When someone you know has a baby, it's common to want to celebrate. If you're looking to mark the occasion of a new little one, you have a range of options. Some gifts, like a new rocking chair, are generally best for first babies. But second, third, fourth, and more babies are still cause for celebration. If you gave a gift for the first baby and you're still in touch with the parent(s), acknowledging births of younger siblings is polite. I always give the same presents to siblings regardless of birth order (e.g.; my cousins' children all get a blanket, a book, and a hat; my siblings' children get those plus booties), but that might be because I myself am not the oldest sibling! A congratulations card acknowledging the birth of another child is sufficient if you don't feel moved to make or purchase a present.
HANDMADE
If you know how to knit, crochet, or sew, there are so many baby gift ideas available to you! Toys, clothes, blankets, diaper covers, burp cloths, nursing covers, books (my daughters have a beautiful book my mom made on her embroidery machine), diaper bags, bibs--the list goes on and on.
For knitting and crochet, my go-to is a particular knit baby blanket pattern I designed myself (it's available on Ravelry here, and there are also lots more on site, for every budget including free patterns). I like to pair the blankets with a book or small accessory, like a hat or booties. This is a set I made for a friend's twin boys:
Other needlework ideas:
-Wool diaper "soakers" to cover cloth diapers
-Sweaters, dresses, vests, pants, shirts, and other clothing
-Nursing covers and shawls (if you know the mother plans to breastfeed)
What ever you decide to make, be sure the yarn is appropriate for babies. Handwash baby items are likely to be too much work for parents. Acrylic yarn is washer/dryer safe, but some people are concerned about flammability or (lack of) softness. Washer/dryer safe cotton and superwash wool are other options.
My favorite sewing items for babies? Toys. I love the patterns from Funky Friends Factory. The designer, Pauline McArthur, makes wonderfully detailed patterns that walk you through every step of the way. I first made one of her patterns only a year after I learned to sew, and I had zero problems. Most of her patterns about $13, and they're worth every penny, but you can get a free teddy bear design by signing up for her newsletter. My favorites of her patterns are Ellie Elephant, Honey Teddy, Lambkins Lamb, and Patty the Cow. She has a lot of unusual animals as well, such as guinea pigs and aardvarks. This an Ellie I made for my best friend's daughter, in the nursery colors. Her husband thought it was storebought.
Other sewing ideas:
-Baby quilts
-Clothing and pajamas
-Burp cloths (sew a piece of flannel to one side of a cloth diaper)
-Books (you can buy panels with pre-made pages)
-Nursing cover (if you know the mother plans to breastfeed)
-Play mat (if you have an embroidery machine, you can make it extra elaborate)
-Diaper changing pad
-Satin-stitch an applique onto another item of clothing (or embroider it)
-If you have an embroidery machine, adding details to burp cloths, clothes, blankets, or other things adds a special touch
Again, especially for clothing, be aware of the fabric's care instructions and suitability for a baby--no fabrics with sequins or other things that can be pulled off. Similarly, use safety eyes or just stitch eyes on for toys.
There are plenty of other handmade items that make great baby gifts. If you feel moved to make something, consider your talents and hobbies. A skilled woodcarver could make beautiful toys or decorations. A far-away grandparent or other relative might want to read baby books into a microphone and send the recording as a gift. Fabric pens make embellishing a shirt, onesie, or other clothing easy. You can mix up ingredients for a soothing baby soap in a pretty bottle. I know a friend who paints, and she made a beautiful painting of flowers for a baby girl with a flower name (e.g.; irises if the baby were named Iris). Milestone charts are another idea, and there so many ways to make them. Etsy is a good place for inspiration and purchasing.
And you don't have to think too far outside the box. Do you have some art supplies? Make a congratulations card. Can you cook? Bring over a lasagna that can be frozen for later or eaten that night. Of course, check to be sure there are no allergies or other food concerns. Especially in the first weeks after bringing home a new baby, knowing that dinner is taken care of is a huge relief. You can also offer to watch the baby for a bit while the parent(s) catch a shower or a nap or run an errand, or do a load of laundry for the family.
STOREBOUGHT
Especially useful if you're short on time, there are plenty of baby things available in stores. As with any storebought gift, include a gift receipt just in case. If there's a baby registry, you can rest easy knowing you picked out the right gift (it can also be helpful to guide handmade things--you might notice a giraffe theme or that everything is yellow).
If there's no registry, browse the store's baby section. Try to think of things the baby will be likely to use lots of--clothes and blankets get dirty quickly, so having more than one is good. Baby books are always a hit, and there are so many kinds of toys for babies. If the baby will be using disposable diapers, a package of those is always welcome. If the baby will be using washable diapers, you might be able to pay for a month of a diaper service. Just make sure that nothing consumable, like baby foods or formula, will expire before the baby is likely to use it.
You can get several small things to make a gift basket. One of the most useful gifts I was given for one of my babies was an assortment of travel-size baby soaps, shampoos, and lotions. Or you could get several baby books, a soft toy, a blanket, maybe a nightlight or some lavender: bedtime gift basket. A small tote with one-handed snacks like granola bars or nuts, a water bottle, and a good novel makes a nice addition to feeding a baby--whether the baby's bottle-fed or breast-fed, parents often find themselves hungry or thirsty just as their babies start eating, and if the baby falls asleep, the parent will often want to let the baby rest before getting up.
A gift can be more geared to the parents, if you so choose. When one of my cousins was pregnant, she missed having the occasional glass of beer. So I found out her favorite variety, and got her a few bottles to go along with the blanket I knit for her daughter. Other pregnant mothers often miss foods or drinks they're supposed to abstain from, and might like a gift of fancy soft cheese or wine. Adoptive parents might appreciate a memento of where their baby was adopted from.
If you're really not sure what to pick out, or if you know the parents enjoy shopping, gift cards or just straight cash are perfectly appropriate. A gift card needn't be baby-specific either; it could be to restaurant. Bonus points if the restaurant delivers, or you include an offer to baby-sit.
For big-ticket items, like cribs or other furniture, carseats, and strollers, it's wise to check with the parents. They might have specific needs or wants, or they may already have them.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
There are some times when the joy of a new baby is tempered by complications, which can range from necessitating new expectations and goals to tragically severe. If you know a new baby will need to spend lots of time in the hospital, see if nearby restaurants deliver to it; the parents will probably get sick of hospital food. If a baby has birth defects, keep those in mind when considering gifts; babies who are deaf won't need noise-making toys, and babies who have muscle weaknesses or hand defects will need toys they can grab more easily. Be wary of gifts proclaiming things like "Future All-Star" if the baby has life-limiting health conditions or won't be able to walk.
It might not be the baby specifically who's affected. A friend of mine was in the third trimester when her partner died, but she and the baby were (physically) perfect. I ended up writing a letter to the baby about her father, to be given to her when she was older, and making a drawing of her name incorporating things from her mother's life and her father's life--he loved soccer, so for the O in her name I drew a soccer ball. Knowing that her daughter would have things to help her learn about her father was very helpful to my friend.
And in the awful instances when a baby dies, there are ways you can help the parents. Everyone handles grief differently, and there is no one single "right" way to mourn a baby or child. Most parents will find others acknowledging that they did have baby to be a comfort. Offer a shoulder to cry on, ask if you can make a donation to a charity the parent(s) approve(s) of in the baby's name (and using the baby's name specifically is comforting for most parents), see if they want to pack away baby items in the nursery and if you can help, find out if they need help notifying family, friends, and coworkers. If you already have a baby gift, you can tell the parents about it and offer to hold onto to it for a while while they decide if they want it as a memento or not. Perhaps most important, reach out the parents throughout the next year (and beyond, but especially the first year) on Mother's Day, Father's Day, holidays, and the anniversary of the baby's birth and death. You might feel as though you're stirring up sad memories, but the parents will always be aware of their baby. Letting them know they can talk about the baby with you is a comfort to most parents.
Fortunately, most new parents won't face difficulties like these, but having known a few families who have walked this path, I felt I needed to address it.
