The point of a baby shower is for family and friends to get together to celebrate the expected birth of a baby and support the parents by gifting useful items. However, not everyone knows the sex of their baby before they’re born, and not everyone wants to raise their baby with gender-specific products. This may leave some guests wondering what to get. If you want to grab something that every parent and baby will love, let’s review some of the best gender-neutral baby shower gift ideas!
Baby Essentials
You can never go wrong with giving diapers, baby wipes, bottles, and other similar items.
Don’t be afraid to ask the parents if they’re going to breastfeed or use formula. You can easily put a smile on their faces with extra formula or milk storage bags. If you want, you can arrange all these items in a gift basket for an adorable cornucopia of essentials!
Baby Tub or Bath Seat
One thing you can guarantee is that babies are bound to get dirty and will need plenty of baths. The best baby bathtubs are often times collapsible and should at least be able to fit in a sink or tub.
If you want to buy something that the parents will need in the future, you can also get a bath seat. After a while, the baby will become a little too squished in a tiny tub. At that point, they’ll have the muscle development to use a bath seat that will keep them safe in the water during bath time.
Burp Cloths and Bibs
If you’re worried about getting gender-neutral clothing or accessory items, don’t be! Babies need color to fully develop mentally. Plus, they’ll absolutely need plenty of burp cloths and bibs to capture all the lovely drool, milk, and food that come out of their mouths. Buy colorful clothes and bibs for baby shower gifts—the expectant parents are sure to appreciate it. Considering how often these items will get dirty, there’s no such thing as having too many.
Swaddling Blankets
Swaddling blankets are another one of those things that will absolutely get dirty and will more than likely become victims of diaper blowouts. When looking for a swaddling blanket to gift to new parents, look for one that’s durable, soft, breathable, and, most importantly, washable. When it comes to breathable, soft fabrics, cotton is your best bet. There are so many colors and patterns to choose from, so you’ll have no problem finding one in a gender-neutral color or pattern.
Diaper Bag
You may be thinking that a diaper bag is one of those things that parents will buy for themselves, and you’d be right—most do. However, a diaper bag is another essential item that you can never really have too many of. When you’re in a rush and on the go, you’re going to grab the closest diaper bag to you.
Besides, there are plenty of bag styles to choose from, so a repeat isn’t likely. There are diaper clutches, tote bags, messenger bags, and more. Some come with insulated pockets, others can double as coolers, and some have stroller clips. Whatever you choose, the cardinal rule should be that they’re easy to clean.
Portable Changing Mat
When babies decide to go, they’re going to go, and it doesn’t matter where they are or what their parents are doing. It’s not always possible to have access to a clean surface, and not every parent is going to have the sanitizing equipment necessary to clean those public changing tables! A changing mat doesn’t need to be fancy, just a washable comfy surface for the baby to lie on. Ideally, it will be foldable and have pockets for diapers and wipes, so it’s easy to just grab and go.
Pacifiers and Teethers
Pacifiers are an absolute must-have for every soon-to-be parent and will save them from many tantrums and fussy nights. The ideal pacifier should be made of medical-grade silicone, have breathing holes, and have no detachable parts. Remember, babies love to pop their favorite pacifier out of their mouths and throw it on the ground. So if you buy a pacifier, don’t forget to pair it with a pacifier clip.
Picture Books
Parents should start reading to their babies as soon as they’re born to help build linguistic skills, and you can help start that process by adding to their library! As a bonus, they’ll be able to use these books for years to come as they learn to read, and who doesn’t like looking back on their favorite children’s book? Picture books are also great for visual and sensory development, so look for books with plenty of colors and textures.
Play Area
Play areas are great ways to keep babies safe, so they can entertain themselves while their parents are busy with chores. If you want to gift parents a little more peace of mind, a play area is the way to go.
Ideally, a play area will be foldable without any tiny spaces for babies to get their fingers stuck in. However, you may want to consider how much space the parents’ home provides, as a play area can take up quite a bit of space. If they don’t have enough room, consider getting a baby gate instead, so the parents can transform any room into a safe space.
With these gender-neutral baby shower gift ideas, you’re guaranteed to give the expectant parents something they’ll use for quite some time while showing them the support and love they need. If you’re looking for more baby shower gifts that baby and parents are sure to use time and time again, shop at Ryan & Rose! Our collection of adorable baby essentials will have everything you’re looking for.
