There are two distinct camps which you can choose to sit in when buying the best newborn baby gifts. That is: a very important gift purchase which has to scream a very big “welcome to the world.”

First, we have the practical newborn baby gifts. Tiny booties and butter-soft bunnies make for lovely baby presents, but as most new parents will agree, something functional as well as aesthetically-pleasing will always be welcome. Of course, it’s safe to assume the new parents in your life have probably got things like the pram, baby changing bag and baby carrier sorted. Or so you’d hope. But don’t let that put you off.

Educational toys that’ll entertain little one but that won’t irritate the adults are always ideal – trust me when I say you’ll be thanked for it. I’ve become borderline addicted to Lovevery – the brand that designs specific kits tailored to your baby’s exact age and development. The Looker Play Kit will keep them entertained for ages, giving you time to, ahem, shower. There’s also the brilliant tonies Sleepy Sheep Night Light, which was designed to bring calm to the bedtime chaos. Or how about a teething gift set to help make the whole debacle a whole lot more manageable?

The other camp is keepsake new baby gifts. Photo frames to spotlight the new arrival, hand and foot mould kits so new mamas can document their teeny tiny feet, personalised storybooks (Wonderbly features the recipient as the main character – and prints and delivers within 48 hours) or oversized cuddly toys which will act as the centrepiece of their bedroom for years to come.

If all else fails? Trust me when I say you can never have too many muslins – and these by aden + anais are the best in the business.

After more gift guides? Shop the best beauty gifts, gifts for pregnant women, baby shower gifts – or baby boy gifts and baby girl gifts more specifically.