Unless you've lived through the hazy first few months of having a baby yourself, you probably will have some trouble knowing where to begin when it comes to shopping for a pregnant person. Of course, it helps if they have a registry set up, but if they don’t, you may find yourself flat-out stuck in the baby aisle. And that’s overwhelming: From products you never even knew existed (Snotsuckers, anyone?) to those you have no idea how to use (seriously, how does one "swaddle"?!), shopping for the perfect baby shower gift is like a pop quiz and video game all wrapped up into one. But luckily, we're gift-giving wizards here at Cosmo—some of us are moms, too!—and we always know exactly what to give.
Whether you’re shopping for a mom-to-be, or you’re the one who’s expecting and need a few helpful suggestions for your own baby registry, try one of the below ideas. You can also leisurely peruse our gift list for new moms (and for new dads, yep, there’s a gift guide for ’em too). Every single one of these gifts will definitely make navigating the first few years of parenthood a whole lot easier.
Scroll on for 39 thoughtful baby shower gift ideas that are at the top of any expecting parent’s list of things to buy. You’ll have as much fun shopping for them (because baby tingz are cute!) as they’ll have receiving them.
Gifts for newborns can be tricky, because you never know what they're gonna prefer. But they're basically always going to need a white noise machine in the first few months—so this customizable version, which also works as a nightlight, sleep trainer, and breathing coach(!) covers all the bases and will last...pretty much however long parents need it.
This is a splurge-y stroller, for sure, but you can't beat this one that goes go from single-to-double. With 20+ configurations, it makes spending the extra $$$ so worth it. Oh yes, and there are plenty of *cool* colors to choose from.
Lol, so this will work equally well for parents and baby, and it'll be a fight over who gets to use it. Trust me, this soft, soothing sponge is a little massage for whoever uses it—so, the baby will feel less grouchy about being washed, and it works on newborn scaly rashes like cradle cap.
Repeat after me: Zip-Up Onesies. A lot of baby clothes rely on snaps or (shudder) buttons, which is not feasible for a 2 a.m. diaper change. This gift set isn't just adorable (the smileys!! I die!), but it also gives you that perfect zip-up onesie, plus a matching blanket and hat for extra warmth. In case you're curious, Noomie has matching pjs for older kids and parents for extra cuteness.
The second most-needed thing in a new mama's life: athleisure they can throw on at a moment's notice. (The most-needed thing they need? Sleep, obviously.) This one's got some cute branding and works equally well for pregnancy and postpartum. And she can take naps in it.
In case you're curious, Danrie has all kinds of fun and gorgeous gifts for kids (think of it like Uncommon Goods, but for babies). And while you may not know what "tummy time" is, trust that new parents will become agonizingly familiar with it. Anything you can do to help ease the process—say, this tactile, gorgeous playmat—will make them very happy.
When swaddling a newborn (which lets parents tightly wrap up bbs at night), heading straight to velcro is much easier than trying to perfectly fold up a blanket. These allow babies to move around without getting their arms free—which is kind of the whole point—and it works for up to six months.
If you want to get a gift that the whole family can benefit from, this is it. They'll be able to go from making super creamy smoothies to soft baby food and even infused water. This kit comes with two blending vessels and storage lids to keep all of your cold drinks super fresh.
If you're shopping on a budget (same), then here's a super simple, yet extremely useful gift. This under-$20 stroller phone mount will allow them to use their cell basically hands-free. No more fumbling! And don't we love the sound of that?
Even if she's about to close out the third trimester, she'll still be able to benefit from this contoured pillow after delivery. Its super soft filling offers great support for her shoulders and legs to help relieve pressure from the back.
This probably isn't on the registry, but any parent would seriously love having this packed away in the stroller. With this chic foldable mat, they'll be able to swiftly change the baby's diaper anywhere.
Upgrade their stroller with this organizer. They'll love having the extra storage space to hold any quick-grab items (keys, coffee, pacifier–you get it).
If you’re going for the cutest baby shower gift award, this baby gym is the one. It comes with adorable rattles that you can remove and use as toys once the baby has outgrown the gym.
Make bath time easier on the parents with this super-helpful baby bath support. This mesh design keeps the little one well supported in the water, while also allowing for the runoff to easily drain through.
What’s cuter than a tiny pair of fuzzy baby shoes? Answer: literally nothing. If the mom you’re showering already has everything she needs, get her a fun gift for the newborn, like these precious (and stylish!) booties.
A top-rated organizational caddy with multiple pockets will look right at home in any nursery. Plus, the inserts are removable for functional storage that comes in handy when a new parent needs it the most.
Parents can evenly heat up milk bottles in a jiff with a genius bottle warmer like this one. Get the temp just right, and don’t worry about overheating using other methods.
This little gadget is designed to lull crying babies back to sleep by mimicking the soothing shushing sounds parents make so they don’t actually have to do it themselves. Hallelujah.
There’s nothing like a memory book to keep track of all the exciting events and milestones that happen in a baby’s life. And it makes for a great way to look back on old photos.
Because there’s no such thing as too much help when you’re about to pop out a kid! This is the ultimate pre-birth care package, filled with everything a soon-to-be mom needs after delivery.
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
Katherine J Igoe (she/her) was a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan and is a freelancer covering style, lifestyle, culture, and beauty (she's obsessed with gift guides, best-of movie lists, and beauty products). She's been a freelance writer and editor for over a decade, previously working for Marie Claire (2018 to 2021) and Bustle (2021), with bylines in the The New York Times, Parents magazine, and elsewhere. She lives in Boston with her family, and you can follow her on Instagram or Twitte. It's "I go to dinner," not "Her huge ego," but she responds to both.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.