The Best Baby Shower Gift Ideas to Give in 2022

The baby gifts that are the baby shower gifts of now.

By Alexandra Whiting

Each parent will register for different items that suit their style of parenting, but like the famous Sex and the City nappy cake that was the baby shower gift amongst Upper Eastsiders in 2002, there are always some gifts that are trendy, new, must-haves. Luckily, in 2022 the items that reach this high status fit a much tougher brief. They've got to look good, work hard, be more than they appear and above all, make a new parent's life easier. Dismantling a cellophaned structure to get a nappy isn't easy, and yes Charlotte, we know that there was lotion and bottles in there too.

Read: Baby Shower Games You’ll Actually Want to Play

What is a baby shower? Do I need to have a baby shower?

Traditionally, a baby shower is a celebration held for a mum-to-be and her pending arrival where female friends are inviting and give a gift that will help her adjust to life with a baby. It's stereotypically seen as a cute affair with the gendered decor, cakes and a lot of packaging. But nowadays a baby shower can be whatever you like, with whoever you like (men can come too). The only essentials of a baby shower is a comfortable seat for mum, and an established finish time. Do you need to have one? Absolutely not. You're friends and family would ofcourse love an opportunity to celebrate with you, but they also want you to do you, and if that's a dinner, a BBQ (or baby-Q) or nothing at all, that's totally fine. Friends and family will want to give gifts though, so even if you're not planning an event, make a registry.

When should I have a baby shower?

There are no hard and fast rules on this. Generally, showers are held in the third trimester of a complication-free pregnancy, but the further into that trimester you get, the more tired and uncomfortable you may become, so keep it around the 30 - 35 week mark.

Read: New Rules For Modern Baby Showers

Ahead the best, decidedly "it", baby shower gifts to give (and register for) in 2022.

Top 6 Baby Shower Gifts

1. The Fully Loaded Bunnie Caddie

The Bunnie Caddie is the chicest gift to give at the moment, and not just because it looks totally adorable packed with tiny nappies and a soft toy, though it totally does. The Bunnie Caddie has a multitude of uses but from the very beginning it's an amazing thing to take into the hospital with all your newborn gear ready to go. The Bunnie Caddie Fully Loaded Gift Set is exclusive to the memo and does the caddie packing for you. Tooshies Newborn Nappies and Wipes, La Clinica Hand Sanitiser, Bunjie Nappy Cream, Miffy Teddy, Wot Not Biodegradable Bags and The Casey Co. Brush Set are all included. Can you say MVP?

2. Leander Matty

This change mat is firmly in the IYKYK parenting space. It's superior because it's leak-proof, hygienic, wipe-cleanable and takes away another thing you'd have to wash. Why? Because the Matty is made from PUR (polyurethane foam) which means it's robust and sturdy but soft to touch, so you don't need to add a fabric layer (like a cover or a towel) before you put your baby down.

3. Miffy Toy

No baby room is complete without a corduroy Miffy toy. Miffy and friends have been crowd pleasers for all ages and genders for over 65 years and it's got to be because the aesthetic is so totally cool. They're fashion, they're fun, they're absolutely going to get an "awwww" from expecting parents.

4. JNR.LIFE Play Mat

New parents will be thrilled to be given something for baby that isn't going to clash with their own decor. These incredibly versatile play mats can be rolled up or down for use in playroom, bedroom or living spaces and your little one won't age out of it, maybe ever - they'd make gorgeous additions to grown-up interiors. The padding is cushioned and soft for tummy time and is tough enough to withstand the rolls, tumbles and sticky fingers of little ones.

5. Snotty Noses Snotty Boss Nasal Aspirator

Very much a WTF product. Depending on how well-researched the parent-to-be is, they'll either be horrified or very grateful. Eventually, they'll all be very grateful. The Snotty Boss exists because babies can't blow their noses, but they can still get very snotty and congested. It has battery powered suction (so much better than models that require you to do the sucking) to remove snot from your baby’s nose gently and safely in ten seconds. Helping them breathe, feed and sleep better. It’s a natural, easy and lactation consultant-endorsed solution for the treatment of colds, flu, sinus, allergies, teething and virus related congestion and runny nose. Smart. Still gross. But smart.

6. New Arrival Gift Set

It's traditional at a baby shower to get a set of the care essentials. In years gone by, that meant some giant bottles of very unnatural lotions and powders, but thankfully today, many baby washes and creams only have the good stuff and smell utterly divine. The memo New Arrival Gift Set has all the care MVPs you'll be using regularly from day one: Dr Bronner Four in One Soap, The Casey Co. Three Piece Brush Set, The Nail Snail Trimmers, Being Bootie Balm and the Oricom Digital Bath and Room Duck Thermometer. Which will becomes every new parent's favourite thing. You have no idea how many times you'll call out, "hey, where's the duck?" to your partner and they'll know exactly what you're talking about.

Top Baby Shower Gifts for Girls

1. Konges SlØjd Three Pack Brush Set

This beautiful hair brush set contains a little comb, a baby brush, and a little nail brush. Super luxe and presented in a beautiful box, this makes the touching gift.

2. Nature Baby Merino Knit Cardigan

Classic and functional, this cosy style makes it simple to wrap a newborn in cosiness without pulling anything over their head (they hate that).

3. Oli & Carol Mery The Cherry Baby Teether

Could these be cuter? Chewable baby toys are the perfect partner for bath time and sensory play and help soothe sore gums when teething. Handmade in 100% natural rubber and hand painted with natural pigments. Cue the 'ooos' and 'aaaaahs'.

Top Baby Shower Gifts For Boys

1. Nature Baby Lambskin Booties

Can you deal with the cuteness? Handmade in New Zealand from lambskin with a luxuriously soft and fluffy inner, these cute as a button slippers keep little feet incredibly warm on the coldest days.

2. Catie Gett Notes To My Future Son

Written to celebrate young men. Written for them, their parents and us all. This book has the words we wish every child could hear and know their incredible value in this world. A tresured gift.

3. Purebaby Rib Zip Growsuit

Basics every newborn needs, and parents will soon work out, these growsuits are the best of the best. Designed with everyday wear with comfort in mind, the suits are made from an organic cotton elastane blend for a soft and gentle touch. And the colours are so bright and fun.

Top Baby Shower Gifts For Mum

1. Masini French Linen Short Pyjama Set

Want to know what you should wear in hospital? This is it. Button-down pyjamas make feeding and hospital cord navigation easy and also let you feel pulled-together even when you feel a bit all over the place. This classic linen short sleepwear set from comfort makers Masini is modelled on relaxed, men's tailoring. The drawstring shorts also fit perfectly over a fluctuating belly so mum can start wearing ASAP.

2. Bare Mum The Complete Recovery Care Kit

This is a gift that tells the mum-to-be that you've got her back. The innovative Bare Mum range caters for postpartum care beautifully. It includes a Perineal Wash Bottle, Reversible Postpartum Briefs, Organic Herbal Infused Postpartum Pads, Reusable Warm & Cool Insert, Perineal Foam, Skin and Scar Oil and Postpartum Sitz Bath.

3. Mina Baie Emmy Midi Vegan Leather

Gifting someone their baby bag is a real treat. Hopefully they've selected the one they want, but if they haven't, the Mina Baie Emmy Midi is a great choice. It's chic and unassuming, has decent storage but isn't cumbersome, has multiple handles and, because of the shape, slides easily into the basket of most prams while still being the right way up.

4. Juem Lou Brief

Maternity bras feel essential, but nice high-waisted briefs might feel more like a luxury to some mums, which is exactly why they are a great baby shower gift. Juem briefs are made from soft GOTS certified organic cotton ribbed elastane. Designed to sit high above or just below the navel and finished off with feminine scalloped edging, these briefs are beautifully cut to suit any shape, and extremely comfortable.

5. Lavie Lactation Massager

Lavie Lactation Massager

A tool that's so beneficial when milk first comes in. Lavie Lactation Massager is specifically designed to provide relief from pain and discomfort and to encourage let-down, soften the breast for better latching, and more effectively empty the breast. The kind of thing a new mum might not know she needs until she does, and if for whatever reason they don't end up breastfeeding, they can pass it on to a friend who does.