25+ Best Baby Gifts That New Parents Will Need to Survive Their First Year

Every baby should have their own NogginStik. Seriously, new parents will never forget who gave their baby one — it not only entertains baby, but it also supports healthy development. 

The multisensory activity toy lights up at the top, and the colors change based on baby's movements. The bottom (rattle) part features a mirror, and the stick in the middle is textured for easy gripping.

More: These Are the Best Online Baby Stores That Can Be Browsed From the Couch 

Every parent wants their children's air to be as healthy as possible, so an air purifier is a great gift. This model from LG doesn't skimp on either style or performance, and it's also whisper-quiet. 

One pro tip is to station this right by the diaper pail and changing table — for obvious reasons.

Going out to events or camping with a new baby can be really hard. Between finding a shady place for your baby and a place for them to eat, relax, and watch the world, it feels like nothing suits. 

At least, that was life before the Baby Delight Go With Me Ventur Chair. This portable high chair has a UPF 50+ rated canopy, snack tray, and washable seat. The whole thing can be hosed off and folded up into a compact bundle that's ready to be taken anywhere. 

Have a baby who looks like they're ready to get a move on? Skip Hop has the toy for you. This three-stage crawling toy starts out as a wobbly little bug that entices, but won't tip over. Then, he spins on the floor in circles, so baby doesn't have to crawl too far. After that, he glides around the floor in random patterns, entertaining your child (and hopefully wearing them out before bed).  

It's not always feasible to strip your kid down to eat or change their outfit right away. (Hello, restaurants!) So, you need a solution that'll keep them as clean as possible. Enter the sleeved roll-up bib by OXO. Part elementary school paint shirt, part bib, this easy-to-clean baby gift has a bowled bib portion and full sleeves, and it rolls into itself for easy storage. 

This funky monkey will be baby's new bestie when it comes time to hit the crib for a snooze. It can easily be taken along for on-the-go trips with baby, but it can also be the go-to soother that never leaves the home. While it emits sounds — from a trickling stream to white noise — the monkey's cute cheeks glow, so baby never feels alone. 

You can't go wrong gifting a pair of these adorable moccasins. No matter which baby you're shopping for, you'll find the perfect pair, because they come in tons of different colors and patterns. 

Brooklinen has a loyal following that swears by the supreme comfort of their bedding. Their relaunched brand, Brooklittles, brings that same level of high-quality sleeping threads to baby's bed. The four-piece set comes complete with two sheets, a lightweight quilt, and breathable bamboo viscose swaddles. 

Made with a durable percale weave, these sheets will retain their softness, but won't shred in the wash.

While in the womb, babies are cuddled up tight with their arms and legs hugged up close to their bodies. Once out of the womb, babies long for that snug feeling of comfort. 

The Love to Dream Swaddle UP creates that familiar cocoon by keeping baby's hands up near their face to help them self-soothe, just like they did in the womb. The snug but comfy fit also calms that startle reflex many babies have that can disturb their sleep and cause them to wake up mid-sleep — which every parent, new or experienced, knows is a no-no.

You'll be amazed at how small a baby's ear canals, nostrils, and teeny tiny nails can be. This 3-in-1 ear, nose, and nail picker allows nervous new parents to safely clean their tots. Designed with safety in mind, the ends of the picker only go in far enough to clean, so you don't have to worry about harming them.

Pacifiers are immediate soothers for babies, especially when they are fresh out of the womb. The medical-grade pacifier and adorable stuffed animal combo takes self-comfort to the next level. While the baby is enjoying suckling on the paci, they can find comfort in holding their plush little animal, too. 

A newborn's skin is incredibly delicate and sensitive. This Mustela gift set will give the new parents a head start on caring for their sweetie's skin. The five-piece set includes diaper rash cream, shampoo, cleansing gel, lotion, and Mustela’s fan favorite: cleansing water.

New parents will be able to keep an eye on their new bundle of joy, even in the car. This mirror attaches to the rear seat's headrest, so you'll be able to see their smile from the rearview mirror. 

Known as the "Keurig for babies," the BabyNes works just like the popular coffee maker. Parents simply add water, drop in the formula capsule, press the button, and voila! — a warm bottle is ready in less than a minute. 

Each capsule is barcoded to alert the machine to release the exact amount of water needed. A soft LED light helps with middle-of-the-night feedings, and the adjustable base can hold different-sized bottles and even sippy cups for older tots. It's the perfect baby gift for tech-savvy parents!

When you reach for a thermometer to take your little one's temperature, you want to make sure you're grabbing one that will give you a reliable reading each time. 

With three ultra sensitive sensors, this forehead thermometer will be able to tell you if your tot is just a little warm, or if they're coming down with something a bit more serious. The no-touch system ensures a hygienic, accurate reading every time.

Give this gorgeous gift to a new mama who needs to pencil in some time on her calendar for a little self care. This set by Aveeno includes washes, shampoo, lotions, and creams with therapeutic aromas like lavender, chamomile, and vanilla. 

Should it be called bath time for baby or spa time for Mom? We don't know — but we do know she's going to love this gift.

Babies and toddlers notoriously wake up entirely too early — and many have a hard time settling down at night, which can lead to a long day of crankiness. The Hatch Baby Rest Sound helps little ones ease their way into restful sleep with soothing white noise. 

When it's time to wake, the machine lets little ones know if it's too early to rise by changing colors. The best part is, the easy-to-use machine can be controlled all from an app. 

These jelly-suction bath toys from Boon will keep your little one fully occupied during bath time. Not only do the jellies stick to the wall, but they also stick to the other jellies in the set, too! Kids love arranging the toys to create different color patterns.

After changing a handful of diapers, new parents will quickly realize that there's just as much rash cream under their nails as there is on their baby's bottom. 

The Baby Bum Brush is a small silicone spatula designed to make evenly applying diaper rash cream simple and mess-free. This set comes with one full-size brush, along with a smaller one to toss in a diaper bag. 

New moms and dads love being gifted these silicone bottles that are easy to clean and feed baby with. Touchably soft and squeezable, babies adore the smooth silicone texture. The bottle bundle includes two different bottle sizes and three nipple-flow options so that the new baby is covered for their entire first year. 

Whether she is team “breast is best,” “formula-fed is still fed,” or “I just want to get my baby to eat something,” the Nanobebe Newborn Bottle System is totally genius. The set comes with innovative, breast-shaped bottles with extra nipples, pacifiers, and a bottle warmer that will warm breast milk at the perfect temperature.

There is something so special about gifting a wooden toy to a new parent. The old-school, heirloom quality of this organic wood baby rattle will delight both the newest member of the gang as well as their parents. 

Made of nontoxic wood and sanded to be satisfyingly smooth, the coconut oil-sealed rattle will last from the first goo-goo gah-gah to the last. 

Introducing a baby to solids can be a messy undertaking, especially when they insist on feeding themselves. With a fork on one side and a spoon scoop on the other, this Ryan & Rose set is designed to encourage tiny tots to get their food from plate to mouth. The bumpy handle keeps the utensil in their hands, while the circular fork allows them to easily grasp on to pieces of food. 

What do babies and the world's greatest activists have in common? Their ability to firmly and meaningfully say "NO!" This protest board book introduces little ones to some of society's greatest catalysts for change. From Cesar Chavez to Martin Luther King Jr., baby will learn how powerful their ability to protest really is. 

More: Start the Conversation at Home With These Books About Race and Racism

Your friend's baby will be jumping for joy in this Jolly Jumper Baby Exerciser. As the baby bounces and jumps, know that they're actually working out more than just their legs. The supportive saddle seat allows the baby to strengthen their coordination and rhythm, as well as their leg muscles. It'll also tire them out for nap time, which is a win for parents! 

Truly one of the sweetest toys on the market, the Gund baby animated elephant dances with your baby, flapping his ears happily as your little one gives him a cuddle. As usual, the quality of the Gund plushes is evident everywhere, from the hidden stitching to the softness of the elephant itself.