Before you have a baby, you're encouraged to register for all the things. Suddenly everything is considered "essential." However, once you become a parent, it's amazing what you end up using 10 times a day and what never leaves the box. And every parent and child is different, so while some might not be able to live without their baby food processor, for others that would be totally unnecessary.
If you're about to register for your baby shower or you're trying to figure out the best thing to gift a friend, here's what 15 real parents had to say when we asked them what their favorite, go-to, most-loved baby gift was.
Nursing Pillow
Swaddle
"My favorite baby item I received is a velcro swaddle. They have so many different kinds of swaddles, it can be overwhelming. But the one I have zips and then velcros closed, keeping the baby's arms close to their chest. In those early newborn days, it is so hard to think straight, let alone do a swaddle in the dark at 2 a.m. They were a lifesaver!" — Amanda G.
Books
"My favorite, most used gift has got to be all the books we received from friends and family! My husband and I asked our baby shower guests for children's books instead of cards, and I'm so glad we did, because we pretty much built our son's whole library off of that." — Luz R.
Portable White Noise Machine
"The best gift you can ever get a mom is a portable white noise machine. We used it when he was an infant and napping downstairs, in the car running errands, while going on trips. We loved it so much we bought a second one so we would always have one fully charged and ready." — Erin B.
Baby Monitor
"My husband and I could not live without our baby monitor that detects the baby's breathing. We each leave our phones plugged in next to the bed through the night with the monitor on. We rest peacefully knowing that we can check in on her breathing and that an insanely loud red alert will sound to wake us if she were to stop breathing for any reason." — Serena B.
Folding Changing Pad
"Never expected this to be my favorite gift, but hands-down the most-used item I got was a folding changing pad that has pockets for diapers and wipes. I literally cannot leave home without it! It's padded where the baby's head goes, so it's comfortable for them and it wipes clean so easily if there is an accident." — Dorothy S.
Baby Rocker
“When I was planning my registry, I tried to avoid any 'luxuries' that would be short-lived before they were outgrown. I decided to opt out of a baby swing or rocker, but a few weeks after my daughter's arrival, I realized my mistake. Sometimes you just need your arms back! I doubled down and bought one for our house and one for the grandparents' too.” — Amanda R
