The Best Gifts for New Parents (That They’ll Actually Use)
We asked 20 new parents what gifts they actually used and what sat untouched — then built this list from their answers.
New parents get a lot of stuff. Most of it goes unused. We surveyed 20 families six months after their babies arrived and asked what they actually used daily — and what they wished someone had bought instead of the Instagram-popular items that sounded good in theory.
Most Used Gift: A Quality Baby Monitor
Every parent we surveyed said their baby monitor was among the most-used items in their home. The Nanit Pro came up repeatedly — specifically, parents valued the overhead camera view and sleep tracking. “I check it at 3am from my phone and can see exactly what’s happening without going in the room and waking her up,” said one parent. That’s exactly what a good monitor should do.
What New Parents Wish They’d Received
Nothing small-sized: Babies outgrow newborn sizes in weeks. Buy 3–6 month or 6–12 month sizing and they’ll get far more use out of it.
Time, not things: The gift that came up most in our survey wasn’t a product at all — it was help. Meal delivery subscriptions, house cleaning services, and offers to hold the baby while a parent sleeps were consistently cited as more valuable than physical gifts.
Consumables: Diapers, wipes, and formula are things parents buy forever and always need. They’re not glamorous, but a diaper subscription for three months is one of the most practical gifts you can give.