Choosing the right baby gift can be quite daunting; you want to buy something cute for the new baby, but you want to ensure the new parents approve of your choice by selecting something that is age appropriate, safe and practical too.

At Newborn Gift we have taken the uncertainty out of shopping by including a Why Should I Buy This? feature for each product and by creating this Baby Gift Buying Guide.

If you're still unsure whether your gift is the right one don't hesitate to contact us for some helpful hints.

Newborn Gift Buying Tips:

1. If you are choosing clothes be sure to buy the appropriate size for the new baby; if bub weighs in at over 9lbs, for example, you might want to buy size 000 or 00 as the baby will not fit in size 0000 for very long (I know, my second child was 9lbs 6oz). Similarly, if baby was premature or just tiny at birth, you might want to consider buying clothes in size 0000 as the parents might not have purchased enough clothes in that size.

2. When buying baby clothes make sure they are appropriate for the season. Purchasing clothes that the baby will "grow in to" a few months down the line is a great idea, but only if those clothes are relevant to the season. For example, long sleeved romper suits might not be the right choice for a Queensland summer. However, the same romper suit might be fine for a Tasmanian baby. Consider the area in which baby lives too.

3. How well do you know the parents of the new baby? If you know their personal preferences and lifestyle choices you could tailor your gift to meet their requirements. For example, if you know that Mum & Dad use organic products you could purchase organic bath products, such as our Natural Baby Newborn Gift Pack for the new baby. If the parents are very 'outdoorsy' and like bushwalking, a baby sling might be a good idea.

4. Buying a gift for a second child can be quite hard because most of the practical items: cot, stroller, bassinet, clothing, toys, etc will have been kept from the previous pregnancy. If you know the sex of the new baby and it is the opposite to the first baby then a gift of clothes in the appropriate colours will always be welcome. If you don't know the sex or it is the same as the first baby then you might want to buy something unique, such as a baby massage course or a voucher for professional photos.

We are constantly adding to our Baby Gift Buying Guide. If you have any suggestions for a great baby gift idea or would like to tell us about an inappropriate gift you wished you'd never received, please contact us and we will add your comments to this section.