For newborns and the earliest weeks, parents often welcome feeding, sleep and soothing items; for older infants, look for developmentally appropriate toys that encourage grasping, crawling and early play. Check any retailer age guidance on listings to match a gift to the child’s stage.

Check product descriptions for what comes in the box: batteries, chargers, spare parts or mounting hardware may not be included. If a gift requires extra accessories, consider adding them so the recipient can use it straight away.

Consider the family’s living space — bulky items or large activity centres won’t suit small flats. Compact, foldable or multipurpose gifts are easier to live with and more likely to be used regularly.

If possible, ask the host or parents whether they’ve registered preferences or already received certain categories of gifts. Practical items such as nappies, toiletries or feeding essentials are often useful, but duplicates are common with popular lists.

Gifts that adapt as a child grows (for example toys with multiple play modes or clothing in larger sizes) can extend usefulness. Avoid single-use novelty items unless they’re clearly meant as keepsakes.

Before buying, review seller ratings, return policies and delivery estimates on the marketplace listing. For safety-related items (car seats, sleep equipment), rely on manufacturer guidance and official safety standards listed by the seller rather than general claims.