Oh, Baby! New Baby Gifts Parents Actually Need

Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.


We will be welcoming a new addition to our family tree this fall, and we couldn't be more excited! My cousin is expecting her first baby (a boy!!!), but what makes his arrival even more special is his rainbow baby status. My cousin has been longing to be a mother for many years. Years of loss and grief and heartache, so you can see why this pregnancy is such a blessing and an overwhelming joy for our family. We'll be welcoming the bundle of joy in just a few short months, so I've been loading up on practical gifts that I know that the new parents are going to use and appreciate. Now, I say practical because when I think back to my baby shower, I remember the mounds of gifts that I received, but a lot of it was what I call "fluff" gifts. Gifts that were lovely, but I didn't get much use from. At the end of the day, I went home with more newborn outfits than my daughter was able to wear before outgrowing them, newborn sized diapers that I had to take back to the store to exchange for a bigger size because babies do grow fast, a million bottles of lotion that I swear we are still using even though my daughter just turned 18, and feeling a little sad that some of the practical gifts I registered for were passed over for "cute" gifts. 

Don't get me wrong. I will be the first to admit that shopping for a new baby is fun. I often feel pulled to buy that oh, so cute stuffed animal or frilly dress, but after thinking back to what I would have liked to have received at my shower, I stick with buying the gifts that I know the new parents will get use from.

Another bottle of lotion? Gee, thanks.....

If you are attending a baby shower soon, these are all wonderful gift suggestions that won't break the bank and new parents will surely be glad to receive.

1. Diaper Bag. Even if mom already has one, I often found that having a backup bag came in handy. Lotions break, bottles spill and having an extra bag on hand to use while the other one is being washed made life a lot less stressful. 

2. Size 1 and up diapers. Honestly, I usually go with a size 2. I received nothing but newborn sized diapers that my daughter quickly outgrew. It's a hassle to have to exchange diapers for a bigger size when you are a new parent, so you can't go wrong with opting for a size 1 or 2. 

3. Baby Wipes. Since these are used for more than cleaning a tushie, we went through a TON of baby wipes.

3. Diaper Rash Cream. Even the most pampered booty will get an occasional diaper rash. You want to start treating it as soon as it surfaces, so a stash of high quality creams is a great idea. I always swore by Boudreaux Butt Paste for my girls, but any of the name brand creams will help soothe a rash.

4. Umbrella Stroller. A fancy stroller with all the bells and whistles is good and fun, but can be a hassle for quick trips because they tend to be bulky and heavy. I found I got more use out of a cheap $20 umbrella stroller than I did from my pricey, top of the line stroller.

5. Baby Record Book. Babies grow so quick, new parents are going to want to record every milestone as soon as they happen. A baby record book will surely get used and filled up quickly and will be a gift that will be treasured for many years. 

6. Crib Sheets. I subscribe to the thought that you can never have enough crib sheets. Dripping bottles, spit up, vomiting, diaper blowouts. These are things that happen often and I think the bulk of newborn laundry comes from washing sheets from those messes. Having several sets on hand is a real sanity saver.

7. Receiving Blankets. See crib sheet explanation on why extras are important. 

8. Baby Carrier. My second daughter wanted to be held all. the. time. Being able to keep her happy while keeping my hands free was a huge blessing I received by wearing a baby carrier. 

9. Thermometer. It's scary how quickly a baby can become ill. A good quality thermometer is one of the most practical gifts new parents will be glad to have on hand.  

10. Car Seat Canopy. Babies need lots of sleep and while it's ideal to leave them at home for uninterrupted slumber time, it isn't always practical. New parent or not, errands still need to be done and sometimes you just have to bring baby along. A car seat canopy is a great way to allow baby to continue to sleep soundly when you have to be out and about.

I first saw a car seat canopy at my nieces baby shower and was jealous as all get-out that I hadn't even heard of them when my girls were babies. I thought it was the most genius baby product ever! You can keep baby tucked away in a cozy, dark setting so their sleep isn't disturbed by simply attaching the canopy to the car seat and snapping it closed, keeping baby snug in a cocoon of peace. 

The most adorable car seat canopies come from BayB Brand. I simply love the many fun, bold, modern prints that BayB Brand offers on each of their canopies. Each one is made with 100% cotton outsides, and lined with super soft polyester minky dots material on the interior. 

Since the material is of perfect weight, not too thick for summer heat or too thin for cold winters, these canopies are perfect for year round use. The adjustable straps make these canopies compatible with any car seat model, and they are machine washable making care super easy for those inevitable messes. The easy open, easy close snaps allow for baby to stay snuggled up or allow for parents to quickly access their little one. 

In addition to these handy dandy car seat canopies, BayB Brand also offers matching blankets made from the same material. The design I chose for my cousin is this gender neutral Gray Arrow with Green.

There are many other fun colors and prints to choose from, such as this Blue Chevron or Pink Cheetah.

BayB Brand Car Seat Canopies and Blankets are definitely a practical baby gift, and under $20 each, are a quite affordable option, too! If you would like to learn more about the BayB Brand line of products, including those featured here today, be sure to visit their website. 

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One lucky Theresa's Mixed Nuts reader is going to win a BayB Brand Car Seat Canopy and Matching Blanket Set in the design of their choosing. The giveaway is open to residents of the US (No PO Boxes will be accepted) and will run through 7/19/17. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to winning email before a new winner is selected. Please enter on the giveaway widget below.

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