24 Best Gifts for Newborns Totally Worth Wrapping, According to a Mom of 2

My oldest daughter was gifted one of Lovevevery’s Play Kits for her first birthday and it took all the guesswork out of buying age-appropriate toys — a welcome relief as a first-time parent. I love that this box comes with items designed to best support baby’s developmental progress from 0 to 12 weeks while simultaneously keeping their sensitivity to light and sound top of mind. It includes a multitude of accessories for a play gym and tummy time, such as high-contrast black-and-white flashcard sets, mittens and a mouth-friendly silicone rattle. But my favorite bit that makes this a splurge-worthy gift? Each box includes an in-depth guide to at-home activities and various ways caregivers can best play with the included items. 

Not only is this lovey from Jellycat cute, but it also doubles as a blanket and a stuffed animal. Now, your baby won’t be able to sleep with it in the crib until they're 1 years old, but it’s the perfect snuggle companion during waking hours. I love introducing a lovey early as it becomes a great source of comfort as they age. My top tip: Buy more than one to have a backup on hand in case the original gets lost or has yet to be washed. 

I couldn’t figure out how to properly swaddle my baby, which is why I was so thankful someone gave me Woombie’s wearable blanket. Little arms can be kept out or folded in front of their heart. Parents can rely on this sort of swaddle beyond the newborn stage, too. The small addition of spandex makes the cotton material slightly stretchier to accommodate growth during this time. It can even expand to fit those up to 18 months! 

Parents put a lot of thought into their baby’s name. So, if they’re anything like me, they’ll be over the moon to receive a customized hand-knit sweater (think of all the adorable photo ops!). Etsy is a goldmine for this exact gift, and HilkeBar in particular offers a ton of personalization choices from the yarn color and yarn thickness to font style and title case  — you can even add on an embroidered flower! I suggest getting a size that the baby can grow into so that they can use it for a longer period. However, note that shipping times and costs can vary depending on which shop you choose.

As fun as it is to dress a baby in cute clothes, the reality is that they'll spend 90% of their time in pajamas. Given the number of diaper changes throughout the day, I highly recommend Momcozy's two-way zip sleepers. Not only do they come two to a pack, but they’re also made of super soft and stretchy viscose bamboo—a breathable fabric that keeps baby cozy: not too hot, not too cold—while they sleep. Bonus: there’s a layer of fabric beneath the zipper to prevent it from rubbing against the baby’s skin.

I own these Muslin burp cloths from Amazon; they actually do a great job at cleaning and absorbing spit-up and remain soft to the touch after many washes — if anything, they’ve only gotten softer over time. Plus, with six to a pack, you know you’ll always have extras on hand.

Even though your infant won’t show signs of teeth until about the 4-month mark, babies generally love to put things in their mouth. For $20 you get three flexible rings, a mushroom-shaped popping toy and a silicone mitt. It provides parents and caregivers with various types of teething toys that little ones can use to explore and eventually soothe their gums. Parents also love that this every item from this Itzy Ritzy set is easy to hold onto (read: they aren’t constantly picking up off the floor!).

You can never go wrong with a cozy, personalized blanket. I still have this Caden Lane blanket draped over a rocking chair in my 2-year-old’s bedroom. It’s buttery soft and washes wall — while the brand recommends cold, gentle cycles, it’s endured regular washes just fine. Not only is it a cute nursery addition, but it can also be used as a sweet prop for sleepy newborn shoots. Choose between 12 colors (you can also scoop up a matching hat or zipper footies!) and a block print or script typeface to adorn this miniature throw that’s also great for swaddling in the first year. 

While most parents likely registered for a sound machine for their baby’s nursery, they probably didn’t think about a portable version. We have the Hatch in our nursery, so scooping up the miniature version was a no-brainer (it’s also small enough to be a stocking stuffer!). Crafted with environmentally friendly, recycled plastic, it can play 10 different sounds or songs and lasts up to 15 hours — and is ready to play again after two hours of charging. I love that there are 12 volume levels and that the clip attaches to pretty much to anything. (Just remember to remove it from the car seat in the car.)

At 3 months of age, toys with black-and-white images are great for keeping baby’s attention because they can make out the high-contrasted shapes with their developing eyesight.

The Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Learning Cube is a solid choice for younger babies, because its soft sides are covered in easy-to-see animals, shapes and patterns. The soft cube will also encourage motor skills like grasping with several pieces to grab like ribbons, a teething ring, flaps and more. It even includes a baby mirror on top that he’ll love looking into. Plus, this cube will teach him cause-and-effect with sounds from the crinkle paper and rattle, as well as keep him entertained during tummy time with all the fun sensory features.

If you’re looking for something a little bit more interactive, you’ll love the Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony Musical Toy. It plays six soothing classical melodies and is highly portable, so you can  move it between play spaces. Parents love that the music isn’t too loud to overstimulate baby, yet it’s engaging enough to keep them interested during tummy time.

Monica + Andy baby beanieA winter hat is a must-have accessory for babies in colder climates, and we love this . Made of 100-percent organic cotton, it'll keep baby’s head warm without overheating and is super soft. But the best part about this hat is the adjustable knot, which allows you to change the size as baby grows, giving you more bang for your buck. It also comes in 57 (!) different colors and patterns, including a light blue menorah and sweet snowman.

As a mom who lives in Central New York, I greatly appreciated a warm one-piece to easily take on and off my daughter. Fleece jumpsuits are far more practical for newborns than a full snowsuit (you won’t have to worry about wrestling them out of it before buckling them into a car seat). Here’s the kicker: Magnetic Me uses magnetic closures, so parents don’t have to fuss with zippers or buttons. 

A ball is a classic gift, but newborns are still developing their fine motor skills, so they need something a little easier to grab than a perfectly round sphere. The Oball Classic Ball fits the bill because it’s lightweight and has 32 grooves, which makes the toy super easy for even the tiniest hands to grab. You can also use it to entice them during tummy time as they can play with it on their stomach or you can roll it back and forward to develop vision tracking.

A baby box can be a special way to organize and safeguard memorable trinkets, like newborn’s hospital bracelet and first locks of hair that you just can’t bear to throw away. The Savor Library Baby Keepsake Box does just that but goes a step beyond with several highly-customizable features to keep your items organized in whatever way you desire.

The kit features nine drawers to store mementos like baby’s first shoes and baby teeth, as well as eight vertical files and envelopes for paper keepsakes like his hospital footprints, first haircut certificate and even artwork. It’s made of thick, sturdy materials that many parents praised for feeling luxurious and special. Many also appreciated the box’s easy-to-move labels that allow you to decide the best placement, unlike other baby boxes that already have dedicated slots.

This stuffed cow doesn’t just look cute — it sings and plays games that are both entertaining and educational. The VTech Moosical Cow can talk and sing to baby, with over 30 songs, sounds and phrases. There are also two buttons baby can press and he starts developing his fine motor skills. It’s a great tummy time toy to place in front of him as it also lights up and features a black-and-white cow print along with bold patterns on its feet to help baby’s vision develop. Plus, it’s a great interactive toy because you can easily play alongside baby by singing songs, too. The toy will also grow with baby’s development as he starts learning counting, colors, shapes and more.

I got this bouncer as a gift when my daughter was born and used it daily. I could bounce and soothe my baby without constantly holding her, giving my arms some much-needed breaks. My daughter also enjoyed being in the bouncer, and as she got older, she could even rock herself while I sang to her or put on music for her to listen to. Plus, it converts into a toddler seat, so we’re still using it. Bonus: it’s very easy to fold flat for storage or want to bring it along while traveling. 

Note: Never leave baby unattended in the bouncer. Transfer to a safe sleep space if they start to doze off, as babies should always be flat on their backs when sleeping, per the AAP.

Many parents have been overwhelmed by the idea of building a baby book — especially during the newborn stage, when things are hectic enough. That’s why we’re fans of this Letters From My Baby’s First Year, a booklet of 12 letters that lets parents record memories, milestones, photos and more with relative ease. Each letter includes a prompt such as “My wishes for you are” or “What I want you to know about me” as well as an “open on” date so you can choose when you want your child to read it later on in life.

It’s incredibly important to read to your baby from an early age. While there’s no reason you can’t read the same book over and over each night, there’s no better way to start their little library than by gifting a book subscription. This way, new and exciting stories — including interactive board books and vibrant picture books! — will be on constant rotation. Literati ships a personalized box to your front door each month with five different titles hand-picked by experts based on your little one’s age or your relationship with the newborn. If you don’t love a recommended title, you can return it for free and only pay for what you keep. That’s why it’s an equally great gift for yourself or for family and friends with a newborn.  

Newborn skin is super sensitive, and while you might assume any bath or baby care product marketed for babies is good for your little one, some products made my daughter's dry, irritable skin even worse. This hypoallergenic duo has been a staple in my house ever since the first use kept her skin smooth and hydrated. The shampoo’s 100% plant-derived formula lathers quickly but is tear-free, and the sugar cane-based lotion provides long-lasting moisturization. Plus, the packaging is cute enough to leave on the tub or shelf. 

It’s important to note that the brand only offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more, but you can shop both products separately at Target or Pipette’s Amazon storefront! 

Play gyms are a perfect way to keep baby entertained during their wake windows. Lalo’s play gym comes with great props to keep your baby engaged for so many stages beyond just newborn — the two-part system can eventually be converted into a play tent once baby grows. Another reason this kit is worth the splurge? It comes with a free set of black-and-white art cards, a sensory ball, a mirror prism and silicone teether. The super-soft play mat offers a comfy space for them to lift their head and roll around.

A rattle is a small, simple gift a baby will surely enjoy. This pick by Manhattan Toy also doubles as a teether, offering knobs and ropes that are easy to hold and gnaw. Crafted from wood, this rattle is durable and equally great for teething babies down the road. Just note: you’ll want to wipe down the toy rather than submerge it in water to clean it so as not to damage the material.

Life with a newborn gets busy, fast. You have to juggle not only your own schedule, but their doctor appointments. This digital calendar can help parents stay organized from the newborn years and beyond (especially once daycare and school starts). Skylight automatically syncs with Google, Outlook, Apple and more, but its capabilities aren’t limited to keeping track of important dates. Parents also tap it for meal planning and checking the weather for specific event locations — and, when not in use, it doubles as a photo screensaver.

Not only are handprint ornaments a nice keepsake, but your child will enjoy looking at them someday (and wondering, was my foot really that small?). This holiday ornament kit from Tiny Ideas comes with everything you need to make this keepsake, including non-toxic, baby-safe clay that can be molded around your baby’s hand or foot, a rolling pin, hole punch, shaping ring and ribbons. Many parents appreciated the easy-to-follow instructions and several said they bought a kit after the birth of each of their children. What’s more is that the clay is light when dried, so it won’t pull the tree branch down and the sponge-like material isn’t easily broken.