Bringing a new baby home is equal parts magical and overwhelming. Between the diaper changes, feedings, and figuring out how to operate on three hours of sleep, new parents could use all the support that they can get, and that includes thoughtful gifts.
You want to make those parents’ lives a lot easier than they’re going to be, because while a baby is a blessing, it is a change in life that is difficult to catch up with. If you’re looking for a present that tells them that they’ve got this without being another onesie that they’ll never use, let’s take a look at some helpful, sanity saving gifts for new parents.
Gifts for a New Parent
White Noise Machine
A white noise machine is so helpful because if there’s one thing that parents need support with when it comes to their new babies, it’s sleep. And it’s not just the parents finding sleep, but helping children get to sleep in the first place. A white noise machine is one of the most important gifts you could give a new parent because it helps to soothe fussy babies, drowns out any unexpected noises like barking dogs or doorbells, and tells the baby that it’s time for sleep.
Try to find one with a variety of sound options as well as a timer and make sure that it’s portable so you can take it wherever you go. Bonus points if it doesn’t sound like a jet engine. The goal is a sleepy baby, not a startled baby.
Food!
Do you know how difficult it is for a new parent to get up and try and cook themselves nutritious, healthy meals? Most new parents are surviving on Gatorade and cereal bars, but it doesn’t have to be that way. New parents are often too tired to remember what day it is, let alone cook something balanced. So make sure that you give them a week’s worth of frozen homemade dinners or even a meal service.
If you’re handy in the kitchen, whip up a few casseroles or soups that they can toss in an oven or a microwave. Make sure that you label everything very clearly with reheating instructions so that they’re not playing freezer roulette at 2:00 in the morning.
A subscription service.
During those very early weeks where the feeding sessions are marathon and there’s a lot of contact napping, a subscription for a streaming service or even a subscription for an audiobook can make all the difference. Most parents don’t have time to sit and binge, but even 20 minutes of a favorite show during a breastfeed or a few chapters to listen to of a new novel can feel like a mini vacation. Just don’t be surprised if they become weirdly attached to a baking show at the early hours of the morning.
Diaper caddies.
If you want to help those new parents to save their sanity, then having diaper caddies around the house and in the car is going to do that. You want diapers in the nursery, in the living room, in the bedroom, on the couch, in the car, and at grandma’s house. But you also need to have all the right gear put together, some caddies that they can use in each room that enclose diapers, wipes, creams. A spare cereal bar and a drink for the mum who might be feeding nearby and a spare change of clothes.
An insulated mug.
New parents rarely get to enjoy a complete cup of coffee or tea when it’s still hot, mostly because they’re holding a baby with one hand and doing everything else with the other. A spill proof insulated mug is going to be a game changer for a new parent. Choose one that keeps drinks hot for a few hours so that they can continue to drink their favorite drink without it going cold.
A baby carrier.
Wraps, slings, and structured carriers should absolutely be on the baby gift list. There are a million options out there, and not all of them are intuitive. You want to make sure that you’re not asking a parent who’s exhausted to try and use their degree to get the baby carrier on in the first place.
A journal.
The days are long, but the years are very quick. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. Babies grow quickly, and gifting A beautifully bound baby journal gives parents a space to jot down the milestones and the funny movements, along with the sleepy thoughts they will always want to remember. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A notebook with writing prompts or blank pages can be just as meaningful.
If writing feels like too much, you could go. A baby milestone calendar or an app that allows them to record memories on the fly.
What are your gift recommendations for new parents? Any baby item that helped you in the early days of being a mom?
