Gifts for babies in Australia

Wraps, cloths and the Australian climate

A baby needs very little. The parents need a lot of a few things, and in Australia most of them are made of light cotton. Wraps, muslins and cloths cover sleep, feeding, pram shade and nappy changes, and they get used daily, so a second or third one is never wasted.

Our top pick is the Snuggle Hunny organic muslin wrap. It is large, breathable and also works as a pram or feeding cover. Muslin does not stretch, so parents with a wriggly baby may prefer the Wilson & Frenchy rib wrap or the Snuggle Hunny jersey wrap and beanie set. The Haakaa cloth is one large cloth that does four jobs.

Babies overheat easily in summer, so choose light layers over heavy blankets for a summer birth.

Toys and first books

The first year needs few toys. The Tiger Tribe roly poly bear suits tummy time and early sitting. The sensory spinners keep a baby busy at the high chair. The Purebaby koala puppet is for the grown-ups to play with the baby at story time.

A board book is the cheapest good gift on this list. The Hardie Grant ABC of Australian animals is sturdy enough for repeat reading and suits any Australian family.

Small extras and budgets

Under 30 dollars covers a board book, a bib, a Christmas koala comforter or a single toy. These work well tucked in with a card. Most shower gifts sit between 30 and 60 dollars: a wrap, a nail trimmer or the picnic rug for parents who live at the park in summer.

Bibs only matter from about six months, when solids start, so mention it if you give one early. Check the registry first, and post it to the parents' home rather than bringing it to the hospital. A gift receipt in the box saves the parents a guess if the size is wrong.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for a newborn baby?

Something the parents use daily. A wearable sleep bag, a zip-up swaddle or a pack of large muslins all get used from the first week. Buy the next size up rather than newborn, since babies outgrow the smallest sizes in weeks and parents usually receive plenty of them. Add a teether or a high-contrast board book if you want something the baby can hold or look at.

How much should I spend on a baby gift?

There is no rule, but most useful baby gifts cost between $25 and $60: a sleep bag, a swaddle, a hooded towel. Under $25 you can still give mittens, a teether, a comforter or a board book. If you want to spend more, join a group gift and choose something from the registry, so the parents are not stuck with duplicates.

Are toys a good gift for a baby?

Only a few. In the first months a baby can use a teether, a comforter, a wobble toy and a high-contrast book. Blocks and puzzles are rated for older babies and toddlers, so save them for a first birthday or say on the card that they are for later. Parents tend to get far more toys than sleep and feeding basics.

What should I avoid buying for a baby?

Newborn-size clothes, loose blankets for the cot, and anything big that is not on the registry. Newborn sizes are outgrown in weeks. Safe sleep guidance says no loose bedding, so a wearable sleep bag is the better buy. Big kits and gadgets are often duplicated, so check first or give a gift receipt.