Parenting Pros Pick the Sweetest Baby Girl Gifts
Parenting Pros Pick the Sweetest Baby Girl Gifts
When you're getting a baby gift, what you're really doing is buying something for the parents. Sure, you want the newborn to laugh at, snuggle or coo over your carefully selected item, but what you really want is to please the ones who take care of her.
The best baby gifts will hold an infant's attention, help the parent with time-tested pain points like naptime or tummy time and hold up longer than it takes for a baby to grow out of them. What doesn’t help? Products that don’t work the way they’re supposed to, or gifts that work once or twice but can't stand up to a baby's "love."
The Good Housekeeping Institute tests toys and baby gear year-round to find out what will please both babies, parents and experts. We've added to their recommendations both editor's picks and bestsellers to come up with this list of the best gifts for baby girls in 2022. From blankets to bodysuits, changing pads to nursing covers, these are items that you can feel good giving at the next holiday, baby shower, sip-and-see or baby girl birthday. They should last until you're looking for the best gifts for 1-year-olds.
No babies in your family? Check out our recommendations for the best gifts for toddlers and the best gifts for kids.
Blossom Bunny Stuffed Animal
Jellycat
amazon.com
$25.00
The snuggliest bunny on the block! When it comes time for that first cuddly friend, Jellycat's stuffed Blossom bunny is super soft, and comes with a floral pattern in the ears and on the feet. Not a bunny fan? There are lots of other animals to choose from. (Just remember to keep them out of the crib.)
I'm Still Up!
Clarion Books
amazon.com
$5.99
The perfect bedtime read, this board book earned a Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Award for its depiction of a baby who would not go to sleep — until the last page that is. Parent testers certainly related.
Customized Name Blanket
CuddleMuffinsBlanket
etsy.com
$38.25
Choosing a name can be a lot of hard work, especially when it comes to finding the right baby girl name. Show those parents they did a good job with a personalized name blanket. This Etsy shop offers tons of different designs in different colors to match the nursery, and you can get a hat to match.
Sense & Grow Sensory Magic Tissue Box
Creative Kids
amazon.com
$25.99
There's a lot of learning packed into this little box. Kids pull out the fabrics, which works on their fine motor coordination. Then the scarves have different textures, which gives them a sensory experience. Parent testers said their babies loved the way some of the scarves crinkled and some were smooth. Ages 5 months+
Cotton Bodysuits
Burt's Bees Baby
burtsbeesbaby.com
$24.95
Some parents have said that their newborns lived in Burt's Bees Baby, since the clothes are so soft. The Good Housekeeping Institute loves that the brand uses fabric made of certified organic cotton and follows strict environmental standards. Bodysuits come in short and long sleeves, and in addition to bodysuits, you can get gift sets that throw in blankets, hats or PJs.
RELATED: The Clothing Brands That Make the Best Baby Clothes
Baby Lotion
Pipette
amazon.com
$7.99
Pipette's baby lotion earned a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award because of its lightweight feel and fragrance-free forumulation. Parents have been known to sneak some of it for their own hands, too.
Rainbow Silicone Toy
Dena Toys
kidochicago.com
$50.00
This pretty rainbow is made from silicone, so it can be used in many ways. Babies can teethe on it. It can be a bath toy. The stripes come apart, so it's a stacking toy, and it looks good as a nursery decoration. It also comes in primary colors.
Baby Moccasins
BirdRock
amazon.com
$30.00
Are you more of a pale pink shoe-gifter, or will you go for the wild black and gold or cheetah print? Babies never really need to wear shoes, anyway, so you're really just doing it for the look. BirdRock has more than 30 styles of its adorable moccasin-style shoes, and you can't go wrong with any of them. (And, at their price point, you might find yourself choosing a bunch.)
Baby Animal Collection
Cuddle + Kind
cuddleandkind.com
$34.00
Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved these hand-knit dolls and found them exceptionally soft. They come in a range of animals, including a set of winter ones for the holidays. Bonus: For each purchase, Cuddle + Kind says the brand provides five meals to children in need.
Car Seat/Nursing Cover
Milk Snob
amazon.com
$35.99
Moms find this useful because the stretchiness of this fabric makes work as a nursing cover, car seat cover, shopping-cart liner, high chair cover or even just a stretchy blanket. You can also get it in a variety of prints, from black-and-white stripes to camo.
Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar Plush
GUND
amazon.com
$18.00
This caterpillar is not just a happy addition to a nursery: Each segment does something different, either crinkling, rattling, squeaking or offering a different texture to touch. It's a feast for the senses!
LittleLit Story Club
Brave + Kind Bookshop
braveandkindbooks.com
$40.00
Keep Baby's library stocked with fresh board books, chosen by the experts at the Brave + Kind Bookshop. You can choose a three-, six- or 12-month membership, and each month a box filled with "chunky board books, classics, special stories, flaps, textures and first concepts" will go straight to their door.
Name Puzzle With Pegs Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle Wooden Toys Custom Name Puzzle by BusyPuzzle Christmas Present Personalized Birthday Baby 1 Year Old Gifts Boy and Girl Gifts for Kids
Panda Baby Cardigan
Tea Collection
teacollection.com
$64.00
One parent found this sweater ultra-soft, without any signs of itchiness — and it became her child everyday sweater. It comes in sizes 3m to 4T, and looks great with Tea Collection's bodysuit sets. And, when the baby outgrows the sweater, Tea has its own "rewear" section where it can be traded in for other pre-worn clothing.
Aden + Anais Swaddle Four-Pack
Aden + Anais
amazon.com
$49.12
Seasoned parents know that you can use muslin swaddle blankets for everything: as burp cloths, spread out on the ground for tummy time, wrapped around the baby to keep her warm, etc. And, in Good Housekeeping Institute tests, they found these swaddles wash well, even after testers put them through the ringer.
Explore & More 4-in-1 Toy Walker
Skip Hop
amazon.com
$44.99
Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the innovative way this toy could grow with a child. At first, it can be used as a tummy time toy. Then, it converts to a walker for toddlers, then becomes either a grocery cart or a toy stroller for bigger kids. All the while, it has plenty of lights, sounds and features to keep them entertained. Ages 6 months+
Skip Hop Pronto Portable Changing Mat
Skip Hop
amazon.com
$18.78
Parents call this a lifesaver: It doesn't look like it has anything to do with diapers from the outside, but it unfolds to be an easy-to-clean changing mat with built-in pillow — with a case to hold baby wipes. A parent's secret weapon!
Treasure the Ocean Musical Mobile Gymini,
Tiny Love
walmart.com
$63.99
Testers loved this one for its versatility: It can be used as an overhead mobile for newborns and a tummy-time tool for growing babies. It comes with a starfish that makes. music, which was a hit with our baby testers.
The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name
Wonderbly
amazon.com
$34.99
This unique picture book is personalized for each child, and the story takes kids through all the letters in their names. New parents will love the customization, and it might even help kids spell their own names as they get older.
Baby Shark Bath Toy
SoapSox
amazon.com
$10.48
It's just a matter of time before any baby becomes obsessed with "Baby Shark." This (thankfully non-musical) Baby Shark toy can go in the bath and be used as a washcloth, or it can be carted around on dry land like a stuffed animal.
Bumkins SuperBib
Bumkins
amazon.com
Parenting truth: You can never have too many bibs. Bumkins bibs — named best bibs overall by the Good Housekeeping Institute — were found to wipe clean easily after meals, and, when they really get soiled, they can be tossed in the washing machine. They also come in a huge variety of prints.
RELATED: The Best Baby Bibs to Buy in 2022, According to Textile Experts and Real Parents
Play Kit
Lovevery
lovevery.com
$80.00
These boxes come packed with baby toys and gear tailored specifically to the baby's age and developmental stage, and each one also comes with information for the parents about what's going on in baby's brain and how to use the toys effectively. It costs $80 and ships every two months, and you can also purchase a book add-on to go with it.
Reed Teething Ring
Pretty Please Teethers
kohls.com
$27.99
Parents who like that minimal, natural aesthtetic will thrill to this neutral-colored teething ring. It's made with beechwood and silicone, and ready for the moment those first teeth pop up. Ages 3 months+
Baby Booties
Zutano
amazon.com
$21.00
Why fuss with baby shoes when these warm booties just slip right on and snap firm? They're made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, and come in a ton of colors and prints, from solid colors to fun holiday patterns. They fit sizes 3m – 24m.
My First Soft Drum and Guitar
GUND
amazon.com
$16.99
Most baby-targeted musical instruments are hard — think egg shakers — but these let babies explore lights, sounds, rhythm and music all in a soft plush. The drum and guitar have to be purchased separately.
"I Love My Mom" Bodysuit
Yinibini Baby
yinibinibaby.com
$32.00
Okay, we know who this gift is really for, but doesn't Mom deserve it? It comes in sizes NB – 24m, and in three different colors. (Perhaps you'd like all three?)
Personalized Animal Lovey
ISewJo
etsy.com
$26.00
Babies love to cuddle these flat, blanket-like loveys, and parents love how their names are embroidered into the back. You can choose from a variety of animals, and also select the font and color of the embroidery.
Baby Zip Sleepers
Hanna Andersson
hannaandersson.com
$23.00
What's the family into? Chances are, Hanna Andersson makes pajamas with it, either in a holiday theme or not. You can find Pjs with their favorite characters from Star Wars, Marvel, the Grinch, Peanut, Miffy, Harry Potter, Pokémon, Sesame Street and many more — many in prints that comes in enough sizes to do a family match.
Tummy Time Water Mat
MAGIFIRE
amazon.com
$16.99
Tummy Time can be difficult, but this mat makes it more interesting. The water-filled mat has creatures floating in it that'll give babies something to look at as they work their muscles. Ages 3 months+
Side-Snap Kimono Tops
HonestBaby
amazon.com
$18.34
Bodysuits are cute, but if they're tight, they can irritate an umbilical cord before it falls off. Until it does, these side-snap kimono-style shirts make it easier to give the cord some air. They have cuffs that can be folded over little fingers to prevent scratching, and you can get pants to match, too.
Personalized Block Set
LittleBlocksOfMine
etsy.com
$23.40
Parents will love seeing the name they so diligently picked out displayed on this adorable block set. You get blocks for all the letters in the baby's name, plus an extra with a symbol on it.
SNOObear
Happiest Baby
happiestbaby.com
$59.95
Give families what they really want: more Zs! This bear doubles as a white noise machine that plays different rhythms for 30 to 60 minutes. But, even after it shuts off, the bear "listens" and will start up again if it detects the sound of a crying baby. (Note: They advise not to use this inside a crib for the first 12 months — a nearby shelf should be enough!)
Sit and See Safari Floor Mirror
Bright Starts
amazon.com
$10.99
Tummy time is a whole lot more interesting when there's a mirror baby looking back at you. This one comes in a fun jungle print and even has crinkly leaves for babies to play with.
One-Piece Rash Guard
Primary
primary.com
$17.50
Primary is a great place to stock up on baby basics, and they'll be the hit of the kiddie pool or beach in this one-piece rash guard. The rainbow stripe is certainly eye-catching, the sleeves offer sun protection and there's snaps at the crotch for diaper changes.
Taxi Rattle
Bundle Me
JJ Cole
amazon.com
$48.39
When cold weather strikes, this will keep babies bundled in their strollers (without any fears of rolling over loose blankets with the stroller wheels). It comes in four colors, and Good Housekeeping Institute experts found it soft and easy to attach.
On-the-Go Breakfast Toy Set
Fisher-Price
walmart.com
$16.00
Now Baby can have a morning routine just like their parents. This three-piece set comes with a crinkly "newspaper," a donut teether and a rattle in the shape of a coffee cup. Fisher-Price has other themed sets, too, including one for fitness enthusiasts (with a baby kettle bell!) and one for Taco Tuesday. Ages 3 months+
Knotted Headbands
HonestBaby
amazon.com
$17.66
She'll have a soft headband to match every outfit with this 10-piece set. Keeping the headband on? Well, that's another story.
Nu'Bee Plush Baby Doll
Orijin Bees
amazon.com
$39.99
These dolls look sweet and snuggled all wrapped up in their swaddles — but open the blanket, and they become bumblebee wings. The babies can also be taken out of the blankets entirely (they're wearing outfits underneath).
The 7 Days: A Classic Nursery Rhyme Made New
Velvet Hammer Press
amazon.com
$24.95
Was the baby a Monday child? A Tuesday child? This pretty picture book offers a new twist on the old nursery rhyme, and shows kids around the world talking to their parents about what day of the week they were born on, making it a sweet read-aloud.
Next time you have to get a baby girl gift, make sure you buy one that will last! These infant-friendly items have been chosen by the experts.