Top Holiday Gifts for Newborn Babies

Is someone you know spending this holiday season with a brand new baby? Do you feel like you should send something, but you're not sure what someone so tiny wants or needs? Here are a few holiday gift ideas for the youngest generation...

Pajamas.

Face it, new babies spend 18 to 20 hours a day sleeping. They don't need too many dress up outfits; they need comfy, soft sleepwear. Most babies will spit up, drool, or poop enough to need fresh clothing several times a day, so extras sleepers are very handy. Look for the kind with the fold-over mitten-hands on the ends of each sleeve. Those are to keep them from swinging their hands too close to their face and scratching themselves with their new little sharp fingernails.

Toys.

What kind of toys do newborns 'play' with?? Well, some really do like the traditional rattle, (even though someone will have to shake it for them for a while yet). Some other good ideas are musical teethers or soft stuffed animals. Babies like soft repetitive sounds, so look for slow music-box type songs. Save the blaring Dancing Elmo type toys for when they reach toddler age, and can enjoy that sort of thing. Also, keep in mind that babies will put everything they can into their mouths, so only give them toys that are too big to choke on. You can use the cardboard tube from inside a roll of toilet-paper for a guide. Any toy that can fit through the tube is too small to give a baby.

Drool/spit-up cloths.

Babies can't seem to get enough of these. It's amazing that someone so small can put out so much fluid. There's a LOT of wiping up with a new baby. Most discount stores offer a package of around two dozen terrycloth washcloths for three to five dollars. They come in a variety of colors and terry is very absorbent.

Blankies.

Just like the drool cloths, new babies always seem to need a few more of these. Newborns have a hard time maintaining their body heat, so no matter what the season they're born in, they'll need receiving blankets. Flannel ones are standard, and can be layered for extra warmth. They often come in three-packs at common discount stores, such as Wal-Mart, in a variety of colors and prints. If you're in a cooler climate, think about a fleece throw-blanket for in the car. Online stores such as Jonathan Junction (www.jonathanjunction.com) have cute tied fleece blankies that are just the right size for covering a baby in a carseat.

Gift cards at the photo place.

Someday this baby is only going to remember this time through pictures. Ask your local photography studio about gift certificates to help capture this irreplaceable time. Home snapshots can be good, but an experienced photographer can coax the best expressions out of the child and produce a treasured keepsake.

Face time.

Don't just drop off a gift and leave. Give baby the gift of your time! Babies like to look at human faces more than anything else, and new stimuli helps develop their brains. So be the new face in their life! Hold your face about 12-15 inches from baby's eyes, and let 'em stare. Talk or sing, so baby can watch your mouth move. Stick out your tongue and make silly faces. Newborn enjoy every opportunity to watch faces. Sometimes the least expensive gifts are still the best.

These ideas should get you started having some fun shopping for your favorite new addition this holiday season. Happy Shopping!

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