The best gifts for newborns and babies that little ones *and* parents will adore
Is there anything sweeter than shopping for a newborn baby gift? Nope. Whether you're seeking a gift for your new niece, godson or colleague's newborn, nothing will warm your heart more than snapping up something they can cherish forever.
You can play it safe with flowers or a new mum gift but shopping our edit of the best newborn and baby gifts is a lot more fun, trust us.
If you're a newborn gift buying virgin, it can definitely be daunting. Finding that perfect ‘something special’ that's unique, precious and practical is no mean feat. It’s safe to assume the newborn's parents have got things like the pram and cot sorted - or so you’d hope - so it's up to you to find something small and special.
When I welcomed my daughter, I was lucky enough to receive a plethora of beautiful and practical gifts, and after returning the favour for all my pregnant pals, I have become quite the expert on the best newborn baby gifts. Yes, tiny booties and butter-soft bunnies make for lovely gifts, but it's also worth considering the practical as well as the aesthetically-pleasing.
That's why I'm a firm believer that you can never go wrong with something that’s useful for both the baby and their parents. Something that’ll entertain little one but that won’t irritate the adults is always ideal, and trust me when I say you’ll be thanked for it. I've become borderline addicted to Lovevery - the brand that designs specific kits tailored to your baby's exact age and development. The Looker Play Kit will keep them entertained for ages, giving you time to, ahem, shower. There's also brilliant gifts like the tonies Sleepy Sheep Night Light, which was designed to bring calm to the bedtime chaos, and the Kit + Kin reusable nappy that'll be a God send for eco-conscious parents.
Personalised baby gifts like this Custom Baby Name Print from Etsy or this Baby Brush and Comb Set are always a hit and will be something they’ll likely hold on to forever, whilst trust me when I say you can never have too many muslins - and these by aden + anais are the best in the business. Read on to shop our tightly curated edit of the best baby gifts to buy for a newborn.
After more baby gifts? We've got baby boy gifts and baby girl gifts too.
Scroll down to shop for the best newborn baby gift ideas for the latest bundle of joy.
Most fun newborn gift
Meri Meri Bunny Embellished Organic-Cotton Baby Bonnet, £28, Selfridges
Have you ever seen anything cuter? I'll wait. This hat is ideal for all those early days Instagram opportunities.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these Selfridges discount codes at checkout.
Best newborn gift for sensitive skin
Set of 2 Liewood Friendship Muslins, £18, Anthropologie
You can never have too many muslin cloths when you're a newborn. Scattered in playful prints created from an array of animal-inspired illustrations, this set of two is crafted from pure organic cotton that's gentle on sensitive skin and easy to machine wash.
These Anthropologie discount codes will save you money when you buy a newborn baby gift.
Best classic newborn gift
Sophie The Giraffe Rubber Chew Set, £22, Selfridges
They'll be teething before you know it; soothe them with this sweet Sophie The Giraffe chewing dummy and natural rubber giraffe toy.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these Selfridges discount codes at checkout.
Best traditional baby gift
Personalised Baby Brush And Comb Set, £32, Etsy
A charming, traditional silver-plated brush and comb set - this makes a lovely keepsake for a new baby, christening or first birthday. They'll keep it forever.
Best bathtime newborn gift
Childs Farm Slumbertime Gift Set, £19.50, Boots
Kids get through bathtime bubbles like there's no tomorrow so you can never have too many baby toiletry kits. This one aims to help them drift off thanks to its lavender and moon milk fragrance using sleep-enhancing technology. We are also totally obsessed with the brand's new Shower Smoothie & Miracle Moisturisers, which make bathtimes a total breeze for all the family.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these Boots discount codes at checkout.
Best nursery newborn baby gifts
New Baby Personalised Print, from £6.99, Etsy
Select the size of the print you want, as well as the baby's name, date of birth and all that cute information to personalise it with. They'll cherish it forever.
Best educational newborn gift
The Looker Play Kit, £80, Lovevery
This brand offers, hands down, the most engaging baby gifts. If you don't want to fill their house with more plastic cr*p, Lovevery offer play kits for every age group based on their development. This Play Kit helps newborns build new brain connections with high-contrast images and black and white sensory mittens.
Best personalised newborn gift
Personalised Born in 2023 Blue Fleece Robe, £28, My 1st Years
You really can't go wrong with a personalised dressing gown and this super-soft iteration is perfect for keeping a bundle of joy warm at bedtime or on chilly days.
Best affordable newborn gift
Printed Brooch Dummy/Pacifier Holder, £7.99, Mango Kids
If you're looking for an affordable gift for a newborn that still has style credentials, this stunning dummy holder makes the perfect and practical treat for any little one.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these Mango discount codes at checkout.
Best practical newborn gift
Tripp Trapp High Chair, £179.10, John Lewis
If you're looking for a high ticket item that's practical and will last for years to come, it has to be this high chair. The Tripp Trapp highchair sits right up at the table so your child is fully included with the family at mealtimes. It's designed to grow with them, with an adjustable seat and footplates so lasts from birth to big kid. You can also get a personalised edition at Harrods if you want to make it extra special.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these John Lewis discount codes at checkout.
Best newborn fashion gift
Rabbit Applique Baby Leggings, £12.60, Polarn O. Pyret
This brand is rated no. 1 on Trust Pilot for kidswear so you're in safe hands if you're looking for a great quality gift. These adorable leggings are crafted in ribbed organic cotton and they'll guarntee lots of oohs and aahs.
Best sustainable newborn gift
Kit & Kin Reusable Cloth Nappy (Fox Design), £19.99, Boots
If you're buying for an eco-warrior, a reusable nappy is the perfect present. Every one of these nappies rescues two plastic bottles from landfill, and keeps baby’s bottom dry and comfy for up to 12 hours.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these Boots discount codes at checkout.
Chicest newborn baby gift
Olive Garden Baby Gift Set, £125, Organic Zoo
Buying a new baby gift for your boss? This is sure to impress. Not only does it look so chic, it is also made from beautifully breathable organic cotton.
Best play newborn gift
Little Dutch Baby Activity Play Mat - Flowers & Butterflies, £70, Scandiborn
If you want to get baby something that will stimulate them that will also please the parents, this is it. I can't explain how grateful I was for this play mat when I needed to pop baby down to make a coffee or a toilet trip.
Sleepy Sheep Night Light Sleepy Friends, £34.99, tonies
The tonies Sleepy Sheep Night Light Tonie was designed to bring calm to the bedtime chaos (if you know, you know). By combining 90 minutes of beautifully composed melodies and a warm glow, with the ability to record and play personalised goodnight messages, the Night Light is perfect for winding down during that dreaded witching hour.
Best newborn beauty gift
Little Butterfly London Baby Face Cream, £27, Childrensalon
It might not be the most obvious gift that springs to mind but baby face cream is an indulgent and unique one. This anti-pollution face cream is made using a blend of botanicals, it is deliciously creamy, indulgent and comforting and purifies, calms and protects baby's skin from environmental pollutants, because it's never too early for a good skincare regime, right?
Best newborn clothing gift
Welcome Home Set, £57.60, Mori
Anything from Mori has a place in my heart because the quality is unrivalled and their items don't shrink in the wash (because who has time to air dry baby clothes!?). This set includes a vest, sleep suit and cellular blanket, all essentials for a hospital bag checklist.
Best essential newborn baby gift
Essentials Cotton Muslin Swaddles 2 Pack, £21.99, aden + anais
Ask any new mum what was the most essential item in the early days and they'll tell you it was a muslin. They can be a clean surface for nappy changes, sop up a mess, offer privacy for nursing, or a soft spot for playtime, plus this one looks so damn cute.
Best play-it-safe newborn gift
Belle Enfant Pointelle Romper Snow White, £42, Jem + Bea
You cannot go wrong with a beautiful white romper, which makes the perfect ‘going home' from hospital outfit. This is ideal if you don't know the baby's gender.
Best functional newborn gift
Bouncer Bliss, £185, BabyBjörn
Any new parent know how essential a baby bouncer is, whether you need to make a cuppa or go to the toilet, popping your baby in one of these will keep them happy for a few minutes. This lightweight bouncer is easy to move around and take with you.
Best mattress newborn gift
Natural Mattress To Fit Next To Me Crib, £59.46, The Little Green Sheep
If you're a grandparent or sibling who wants to go for practicality over cuteness, any new parent will be grateful for a mattress from The Little Green Sheep. This one is designed for a Next To Me Crib (but the website has a mattress to suit every cot) and has four natural ingredients to create the best support from day one and in the most natural way.
Best hamper newborn gift
Welcome To The World Hamper, £105, Childrensalon
If you have no idea what exactly to get someone's newborn but are seeking something both useful and chic, this gorgeous five piece Childrensalon Hampers gift set is ideal for little girls. You really can't go wrong.
Best sentimental baby gift
New Baby Girl Gift Baby Boy Gift Decoration, £15, Not On The High Street
This keepsake decoration can be personalised with the newborn baby's information. Ideal for their Christening, first Christmas or a general sentimental gift.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for newborns with these Not On The High Street discount codes at checkout.
Best unisex newborn gift
Elephant Welcome Baby Set, £34.50, Rachel Riley
The sweetest gift to welcome a little girl or boy into the world, comprising a babygro, hat, body and bib, with a charming elephant print in soft grey. Plus the Princess of Wales is a staunch fan of the brand.
Most precious newborn gift
Daphne Bonnet, £25.72, Bebe Organic
There is absolutely nothing cuter than a newborn in a crochet knit bonnet and this one, which is made from the softest organic cotton yarn with elegant crochet knit and lace finish, is the ultimate baby accessory.
Best baby gift that'll be passed down and down
Green Handsmocked Cotton All-in-One (0-12mths), £72, Pepa London
This cosy newborn all-in-one features green handsmocking detailing and sweet peter pan collar and will be treasured - and passed down to siblings - over and over.
Best gift for traveller tots
JetKids BedBox by Stokke, £179, Stokke
Whilst travelling with a newborn might fill you with fear, we say you only live once so get on that plane, make some memories and be sure to take this with you. This clever contraption is the world's only ride-on suitcase for children that turns into any seat into bed. You can use it to store toys and baby essentials when you travel with a newborn and they can inherit it themselves as they get older. It makes travelling a breeze.
Best keepsake newborn gift
Keepsake Teddy, Build A Bear, £29, Build-a-Bear Workshop
Everyone remembers their first trip to a Build-a-Bear workshop to buy a keepsake teddy so give a newborn their very own timeless gift with this teddy that can also be personalised with outfits, sounds and even scents (!) for the ultimate gift.
Best newborn gift that'll last
Yoto Player (3rd Generation), £99.99, Yoto Play
This handy little device plays stories, songs and sounds to stimuate children. It's the ideal antidote to screen time and will last them years to come. In fact, 90% of parents agree that Yoto has made bedtimes easier for their family.