The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and if you have any soon-to-be-parents in your life, it may be tempting to buy a raft of tiny outfits for the incoming baby – I’ll be the first to admit that those adorable booties are irresistible.
But as someone who is nearly nine months pregnant, there are plenty of techy gifts that are extremely practical for all the mums and dads out there, and which will last longer than a few months. I should know, as everything on the following list is something I’m either already using or planning to.
Everything has been chosen for when the (screaming) little bundle of joy has arrived, but all of them could also be helpful during pregnancy… and some even during the birth itself.
The products have been ordered from lowest to highest price, starting from £15/$25 and going up to £200/$250. So, you can choose the option that suits your budget best. After all, you may still want to save a few pennies for a cute onesie as well, and I can’t blame you.
Disney+ gift card
As an Entertainment Editor, a streaming gift card is an underrated present. It’ll be hugely appreciated during those first few weeks of the newborn bubble. Parents are unlikely to leave the house much (especially if they’re having a winter baby), so parking in front of the telly with some cracking shows is a great way to pass the time.
I’ve chosen Disney+ as it’s Tech Advisor’s top-rated streaming service for the year and has a raft of family-friendly options that are perfectly suitable to play in front of a baby. That includes Bluey, the entire Pixar library, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ and more, not to mention all the festive films.
And once baby can be left out of the room for a nap, there’s plenty more for the parents to get stuck into. From gritty dramas such as Shōgun and The Bear, to cosier options such as Only Murders in the Building and The Simpsons. And of course, there’s a backlog of Marvel movies and TV series to watch in preparation for Avengers: Doomsday next year.
The best part about this gift is that you can choose how much you want to spend, with prices starting from £15/$25, and going up to £200/$200. The cheapest option can cover around two months of Disney+, while more expensive vouchers would provide well over a year’s worth of streaming, depending on the plan you choose.
And, as it’s virtual, you don’t need to worry about getting it though the post in time for the big day. Result!
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Sony SRS-XB100 Bluetooth speaker
As things stand, I’m hoping to try out some hypnobirthing techniques during my labour, and opting for a punchier speaker over the inbuilt ones on my phone will certainly help with getting in the zone and being immersed.
Don’t let the £33/$39 refurbished/$59 new price tag of this Sony SRS-XB100 speaker fool you into thinking you’re not getting a quality product. Sony is an audio favourite on Tech Advisor, and this dinky little gadget is small enough for easy travel – making it an ideal addition to your hospital bag (or suitcase, which is what my bag has morphed into as more essentials were added).
It’s also waterproof, so it can be taken into the bathroom or placed near a pool for anyone planning a water birth. It may not be as loud as some pricier Bluetooth speakers, but if it’s being used in the hospital, I’d imagine the midwives would have something to say about cranking up the volume to max.
Even if you don’t want to use a Bluetooth speaker during labour, this is perfect for soothing music for baby, taking calls hands-free (there’s an inbuilt microphone) or just listening to a podcast during nappy changes.
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Oral-B iO3 electric toothbrush
An electric toothbrush isn’t exactly the most exciting gift you can buy, but it’s guaranteed to get twice daily use and will help even the most exhausted of parents feel semi-normal in the newborn trenches.
While some electric toothbrushes can cost well into the hundreds, I’ve found the Oral-B iO3 to be reliable and intuitive without breaking the bank. And it’s currently discounted to £49/$59.
Plus, having something with a built-in timer (the dentist-approved two-minutes, with additional alerts every 30 seconds to remind you to move on) ensures that brushing session aren’t too quick… or that users aren’t standing there in a daze for ten minutes with the brush hanging from their gobs.
While it doesn’t come with any smart features, I figure I won’t have a lot of time to be fiddling around with various settings. I just want something to keep my teeth clean, with a little help ensuring that my technique is largely correct. The iO3 ticks those boxes, thanks to its bright pressure sensor, which will glow red if you press too hard while brushing.
The battery life isn’t industry-best – I usually get a couple of weeks use out of it. However, it flashes red a few times beforehand to warn when the device is near-depleted, which is good enough for me. The iO3 comes with a travel case, and is available in several colours. Plus, you can easily get both official and third-party brush heads, with the latter being extremely affordable.
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Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones
While these Sony headphones are two generations old at this point, they’re still fantastic and offer some of the best audio quality on the market. In fact, they’re one of the few products to get a 5-star rating on Tech Advisor. I rarely go anywhere without mine, and use them on the tube, on walks, at home and more.
Many parents will say to opt for wireless earbuds over cans, so you can have the option of leaving one ear free. However, these have an ambient noise setting which filters in surrounding sound, allowing users to stay alert for baby sounds and cries.
I’ve seen many mums on Instagram advocating for over-the-ear headphones to help prevent them from becoming overstimulated from piercing cries, as they muffle the noise a little bit but still allow the user to remain vigilant.
They’re also great for anyone holding/feeding baby while listening to an audiobook or podcast – crucial if someone doesn’t wish to disturb their partner in bed.
The battery life is brilliant, and they fold down, so they can fit in a small bag if needed. Plus, they now only cost around £177/$199.
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Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM
While a bedtime routine for a newborn may be wishful thinking, I’ve heard that optimal lighting and sound can do wonders in getting a baby to drift off to sleep. You can get cheaper nightlights and white noise machines, but there is another option that will continue to be useful for many years after – I’ve had mine since 2019 and it’s still going strong.
Lumie is known for its range of light alarm clocks. The one I own performs several functions in one: it’s a bedside lamp, a clock, an alarm, a radio and a Bluetooth speaker. But for parents specifically, the dedicated sunset mode is a game-changer.
This allows you to gradually dim the light down over a set period (anywhere between five and 90 minutes), set to a backdrop of ambient noise. There is a range to choose from, including soothing options like white noise, a waterfall or a movie projector. Others are downright weird, like race cars or goats bleating… though no judgement to babies who nod off to that. There’s also a Bluetooth feature, so you can add your own custom sounds.
Once the light and sound have gradually faded, there’s the option to have a red or orange nightlight on permanently, depending on the brightness you choose – ideal for checking on baby without risking waking them up. The clock can then be set up for the same thing in reverse for a sunrise mode as well.
My model costs £199/$250, but there are cheaper options on the market with more limited features, starting from £100/$139. Nonetheless, if you really want to treat a new parent this Christmas, this is a solid splurge option.
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