Gifts for babies and new parents

The fun is in the build-up before each flap, so read it slowly and let them do the lifting. Once they know it, pause before each animal and let them shout it out. At 18 pages it’s a quick read, which helps when they ask for it again straight away.

• 18 thick card pages
• Lift-the-flap zoo story
• Flaps on every page

What owners say: Owners say the simple, repeating story keeps toddlers engaged, like all the flaps to lift and remember it fondly from their own childhood.

This version is made from at least 90% plant-based material from sugar cane, and it suits babies from six months. Before the stacking clicks, set the base a little way out of reach during tummy time so they stretch to reach it. Leave the rings loose in a basket beside it to be grabbed, mouthed and dropped long before they find the post.

What owners say: Parents call it a classic and like the bright colours, rings sized well for tiny hands and how sturdy it is, and they find it a good start on early learning.

The submerger holds bottles, teats and pump parts under the surface, where they can wait for up to 24 hours, so the tub doubles as storage between feeds. Wash and rinse everything first, then fill with 5 litres of cold water, and tip the old solution away through the spout when it’s time for a fresh batch. Side handles make it easy to carry about.

What owners say: Owners find the cold water method simpler than steaming, like the handle for carrying it about, and say six bottles fit in, if snugly.

It needs as little as 2 litres of water and suits babies from birth to 12 months. Fill it to the line, check the temperature and keep a hand under a very young baby’s head and neck, as Shnuggle advises, and never leave a baby unattended in it, even for a few moments. Afterwards the plug lets the water out without lifting a full bath.

What owners say: Owners like the support it gives a baby’s back and bottom, from the very first baths through to the sitting-up months.

The pages are printed with non-toxic soy-based inks and have rounded corners. In the early weeks, hold it fairly close, as newborns focus best on things nearby. The sturdy board copes with little hands grabbing at it, so it stays in use long after the newborn stage.

• 20 sturdy board pages
• Bold black-and-white pictures
• Soy-based, non-toxic inks

What owners say: Owners find it engaging for newborns and babies, with clear high-contrast pictures and sturdy pages.

The cotton is GOTS-certified, and they wash easily, dry quickly and can go in the tumble dryer on low, so one is always ready while the other is in the wash. Cellular weaves work best in layers: add a second blanket on colder nights rather than something thicker, and tuck them in no higher than the shoulders. Wash both before first use.

• Two blankets, 75 × 95cm
• Certified organic cotton
• Tumble dry on low

What owners say: Owners find them soft and well made, say they stay soft after washing, and like the size for swaddling and travel.

Steady it from behind while they find their balance, then let them sit and scoot once they’re walking confidently. It has an anti-tip design, takes up to 19kg and suits ages one to three. The spinning beads have letters and numbers on them, something to chat about as they play, and there’s storage under the seat for a favourite toy.

What owners say: Parents find it easy to put together and like its cheerful look, its size and all the bits to explore. How smoothly it rolls gets mixed reports.

There are five light-up buttons, animal buttons too, and songs and phrases about numbers, shapes and animals. From about 6 months the panel works as a toy on its own, going back on the front once they’re pulling up and ready to push. At 46cm long and 50cm tall it needs a clear run, so move curled rug edges and loose cables first.

• From 6 months
• 46cm long, 50cm tall
• Removable activity panel

What owners say: Owners say it keeps babies busy while they practise walking, though stability divides them, with some finding it helps balance and others that it moves off unexpectedly.

It’s about 20cm long, made of solid wood with nothing electronic inside and no batteries to run out, so it’s easy to bring along to cafés and on train journeys. Press one figure down slowly to show how it works, then let them have a go. The bright colours come in handy later, when they start learning to name them.

• 12 months to 3 years
• Four wooden pop-up figures
• No batteries needed

What owners say: Owners say it’s simple to play with and good for hand-eye coordination, and like the bright colours; some find it much smaller than expected, and a few report chipped paint.

Show them how one block drops through its hole, then tip the bucket out and let them try. Before the shapes click, it’s all about building towers and knocking them down, which is just as good. The bucket’s carry handle makes it easy to take on holiday or to the grandparents’, and it suits ages 6 months to 3 years.

• 10 blocks in a bucket
• 6 months to 3 years
• Shape-sorter lid

What owners say: Owners say it keeps babies entertained and helps them learn shapes and colours, though some find it smaller than expected and the lid hard to fit back on.