In the grand scheme of things, there are always a few rotten apples. The same applies to gift giving, but don't be scared. There are no “right” gifts or “wrong” gifts, but there are potentially harmful ones that may have skipped your notice. Check out the following list of shockingly bad baby gift ideas that are well-loved and innocent to the doting adults but are potentially dangerous to the little angels.

1. THE COLORFUL RAINBOW. Babies possess the innate mannerism to put their fingers and literally anything that they can grab to their mouths. Unless you're getting the baby those hanging visual treats, be on the lookout for colorfully painted toys, rattles and worse, balloons for the baby to play with. These things are only good to look at but are unfit for licking. Avoid being an unaware poisoner.

2. THE FURRY FRIEND. Dogs, cats and hamsters sometimes make an adorable gift to an animal-loving couple. Don't give one away to a family that's expecting a baby, however. A pet's need for attention will compete with that of the baby's. A pet's fur and saliva might cause the baby some allergies; a pet's meow or bark might disturb the baby's sleep. Let the household welcome each new addition one at a time. Wait a while and do put off this great gift idea until the child's fifth or sixth birthday.

3. THE SOFT BEDMATE. Pillows and stuffed toys are ideal bedmates for youngsters and adults alike who need something to hug and cuddle during bedtime. They are, however, not that useful to babies, who are actually more comfortable when they lie flat on the crib mattress. Don't forget that babies love to put things inside their mouths; a curious bite on the soft bedmate may lead to smothering.

4. THE ELEGANT CHOKER. Jewelry (with stone settings) is an impressive and regal gift to respectable ladies who want to show off the boons of a rich admirer or boast of their well-off family background. These expensive things do not have any value yet to the baby, who is too young anyway to fret about aesthetics and accessorizing. Resist the urge to buy baby earrings, necklaces and bracelets. These glittery things can choke the baby.

5. THE HARD ROCK. Hard rock gifts are far from the hard-core rock music which teenagers love. These gifts are literally the hard play things that might give the baby some bumps and bruises, and bone fractures. Take your cue from crib railings: they are padded to absorb the shock, but hard play things aren't. This early, avoid buying hand-held rattles and solid plastic toys for the baby. This type of gifts can wait until the baby's bones are no longer that fragile.

Before you get sold to sales pitches and band-wagon testimonies of great baby gift buys, ask yourself this ultimate question: will this gift unintentionally bring harm to the baby? Choose wisely. A little angel's life may be at stake.