- Emergency pediatrician Dr Meghan Martin has revealed the best and worst gifts for babies
- She explained what products to avoid when gifting things to new parents.
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An emergency room pediatrician has revealed some of the best gifts you can buy a new baby and which ones you should avoid.
The information was shared with TikTok in a new video posted by Tampa-based Dr. Meghan Martin, using the username @playagem10.
In the clip, Dr. Martin talked about her favorite and most “functional” gifts to give new parents at baby showers, starting with a classic: diapers and wipes.
“I usually use a one-size-fits-all diaper and an unscented wipe, but there’s never enough,” she explained.
“While you’re at it, take some diaper cream too,” the doctor continued.
She recommended Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, which sells for less than $10 at major retailers.
On a similar note, Dr. Martin suggested giving a thermometer and rectal acetaminophen to new parents, since children are often sick.
You’ll want to avoid scented soaps or fancy products for a baby, as their skin tends to “react” to many different things.
An emergency room pediatrician has revealed some of the best gifts you can buy a new baby and which ones you should avoid
“We like to minimize the ingredients, dyes and fragrances that will be in soaps and baby products,” Dr. Martin said, before recommending brands like Aquaphor, Aveeno and Dove.
The information was shared on TikTok in a new video posted by Tampa-based Dr. Meghan Martin, who uses the username @beachgem10.
The pediatrician also explained that diapers could also be a good gift.
“Swaddling arms are really good for newborns who are on their backs,” she shared. “It helps them not wake up when they have a startle reflex.”
And according to the doctor, you can save those fancy sheets and pillows for when the kid grows up.
“Babies don’t need a lot of bedding, they need a firm crib mattress and just fitted sheets,” she shared.
A book is also a good gift for a new baby, Dr. Martin said.
“Babies of all ages, from newborns to adults, benefit from people reading to them,” she said.
Last but not least, Dr. Martin proposed giving new parents Pedialyte, which is a hydrating drink with electrolytes.
Dr. Martin recommends avoiding scented soaps or fancy products for a baby, as their skin tends to “react” to many different things.
It is often given to children when they have the stomach flu.
“Pedialyte is also good to have on hand; babies of any age can take it to help boost hydration,” she said.
In the comments section of Dr. Martin’s video, many parents shared the best gifts they received when their children were newborns, and many of them echoed the doctor’s list.
‘The best gifts I’ve ever received were a box of Costco wipes (to the point that it was our first purchase for our newest product) and a small, sturdy laundry basket. “The thing is almost 16 years old and still going strong,” one person wrote.
Another agreed: “Diapers don’t seem like a ‘fun’ gift, but as a parent it’s SO nice to have extras in the closet.”
‘Pedialyte and gas drops have been some of my favorite gifts so far! It was so nice to have it on hand when we needed it,” someone else wrote.