Everyone remembers the cot, pram and car seat. But what about the things you use ten times a day?
If you're building a baby shower registry or buying for someone who is, this is your reminder that some of the most useful gifts aren't necessarily the biggest ones.
Nappies in the next size. A stack of muslin cloths. Extra face washers. Baby laundry detergent. A thermometer tucked away for when you need it.
These are the little things that can make those first few weeks feel just that little bit easier.
We've put together a practical baby shower gift registry checklist covering the everyday essentials, those first precious outfits and the little things new parents don't always think to add.
Everyday essentials
☐ Newborn nappies
☐ Size 1 nappies
☐ Size 2 nappies
☐ Baby wipes
☐ Terry towels
☐ Face washers
☐ Muslin cloths
☐ Burp cloths
☐ Bibs
☐ Nappy cream
☐ Nappy bags
☐ Baby-safe laundry detergent
☐ Baby wash
☐ Hand sanitiser
A lil tip
Ask guests to choose different nappy sizes rather than everyone buying newborn.
Clothing
☐ Newborn outfits
☐ 0–3 month outfits
☐ Long-sleeve rompers
☐ Bodysuits
☐ Singlets
☐ Beanie
☐ Booties
☐ Socks
☐ Seasonal layers
A lil tip
If you're unsure what size clothing to buy, 0–3 months is a great option because it gives baby a little room to grow.
Bath & changing
☐ Baby bath
☐ Hooded towel
☐ Face washers
☐ Changing mat & disposable changing pads
☐ Changing supplies
☐ Nappy cream
☐ Nappy bags
Feeding
☐ Bottles
☐ Bottle brush
☐ Sterilising supplies
☐ Bibs
☐ Muslin cloths
☐ Breast pads, if needed
The little things you don't think about until you need them
☐ Thermometer
☐ Saline nasal spray
☐ Nail file
☐ Cotton tips
☐ Hand sanitiser
☐ Any age-appropriate medicines or supplements recommended by your healthcare professional
Keepsake & special moments
☐ Newborn photography outfit
☐ Announcement sign
☐ Baby journal
☐ Keepsake box
☐ Inkless hand/footprint kit
Not everything on a baby registry needs to be something you'll use up. Some things are simply there to help you remember.
A baby journal. An announcement sign. An inkless handprint kit. A special outfit for those first photographs.
They're the things that may not seem essential before baby arrives, but can become some of the most treasured pieces long afterwards.
What not to overbuy before baby arrives
It's tempting to fill your registry with everything you think you might possibly need. But babies grow quickly, preferences change and every family is different.
You don't necessarily need a huge supply of newborn-sized clothing or nappies. Consider adding a mix of sizes and leaving some things until you know what works for you and your baby.
A registry doesn't have to mean having everything before baby arrives. It's simply a way to make sure the basics are covered.
Baby shower gift ideas for every budget
Under $20
- Face washers
- Terry towels
- Muslin cloths
- Bibs
- Nappy bags
- Cotton tips
$20–$50
- Baby wash
- Baby laundry products
- Bath towels
- Beautiful newborn romper, beanie or booties
$50–$100
- Coming-home outfit
- Newborn outfit bundle
- Larger baby-care bundles
- Keepsake gifts
$100+
- A collection of practical essentials
- Larger gift baskets
- A complete coming-home outfit
- Group gifts from family/friends e.g. baby spa
The best baby shower gifts can be both practical and special
A packet of nappies might be one of the most useful gifts a new parent receives.
But imagine pairing it with something they'll actually treasure.
A soft knitted romper for baby's first photos.
A little beanie for the coming-home outfit.
Booties tucked into a gift basket.
A beautiful outfit waiting for those first sleepy newborn photographs.
It's okay for a baby shower gift to be practical AND sentimental.
You don't have to choose between something parents need and something they'll remember.
Want to make a practical gift feel extra special?
Pair a packet of nappies or baby wash with a beautiful 0–3 month organic cotton romper, beanie or booties. It's useful and gives parents something special to keep.
The 3-part baby shower gift formula
If you're not sure what to buy, think:
NEED + USE + KEEP
For example:
NEED: Nappies
USE: Baby wash
KEEP: A beautiful knitted outfit
or
NEED: Terry towels
USE: Face washers
KEEP: A keepsake outfit
It's a simple way to turn a practical baby shower gift into something that feels thoughtful and personal.
A little note from Jayde
As a mum myself, I've learned that some of the things you think you'll need most aren't always the things you reach for every day. The beautiful nursery pieces have their place, but it's often the stack of face washers, nappies and wipes that you're constantly reaching for. That's why I wanted this list to include both the practical essentials and the little keepsakes, because those first weeks are about getting through the day, but they're also about soaking up the moments you'll wish you could bottle forever.
Building a baby shower registry? Save this checklist for later.
And if you're shopping for a new arrival, remember that you don't have to choose between practical and beautiful.
At Harper Clare, we create timeless, gender-neutral newborn knitwear for the moments you'll want to remember from coming home from hospital to those first sleepy newborn photographs.
Thoughtfully designed in Australia and made from 100% organic cotton, our pieces are made to be worn, loved and remembered long after those tiny days have passed.
Explore our newborn collection and find a little something they'll wear, love and one day look back on in photographs.
Save this checklist for the next baby shower you're invited to.