10 Baby Shower Gifts That Parents Secretly Actually Want

Danielle Wilson
Jun 2
2 min read

Because another set of burp cloths isn't it.

You’ve been invited to a baby shower and you're this close to grabbing the softest blanket you can findand calling it a day. We get it. But here’s the thing: new parents don’t need ten more blankets. What they really want? Sleep, support, and a laugh or two to survive the first year.

As a mom myself, i've made a list of baby shower gifts that parents actually want — because I've lived through the diaper blowouts, sleep regressions, and awkward “is this poop normal?” moments. Hopefully this helps the understandably hapless gift buyer.

A Baby Book That Gets It (And Them)
Let’s start with the obvious MVP: Cheers to You, Baby. It’s a baby memory book with milestone stickers, room for photos, and pages that capture both baby’s firsts and yours. Real-life parenting moments? We got 'em.
Meal Delivery Gift Cards
Postpartum reality: cooking = extra work and effort (possibly crying). Gift them a break with meals they don’t have to prep, clean, or cry into.
Foot Massager or Back Relief Tools
They’re carrying a baby. Or recovering from labor. Or both. Get them something to soothe their sore everything.
Funny or Realistic Parenting Books
Forget the manuals. Think: laugh-out-loud survival guides or books full of honest essays about parenthood.
Waterproof Crib Sheets (Extra Ones)
Because babies are tiny tornadoes of bodily fluids. You can never have too many backups.
A Streaming Subscription
For midnight feeds, cluster feeding marathons, or 4 a.m. snuggle sessions. Yes, they’ll actually watch TV again.
A One-Year Supply of Coffee (or Wine or Protein Shakes)
We're only sort of kidding. Survival kits with caffeine, a nice red, or protein can do wonders.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Not for the baby. For the parent trying to hold it together during nap time while the neighbor mows their lawn.
A Robe That Makes Them Feel Like a Human Again
Comfortable enough for baby cuddles, cute enough to answer the door in.
A Keepsake They’ll Actually Use
Like Cheers to You, Baby. Because even though new parents might forget what day it is, they’ll want to remember the first giggle, the first date night post-baby, and yes — even the first diaper disaster.

Wrap-Up Tip: Want to be the guest everyone talks about after the shower? Pair Cheers to You, Baby with a bottle of wine (or the beverage of choice!) and one of our milestone stickers — like "First Blowout." You’ll make them laugh, cry, and actually feel like you gave a gift that matters!