux due to baby being in an optimal position for digestion.
High-quality bibs – adding some lovely but affordable gifts for new parents means everyone can pick something from the baby shower gift list. With some lovely designs available, washable cotton bibs are a super practical and long-lasting baby gift that are sure to be appreciated.
Babywear - soft babygrows are a gorgeous addition to your baby shower gift guide, especially with a matching baby hat. Make sure you include a few cute affordable gifts so there’s a fit for everyone.
3. Sleep Solutions for Babies
Sound machine or baby monitor – when it comes to gift ideas for baby’s bedroom, some electrical items can be a helpful ‘main’ addition to the baby shower gift list. Every new parent will want a baby monitor so they can listen out for baby waking during naps or nighttime. Additionally, sound machines have become popular, as a way to mimic the ‘white noise’ of the womb and help babies self-soothe and fall asleep more easily. Some come with a night light and timer to help make bedtime altogether easier for new parents.
Swaddle blankets – often feature on baby shower gift lists as they can be a relatively inexpensive but essential item for new parents. Swaddling babies creates a feeling of comfort and security which can help babies fall asleep more easily and stops them startling themselves awake.
Cot sheets & baby bedding sets - are a practical, long-lasting gift that new parents are sure to appreciate in those early days when baby does a lot of resting and sleeping. Creating a clean, safe, soft environment is essential. Newborns are prone to little accidents so gifting lovely breathable baby bedding to new parents to have in reserve is always a good idea.
4. Personalised and Keepsake Gifts for Babies
There are lots of gifts that can be personalised for newborn babies to make those baby shower gift ideas extra special and more memorable, such as Inch Blue baby shoes which can be personalised with a birth date or name. Don’t forget, when the time comes, this personalisation option is a perfect addition to baby’s pram shoes.
5. Memory Books and Baby Photo Albums
Baby milestone journals and photo cards have become super popular as baby shower gifts. You could create a personalised baby diary for your friends, adding their family names, places and key dates to the cover with important milestones like ‘baby’s first steps’ laid out inside for them to complete when baby comes along.
6. Practical Gifts for New Parents
Don’t forget about the soon-to-be first parents. Their daily routines are about to change forever, as they share their lives and home with a new little miracle. As special and extraordinary as that is, it can also be exhausting and maybe even overwhelming, so including a few items of self-care on your baby shower gift list gets you bonus points for thoughtfulness. How about a voucher for a local spa day, some cosy loungewear or create a little treat hamper for a relaxing bath at home?
Baby shoes from Inch Blue
Hopefully this blog of baby shower gift ideas has given you plenty of inspiration to choose the perfect gift or to start writing a gift list for your own baby shower. Here at Inch Blue shoes we support new parents and their friends and families every step of the way from our soft leather and suede baby shoes to our special occasion shoes. All our designs are non-restrictive but fully supportive, with non-slip to help babies feel and grip the ground as they work through their milestones from tiny babies to toddlers trying to find their feet.
