[UPDATED 28 SEP 2020]
Baby shower gifts are a gesture of blessing and well wishes for new parents, but finding a unique newborn gift that is also useful for the parents-to-be can be a daunting task. The last thing you want is for them to take your gift back to the store for an exchange or return.
As a mum of three, I’ve seen my fair share of impractical and/or unimaginative gifts for new mums and dads. In this comprehensive guide, I share from my own parenting experience the best baby presents in Australia that every parent will love and actually use, plus how to choose and make your selection.
Related article: Amazon AU Baby Registry – Get Up To 15% Off Your Items
Avoid these baby shower gifts (and why):
- Baby blankets – Safe sleeping guidelines for babies actually recommend using ONLY a tight-fitting sheet and nothing else, that means no toys or baby blankets in the cot.
- Nappies – While it is true that this is essential, not all nappies are created equal. It will take most parents some trial and error before finding a nappy that doesn’t leak for their baby, and some might even choose to use reusable cloth nappies. So by gifting parents a whole lot of nappies of the same brand, you’re not doing them a favour because they might not even get through the entire pack.
- Baby bottles – Any mum with a colic baby or a baby that refuses the bottle will tell you that it takes A LOT of testing to find a suitable bottle for her baby. Avoid adding to her stash of dust-collecting bottles sitting at the back of the cupboard.
- Baby clothes, shoes, accessories – There are a myriad of problems with any of these gifts, including sizing, seasonal changes, personal styling preferences, and materials.
Unique baby gift ideas that new parents will love:
1. Pram toys
Pram accessories such as a universal pram cup holder are indispensable to every parent’s outing with their little ones. Toys, however, are essential to keeping the baby entertained so they stay happily seated, or as a fun distraction when they’re about to chuck a tantrum.
Tips for choosing good pram toys:
- Make sure they are attachable – Toys that can be attached using a clip-on, hook, or other ways are a bonus because we all know how much babies like to chuck things out. Attachable toys are also more versatile in use – they are great additions to car seats, baby bouncers and play gyms as well.
- Are the materials safe and hygienic for chewing? – Babies can start teething from as early as two months old and well into toddlerhood. Teething babies are prone to chewing and drooling, so choose toys that are easy to wash, clean and dry, such as silicone or wooden ones, can prevent bacteria and mould growth.
- Does it offer enough variety or interactivity? – Pram accessories that are fun and interesting will hold baby’s attention for longer. Anything that moves, makes sounds, or is shiny will be a bonus.
The TINY LOVE Meadow Days Sunny Stroll (above) is the perfect example of a pram toy that ticks all the boxes. The arch is flexible enough to bend all ways and can be attached anywhere with its universal clip.
It has six different activities to keep baby busy – a mirror, a sun prism, a baby-activated propeller, a teether, a rattling ball, and a bee rattler. Watch its video for full features.
For a wider range of affordable options, check out Amazon AU or Ebay, both platforms offer free shipping from local suppliers across Australia.
2. Baby first year memory book
(Above) ‘Hey Baby Girl’ first year memory book by Kate Spade
Also known as a baby journal, or baby milestone book, memory books are wonderful presents for mums who love scrapbooking or writing journals. They usually have writing prompts as well as pages for creative freedom.
Designer Kate Spade has released two gorgeous first-year baby books, both with prompts and embedded envelopes for you to store handwritten notes and letters.
It’s a delightful gift for new parents as a way of recording their baby’s milestones and penning down their thoughts and emotions on their parenting journey.
3. Baby white noise machine
White noise such as heartbeat, falling raindrops, or waves is a great sleeping aid that works wonders for some babies. A light and portable machine with a variety of white noise options can be a lifesaver for a new parent in those first few months.
However, it is crucial to choose a machine that does not produce noise exceeding 50 decibels, which is the recommended safe limit for baby’s sensitive hearing.
How to choose a white noise machine for baby:
Read the specifications to find out if it’s within the safe sound limit of 50 decibels. Alternatively, if you can’t find this information, make sure the machine has adjustable volume controls.
Check its weight and dimensions. A light machine will be easier for parents to take it on-the-go, in the pram and car. That said, smaller white noise machines tend to rely on batteries (rather than plug-in power) which can drain very quickly, so they may be unsuitable for night time use.
Make sure it has a continuous play mode. You’ll be surprised how many white noise machines on the market only come with timed mode, i.e. the sounds play for a fixed interval, e.g. 20 mins, and then stops abruptly. This was one of the problems I wrote in my review of the Baby Shusher which is often recommended by sleep experts.
The sudden stopping of white noise often spooks the baby awake. No continuous sounds also mean that when the baby wakes from her sleep cycle and finds herself surrounded by chirping silence, she will find it harder to settle back to sleep.
The Skip Hop – Moonlight & Melodies Owl Nightlight Soother is a popular white noise machine with an impressive list of functions:
- Plays 4 melodies and 4 nature sounds (Rainforest, Jungle crickets, Waves, White noise with heartbeat)
- Continuous play, and also an auto-off timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes
- Plugs into any standard outlet
- Volume control
- Stars and moonlight projection
- Glowing nightlight with dimming capabilities
It is also available as an award-winning travel-friendly version with the Skip Hop Stroll and Go Portable, which comes with a silicone strap for easy and durable attachment to bags, carriers, prams and more.
4. Baby play mat
Waterproof play mats are essential to every household with babies and toddlers. Not only do they provide a safe playing environment for younger babies, but the thinner ones can also be used as a splat mat (also known as high chair mat) for messy eaters. Many can also be used during arts and crafts activities or picnic outings for easy cleanup.
Before buying a play mat, first consider the needs of the parents:
- Will the mat be used primarily for playing, feeding, outings, or a mixture?
Thinner mats like this one are generally used for feeding. They don’t have a foam middle layer so the weight of the high chair wouldn’t make an imprint on the layers. They are lightweight and easy to fold and carry around.
- Are the parents style-conscious?
If the parents have a certain theme or style for the nursery, you may want to consider the colours and patterns of the play mat. Gender neutral options with softer colours are generally safer if you’re uncertain.
- What’s a suitable mat size for the room?
While larger play mats give crawling babies more space to move around, it leaves less walking space for the adults (you want to try and minimise foot traffic across play mats to keep it as hygienic for baby as possible).
The above reversible and foldable playmat offers the best of all worlds. It is made from odourless and non-toxic material, comes with a travel carry bag, folds easily, has a non-slip backing and is waterproof on both sides.
Made with five layers, it is thick enough to provide shock absorbency, yet at the same time thin enough to be used as a feeding or activity mat. The popular Nordic forest design with soft colours will fit in seamlessly with most decor.
