Somewhere along the line, you inevitably encounter your baby's first major gift-giving holiday. No matter how many times you check your list, it is not easy getting the perfect gift for that zero-to-12-month-old baby in your life.

You just want to get it right ... but how do you know? It is not easy, like with an older child, where you can peek at his or her letter to Santa. It's especially difficult if the gift is going to have to be delivered by mail because you aren't there in person to see the things the baby likes to do.

Before you drive yourself nuts, think about how old the baby will be on that fine giftwrap-tearing day. Some newborns take their time going through average milestones, but knowing the general stages of development can help you decide on a great baby gift. Don't forget that presents for a post-partum mom and dad, including coupons to babysit occasionally, are thoughtful anytime.

A newborn's biggest changes are generally from zero to 3 months, 4 to 6 months, 7 to 9 months, and 10 to 12 months. From zero to 3 months, there are a lot of firsts: bath time, smiling, laughing and lifting his head while lying on his stomach. At 4 to 6 months, the baby usually begins teething, rolling over, maybe sitting up, reaching and grabbing things, and eating solid food for the first time. At 7 to 9 months, the baby starts crawling, tries standing, plays simple games like peekaboo, babbles, eats finger foods, and is mastering hand and finger coordination. Finally, at 10 to 12 months, the toddler is a real little person who is beginning to understand simple words (and even tries saying them) and plays interactive games like patty-cake.

Presents for newborns could also be items of convenience for the parents: bottle warmers, onesies, an assortment of baby bathing items, baby blankets and infant carriers. Many parents receive many of these items at baby showers; however, most need duplication and replenishing. Books to help record the baby's growth, portraits of the newborn, and wall plaques showing the baby's footprints and name will become wonderful keepsakes as the child grows into adulthood. A great gift with just the baby in mind is a "tummy mat," a play mat that goes on the floor and usually has bright colors and an archway of safe toys to catch the baby's interest.

If the baby is beginning to eat semisolids, a great gift would be a home baby-food maker -- convenient for parents and delicious nutrition for the baby. Or, similar to a tummy mat, you could gift a floor play gym, which has overhead toys attached to an arch to allow the infant to reach and grab to their heart's delight. At this age, an assortment of teething rings, especially those that can be kept cool, will certainly help with the baby's comfort. Christmas pajamas and oversized stuffed animals are always great gifts. Soft-material baby books with pictures and words will help foster a love of reading, even if they only go into the baby's mouth.

Seven-to-nine-month-old babies are usually moving around quite a bit. Large and colorful things like building blocks will give the baby a chance to be creative and should be too big to swallow (if an item will slip through a toilet-paper tube, it is too small for the baby to play with). Unless the parents have already bought one, a baby gate to cover stairs and other potential danger spots would be useful. Again, clothes are great gifts to keep up with a growing baby.

At 10 to 12 months, it is not easy to keep up with the baby. More clothing, shoes, interactive toys and books for bedtime stories will make terrific gifts. Remember that if the child lives anyplace where the temperature dips below 70 degrees, hats and outerwear are also welcome gifts. Gift cards will help Mom and Dad buy things that their growing baby will need.

Gifts that will help a child's development and help the new parents will always be appreciated.