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To all those people who’ve never had kids and have always wondered what an appropriate gift for a newborn is, you can breathe a sigh of relief. We’ve got you.
It’s a tricky dilemma – do you buy something for the baby now, or something they’ll grow into? Do you gift them something for mum? How about dad? This guide takes all the guesswork out of buying a gift for a newborn baby and tells you what they’ll actually need. Do the new parents a favour and get them a gift that will make their lives just that little bit easier.
Buying clothes for a newborn baby can be tricky, because there’s no telling what size they’ll be when they’re born. The best bet for any gifter is to run bigger rather than smaller.
Not only will it help out the new parents when the baby grows (and that happens fast), but most people will instinctively buy specifically newborn clothes that the baby will only be able to wear for a short time. This way you’re setting the baby up for months, not just weeks.
Although most newborns are breastfed, there are a lot of babies and mothers who physically can’t, so it’s a good move to gift feeding supplies – just in case, but for the future too. A starter pack of bottles, milk storage bags and a steriliser is a good start, or even products for when the baby moves onto solids.
This can include anything from heat-sensitive spoons and suction plates through to no-spill cups and freezer trays to store puree in.
It’s every new parent’s worst nightmare: running out of nappies, nappy covers and wipes after a... shall we say... incident. Newborns are known for eating, sleeping and excreting, so a practical and well-received gift will always be nappy supplies.
You can even purchase a nappy subscription if you’re feeling particularly generous, so the parents will never have to worry about running out.
Buying manchester and linen is always a safe bet for a newborn and there are plenty of stores that stock some really beautiful products for lower prices. The main things you’ll want to consider are: bassinet fitted sheets, cot fitted sheets and soft baby towels.
But don’t just assume that linen stops at sheets and towels, because if there’s one thing most adults remember from childhood, it’s their baby blanket.
If you’re not too sure on what you want to give and would rather give the new parents some choice, vouchers are a really thoughtful way of showing you care.
You can gift vouchers for clothing, toys or other supplies, or you can also think outside the box. Vouchers for places like Netflix, Coles and Woolies delivery or even Menulog can be really helpful.
Newborn babies have incredibly sensitive skin, and new mums often have a plethora of skin-related dramas that need attention. So, for a gift that will genuinely sooth mum and bub alike, opt for skincare.
For mum, think of nipple cream, bio oil for stretch marks and hand moisturiser. For bub, an all over moisturiser or bath product is best, but be sure to pick a product that isn’t harmful to baby skin.
Sometimes the best gifts don’t fall into a particular category.
From cleanable floor mats and change mats through to breastfeeding pillows and swaddles, there’s a world of ideas that will make life much easier for parents of a newborn.
Sometimes a personal touch is all you really want when it’s gifting time. If you’re the creative type, here’s where you can break out the knitting needles or sewing kit to make a baby blanket, or maybe dust off the old sketch pad for a drawing of the happy family.
If you’re an especially talented photographer, volunteer your time for a newborn photoshoot. They can even make their own photobook with the images!
Extra tip: If you’re not particularly creative but still want to DIY a gift, make a little voucher booklet of personal favours, for example, "I’ll come watch the baby while you have a break", or "I'll come over for adult conversation once a week".
Ideas for a newborn baby care package
So you want to go all out and craft your very own newborn baby hamper or care package. Well, here are 20 of the most useful things you can include. Remember to decorate it with baby-safe items (no glitter or appliques that could come off!) and tie it with a pretty bow.
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Marina Tatas is a shopping writer at Finder, covering everything you need to know about fashion, beauty, sneakers, home and wellbeing. You can find her words in publications including Marie Claire and Women's Health. She has a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Journalism from the University of Technology Sydney.
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