Baby Shower Gift List Ideas

Celebrating the birth of a new child by throwing a baby shower is common practice in the United States as well as other countries. The party, usually only for women and children, revolves around gift giving.

The idea is simple: Throw a party where gifts are given to the future mother. Baby shower presents usually comprise of items the baby will need, though some people do give items (lingerie....) for the mother as well.

Baby registries (like Babies R Us) let people create shopping lists so that people:

1. Get stuff people want
2. Not get the same items, since the registry keeps track

However, it's still up to the baby shower organizer to make sure the list is any good. Don't go with the default list as they are often, I hate to say, stupid. Putting a Winnie the Pooh lamp, while ignoring cholic-fighting baby bottles, is just useless. Nobody needs a (poorly designed) Disney-themed lamp, but any crying baby will show you just how important it is to fight against cholics.

Additionally, why put three different types of baby strollers? This is why it's important to look and edit the list yourself. Think about what the person actually needs.

Below are some items that should be on every baby shower gift list.

Although stores don't always offer these amazing beds in stores (for some unknown reason), moses baskets really are a life saver. This portable bed will allow you to easily carry your baby from one room to another without having to be awoken. Since baskets are small, they keep heat better than any crib or bassinet ever will.

I couldn't imagine taking care of my little brother without a moses basket. I can just take the handles and go without waking him. Additionally, he seemed to be able to fall asleep when I was walking with him in the basket. According to my parents my older brother was in a basket until he was 4 months old; I was in a basket until 6 months old (I was a tiny baby); and my baby brother will probably also be in one until 4 months old.

If you don't have a stand, just put the basket on your crib/bassinet at night. All the comfort of a crib, bassinet, or bed, but with better heating and more safety (since the baby can't move as much). This 20$ - 60$ gift is well worth buying, and it's cute!

When winter comes, unless you like having to pay a lot for heating, you're going to need some good blankets for babies.

I know some people are afraid of putting young babies in blankets and wonder "how old does a baby have to be to use a blanket?". The answer is easy: as soon as its born. Think about it. When your baby is born, the doctors wrap a blanket around. You can use a blanket on a young baby as long as it's wrapped, and underneath the armpits.

Every baby needs these essential items. They may not make glamorous gifts, but they are needed:

1. Diapers for various ages
2. Baby Wipes
3. Baby Powder
   
4. (circumcized boys only) Vaseline A.K.A Petroleum Jelly
5. Socks. People love to give outfits and bodysuits and hats, but they forget socks.
6. Body & Hair Shampoo

I actually personally think baby car seats are pointless. If you have a small accident, the baby would be equally as safe in a moses basket. If you have a big accident, no car seat is going to save your baby (I know, it's horrible to think about). Think about it: the force of the crash will throw your baby's head forward at a great speed. Since seats don't keep the head back (out of fear of suffocation), there is nothing stopping the head from going on that violent and deadly thrust forward.

However, in the United States baby car seats are required by law, so they are "needed".

Once the remains of the umbilical cord falls off, you can finally start washing your baby. However, unless you feel confident with your (or the mother's if it isn't you) ability to wash the baby in a big bathtub, you are better off using a special bath tub.

Colic Figting Bottles and Nipples are always good. Colics cause baby pain, which makes them cry.

And since you're at it, getting some sippy and training cups are nice. Why not think beyond newborn?