The Best Baby Gifts That Parents Really Want to Receive

Whether you're celebrating a new arrival to the family, or it's a holiday, a baby gift is a thoughtful gesture, not only for the baby but for their parents and caregivers, too. When selecting a gift, make sure it’s practical for the child's family—as in, not too big for their home, not too annoying, and not dangerous—but there's plenty of room for whimsy and cuteness too!

The best baby gifts are useful, unique, thoughtful, practical, and always age-appropriate. To create our list of recommendations, we asked 875 parents and caregivers about their children's favorite toys. Many of the baby gear items we recommend were tested in our lab or at home by our editors. We also spoke to fellow parents and experts about the gadgets and gear they find most useful, and what they value most in a baby gift.

Our Favorite Baby Gifts

Fisher-Price Taco Tuesday Gift Set

Tuesday and every other day will be fiesta-worthy with this set of taco-themed toys from Fisher-Price. There are three in all, including an avocado rattle, a taco toy complete with tomato teethers, and a lemon and lime clacker.

Baby Einstein Kickin' Tunes Play Gym

Give the gift of musical discovery with this colorful activity mat by Baby Einstein, designed to grow with your baby. Your little one can use it lying down, sitting up, during tummy time, or even walking around with the piano toy when they're older. The activity mat includes seven detachable toys and a prop pillow, and it plays 70 sounds and activities in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and German. The piano was a hit with our own babies, who loved to pound on it to hear the music.

RAPTbaby Smarter Sleep Sound Machine

The RAPTbaby Smarter Sleep Sound Machine isn’t your standard sound machine—it’s designed by neuroscientist Dr. April Benasich and has zero white noise. Instead, this baby sound machine features eight soundtracks, like calming rain, instrumental, and a heartbeat, with subtle acoustic cues embedded in the background to help promote alpha and delta waves in sleep and language development. 

One of our writers received a free sample of this sound machine to test at home, and she loved the small, travel-friendly design and flexible power options (rechargeable or A/C power). Regardless of the soundtrack and auto-timer option you select—30, 60, or 90 minutes, or continuous play—this handy piece of baby gear stores your settings, so it can pick up where you left off.

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

This convertible car seat grows with your child for years through three modes of use: rear-facing, forward-facing, and high-back booster. The Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 is one of the best of the many convertible car seats we've tested because it offers several adjustable features, easy installation, and a sturdy feel.

Melissa & Doug PB&J Take-Along Toy

For a toy that a baby can use at home or on the go, look no further than this take-along toy by Melissa & Doug. It features an adorable PB&J theme and has six pieces for the baby to play with, including plush bread slices, soft peanut butter, and a jelly jar. It’s safe for babies ages 1-month-old and up and includes a clip for the baby to play with the toy anywhere.

Copper Pearl Baby Bandana Drool Bibs, 4 Pack

A drooling baby is cute, but wet onesies—not so much. This four-pack of snap-on bandana bibs is an adorable solution. Choose from tons of patterns and styles to mix and match for any baby. The super-soft bib absorbs drool, food spills, and spit-up. Machine washable, these are a sweet and affordable gift.

Lovevery The Charmer Play Kit

Aimed at 3- to 4-month-olds, this Charmer Play Kit from Lovevery is made to meet their desire to touch things, hold them, and place things in their mouths. This stage is big on sensory play, and this set includes a selection of toys and sound-making objects that infants can explore with their hands, ears, and mouths. 

The set includes a rolling bell that can be shaken and eventually picked up and rolled around when your baby gains more strength. The soft book, which is made of organic cotton, has pages with different textures that also make sounds, like a squeaky page, one that rattles, and one that can be crinkled.

We love how happy this collection of toys makes our kids and how much they enjoy the thoughtfully designed yet simple toys, like the framed mirror, teethers, hand-to-hand disks, and black-and-white card set. With every kit, Lovevery provides an extensive guide with all the information you need to understand this stage in your child’s life and how to use the objects to maximize their experience during it.

Royal Angels Baby Nail Clippers

Cut babies’ nails safely and easily with this electric nail-clipping set. Each set features several different file attachments with replaceable file pads. The nail trimmer is quiet and has a light, so there’s no second-guessing where you’re cutting. The best part? It even comes with a file head attachment for adults so parents can use it, too.

Morepeas Everything Snack Cup

To say the Morepeas Everything Snack Cup is an incredibly smart product would be an understatement. The top lid doubles as a storage covering to keep snacks fresh, and a suction base secures the cup on surfaces. Built-in measurement markers on the durable food-grade silicone make prepping snacks a breeze. Moreover, a handle provides children 6 months and up with an easy grip and pairs well with the Morepeas tether to attach to a stroller, shopping cart, and more.

We received a free sample from the brand to try with our kiddos, and we’re impressed with the snack cup’s versatility. The company says the snack cup is dishwasher, freezer, oven, and microwave safe (up to 350 degrees)—and it’s true. We’ve made several of the recommended recipes, like scrambled eggs and steamed veggies, in the snack cup with no issues in quality. 

The bright colors of the snack cup are fun for kiddos and haven’t lost their vibrancy after several rounds in the dishwasher. Morepeas offers the snack cup in several bundles, like the snack essentials, which includes a compatible sippy lid and straw, a snack bowl, a roll and snap bib, and two baby spoons.

Letters to My Baby

This sentimental gift will keep on giving for years to come. It contains 12 letters with prompts for parents to write their memories and milestones. Stickers are provided to seal them. Then parents can save them to surprise and delight their child in the future. Priceless!

Manhattan Toy Put and Peek Birdhouse Soft Activity Toy

This soft birdhouse toy is a favorite among the parents in our survey. Designed for babies 9 months and up, the colorful birdhouse encourages "dump and fill play," which promotes fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and cause-and-effect skills. The house has three openings for babies to put their toys in and out. The four little birdies included in the set are small enough to be held while crawling, and their wings and legs add a fun textural element to feel and chew on. As kids get older and start to walk, they can carry the toy themselves using the handle on top.

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

A classic for good reason, this developmental toy is ideal for two-handed grasping. As the baby develops, this rattle is safe and helpful for teething, too. Parents will appreciate that this sensory toy is quiet, aesthetically pleasing, and won’t take up too much room.

Bella Tunno Suction Plate

The well-named Wonder Plate is easy to clean, microwave and dishwasher safe, and best of all, it suctions to the table. While new eaters may throw their food, they won't be able to toss the plate! The divided sections make it easy to portion out food, and the bright colors and fun sayings are a bonus. Even better, for every product sold, Bella Tunno donates a meal to a child in need. 

Philips Avent Soothie Snuggle Holder

Give a new baby their own little buddy. The stuffed animal makes it easy for an infant to find the pacifier, while the Soothie pacifier easily attaches and detaches for simple cleaning. Choose from four cute animal friends that a new baby will love to keep close.

Hatch Rest Night Light

The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine is fully customizable, multi-functional, and easy to use. The high-tech machine works in three different ways: a night-light, a sound machine, and a time-to-wake clock. These three features are rolled into one smart device that can be controlled right from your phone. If you need to take it on the go, simply plug it into any standard outlet or keep it in the baby's nursery.

BannorToys State Rattle

These wooden rattles shaped like their home state make a great, unique gift. You can personalize them, too, with their name, date of birth, or another message if you like.

Pottery Barn Kids Baby Blanket

Super soft, this polyester blanket is great for keeping a new baby warm in their stroller or snuggled up at home. Available in six pastel colors, make the blanket a keepsake by adding personalization.

BabyBriefcase Baby Paperwork Organizer

New parents may be overwhelmed with the paperwork and documents that a new baby brings into their lives. Stay organized with a trusty document holder made specifically for new babies. Included in the set are frosted folders, labels, a thank-you note tracker, and much more.

NameStories Personalized Art

NameStories is an easy way to buy personalized art. Simply enter a name, and the site creates a custom piece of art with the history and traits of that name. With a variety of print, font, and frame options, the art becomes a unique gift with custom text, like birth date, birthplace, or anything else.

EZPZ First Foods Set

Make the introduction to solid foods a piece of cake with this multi-piece food set by EZPZ. The set includes two spoons, a bowl, and a cup, all made of food-grade silicone that’s safe to toss in the dishwasher. Recommended for babies 6 months old and up, this first food set is designed to make mealtime less messy and more fun for everyone.

UGG Bixbee Ankle Boot

Well-loved by parents, these super cute booties are warm, cozy, and, most importantly, very hard for babies to kick off. Available in six colors and three sizes, these are essential for any winter baby and make a great gift.

Fisher-Price Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin Musical Toy

This interactive toy lights up, plays music, and talks. The adorable penguin flaps its flippers and dances, bobbing from side to side. The penguin’s voice teaches the alphabet and counting, among other educational features. It’s suggested for ages 9 months and up and encourages babies to dance along with them.

This toy really grabbed our kids' attention, and we love that it can link arms with the other animals in the Linkimals range—that gives us ideas for future toys to add to the collection.

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag

A gift that’ll last a lifetime, an L.L.Bean tote that’s personalized with a new baby’s name can be used as a spacious diaper bag, beach bag, sleepover bag, or everyday tote. If you’re local, fill the tote with a homemade meal for a special gift for the tired new parents.

Nestig Crib

If you’re planning on sharing the expense of a big present with a group or looking for a splurge-worthy gift, a Nestig crib is an amazing choice. Made from sustainable materials, five of the six unique and stylish cribs convert from a mini crib to a full-sized crib to a toddler bed (one converts from a crib to a toddler bed), and every crib comes with a conversion kit. While the price tag is high, this gift will be used for years to come. 

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller

Great manueverability, easy-to-use features, and a fantastic travel size make the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 impressive. It performed well in our travel stroller test, moving around tight turns and over bumps with ease. Moreover, it weighs less than 15 pounds, so it's a breeze to load into the trunk of a car.

JellyCat Soother Bunny

One snuggle and you’ll see why JellyCat soothers are the softest around. Send a new baby the comfort of their very own soother. If the bunny isn’t your preferred animal, JellyCat makes tons of other Soother animals, and all are super soft. 

Grove Collaborative

A new baby may raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy home. Shop thousands of sustainable, plant-based essentials from Grove Collaborative, an online marketplace featuring natural cleaning, home, baby, and personal care products. Find your favorite products and ship them directly to your family and friends—all while reducing and offsetting plastic waste. 

Parents can also subscribe and save on products like diapers, baby laundry detergent pods, and more.

The Honest Company Baby Arrival Gift Set

Welcome a new baby home with a gift set that covers everything a little one will need. It includes diapers, wipes, shampoo, body wash, diaper cream, and more. The set comes in a prepackaged gift box.

Seamless Gift Card

Tired parents will sing your praises if you give them the joy of not cooking. If possible, shop for a local restaurant's gift card, but if that’s not doable, a Seamless gift card in any amount will allow sleepy new parents to order breakfast, lunch, or dinner from their favorite restaurants. 

Cubbyhole Toys Personalized Wooden Puzzle Step Stool

A long-lasting gift, this wooden step stool doubles as a puzzle and a useful piece of furniture. Personalized gifts are especially nice for kids with unique names since it can be hard to find their names in stores. 

Fridababy Baby Basics Kit

New babies bring all kinds of new adventures (and bodily fluids) along with them. This highly rated baby set includes a silicone brush for sensitive baby skin, a nail clipper set, a gas/colic reliever, and a nasal aspirator with refills.

Erin Eliza Design Gender Neutral Rainbow Baby Outfit

This rainbow baby outfit is ideal to welcome the newest addition to the family thanks to its soft material and gender-neutral color. Choose from nine different outfit options and nearly 20 sizes, all from preemie to 12 months. Each piece in the rainbow baby gift set is hand-sewn and machine washable in cold water on a gentle cycle. 

First Landings Portable Diaper Changing Pad

For a baby gift that adults will also find immensely useful, consider this portable diaper-changing pad from First Landings. The adorable exterior floral design opens to reveal a large changing pad with a head cushion for support and waterproof padding for easy cleanup. Two internal pockets hold wipes and diapers, so parents and caregivers don’t have to rummage through the diaper bag for essentials. Plus, the changing pad hooks to a stroller for the ultimate portability. 

NFL Shop Baby Football Jersey

Suit up your littlest fan with an adorable onesie featuring your favorite NFL team. There are a variety of choices, including onesie three-packs, onesies, bibs, booties, and much more. Babies will be ready on game day to cheer on their favorite team. 

HALO Sleep Sack Wearable Blanket

Sleep sacks keep baby snug and warm without adding unnecessary (and dangerous) blankets to the crib. New parents can rest assured that when they zip their little one in for the night, they won’t have to worry about tangled blankets or chilly bottoms. Soft plush dot velboa fabric will keep the baby warm with plenty of legroom for kicking and stretching. It's available in small (10–18 pounds), medium (16–24 pounds), and large (22–28 pounds). The two-way zipper allows for convenient access for middle-of-the-night diaper changes.

Artifact Uprising Baby Board Book

Create a custom baby board book that little ones can enjoy now and cherish for years to come. Select from a variety of page options and themes, such as people or places, and then start designing. The book is made with thick, durable pages to withstand tiny hands, too.

Corner Stork Baby Gifts Gift Baskets

Baby gift baskets are chock-full of goodies for babies (and adults) and an ideal option for welcoming a new addition to the family. Corner Stork Baby Gifts offers more than 70 baby gift basket options, so you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. From adorable animal themes to twin baby gift baskets, gifts range from onesies and bibs to stuffed animals and books. 

Stokke Clikk High Chair

The Stokke Clikk High Chair is sturdy and features a minimalist look we love. This baby high chair earned our top spot during testing because it's a breeze to clean and has a fantastic design, like a removable tray, multiple footrest positions, and a wide base.

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym

Babies will have a blast kicking and exploring this Fisher-Price play gym that’s full of activities. The play gym features three stages of learning (for lying down, tummy time, and sitting up), five repositionable toys, two maracas, and a machine-washable mat (which adults will appreciate). A large, removable keyboard lights up so little ones can take the toy on the go when they get older.

Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Plush Animal Face Robe

Made with 100% polyester, this baby robe will feel ultra-soft and warm against your baby’s skin. The plush bathrobe features an adorable hood that resembles an animal, such as an elephant with a trunk and floppy ears. Plus, with more than 50 style options, like an alligator or Santa Claus, you’re sure to find a design you love for the special occasion.

Savor Baby Deluxe Keepsake Box

Keep all of your baby’s important “firsts” tucked neatly away in this unique keepsake box from Savor. The box features nine drawers, eight vertical files, over 50 labels (such as first locks of hair or digital media storage), and much more to customize the box to your liking. 

First 100 Words

Sippy cup, flower, banana—this padded board book covers essential first words with detailed pictures. The First 100 Words book features 24 pages made from tough cardboard to hold up against littles who love to explore everything with their mouth.

Skip Hop Forma Diaper Backpack

A popular item on a baby registry, a diaper bag is an essential piece of baby gear that families will get plenty of use out of. The Skip Hop Forma is lightweight and quilted and offers lots of space to hold a baby’s stuff (and adult's, too). The diaper bag backpack has two insulated pockets, an extra-wide opening, a two-way zipper closure, and elasticized interior pockets. 

Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring

Recommended for babies ages 6 months old and up, these vibrant stacking rings feature different textures and weights. The set includes nine pieces, all made from plastic, that stack in any order. Plus, the clear ring has colorful beads for baby to shake, rattle, and roll. 

Fisher-Price Animal Activity Jumperoo

Give the baby a fun piece of equipment (and a break for adults) that allows them to jump to their heart’s content. The Fisher-Price Jumperoo provides 360 degrees of play for little ones to discover the world around them. It’s adjustable to three different heights and offers a variety of music, lights, sounds, and toys. Bonus: The seat pad is machine washable for easy cleaning. 

Norani Snugababe Swaddle Sleep Pod

The Norani Snugababe Swaddle Sleep Pod isn’t your average swaddle; it features a zipper at the bottom for easy diaper changes, arm inserts for proper positioning, and a Velcro fastener to keep babies secure. The Norani Sleep Pod is 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex—the same soft materials the company’s matching kids pajamas are made with (the brand sent our writer a pair of kids’ pajamas, and she raves about their coziness and how they don’t shrink after washing). 

Bonus: Add your child’s name (up to 10 characters) in one of three font choices for a personal touch.

Dyper Bamboo Baby Diapers

One baby gift you can’t go wrong with is diapers. Whether the baby’s family prefers disposable or cloth diapers, Dyper offers a large selection of both options. The company prides itself on providing families with sustainable diapers thanks to environmentally friendly materials, such as bamboo, in both the diapers and packaging. And it even offers subscription options, so you don’t have to worry about heading to the store at the last minute.

Blooming Bath Baby Bath

A safe bath seat is sure to come in handy for bathtime and beyond. This flower-shaped bath seat features contoured petals that are soft, and cushiony, and provide plenty of support for babies. It’s available in a variety of bright and neutral colors and is even machine washable for easy cleaning. Use it as a bath kneeler when the baby transitions to the big tub.

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

This VTech Sit-to-Stand walker is a multi-purpose toy for little ones between 9 months and 3 years old. As a walker, it can help kiddos practice the necessary skills to transition from crawling to standing and then walking, but that’s not all. The VTech Sit-to-Stand comes with a bunch of other fun features that engage their senses and motor skills, such as colorful spinning rollers, light-up buttons that play music and voices, and shape sorters for multi-sensory play. Keep in mind that all walker-type toys should be used only on level floors, away from stairs and inclines.

Baby Gund Flappy The Elephant Stuffed Animal

This interactive toy is sure to become their new best friend. With huge floppy ears and a soft body, it also plays peek-a-boo and the song “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” If an elephant isn't your little one's style, there are four other adorable friends to choose from.

Munchkin Bath Toy, Little Boat Train

Sometimes, the best toys are the simplest ones, like this set of six boats for babies ages 4 months and up. The boats come in bright colors and link to form a “boat train.” They each have a funny face and are numbered to encourage early counting skills. The boats are lightweight and easy to grasp, so babies will have a blast dipping, splashing, and floating them in the water.

Plus, they’re not limited to the bath: Our little ones enjoyed playing with them everywhere, and since they stack neatly, they make a very convenient diaper bag toy.

Jesries Baby Girls Headbands and Bows

This set of headband bows will add a pop of style to whatever baby wears. It comes with 15 different bands in lace, stripes, velvet, and more, so there’s always the right one for any occasion.

Little Hippo Baby Handprint Kit

This handprint kit makes a great sentimental gift that will be cherished for years. It features everything needed to make and display the clay prints, and there’s space in the wooden frame for pictures as well.

VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

This fun cube from VTech is full of all sorts of activities, no matter which way you turn it. The sides light up and help teach animal names, sounds, and shapes.

Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets

These versatile swaddle blankets will keep the baby in your life cozy. The 47 x 47-inch blankets can be used as swaddles for the first few months of their life, then as a tummy time blanket or stroller cover as they grow. Made from 100% organic cotton, the four-pack is available in lots of adorable colors and patterns.

Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat

The Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up floor seat has soft, machine-washable fabrics in a variety of adorable designs and linkable toys for babies to play with. We love that the seat folds flat for easy storage and portability, too. Keep in mind that this floor seat should never be placed on elevated surfaces because there's a risk of the baby falling.

SewMineDesign Personalized Name Blanket and Bow

If you’d like a personalized gift, check out this swaddle blanket that can be customized with a baby's name all over. You can choose from a large variety of sets, buying only the swaddle or combining it with a matching bow. They also offer several sizes, from newborn to 6 months, and nearly 50 color options.

SmartNoggin NogginStik Light-Up Rattle

This textured, easy-grasp baby rattle has a happy face that lights up and changes colors with movement. The black-and-white base is a rattle with a mirror fitted in the bottom. It's a multi-function toy that keeps babies engaged.

This toy provided our babies with hours of entertainment and sensory stimulation. We love that its compact design means we can take it anywhere. While it’s more expensive than most baby rattles, the interactive features and engaging design make it worth it for a curious, growing baby.

The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys

These stacking cups have thousands of five-star ratings for a good reason. Babies develop hand-eye coordination by banging, nesting, stacking, and rolling these cups around. They have holes in the bottom, so when they join the bath time fun, water pours out at various rates.

This is another pick our own babies couldn't get enough of. The set kept them occupied, whether stacking, tossing, or making noise with them. Our kids loved these simple cups so much, we got a second set for their grandparents' house. For under $10, you can't do better.

Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat

Recommended for babies 3 months old and up, this tummy time mat fills with water to create a unique play experience. The mat features fish that swim around in the water and vibrant sea creatures on the back and sides. It measures 26 x 20 inches and is made of thick PVC that doesn’t leak or cause a mess. 

Nuby 3 Step Soothing Teether Set

Teethers are a must-have for babies’ sore gums, which is why we love this set from Nuby that comes with three separate teethers. Each teether is small enough to fit in a baby's hand and comes with textured surfaces for ultimate comfort when gnawing. Made of silicone, the teethers are easy to clean and safe to toss in the refrigerator for a chilled teething remedy.

SweetPrinceGifts Baby’s First Christmas Ornament

A sweet personalized ornament makes a great sentimental gift. Choose from five different design options, which include personalizing both sides of the ornament and selecting an ornament style and material, such as aluminum or ceramic. You can also add up to 256 characters of text to include the baby’s name or a memorable message.

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Duo

With textures, shapes, words, and colors, this baby toy is pretty exciting for something that doesn't need batteries. The Dimpl Duo from Fat Brain Toys features colorful silicone buttons embedded with shapes on one side and colors on the flip side. Each shape and color is labeled in English and Braille, and the toy’s compact size allows for easy portability.

Copper Pearl Three-Layer Quilt

The Copper Pearl Three-Layer Quilt is a gift little ones can grow with. One of our writers received a sample of the quilt from the brand and was super impressed with the buttery soft fabric. We love the nearly 100 pattern options to choose from, like “autumn” and “bison,” and how each blanket has a reversible design. 

While babies shouldn’t sleep with loose blankets in their bassinets or cribs due to the risk of suffocation, this quilt will still get plenty of use. The 46 x 46-inch size is large enough to grow with kids into toddlerhood yet just the right size for adults to use with their littles in the rocking chair. Plus, the blanket is safe to toss in the washing machine on cold and tumble dry on low heat.

Pearhead Wooden Milestone Blocks

Create beautiful family photos and social media posts while celebrating and marking milestones. The neutral gray blocks go with any decor and can track weeks, months, years, and grade levels, so they’ll be useful for years to come. If parents plan to expand their family in the future, the blocks can be used in pregnancy pictures too.

Nanobebe Baby Pacifier

Giving pacifiers as a newborn baby gift is a great way to provide something useful and necessary while also sticking to a budget. These Nanobebe pacifiers, which are designed to support mouth development, come in handy when soothing a fussy baby, since the ergonomic shape helps keep it in the baby’s mouth, and the lightweight, soft silicone material provides comfort.

Dr. Brown's MilkSPA Breast Milk and Bottle Warmer

We like this bottle warmer for heating up breast milk and formula because it has a lot of handy features but not so many bells and whistles that it’s confusing to use. The warmer will give audio and visual alerts when the bottle has reached the right temperature, while the automatic shutoff function ensures that the bottle won’t overheat in case a caregiver can’t get to it right away. It also comes with 12 pre-programmed settings to make heating bottles a breeze and a memory function that instructs the warmer to repeat the most recent selection.

Baby Shusher The Sleep Miracle

Parents who like to shush their little one to sleep can save themselves some time (and dry mouths) with this shushing machine, which uses real human shushing noises to lull the baby to sleep. The portable cordless design makes it great for families on the go, while the adjustable volume control helps put the baby to sleep without bothering the rest of the house. The shusher requires two AA batteries, which could be a nice addition to a newborn gift, so parents will have some spares on hand.

Our Review Process

To find the best baby gifts, we went straight to the source: parents and caregivers. Through a survey with 875 participants, we obtained real-world insights and recommendations for baby gifts that parents actually use and babies enjoy. We also asked caregivers what they look for in products for their little ones and what they value most when receiving gifts.

We then studied the design and features of more than 100 products on the market and monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on baby gifts. We considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, additional features, design, and value when reviewing products. We selected baby gifts that are easy to use for the recommended age groups, give parents and caregivers a break, and allow babies to explore the world around them safely.

Factors to Consider When Buying Baby Gifts

• Usefulness: A baby brings loads of gear into a home. When selecting a gift, make sure it’s practical for the baby, parents and caregivers, and their lifestyle. A gift that can be used for a while or won’t take up too much space is sure to be appreciated. If they have a registry, start there when selecting a baby gift, or choose presents that they can find useful for themselves or the baby.
• Age-Appropriatness: While you may be tempted to give a new baby your favorite toy, it’s best to give something they can use now or within the next six months. If you gift clothes, sizing up is fine, but think of the seasons ahead to make sure it’s weather-compatible. If you are going to go the diaper route, consider giving a diaper subscription or a range of sizes that they can use during the first year. Opt for toys without small pieces, loose magnets, and button batteries, as those all pose a choking hazard or can cause life-threatening injuries if ingested.
• Uniqueness: Gift-giving is the time to splurge or surprise new parents and caregivers. Some of the best gifts are something the receiver wants but might not be willing to buy for themselves. Even the littlest luxuries will be welcome! For a unique gift, look for something that can be personalized.

Who We Are

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also a mom of three. For baby gifts, Maya prefers to give gifts to the new parents or new siblings rather than the baby. A home-cooked meal is priceless, and she always enjoyed receiving food and gifts for her when each of her babies arrived home.

Additional reporting by:

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son. Katrina used the Fisher-Price Animal Activity Jumperoo to give her arms a small break and provide independent playtime for her son.