Do you get overwhelmed thinking about gifts? Not sure what to get a new parent to celebrate a birth or what a 9-month-old would really enjoy for the holidays? Don’t worry, I’m here to help! Below you’ll find gift guides for multiple categories, helping reduce the stress around gift-giving. I’ve chosen 6 gifts per category so it’s not overwhelming!!
Jump to:
For the mom-to-be
For the dad-to-be
For the postpartum mom
For a brand-new dad
For a new baby
For a 3 to 6 month old
For a 6 to 9 month old
For a 9 to 12 month old
For a 12 to 18 month old
For an 18 to 24 month old
For a 2 year old
For a 3 year old
For the mom-to-be
Sharon Says: A must have for every mom-to-be, this pregnancy U-shaped body pillow, which offers support for the back, hips, knees, neck, and head when lying down, will help keep an expectant mom more comfortable throughout her nine months. It’s a mom-to-be’s best bed friend!
Sharon Says: Staying hydrated is important even for someone who’s not pregnant, but it’s even more crucial for a mom-to-be. Tracking daily water intake with this reusable water bottle is a cinch thanks to the time markers listed right on the bottle. And this non-toxic, durable, BPA-free bottle is a gift that keeps on giving—it’ll help remind the new mama to stay hydrated throughout the busy first few months after baby is born (something that’ll be especially important if she’s breastfeeding!).
Sharon Says: Granted, this is a gift that’ll probably be best given from someone close to the receiver (aka not a work colleague), but it’s definitely a gift that’ll come in handy! This maternity underwear is moisture-wicking and breathable to help prevent skin irritation, allowing a mama-to-be to be comfortable all day. Best part, there’s an innovative adjustable button to ensure the exact fit as that belly grows and grows. Comfortable and innovative!
Sharon Says: Yes… I am a little biased about this recommendation, since I wrote this game-changing book! But it truly will be a new mama’s best friend as she navigates the first year with her new baby. Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year is the most digestible, actionable, and evidence-based parenting book out there, covering everything from feeding and sleeping to milestones and play, plus so much more, including monthly tips on handling the mental load of parenting. It offers stress-reducing answers to the most important parenting questions in an easy-to-follow, full-color illustrated, month-by-month format. Each topic is easy to access, with quick overviews plus longer deep-dives, with more details and strategies, enabling a new parent to choose when and how much to read, while still accessing all the important tips and info in seconds. Anyone who reads Bite-Sized Parenting will feel more knowledgeable, less overwhelmed, and more empowered as a new parent.
Sharon Says: Every mom-to-be deserves a little pampering, so why not give the one in your life some soothing skincare products? The Mambino Organics Bun in the Oven Kit comes with everything needed to smooth, tone, hydrate, and protect the skin during and after pregnancy. While nothing is proven to prevent stretch marks from making their appearance, moisturizing can soothe and soften an expectant mom’s skin, while also giving her the pick-me-up she probably needs.
Sharon Says: Perhaps it’s not the most glamorous of gifts, but for a mom-to-be who suffers from headaches or migraines, this headache hat can be a lifesaver, especially when lots of the typical medications she has always turned to for pain relief are off limits. With long-lasting cooling relief and a versatile design that makes it easy to also use on the neck, shoulders, or elsewhere for aches and pains, you’ll be an MVP for thinking of the mom-to-be.
For the dad-to-be
Sharon Says: Yes… I am a little biased about this recommendation, since I wrote this game-changing book! But I promise you, Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year is the most digestible, actionable, and evidence-based parenting book out there. When your guy is about to become a dad, you know he’s in for a lot of changes. But what he won’t have is a lot of time to comb through the overwhelming amount of information on caring for that baby. In Bite-Sized Parenting, I present the latest, most practical science-backed advice that new parents need most, without judgment and in an engaging visual format. Bite-Sized Parenting is designed to make parenting in the first year less complicated and stressful. Its month-by-month format and full-color illustrated infographics-nearly 100 in all-are filled with expert medical, behavioral, nutritional, and developmental details aimed at empowering parents to care for their little ones with calm and confidence.
Sharon Says: Looking for the perfect gift for a dad-to-be? A soft and breathable shirt that’s also super soft on the skin is an easy gift… and one that announces dad’s new title is even better, giving him a gift to wear proudly. Whether running errands or working out, this shirt will keep dads feeling cozy and ready for his new role.
Sharon Says: Gift the dad-to-be my prepping-for-baby-course: Newborns 101: Preparing and Caring for Your New Baby with Confidence. It’s a self-paced video course with short lessons that can be watched all in one sitting or one at a time. Either way, you get two hours of practical, straightforward, science-backed tips from an internationally recognized parenting expert, plus a 43-page downloadable course guide that provides an at-a-glance reference for quick tips and encouragement. Topics include everything from feeding, sleep, development, newborn care, and much much more.
Sharon Says: Every new dad needs a diaper bag, so get him one that doesn’t even look like a diaper bag (so he’ll still feel stylish lugging it around). This men’s diaper bag is extra roomy, with enough space for bottles, wipes, diapers, clothes, burping cloths, and more (like dad’s phone & wallet), while still giving him that cool new dad vibe.
Sharon Says: A travel pillow is a versatile gift that’s great for any dad road warrior. Even better, this pillow is a smart addition to the hospital bag, enabling an expectant dad to get some rest during the long hours of labor and postpartum in the hospital. The bonus to this pillow is that it’s adjustable to any position for maximum comfort. Plus it’ll come in handy in those early weeks at home with baby, giving a new dad relief and support for his neck and sore shoulders.
Sharon Says: This hoodie has been rated the #1 gift for new dads! This super soft hoodie has ample storage compartments for keeping everything a dad needs close at hand with baby in tow. Comfortable dad + prepared dad = rockstar dad.
For the postpartum mom
Sharon Says: Okay… maybe not the most luxurious of gifts, but certainly the most practical, this kit is truly what it says it is: essential for postpartum recovery. Basically it’s a personal bathroom caddy filled with everything the postpartum mom will need for healing after labor and delivery. Those first trips to the bathroom can be overwhelming and painful but this kit keeps all of her necessities together and in reach. Plus she doesn’t have to think about each product separately—just grab the kit and go. (Just make sure you’re the right person to give her this type of gift!)
Sharon Says: There’s nothing better than a new pair of warm and fuzzy slippers, especially when you have a new (warm and fuzzy) baby. The first few days postpartum are filled with long days and even longer nights, where you’ll be trekking across the house for bottles, diaper changes, or just rocking your baby back to sleep. These slippers are soft, fuzzy, and adorable, with the perfect amount of grip on the bottoms. But here’s the real reason you need them: They are microwavable and filled with an all-natural grain and dried French lavender for total relaxation. It may be a long time before you get back to the spa, so these slippers are an amazing treat for your feet at home!
Sharon Says: Help keep mom organized. These small pouches are handy for quick diaper bag organization, making every new mom’s life so much easier. They can be used to store diapers, wipes, small bottles, clothes, and any baby gear needed. A great alternative for mom to grab what she needs without needing to bring the entire diaper bag, especially in the early days when baby’s paraphernalia is still small.
Sharon Says: New moms won’t be getting all that much sleep in the early weeks, but whenever they do have a chance to catch some Z’s, it could help to have some extra comfort. This sleep mask is described as a “hug for your head”, applying evenly distributed pressure for comfort and soothing. The mask also has a light-blocking design that is 100% blackout, with a cold and warm side for whichever soothing effect the new mama may need.
Sharon Says: This perfect gift helps new parents treasure each moment with their new baby, tracking and celebrating baby’s growth and development in a fun way. Plus this monthly milestone blanket can also be used as a baby blanket, stroller cover, or nursing cover. The perfect gift for staging adorable little photoshoots.
Sharon Says: This is the most unnecessary necessary item new moms need. Yes, you could heat up your own coffee multiple times a day. But do you really want to when you are knee deep in poopy diapers, crying sessions, and cluster feeds? This item could be your new BFF: A temperature control mug that will keep your coffee or tea at the perfect temperature for up to 3-hours on a single charge or all day when plugged in. This mug features a leak proof lid and, for the high-techy in you, can also be controlled through an app, where you can create custom presets for your perfect cup o’joe!
For a brand new dad
Sharon Says: One perfect gift for a brand new dada is a book for him to read with his new bundle of joy. And this precious book fits the ticket. When author Jimmy Fallon was a new dad, he did everything in his power to ensure that his daughter’s first word would be “Dada!”, and wrote this sweet book to help other new dads try as well!
Sharon Says: ON SALE fro 30% off this holiday season! Give the gift of a Lovevery Play Kit… a gift that keeps on giving. These award-winning toys are tailored to match a child’s exact stage—essentials for a child’s developing brain. Choose from individual kits or give the gift of a subscription, where dad has the flexibility to activate his gift whenever he wishes.
Sharon Says: ON SALE this holiday season! An easy way for dad to carry his precious cargo, this all-in-one carrier from ErgoBaby will grow with baby from week 1 to 48 months. Breathable, lightweight all-mesh, ergonomic, forward facing option, adjustable from newborn to toddler, and lumbar support for extra back comfort—this carrier offers everything dad will be looking for.
Sharon Says: A great gift that’ll help a new dad bond with his baby! The Lalabu Dad Shirt is the first babywearing shirt designed exclusively for dads. All dad has to do is tuck his sweet baby into the front pouch and presto—he’s got incredible, hands-free support for his baby. The pouch safely holds a newborn up to 15lbs. Dad will love this thoughtful gift and so will his partner!
Sharon Says: This gift box is filled with fun gifts for the new dad— a father prep handbook, “I love my Daddy” baby onesie, kid’s book, Buffalo trace bourbon soap, “#1 dad” socks, and a new dad keychain. A great gift for dad to get in the groove of fatherhood!
Sharon Says: Give the gift that helps a new dad announce his new title proudly. A great hat for running errands and enjoying the outdoors, this hat is made of polyester front and mesh backing, with an adjustable strap for a perfect fit.
For a new baby
Sharon Says: A great baby mobile is one that promotes all the right developmental needs of a baby. This mobile is from Manhattan Toy’s award winning Wimmer-Ferguson infant collection, and it’s the original innovator of black and white developmental toys. The patterns of all Wimmer-Ferguson products adapt to baby’s changes in visual development by featuring a range of design complexity and color. The perfect gift for a new baby!
Sharon Says: Not all babies like to be swaddled, but for those who do, the SwaddleMe can keep your baby calm and comforted. This adjustable swaddle blanket wraps around your baby for a perfect fit and creates a womb-like feeling. Plus it’s made from a wonderful and durable fabric.
Sharon Says: Help boost baby’s vision with a high contrast book. This soft book is equipped with six high contrast colors, nine different patterns and one baby-safe mirror, all of which will aid visual development in the early months. A great toy for tummy time as well!
Sharon Says: Give the gift of glam with this stylish brush and comb set, perfect for the newborn through toddler years. Whether baby has a full head of hair or more wispy tresses, this practical set will keep on giving, lasting well into the toddler years!
Sharon Says: What better way is there to engage all of baby’s senses than with an infant activity gym? This option from Fisher-Price includes six moveable toys with sensory elements like light-up toys, mirror, teether, crinkly panel, and more. It’s great for baby’s stimulation and growth, plus great for you, since you’ll get to put baby down for a few moments for some independent play while you get some coffee and “me” time.
Sharon Says: Searching for the perfect baby bath? Look no further. The Angelcare Baby Bath Support not only makes bath time safer but much easier. You simply place the little bather directly in the bathtub nestled safely and comfortably in this bath support. Clean baby with ease—plus the quick-dry material includes drain holes that allow soapy water to be rinsed away easily, making cleanup a breeze!
By the way, if you’re looking for a more robust month-by-month toy guide for the first year, be sure to download my Playing With Your Baby e-guide, which has suggestions for lots of different toys each month that are geared specifically to the developmental stage your baby is in.
For a 3 to 6 month old
Sharon Says: There’s nothing better than an infant activity gym that grows with baby. Your little one can practice tummy time, lay on the back and kick the musical piano, play sitting up, and more with this colorful play mat. Bonus points because the mat is machine washable!
Sharon Says: Get ready for baby to shake, rattle, and roll with this fun toy, perfect for a teething wee one as well! Easy-to-grasp, BPA-, PVC, and phthalate-free, this colorful plaything will bring loads of fun to your little one.
Sharon Says: Building blocks are a fundamental toy for newbie learners. These baby blocks are soft, squeezable, educational, colorful, and fun, improving sensory development and fine-tuning fine motor skills. Get ready for boosted building skills in the months ahead!.
Sharon Says: Oral exploration is an important part of learning for a baby, which is why your cutie loves to put everything in the mouth. This teething toy from Manhattan Toy is the perfect addition to any toy box, even if your baby isn’t teething yet—it’ll be a source of entertainment plus provide plenty of sensory input into that cute little mouth!
Sharon Says: These rattle toy maracas are the perfect gift to help your little one experience making music. They’re the perfect size for grasping, shaking, and getting a groove on. Great entertainment on-the-go, too!
Sharon Says: This fun toy not only gives a sensory boost, but also promotes fine-motor strength. The crinkly scales reward tactile exploration and the bright colors and hidden pictures located under the scales add to the fun.
By the way, if you’re looking for a more robust month-by-month toy guide for the first year, be sure to download my Playing With Your Baby e-guide, which has suggestions for lots of different toys each month that are geared specifically to the developmental stage your baby is in.
For a 6 to 9 month old
Sharon Says: This stacking ring is a fabulous colorful toy that helps boost hand-eye coordination. The chunky rings are easy to grasp, helping to strengthen fine motor skills and the textural variety of each ring is great for mouthing! Perfect for new sitters!
Sharon Says: This 2-in-1 toy pounding toy encourages musical development and exploration. Your cutie can pound the colorful balls and then catch them as they tinkle over the xylophone. Or pull out the musical element and play it solo! It’s loads of fun while also promoting dexterity, hand eye coordination, manipulation, arm movement, cause and effect, and more!
Sharon Says: This toy helps to introduce letters, colors, body parts, and more! There are over 50 sing-along songs, tunes, and phrases. Since there are 3 levels of play, learning changes as the baby grows! Help to fine tune those sensory and fine motor skills.
Sharon Says: These Hide and Squeak Eggs are interactive and fun. Your little one can press gently on the colored chicks’ heads to hear them chirp, creating a delightful auditory choir that keeps kids exploring and giggling. Helps with color and shape recognition as your growing baby learns to sort each egg into its own special base in the box.
Sharon Says: Let your little one explore fun textures as they push each shape them through the elastic bands of the cube. This fun toy is wonderful for fine motor skills, experimentation, and tactile exploration.
Sharon Says: Offer these tactile balls for the ultimate sensory experience. These sensory balls are the perfect size for little hands to grip, offering up oodles of fun. Takes small and large motor skills play (as well as balance and coordination) to a whole new level!
By the way, if you’re looking for a more robust month-by-month toy guide for the first year, be sure to download my Playing With Your Baby e-guide, which has suggestions for lots of different toys each month that are geared specifically to the developmental stage your baby is in.
For a 9 to 12 month old
Sharon Says: This multi-functional play table has a variety of songs, tunes, flashing lights, and learning responses that’ll keep baby entertained and learning during play time. Your cutie can beat the drum, rotate the gear, pick up the phone, press piano keys and various music buttons for a musical sensory experience. Bonus points because this is a toy that’ll keep on giving as your baby grows!
Sharon Says: A push toy can be a great aid for emerging walkers. This type of toy allows your baby to practice standing up, balancing, and taking supported steps forward. But even before little ones are ready to take those steps, they’ll love playing with the different features on the push toy—like buttons that make sounds, beads that can move, and knobs that turn. This push walker has over 70 sing-along songs, music, sound effects, and fun phrases for an added educational boost.
Sharon Says: Open-ended play is the best type of fun for little ones, and if large motor skills are getting a boost in the process, even better! If you’ve got the room in your home, let your baby/toddler crawl, climb, and slide on this foam shapes playset. Your couch cushions will thank you!
Sharon Says: Whether pushed or pulled, this play truck will offer hours (okay, minutes more realistically when it comes to babies this age) of fun. The multi-function toy plays melodies, has phrases, and teaches about tools and colors. Your little one will love putting the boulders in the dump truck and pulling it around the house.
Sharon Says: Ready to ramp up your baby’s fine motor, hand-eye coordination, and visual perception skills while also giving cognition a boost? Now’s a great time to introduce puzzles. A simple puzzle can be just the ticket for limited frustration an lots of learning.
Sharon Says: Though it’s still a bit early for your little one to know her shapes, she’ll love the challenge of trying to get the right shape into the correct hole. The exploration that comes through playing with a shape sorter—not to mention strengthening hand-eye coordination, pincer grasp and other fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills—makes this type of toy worth the effort. Bonus points for this shape sorter, since it’s easy to take along when you’re out-and-about.
By the way, if you’re looking for a more robust month-by-month toy guide for the first year, be sure to download my Playing With Your Baby e-guide, which has suggestions for lots of different toys each month that are geared specifically to the developmental stage your baby is in.
For a 12 to 18 month old
Sharon Says: Creative play gets a boost with this great toy for an imaginary road trip… or just a ride around town. With a signal lever that makes sounds and plays music (over 60 songs, melodies, sounds, and phrases), plus a gear shifter that both pushes and pulls, this toy will be loads of fun to your little driver.
Sharon Says: A little bit of everything for your little one to play with! This bulldozer not only teaches about colors, numbers, and music, the push toy’s balls that pop out of the chimney back into the bucket will stimulate your little one’s power of attention and coordination. Pushing things around the house has never been this much fun!
Sharon Says: One of the best open-ended toys you can gift, this building block set will be perfect as your child grows! With 150 classic-colored blocks, perfect for little hands, this toy will offer hours of hands-on fun, helping to develop imagination and gross motor skills.
Sharon Says: A shape sorter is the type of toy that will be a fan favorite well into the second year. This toy promotes shape and color recognition along with problem-solving skills, and you can help nurture that growth by naming the shape and color as your cutie picks up each piece. If pushing the shapes through the holes is too difficult for your little one, take the first step yourself by placing each shape halfway in and then guiding your tot to push the shapes the rest of the way. You’ll be able to introduce the important abstract spatial concept of “in” and “out” through play!
Sharon Says: While a bit messy, art supplies are a great activity to introduce to your toddler. Start with chunky crayons or sidewalk chalk—they’re great for those little hands because they’re hard to break but help tots work on their pincer grasp.
Sharon Says: Your tot is ready for an upgrade from stacking cups, so offer a spin stacker! This toy, with its corkscrew middle and differently sized discs, will thrill your baby as she watches the discs go round and round until they screw onto the pole. This toy promotes hand-eye coordination and motor dexterity, plus it gives your cutie a real sensory experience.
For an 18 to 24 month old
Sharon Says: Toddlers will enjoy watching cars crisscross down the ramps in this fun toy, which also promotes hand-eye coordination. The wooden cars are stored in color-matched garages, teaching tots about storage, cleaning up, and colors… plus it’ll prevent the cars from getting lost.
Sharon Says: This ride-on toy has three stages: a wagon that can be pushed or pulled, ride-on toy for intermediate walkers, and scooter for advanced walkers. A wonderful toy that will grow as your little one develops and grows.
Sharon Says: This magnetic discovery moving animal train has a little bit of everything. Move the train, add the animals, let the conductor drive, and allow your child to use his imagination. A great introduction to magnetism, too!
Sharon Says: Get ready to ride! This “car” is the perfect indoor or outdoor toy. There’s a parent push handle and a floorboard that you can keep in when your tot’s feet aren’t ready to self-propel. Remove those parent helpers when she’s ready and able to use her feet to take her where she wants to go.
Sharon Says: Looks just like the real thing! This colorful cleaning set includes a wooden pretend play broom, mop, duster, dustpan and brush, and organizing stand. Pretend play strengthens and emboldens your children’s sense of purpose while helping them develop coordination and fine motor skills. Giving them the opportunity to mimic everyday chores just like the ones mommy and daddy do helps teach responsibility and boosts self-esteem.
Sharon Says: Get ready for endless fun water play! This water play table combines motor skills development with the non-stop fun of water play. Be sure to have towels handy for cleanup! Your tot is sure to have some splashing fun.
For a 2 year old
Sharon Says: A wonderful way to introduce toddlers to their ABCs. Stacking the letter bricks onto the truck and wheeling the toy around the floor will inspire creative building and imaginative play.
Sharon Says: Start your budding train engineer off on the right track with this wooden toy train set. This set has a colorful train with magnets to hold the cars together, a rattle wagon that makes sounds during play, a special rainbow bridge, guiding ramp tracks for on and off rail play, and wooden railway tracks. A classic toy that’ll get your toddler’s creative juices flowing while enhancing fine motor and problem solving skills.
Sharon Says: A toy that actually works like the real thing! Toddlers typically love to use the vacuum, so why not give them a smaller version that actually works. Your toddler will love vacuuming alongside you, helping boost a sense of independence. Bonus points for aiding in conquering any fears they might have about the vacuum!
Sharon Says: Role play toys are perfect at this age, and this pretend toolbox will become a fast favorite. With a fix-it tray, drill, hammer, wrench, nails, and screws, plus songs to help learn about each tool and instruction cards that teach colors and numbers, this toy will keep your busy bee entertained and learning.
Sharon Says: Looking for a fun educational toy for your cutie? This magnet set is a wonderful gift that helps your little one perfect animal sounds and names, while unleashing creativity as they attach the wooden magnets to the refrigerator. The small, compact set is light and portable, making it a great activity to take along for a trip away from home.
Sharon Says: A classic toy that boosts a whole host of skills at once: creativity, independent play, fine motor skills, pretend play, and more. This farm set includes a barn, pick-up truck, farmer, cow, sheep, pig, fences, and a hog shed. Everything fits neatly into the barn, making on the go fun easy and convenient.
For a 3 year old
Sharon Says: Older toddlers love to focus their fine motor attention on zipping, tying and buckling, and this activity doll is a perfect vehicle for all that dressing fun.This doll makes for a wonderful travel toy to keep your little one busy at an appointment, in the car, really anywhere!
Sharon Says: Take pretend play to the next level with a pretend kitchen. This one includes accessories, play food, a coffee pot, cutlery, dishes, cookware, phone, and more, everything your budding chef could wish for. Role play toys like this help develop fine motor skills, critical thinking, language skills, and more.
Sharon Says: Get ready to encourage your budding artist’s creativity with this art desk. Give your mini-Matisse the ability to create mini masterpieces with the dry-erase board, easel, and places for markers, crayons, and other art supplies.
Sharon Says: These blocks feature soft, interlocking bristles that stick together at any angle, allowing for frustration-free building. Includes 112 pieces in many sizes, offering hours of imaginative play.
Sharon Says: Every child loves to play with this classic toy, and this set, with 35 pieces, will keep your cutie busy with hours of imaginative play creating faces, characters, and endless funny expressions.
Sharon Says: A wonderful way to introduce more than 100 age-appropriate words. There are a number of categories including pets, animals, food, mealtime, color, activities, opposites, and even more! The words, songs and instructions can be heard in both English and Spanish for a full bilingual experience.
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