Got a baby shower to attend but you have no idea what to buy the parents to be? You’re not alone. If you’ve never been knee deep in nappies yourself, figuring out what to buy for a baby shower can feel a bit like a guessing game.
Don’t stress, we’ve broken it down into five handy categories, packed with 24 gift ideas that’ll make you the star of the gift table. Whether your budget is big or small, there’s something here for every budget and every kind of parent to be.
Toys they’ll actually use
1. Play mat - Play mats are a top tier baby shower gift they’re not just for the early days but grow with baby through tummy time and beyond. We love our Animal Adventures Piano Play Mat and Gym and Penguin and Pals Play Gym for hours of wriggly fun.
2. Tummy time toys - Tummy time helps babies to learn to lift their head, roll and crawl. You can't go wrong with our Penguin Tummy Time Activity Pillow, Tummy Time Mirror or Animal Adventures Tummy Time Roller; they're soft, supportive and full of sensory goodness.
3. Pram spiral - A pram spiral keeps babies entertained on the go. Our Animal Adventures Pram Spiral comes with three hanging sensory toys to keep little ones entertained while parents try to sip a coffee (hot, if they’re lucky).
4. Teething toys - Teething might be a while off, but when it hits, parents will be glad to have a few teethers to hand. Our Chewbie Baby Gum Teethers are perfect for little gums from 3 months and make a great add-on gift or budget friendly gift.
Bathtime bits
5. Baby bath - Bath time can be a bit daunting for new parents, so a proper baby bath or baby bath support is a real game changer. Practical, thoughtful and a great option if you’re looking for a main gift.
6. Bath thermometer - Every parent has their own way of checking bath water but a thermometer can offer a little extra peace of mind, especially in those early days. Our Penguin Bath & Room Thermometer gives an accurate reading in seconds and looks cute doing it.
7. Bath toys - When babies are big enough to splash about, bath toys become the highlight of their bath. Our Baby Bath Toy Bundle suits 0–12 months and has plenty to keep them entertained in the bath.
8. Bath care - Pop together a little pamper pack with baby wash, shampoo and conditioner. Throw in a cute sponge or flannel and you’ve got an adorable mini hamper.
9. Hooded baby towels - Snuggly, soft and often too cute to handle, hooded towels are practical and always well received.
Feeding favourites
10. Steriliser - Whether they’re bottle feeding, breastfeeding or combination feeding, a steriliser is a must. Our UV Steriliser gets the job done in 3 minutes, no steam or chemicals needed.
11. Breast pump - If mum to be is planning to breastfeed, a pump can be a game changer. Choose from manual, wireless or digital depending on their preference.
12. RapidCool - Our RapidCool Portable Baby Bottle Maker cools boiling water to the perfect temperature in just two minutes. No more faffing, no more waiting.
13. RapidSterilise - If you’re gifting a RapidCool, this is its perfect partner. The RapidSterilise sterilises your RapidCool in just 60 seconds, a super handy add-on that busy parents will really appreciate.
14. RapidHot - For parents planning to formula feed, RapidHot takes the hassle out of bottle prep. It delivers instant, filtered boiling water measured to the exact feed size.
Sleep saviours
15. Light & sound machine - A sleep machine can be the secret weapon for calmer, more settled bedtimes.Our Sydney Sound Bear offers soothing sounds and a soft glow. For more variety, our Light and Sound Sleep Machine has 20 sounds and an adjustable night light.
16. Pram rocker - Pram rockers are a brilliant gift for parents who want to help baby drift off while out and about. Our Jitterbug Pram Rocker gently rocks with 20 soothing sounds, adjustable speeds and a clever cry sensor, basically, an extra pair of hands to help settle baby on the move.
17. Cot mobile - Gentle melodies and soft rotating characters help babies wind down before sleep. Our Penguin Musical Baby Cot Mobile ticks all the boxes with lullabies and calming visuals.
18. Sleep aid with cry sensor - A perfect gift for helping baby settle and stay asleep. Our Penguin Sleep Aid plays soothing lullabies, white noise and a heartbeat sound to create a calming sleep environment. With a built-in cry sensor, it gently kicks in when baby needs extra comfort, making bedtime a little easier for everyone.
Travel must-haves
19. Car mirror - A simple but brilliant gift. Our Adjustable Backseat Baby Car Mirror helps parents keep an eye on baby without turning their head.
20. Baby carrier - A practical gift for parents on the go. Our Newborn Baby Carrier offers three carry positions and supports up to 14kg (about 18 months), making it perfect for hands free carrying during busy days and strolls without a pram.
21. Changing bag - Babies don’t travel light. Our Baby Changing Bag has compartments galore, a wipe-clean changing mat and pockets for bottles, wipes, nappies and snacks. It’s stylish, sturdy and super practical.
22. Swing chair - A brilliant gift for soothing and entertaining a baby on the move around the house or visiting others. Our Connect Swing Chair offers gentle rocking and engaging features to keep little ones calm and happy.
23. Dummy steriliser - Dummies have a habit of flying onto floors when out and about. Our UV Dummy Steriliser zaps germs in 60 seconds and fits in a pocket. Perfect for parents on the move.
24. Portable steriliser - Our Portable UV Steriliser kills 99.9% of bacteria in 3 minutes, ideal for bottles on the go, holidays or visiting friends and family.
Whether you go big or pick one perfect present, baby shower gifts don’t have to be confusing. Think practical, thoughtful and ideally something that’ll make the parents to be say “why didn’t we think of that?”
Still stuck on what to buy for a baby shower? Browse our baby toys, baby nursery essentials and baby feeding essentials for more inspiration.