Gifts for a new mum?

[camille79]

A good friend of mine is due to give birth to her first baby in a few weeks.  As she is the first out of our group of friends to have a family, I'm not quite sure what kind of gift would be most appreciated.  Something for baby? Something for mum? Vouchers?  I've seen some lovely sleepsuits etc which I thought would be nice but worry whether she'll end up with tons of clothes which baby grows out of!

[rampart]

We received lots of gifts of clothing for junior rampart, which we enjoyed. Babies grow so quickly, if you do buy clothing, it might be best to purchase something other than for newborn, as grandparents and many folks tend to do that. If you buy for a six-month-old, you'll have to determine what season that is and purchase for that (which right now would be February).

Some of our favourite gifts included a pewter baby rattle, a sterling youth set (fork, knife, spoon), and a Sabino glass statuette of a child kneeling in prayer. Godmother has given a sterling cup with the child's monogram on junior rampart's birthday since (and including) birth.

There is a company that makes DVDs for newborns. It has music, sights, and sounds especially for little ones. Infants seem to really enjoy looking at these DVDs, and our toddler still enjoys them: http://www.babyeinstein.com/

[nfn]

I was the first in my group to have a baby and everyone bought loads of baby gifts. My best friend however made up a basket of spoils for me. Bath oils, cd, bottle of wine for when I could drink again, fluffy slippers, chocolate etc. It was the most appreciated and wonderful gift anyone has ever given me.

[purdster]

Clothes for the baby are always handy, maybe buy 3-6 months sizes, as babies grow so quickly. I know I had lots of new born clothes and when she got to about 3 months I had to go out and buy a whole lot in one go.

Also a present for the mum would be lovely, (she does all the hard work !! )maybe something personal.  Italian Charm Bracelets are a lovely idea, you can personlise them with charms.   Take a look at www.gillyandstripes.co.uk they have loads of charms and are really reasonable prices.

[Otrere]

EVERYBODY buys stuff for the baby. I reckon that a small teddy or something for baby and then a gift set for your friend with loads of pampering oils, candles and aromatherapy stuff in would be a great gift. For some reason everyone seems to forget about the mum when the little one is born.

My sis got me some stuff when my daughter was born and I really appreciated being able to pamper myself when I got a little bit of time out from being a full time, new and exhausted mum!

[boobesque]

gifts for mum are always nice, especially pampering stuff, i got a Jo Malone gift set that was very well appreciated, and something i couldnt afford myself!

A little homemade idea is some vouchers to offer help around the house, and a night babysitting when baby is older, or buy or book a night out for her and her partner again for when you feel you could bub sit.

[Hammer]

A nice bottle of wine and bar of chocolate for mum, and an offer to look after the sprog for a couple of hours once dad goes back to work so she can do her thing.

[miss_chase]

You SO have to get a Dior baby bottle - only (!) �12 from Harrods!!!

x

[ann_h]

You could get baby something that will be useful for longer, like a nice cot set, or a bale of the fluffiest white towels you can find.

[Hellion]

I paint the new Mum's toes bright pink and give her the bottle - prefereably long lasting like Rimmel Lycra. You feel everything is under control if your toes are painted pink, honest!!!

Also, in the first few weeks after a baby arrives Mum never seems to have time to wash hair, soak in bath, and is very tired. A lovely thing you can do is give her an hour to herself - go round take over the baby or take for a walk in pram and let Mum soak in the bath with a magazine for an hour. Or go round in the afternoon, take baby for a walk and let Mum get an hours sleep. Sounds like nothing much but I promise it will be appreciated. I love the homemade vouchers idea.

[frugalmummy]

a gift voucher for an aromatherapy massage . no contest. she will love you for it.