Gift Guide: 10 Super Useful Gifts for New Parents

Celebrating New Arrivals: A Gift Guide for Parents

A new baby has arrived, or is on the way, for someone you know – congratulations are in order!

Selecting the perfect gift for the occasion can be challenging. The sheer volume of baby products available, often promoted as essential, can be quite daunting.

This gift guide prioritizes items that are genuinely helpful, avoid causing unnecessary anxiety for new parents, and are durable enough for years of use, potentially across multiple children.

Prioritizing Parental Needs

The most effective first step is to directly inquire with the parents about their specific needs. Every family’s circumstances are unique, and they possess the clearest understanding of what would be most beneficial.

However, should they be unsure, the following suggestions represent gifts that are likely to be greatly appreciated.

Important Note: This article includes affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may result in a commission for TechCrunch.

Looking for additional gift inspiration? Explore our comprehensive collection of gift guides available here.

Practical Gift Ideas

• Durable Clothing: Opt for clothing made from soft, long-lasting materials.
• Feeding Essentials: Bottles, bibs, and burp cloths are consistently useful.
• Developmental Toys: Choose toys that encourage early learning and exploration.

Focus on Longevity and Utility

When choosing a gift, consider its long-term value. Items that can be used for an extended period, or that address a genuine need, are often the most appreciated.

Avoid products designed to solve problems parents didn't know they had. Simplicity and practicality are key.

AirTags

The arrival of a new baby often demands nearly all of a parent’s mental capacity. Consequently, remembering the location of everyday items can become surprisingly difficult.

This challenge is particularly pronounced when traveling, especially during the initial months. New parents frequently find themselves carrying significantly more belongings than before.

Questions like “Did I misplace my wallet, or did I leave it at home?” or “Was the diaper bag left in the stroller, or is it still in the vehicle?” become common.

Even recalling parking locations can be problematic.

Apple’s AirTags, a relatively recent innovation, offer a solution to these everyday frustrations. These compact, disc-shaped devices can be attached to various items.

They enable tracking of belongings – such as bags and strollers – within the vicinity of any iPhone user, not solely the owner’s device.

The battery life is notably long-lasting, and replacement is straightforward for the user.

Furthermore, an AirTag can be prompted to emit a sound, aiding in pinpointing its exact location within a home or building.

However, it’s important to note that AirTags are exclusively compatible with Apple’s iOS operating system.

Price: A single AirTag is available for $30, while a pack of four costs $100.

Snoo

The Snoo is an automated bassinet priced at $1,600. It’s designed to recognize a baby’s cries and respond with gentle rocking or shushing sounds to encourage them back to sleep.

While the concept might seem somewhat extravagant, its effectiveness is notable. Many parents believe it significantly contributes to establishing healthy sleep habits in their infants.

This device isn’t just about soothing; it also monitors the baby’s sleep-wake cycles. Furthermore, it utilizes specifically designed “Snoo Sacks” to maintain safe sleep positioning, adhering to guidelines recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Snoo is optimally used for babies up to approximately six months of age. However, its durability allows for easy transfer to other families.

A common practice is to share the cost with friends whose children will outgrow the Snoo just as another baby needs it. This particular unit has already been passed down four additional times, requiring only thorough cleaning for upkeep.

Price: A purchase from HappiestBaby costs $1,600. Alternatively, a rental option is available, costing around $700 for a six-month period.

Keekaroo Peanut

Initially, the cost of $130 for a changing pad seemed excessive. However, after countless diaper changes, the value became clear. The Peanut changer is engineered to help prevent a baby from rolling off the changing surface.

It provides a significantly more comfortable experience for the infant compared to a rigid table, and importantly, boasts exceptional stain resistance.

Key Features

• Designed to enhance baby safety during diaper changes.
• Offers superior comfort compared to traditional changing surfaces.
• Demonstrates remarkable resistance to staining.

Even when a permanent stain occurred – caused by beets, naturally – the company promptly dispatched a replacement without hesitation.

Price: $130, available at buybuyBaby.

Skip Hop Pronto

A limitation of the Peanut changing pad is its lack of portability. Infants frequently have bowel movements, and they are often unconcerned with the availability of a designated changing area.

The Skip Hop Pronto portable changing station addresses this issue by folding compactly into a small, easily manageable package.

It is remarkably simple to maintain cleanliness and features a storage compartment spacious enough to accommodate an extra diaper or two, alongside a streamlined wipes container.

This product proved invaluable on numerous occasions, and it consistently ranks as the first item I verify when reviewing a new parent’s baby registry.

Key Features

• Highly portable design for changing on the go.
• Easy-to-clean surface for hygienic use.
• Integrated storage pouch for diapers and wipes.
• Compact folding mechanism for convenient carrying.

Price: $28 from Amazon

The Skip Hop Pronto is an essential item for parents who are frequently out and about with their baby.

Its practical design and convenient features make diaper changes simpler and more manageable in various locations.

Maintaining a clean and organized changing experience is facilitated by the station’s easy-to-wipe surface and dedicated storage.

For those seeking a reliable and portable solution for baby care, the Pronto changing station is a highly recommended choice.

Protecting Your Smartphone: A Case for New Parents

Smartphones are designed with engaging features like lights and sounds. These elements often capture the attention of infants. However, babies are also naturally inclined to explore through throwing and dropping objects.

Combining these factors creates a significant risk of damage to a mobile phone's screen. If a new parent prefers a minimalist approach and avoids using a protective case, it might be beneficial to suggest they reconsider, at least for the first year or two.

Recommended Protection: Otterbox Commuter Case

The Otterbox Commuter case has proven to be a reliable safeguard against accidental damage. It has successfully protected phones from numerous drops and impacts.

Despite offering substantial protection, the Commuter case maintains a relatively streamlined profile. This allows for comfortable handling without excessive bulk.

Price: $40 from Otterbox

Investing in a durable phone case can provide peace of mind for new parents. It helps to prevent costly repairs and ensures continued access to essential communication tools.

Ubbi Diaper Pail

The Ubbi steel diaper pail is remarkably effective at containing unpleasant odors. A straightforward safety mechanism also prevents inquisitive children from accessing its contents.

Unlike many alternatives, this pail accommodates commonly available trash bags, eliminating the need for costly, proprietary refills or cartridges.

Practicality and Durability

Even though our child is now fully potty trained, the Ubbi continues to serve a purpose as a robust and oversized trash receptacle in the bedroom.

Its construction proves exceptionally durable; it has withstood numerous impacts from toy trucks thrown across the room and retains its original appearance.

Price: $70 from Amazon

Hue Bulbs

As previously mentioned within our gift guide for items under $100, the integration of smart light bulbs is progressively increasing throughout my home.

The benefits of adopting smart bulbs became particularly apparent after becoming a parent.

The Convenience for Parents

Consider the scenario of needing to wake up every two hours, with the light switch located inconveniently across the room – smart bulbs provide a solution!

Furthermore, the ability to utilize red lighting instead of blue or white during those 2 a.m. awakenings can potentially minimize disruption to circadian rhythms.

Smart bulbs also offer innovative solutions for child-rearing, such as creating a “stoplight” system that transitions from red to green to signal when a toddler is permitted to get out of bed.

Why Philips Hue?

While numerous smart bulb choices are available, I highly recommend the Philips Hue line.

Although not the most budget-friendly option, its user interface is exceptional, ensuring compatibility with popular smart home ecosystems like Alexa, Google, and Homekit.

Years of consistent use have demonstrated their reliability, with absolutely no operational issues encountered.

Cost Information

Price: Individual bulbs are available on Amazon for between $30 and $50, with pricing varying based on the quantity purchased.

Smart Speakers

Smart speakers complement smart bulbs effectively, yet offer numerous benefits independently.

During the early years of my son’s life, when he was frequently held, I utilized voice commands to initiate music playback, avoiding the need to manipulate my phone. We also employ it to manage our smart lighting and generate white noise – a simple request like “Hey Google, play rain sounds” aids his sleep. Recently, he discovered the ability to request simulated flatulence, consistently eliciting peals of laughter.

Leading companies such as Amazon, Google, and Apple each offer competing devices, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Consequently, the optimal choice depends on the ecosystem favored by the recipient – Echo devices for Amazon users, Nest Mini or Nest Hub for Google enthusiasts, and HomePod for those within the Apple environment.

Cost Considerations

Price: Costs are variable, typically ranging from $25 to $100. The Nest Mini, as shown in the image, is available for $25 directly from Google.

These devices provide hands-free convenience and can be integrated into a wider network of smart home technology.

The Versatile Radio Flyer Collapsible Wagon

We received this wagon as a first birthday gift, and its utility has been remarkable. Initially, it served as a means to transport all necessary items on beach outings while our child still utilized a stroller.

Currently, as our child has outgrown the stroller, they enthusiastically ride in the wagon for extended excursions around the neighborhood or visits to the zoo.

Convenient Features and Durability

The wagon’s design allows it to fold compactly for storage in a vehicle’s trunk. Furthermore, it readily transforms into a bench with the aid of two zipper mechanisms, providing a comfortable seating option during breaks.

Radio Flyer provides a commendable warranty. A replacement wheel was promptly shipped to us after an accidental damage occurred, demonstrating their excellent customer service.

Cost Information

Price: The cost fluctuates depending on the chosen configuration, but the push/pull model shown, priced at $200, is the one we utilize.

Chicco Caddy Hook-On Chair

Restaurants often provide a limited number of high chairs. Situations arise where demand exceeds availability, or the provided high chairs are in questionable condition.

During a visit with friends, we acquired this chair as a temporary solution, and it subsequently became a frequent travel companion. Its setup is straightforward: unfold, secure to a table, engage the locking mechanism, and a high chair is instantly available wherever a suitably robust table exists.

The instructions should be consulted to ensure proper and safe usage. When not in use, it quickly disassembles for compact storage and transport. Cleanup is simplified by a removable, washable cover.

Our child has since outgrown the chair, but it remains in regular use when friends with young children visit.

Price: $50 on Amazon