Best baby shower gifts (that parents actually want)

A sleeping aid that you can take on the go? Tick, tick, tick. Getting a baby to sleep is one of the trickier parts of parenthood, and anything to help guide a newborn into those sweet, sweet zzz’s will go a long way.

You can pop this Project Nursery Portable Sound Soother in the pram, the car, or next to their bassinet to help create a consistent sleeping cue for babies.

With four nature sounds to choose from (white noise, heart beat, waves and rain) plus two lullabies, a portable white noise machine is the ultimate hack for helping babies get some shut-eye.

Okay, this present isn't going to win you an award for the most exciting, or flashy. But in terms of usefulness, the Big Softies Terry Towelling Nappies are a real winner.

Even if the expecting parents aren’t using them as reusable nappies, they have an abundance of uses. Keep babies warm in the bath by draping a warm towel over them. Throw one over your shoulder to catch any baby spew. Pop on a few on the floor for some nappy-free time to catch any, er, mess.

Sometimes the best baby shower gifts are ones new parents don’t even know they need. Tommee Tippee Blackout Blinds help stop that early morning sun from creeping into baby’s nursery, encouraging a little more shut-eye in the morning.

Babies are still working out how to produce melatonin, and their sleep pressure is lowest between the hours of 4am and 6am. So any disturbances during this time, like light filtering into their room, can wake them, and they may have trouble falling back to sleep.

These blackout blinds have suction cups and velcro patches so they can be attached to a variety of window shapes and sizes. Plus, as they come with a little bag, they’re great for using on-the-go for holidays.

This gift won't be required immediately as babies are unlikely to get their first teeth before 4 months old (and often much later) but when they do, parents will be glad to have some teething toys on hand.

Sophie the Giraffe is a much-loved teething toy, and this gift set has three pieces to help soothe sore gums. It’s made from 100% natural rubber and high quality food-grade paint. There’s the classic teething toy, a teething ring, and also a teething keyring to keep handy.

You know, sometimes the best baby shower gifts aren’t for babies at all. They’re for the parents, and after nine months of carrying and growing a human, mum deserves a bit of postpartum self-care.

This Bare Mum Recovery Kit has everything a new mum might need to help recover after birth. From skin oil to postpartum briefs, this gift pack is all natural and organic and would be a welcome addition on the baby shower gift table.