39 Baby Shower Gifts They Won’t Have to Return

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Ever stood in a store, staring blankly at the endless rows of baby gear, adorable onesies, and countless diaper options, wondering what on earth to buy the expecting parents in your life? You’re not alone.

Shopping for baby shower gifts can be super overwhelming. These tiny humans require so. much. stuff. (think car seats and strollers) and figuring out what they actually need—or what their parents will absolutely love—is a whole other challenge. There's so many options! This is especially difficult if their registry has been filled, or if they are having a sprinkle rather than a traditional shower because it's their second baby!

That’s where we come in. Based on real-life experiences and feedback from parents, we’ve rounded up practical and unique baby shower gift ideas. These are useful not only for those early days, but some the recipient can cherish long after baby makes their grand entrance.

Keep up with the presents after baby’s arrival with the best toy gifts for 1-year-olds, gifts for 2-year-olds, and gifts for toddlers.

Calendula Comfrey Super Salve

Anyone having a baby needs this balm sent their way immediately! Made from natural ingredients like Calendula flower petals, Jojoba, beeswax, and lavender essential oils, it soothes baby’s dry skin — and clears up diaper rash like nobody’s business. Plus, the entire family can use it!

Hospital Bracelet Picture Frame

This simple yet elegant frame is perfect for new parents to capture their little one’s arrival. Designed to showcase a newborn’s first precious photo alongside their hospital ID bracelet, this thoughtful keepsake ensures baby’s tiny mementos are always on display, not tucked away in a cardboard box.

City Mini GT2 Stroller

We’ve used so many strollers, and the City Mini GT2 is definitely a favorite. It’s durable, easy to navigate, super easy to fold, and comfortable for infants to preschoolers. This stroller will last for years, even with multiple kids. It’s compatible with some infant car seats, and adapters are sold separately.

Baby Wrap Carrier

Some parents find infant wraps intimidating or confusing to use. How do you wrap it?! Is my baby going to slip out?! But this wrap’s super cozy fabric makes baby-wearing feel easy and natural – it’s the perfect baby shower gift for even the tiniest of babies and can also hold toddlers up to 35 pounds.

Skincare Essentials

Baby products come and go, but Aquafor has been a standard for decades. This set is perfect for all babies, as the products are hypoallergenic and free of fragrances, parabens, and dyes. The 3-piece box set includes Baby Healing Ointment, Diaper Rash Cream, and Wash & Shampoo.

Travel White Noise Machine

Gentle ambient noise can comfort babies. This white noise machine, perfect for at home or on the go, has six settings: White Noise, Thunder, Ocean, Rain, Summer Night, and Brook. As a bonus, it might help the parents sleep better, too.

Travel Changing Pad

When you have a baby, sh*t happens…literally. Any time, anywhere, whether it’s convenient or not, so parents really have to be prepared. This changing pad is easily portable, extra long, and has space for essentials like diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and even parents’ personal items. It can be used on its own or fit in a diaper bag.

360 All-Position Carrier

For a more structured, higher-weight-capacity carrier, try the Ergobaby 360. With this design, you can tote baby in multiple positions, including forward-facing, on the hip, or on the back, up to 45 pounds—that’s an average 6-year-old!

Gift Card

No matter how thoughtful and generous baby shower gifts are, there are always items new parents need to pick up for themselves. Amazon gift cards are handy since they’ll spend a ton of money on their kiddo in the first year alone.

Baby Bandana Drool Bibs

One thing babies don’t master for a while is swallowing, hence why they’re always so darn drooly. To avoid having to change them out of a million wet onesies a day, drool bibs are essential. This set of four is an adorable baby shower gift for the parents-to-be.

Layette Gift Set

Gifting clothes at a baby shower can be a little tricky, as parents often wind up with way more than they can use before their baby grows out of them! But you can’t go wrong with a classic layette.

We love this unisex set from Wonder Nation, which includes mix-and-match onesies, pants, bibs, sleepers, and hats.

Countertop Drying Rack

Whether the parents-to-be are planning to use bottles or not, having a convenient dedicated spot to air-dry them will be clutch. You might have seen this drying rack before—there’s a good reason for that! It’s adorable and the perfect tool for the task.

Stride Breast Pump

For those who breastfeed, every little bit of comfort and convenience helps. This quiet, lightweight hospital-grade pump is a lifesaver for new parents. It lets you pump without waking the baby, and the handy app tracks your pumping sessions and more.

Pivot Xplore Stroller Wagon

Protect their most precious cargo with this budget-friendly all-terrain wagon stroller, perfect for family outings. Parents of any height can easily adjust the handle and switch from pushing to pulling, making it a breeze to maneuver. We love its ample storage space and handy snack tray to keep little ones happy on the go.

Art Prints by Tabitha Brown

Brighten up any nursery with this vibrant, eye-catching print by artist Tabitha Brown. The colorful design is available in three different sizes and will make everyone’s eyes light up. While shopping, check out other designs from the artist to add to your own collection!

Baby Wash & Shampoo

Baby's delicate skin deserves the most gentle care, and SheaMoisture’s 2-in-1 gentle baby wash and shampoo does just that. The specially blended formula, perfect for babies and toddlers with textured hair, makes bath time an extremely soothing experience.

Bumco Diaper Cream Spatula

Receive endless thank yous for this super useful gift! Invented by a mom, this silicone diaper cream spatula makes diaper changes a breeze. The flexible design keeps fingers clean, while the genius suction cup base prevents a smeared mess on tables or floors—perfect for all those wild baby wiggles!

Bassinest Soothing Swivel Sleeper 3.0

Give new parents the ultimate gift of peace of mind with this sturdy, see-through sleeper. Its built-in sound and vibration features gently lull baby to sleep, and the convenient adjustable height and swivel options make nighttime routines so much easier. With the push of a button, it transforms into a portable nest, allowing parents to keep their little ones close by wherever they go.

Perfect Night Pacifier

Pacifiers can be actual lifesavers for parents, so consider adding this two-pack to your baby shower shopping list. The thin, flexible nipple design means less work for baby, and who doesn’t love that? Plus, it glows in the dark, making middle-of-the-night soothing so much easier.

Baby Playpen

When kids need to be contained outside, a regular pack ‘n play just won’t cut it. With its UPF 50+ rated canopy, this spacious playpen keeps little ones out of the sun while they enjoy the fresh outdoor air.

Perfect for busy parents, it sets up as easily as a beach tent and is just as simple to clean — they can hose it off and let it air dry!

Quick-Read Digital Rectal Thermometer

Caring for a sick little one is no fun, but this parent-poof rectal thermometer gives parents the confidence to check their baby’s temperature accurately. Its flexible tip and stopper ensure comfort and safety, while the easy-to-clean, water-resistant design adds convenience.

With a 10-second quick-read backlit display, getting accurate readings, even during those nighttime checks, is super simple.

Subscription Box

Start baby’s reading journey off right with this delightful book subscription for ages 0-3. Each month, they’ll receive a carefully curated, diverse book, perfect for even the littlest book lovers. Choose from a variety of subscription options to find the perfect fit for the new parents in your life.

Mia The Dog Little 13-In. Hand-Knit Doll

Charlotte The Dog is sweet enough to squeeze and will surely elicit some big “Awws” at any baby shower! This hand-knit doll is not only a perfect gift for little ones, but it’s also making a real difference in the world. Ten meals are donated for every doll purchased, making Mia a truly impactful and memorable gift for anyone who receives her.

Baby Shark Sponges

Transform bath time into a fun sing-a-long adventure with this 3-piece Baby Shark sponge set! The handy finger pockets make gripping easy, while the terry cloth fabric is super gentle on baby’s skin. They’re super easy to clean, too—which all parents will appreciate!

Engraved Ring

Another fun fact about babies: They will grab and pull at every piece of jewelry you wear for years. But there’s one exception: rings. That’s why we love this simple band you can engrave with baby’s name, birthday, or whatever you want. It’s a lovely way for parents to wear jewelry during those early years.

Tortilla Swaddle

Swaddling is great for so many reasons — it’s calming and makes babies look like a delicious little burrito…and now they can really live up to that image with this tortilla pattern swaddle blanket! This gift will surely have the family comedian cracking dad jokes left and right.

Baby Bear Hat

What’s the point of even having a baby if you’re not going to put them in adorable little animal hats with ears? This hand-crocheted hat has sweet little bear ears, and we literally can’t even. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, so just let the artist know your preferences.

Wipes

A baby shower is probably one of the few celebrations you can get away with giving the gift of wiping away poo, right? But trust us, any parent will thank you for these—because they’ll be going through a lot!

Diaper Bag

With this diaper bag’s unique design, there’s a spot for everything…including the baby! This backpack-style diaper bag has 16 pockets — including an insulated one for bottles, plus plenty of room to hold diapers and other essentials. The back unzips to create a basket-like changing station, and there’s even a USB charging port!

Hooded Towel and Washcloths

Can you use ordinary towels for washing and drying your baby? Yes. But are they as adorable as hooded towels with little animals on them? Absolutely not. So we think these are definitely worth it.

Besides, they take up less room in the laundry basket, and the new parents will be doing a lot more of that soon.

Joseph Altuzarra Moon & Stars Rug

Bottles Set

Some babies can be picky with bottles, but this set from Dr. Brown’s has been a lifesaver for many parents. It comes with three 8-ounce bottles, two 4-ounce bottles, a variety of nipples, storage caps, and cleaning brushes—everything a new parent needs to make feeding time a breeze.

Pack n’ Play

Perfect for travel or keeping a baby in your room, this Pack n’ Play works for brand-new babies as well as kiddos up to toddler age. It's an incredibly versatile baby shower gift with two different sleeping levels and a detachable changing table.

Stroller Bunting Bag

Parents won't ever need to worry about falling blankets with this stroller warmer. Perfect for keeping baby toasty while out and about on chilly days, the practical two-way zip design is suitable for most strollers, and its five harness slots keep baby safe and warm.

Infant Play Mat

Some babies aren’t exactly thrilled with tummy time at first, but we think they’ll be more than content with this colorful and busy playmat by Fisher-Price. Plus, it will help make the essential neck exercises more bearable for everyone.

Membership

Parents need to buy so many diapers, wipes, formula, and other infant essentials, so a Costco membership can be a game changer for buying these items in bulk. Plus, it saves them a tremendous amount of money in the long run. And let’s not forget the free samples!

Baby Bath Kneeler

So many products are designed to make bath time more fun and comfortable for babies, but what about the poor parents kneeling on the bathroom floor? This cushy mat is a knee-saver and even comes with armrests and a place to put all the toys and toiletries.

New Mom Care Package

Whether preparing for or recovering from birth or just dealing with the stress of new parenthood, this charming box set comes complete with a customizable candle and all the bath and body products a new parent will need for some much-deserved pampering.

Baby Bather

Bathing an infant can be intimidating — they’re so delicate and slippery — but it’s easier when your space is somewhat limited.

This bather makes cleaning a tiny baby much easier than sloshing them around in a big ol’ tub. It even folds flat for easy storage, a bonus for parents who are already juggling an enormous amount of baby gear.

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