Need a babyshower gift? About to pop?…
I’m a practical (which may be the self justifying way to say cheap) mom. Here is what I would recommend at different price points for a baby shower. Things I, as a mom, would love to receive for everyday use. Not the fanciest or all-the-rage kind of stuff, but the in-the-trenches go to’s.
Less then or around $20:
Burp Cloths
Muslin Burp clothes. Absorbent ones. If this is not the first kid, I’d check to make sure they want more (I may be an outlier here, but I happened upon a great soft, asborbent set and kept them from my first newborn stage for my second child). I still use these around the house and we’re out of the spit-up days.
Muslin burp cloths: https://amzn.to/3yjzbk2
Wash clothes
I always thought cotton washcloths were the best. These were given to us by a family friend and are now our go-to. They are coral fleece and are super soft and absorbent. In general, I recommend having more than you think you may need. One for the child to play with, one to cover their exposed torso in the bath for warmth, one to clean the hidden goodies in their neck folds, one for them to suck on, one for their big sister to wrap her toys in one by one and present them to you as gifts, etc.
Coral Fleece Wash clothes: https://amzn.to/4bbVgj3
Car Mirrors
Seems simple, but being able to keep an eye on a baby in the back seat is critical. We ended up getting a set of these that weren’t adjustable (couldn’t turn) and just not ideal. I ended up settling on something like this one linked, with a stock that made it adjustable. Get 2 if the family has 2 cars - you may kid with yourself that you’ll move it between cars but if you’re anything like me you won’t.
Car Mirrors: https://amzn.to/4afrkSa
Easy On/On Velcrow/Snap Shoes
Wrap and snap/velcrow baby shoes (Zutano is a brand we used). Putting babies who are not walking in real shoes and dealing with laces was not my idea of a good time. These became a staple for us. We live in a cold climate so feet kind of needed to be covered. Due to this I am also a fan of sleepers with feet. For the slipper shoes, I liked the models with grippers on the soles once the child was pulling themselves up.
Easy shoes: https://amzn.to/3QITApk
$20-$50
Aveeno shampoo/conditioner
Everyone has their own opinion of baby soaps and shampoos and lotions These were my go-to. I am of the ilk that less is more in the realm of bathing. We bathed our little ones 1-2x/week at most. I found other shampoo seemed to dry skin more than the Aveeno products. These were my go to.
Suds: https://amzn.to/3R3VGQT
$50-100
Hatch Nightlight
We got these for both kids. Seemed like a splurge, but the fact they connect with your phone, can be adjusted with color and sounds and brightness and even be programmed on a schedule was worth it. I hear from all my parent friends that they are big fans as well. We had an issue with one of them and got some timely support from the company.
Hatch Nightlight: https://amzn.to/3QIy045
Big Spenders >$100
Babybrezza
This is something I never asked anyone for. I happened to pick one up used and cheap, and when it broke a month or so later I was so attached to it ended up paying full price for another. Full price. That says something if you know me. This is only for formula fed babies, but man is it a game changer. Wake up in the middle of the night….baby screeming….push a button and bottle is ready. You don’t know until you know.
Babybrezza: https://amzn.to/3JX4cNr
Owelet Baby Sock Monitor
This may be over the top for some people. I was scared of SIDS, and this gave me piece of mind. A sock that monitors the littlest one’s oxygen and pulse and tells you (loudly) if something is wrong. Connects through wifi to an app on your phone so you can spot check on the readings to settle building mom anxiety. We used these until the kids were almost a year, but I think you can use them until 18 months. You can also get a video monitor that goes with the system. We used the Owelet camera the in the beginning (I was happy with the picture and sound quality), but we ended up going with a separate monitor because of intermittent wifi issues (I liked radio based monitors for that reason), but just our preference and our wifi reliability…
Just the sock and base station: https://amzn.to/3ynBti8
The sock, base station, and monitor: https://amzn.to/4bfnnho
More Personal…Are you a close friend.? Are you a soon to be mom yourself?
Breast pump - as a first time mom being connected to a Spectra pump was doable (but still limiting), with the second I got an Elvie Stride which is hands-free and hooks to your wasteband. There are other hands free pumps, including other Spectra models, Willow, etc… but this one fit my needs and price points. It worked well. Suction sometimes needed repositioning, and I felt the Spectra did a more efficient job, but being able to move around and chase a toddler and drive while pumping was a game changer.
Elvie Stride: https://amzn.to/3WDMbLM
Extra breast pump flanges….if you pump you wash these everytime you pump. You pump a lot, especially if your babies are not breast feeders (mine never got the hand of latching). If you think this may be you, Get an extra set, or 2….These are specific to your breast pumps
Espresso machine…this is a total splurge. I love mine. It was a special caffeine aided treat to make me feel pampered for a few minutes while hair is a mess, there was at least 2 body fluids decorating my clothes at any given point, and the daze of baby exhaustion made the idea of leaving the house overwhelming without a good jolt of vitamin C(caffeine). We have now had this machine for over 2 years and ts still going strong. Also Costco has espresso beans….probably not the finest quality but they are my go to
Espresso machine: https://amzn.to/3ygejdC
