Heading to a baby shower this year? It can be a little overwhelming sorting through the abundance of s**t in traditional baby stores. If you’ve not had kids of yourself either, it can be even more confusing trying to work out what new mums actually need. You may go ahead and do a bit of “spying”, figuring out what sort of baby formula they are using and why not get a gift card for some delicious and gold standard nutrient tense *baby formula* from a reputable online store. Take a read of our handy article to help navigate through the best baby shower gifts in 2022.
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10 Best Baby Shower Gifts in 2022
Discover our top picks for gifts that expecting mums will appreciate and actually use.
A baby backpack or nappy bag is an essential for new mums and their parenting partners. We’re not sure if it’s obvious, but babies come with a whole lot of *baggage* and this normally means that mum’s pre-baby handbag just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Cue the nappy bag. Get her something gorgeous like the luxe Monica Bag by Vestirsi, or consider something a little more unisex if she’s going to be sharing parenting duties with a male partner.
Features to consider in your baby backpack:
- Bottle holders
- Insulated bottle holders
- Zips and pockets
- Tote bag or backpack style
- Unisex is co-parenting
- Luxe look if heading back to work straight away
Two words – hands free! This is pure fun for new babies, but really it means hands-free time for new parents to get stuff done (like use the bathroom, or have a cup of coffee!) There are so many excellent play gyms to choose from but we especially love the Done by Deer activity mat. Baby will lay on the quilted play mat and engage with five toys (which have sound and mirror included) hung from two cross bars.
Features of Done by Deer Mat:
- Quilted play mat
- Five toys hanging from 2 cross bars
- Removable arches
- Measures W 90 x H 48 cm
It’s not ‘essential’, but it sure is cute. Get them something special to celebrate their newborn arrival with a beautiful coming home outfit. We think it’s important to recognise these little milestones and celebrate them! New parents won’t easily forget what their newborn’s coming home outfit was! Opt for a beanie to keep their heads warm, a tiny top & pant suit, and a beautiful swaddle.
Features to consider:
- Breathable cotton material
- Choose the smallest size (eg 000)
- Opt for layers
- Snap buttons
- Elastacised waist
Whilst cute outfits are ‘nice to haves’, a changing tray is firmly in the ‘essentials’ list. This is a big purchase that new mums will appreciate and use every single day. We love the Matty Change Mat by Leander as a portable and reliable option. It’s 100% waterproof so you can be sure of no leaks or stains. It’s also made from PUR (polyurethane foam) which makes the mat robust and sturdy while soft to touch, meaning there is no need for any fabric layers like a cover or a towel before you put your baby down.
Features of Matty Change Mat:
- 100% waterproof
- Made from PUR
- Soft touch
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
A monitor can be a personal decision for new parents, but if you’re confident that they’re after one, you can’t beat Owlet. Calling it a monitor is really an injustice as it does so much more than the classic baby monitor we all know. The Owlet Sock measures heart rate, oxygen levels and baby’s sleep patterns and sends an alert to parents smartphone if these three things ever leave pre-set normal readings. This is a great gift for the ultimate in peace of mind.
Features of Owlet Monitor:
- Soft hypoallergenic fabric sock
- Hand Washable sock
- Velcro fastener
- Connects to smartphone
- Fits newborns up to 18 months
Buying a baby carrier for expecting mums is sure to be so appreciated! It’s a big spend on a carrier worth having, so it’s a generous and thoughtful gift for new parents. Using a baby carrier allows parents to keep their child close (and portable) but make full use of their hands at the same time. It’s a great one for parents who travel frequently too! We love the Baby Bjorn Carrier Harmony. It’s ultra breathable, comfortable and lightweight and is built to ergonomically support both the baby but also the wearer.
Features of Carrier Harmony:
- Lightweight
- Breathable mesh
- Ergonomically made
- Pressure-relieving waist belt
- Padded back support and shoulder straps
Another much appreciated gift for new mums is surely sleep! Help their babies settle into good sleeping habits with an Ergo Pouch sleep suit or sleeping bag. It’s the easiest way to swaddle a baby- simply zip up their sleep bag and voila! These cosy suits mean you don’t need to use blankets (which are actually a hazard for newborns) and they’re made from TOG-rated materials to ensure babies don’t overheat during the night.
Features of Ergo Pouch Sleeping Bags:
- TOG-rated materials
- Choose from newborn to 24 months old sizes
- GOTS certified organic cotton
- Hip friendly design
- Super stretchy
We’ve put this one on the list because it’s an expensive item (so surely appreciated by new parents), however, it’s also quite personal and you’d need to be sure mum wants to breastfeed in the first place. The Medela is considered the breast pump to ‘end all breast pumps’ and is a high-powered electric pump that gets milk expressed quickly and easily. It’s a great option for mums that want to express everyday, share the feeding load with a parenting partner, or mums who are going back to work but want to continue to exclusively breastfeed.
Features of Medela breast pump:
- Electric pump
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Comes with a PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield that adapts better to your breast shape
- Medela 2-Phase Expression® technology mimics babies’ sucking for a more natural pumping experience
Combine cosy snuggle time for baby with hands-free time for new mums! A newborn lounger is a thoughtful present that all new parents will treasure. We particularly recommend the Snuggle Me Organics Infant Loungers. Firstly, they’re made from GOTS certified organic materials so you can be sure of their quality. Secondly, their smart design hugs baby’s entire body which helps to calm and comfort them when you need to go hands-free.And finally they even help you to actively engage with your baby during supervised lounging, tummy time or sitting support.
Features of Snuggle Me Lounger:
- Portable
- Made from GOTS certified organic materials
- Machine washable
- Helps to calm and comfort baby
- Suitable for newborns – 9 months old
- Hypoallergenic
Last but not least, we leave you with a baby bath! Whilst newborns don’t require daily bathing, they still need to be given a bath a few times a week. It can sometimes be a little stressful even if you have an adult sized bath, so we always recommend using a baby bath for extra support and less stress at bath time. The Angelcare bath makes for a great option if new mums have an adult bathtub- they can pop this in for baby support.
Features of Angelcare Bath:
- Safe, sturdy sides
- Suitable for newborns – 6 months old
- Soft ergonomic design
- Quick-dry
- Hygienic and mildew-resistant material
- Built-in hook for storage
Feeling a little more empowered to gift a kick-ass present to your new mum friends? Discover more beautiful baby shower gifts in Australia at the memo now!
