Baby shower gifts for a newborn, under $25.

The teether every nursery ends up owning. Soft, squeaky, exactly the right size for a fist that can't hold much yet.

Buttery organic cotton at a real price. The everyday layer you're not precious about — which is the point with a newborn.

Drool bibs that read as an outfit, not a spill rag. You'll want the four-pack — trust me.

Pacifier sewn into a little animal so it stops disappearing into the car seat. The one thing that actually stayed found in my house.

A cheerful tangle of tubes that a brand-new hand can grab from any angle. Does more developmental work than it looks like.

A silicone banana they gnaw on that happens to clean the first little teeth. Cheap, brilliant, dishwasher-safe.

Chew it, drool on it, wipe it down — it survives. The book I buy when someone's expecting and I want it used, not shelved.