The 50 Best Gifts for New Parents, Recommended by Experienced Parents (2024)

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• Why Trust Verywell Family

Modern moms and dads seem to prefer backpacks for carrying their baby items—and we tend to agree. Not only do backpacks distribute weight well (which is good for your back), but they also make it easier to carry your baby at the same time.

The Honest Company City Backpack is one of our favorites because it has plenty of room to store all the essentials and is made from non-toxic, vegan leather. Best of all, it has a stylish, gender-neutral design that looks far from a traditional diaper bag, making it a good option for school, work, or travel.

If we could add anything to this backpack, it would be a side pocket to hold a water bottle, sippy cup, or baby bottle. Aside from that, we love all of the features within this bag, including the front insulated pocket, removable changing mat, and five interior pockets to keep everything organized, from diapers to snacks.

If you’re looking for a personalized way to share or display videos and photos of your family, the Frameo Smart Digital Photo Frame is the perfect gadget for you. We love how easy it is to use the Frameo app to send images directly to the frame and that you can invite up to 512 friends or family members to do so, too. We also like that you can customize images before sending them to the frame, such as adding captions and cropping the size.

We have personally tested this product and can't say enough good things about it. The only minor inconvenience is that you can't add photos or videos to the Frameo from your computer, but most of our photos are taken on smartphones anyway. Also, we found some of the instructions to be vague, such as how to edit the captions after uploading a photo. Aside from that, we appreciate that this frame has a decent resolution (1280 x 800) and think it’s a great gift for families.

If there was ever a guidebook to raising a baby, "What to Expect: The First Year" is it. It’s available for purchase in a variety of formats, including paperback, Kindle, Audible Audiobook, and Nook, and is filled with practical tips and advice on nearly every baby topic. As parents ourselves, we love that it guides readers on “what to expect” each month of their child’s first year and features “For Parents” boxes throughout the book that focus on self care and other important parental needs.

Although this book is filled with tons of helpful information, the sheer size of it (714 pages) can feel overwhelming. Also, it hasn’t been revised since 2014, so you may find that certain topics are outdated. Even so, we like that it’s written in a month-to-month format so you can easily flip to whatever stage your baby is in, and we're big fans of the heartwarming, down-to-earth narrative that’s made the "What to Expect" books so popular.

Carrying a baby around the house can wreck your back. This brilliant, ergonomic carrier acts as a belt that your baby can rest on—allowing an easier distribution of weight. It also contains pockets for burp clothes, bottles, pacifiers, wipes, and more. We've even used it for breastfeeding, as baby can be easily cradled in it for nursing on the go.

Parents can use this blanket and frame set to stage their monthly milestone pictures for the baby book and social media. The blanket is a 45-inch square and is made from 100% cotton, which can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. Finally, the included frame is made completely out of felting, so there aren’t sharp corners for the baby to roll into.

We know firsthand that finding your baby’s teether or pacifier on the ground is a daily occurrence. That’s why we believe the Munchkin Portable UV Sterilizer Plus is a must-have for every parent. Equipped with hospital-grade UV-C lights, this tiny but mighty sterilizer kills 99.99% of germs (including RSV, Influenza, and Human Coronavirus) in less than one minute and offers up to 3,000 hours of use.

Because the Munchkin Portable UV Sterilizer is less than 3 inches tall, it’s perfect for bringing on-the-go. Although it’s not big enough to sterilize an entire bottle (you’ll need a bottle sterilizer for that), we love that you can clip it onto a stroller or diaper bag and doesn’t require water like other sterilizers do. Best of all, this upgraded version is equipped with a rechargeable battery that lasts for more than 100 uses on a single charge.

When you’re a new parent getting sleep in three-hour stretches, you’re going to need your morning tea or coffee to give you some energy. This single-cup coffee maker does most of the work, making the caffeine preparation process quicker and easier.

It can brew 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce cups using single-serve K-cup pods, which are available in a variety of flavors. The machine has a power-saving auto-shutoff and a 48-ounce water reservoir that can make up to six cups of coffee before it needs to be refilled.

When caring for a newborn, it’s important for parents to take care of themselves, too. Having a meal delivery service like Blue Apron takes the guesswork out of planning healthy meals and relieves parents of one of their many ongoing responsibilities.

You can select 2-4 servings of 2-5 meals per week and choose from more than 70 menu items (including kid-friendly options!).Another thing we love about Blue Apron is how flexible it is. Although it's a membership-based plan, you can easily skip or cancel your upcoming delivery. However, it may not be ideal for those with serious food allergies as boxes are assembled in a facility that processes all eight major food allergens.

If a mom in your life loves jewelry, you can’t go wrong with gifting her mom jewelry like this vibrant necklace featuring their baby's initial. It's a keepsake they can then pass down to their child when the kid is old enough to wear jewelry.

Start family traditions early with this sweet personalized holiday book. This story features a customizable name and character, so the newly born little one can grow up seeing themselves in their very own Christmas tale.

While the price is on the higher end for a sweatshirt, there are few pieces like it. The cozy cotton hoodie can be worn during pregnancy, over a breast pump or postpartum belly wrap, with a baby snuggled underneath, or just on its own. It has built-in fingerless gloves, a zip-off kangaroo section that can go over the baby or bump, and pockets. It'll make mom's lounging feel luxe.

This baby food maker does more than make purees—it steams, then automatically blends homemade baby food with just one press of a button on the LCD control screen, so you don’t have to transfer it to a blender.

The Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker Deluxe offers three uses in one handy piece of compact equipment: Steam and blend, steam only, and blend only. With four stainless steel blades, the machine allows you to make 3.5 cups of baby food at various consistencies as your baby grows (all in just 10 minutes). Once your little one is past the puree stage, you can still use the food maker to steam pasta, vegetables, soup, and hard-boiled eggs.

One of our writers, who received a sample from the brand, loved the included three filling funnels to pour homemade purees into the three reusable food pouches mess-free. Plus, everything is easy to clean; the bowl and blades are dishwasher safe, while the water tank is removable for a deeper clean.

The InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser ranks high on our list because new parents will love clicking on this oil diffuser to help them relax, fall asleep, or even perk up.

It’s available in five design options, all of which are compact and offer two room-temperature misting modes with run times between six and eight hours and auto shut-off. This diffuser can also create a relaxing ambiance with its mood light that can be set to dim or bright.

This unisex, oversized sweatshirt is the ideal gift for second-time parents who may "have it all" already. Customize and embroider it with "mom," "dad," or baby's name for a bespoke piece they'll adore.

Long gone are the days of mixing formula by hand thanks to the Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcher. One of our writers used this handy container when her son was a newborn to make up to 32 ounces of formula—both clump- and mess-free.

The handle on top allows parents and caregivers to mix the baby formula at their preferred speed, eliminating air bubbles in the formula as they pump the handle up and down. The pitcher is easy to disassemble and reassemble, with all pieces safe to toss in the dishwasher (top rack only).

A baby memory book is one of the more sentimental baby gifts you can give to a new parent. With spaces for ultrasound photos and pages to track milestones, this book is great to give before or after the baby arrives. To top it all off, this adorable book also features pop-up pages and cute artwork throughout.

While the postpartum period can be short-lived, there are still certain items worth investing in—because you'll live in them. Such is the case with these compression leggings that are meant to support a postpartum belly. Whether lounging, attempting some light core exercises, or taking a walk with baby, the high-waisted nylon-and-spandex material will act as a supportive hug for your midsection.

Even if you're not nursing, this is one of the softest, most flattering tanks we've tested. The forgiving fabric is baggy enough to work with a postpartum belly but also fitted enough that you'll still want to rock it well into your postnatal journey. The nursing clip is easy to unhook with one hand, and it washes well (re: no pilling) after many uses.

Warm or cold—the b.box Insulated Food Jar keeps food at the proper temperature for hours, eliminating the need for new parents to constantly heat food or put it away in the fridge.

One of our writers discovered (after receiving a sample of the food jar herself) that the double-walled stainless steel helps keep hot food, like pasta or soup, warm for up to five hours, and cold food, such as yogurt, cool for up to seven hours. Removable handles allow tiny hands to easily grip while eating, while a stop lock design on the lid prevents it from overtightening. In addition, an included spork tucks nicely into a special bumper for mealtimes anywhere.

The 11-ounce insulated food jar is dishwasher (top rack only) and sterilizer-safe for easy cleaning. Plus, there are several color options to choose from, like emerald forest and lilac pop, all of which match the company’s mini lunch box to hold extra snacks and other goodies for the day.

New parents need to sleep whenever they have a chance, including in the middle of the afternoon when the sun is shining bright. This sleep mask with cotton interior lining and silk exterior covering will help make those mid-day naps a little more comfortable. It’s available in a variety of different colors, is hypoallergenic and great for all skin types, and has a fully adjustable head strap.

If a parent gets a rare moment for themself while someone else is watching the baby, sounds of crying are hard to ignore and relax through, so a pair of noise-canceling headphones will make for a wonderful gift. These headphones are wireless with an extended battery life of up to 35 hours. They are adjustable for maximum comfort and are designed with “dual noise technology,” which helps keep out external noise.

Gift parents and caregivers peace of mind with a video baby monitor like the Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor. Simply download the monitor’s free app to control the nightlight, two-way audio, white noise, and other soothing sounds, track sleep patterns, and more. There’s even a split screen feature that allows you to view two cameras on one screen, which comes in handy if the new parents welcome twins. In addition, the Nanit Pro comes with a wall mount to provide families with a bird’s eye view of their child’s room.

New parents are more than likely not planning a vacation once their little one arrives, but that doesn't mean they can't take a trip anyway! With a subscription to Goldbelly, parents can receive their favorite foods from major cities in the United States, like New York City and Los Angeles.

With the NYC Subscription Box, new parents will get to try pizza straight from the Big Apple and even delicious bagels. Each box contains enough food to serve four people, so they can treat themselves to a feast or save some for later.

All of those late-night feedings can do a real number on a person’s neck and shoulders, which is why this massager is such an amazing gift. It features a rotating kneading massage style as well as optional heat therapy (with auto-shutoff) to help loosen up the muscles even more. It’s ergonomically designed to fit comfortably between the back and a chair or to lay on for a neck massage.

Shuffling around the house in the dark (or the day) is a little more enjoyable when your feet are cozied up in some soft slippers like these. The exterior is made from 100% suede with a rubber sole, while the interior is filled with soft, plush sheepskin lining. These slippers are available in men's sizes 7-18 and in an assortment of colors.

When the baby finally falls asleep, new parents are just looking for ways to relax. The Vybe Percussion Massage Gun can help them do just that while also relieving any pain and aches they've felt during the day. Choose from five speeds and pair it with an incredible vibration to really reach those deep muscle aches.

The massage gun is quiet and has a battery life of up to four hours, so new parents can split the time in half before having to recharge. It's important to note those who just gave birth should be cautious with this item for up to eight weeks due to a risk of blood clots.

It’s hard for new parents to have enough time to finish a cup of coffee while it’s still hot, which is why this 16-ounce mug is such a great gift. It’s made from stainless steel and is fully insulated, so it can keep a drink warm for up to three hours. It has a safe travel lid to avoid spills when they are on the go, a comfortable handle, and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Meals in early parenthood consist of whatever is quick and easy to make, which is why the Instant Pot is such a great gift. It functions as a pressure cooker, yogurt maker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, warmer, and more.

All a parent has to do is pop some ingredients into the 6-quart pot, press a button to get the settings right, and the Instant Pot does the rest. Clean-up is just as easy, as the lid and all other removable parts are safe to toss into the dishwasher.

New parents barely have the time or energy to shower, let alone clean the house, so this robot vacuum that does the work for them will be their favorite thing. All they have to do is download the app and schedule a cleanup, and the Roomba will do the rest. It has adaptive navigation technology, so it learns the area it cleans to avoid running into furniture and walls.

It’s also compatible with Google Home and Amazon Echo, so parents whose arms are occupied by a baby can simply call a command into their speaker, and the vacuum will start right up.

One of the most importantparenting skillsto master early is soothing your baby to sleep. Unfortunately, that skill doesn’t always come easily, and some babies are very strong-willed, which is where the Baby Shusher comes in.

It mimics the sounds the baby heard in the womb to trigger their natural calming reflex, allowing them to gently fall asleep. To use it, all parents have to do is prop it up on a flat surface near where the baby is sleeping, set the timer to 15 or 30 minutes, and let it do the work from there.

Postpartum moms may experience anything from hair loss to an itchy scalp, but taking care of the skin on her scalp may minimize symptoms. This new serum features hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin B3 to soothe the skin and encourage thicker hair. You can use it on dry or wet hair, and it absorbs quickly.

One of the most important things for new parents and their babies is to get out of the house and walk! It's a meditative, low-impact exercise and can help improve moods. Make sure parents can head out even on cold days by gifting them a pair of these stroller muffs. They will keep their hands toasty when pushing the stroller. And yes, they are machine washable!

Forget fussy purses and totes—with a baby, parents need to be hands-free (you never know when they'll be asked to be picked "uppy!"). This lightweight, neoprene fanny pack houses useful pockets for cards and a lip balm. There is even a clip for a key or a pacifier. It's also water-resistant since you never know where the next spill is coming from.

It may not look like much, but this cordless screwdriver is a lifesaver for new parents who have to build cribs, mobiles, changing tables, and more. It comes with two bits, a flat top and a Phillips head, which is enough to get you through almost any assembly project.

These sustainably made sneakers really are perfect for new parents. The material is stretchy (ideal for changing postpartum feet), the soles are supportive, and the fact that they slip-on is functional (so you can get them on and off while holding your baby). They're also machine-washable, so you can wear them for outdoor playtime without worry.

No one knows the struggle of a constantly cold coffee cup like a new parent. This "smart" mug can pair with your phone in order to control the temperature and keep your coffee hot all morning long—no matter what the day throws at you.

With a new baby, a parent is suddenly running another person's entire life—including buying them what they need, scheduling their healthcare appointments, and more. Busy parents love this planner as a way to keep everything organized by month, week, and day. The daily logs also prompt you to share what you're grateful for, what you're excited about, and an affirmation. So you can also use it as a reflective way to start your day.

Parents spend a lot of time without the use of one (or both) hands. A tumbler like this one with a tight-fitting lid and straw makes it easy to stay hydrated when they only have one hand free. It comes in five different sizes, from 16 ounces to 32 ounces, and 31 different colors and patterns. Plus, it keeps a beverage cold for way longer than you'd expect!

New parents deserve a cold beverage from time to time. This stylish yet functional cooler allows you to tote along your favorite microbrew or seltzer to a party or picnic. It comes with a bottle opener and the dividers are adjustable to fit any type of bottle—even a baby bottle!

With stunning pages that are both sturdy and eye-catching, this memory book provides a great place for archiving the moments new parents never want to forget. The pre-made templates include space for a family tree, a photo of baby's first home, a spot to record all those momentous "firsts," and more!

For the luxurious new parent in your life, this eye mask will allow them to block out the light and catch up on some much-needed zzz's, all while staying chic in the process. Available in six neutral shades, this eye mask boasts a padded front panel and material lined with silk for added comfort.

If you know a new parent who is also a dog or cat parent, an auto-feeder is a great gift idea. With one less item on their to-do list, they might have an extra minute or two to stay in bed or sit with their feet up.

Perfect for those late-night feedings, this pajama set offers a button top that makes breastfeeding easily accessible. The top is also loose to accommodate a postpartum body, with an elastic waistband on the pants.

If your hormones are going haywire postpartum, consider changing the products you use. This nourishing buttery cream is hypoallergenic and free of endocrine-disrupting ingredients (such as silicons, fragrances, sulfates, and more). The brand's founder (a mom of two) created it after going through IVF treatments and seeking a "cleaner" alternative to her beloved beauty products.

In those early postpartum days (and sometimes beyond), the idea of doing anything—applying makeup, getting a brow tweeze treatment—can feel impossible. For those lacking time, consider investing in this brow pencil by celebrity eyebrow shaper Sania Vucetaj (a mom of three herself).

The wax pencil can fill in and tame unruly hairs, and the spoolie brush keeps them in place. Even if you only have a few minutes to get ready before house guests arrive, doing your brows is one way to make your face look a bit refreshed and polished.

When you don't have time to get dressed, throwing on a trendy pair of fuzzy sandals (either with bare feet or cozy socks) looks put together. This pair features arch support, a flexibly grippy outsole, and of-the-moment faux fur. (They're also a more affordable knockoff of a certain Instagram-famous pair.) Rock them walking your dog, getting a pedicure, or taking baby for a stroll.

If you're a new parent, chances are you're not sleeping as much as you'd like, and often the under-eye area shows the strain. Treat this part of your face with this editor-beloved eye cream. The creamy formula seamlessly blends into the skin, tightening and hydrating it, thanks to avocado, the star ingredient.

During a time period when you don't want to get dressed, cozy socks will be a mainstay in your wardrobe. This super-soft pair will keep your feet warm and comfy, whether you're sneaking a nap when baby snoozes or keeping your little one entertained.

No matter if you're breast or bottle feeding, you have a little one snuggled into your arm crook multiple times a day. If you're concerned about having "cleaner" products near your baby, consider switching to a more natural deodorant. This vegan, fragrance-free pick is hydrating on dry armpits and actually works at keeping smells under control. It makes for a surprisingly luxurious stocking stuffer.

Whether you're headed back to work or holiday parties, the last thing a new parent wants to worry about is ripped tights. And if you're going to a partywithyour kid, you may be getting up and off the floor or dealing with little baby hands grabbing at you. All a recipe for rips. This brand of tights is beloved and known for being "rip resistant" thanks to a patent, knit technology. Worth the investment, if you like to wear dresses and don't want cold legs.