| Ask first time parents-to-be what baby shower gifts | | | | carry around. |
| they would like to receive. Watch their response -- | | | | Top Gift #3: Baby sling |
| you'll quite likely see a look of real confusion on their | | | | Most babies love being carried around in a sling. It's the |
| faces! Or maybe they'll come up with a stock answer | | | | next best thing to being cuddled in mom's arms. Many |
| like "diapers" or something similar. | | | | parents have had the experience where babies get |
| Exactly what a new arrival needs is not obvious to | | | | restless and cry while they use other types of carriers, |
| someone who's never had a baby before. And many | | | | but immediately calm down when put into a sling. |
| times, guests are in no better position either, when it | | | | Baby slings are believed to foster a closer parent-child |
| comes to deciding on baby shower gifts. | | | | bond. Whether that's true or not, slings do have |
| Of course, there's a lot more to baby showers than | | | | another great advantage -- they leave your hands |
| just gifts. But helping parents to stock up for the new | | | | free to do other things. That's definitely a big plus and |
| arrival is an important part of these celebrations. | | | | is a reason why this baby shower gift is highly |
| That's why the following list of top five baby shower | | | | appreciated. |
| gifts can be quite useful. | | | | Top Gift #4: The baby travel pack |
| Top gift #1: Monitors | | | | Moving around with baby can be a chore -- you have |
| Monitors are excellent anxiety-busters, especially for | | | | to pack a seemingly endless array of baby stuff even |
| first-time parents. That's why they hold the No.1 | | | | for short outings. |
| position on this list. | | | | One way to ease this problem is to have one or more |
| Once they can listen to the baby from anywhere in | | | | baby travel packs handy. What's a travel pack? |
| the house, parents find their confidence levels zooming. | | | | Essentially, a diaper bag filled with baby necessities. It |
| The latest monitors are very sensitive and can pick up | | | | can include disposable diapers, a small toy or two, bib, |
| the slightest sound from baby, even her breathing. | | | | complete change of clothes for baby, safety pins, and |
| If your budget allows for it, take it one step further and | | | | other supplies. |
| buy a video monitor. That'll really ease anxiety. | | | | It's a great advantage if the parents receive more than |
| However, they are much more expensive, so perhaps | | | | one travel pack. Then one pack can always be kept |
| this can be a joint baby shower gift from two or more | | | | ready whenever they want to go. No need to mess |
| guests. | | | | around with picking up and stuffing items into a diaper |
| Top Gift #2: Playtime mate for baby | | | | bag at the last minute. |
| Babies love to play. Anything that helps them play and | | | | Top gift #5: Car seat |
| be active not only keeps them engaged, but also | | | | Lots of parents say that a well-designed car seat is a |
| stimulates all round development. | | | | wonderfully useful baby shower gift to receive. In fact, |
| One of the best products for them is an activity gym | | | | it's useful from the moment they leave hospital with |
| or playpen. This is a soft cloth mat surrounded by a | | | | the baby. |
| baby-friendly structure of bars and arches with many | | | | There are infant car seats available as well as |
| different toys suspended from various points. Baby | | | | infant-toddler convertible seats. The former can be |
| gets to play in a safe environment. | | | | used only till the baby is up to 22 pounds or so |
| Basic activity gyms are excellent baby shower gifts. | | | | (typically). While the latter can usually be used till the |
| There are also more advanced ones that include | | | | first birthday. |
| noisemakers and a variety of toys. The suspended | | | | Both are great baby shower gifts specially designed |
| objects have different colors and textures to help | | | | for the baby on the move! |
| develop baby's cognitive abilities. | | | | Make sure these top five baby shower gifts are part |
| There are also excellent portable gyms and playpens | | | | of the event you're hosting. The guest of honor will |
| available to help parents move around with baby. | | | | end up thanking you long after the party gets over! |
| These are lightweight and designed to be easy to | | | | |