I have two baby showers to attend this month, and I’m trying to remember my own favorite baby items to use as gift ideas. Adriano was only born a year ago so it shouldn’t be that difficult, but it all blends into one sleepless blur! But after some digging around (here’s my newborn essentials checklist and my diaper bag checklist) and intense thinking (ha!), I’ve some up with a list of 30 useful and fun shower gift ideas under $30 for baby and mama.

1. Skip Hop Zoo Lunchies Insulated Lunch Bags, $14: These are so cute and have backpacks and bibs to match. Mom can use them for bottles at first and later for lunch.
2. Boon Stem Grass and Lawn Drying Rack, $14.99; flower accessory, $4.99: I bought this for myself and use it every day for all those bottle pieces and pacifiers. It’s fun and looks better on the counter than some of those elaborate drying racks.
3. Gray Owl plush, $24: This classic-looking owl lovey is so sweet, and he can work for a boy or girl.
4. Mustachifier – The Gentleman Mustache Pacifier $6.35: My mom got one of these for my little Adriano. He’s indifferent about it, but I always keep it in the diaper bag because people out and about go crazy over it. We almost get preferential treatment in the doctors’ offices!
5. Nursing Cover, $14.99: Mom will need one of these great covers when she’s out. They look like an apron but have a wire at the top so you can see what’s going on under there.
6. Finger Puppet Board Books, $6.25: Puppet books entertain my boys more than regular books. I like to toss them in the diaper bag as a distraction tactic for waiting rooms. Just watch your fingers. I’ve had mine bitten more than once in those puppets!
7. Knit beanie for newborn photo shoot, $15: I used a different hat for each of my boys as newborns and I treasure them. Photo tip: best time to take photos of a newborn is 5-7 days after birth. It’s enough time to get rid of squished heads and before baby acne comes along.
8. Squooshi reusable food pouch $13.99: I wish I would have heard about these earlier. This could save a lot of money, making your own fruit pouches instead of buying the over-priced ones at the store.
9. ULUBULU Silly Bib, $6.99: This funny frog has a great pocket to prevent (some) messes.
10. Kee-Ka Organic Newborn Long-Sleeve Romper Vanilla/Chocolate, $24.99: Mom’s going to need quite a few sleepers at the beginning to keep up baby’s laundry.
11. JJ Cole Muslin Blankets, $17.22: These blankets serve all kinds of purposes because it it lightweight and takes up little space when folded: swaddle, impromptu changing pad, breastfeeding cover.
12. Baby Bee Getting Started Kit, $13.19
13. Skip Hop Treetop Friends Animal Ball Trio, $14.88: These attach to baby’s car seat for a little entertainment on the road.
14. Fresh Food Feeders, $6.99: When baby’s a little older, she can gnaw on fresh fruit from these mesh devices. I put ice in them for teething time too.
15. Skip Hop Complete Sheet, $24: Newborns don’t need bumper pads yet, but these sheets do the trick with their built-in bumper look on the sides of the sheets. Brilliant!
16. Carter’s Velour Sherpa Blanket, $17.99: A heavier blanket for colder months.
17. Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether, $21.48: These famous teethers are famous for a reason. They’re easy for babies to hold and little ones like their varied shape and texture.
18. Personalized baby sun hat by Maisey May, $22: Keep baby’s head out of the sun with his or her own personalized sun hat.
19. Onaroo Night Owl Portable Night-Light with OK to Wake!, $29.99: This handy clock tells toddlers when it’s OK to wake up with its color that turns from blue to yellow. This is something still on my wish list. It can be used as a regular nightlight when baby is new and then an alarm clock when baby is a bit older.
20. Boppy changing pad liners, $12.95: Newborns are gross messy creatures and these liners will help mom avoid changing her whole changing pad after each mess.
21. Graco Zoo Crew Deluxe Health And Grooming Kit, $24.99: The most fun grooming kit I’ve ever seen.
22. aden + anais Classic Muslin Changing Pad Cover, $24.95
23. Fisher-Price Adorable Animals Baby’s Bouncer, $30.99: (This was $29 when I made my list and now I see they upped the price a dollar! Well, it’s almost under $30 ;) Bouncers give Mom a place to set baby down to give her arm a break once in awhile.
24. Please knock, baby sleeping sign, free: Here’s a free sign you can print and put in a frame for mama-to-be. I hung mine on the doorbell.
25. Monthly Baby Bodysuit Stickers, $10.95: Take a picture of baby each month with one of these stickers on his onsie and see how much he’s grown his first year!
26. Anthropologie Cuddlesome Fox, $24: I know, I know. Kids don’t need any help collecting too many stuffed animals, but Trooper has this one and the boys are crazy about him.
27. Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A Word from your Baby-in-Waiting, $12.28: My mom got this for me at my shower and had me read it aloud in front of everyone. It was really cute and had us laughing pretty good. Actually, it had all of us crying at the end, too!
28. Lamaze Play & Grow Freddie the Firefly, $9.19: This crazy-looking toy was a favorite of both my boys. All of firefly’s colors and pieces give baby a lot to take in. It crinkles too, which babies love.
29. My First Taggies Book: Thank You Prayer, $10.56: Give baby her first prayer book. It’s fabric and has those tags babies like to play with.
30. Luvable Friends Animal Face Hooded Towel Woven Terry, $13.22: I mean, what’s cuter than baby fresh out of the bath with a ducky on his head!

For more gift ideas, go here.

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