It’s pretty easy knowing what presents to get for babies or young ones, but it’s a bit more difficult to think up great gift ideas for new parents.
Becoming a parent is an amazing and rewarding – but often overwhelming – new venture. That’s why finding thoughtful, practical gifts for new parents can make all the difference while they’re navigating this new and exciting chapter. Our guide is here to help you find the best presents for newborn parents.
Find the latest play mats and tummy time pillows to support baby’s playtime development.
Meal Delivery Services
On top of adjusting to a new sleep schedule and the exhaustion that comes with having a new baby, parents almost always have their hands full. From holding their baby, making bottles, picking up toys, or changing diapers, there’s little time left for anything else. This means cooking delicious or healthy meals is practically impossible for the first few weeks (or months!).
Offering to provide delivered meals can take both a mental and physical load off of parents’ shoulders. Whether you organize a meal train with local friends and family or plan out a subscription to pre-prepared meal delivery services, this gift for newborn parents can alleviate a lot of stress and keep parents nourished to take care of their little one.
Professional Cleaning Services
Providing professional cleaning services can help lighten the load for new parents, letting them focus on their baby instead of household chores or other stressors. Additionally, a cluttered space often heightens stress. A clean environment can bring peace of mind, allowing parents to enjoy their newfound responsibilities and time with their baby.
While professional cleaning services may sound expensive, it’s a great idea for a group gift. If you and a few friends or family members pitch in, this can reduce the cost while still providing a much-needed and practical service for new parents.
White Noise Machine
A new parent gift doesn’t have to just benefit the parents – it can also provide comfort and relaxation for the baby. White noise machines can help create a calming environment for both parents and the baby, helping everyone get better sleep. These sound machines are a practical addition to any nursery or bedroom, providing relaxation for midday naps or peaceful nighttime slumbers.
Mini Photo Printer
Another great gift for parents is a mini photo printer. Parents will be snapping a million pictures of their little one, but it can be difficult to take the time to order prints online or go out to get them printed out. A mini photo printer allows parents to capture and cherish precious moments almost immediately, helping them create keepsakes to stick to the fridge or send to loved ones.
Learn how to use your nursing pillow and the factors to consider when choosing yours.
Baby Carrier or Wrap
Baby carriers or wraps make amazing gifts for newborn parents. These allow parents to keep their baby close while still staying hands-free. Carriers and wraps let adults finish chores, make food, or complete other responsibilities around the house while still bonding and snuggling with their child, which helps promote the release of oxytocin in both parent and child.
Memory Books or Milestone Cards
One of the best gifts for new parents is a memory book or milestone card. While the first few months – or years – might pass by in a blur as new parents are getting used to building a family, this gift will allow parents to slow down, document their child’s growth and special moments, and treasure every minute, especially when they add to the book as their child continues to grow up.
Memory books or milestone cards offer sentimental value as lifelong keepsakes, letting parents and kids alike look back fondly.
Personalized Keepsakes
A personalized keepsake offers another new parent's gift that is thoughtful, unique, and can be cherished for years to come. There are multiple items you can personalize or engrave to give to new parents and their families:
- Ornaments
- Blankets
- Clothes
- Books
- Onesies
- Toys
- Night lights
- Stuffed animals
These gifts are a great way to commemorate this special time in a parent’s life while still giving the child something to fondly remember and hold onto as they grow up.
Stroller Organizer
We all know that newborns and toddlers alike usually need a million things during outings – toys, binkies, food, milk, blankets, and more. A stroller organizer helps keep all of these essentials within reach for busy parents on the go, ensuring that their time out of the house is as stress-free as possible.
Tummy Time Prop
Tummy time is an essential part of child development that parents can start doing with their newborns within the first few days of baby arriving home. With tummy time, the baby is working hard to hold up their head, which is quite heavy compared to the rest of their body. This position actively strengthens their neck, shoulders, back, and arms. Using a tummy time prop pillow with toys attached encourages longer and more active playtime as the baby grows stronger.
Swaddle Blankets
Swaddling newborns has been growing in popularity in recent years. Studies have shown there are many benefits to swaddling newborns, especially pre-term infants.
- Keeps baby calm
- Curb excessive crying
- Improve neuromuscular development
- Provide more self-regulatory ability
A soft, swaddle blanket is a great gift for parents. They can use these blankets for the first few months for naps, outings, and cozy snuggles, which helps comfort the baby and provides convenience for them.
Streaming or Audiobook Subscriptions
Streaming or audiobook subscriptions are presents for new parents that offer them a chance to relax or stay engaged with their child during feeding sessions or late-night wake-ups. Offering to fund a few months of a Netflix subscription or Audible account is a thoughtful way to help parents keep up with their favorite show or book series when they have time to relax.
Healing during the postpartum recovery period can be tough, but practicing self-care can make the transition more manageable.
Baby-Safe Cleaning Products
Parents need to keep their home clean and safe from toxins, especially around their newborns. Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can harm a baby’s respiratory system, skin, or nose.
Investing in baby-safe cleaning products in a small care package for new parents can provide parents with peace of mind while still maintaining cleanliness around the home. This practical gift also shows that you’re thinking of their newborn’s health and wellness, which parents will be thankful for.
A Sleek Diaper Bag or Diaper Backpack
A durable, well-organized diaper bag can be a lifesaver for new parents, as we’ve all seen parents scrambling through a messy bag or backpack for diaper cream or a binky just for them not to be able to find what they need when they need it most. This can quickly increase both a parent's and a baby’s stress levels.
However, a convenient, sleek, and organized diaper bag can hold all of the baby’s necessities while still ensuring parents can stay calm and collected while they reach in to find what they need without increasing their worries. You can even pitch in with a few friends or family members to fill the diaper bag as a kind of new parent's gift basket, putting in other small presents as well.
Learn and Grow Garden Enrichment Toy
At any age, sensory and educational toys are important for growth and development. With the Learn and Grow Garden, there are numerous ways babies can play starting in early childhood through their toddler years. Cozy, plus vegetables can be pulled or planted in the garden, cinkly seed packets create a variety of sounds, and an integrated mirror to encourage self-discovery, expression, and exploring emotions. This toy is a delightful, engaging way to support child development, encourage pretend play, and let the new parents have fun together as a family.
Compact Changing Pad
Babies go through plenty of diapers every day, often leaving parents confused about where and how to change their baby hygienically and easily. Another gift for new parents that is thoughtful and useful is a compact changing pad, allowing parents to bring it with them on the go and ensure their baby stays clean no matter where the day takes them.
Babysitting Services
As much as parents love their newborns, some might need a small break from time to time. This allows them to de-stress, take some time for themselves, and recharge their batteries. One of the best gift ideas for new moms and dads is babysitting services. You can either hire someone they already approve of or even craft a small book of babysitting “coupons” they can redeem from you, friends, or family whenever they need a little break.
Taking the time to recharge allows parents to get back to their best selves, ensuring both they and the baby are fully taken care of.
Family Memberships
Investing in memberships to local attractions can provide families with bonding experiences and lasting memories. This is especially true for families that have older children as well, as the whole family can take time to spend with each other and explore new places. Some great places to purchase family memberships include:
- Zoos
- Children’s museums
- Pool passes
- Family recreation centers
- Aquariums
Baby Play Mat
Baby play mats make great gift ideas for first-time parents. These play mats are comfortable for babies to rest and relax on the floor, all the way from tummy time to playtime. Playmats are essential for child enrichment and other activities, allowing children to learn and grow.
Boppy’s play mats are thick, comfortable, and easy to clean, ensuring that new parents can bring their baby anywhere for a fun and relaxing time.
Cozy Throw Blanket
Throw blankets are great new parent gifts. These cozy, soft blankets offer warmth and comfort during family snuggle time, late-night feedings, or slow mornings. Both parents and children can benefit from a nice blanket, making them practical and thoughtful at the same time. You can also go the extra mile and get the blanket personalized with the baby’s name or the family’s last name, keeping it important and sentimental for years to come.
Learn about dream feeding and how it can lead to more restful sleep for your newborn and parents.
Versatile Cover-Up
A versatile cover-up can offer many benefits to new parents. These multi-purpose covers can serve as nursing covers, car seat covers, shopping cart covers, lightweight blankets, and more, providing convenience and versatility for parents who are on the go.
Boppy’s covers come in multiple prints and are convenient and versatile, offering parents everything they need as they’re out and about with their kids.
Parenting Books or Guides
First-time parents are often overwhelmed with everything they have to do and take care of with their little one. Being a parent is a lot to take on, and without the right knowledge or guidance, parents can quickly feel stuck and unsure of what to do that’s the best for their child.
Gifting parents with books or guides that explain tips and tricks for how to raise children, navigate life with a new baby, or be the best parents they can be can take some of the stress off their shoulders and give them the confidence they need.
Baby Footprint Kits
One of the best gifts for newborn parents is a baby footprint kit. These kits can help parents create lasting memories of their baby’s tiny feet, providing sentimental value as a cherished keepsake. Parents can even use these footprints to create art for their space, making them into little coasters, art prints, or other memorabilia that can decorate the baby’s nursery and bring a cute and comforting feel to the space.
Gift Cards for Essentials
Raising a child is expensive – from the hundreds of diapers, jars of baby food, formula, and toys, ensuring that children are well-cared for quickly adds up. Gifting new parents gift cards for essentials can take some of the stress of raising kids off their shoulders, allowing them to purchase exactly what they need.
- Target
- Local grocery stores
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Kid-specific stores (Gap Kids, etc.)
Explore the Boppy blog for helpful tips and tricks to keep you and your baby healthy and comfortable as you grow together.
Baby Food Maker
Baby food makers are a great option for parents that want to ensure their little one is getting all the nutrients they need from fresh produce by making healthy, homemade meals. Parents can utilize this gift for years, making it a great option for those who plan to have more kids in the near future or who simply want to keep making food for their children as they grow older.
These food makers are a present that many parents don’t often think to buy for themselves, making it a thoughtful gift that can support parents finding foods their baby likes.
Digital Photo Frame
Physical photos can quickly take up a lot of space in the home, especially when parents or families often have tens or even hundreds of photos they want to display of their little ones. However, a digital photo frame circumvents this issue, allowing parents to display a rotating gallery of cherished memories without having to compromise on choosing from their favorites.
These photo frames come in all sorts of styles, colors, and finishes, providing a modern and convenient design for any type of home.
Lend a Helping Hand
If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in a gift or subscription for new parents, don’t fret – lending a helping hand is a thoughtful gesture that can take a load off of parents’ shoulders. Whether you run errands, help with chores, decorate for the holidays, or clean the house, this is a simple and cost-efficient gift that provides meaningful support to new parents that can make all the difference when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Personalized Children’s Storybook
A custom children’s storybook is a great present that can become a cherished bedtime favorite, even as the newborn continues to age. These provide a unique and sentimental value to families, allowing children to listen to and learn their name while giving parents a more enjoyable way to engage with the books they read to their baby. Many sites and bookstores offer ways to personalize children’s books.
Neck and Back Massager
Parents almost always are going to be busy and stressed, from helping care for their children, feeding them, waking up in the middle of the night to crying, and more. While it’s the best job on the planet, it can still be overwhelming.
However, a neck or back massager provides relief for new parents dealing with the physical strain of carrying their baby, or trying to de-stress in general. These are great presents that allow parents to focus on themselves and alleviate aches and pains to be the best parents they can be for their children.
Learn tips and strategies to boost your milk supply to ease feedings with your newborn.
Delicate Personalized Jewelry
Gifting delicate and personalized jewelry with the baby’s name, initials, or birthstone is a meaningful present that allows parents to take their kids with them, even when their child isn’t physically with them. This is especially true for parents who have to go back to work after maternity or paternity leave. Having a keepsake that has their child’s name on it reminds them of who’s waiting at home and how much they love them.
Diaper Caddy Organizer
Diaper caddies are a great addition to any home or car. Caddies keep essentials, like diapers, wipes, creams, and more, organized and within reach while parents are changing their child’s diaper.
This can be used for both home and travel as well, meaning that parents are always organized and that their kids are well taken care of, no matter where they are.
Give the Gift of Comfort and Care with Help From Boppy
Thoughtful gifts can make a world of difference to new parents. Whether it’s coupons for babysitting, coffee, parenting books, blankets, or nursing pillows, just showing that you care and want to help parents will remind them that they have a village behind them ready to support them with whatever they need.
Boppy carries a wide range of products that are perfect for new and experienced parents alike. Our seat covers, wraps, and play mats provide all that parents and children might need, and we’re committed to the safety of children as well. Read our blog or browse our latest products today to learn more about what presents to give to parents.