“My friend is having a baby but doesn’t know the sex. What can I buy them?”
We get asked this quite a lot at Ducky Zebra! Sometimes it’s for a baby shower, sometimes it’s an excited friend or relative buying something before the baby arrives, and sometimes the parents have simply said they’d prefer something unisex.
Whatever the reason, choosing a unisex baby gift definitely doesn’t mean you have to stick to white, grey or beige.
There are loads of lovely options out there - from colourful organic cotton sleepsuits to sensory muslins and clever pram accessories. So, we’ve pulled together a few things to think about, along with five gift ideas from independent UK businesses that we particularly like.
What makes a good unisex baby gift?
For us, the best unisex baby gifts aren’t necessarily neutral in colour. They’re simply things that any baby can wear, use or enjoy.
It’s one of the reasons I started Ducky Zebra. I was frustrated by how differently clothes were marketed to boys and girls, not just through colour but through the characters, activities and messages they featured.
Choosing a unisex baby gift gives you the freedom to forget those rules and simply choose something you think the baby - and their parents or carers - will love.
A few things to think about when choosing a baby gift
- Think beyond newborn sizes. New babies often receive lots of tiny clothes and then seemingly grow out of them overnight. If you’re buying clothes, 3-6 months or even 6-12 months can be a good choice - just have a quick think about what season it will be when the baby reaches that size.
- Look at what it’s made from. If you’re buying clothes, muslins or other textiles, natural and organic materials can be worth looking for. At Ducky Zebra, we use GOTS-certified organic cotton, which has to meet environmental and social criteria throughout the supply chain.
- Think about how long it will last. Can it be washed repeatedly? Could it eventually be passed on to a sibling, cousin or friend? Choosing something unisex can make passing things on even easier.
- Make it personal. Think about the things the parents or carers love. Are they outdoorsy? Mad about cycling, music or books? Do they love festivals, science or dogs? Choosing something that connects with their interests can make a baby gift feel much more thoughtful - without needing to know whether the baby is a boy or girl.
Five unisex baby gift ideas from independent UK businesses
If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are five ideas we particularly like.
1. Something to wear again and again: an organic cotton sleepsuit
Baby clothes are a classic new baby gift for a reason - but practicality makes a big difference.
Our Ducky Zebra organic cotton baby sleepsuits have two-way zips to make nappy changes easier (particularly useful at 3am!), roll-down cuffs and a generous fit to help them last that little bit longer.
They’re made from soft GOTS-certified organic cotton, with colourful, playful designs created for all children rather than specifically for boys or girls.
Shop organic cotton baby sleepsuits →
2. Something for tiny hands: a Crinkly Cloth sensory book
A first book is a lovely gift, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be made from paper. Jo & Nic’s Crinkly Cloth Books are soft, washable sensory books designed for babies to grab, scrunch and explore. They look like miniature newspapers, with bold illustrations, rhymes and plenty of crinkle.
We liked them so much that we now stock them at Ducky Zebra. They’re a lovely way to introduce books and storytelling from an early age - without having to worry about pages being chewed, pulled or crumpled!
3. Something parents will use constantly: an Etta Loves sensory muslin
Ask almost any parent what they couldn’t have too many of during the baby years and muslins are likely to be pretty high up the list. They’re useful for feeding, winding, wiping up spills, cuddles, tummy time and all sorts of other everyday baby moments.
Etta Loves has taken the humble muslin a step further. Its sensory muslins are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, with patterns designed around babies’ developing vision. The newborn designs use bold, high-contrast patterns, while designs for older babies introduce more colour as their vision develops.
Discover Etta Loves sensory muslins →
4. Something they can enjoy for years: a Hooded Owls organic cotton towel
We love a gift that can become part of family life for years to come - and Hooded Owls makes generously sized hooded towels from thick organic cotton, designed for everything from bathtime to swimming.
Their standard towels can be used from babyhood right through to around seven years old, with a double-thickness hood and popper to help keep wriggly little ones wrapped up. A practical gift that can be used, washed and enjoyed again and again.
5. Something clever for pram naps: a SnoozeShade
This is one of those products that makes you think: that’s clever. SnoozeShade was created by UK mum Cara Sayer when she was looking for a way to help her daughter nap in her pram while they were out and about.
Rather than draping a blanket or muslin over a pram, SnoozeShade is specifically designed as an air-permeable pram shade, helping to create a darker environment while still allowing air to flow through the mesh.
It’s perhaps not the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a new baby gift, which is exactly why we like it. It’s practical, reusable and designed to solve a very real parenting problem.
So, what makes a good unisex baby gift?
There’s no single perfect answer. Think about what the family will find useful, what they enjoy and what might make them smile. Sometimes the best gifts are the most personal.
And remember, you don’t need to know whether the baby is a boy or girl to choose something they'll love!
Looking for a baby gift? Explore our colourful, unisex baby clothes and gifts, including organic cotton sleepsuits and Crinkly Cloth sensory books.
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