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The ultimate gift guide for babies

Sarah Prager
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Shopping for babies is just more fun than shopping for grown-ups, isn’t it? Everything is so cute and you’re never at a loss for what to get because babies need so much from clothes to toys and more. We’ve compiled a mega-list of home-run baby gifts perfect for holidays, baby showers, or “just because” from an aunt or grandma. Parents and babies will love these creative gifts!

This adorable five-piece bath set makes a wonderful baby gift incorporating toys, a book, and a cute elephant hooded towel. Bath time will be more interactive and baby can be wrapped in fuzzy warmth right out of the tub with these animal-themed gifts. The hippo, elephant, and alligator toys are free of BPA and phthalates and the towel is 100% cotton.

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Before babies can hold a toy they pretty much only have their feet and hands to play with. These ingenious socks and wrist rattles add soft toys with engaging colors and patterns on to those little hands and feet so playtime is easy for any baby stage.

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Babies wear hats in just about any season or climate since they lose heat through their heads and they’re so often indoors where it can be climate-controlled. These adorable baby hats make a sweet gift that will make parents smile.

The trick about activity gyms and play mats is that once a baby starts being able to roll over around 4 months old, it means they’re no longer contained if you put them down. Some babies roll all the way across the room into a wall! This play mat can be folded up or down to either make an enclosed play area on back or tummy or to be a wider open space. The bright colors and engaging patterns combined with dangling toys and 20 minutes of music will help baby’s brain develop and give parents a rest. When folded up, you can even use this as a ball pit in toddlerhood!

This six-pack of 100% organic cotton onesies has an adorable little pun and illustrated smiling vegetable on each one. From “I yam cute” to “little sprout,” parents will smile seeing their babies in these bodysuits, and they always need more outfits since baby’s go through so many every day.

Babies need to start seeing diverse heroes from the moment they start reading, and #1 New York Times bestselling-author Vashti Harrison has put 18 inspiring women into one board book for little ones. In her signature style, she showcases Frida Kahlo, Toni Morrison, Ada Lovelace, and others so that kids of all genders can learn about women who changed the world.

The five sides of this activity cube are filled with 14 different interactive features from light-up buttons to spinning blocks. The colorful early learning center plays 25 melodies and has adjustable volume. Made of BPA-free plastic, this toy is best for babies 6 months old and up.

Get creative with a teething gift by giving this silicone teether that looks like a fancy drink. The teether is dishwasher-safe and freezer-safe and is BPA-free and made of materials 100% safe for babies to chew on. There is even a clip to attach it to a shirt or bib so that it won’t fall to the floor when baby drops it.

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Sarah Prager
Sarah Prager
Contributor
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
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Baby’s bath time can be a fun and important bonding experience for littles and parents alike. It can sometimes cause concern, however. When choosing a bathtub -- much like many other baby products on the market these days, parents can rapidly get the feeling of being overwhelmed. With so many types of tubs available, pinpointing the perfect one for your baby can appear difficult. While options may seem like they're endless, most of the tubs available today fall into three major categories:

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When their little one has an aching belly, parents often look for assistance in treating it quickly to soothe their baby and bring peace back into their household. If you are a parent and your baby -- or even your toddler -- suffers from gas, bloating, colic, indigestion, hiccups, etc., there may be some products on the market that can help ease their pain or discomfort.

These products are available over the counter, purchased either at your local drugstore or pharmacy, or online via Amazon.com or even an FSA (flexible spending account) website. We have complied a list of a few of our favorite ones that have been and continue to be tried and true to their word by helping parents safely treat their child’s pain or discomfort at home, when possible.

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When you have a baby on the way and you are planning out their nursery, you have their crib and their rattles and baby toys. But one spot not to neglect is their bookshelf. Reading to your baby has proven benefits and will help them in the long run. With so many options out there on the market, how do you find the best books for your baby? We have compiled a list of some of the best baby books to add to your baby's bookshelf for when your little one makes their grand debut!
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
This is one of the most beloved books to read to babies. Its repetitive words help reinforce baby's speech. This fun book has lift-the-flap portions of the book, so when the baby gets a little bit older, they can have even more fun with the book. It's no wonder that it's been a popular book for babies and young ones for over 50 years! It focuses on colors and animals, so it is a great first book to put on their nursery shelf!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
"When A told B, and B told C, to meet them at the top of the coconut tree," a lot of fun happened! This book leans much on rhyme and will have your little one clapping along to its catchy sayings! The bright colors will catch their eye and keep their attention as you read throughout the book.
Jane Foster's Black and White
Black-and-white images help to give a boost to your little one's eye development. That is what makes this book such a good idea to keep in their nursery! Weaving in lovely illustrations in black-and-white images, this book will keep your baby enthralled and excited as you read to them.
Moo, Baa, La La La!
Sandra Boynton is known for her quirky illustrations and funny books, making this a natural that baby should have this book! It is a funny and silly book that you can read with baby, and it is sure to elicit a smile or a giggle when you make the funny animal sounds that accompany the illustrations in this book!
Where is Baby's Belly Button?
Little ones will have a blast on this lift-the-flap adventure! This interactive book allows your baby to learn where certain parts of their body are, all while written in rhyme. It is definitely a classic to keep on the shelf.
The Pout-Pout Fish
Poor little pout-pout fish seems pretty gloomy and glum, and despite his friend's best efforts, he is still pretty pouty. That is until one special friend turns his frown upside down! Your baby will love the colors and fun illustrations throughout the book, and the best thing about it is it's a book that can grow with them. For example, when they are ready to learn to read, this is a great book for them to start with!
Look at You!
Did you know that it is a proven fact that by 5 months of age, babies can recognize other baby's faces? This book is full of baby's faces that your little one will love to look at! It even features a mirror on the last page so that baby will be able to look at their own reflection at the very end of the book!
First 100 Words
This book is great to start reading to your baby early on! With 100 words, accompanied by bright and stimulating pictures, this book will help to develop your child's vocabulary in a fun and imaginative way!
TouchThinkLearn: ABC
With its beautiful clean lines and modern look, this is not your average learn-your-ABCs-book. There are die-cuts and fun things to touch and feel for baby to learn all about the alphabet.
Goodnight Moon
An absolute beloved classic, this book features simple sayings and is illustrated so beautifully. It is the perfect book to read to your baby when they are all fed, bathed, and ready for their bedtime.

All of these books would make a great addition to your baby's burgeoning library. Some are classics and some are new, but all of them are the best of the best.

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