New moms and experts agree: These are the best baby shower gifts
Shopping is great and all, but we’ve unlocked a new level of fun: shopping for babies.
If you have a new mother-to-be in your life, there’s a good chance you’re already daydreaming about the baby shower; delicious treats, iconic diaper cakes, amusing games, the bump on display, and of course our favorite part — the gifts.
As exciting as this new chapter is, baby shower gifting can be tricky, uncharted territory for some. Whether you choose to shower or sprinkle the mother-to-be, there are plenty of wonderfully meaningful presents to choose from. Shower attendees may indulge in bigger ticket ‘registry’ items, like strollers or high chairs, or opt for smaller, yet just meaningful options like fresh flowers or food to lighten the load.
We’ve consulted experts and drawn from our own experience to compile an edit of the best baby shower treats for all genders and price ranges. With the right selection, you may just upgrade your friend status from bestie to godparent.
Expert Recommendations
In a quest to seek out the best baby shower gifting advice, the New York Post spoke with Miranda Padilla, Founder and CEO of The Mothership NYC, a doula agency in Harlem that helps expectant mothers navigate birth and postpartum.
Padilla told The Post that baby shower gifting has evolved in recent years.
“Typical baby shower gifts usually include big-ticket items like the stroller, crib, high chair, and playpen. Today, it is becoming more common for people to give the gift of support,” explained Padilla.
What can you do to support new parents?
Padilla suggests considering “five universal postpartum needs” before selecting gifts: “An extended rest period to recover and connect with baby — around 30 days. Loving touch — bodywork, belly wrapping, massages. Nourishing, warming foods. The presence of wise women and spiritual companionship, and contact with nature and reconnection with life force elements.”
The mother-of-two notes that gifts can come in the form of physical products, as well as specialized services, such as postpartum doula support, cleaning services, food delivery, and Bellibind sessions or massages at a spa.
What does Padilla recommend?
Padilla has recommendations for everything — from more common gifts like toys, clothing and strollers — to other out-of-the-box items like baby nail trimmers from FANSIDI and oxytocin-stimulating sound machines called “shushers.”
When it comes to selecting outfits for newborns, there are a few things to consider. “Baby skin is very sensitive,” Padilla noted. “Breathable, hypoallergenic, and easily washable materials like cotton and bamboo are good choices for baby clothes.”
Toys are another great baby shower gift, and Padilla suggests finding a toy kit that evolves with a babies developmental stages. “My top recommendation for baby toys are the Lovevery Play Kits,” said Padilla. “These Montessori-inspired, stage-based subscription boxes ship every two to three months.”
The best gifts are tailored to fit the lifestyle needs of the mother. For New York City moms, Padilla recommends two strollers: the Ergo Baby Metro+ which is lightweight and folds easily, as well as the Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller, which transforms from a car seat to a stroller with the click of a button.
One of the most meaningful gifts Padilla received at her own baby shower was a “baby’s first cold” kit, stocked with infant Tylenol, infant cough medicine, bath drops, nasal aspirator, humidifier, and infant gas drops. “This came in handy when I needed it the most,” she recalled.
What are the best baby shower gifts?
Some of the best baby shower gifts are backed by Padilla, have high customer ratings or are hand-selected from our New York Post shopping team.
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Continued: https://nypost.com/article/best-baby-shower-gifts/
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