We all want to give baby gifts in the form of supplies and toys that will provide for the safety and comfort of the baby and mother. The fact that these gifts will stimulate the physical and mental development of the child is an added bonus. However, we can make mistakes regarding how safe some toys are.

What to Buy

Let us start with the qualities that we must look for when purchasing baby gifts. First, the gift must be age-appropriate. Toy manufacturers generally put warning labels about small parts that can cause choking and other hazards, including the age bracket for the toy; pay attention to them and follow accordingly.

Second, look for durable materials like molded plastic and wood. You might pay more, but the quality will be worth it. Third, make sure that the materials used are non-toxic. You can ask other buyers about their experience with the toy, particularly about allergic reactions. Fourth, ensure that the toy stimulates the mind and body at a particular stage of development. Again, go for age-appropriate toys.

What Not to Buy

Not all baby gifts are as safe as they purport to be; that is just heavy advertisement. There are baby accessories that consumer groups have declared unsafe and unfit for baby's use.

Most doctors now recommend that soft beddings, stuffed toys, quilts, and pillows be removed from cribs. They are definitely cute, but can be fatal - they are suffocating and choking hazards. In some instances, they can produce asthma in small children because of dust mites and fluffs. If you insist on a crib gift, ensure that it has a firm mattress, a fitted mattress pad, and a crib sheet only.

Do not give baby gifts like sleep positioners either. They are as much a suffocation hazard as soft beddings. Just let the expectant mother know that babies need to sleep without pillows and other sleep supports.

Baby bath seats are not safe either. To date, these have been linked to hundreds of cases of drowning and injuries. You would be better off giving the expectant mother a baby bath tub with accessories.

Do not purchase for gift purposes diaper changing tables with only three guard rails. Go for four guard rails and test the stability of the table itself.

Do not buy baby gifts made of flimsy plastic, ever. These can easily bend and break, which can cause cuts, injuries, and choking in small children. If you must buy anything made of plastic, be sure that it is high-quality plastic.

Basically, you should use your prior experience with a baby product before actually giving it as a gift. Or, if you are not a parent, ask other parents. Referrals are always a good way to gauge quality and dependability.

Also, actually testing the product's features like foldability, locking mechanisms, rough edges, and small parts is good practice. Just do not sit on the high chair or lie in the crib yourself.

In the end, you would want to give baby gifts that you would like to receive when it is your turn to be the honoree of a baby shower.