The 10 Best Baby Shower Gifts of 2020

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Machine at Amazon

"Discreet and effective, the Marpac Dohm sounds like rushing air."

Best Budget: Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether at Amazon

"The strange, androgynous shape of the Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether is absolutely irresistible to newborns."

Best for Girls: CAVN Baby Milestone Blanket at Amazon

"Will be appreciated by your friend for many years when she looks back at the photographs she took of her baby."

Best for Boys: WubbaNub Dragon Pacifier at Amazon

"Get the little one in your life fantasizing about dragons and other mythical creatures early."

Best Unisex: Zutano Booties at Amazon

"A great gift for parents who don’t know the gender of their soon-to-be-born baby."

Best for Twins: Delta Children LX Umbrella Stroller at Amazon

"A relatively inexpensive and compact umbrella stroller that works perfectly for two children of the same age."

Best for Mom: HATCH Belly Mask at Hatch Collection

"Contains ingredients like Aloe Vera to soothe aching skin, and propolis to lessen the appearance of stretch marks."

Best for On-the-Go: Skip Hop Baby Changing Station at Amazon

"It can serve as a wallet, or an entire diaper bag that’s quick and easy to store for on-the-go parenting."

Best Classic: aden + anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket at Amazon

"There is no such thing as too many swaddles!"

Most Practical: Amazon Prime at Amazon

"New parents are bound to be ordering a lot of stuff ... so why not give them the gift of a year of free 2-day shipping."

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine

4.4

Everyone knows babies make a lot of noise. But do you know that babies also need a lot of noise to sleep? White noise, that is, which blocks out ambient sounds in the atmosphere. For that, the Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine is perfect.

Discreet and effective, the Marpac Dohm sounds like rushing air, and helps newborns from being woken up by honking, clattering dishes, or other children. It also helps adults who desperately need to sleep! You couldn’t buy a more useful gift for future parents.

Marpac Dohm Classic Natural Sound Machine Review

Best Budget: Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether

For whatever reason, the strange, androgynous shape of the Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether is absolutely irresistible to newborns. Easy to grip, and made of soft hygienic silicone, the Comotomo Silicone teether is every baby’s favorite first toy. It also works to effectively soothe gums inflamed from new teeth.

Constructed of a round loop with four short and easy to grasp “feet,” the Comotomo teether is inexpensive, but still well designed. It’s likely that no one else attending the baby shower will even know to buy this perfect newborn distraction, plus it makes a fun and conversation-starting gift topper.

Best for Girls: CAVN Baby Monthly Milestone Blanket

Even if your friend or loved one swears not to become one of those parents, she likely won’t be able to stop taking photographs of her baby once she’s born. For baby girls, there’s the CAVN Baby Monthly Milestone Blanket, which comes with a flower crown to mark the months, and a pretty floral circle where a baby can lie for pictures.

The gift will be appreciated by your friend for many years when she looks back at the photographs she took of her baby girl’s first year.

Best for Boys: WubbaNub Dragon Pacifier

A WubbaNub is a plush toy attached to a medical grade silicone pacifier that is easy for infants to grasp and hold, making it essential for mothers who just cannot put the pacifier back in their baby’s mouth one more time. WubbaNubs come in all different shapes, from lions to lambs, but the dragon is perhaps the most imaginative. Get the little one in your life fantasizing about dragons and other mythical creatures early with the WubbaNub Dragon pacifier.

Best Unisex: Zutano Booties

Here’s something you never learn before you have a baby—socks do not stay on a newborn’s feet. And their feet are always cold to the touch! Every veteran mom knows that the best way to keep them warm is with Zutano booties, which are made of soft cotton, and secure around a baby’s foot with double snaps around the ankles.

Zutano booties come in many different unisex colors and patterns, making them a great gift for parents who don’t know the gender of their soon-to-be-born baby.

Best for Twins: Delta Children LX Side by Side Tandem Umbrella Stroller

delta-twin-stroller — Courtesy of Amazon

Every parent does research on the best stroller to use for newborns. But very few parents realize that the everyday stroller they choose is likely too bulky or heavy for travel, or even running quick errands, especially if they live in an apartment in a city. For that, they will need an umbrella stroller, which can’t be used until babies can hold up their heads.

Anticipate twin parents’ needs by getting them the Delta Children LX Side by Side Tandem Umbrella Stroller, a relatively inexpensive and compact umbrella stroller that works perfectly for two children of the same age. Even if they don’t use it everyday, they’ll be grateful to have it as an option when their twins are big enough to face out in a stroller.

Best for Mom: HATCH Belly Mask

Baby showers are all about the baby. But mamas need a little loving, too, especially towards the end of their pregnancies, when they are uncomfortable, tired, and over it all. Treat the new mom in your life with the HATCH belly Mask, which fits over a pregnant belly, and contains ingredients like Aloe Vera to soothe aching skin, and propolis (a natural antioxidant produced from honey bees) to lessen the appearance of stretch marks. Even if her belly looks perfect, she’ll appreciate the excuse to pamper herself.

Best for On-the-Go: Skip Hop Baby Pronto Portable Changing Station

No matter how organized a new parent may be, diaper bags can quickly become stuffed jumbles of messiness. The Skip Hop Baby Pronto Portable Changing Station is a compact, all-in-one changing station that includes a changing pad, a pocket for phones and keys, a translucent wipes case, and a mesh pocket for diapers and creams.

It can serve as a wallet, or an entire diaper bag that’s quick and easy to store for on-the-go parenting. New parents don’t even know they need such an organized, easy to use item until they have their baby—but will definitely thank you afterwards.

Best Classic: aden + anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket

There is no such thing as too many swaddles! This classic set comes in 24 differently patterned sets of four to suit the decor or sex of the baby. Parents can use these as an actual swaddle, a crib blanket, a shade, a burp cloth, and so much more. These blankets are made of 100 percent muslin cotton which feels super soft to the touch so both baby and parents will love the feel of this against the skin.

Reviewers give these glowing reviews with many people saying they use these well past their baby's first birthday.

Most Practical: Amazon Prime

New parents are bound to be ordering a lot of stuff (think diapers, formula, burp cloths, and more), so why not give them the gift of a year of free 2-day shipping with a yearly long Amazon Prime service. For $119 they can get packages delivered for free in 2-days. In some cities they can even get stuff delivered in a 2-hour window. What's more, they'll also get access to Prime Video which has both original and hit movies making those midnight feedings somewhat more bearable. They'll also get access to music and unlimited photo storage, which is a must for new parents.

If you have spare time and are feeling a little craftsy, a classic diaper cake is always a baby shower favorite as it serves as both a gift and a centerpiece.

What to Look for in a Baby Shower Gift

Practicality: It's easy to pick out a cute baby gift, but oftentimes, the most beloved gifts are the ones that are the most useful for parents. Consider items that will help babies sleep or make outings easier. If you're a parent, remember what products you found to be "lifesavers" for your newborn, or get recommendations from other parents.

Sentimentality: Especially if you know that all the basics for a newborn have already been bought, consider a gift that will help parents remember this special time. Whether you make it personal with a monogrammed item or give something to help with photos and scrapbooking, gifts that hold sentimental value will be remembered long after the shower.

Style: There’s definitely something to be said for those gifts that elicit all the "oohs" and "awws" at a baby shower. Baby gear can be downright adorable, and it’s fun to find gifts that match the parents' style and taste as well. Finding a gift that's practical, cute, and personalized is the trifecta.