Top Baby Gifts Under $20

Bouncy Chair for Babies

Simply put, from 1 - 6 months, the bouncy chair is a soothing, calming place for a baby.  If your infant wants to be held all of the time, but you need a break, then a bouncy chair is your best bet.  They are lightweight, easy to carry and move and can go almost anywhere.

When babies kick, the chair bounces.  Some models have battery-powered vibration, which can be soothing for babies.  However, most parents find the simple rocking motion calms their child and helps put them to sleep.

These are great for grandparents to have around the house when the newborn comest to visit as well.  Heed the warning, however, not to put it on the washing machine!

Fisher Price Baby Bouncer Chair
Fisher-Price Bouncer at Amazon

For infants from ages 1 month to about 8 months, a bouncy chair can help a baby relax, go to sleep, while saving Mom and Dad from having to hold them the whole time. "Never failed to calm him down.  We'd put him in there, and as he kicked his little legs, the chair would rock up and down." Heed the warning, however, not to put it on the washing machine.

Baby Mozart

Baby Mozart and Baby Einstein - "After a while, you'll enjoy these relaxing videos as much as the baby will."

Baby Mozart exposes your infant to wonderful classical music, while images on the screen keep little minds mesmerized.

These videos are very comforting and educational for a baby.  It holds your child's attention, giving you a chance to calmly relax.  Julie Clark produced and narrated this wonderful series.  We certainly used it with our children, and it helped them relax and gave us a breather. Of the series, most people find the Baby Mozart program to be a sure hit with infants.  The whole series is definitely worth investigating, and we also recommend Baby Shakespeare and Baby Van Gogh, especially for babies between 6-10 months.

BabyUniverse.com: Baby Einstein, Bach and Mozart Video Gift Set

Picture Frames

When a new baby arrives, parents need a place to put all of the pictures they take.  Dads and Moms need frames for work, and for the home.  Frames are great gifts, and can be personalized. 

Lamaze Toys

Lamaze Baby Toy: Celeste the Sun
Celeste the Sun by Lamaze
Lamaze makes high-quality, fun and interactive toys for infants.  You'll find high-contrast colorings, soft shapes, and consistently high-quality across their entire line.  Stacking Rings were one of our favorites, and we've given Lamaze toys to many of our friends.

Raffi

Music for Babies, Todlers and Infants. Some parents can't stand it! 

When the baby is really young, you can always find soothing classical music from Mozart, Schubert, and Chopin.  Eventually, though you'll need to find something more engaging for the little ones.  One of the best choices out there is Raffi -- who has a wide selection of children's favorites.  Bananaphone and Everything Grows are two of Raffi's album's that I can still listen to.