The Five Best Baby Shower Gifts

Ask first time parents-to-be what baby shower gifts they would like to receive. Watch their response -- you'll quite likely see a look of real confusion on their faces! Or maybe they'll come up with a stock answer like "diapers" or something similar.

Exactly what a new arrival needs is not obvious to someone who's never had a baby before. And many times, guests are in no better position either, when it comes to deciding on baby shower gifts.

Of course, there's a lot more to baby showers than just gifts. But helping parents to stock up for the new arrival is an important part of these celebrations.

That's why the following list of top five baby shower gifts can be quite useful.

Top gift #1: Monitors

Monitors are excellent anxiety-busters, especially for first-time parents. That's why they hold the No.1 position on this list.

Once they can listen to the baby from anywhere in the house, parents find their confidence levels zooming. The latest monitors are very sensitive and can pick up the slightest sound from baby, even her breathing.

If your budget allows for it, take it one step further and buy a video monitor. That'll really ease anxiety. However, they are much more expensive, so perhaps this can be a joint baby shower gift from two or more guests.

Top Gift #2: Playtime mate for baby

Babies love to play. Anything that helps them play and be active not only keeps them engaged, but also stimulates all round development.

One of the best products for them is an activity gym or playpen. This is a soft cloth mat surrounded by a baby-friendly structure of bars and arches with many different toys suspended from various points. Baby gets to play in a safe environment.

Basic activity gyms are excellent baby shower gifts. There are also more advanced ones that include noisemakers and a variety of toys. The suspended objects have different colors and textures to help develop baby's cognitive abilities.

There are also excellent portable gyms and playpens available to help parents move around with baby. These are lightweight and designed to be easy to carry around.

Top Gift #3: Baby sling

Most babies love being carried around in a sling. It's the next best thing to being cuddled in mom's arms. Many parents have had the experience where babies get restless and cry while they use other types of carriers, but immediately calm down when put into a sling.

Baby slings are believed to foster a closer parent-child bond. Whether that's true or not, slings do have another great advantage -- they leave your hands free to do other things. That's definitely a big plus and is a reason why this baby shower gift is highly appreciated.

Top Gift #4: The baby travel pack

Moving around with baby can be a chore -- you have to pack a seemingly endless array of baby stuff even for short outings.

One way to ease this problem is to have one or more baby travel packs handy. What's a travel pack? Essentially, a diaper bag filled with baby necessities. It can include disposable diapers, a small toy or two, bib, complete change of clothes for baby, safety pins, and other supplies.

It's a great advantage if the parents receive more than one travel pack. Then one pack can always be kept ready whenever they want to go. No need to mess around with picking up and stuffing items into a diaper bag at the last minute.

Top gift #5: Car seat

Lots of parents say that a well-designed car seat is a wonderfully useful baby shower gift to receive. In fact, it's useful from the moment they leave hospital with the baby.

There are infant car seats available as well as infant-toddler convertible seats. The former can be used only till the baby is up to 22 pounds or so (typically). While the latter can usually be used till the first birthday.

Both are great baby shower gifts specially designed for the baby on the move!

Make sure these top five baby shower gifts are part of the event you're hosting. The guest of honor will end up thanking you long after the party gets over!

About the Author

Jessika Ryder is a successful business writer and party enthusiast providing valuable information on baby showers. Her numerous articles provide tips on baby shower invitations, gifts, party planning and other aspects of these celebrations.

---

Breastfeeding A Baby

Breastfeeding Your Baby..Everyone tells you that breastfeeding is best -... Read More

When Not To Begin Potty Training

Potty training can be a stressful experience for you and... Read More

Potty Training After a Divorce or Separation

Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a... Read More

Baby Shower Gift for Dads

Gift for Dads: The mom is always on the limelight... Read More

Baby Showers To Remember

Every mother wants an enchanting baby shower for her new... Read More

Have Fun Purchasing A Stroller For Your Baby

You are getting ready to welcome your baby into your... Read More

How to Have the Perfect Baby Boy Invitations

Baby boy invitations are the first thing you'll need to... Read More

The Personality Traits of a Pisces Baby

Your Pisces Baby..February 19 - March 20Your baby will have... Read More

The Personality Traits of A Baby Born During The Sign Of Cancer

Your Cancer Baby..June 21 - July 22A Cancer child can... Read More

Baby Room Themes: Fun Ideas Your Baby Will Love

Decorating a nursery for your new baby can be a... Read More

Baby Crib Advice and Tips

Congratulations! You have just learned that you are having a... Read More

Tips For a First-Time Mom

Having a baby can be one the most life-changing experiences... Read More

Perfect Baby Shower Hostess Gifts

Picture this; you are invited to a baby shower. How... Read More

Using Music To Calm Your Baby

Music is a wonderful way for you to calm and... Read More

Playing Baby Computer Games ? The New Parent-Child Tradition?

Imagine cuddling up with your small child to look at... Read More

Should Your Baby Sleep In Your Bed?

Should baby sleep in her own cot or... Read More

Tantrums - Breaking the Cycle

Tantrums don't suddenly appear. They are learned. Controlling or eliminating... Read More

A Birth Announcement That Is Both Practical and Sentimental

The best birth announcement is both practical and sentimental. Welcome... Read More

IQ, Intelligence, and Brain Development- Another Breastfeeding Benefit

Modern parents want to do everything they can to help... Read More

Long Distance Baby Shower

A long distance baby shower is for when mothers won't... Read More

Moses Baby Baskets

Moses Baby Baskets are a traditional, convenient place for babies... Read More

3 Simple Steps In Searching For A Baby Name

1) BRAINSTORMIt is a good idea to pick a baby... Read More

Jogging Strollers?How to Get Back in Shape!

Add a little extra push and a jogging stroller to... Read More

Helping Your Baby Develop Character

How Can We Help Children Learn about Character?Children learn about... Read More

Creating Good Feng Shui in Babys Room

Getting ready for a new baby requires a lot of... Read More

Should a Toddler Wear Pull-Ups While Potty Training

As a parent, you've learned a lot while your child... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Ideas

The first thing you need to do before you order... Read More

Home Remedies for Colic

You are at the end of your rope. You have... Read More

Fun & Unique Baby Shower Favors

A baby shower is often the highlight of an expectant... Read More

Properly Care For Your Children

When it comes to your newborn or children's health, it... Read More

Baby Birthmarks

As many as one in three babies are born with... Read More

Sharing Baby Photos Online with Birth Announcements & Baby Photo Album Services

Congratulations! You're a new parent and you've brought your precious,... Read More

Introducing Your New Baby to Your Pet

Having a child is a life altering event for you... Read More