We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
50 Best Baby Shower Gifts, According to Parenting Experts
Practical, unique and inexpensive ideas that the parents-to-be will absolutely love.
When it comes time to get a baby shower gift, the parents-to-be have probably put a lot of thought into a baby registry for all the biggest-ticket gear. But new parents also don't know what they don't know, so it's up to seasoned experts to fill in the gaps with the items they didn't know they needed. The best baby shower gifts are items that parents will actually use (sorry to all those oh-so-cute fancy outfits that will get one wear if they're lucky), will stand up to repeated use and won't just become more clutter in their house.
So, what is an appropriate baby shower gift?
Luckily, options for appropriate baby shower gifts abound, and almost anything that benefits the baby or new parents is fair game. There are, however, a couple of things to steer clear of from a health and safety perspective. The first is anything used, especially baby gear like car seats or cribs, since they may no longer meet current safety standards. Inclined sleep products, or soft sleeping surfaces and loungers, are also to be avoided since they've been deemed suffocation risks. And skip anything with small parts that could be choking hazards, including tiny toys or clothes with buttons down the front. Toys should have a manufacturers' age recommendation on them, so you should be able to quickly tell if they're appropriate for infants.
As long as the gift is safe, though, there are no hard-and-fast rules. Some families set up a registry with their wish list items in the colors they've picked for their nursery, while others are more open to anything. You might want to check with close friends or relatives to see if anyone has claimed a gift you might've had an eye on — and of course you want to check the Good Housekeeping Institute product reviews to make sure the items are safe, easy to use and long-lasting — but within those parameters, the field is wide open.
How much should you spend on a baby shower gift?
Again, there are no hard-and-fast rules with no strict dollar amounts. The price can vary widely depending on how well you know the new parents, your family and friends' gift-giving traditions and what they've included on their registry if they have one. Even the smallest token should be appreciated by new parents, but you can also never underestimate the impact of the group gift, which allows new parents to get more expensive items without putting the financial burden for the gift on one person.
Whether you're looking for a baby girl gift, a baby boy gift or a gift that'll work for any new bundle these are the best baby shower gifts for 2023. Many of the items are top-tested favorites of the Good Housekeeping Institute, which tests gear all year in advance of its Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. These have been found to be safe, durable and — yes — helpful to the families of testers who gave them rave reviews. Others are editors' picks, bestsellers and other fun items we think will put a smile on a new parent's face.
And don't forget to check out more of our top-tested picks for:
Diapers | Strollers | Breast pumps | Car seats | Bottle warmers
Burt's Bees Baby Bath Bundle
It is a truth almost universally acknowledged that babies are at their cutest when they're wearing hooded towels. This gift set comes with two, plus a baby bath robe (OMG!) and a set of washcloths, all in the Burt's Bees Baby's ultra-soft cotton. It's enough to make you look forward to bath time.
Tummy Time Toy
Babies as young as 4 months can use this as a tummy-time helper; they lay on the contoured surface, push with their feet and use it to roll across the floor (not carpet) while working on those gross motor skills. It even comes with a pad for extra comfort.
BabyBjörn Balance Soft Bouncer
BabyBjörn Balance Soft Bouncer
Parents love everything about this bouncer: It looks nice, it's easy to clean and it even folds up flat so it can be stored out of sight. And Good Housekeeping Institute experts appreciated that babies are soothed by the gentle rocking that's powered by the child's motion, not a motor, so you don't have to worry about changing batteries or being near an outlet.
RELATED: The Best Baby Bouncers
Lots of gift-givers love giving receiving blankets as gifts, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies don't use loose blankets in their cribs until they're at least 1-year-old. For nighttime snuggles, go for this wearable blanket/swaddle combo instead. Good Housekeeping Institute experts say Halo's fabrics are just the right amount of soft, without being too hot. You can get it in a gender-neutral gray, or go for one of the colors or patterns. It's for babies ages 0 to 3 months, and then parents can move on to the sleepsack without the swaddle.
RELATED: The Best Baby Sleepsacks
This video baby monitor rose through to the top of the ranks in the Good Housekeeping Institute's tests because it has so many features: You can choose between video or audio-only, you can check the temperature, you can use it as a two-way talk system and you can tilt, pan or zoom the camera to get a clear picture of the baby. Plus, it doesn't require Wi-Fi, so it doesn't have the privacy concerns of a Wi-Fi enabled device.
RELATED: The Best Baby Monitors
Yogasleep Hushh+ Portable White Noise Machine
This unit was a hit with Good Housekeeping experts, who appreciate the fact that you can take it on the go for car naps, stroller naps or family vacations. It lasts for 20 hours on a charge, gives off an amber glow for a nightlight and also can be used as a Bluetooth speaker.
RELATED: The Best Sound Machines
HonestBaby 10 Pack of Short-Sleeve Bodysuits
Parents of newborns go through more baby clothes than they can anticipate. Make sure they're set up for success with this set of GOTS-certified organic cotton bodysuits, which come in a rainbow of colors. You can also get a long-sleeve version.
Cozie Fleece Baby Booties
Baby shoes are adorable, but ultimately impractical. These booties keep tootsies warm, and snap on and off, so they're easy for parents to remove, but harder for babies to take off. Plus, they come in a rainbow of fun colors and prints.
Fast Table Chair
This portable high chair clips onto most tables, so parents can bring it to Grandma's, a restaurant or a vacation spot without having to pack their big, bulky high chairs. (When my daughter was little, we used this as the main/only high chair.) It comes in a range of colors, and it even has a pocket for bibs.
Skip Hop Explore & More 4-in-1 Walker
Skip Hop Explore & More 4-in-1 Walker
This toy is designed to grow with baby — not just for months, but for years. It starts off as a tummy-time entertainer, then transforms into a walker when they can take their first steps. Then, as they get older, it can convert into either a shopping cart or stroller for pretend play.
Baby Milestone Monthly Blanket
Super soft and cushy, this round modern blanket is the perfect backdrop for new parents to mark baby's first year go by. Part keepsake, part cute crawl mat and all adorable.
Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier
Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier
The Good Housekeeping Institute was wowed by how well this carrier performed in its tests, considering its price. The baby can be positioned in it forward or backward, and testers say it's lightweight and comfy. No wonder it's an Amazon best-seller.
Baby Stroller Organizer
When they're out on a walk, parents can always use more space and more pockets for dropped pacifiers, snacks, wipes and all the other little necessities. This organizer can attach to almost any stroller and provide some instant extra space.
Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit
Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit
Parents don't always want to think about postpartum recovery (and first-time parents might not know what they're getting into). This kit comes with everything moms don't want to dwell on but will need later, including postpartum underwear, ice maxi pads, cooling pad liners and healing foam.
2-in-1 Musical Mobile Gymini
2-in-1 Musical Mobile Gymini
Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the size, design and quality of this play mat. But what really made it shine for our testers was its musical starfish toy, which makes ocean sounds, displays lights and plays melodies designed by a music therapist.
Pronto Changing Pad
Parents would be lucky to have these stashed everywhere: in the car, in the stroller basket, in the diaper bag, upstairs and downstairs. The slim clutch has everything needed for a quick diaper change, including space to store diapers and wipes, and a built-in pad and pillow.
Baby Shusher
We know, we know, we couldn’t believe this thing existed either. But what you really won’t be able to believe is what a lifesaver it is for first-time parents who are still learning how to calm their baby. It uses a real human voice to “shush” and works on 15 – 30 minute timers. It’s portable, user-friendly and — cue the horns! — has batteries included. Does it work on every baby? Well, it doesn't hurt to try!
Philips AVENT Fast Baby Bottle Warmer
Philips AVENT Fast Baby Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer is a parental luxury, not a pressing need, which is why it makes such a great shower gift. This one has temperature controls that warm up milk and baby food without overheating.
Swaddle Blanket
Not only do these muslin blankets come in cute prints, they have so many uses, parents can always use one (or a bunch). They can be swaddles, burp cloths, nursing covers or something to spread out on the floor for tummy time.
Portable Infant Bassinet
A previous Good Housekeeping Parenting Award Winner, this transportable bassinet impressed our engineers by being quick and easy to both fold down and assemble. Another plus? The mesh panels support airflow when it's open.
RELATED: The Best Baby Bassinets of 2023
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH’s growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH’s annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement.
Watch Next
The Ultimate 2023 Gift Guide
70 Best Gifts to Give Your Husband
52 Mom-Recommended Gifts for Pregnant Women
38 Best Sympathy Gifts to Show You Care
