Helpful gift ideas for new and soon-to-be parents
Having a new baby in the family is an exciting time, but it can also incredibly stressful. Whether bub's on the way or they've already made their grand arrival, you can help save the parents' money with a thoughtful gift.
We've rounded up everything mums and dads will need and want when they're caring for the little one to ease their new parent anxiety, help them recover from the birth and just make everything a bit more calm.
From bottle warmers and thermometers all the way down to baby wipes and cook books, they'll be more than pleased to open these gifts up.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
New Parents Decision Coin
Instead of the debating and arguing over who changed the last nappy or who will clean up the spit up, help the new parents make their decision for them. This double sided coin has two options – Mummy's Turn and Daddy's Turn. Whichever side it lands on is who has to do the dirty work. This is a fun, novelty gift that might solve a lot of arguments.
Zuhrah Baby Change Mat
Made from a vegan leather, the Zuhrah nappy changing mat is non-toxic, water proof and easy to wipe down in case of any catastrophic nappy incidents that are bound to happen sooner or later. Measuring 70cm x 40cm, this mat will be able to be used as your baby grows from a little bubba into a chaotic toddler.
A Dude's Guide to Baby Size: What to Expect and How to Prep for Dads-to-Be, by Taylor Calmus
Written by online video creator known as 'Dude Dad', this book takes the regular soon-to-be dad books and flips them on their heads. Designed to be a humorous take on the dad's perspective on pregnancy, the main feature is how Calmus changes how people typically compare the size of a growing baby. For example, instead of comparing them to fruits and vegetables, he compares them to more fun and relatable objects like instruments and delicious meals like nachos.
The book also comes with fun facts about the growing bub, dos and don't for a new dad and ways to help the soon-to-be mum.
Johnson's Baby Gift Pack
This gift pack has pretty much anything and everything that skincare brand Johnson's offers in their renowned baby care range. Some of the items that come in the pack include baby shampoo, baby oil, baby cotton buds, nursing pads and baby bath oil.
Dreambaby Room and Bath Baby Thermometer
For babies, bathtime is different. A lot needs to be considered and thought of before you can get to washing the little one. Take the worry out of whether the water is the correct temp with this cute thermometer. This thermometer will let you know when the bath temp is right for them, and it's shaped like a cute little turtle too.
If you're after more animal options, it also comes as a crocodile and yellow duck.
Deliciously Healthy Pregnancy: Nutrition and Recipes for Optimal Health from Conception to Parenthood, by Rhiannon Lambert
Written by bestselling author and nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, this book will guide mums towards the most healthy and nutritious pregnancy possible. Include are over 80 recipes that will keep mum and bub healthy, happy and full while exploring the science behind eating well and its benefits.
Boon Cacti Bottle Cleaning Brush Set
Sure, the standard bottle cleaning brushes do the job, but making the chore a bit more fun is the better option. These cute cacti brushes certainly fit into that category.
READ MORE: Cleaning products you didn't know you needed
Sansibrah Pram Pegs, four pack
One way to avoid chaos on a windy day out with bub is investing in pram pegs. You can keep in place everything you need like sun canopies, muslin swaddles, towels, toys and so much more.
Weleda Nipple Care Cream, 36mL
There is so much to get ready and sorted before the baby comes, but we don't often put the mum's nipples in that category. This nipple cream moisturises the nipples prior to birth as well as protects them during breastfeeding to relieve sore and cracked nipples.
The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance by Joe Borgenicht and Louis Borgenicht
They say that babies don't come with an instruction manual, so this is the closest we can come to finding one. Written by paediatrician Dr. Louis Borgnicht and his son Joe Borgenicht, the book and its chapters are written and laid out in a comical way that acts like a basic instruction manual but with plenty of useful tips and answers to very important questions every new parent has.
Universal Stroller Cup Holder with Mobile Phone Case
Two hands just aren't enough when dealing with a child. Adding this mobile phone and cup holder to the stroller will help with the constant juggle when out and about.
HotTea Mama 'The Final Push' Raspberry Leaf and Peppermint Tea Blend, 15 pack
Raspberry leaf has been used by many women during pregnancy as a way to help induce labour, as well as make it a more speedy process. While some think it's more of a placebo, many mums stand by it.
This loose leaf tea by HotTea Mama is designed specifically with soon-to-be mums in mind. It is recommended to start drinking from 32 weeks of pregnancy to help relax muscles ahead of labour. It is completely caffeine and gluten free, is vegan friendly and will act as a nice cuppa on Christmas night.
Hanging Nappy Organiser
Nappy bags are great to keep things organised when out and about, but having a well set out space at home is even more important, especially during late night feeds and changes.
This hanging nappy caddy stores everything in one place, so you're not looking for the wipes of nappy cream in the middle of the night, or trying to find the baby's favourite toy when they are screaming their lungs out waiting for a fresh nappy. It's simple to hang, easy to see what you're working with and makes the whole process a little less traumatic.
Silverette Nursing Cups
Breastfeeding is not easy, it's draining, exhausting and can be really painful. Help ease the difficulty with these Silverette nursing cups.
Vamotto 'Growing a Tiny Human' Socks
If you can't put your feet up when you're pregnant, then when can you? These socks are a fun reminder for everyone to let mum take it easy.
Pregnancy Journal
There are so many important milestones parents reach when pregnant, but once the baby arrives, these moments and memories can be forgotten and overshadowed. This keepsake journal is a great way to keep these memories and share with their child when they are old enough.
Dreamegg White Noise Machine
Getting a baby to sleep, and keeping them asleep is a difficult mission. This white noise machine offers 24 sounds and white lighting to help create a relaxed atmosphere for your bub to have the best and most restful sleep possible – and then the parents can sleep too!
Philips Avent 4-In-1 Steamer Blender Healthy Baby Food Maker
If you're moving past breast or bottle feeding, the Philips baby food maker is a great option to introduce a world of new, healthy and tasty food to your baby. It can do pretty much everything you need it to do ahead of feeding – it can steam, defrost, reheat and blend food to make exactly what you want to feed your baby. And if you're not sure what to feed them, it comes with a recipe book by child nutritionist Dr. Emma Williams.
Right now, you can get your hands on the Philips Avent 4-In-1 Steamer Blender Healthy Baby Food Maker on Amazon for $202.47, saving over $90 from regular retail price.
HotTea Mama 'Milk's Up' Breastfeeding Tea for Nursing & Lactation, 15 pack
This tea is a natural alternative to help build up the mother's breast milk supply. Made from herbs including fennel, star anise, fenugreek seeds and nettle, it is caffeine-free, so it won't boost the mum's daily caffeine intake and won't travel to bub via the milk.
Tommee Tippee The Original Grobag Newborn Swaddle
Designed for babies from newborn to three months, this swaddle will keep them safe and warm, and wraps them up with their arms close to their chest to help reduce their startle reflex, so they can get the best possible sleep.
If pink isn't the right colour, it also comes in blue.
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool, by Emily Oster
Every parent has their own style when it comes to parenting, from how to discipline, what to feed them and the best nap routine, every little aspect is debatable. Emily Oster helps settle the questions, providing answers to issues everyone has an opinion on all based on data.
Car Baby Mirror
Keep an eye on bub, whether they're sleeping, crying or playing with toys with this baby car mirror. It measures about 30cm x 20cm, so you can get a good look at them. It's also made from a shatterproof acrylic glass so there won't be any worries of any breaking or injury.
While this is a good option to monitor your baby, please remember to always watch the road and drive safely.
Baby Ink Handprint & Footprint Photo Frame Kit
While the days are long with a newborn, the months and years ahead will feel short. They won't stay that small forever. Leave them with a memory of their little one forever with this handprint and footprint photo frame kit.
Tommee Tippee Baby Grooming and Healthcare Kit
You never know what you're going to need day by day with a new baby. This kit covers every area to help keep the baby safe and healthy. Included are nail scissors, hair brush, nasal aspirator and thermometer among other essential items. It's all kept in a small travel pouch, so you can keep it in the nappy bag and know it's always there when you need it.
The Motherhood, by Jamila Rizvi
Becoming a new mum can be a very confusing time, with feelings of isolation and self doubt, and hints of losing your own identity. This book is a great gift to let them know that they're not alone. Jamila Rizvi's The Motherhood brings together stories and letters of other women's experiences in becoming a mother and how they felt in their journey. With contributions from Zoë Foster-Blake, Jessica Rudd and others, this is a must-read for any mother.
FOME Baby Nappy Caddy
With toys scattered all along the floor and a baby screaming on the change table as you try and find the nappy cream, wouldn't it be so much easier if everything was kept in one place? This nappy caddy is the solution. Measuring 34cm x 24cm x 18cm, it's big enough to keep everything you need as part of your nappy changing routine together without taking up too much room.
For an added touch to the present, add some nappies, wipes, creams, and a couple of little toys so they are completely sorted!
Haakaa Baby Nail Care Set
Those little nails grow quickly, so you need to keep on top of them. This nail care set has all the bits and bobs needed to trim bub's nails quickly and safely with minimal fuss and squirming.
Bink Hydration Tracking Bottle, 800mL
It's incredibly important to keep hydrated when looking after a new baby – and breastfeeding mothers need to drink more to keep their supply up. This stylish drink bottle will help you keep track of how much you drink with indicators on the side.
Cubo AI Plus Smart Baby Monitor
This high tech monitor keeps an eye on everything that worries a parent when they put their baby to bed. It uses AI technology to watch the baby. It tracks their sleep, providing data on when they were asleep, for how long, and when they woke during the night.
If parents are still concerned, they can set their own 'danger zone' – a feature that lets parents choose where their baby shouldn't be, so if the monitor detects movement in that area, the parents will be alerted. On top of all this, it has a 1080p HD video, cry detection, two-way audio, photo capturing, temperature and humidity alerts and built-in night lights and lullabies.
Robasiom Nappy Bag Backpack
Absolutely anything and everything needs to be packed before leaving the house with a new baby. This backpack comes with two compartments and 18 pockets, including three bottle holders in a cooler pocket, a portable nappy changing mat, five insulated pockets and a little case for the baby's dummy. It's also waterproof with a double zipper design and has padded shoulders for greater comfort when carrying. Everything but the kitchen sink can go along with you.
Tommee Tippee Instant Baby Bottle Maker
This Tommee Tippee bottle maker takes out most steps usually needed to prepare a bottle. It can have a fresh bottle ready for your baby in two minutes. It uses water straight from the tap, and filters it using an anti-bacterial filter and heat settings. It also has a digital display and soft lighting so it can easily be used for night feeds.
Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Advanced Nappy Bin
There really is nothing quite as nasty as a dirty nappy. This nappy bin has an antibacterial film that helps remove all odour. It is large enough to store up to 28 nappies, so there will be no immediate rush to get them to the outdoor bins – you can happily wait until bin day. Best of all, it is made from 98 per cent recycled and recyclable plastics and on sale for $44.95.
Polaroid Originals Now+ Instant Film Camera
One of the sweetest things to look back on is the baby albums and photo books. All the cute memories of the baby growing up and becoming a big kid. These books are becoming more of a rarity these days, with photos being taken digitally and the Facebook feed becoming the modern day album. Help bring these sweet mementos back with an instant print polaroid camera.
Included are five different lenses with different shades, so take a pic and stick them straight into the album to start banking those memories.
You can find some baby photo album ideas here.
WoolComfort Pregnancy, Maternity and Nursing Pillow Body
Measuring 140cm x 80cm, this pillow was made with mums in mind. It can help ease pressure and tension in the back, neck and shoulders and can make breastfeeding more comfortable.
Maxi Cosi Mico Plus With ISO Infant Carrier
It is a real pain getting the baby in and out of the car without waking them, or stretching your back – so many things can cause chaos. This carrier can easily be fitted in and out of the car and installed into a Maxi Cosi stroller, so there will be minimal disturbance to bub and make the whole ordeal a little easier.
Before buying, please check that this will be compatible with stroller and car.
Huggies Fragrance Free Baby Wipes, 640 pack
Wipes don't seem like the obvious gift, but when you're gifting them 640, these parents won't have to buy them for a long while, saving lots of time and money – and that's truly the gift every parent needs.
READ MORE: The bulk buys that will save you money on your next household shop
Maxi Cosi Lila Comfort Stroller
This stroller is as comfy as they come. For newborn babies in the bassinet style, there is a memory foam inlay designed by paediatricians to keep the baby safe, secure and comfortable. It can easily transform into a stroller for toddlers, and has all the bells and whistles to walk in any weather – a thermoregulated mattress that's breathable in the summer and soft in winter, an included rain cover, and a UPF 50+ canopy.
BodyICE Breast Ice or Heat Pack
So much changes in your body when you're pregnant and when you become a parent, with physical changes being one of the most prominent. The changes to women's breasts vary, but there is no doubt that there will be differences. Swelling, engorgement, blocked milk ducts and mastitis can all be incredibly painful, so these heat and ice packs from BodyICE can help relieve the discomfort.
Amazon Welcome Baby Gift Box
If you're still scratching your head for the perfect present that mum, dad and bub will love, why not give them this sweetly designed Amazon gift card. It can be used to buy items on Amazon.com.au that these new parents need to help themselves and baby along, or something to treat themselves after their little one arrives. You can purchase a card that won't expire or come with any additional fees for prices starting from $50 to $2,000.
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