Finding the Right Baby Gift

Finding the right gift for a baby can be a real challenge as you want your gift to be something that is useful, yet adorable. The seemingly endless variety of gifts available adds to the confusion, but it also allows you to get the best gift possible. Given below are a few tips that will make it easier for you to buy something useful for the newborn:

Check the registry

Often, the new parents may set up a registry to help friends and family choose gifts that align well with their needs. It is best to first ask for a registry so that you do not end up purchasing something the parents already own. The registry may also be accessed at specific stores that the new parents have approached beforehand. The registry also works as a rough guideline to help you choose the right gift within your budget.

Know the gender of the child

Many baby care items including toys, furniture and clothes are customized based on the gender of the child. If the parents have revealed the gender of the child, look for items that are fitting. It is not uncommon for parents to choose to be surprised by the gender of their child, in which case it is best to purchase gender-neutral gifts. For Baby Boy Gifts click here, alternatively click here for gifts for baby girls

Provide for nursing and feeding

Nursing and feeding the newborn will be one of the main tasks of new parents, and they will appreciate any help you are ready to provide! Look for items that make it easier for parents to keep their babies healthy and well-fed. Items such as a breast pump, formula, nursing pillow, feeding bottles and breastmilk storage bags make great gifts. Items like diapers and baby wipes are always appreciated as they can be stored and used as and when necessary.

Consider clothing

Purchasing clothing for a newborn is both exciting and tricky. It is important to think about the baby's due date and purchase appropriate clothing, as winter wear for a newborn will not be very useful if the child is due in summer. Also, it is a great idea to purchase baby clothes for later as babies grow out of clothes much faster during the first six months. Pay attention to the age and the size of the baby to ensure that the clothes will fit well.

Look for practical gifts

If you are unsure of the gender of the baby, it is a great opportunity to look for practical gifts that will be useful for all newborns. Think about the daily needs of a baby, and choose basic items like pacifiers, diapers, onesies, bottles, baby wipes, bibs, spoons, bowls and other such items that can help the parents on a day-to-day basis.

Aim for the parents' interests

Parents are likely to raise their children on the foundation of their own interests. As such, it is a good idea to choose gifts based on the interests of the new parents. If the parents are frequent travelers, it would be best if you look for a baby carrier, or a stroller. In the case of tech-savy parents, items like a baby care timer or a baby monitor would be great. Look for clues in the lifestyle of the parents and think about which kind of gift will be the best fit for them.

Personalize gifts

Creating a gift on your own from scratch always holds much more value than something that you purchase and forget about later. If you are close friends with the new parents, consider using your unique skills to create something useful for the baby. If you are artistic, you may create decorative items for the baby's room. If you are good at needle-work, why not stitch baby clothes with the initials of the newborn.

Think about keeping the baby safe

Babies are inherently curious, and they have a natural tendency to explore by touching and tasting unfamiliar items. Luckily, there are plenty of items that can help baby-proof the apartment of new parents, so the baby does not come in contact with harmful items. If you want to gift the parents something that will ensure the baby's safety, consider purchasing safety gates, electrical outlet covers, child safety locks or a baby monitor system.

Try to educate and entertain the baby

Babies are exceptionally receptive to sounds and sights in their immediate environment. Toys not only help in keeping them engaged, but also help introduce basic concepts like shapes, sizes and colors. Soft toys, hand puppets and simple toys are great for young babies, while educational toys promote their early development. Look for classic baby books, music CDs or educational toys that expose them to a number of basic words and concepts with interactive elements. A book with a simple story line and large, attractive pictures is a good investment as it can be read to the infant by the parent, and can double-up as educational material for the child as he or she learns to read.

Gift as a group

If you want to buy a gift that costs quite a bit, like strollers, car seats, bedding or nursery furniture, feel free to approach other friends of the new parents to pitch in and buy the gift as a group. Before you ask people to pitch in, make sure that it is an absolute necessity and that the parents do not already own the item you have decided on. Also pay attention to the safety features and the usability of the item while you are purchasing it so that the parents do not find it inconvenient to use.

If you are not sure about what to kind of gift to buy, ask the parents what they need for the baby. Raising a newborn child is a challenging task especially for new parents, and they will appreciate any help that you can provide as a friend or family member. The gift does not have to be expensive or fancy. All you need to do is make sure that it is enjoyed by the baby and by the parents!