So you have a baby shower to attend, but you don't know what to give as a gift. This is a common dilemma faced by many people, so let's take a look at ten of the very best baby shower gifts you might want to consider.
1. A Baby Monitor
This gift is especially appreciated by first time parents or any parent who is anxious about being able to monitor their baby's activities from all over the house. There are a number of different models available with surprisingly large ranges of effectiveness. A baby monitor is a great way for parents to listen in on a baby sleeping in another room or simply hear a baby's cries more quickly during the night.
2. A Baby Bouncer
Most baby bouncers are made of fabric stretched over a metal frame, with an arch of toys extending over the top of the fabric seat. They are really great for keeping baby happy and occupied for a few minutes if the parent needs to take care of a chore or task. The baby bounces around happily with just a few simple movements, and the arch of toys encourages hand eye coordination as well.
3. Fuzzy Sleeper Pajamas
Fuzzy sleeper pajamas, especially those with feet, are very popular among most parents. They are easy to put on and easy to take off for those inevitable middle of the night feedings and diaper changes. It's okay to buy them just a little bit big so the baby has room to move without being pinched or bound by the pajamas.
4. A Front Carrier
Front carriers come in a variety of shapes and styles, from slings to reverse backpack set ups. They are a really terrific way for parents to carry their baby safely and securely while providing the baby with the close contact that is so important to comfort and development. Just as importantly, a front carrier allows the parent to keep his or her hands free to do other things while carrying the baby, a real benefit when going to the store or simply doing chores around the house.
5. Books
Babies love to have other people read them books, so another great baby shower gift is a set of baby appropriate books. Look for the traditional classics, such as famous fairy tales, as well as some of the many wonderful newer books that are quickly becoming classics in their own right. Look for books that are colorful and that have interesting illustrations to keep the baby's attention and stimulate brain development.
6. A Fully Stocked Diaper Bag
Parents can't leave the house without a diaper bag filled with essentials, so help out expectant parents by picking out a handy diaper bag and filling it with necessary supplies. Diapers, wipes, burp cloths, diaper rash ointment, a change of clothes, a couple of pacifiers, and a couple of small toys are all good items to include in the fully stocked diaper bag.
7. A Nighttime Survival Kit
Those middle of the night feedings can quickly take a toll on new parents, so put together a survival kit to help them through this sometimes difficult part of parenting. Include a soft, blue light that provides enough illumination to change a diaper but is not so bright that it jars a baby awake too much, and a soft, cuddly blanket for rocking back to sleep. Another good item to include is a water bottle if the mom is breastfeeding; she can fill it and keep it on her nightstand, allowing her to stay hydrated during late night feeding.
8. A Rocking Chair
A good rocking chair is an excellent addition to any nursery. They are available in traditional styles with curved rockers on the bottom, or in the new glider-style that offers the same rocking motion without taking up quite as much space. Look for a rocker that is sturdy so it will hold up to lots of use, and also one that has padding with easy to clean fabric.
9. A Freezer Full Of Meals
Finding the time to cook a normal meal is often tough when there is a new baby in the house, so prepare several meals in advance and put them in freezer containers. This is a really good gift for a group of people to work on together, each providing a few different meals so the new parents end up with a freezer full of "heat and eat" meals.
10. Extra Basics
Often times, the focus is so much on baby clothes and toys that the "basics" are overlooked. These include towels, crib sheets, burp rags, blankets, extra pacifiers, extra bottles, "onesie" underwear, socks, stroller blankets, and the like. Put together a package with some of these practical extras and you will have a shower gift that will be appreciated for many, many months.