Essential Baby Shower Gift Guide

Things to do with Kids: Baby Shower Gift Guide

I was very blessed during my first pregnancy as I received a lot of practical gifts and ‘experienced-mom’ to ‘first-time-mom’ advice (it was needed, as I was completely clueless) and so, when my sister found out she was pregnant with her first little girl, I was determined to give her as many practical gifts and advise as possible. Shortly before her recent baby shower, however, I found myself in a baby clothing store (while out on a supposed grocery shopping trip), with a huge basket full of the cutest (most impractical) little baby clothes. I simply could not help myself – it was all just so adorable! And it was all so impractical!

I am a mom and I know what moms with newborns need and it definitely is not that enchanting little tutu (as cute as it seems). Becoming a mom for the first time and trying to figure out what exactly this new baby will need is overwhelming, to say the least, and it is up to moms to give gifts and advice based on their own experience, gifts which we know this new mom will need and use. I have therefore put together a list of ideal baby shower gifts:

Must-Have Essential Baby Shower Gifts:

• Digital Fever Thermometer – not being able to read your baby’s temperature is scary!
• Baby movement monitor
• Toiletries – be practical here and buy unscented, natural products. Not all baby skin types are the same and some react very badly to the perfumed (‘but they smell so nice’) baby products on the market
• Medical necessities - products for a blocked nose, fever etc
• Towels and facecloths
• Blankets, swaddles and ideally a sleeping bag
• Muslin cloths – these make amazing swaddles, light blankets, burp cloth etc
• Burp cloths and bibs
• Grooming kit – containing nail clippers, hairbrush etc
• Diapers – buy a variety of types and sizes so that the mom-to-be can try them all before deciding on a brand she prefers (she might even prefer modern cloth nappies)
• Wet wipes
• Practical clothing such as socks, baby grows and clothing in bigger sizes

Cute Baby Shower Gifts

• Milestone Cards – these are great for capturing those special moments
• Something hand-made and from the heart – the best gifts are those knitted or crocheted blankets, jerseys, booties and cuddly toys
• Cute baby grows – because baby grows are always practical and often come with the loveliest sayings
• Books for mom and child

Practical Baby Shower Gifts

• Bottle and food warmer
• Steriliser
• Safety products for baby proofing – for example, plug covers, safety gates etc
• Feeding utensils such as bowls, spoons, food freezer trays
• Baby food recipe book
• Diaper bag
• Bottles & pacifiers – again, be practical and buy one bottle brand at a time so that the mom-to-be can decide which bottle works best for her baby
• Sippy cups
• Breastfeeding essentials such a nipple cream and breast pads
• Breastfeeding pillow and shawl
• Disposable change mats
• Disposable Bibs
• Nappy Sacks

Nice-to-haves Baby Shower Gifts

• Feeding chair / high chair
• Baby rocker
• Mobile camp cot
• Playmat
• Mobile
• Toys
• Teething toys