Best unique, useful and thoughtful newborn baby gifts

newborn gifts

by Samantha Ball |
Updated on

When it comes to choosing newborn baby gifts, it can be difficult knowing what newborn essentials parents will actually need. It's always tempting to buy newborn clothes too because who can resist those tiny outfits? But if you are wanting to opt for something else, there are so many newborn gift ideas.

It's no secret that a baby comes with a lot of stuff, from the large essentials to little items such as dummies, muslins and clothing. The mum-to-be might have also received a variety of gifts for a baby shower, so you might prefer ideas for useful gifts for a newborn baby or unique newborn baby gift ideas.

What is the traditional gift for a newborn?

It is traditional to present a newborn baby with a gift that is made from silver, which is why some people love to give a small silver trinket box, keepsake or piece of silver jewellery to mark the special occasion in a traditional way.

However, many people want to give a gift that is more practical that either the child will enjoy as they grow older or that the parents will find useful.

What is a good gift for a newborn?

Best gifts for newborn babies at a glance:

Best newborn gifts sleeping aids: Sweet Dreamers, Ewan the Dream Sheep - £29.99 on Amazon.
Best newborn gifts sensory flashcards: 0+ Month Baby Sensory Flashcards - £12.99 on Priya and Peanut.
Best newborn gifts swaddle: Love to Dream Swaddle Up Original Baby Sleeping Bag - £27.99 on John Lewis.

From special keepsake gifts to more practical items that mums or dads can use to make life a little easier, there's a wide range of newborn gifts that you can choose from - and we've separated them into the following categories:

• Best unique gifts for newborn babies
• Best useful gifts for newborn babies
• Best traditional gifts for newborn babies

Best unique gifts for newborn babies

Best newborn gifts keepsake

Best newborn gifts Baby Imprint Tin - Forever Treasured Pink
Price: £9.60 (was £12)

www.mamasandpapas.com

An incredibly thoughtful gift, the Baby Imprint Tin - Forever Treasured Pink allows parents to make a mess-free print of their newborn's hand or foot, so they can always remember how little they were. The tin can be used as a display, and has room on the back for baby's age and date of birth.

One reviewer who tried this with their 5-month-old points out that it's definitely more suited to newborns, saying, "I read the instructions. Trying to get my 5 month old to be still long enough to do this will be a challenge! Best for newborns when they are not so wriggly."

We like the cute size - it's the perfect size for a little keepsake gift, but thought it might be nice to have different coloured or shaped tins and designs to choose from.

Pros

  • the perfect size for a lovely keepsake gift
  • Easy to use with clear instructions

Cons

  • Tin not available in other colours
Dimensions:15.5 x 15.5 x 2.6cm
  • Clay for printing
  • Space on the tin for age and date of birth
  • Display tin

Best newborn gifts personalised book

A beautifully illustrated book about a new baby that is visited one by one, by adorable animals, each bringing a letter of the child's name. With a reassuring rhyme, the story is personalised to any child using their name, making it completely unique, and you can also upload a special photo for free.

Parents seem to really like this as a personalised gift. One reviewer said, "The sweet relationship between animals and children is gorgeous. What a brilliant first book for baby", and another customer wrote; "What a lovely first book for baby. It's something their parents can keep forever."

We like that you can preview the whole story before buying the book, and that it is printed and dispatched really quickly in just 2-4 days. Add a special message to the book too and it'll be a treasured keepsake and memory for many years to come. The only downside to this book that we could think of is that you won't be able to buy the book as a gift for anyone until they have announced their baby's name.

Pros

  • Beautifully illustrated with friendly-faced animals
  • Completely personalised making your child the star of the story
  • You can upload a special photo for free too
  • Includes a message of love to transform it into a treasured keepsake
  • Preview the story before buying the book
  • Quick delivery - printed and dispatched in just 2-4 days

Cons

  • You won't be able to order until the baby's name is announced
Dimensions:23 x 23cm
Suitable for ages:Birth to 6 years
  • Completely personalised
  • Optional gift wrap
  • 26 pages

Best newborn gifts puzzle

This makes a lovely newborn's gift and we like that it's both practical and functional as it's great way to display the new baby's name for the first year, they will then be able to enjoy playing with the puzzle and learning how to spell their name! You can add pegs to the letters to make it easier for little hands to move the letters, and you can choose a colour of your choice for the letters.

When commenting on the quality, one reviewer said, "The name board was better in person and beautifully made. The message on the back was a secret touch that brought tears to my eyes when I read it. The colours are vibrant and so pretty and the pegs that lift the letters out are made with quality. The heart shape at the end tells it all."

We like that you can choose your own colours for personalisation, but if you want more figures and letters you'll have to pay extra for each one.

Pros

  • Practical and functional - use as decor, then a learning toy
  • Optional pegs for easy holding
  • Can add a personalised message to the back of the board
  • Choose your own colours for added personalisation

Cons

  • Additional figures and letters come at an additional cost
Dimensions:Varies depending on name length
Material:Wood
Suitable from:1+ years
  • Optional pegs
  • Different colour choices
  • Personalised

Best personalised star map newborn gifts

This Personalised Metallic Star Map Print is a wonderful keepsake for parents, and great for a newborn's nursery. It captures the night sky on the day and minute the baby was born, making it a truly unique gift, and you can even include constellations that were at the location that night too.

We like that there are different sizing options and you can also choose whether to have the print framed or unframed. One reviewer who thought this was a fantastic gift said, "It's such a beautiful print. Excellent quality, brilliant idea, and this is the third time I've bought one as an engagement present because they're so special!" We also think the metallic foil choices are a nice touch, but some might have preferred non-metallic colour options too.

Pros

  • Completely personalised and unique
  • Lovely decorative piece as a keepsake
  • You can choose to have the print framed or unframed
  • there are different size options

Cons

  • Only metallic foil choices
Dimensions:29.7 x 21 or 42 x 29.7cm
Framing:Optional
  • Various sizeing available
  • Optional framing
  • Completely personalised

Best useful gifts for newborn babies

Best newborn gifts sleeping aids

The Sweet Dreamers, Ewan The Dream Sheep is a brilliant soft cuddly toy with light and sound features that works as a baby sleep aid to help babies drift off to sleep. The sound features include white noise with womb and heartbeat recordings to recreate the womb environment. Our mum tester Samantha Walker tried Ewan out and said, "My little boy adores the sounds. He's four-months old, and the womb sound is his favourite by far."

We like that the sheep's Velcro tail allows the sleep aid to be attached to anything to keep it securely in place, like the inside of a crib or to a pram handle. Samantha shares her little one's relationship with Ewan; "He sits smiling and giggling when Ewan comes out with us in the pram, which helps me get on with tasks whilst keeping him entertained, and watching the light is a bonus, as it helps him focus for a lot longer than he used to. Ewan also helps him sleep (he actually sleeps through now, which never happened before) so it definitely does help settle and sooth him, which would make any mother’s life easier."

Overall customers and babies seem to really like Ewan the Dream Sheep, however, there is some mixed opinion on the quality of the product. One reviewer said, "My baby loves it... However after 1 month of use one of the legs is not working and the sound was not clear." They also found the sleep aid to be a bit too pricey for them, saying they's prefer to play music from YouTube as a more affordable alternative.

Read our SweetDreamers Ewan The Dream Sheep Review here.

Pros

  • Adorable design with the soothing night light
  • Cuddly toy and sleeping aid in one
  • More than a toy - works as a pacifier too
  • Makes four soothing sounds
  • Can be attached to the crib/pram with Velcro tail

Cons

  • Mixed opinions on quality of sound after some time
Dimensions:10 x 15 x 5cm
Suitable for ages:Birth+
  • 4 x White noise sounds
  • Velcro tail
  • Soft and cuddly
  • Calming nightlight

Best newborn gifts sensory flashcards

These 0+ Month Baby Sensory Flashcards comes with 60 starter and advanced cards that are designed to help stimulate baby's brain and develop their vision, focus and tracking. We love the baby videos on their website showing babies tracking and responding to the the cards - their reactions are adorable!

If you're wondering how effective or suitable these cards are for newborns, one reviewer wrote; "4 week old loves the cards! I was so shocked how well she followed them. 10/10." Another customer wrote; "I bought these for my two week old grandson and he is already trying to focus on the patterns. Showing him the cards seems to calm him. They are fantastic"

We also like that the cards are good for slightly older babies, helping to aid and develop neck strength while sitting up or during tummy time. You do have to use these regularly so that your baby can get used to them, but that isn't hard to do once they start to recognise and respond, as you'll love watching their little faces light up!

Pros

  • Develops vision and tracking ability
  • Stimulates the optic nerve
  • Aids the develoment of neck strength when sitting up or during tummy time
  • 60 different graphics for different levels

Cons

  • You have to use regularly
Dimensions:N/A
Suitable for ages:Birth+
  • 60 starter and advance cards
  • Black and white design

Best newborn gifts swaddle

Love to Dream Best newborn gifts Swaddle Up Original Baby Sleeping Bag
Price: £27.99
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With an arms up and hip healthy design, the Love to Dream Swaddle Up Original Baby Sleeping Bag is a great essential for newborns and would make a thoughtful gift. It has a twin zip to make those midnight nappy changes a lot easier, and you can swaddle in seconds without having to worry about your baby breaking free from a blanket swaddle.

One reviewer who decided to try out a few different sleep bags for their newborn said that this was their favourite by far! "It's super soft jersey type material which allows him to wriggle a bit whilst feeling secure."

We like that the product design is based on research in babies' sleep and development in the womb, with the ARMS UP™ position allowing babies to soothe themselves to get to sleep, by touching their face and sucking on their hands. Another customer said, "This can look quite tight at first, but my baby loves it and is super comfy. She can sleep with her hands up in the angel position which she likes and since using it she has slept through the night."

We like the jersey fabric that is durable and retains it's shae after washing and drying - however, you can't hot wash it, so you'll have to soak first to get stains out or sterilise.

Pros

  • Innovative ARMS UP™ position design allows babies to self-soothe
  • No loose layers makes it a compact and easy to use swaddle
  • Snug fit keeps baby feeling secure and comfy, with no worry for you that they slip out
  • Twin zip for easy nappy changes without waking baby
  • The Original jersey material is durable and retains shape after washing and drying
  • Ideal fabric for moderate temperatures between 20°C and 27°C

Cons

  • Can't hot wash to get stains out
Material:93% cotton 3% elastine
Suitable for ages:Newborn, small and medium
  • Certified hip healthy
  • Cotton fabric for moderate temperatures
  • Unique patented wings

Best newborn gifts pram aid

The Rockit Rocker is a little device that's going to make parent life easier, meaning your can enjoy a meal or hot coffee without having to rock the stroller! This portable Rockit attaches securely to any pram or stroller, and uses gentle motion to rock it. You can adjust the speed and it has a 60-minute cycle. It's even waterproof.

Our writer tried it our and shared: "This was a really wonderful device that rocks the stroller really well. You do still have to push the pram if you need to add movement, but it saves your arms having to rock it while pushing, or sitting awkwardly with your foot on the pram rocking it. It was great being able to eat and have both hands free."

We like the portable design that allows you to use it anywhere, and the fact that you can now conveniently recharge the product via USB. It's perfect if your baby annoyingly wakes up as soon as movement stops while you're out and about, meaning you might actually be able to go into a restaurant and get through your meal without having to tend to baby!

Pros

  • Gently rocks your pram so you can be hands free and baby stays settled
  • Adjustable speed dial for a personalised experience
  • Highly portable design and rechargeable via USB for convenience
  • bracket that securely attaches it to any stroller or pram.

Cons

  • You might still have to push the pram back and forth if baby prefer movement
Dimensions:15.5 x 8.6 x 9.5cm
  • Rechargeable
  • Rocks any pram or stroller
  • Suitable from birth

Best newborn gifts with pink noise

A teddy bear is often a friend for life, which the Moonie Humming Organic Bear Night Light certainly will be. It can comfort newborns with its soothing lullabies and pink noise sounds, and even has a built in nightlight to keep them safe in the dark as they get older.

One customer who thought the bear was super cute liked that it has a magic crying sensor to comfort the baby with pink noise and recordings from inside the womb. They said, "It’s a must have. I have bought three this year for friends having babies and they all LOVE IT."

We like that the bear is machine washable. It also has adjustable volume and mutes itself after 30 minutes. It'll last all night long too, with up to 8 hours battery life, but be aware that it does take 3 hours to charge via USB, so make sure ypu're organised and ready for bedtime!

Pros

  • Suitable for newborns
  • Senses when baby's crying, comforting with pink noise
  • 7 light colours, 5 sounds with noises from inside the womb
  • Adjustable volume and mutes itself after 30 minutes
  • Charges via USB
  • Lasts all night up to 8 hours
  • Made from organic cotton with recycled filling
  • Machine washable

Cons

  • Recharging takes 3 hours
Dimensions:30 x 15 x 10cm
Material:Organic cotton
Suitable from:Birth+
Batteries:USB rechargeable
Washing machine safe:Yes once sound-light module is removed
  • Natural recordings of pink noise
  • 5 x sounds, including womb, heartbeat, sea waves, rain, mountain stream and wind
  • Gentle lullaby played
  • Adjustable volume
  • 7 x light colours
  • Smart cry detector
  • Mutes after 30 minutes
  • USB rechargeable

Best baby carrier newborn gifts

Best gifts for newborns Freerider Acacia Sling
Price: £48 (was £58)

freeriderco.com

While most parents will probably have a baby carrier for going on walks, the Freerider Acacia Sling is a great baby sling to wear at home and out and about in those early days. It helps to keep baby closer, helping to reduce anxiety, and new parents would be very appreciative and find it to be a uesful gift. It's an ergonomic design and soft against baby's skin too.

Our Commercial Content Writer, Samantha, has tried this carrier and said: "I was bought this sling when my daughter was born and it was the best gift I'd received. I loved the newborn snuggles, but felt guilty that my partner was doing all the housework and walking the dogs and I wanted to help out more. This let me keep our daughter close and comforted while I was able to do a few household chores, as well as spend more time with my eldest, rather than being restricted by not having my hands free. It was a huge help."

Pros

  • Easy to wear with a customised fit
  • Hours of handsfree time keeping baby close and content
  • Helps reduce anxiety
  • Makes it easier for others to help out with baby at home
  • A variety of classy muted colours to go with any wardrobe

Cons

  • It can take a few goes to get confident with the tying process
Dimensions:500 x 50cm
Suitable from:8 to 30lbs
Machine washable:Wash at 30 on a delicate cycle
Material:Tencel

Best tummy time newborn gifts

Great in supporting baby's with tummy time, the Fisher-Price Grow-With-Me Llama Tummy Time Wedge supports your baby as they grow from lying on their back to pushing up at tummy time. It's a great practical gift and comes with a double-sided blanket and 13 sensory toys to engage baby's senses.

One reviewer whose baby is nearly three months old and loves tummy time said, "This product has helped to support her while enjoying her play time. The mirror and accessories are great additions to the llama has we baby can look at her self while on her tummy"

We also like that it also has three take-along toys that are useful for playing on-the-go or entertaining baby in the pram or car.

Pros

  • A fun and practical gift with 4 ways to play
  • Includes 3 take-along toys to play on-the-go
  • 13 sensory discoveries for personal development

Cons

  • Doesn't say if it can be machine washed
Dimensions:43 x 39 x 38cm
Suitable from:Birth+
Material:Plush
  • 4 ways to play
  • 1 x carrot teether
  • 1 x self-discover mirror
  • 1 x watermelon rattle
  • Double sided soft blanket

Best traditional gifts for newborn babies

Best baby book newborn gifts

This beautiful, simply designed Hello Baby Book helps parents record their baby's firsts. So much happens in that first year that it can be hard remembering when looking back, so gifting a diary to record those special moments will be something parents can treasure for a long time. There's also space for adding in photos!

The book is split into sections with 76 pages so you can add memories, photos and milestones from before they're born, the day of their arrival and every month in between up to their first birthday. There are spaces to write about their first experiences, bedtime routines, and loved ones can even add little messages to baby that can be looked back on when they're older - as well as a space for parents to write their own love letter to little one about all your hopes and dreams for their future.

We really like the soft muted colour options - you can choose from blue, blush, grey or mint - and also that there is a fold-out growth chart included that can be hung on the nursery wall to keep track of baby's height. Unfortunately there are no reviews on the website, but we can imagine that this will go down well as a thought gift for newborns and parent-to-be.

Pros

  • Document baby's first year and create a beautiful keepsake full of memories
  • There is space for milestones and pictures, messages and a love letter to baby
  • The fold-out growth chart included can be hung on a wall
  • Choose from soft, muted colours - blue, blush, grey or mint

Cons

  • No onsite reviews
Dimensions:26 x 20.5 x 1.2cm
  • Fold out height chart
  • Pages to record little firsts
  • Pages for pictures

Best newborn gifts cuddly toy

Lots of parents receive baby comforters as gifts, but rarely teddies that their little one can grow up to love and cuddle. The adorable Jellycat Bashful Bunny Toy is the perfect gift and friend for a newborn. Suitable from birth, it's super soft and comes in a variety of different colours - but we love this neutral colour.

Because the colours are soft and muted, these bunnies are lovely keepsakes that won't look out of place whether on the shelf in a nursery or sitting in their bookcase as a memory when they're much older. In fact, one reviewer comments that the bunny is known to survive for years and washes well - although it is advised to handwash only. Bunnies are also common characters in children's stories, and so this soft toy will keep its relevance as little one grows up and starts to read.

Pros

  • Super soft and snuggly for bedtime cuddles
  • Suitable for newborns
  • Bunnies are popular characters so it'll be great to have at storytime
  • Durable and well-made to last for many years
  • Washes well
  • Comes in a variety of muted soft colours to keep forever

Cons

  • Handwash only
Dimensions:31 x 13cm
Suitable for ages:Birth+

Best bath and bed newborn gifts

Presented in a beautiful box that can be used as a keepsake box, the Childs Farm Baby Gifting Suitcase makes a great gift for new parents. It has all the bath time essentials they'll need with lovely presentation. We like that the products are gentle on baby's skin and safe for all skin types including dry, sensitive and also safe for skin that may be prone to eczema - as well as being vegan and cruelty free.

Customers love this well-known and trusted brand and think the gift set is lovely and that the products are good quality. One reviewer wrote; "Love this, it makes a beautiful gift, items are gentle enough for babies and the gift tin it comes in is amazing. Would highly recommend this company and their products, well worth the money". Worth mentioning - some have said the handle can pop out from the tin, but it is easy to pop back in.

Pros

  • Presented in a beautiful gift tin that can be kept as a keepsake box
  • Vegan friendly ingredients and cruelty-free
  • Gentle on baby's skin
  • Safe for all skin types, including dry, sensitive and prone to eczema

Cons

  • Some mentioned the handle can pop out
Dimensions:22 x 6 x 21cm
Suitable from:Birth+
Scent:Tangerine, aloe vera and unscented
  • 1 x baby wash, 250ml
  • 1 x baby bedtime bubbles, 250ml
  • 1 x baby moisturiser, 250ml
  • 1 x nappy cream, 100ml

Best newborn gifts name blocks

Perfect for nursery decor when the new baby arrives and to include in photos, these Personalised Wooden Baby Name Blocks are handmade and would make a rather lovely newborn baby gift. Customers seem to love these perosnalised blocked as a bespoke gifts, and one reviewer said, "The blocks look gorgeous in my baby’s nursery and match the colour scheme beautifully. I have also been able to use them for photo opportunities. Very pleased with them!"

There's 32 colour choices to choose from and you can select how many letters you want. because you can add as many blocks as you need, there is no restriction, meaning you can even use words or phrases if you're not sure what baby's name is yet. Just keep in mind that each additional block does come at an extra cost.

Pros

  • Beautifully handcrafted and lovely as nursery decor
  • 32 colours to choose from for a personalised gift
  • Add as many blocks as you need, so you're not restricted

Cons

  • Each additional block costs extra
Dimensions:4.5 x 4.5 x 4.5cm
Material:Wood
Colours:32 choices
  • Hand crafted
  • Gift wrap available
  • Can do any name or words

Best newborn gifts keepsake box

The Luxury Wooden Baby Stars Memory Box is a lovely and special gift that's available in two different sizes and can be personalised with the child's name, date and time of birth and birth weight. It has a clasp closing, and can fit in quite a lot of items such as baby grows, first shoes and any other mementoes.

One reviewer who loved the box and thought it was beautiful said; "Nice quality and good size. My daughter liked it so much she bought one for her first baby!" Another customer wrote: "Brought as a gift. Well packaged. Arrived in good time. Lovely little box for those special memories and little keepsakes."

While there are no other designs available, there is a choice of colours and two sizes, and with the added personalisation it makes a unique and special gift.

Pros

  • Sturdy wooden box that's build to last with a clasp closure
  • Beautiful keepsake box with personalisation
  • Comes in two sizes and different colours are available

Cons

  • No other designs available
Standard dimensions:10 x 24 x 24cm
Large dimensions:13 x 28 x 28cm
Material:Wood
Colour ways:Pink or blue
  • Metal hinges
  • Clasps
  • Wooden box

Best blanket newborn gifts

A timeless style and perfect gift, the Cotton Knitted Baby Blanket is a soft and snuggly design. One happy customer said, "Absolutely brilliant gift for a newborn baby. The gift bag with added personalisation makes a perfect present. Would definitely recommend to anyone. The baby blanket purchased was excellent quality. Thank you."

The blanket is gentle on a baby's delicate skin and is also a lovely neutral colour. Good baby blankets can be hard to find, but these are not only beautiful, they're safe for baby too. We like that the blanket is machine washable for convenience but though the style and design is timeless, we do wish there were more colour choices.

Pros

  • Add personalisation to make this gift unique
  • A timeless style and design that'll be loved by anyone
  • Gentle on baby's skin
  • Machine washable for convenience

Cons

  • Limited colour choice
Dimensions:70 x 50cm
Material:Acrylic and cotton
Machine washable:On a coldwash
Tumble dry:No
  • Soft
  • Machine washable
  • Option to personalise

Do you have to give a gift for a newborn?

In short, you do not have to buy a newborn baby a gift. You could also gift the parents instead if you would prefer. But whatever gift you decide to choose, the new parents will appreciate the thought that's gone into it.

Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.

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