50 Best Baby Shower Gifts, According to a New Mom

A functional diaper bag that both Mom and Dad will love to carry around is worth the investment! After nearly a year of frequent use, I've found that this bag has more than enough storage that's efficiently laid out in a way that keeps me organized while on the go.

Babies grow fast, so any product that can adjust to accommodate their rapid change is a winner. This bathtub is suitable starting when baby is a newborn through two years old. I love how quickly it transitions and that the sling is machine washable.

It's hard to imagine that the tiny baby parents take home from the hospital will one day be a one-year-old that's nearly three times as big, but time flies with an infant! That's why parents will appreciate the chance to record how their little one looks every month with these milestone cards.

I highly recommend parents to have a sound machine that they can take on-the-go, and this one has been a winner for my family. It's the only sound machine we use, so my daughter doesn't have any issues adjusting to two different white noise sounds.

New parents are flooded with cute bibs and burp cloths at baby showers, but no one ever thinks about baby needing a more full-coverage bib once Mom and Dad introduce real food (it gets MESSY). These full-coverage bibs are easy to wipe clean and have a pocket to catch any food that falls — a lifesaver when out to eat.

Here's the thing about newborns: You don't really think you need something until baby is up at 2 a.m. screaming and you can't go get said thing. Get those parents-to-be stocked on essentials like saline spray, gripe water, gas drops, and diaper rash cream now to save them tons of headache later.

The Boppy might be listed as a nursing support pillow, but any parent knows that it serves so many more functions than that. I've used it as a tummy time helper, an independent sitting support, a feeding pillow, and so much more.

There's one thing all new parents need more of: diapers...and maybe sleep. We can't help with the latter, but Mom and Dad will be stocked on diapers with this cute cake.

It's not cute, but it's necessary — much like changing those diapers. This pail has a hands-free disposal thanks to the foot pedal and two lids to double seal odors inside. Personally, I love that the waste bag system comes in the form of a ring rather than individual bags, so I can tie off the trash bag before the pail is full if things are starting to get a little smelly.

I don't know why fabric changing pads ever became popular. I can't imagine how many times we would've had to throw our changing pad cover in the wash if it was made of fabric. A wipeable one like this is an absolute game changer, especially in those early days when things are especially...messy.

Paci and bottle preference is so specific to individual infants, so there's no reason to stock up on one brand too early. This pacifier box includes seven of the best-selling pacis on the market so baby can find a favorite without Mom and Dad spending a fortune. They make a bottle box, too!

While we hope that no parent ever has to use CPR on their infant, it's best to be prepared for the chance. This online class is taught by a Registered Nurse on the basics of choking safety and infant CPR. It's not a traditional gift idea, but it's one the expecting parents will be so thankful for, especially considering how little it's often covered in birth classes and at the hospital.

P.S. — Moms on Call has tons of online resources for new parents, including sleep courses that would also make a fantastic gift idea!

My daughter is thoroughly obsessed with these stacking cups. They've become a go-to toy for us because there are so many ways to play with them. You can stack them like a tower, nestle them inside one another, and even use them with sensory water play thanks to the drain holes in the bottom. When she's older, I'll use them to help her learn colors and numbers, too. I especially love that they're dishwasher safe, making them great for travel.

Babies don't keep, which is why new parents will definitely want to record how tiny those footprints and handprints once were.

New parents will be amazed at the outrageous hairdos those little ones can rock! Mom and Dad can smooth out that bedhead quick and easy with this set, and it comes with fingernail clippers and a gum/toothbrush to seal the deal.

It's easy to think before baby is born that you could never forget the day they took their first step or what their first word was, but, as any parent will tell you, time passes and memories fade. This in-depth baby book gives parents a place to record all the milestones, from pregnancy through baby's first birthday, as well as those precious everyday moments they don't want to forget.

Speaking of those everyday moments, as years pass it can be hard to remember the little things, like what an average day looked like or how much you once loved rubbing your baby's back while they fell asleep. This simple journal has Mom write a sentence or two every day — the good and the bad — so she can look back in years to come and see just how much life has changed, and remember all those little moments that felt so big at the time.

This is one of our most-used purchases for our daughter, hands down. As soon as I started transitioning her out of the swing I swapped in the Upseat and I don't think it's gone unused for a single day since she was six months old. I opted for the Upseat over cheaper baby seats because it was developed by physical therapists and is designed for longer use than most seats. I use the Upseat as a booster seat, a secure spot for contained play, and even a bath seat (in desperate times!). It is, without a doubt, one of the best purchases I've ever made.

You might be tempted to splurge on your favorite mom to be and get her the aesthetic baby swing that costs twice as much as this. I have one word for you: don't. Every parent I've talked to admits that their infant hated the expensive swing they bought (including mine). Breaking down and buying the far less cute baby swing is an inevitable outcome, so save the new parents some time and money and go ahead and buy this beloved one. I love that it has a mobile and light and can swing straight or side to side.

They might want to invest in a longer-use wrap when baby is older, but a simple fabric wrap is most newborns' favorite carrier style.