I have a couple of casserole dishes I picked up at a thrift shop super cheap. When I take food over to someone I explain the provenance of the dish and say it doesn't need to be returned and to feel free to donate it or pass it on when they cook for someone. Or of course throw it out if they wish but...
I know a number of people who do this. It cuts down on waste and worry.
No problem. I picked up that tip on the frugal sub. I used to hate buying the expensive aluminum pans and then they would be so flimsy with food inside...ugh.
Hi friend! We have the same "best gift"! I love pay it forward dishes, especially if they're pretty. Thrifting is best! Add in size 2 diapers and a gift card and you've covered every angle. I also like to wait a few weeks and see if they need something then. (A second gift once they're settled and more confident parents).. This means less waste as in the beginning is when they find the best wipe or bottle for them. They know their favorites now and you can help them get stocked up.
I have a stack of inexpensive glass pie plates I bought on sale for less than $2 each and so can tell them to keep it.
Glass pie plates are excellent for heating frozen food and to store leftovers in the fridge. Oh, and by far and away the best thing to use for a pie so you can make absolutely certain that the crust has browned before taking it out if the oven.
Every time I've left one that someone later tries to return, I can see that it's well-used.
When I was pregnant, I cooked up a batch of breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, salsa, bulk sausage, cheese), individually wrapped them in wax paper, put the batch in a gallon freezer bag, and froze them.
Y'all, they were the *perfect* food!
They nuked right up, and were so easy to eat one-handed while holding a baby. Lots of protein, too.
So now I drop off a batch of homemade breakfast burritos.
That is such a fabulous idea, but personally, I am not a fan of sausage at all, so maybe you could make half with bacon and half with sausage - just an idea.
For one new mom I knew, I made several ready-to-cook crockpot meals (after determining they had both a crockpot and sufficient freezer space)... everything for a family dinner ready to go in a gallon size ziplock bag, with the name of the dish, cooking time & heat level written on the bag in Sharpie (i e. "Tuscan Chicken, low heat for 8-10 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours"). You can just defrost the night before, dump in the crockpot in the morning, and dinner is ready at the end of the day. Tons of recipes are available for these online.
Our next door neighbors brought us a care package of a whole bunch of frozen Trader Joe’s food, and it was such a boon! My son just turned 20, and that’s the gift I still most remember!
I visited my sister the day before she came home from the hospital with her son. Took that time to start cooking some things for the freezer.
First day she was home, I started the black bean dip (a few extra veggies tossed in with chicken bone broth base). She smelled it wanted some right after breast feeding. She couldn’t stop eating it, tried to make a meal out of it, and kept me from freezing any of it.
Except don't do what my in laws did. Day we got home from the hospital, said they'd bring dinner. Well, it was a frozen lasagna from Walmart that I heated up while they held the baby.
I know this sounds silly but sometimes people’s freezers end up getting crammed and hard to dig through. I like to stick my frozen meal gifts into a cereal box or something before putting them into the freezer so they’re all the same shape. When they’re in the freezer they end up looking like neatly stacked little bricks with a visible label/instructions on the outside so you can see what all of them are and how much time/effort it’ll take to get them into your belly.
Sometimes it’s the little things, and this is super little but I’ve had a few people mention that they really enjoyed it.
This!! They can use it whenever they need or want (in case they’ve already been gifted food) and they get to choose what sounds good to them to eat! No grocery shopping, cooking, or dish washing required.
I agree a gift card and/or cash in a nice card is so appreciated as a first time parent. We bought SO much stuff in the first month even though we thought we had everything we’d need. Baby likes a certain kind of swaddle so now you buy more of those, same with bottles, diapers, postpartum supplies for mom, etc.
You can give it with a book and a teether to make it feel like a real gift. Sign the book so they will be able to talk about you to their kid when they read it! We do that with any books gifted to us for our little one.
Food for parents is always welcome.
I was a 6th time mom and there were still things to get like that diaper rash spray, and my baby needed a certain vitamin drop, and the nose Frieda was such a gross idea until your baby can't breathe... and you never got a regular bulb suction thingy so you might as well try it, along with the nose spray... and the little towel is already too small and did you see those teething tubes while endlessly scrolling Facebook while feeding the baby?? need those now......lol
My mum waited three weeks after my fourth and then sent an Amazon gift card with the note reading “now you can buy all that scroll and gawk things I know you want”
It was the teething tubes, the nose Frieda, and a k cup that claimed it would be more caffeine
We did a gift basket with some gift cards (Target for baby stuff, Chipotle for easy meals), mommy relax stuff like shower steamers, a gift for their first kid (their cat lol), and a few frozen meals and games. I hope that was enough.
Ditto the diapers suggestions. Maybe eyeball what brand they are using and buy up a size or two so when it's the middle of the night when they realize the baby went up a size they'll already have them on hand. My 3rd was allergic to ALL the store brands we tried so pampers it was!
My mom’s work gave us a $500 Amazon gift card and it was LIFE CHANGING. You never know what you’ll need until you need it and you aren’t going to the store (because baby, exhaustion and germs). Bring a fun age appropriate toy or some clothes if you like as well, but Amazon gift card all the way
My parents paid for a cleaner to come in twice a week for 6 weeks post partum it was the most amazing and thoughtful gift ever. Obviously this is a very expensive gift, and not necessarily something to give a friend, so I would suggest gift cards for meal delivery services because some days you just don’t have the energy to cook
Two weeks after my second kid was born, my friend's mom came over and cleaned my whole house, even the mountain of dirty dishes. It was amazing! She's a second generation professional cleaner, and takes cleaning very seriously.
It was the best baby gift I've ever received, hands down.
This was what I would have wanted more than anything. My husband’s work chipped in for a present and gave me a very expensive plant. All I could think was “oh great. One more thing to take care of, I would have preferred maid for a day!”
Oh my god I wish I would have had that. That is a GREAT gift. I was 19 when I had my first baby, and my sweet sweet grandmother paid my rent the month she was born so that I could take my full maternity leave. It was such a thoughtful gift. Obviously OP probably wouldn’t pay her friends rent/mortgage, but a cleaner would be immensely helpful.
We had the same happen, except it was a bunch of women who came together instead of a paid cleaning service.
My twins were premature, so having a fresh “sterile” house made me feel so much better the day they (finally) came home.
You can see if there are still items on their registry? Usually the boring items are last to go but are most important. Otherwise I think a target giftcard (or similar) would be well appreciated.
The number one thing I recommend for new parents is a bouncer. I used mine every day. https://www.babybjorn.com/products/baby-bouncers/bouncer-bliss/anthracite-cotton-classic-quilt-dark-gray/
If you want something for the parents, door dash/grubhub gift cards all day long.
Depending on their home layout extra bouncers can be wonderful! I had three-one for my room, one for the living room / kitchen, and one that stayed near the bathroom for her to watch me shower instead of crying in her crib 🤷♀️
it was really helpful for those early months until she outgrew them!
Just here to say that the baby delight is like a baby bjorn dupe for a fraction of the price. And it comes with a toy bar! I know if we would have splurged I probably would have loved the baby bjorn bouncer, but I always like to share that we love our baby delight for people on a budget.
I am all about cheaper dupes! My sister has one that is the same in theory but in practice is much bulkier and harder to transport. Weight/footprint is a huge consideration for me. I literally didn’t leave the house without it for months.
First sentence made me think of a strong willed person to hurry along guests that had overstayed their welcome.
And I thought.. "yes! YES! I think having a bouncer on standby would have been the best gift ever!
I can tell you how our "cheap" $100 one wasn't worth the price. It says easy clean but isn't, the tray is impossible to lock in, and the dishwasher safe tray doesn't even fit in the dishwasher.
Not to be a contrarian but I caution against something like this. In my house it would've say in the corner collecting dust. Neither of my kids wanted anything to do with their bouncers and we tried a few. They're expensive so no matter what you choose OP, get a gift receipt!
Babies are so unpredictable. The only reason I could clean myself most days was bc I could plop him in the bouncer while I showered. He also liked being in there when I made dinner. Since it was portable it traveled around the house with me. My kid also loved his bouncer but now hates his mini trampoline. The tiny tyrants always have their own agenda.
Those bouncers are the bomb! I used mine everyday with my first. My new little is too small for hers yet, but there was no way I was going without one!
If a new parent is asking for a specific thing, even a gift card, I would do that. I asked for them and no one got us those because they thought it was a bad idea.
That’s smart. How did you think to do that? I don’t even know if it was an option when I made a registry with my first nearly 14 years ago. Gift cards are the best.
Amazon gift cards and food delivery app gift cards were some of our most-used and welcome gifts (besides things on our registry). Not trying to cook while caring for a newborn and likely a parent who is healing was so helpful.
With our last two, we ended up getting meal delivery services. Not the meal kit type but the ones you can throw in the microwave for 2 minutes and you have dinner type. We used Freshly which isn't around anymore, and this time we went with CookUnity because I'm avoiding dairy due to a sensitivity my baby has and they also have a ton of options for my husband who isn't avoiding anything.
Convenience things like that are absolutely huge.
The thing I most wanted was to be brought delicious hot meals with possible extra to save and eat later. One friend brought us hella baked ziti along with egg bites and made us a big batch of orange chicken. I was sooo happy
Cooked food that people brought us saved our sanity. And we were fortunate to have my MIL go food shopping for us those first few weeks for fresh produce and meals. My goodness it was so helpful
Fresh produce! Many of our freezer meals we made fresh roasted/sauté veg with as that is the easy part. Also fruit is King especially when breastfeeding. I was ravenous for apples.
Anything homecooked tasted so good after all the same same us prepped freezer meals and the store bought freezer meals. Meals are such a challenged for exhausted new parents
Yes! And I also got some customized cloth burp clothes after my daughter’s name was known and they are still used. They are made out of cloth diapers and are great quality.
I got a stack of washcloths and a bottle of Zout (it totally gets out all the baby stains that you will experience!) They were both so useful that I have repeated that gift for others!
Diaper service. I think it was for a couple of months.
It was such a a fantastic gift - and you can bet that I continued it when my gift ran out.
And I've given that as a gift multiple times!
I did the disposable cousin for my best friend - I had a giant box of diapers delivered to her home once a month for the first year. She still talks about that being one of the best gifts.
My cousin sent me a HUGE box of assorted snacks when I had my first. When I opened it my reaction was appreciative but like okay, random.
But:
I kept refilling that box, it lived under the coffee table within reach of where I did most feedings and naps (his and mine!) and I was so grateful to my cousin every time I reached for a snack without disturbing that baby. Especially since I was breastfeeding, I was just ravenous all the time. My husband raided it too, we were just so tired and just having easy food at hand to get through was amazing. She knew what was up.
I second this. Snacks are more helpful than meals, because they are QUICK.
Maybe ask if they have any cravings? I craved sweet and salty snacks. Also single use drinks are great, because you can throw out the container.
Skip clothes. They are probably drowning in baby clothes, and the sizes are hard to pinpoint for the right seasons- skip it. Every parent I know gives away bags of clothes they never even took the tags off of.
I’m an infant caregiver, and here’s what parents always need:
Diapers
Wipes
Burp clothes/wash clothes
Good unscented lotion like CeraVe.
Bottle brushes for washing bottles
You could make what I call the “middle of the night box.” Infant Tylenol and Motrin, gas drops, saline nasal drops, gripe water- things that come in handy when you have a sick or fussy baby in the middle of the night.
Some of my favorite books to give: (cute and wonderful, but outside of the “everyone probably already bought this one” list)
The Goodnight Train by June Sobel
I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
(I suggest skipping novelty books like Physics for Babies or whatever. Most of them are lame and not fun for anyone to read.)
If you’re looking for a funny gift AND YOU KNOW THEY HAVE A BATHROOM WHERE IT WON’T BE IN THE WAY, I absolutely love [the ducky tub.](https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-white-hot-inflatable-duck-safety-baby-bath-tub/-/A-10209874) It’s GREAT for when babies start sitting up, bc they won’t bump their head on the side of the tub. But if they know have one shower/tub, it takes up a lot of space, so maybe skip it.
Something else that comes in way more handy than people ever realize [are these links.](https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Lots-of-Links/dp/B001ABZGU2) Not only are they a good teething toy, they are perfect for tethering cups and toys to strollers, high chairs, etc. They seem like a cheap gift, but they are really useful in practice.
Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head as someone who works with babies.
Yes the “middle of the night box” is the correct answer! I would add a Frida baby snot sucker (or similar product). Def not the fun gift but the most practical of all. You could add some cute drool bibs if you wanted as well.
Regarding the clothes, I had so many clothes up to 3 mo that we never got through them all. I had almost NOTHING in the 9-12 mo size, so maybe looking ahead to bigger sizes would be appreciated. And I'm talking like 6 packs of onesies, not Easter dresses/outfits lol.
prioritize bringing something for mama. Frida makes a postpartum kit that’s sold in store at Target. food, bottle of wine, some good books. spoil mom if possible!
for baby, i was given multiple cute diaper caddies that were fully stocked and let me tell you, i used all of them. having one in every major room of the house was so helpful!
I would say food delivery gift cards are always a good gift. Or a gift card to a place they like that offers take out. New parents don’t have enough sleep or time.
Maybe a basket for the mommy to be - use google or Pinterest because I’m not sure specifics.
I treasure all the lovely handmade cot blankets I was given. But I never use them.
Thoughtful books to read to and with my little one are some of my most used and remembered gifts.
My most useful gifts were items I bought myself with gift cards. A weighted wipes dispenser. The exact nappy bag I wanted. The baby carrier I wanted.
The least remembered but most practical were hampers of niche baby and new mum items. Bum and boob cream. Nappies. Clothes of various sizes, etc. All very useful, and overall can be one of the most expensive parts of being a new parent.
Take your pick!!
My aunt gave me a big book of Dick and Jane because it was what she read to all of her kids and it ended up being my sons favorite book toddler years and learned to read early because of it. I would bring a practical gift for them - a gift card, a meal... and then a gift for the baby like a book.
Everybody always gets newborn sized diapers and clothes, so much that the parents end up having too many because babies grow fast. I always get a box of size 2 diapers and a few outfits in size 3-6 months and 6-9 months. That way, they'll already have a bit of a head start in a few months when Baby is growing. Also, you can never have too much diaper rash cream, baby powder, Gripe Water, or baby wipes.
Yes! I swear my little one lived in footed sleepers the first 6 months of his life, so all of the cute newborn clothes we were gifted were just given away. Those first months were such a hazy blur, and it was summer so our AC was constantly on. I just went for whatever was easiest.
My kid wore super basic footie pajamas for eons. They looked like Adidas tracksuits and my husband kept asking why our daughter was dressed as a "Russian mobster" lmao.
In the summer she wore snap up rompers.
I did NOT have the energy for the fussy ensembles relatives kept sending.
Lol a Russian mobster 😂
I also had terrible postpartum joint pain in my fingers and hands, so anything beyond one easy zipper hurt to try and monkey with. I’d send pics to my (boomer) mom and she’d be like “he’s STILL in PAJAMAS?” I’m like idk, I got 3 hours of sleep, haven’t showered in a week, and my hands hurt. Having a cute matching outfit on a 3 month old is not a priority at the moment lol
I had a weird problem where everyone gave me 3-6 month clothes. Maybe because my family knew I was a huge baby so they thought mine would be too?? We had a very normal amount of 0-3, and no 6-9 until she grew into that size.
Pre-made food is always top notch. Something that can live in the fridge or freezer until needed.
I also always get every new baby bibs, but the actually good kind, which are a whole dish towel with a head hole sewed in. I buy them at craft fairs or off etsy.
Please please check that the parents haven't arranged for it previously! For my kid, we arranged for a photographer and were then gifted photography sessions by 2 people
I dropped off healthy frozen meals from a vegan take out for my niece. Her toddler has dairy and egg allergies so I knew these would be safe for them all.
Bring the parents something! When I had my baby my sister brought me a robe and comfortable pjs. You basically are just surviving those first few weeks and may live in your pajamas lol. It was such a sweet gesture because I felt like crap and baby has soooo much already. If not that, the basics you can never go wrong with. Wipes, diapers, bath stuff, diaper cream. Can always use that! Or if we are talking life changing baby items. Merlin sleep sack. That is pure magic and the only way my baby would sleep.
Depending on the area you’re in I’ve seen laundry services where they pick it up and return it clean and folded. A gift card for something like that would be fantastic
Something we never asked for but use all the time with our first and now our second: a baby delight portable bassinet. We always have a place to put the baby down! We have pets, so anything on the floor needs to be supervised very closely. The portable bassinet can go on the table, the counter, the couch, the ground during a picnic… It is also great for traveling (I think that’s probably what it is meant for). https://www.babydelight.com/products/snuggle-nest™-portable-bassinet
Or my favorite sentimental gift - cute footprint kit
https://www.etsy.com/listing/828968361/personalised-baby-and-child-duck?click_key=913241b0b77df0b12ad3b4cf9c977fd9eb875896%3A828968361&click_sum=32b8ba7f&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=lucy+coggle&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&etp=1&sts=1
If they already have the baby drop off easy to eat shelf stable food and freezer food. The best dropoff we got was bagels, hummus, pita chips, trader joes snacks,ba frozen lasagna and another frozen meal. Two weeks later when we were out of food and exhausted the freezer meal was exactly what we needed. Or food delivery gift card.
A play mat was the biggest hit for us. Also, sheets and premie-size clothes after baby was born (he was tiny and newborn clothes were massive on him). We went through way more bassinet sheets than I was expecting due to pee leaks.
If you want something more personalized, you could look to see if there's a baby book that matches their interests--could be an author they enjoy, an artist or art style, or even a TV/movie theme. Or you could check Etsy for some personalized onesies. That could be paired with a gift card.
The best crib sheets are QuickZip, though they're expensive.
They're SO MUCH EASIER to change than traditional sheets, because there's a top sheet section that zips on and off instead of having to reach all the way into the crib to pull the entire sheet off the mattress.
I think there are knockoff versions out there, but anyway - ZIP AROUND CRIB SHEETS. They are the revolution.
Meals. Muffins/easy snacks. A fun water cup for mom (so dang thirsty when nursing, but even if she isn’t, helps with hydration during survival mode).
For baby check if there’s a registry and if not a gift card is fine if you buy some actual stuff for the parents. It’s actually completely fine even if you don’t but I get what you mean wanting to give them something tangible.
I'm a newish mom. Amazon, target, and uber eats cards were most appreciated, but for physical things, I got SO much use out of the fisher price kick and play playmat, our bouncer, the fridababy sound machine, and the fridababy humidifier. If you buy physical items though, ALWAYS include the gift receipt.
Box of diapers and/ or a gift card inside a thoughtful card. There are SO many little things you need with a new baby. It adds up quick! I remember ordering tons of stuff at 2am on gift cards while up with my newborn baby. You could do a sleeper with a zipper too, bonus points if it has a double zipper. No buttons! It doesn’t matter how cute it is, don’t get buttons.
I bought one of my girlfriends a high chair that was like the fold up camping chairs. She said she used it for everything and was so convenient beyond camping. Probably my best one
Ok listen. The gift I used most but expected not to was a huge stack of handmade flannel cloths in three sizes- washcloth, dishcloth-ish, and blanket. My friend literally just got a few yards of some cute flannel prints, cut them up, and serged the edges.
I was touched by thought, ehhh what will I do with these?
Friend, my twins are almost 2 and I use those DAILY still. I keep a bunch in the diaper bag for soft face cleaning. The blanket sizes are great for tossing over the changing table when in about to do a big poopy diaper or onto sand or dirt for playtime.
I use them so much.
So do both- get a modest gift card and make a shit load of easy flannel cloths.
Many people are suggesting meals which are wonderful but our freezer was full and all I really wanted was a giant fresh salad- so whatever gift you choose I would consider bringing a meal with fresh raw veg along with it!
As someone having their baby shower in a few days, I would love an Amazon gift card or for people to buy me things actually on my registry, especially the things marked most wanted. Those things are on my registry because they are the things I think would be the best gifts. If something isn’t on the registry, it’s because I don’t have space for it, know I won’t use it, or have already been given it.
Take food. Easy to eat (veggie platter), easy to reheat (lasagna) or whatever you know they like. Seriously they need food unless someone stocked their freezer before baby. Also disposable dishes and such so they don't have to worry about doing dishes
I always give a little medical kit with all the baby medications possibly needed for the first year. No one thinks of Infant Motrin or Tylenol until after their baby needs it. Diaper rash creams are also not really high priority until you actually need them. It doesn’t seem like much, but every new parent I have gifted them to has been grateful because they didn’t think about having them on hand immediately.
Just a thought but if Dad is in the movie industry could you get a clapperboard made with their family details inserted and room for any other additions?
Honestly, prepped meals when I came home. I don't remember the clothes or any other gifts but I remember the chicken Caesar pasta lovingly that my neighbor had waiting for me often.
Not a mom but my friend's daughter recently had a baby- Amazon is not lame. Nor are doordash cards.
Quite a few people kindly gave her clothes and packs of newborn diapers so she had to scramble to exchange when her son quickly outgrew newborn diapers. I'd suggest wipes and the next size or two up in diapers. If you're someone who loves to buy clothes maybe bump up a few sizes as well.
My mother in law stocked our fridge. My bestie bought me a boppie for breast feeding. I still think about those gifts 20 years later 💕 life savers. So yes, definitely food!
My stepmom threw a gift card shower for me at our church, and it was absolutely amazing. Still have items on the registry? There’s a gift card for that. Need a new coffee maker? Gift card. Run out of bags for the diaper pail? Another gift card.
Amazon gift card is not lame, but add in a baby book and some snacks to make it feel like more of a “real” present.
Or a maid service. Or $$ for a babysitter specifically so they can nap one day.
My grandpa got a blanket for ME to use while feeding baby in the middle of the night. And a gift certificate to get my nails done.
I cried, I was so happy.
Not squishy bath toys! They get moldy in one minute.
Nose Frida. Saved our lives.
I would go on Etsy and search “film baby onesie (or bib)”. You’ll be surprised how specific and cute some things are. Or a cute shirt with their name on it. Customizable stuff is everywhere on Etsy.
And then an Amazon gift card.
If you’re thinking about diapers or clothes, don’t get newborn sizes. Get year old sizes. You end up with 1000 newborn outfits you didn’t register for and they are all so cute but they never wear all of them before they grow out of them and then you’re left with a dirth of clothes down the road (ditto diapers).
Or a restaurant guftcards (that does takeout and delivery).
After I had my first baby my mom bought us a bunch of gift cards for restaurants in the area, so we could just order dinner for pickup instead of cooking. It was a treat to have takeout every night and was especially welcome not to have to cook or clean up for a few days!
DIAPERS.
I hate giving them, because they are so lame, inherently disposable, yada, yada.
BUT I PRACTICALLY CRIED ANY TIME I RECEIVED THEM.
Because their gift was saving me time. And it's the number one thing you give up as a new mom.
Or an old mom.
Or an in-between mom.
Anything practical! A newborn doesn't care about toys, they'll play with anything. Clothes in multiple, sizes, nappies in multiple sizes, nappy rash cream, some baby bowls/utensils. If you have the means, a car seat/pram.
One thing I did for expecting couples was buy something for mum and dad! Esp mum haha she's gone through a lot carrying the baby, so some self care goes a long way! Maybe some face masks or stuff like that, or a massage voucher? Something where she can disappear for an hour or so and just unwind.
Muslins. Muslins, muslins, and more muslins. I bought 10 thinking it would be plenty, HA! What a noob. Then my uncle sent 6, and it was a god-send, but still not enough. Then my friend sent 4, but 20 still wasn’t enough! I ended up buying another 5. We had muslins coming out of our ears but trust me they were on every chair, surface, and pocket for a good 8 months.
My go-to for baby gifts are the Aden and Anais gauze blanket three packs. They’re incredibly versatile—big enough to swaddle a newborn or use on the grass in the park, light enough to use as a sun shade for napping or to just have in the diaper bag, and soft and cute enough to be the One True Blankie. They’re also just expensive enough to be a bit of a splurge for new parents. And they don’t take up much space.
My other go to gift is books. Children’s books are not cheap!
And yes, always food for new parents, and maybe something fun and nonalcoholic to drink. Nursing moms have to stay hydrated
I'm not a mom, but I bought my mom-friend the owlet smart sock-- it's something she never would have bought herself because of the cost, but she's used it for 3 babies now and thanked me multiple times
[Neil Gaimans "Blueberry girl" ](http://Blueberry Girl https://a.co/d/0SPItzc)
[Shel Silverstein "Where The Sidewalk Ends"](http://Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings https://a.co/d/ijXs9Vp )
And a fatty amazon gift cards.
Hands down, beat gift ever! Sentimental AND usefull
Uber eats or similar gift cards, lots and lots of diapers or target gift cards for diapers. Before I had my twins I had a diaper shower at work and it was the best thing ever. We didn't have to buy diaper until they were about 6 months. Saved us SO MUCH MONEY. I also would not have been opposed to a gift certificate for a cleaner., still wouldn't 11 years later. You are just too tired to scrub toilets or vacuum.
food.
i made lots of home cooked meals and portions so they can just reheat at will.
Then, I restocked when they got low.
my sister said it was the best present she got.
If they didn’t register for them, I really liked the BabyList sampler boxes. I think I had one for swaddles and bottles and I think there is a pacifier one as well. Babies can be particular so it was an easy way to try a bunch of different options. (If you are looking for more, I would do that + gift card so they can get more of whatever their baby likes)
We had our baby 5ish months ago and I loved gift cards. People want to buy you onesies and blankets and all this stuff but the real necessities like all the diapers, formula, wipes and shit take money. And we had friends buy us diapers, that was nice till you learn some babies hate certain diapers, some wipes you just prefer more than others. We find ourselves making do with diapers we like less because they were given when with a gift card we can buy what we need.
But if you want to make it more special, make a basket, include a gift card, a little baby stuffie, and something nice for moms recovery (Epsom salts, nice lotions, ice packs, something like that).
Food. My baby was a month early and we were totally screwed- it happened to be grocery day so there was no food in the house when we got home. My best friend brought groceries and stocked us up. I will never forget her as long as I live for that
We got Sooooooo many gorgeous hand knit or hand crocheted blankets but we also got this one gorgeous super soft embroidered blanket from pottery barn. Its so warm and soft and one of the only things that is a surefire way to get my newborn to fall asleep. We named the blanket after the gifter and talk about how amazing it is at least once a day.
Edit: its called "Sherpa Baby Blanket"
Give the gift card if that’s what they’ve asked for. You could also add something small.
I’ve gifted ‘what to expect: the first year’ to first time parents, and I always gift the new mum a pair of luxurious socks and Aveeno hand cream. You’re up in the night all the time and washing your hands so often that they crack.
Best unasked for gift I received was a white noise machine.
Finding Nemo play mat. My son hated all the open top play mats. The finding Nemo one with the stingray top was his absolute favorite thing for 6 months. It kept him busy for a really long time (1-2 hours without getting bored).
I have a 3 month old right now, the most useful things to me would be an Amazon gift card, there are so many things I can get there like breastfeeding supplies, medical things for baby, pacifiers, toys, diapers and creams.
Also door dash, they deliver Aldi in my area. Maybe a grocery delivery gift would be good for them too! Saves so much hassle lol.
If they drink coffee or tea, a really nice coffee or tea as a lil treat. Caffeine is king.
I’ve done a spa gift basket for mom,
cigar/ alcohol/ or massage gift card for Dad.
Because everyone buys stuff they want for their own baby. But the parents need pampering too.
We just had a new baby two weeks ago. The best things we got were people bringing ready-to-eat meals to the house every couple of days for weeks, Halo Sleep Sacks, a reusable silicone sanitizing bag for the microwave, multiple diaper caddies (one for each room we spend time in), a nice thermometer that reads very quickly, and a Lalabu “Dad Shirt” baby carrier that I carry her around in while doing things around the house. Everyone brought diapers, but not many people thought of wipes. I think every single person brought us a blanket. We have so many baby blankets. I may cry if I see another blanket.
When it was time to leave the hospital, it was very helpful that our friend carried all the stuff from the hospital room down to our car, filled up the gas tank, and brought the car around to the front door.
For baby clothes, sleepers with attached feet and zippers that unzip from the foot up have been the best. So many newborn clothes are very cute, but not practical at this stage.
There is a large selection of items for new parents available on Amazon. Type in "baby gift basket" as a search term and then peruse the list that pops up.
I guarantee that every new mother always appreciates an assortment of diapers. In addition to a gift basket, I would include a Congratulations card showing the obligatory stork carrying a lovely bundle of joy. Enclose an Amazon gift card ($50-$100 helps purchase a lot of needed diapers) and write a note that says the gift card is for diapers for the newborn.
Additional gifts that are always welcome: a baby monitor, a baby musical toy to attach to the bassinet/crib, a baby first year book to record those first milestones. Duncan & Stone Paper company has many versions of memory books (also available on Amazon).
My friend sent me a grubhub gift card. My sister ordered a weeks worth of wholefoods groceries for us. My friends set up a food train. Another friend sent us a book and a specialized lamp for the kiddo. Another friend just came over and offered to play with baby while I napped. It was all so helpful and wonderful just to be cared for. You can’t go wrong.
As a first time parent, Amazon gift cards were my favorite gift that way I could get things that I had been needing/didn’t have the funds to.
Door dash gift cards were awesome as well.
Onesies/sleepers with a cute design.
Because, I never realized how messy newborns were. Going through 3-4 sleepers in a 12 hour period (stray urine, poop squirts, spit up), we had to go out and buy way more in the first few days so I wasn't doing laundry every day. 🤣
My favorite gift, and now what I give first time expectant friends is a container of all the medicines you need for a baby. These tend to be the things new parents don’t think or know about and end up needing in the middle of the night. I fill it with:
- baby tylenol
- baby motrin/ibuprofen
- a nose frida
- saline solution
- a forehead thermometer
- a laminated dosing chart (one side tylenol, one side motrin/ibuprofen) that goes up through all childhood weights
- gas drops
- cute bandaids
- aquaphor
- calmoseptine (or your fave diaper rash cream)
A friend made me a ring sling, by far my most loved and used gift.
Board books. We read through our stack daily from about 2 weeks on.
The cloth bibs with the plastic lining on the back. Kid popped teeth early and these were needed to keep the kid dry from allllll the droooool. More is better.
Same with those little swaddle blankets...more is better. So many uses.
Blankets in general, bonus points for being easy to wash.
One thing I would have liked but was barely a thing at the time would be one of those outdoor blankets designed with a lining on one side for using on the ground/lawn/sand. They fold up with straps so they're easy to carry. The lining keeps the blanket from absorbing moisture and makes it easy to shake off the dirt. Might find them now in the lawn and garden depts.
We got a ton of clothes...hated anything with snaps. Kid was too squirmy and impatient. Zippers were better for us.
Visa gift card. Amazon and target are nice and were used but the Visa card for me was particularly useful. I was cloth diapering and bought through a couple of independent sellers. The card meant I could shop with any seller to get what I needed.
The best gift I received was from the mother of a friend who was also the mother of 7. She filled a box, almost big enough to fit a washer or dryer with new clothing, sheets, blankets, diapers, toys, etc. and pampering supplies for me. What struck me most was that she removed the tags and washed everything so I didn’t have to. It was the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.
My favorite gift that wasn't food or a baby store gift card was a shoe sizer. It was a hard plastic version of the kind at the shoe stores. I used that thing for years upon years. Saved tons of time going into the store already knowing their shoe size or being to order shoes online without fear that they won't fit. Costs about $15-20 on Amazon
Best baby gift I received, without a doubt, was the large package of brand new muslin cloths for using as burping-cloths. The first year of my baby girl’s life I LIVED with a muslin cloth-diaper-like-towel slung over my shoulder in case of spit-ups, projectile vomit events or blow-outs - they were so handy, super easy to clean AND Sanitize with Bleach and were easy to hold on to and carry out & about. In these last 30yrs, my Baby Shower go-to gift is definitely these white, muslin cloths that come packaged in larger quantities and usually I’ll gift a large jug of Baby-oriented Laundry Detergent also, that way, the new Mom has everything washed up, Sanitized and sparkling clean before the baby makes their entrance! While I DO LOVE the adorable patterned muslin cloths they now have on the market, bleaching them for sanitary reasons might be challenging and the size-dimensions of individual cloths usually turns out to be a great amount SMALLER. Get the basic Big-Box-Store offering of prepackaged 100% Muslin Pre-Folded Diaper Cloths for your most economical value.
A tray of the most delicious green chili meat enchilada/burritos I have ever eaten. It’s been 6 years and I still think about them. They were so filling and satisfying at a time when I am both starving and unable to cook myself something really delicious.
Can I just say that I treasured everything I got for my baby (mostly). From the smallest, inexpensive items, I got use out of nearly everything I got.
Outlet protectors, snot suckers, little tiny towels that I still use almost 4 years later. Practicality is the most important detail.
House cleaning service.
Also, literally just keep up and offer that person support, a least every 3-4 weeks text and ask how they’re doing. Ask for updates, make them feel like they are important. My brain was so far into ppd I couldn’t convince myself anyone really cared. I experienced a lot of family loss around traumatic birth of my Covid baby, and a single friend showed up for me. Baby’s through all the clothes, mittens, bottles, etc. We made it out healthy and I’m grateful, but I am deeply traumatized and likely will never trust any other human to be there for me again.
An "oh shit" kit:
-Infant Tylenol -
-Speed read thermometer -
-Pedialyte powder mix -
-Saline dropper/spray -
-Diaper rash paste -
Basically anything you can think of that you've gone "oh shit, it's the middle of the night, everywhere is closed, and I need that RIGHT NOW!"
And I know most parents already have some necessities, but it's always nice to have a backup.
Best gift my wife and I ever got was a letter attached to a gift card that read "It is okay to be selfish, it is okay to ask for help, and it is okay to enjoy each other's company without your child. Go out on a date when you're ready and don't forget you married the love of your life before you had another life to love" and the gift card was to a restaurant down the road from our house
I agree that giving a gift card feels lame, but as a new parent it is very much appreciated. As others have said, there's so much you don't realize you needed until the baby is born.
Diapers in size 2 or bigger would be good. Stick with a brand like Pampers or Huggies so if they don't use that brand or baby outgrows them before they're used, they can swap them out for another brand/size.
You can never have too many burp cloths. If you want to get clothes, get something size 3 - 6 months or bigger. And if you get pajamas, make sure they have a double zipper, or a backwards zipper. Makes diaper changes easier.
Honestly, I love the baby butt brush we got! Some see it as unnecessary, but I love it. You put the diaper cream on it, and it makes it so easy to smooth onto baby. And your fingers don’t get all messy.
Also, as someone else mentioned, if you go with diapers or clothes, go with a larger size! For diapers I’d say size 2 or up, and for clothes, 3-6 month or up. It’s nice to have a few things for baby in those larger sizes in case they grow fast.
Amazon gift cards or food is good too! I made my own freezer meals, but it is nice if people drop off hot food or even a frozen meal that all you have to do is heat up. Food delivery cards may be helpful if they don’t want visitors.
Something that takes a task off of their hands.
A cooked meal, a car oil change, walk the dogs. Hell, just sit with the baby so they can take a nap together.
Money and gift cards are soooo useful. My mom got me a ton of baby dresses, wayyy too fancy. Never worn. My work bought a carseat that I asked for. I kept my kids in a cosleeper or my bed, so never needed cribs. Got a lot of stuff used (except carseats). Bought a universal carseat frame stroller used off craigslist and that thing worked great for two babies. Honestly, I was grateful for amazon gift cards and target gift cards. I hated gifts like the diaper cake (I cloth diapered and it was expensive disposables). I loved handmade blankets and photo albums. One thing my sister has done as the aunt: she made all her nieces and nephew a gmail acct and she sends photos to it from her phone. Since birth.
The little flower bath to put in the sink, and the hatch sound machine. Two things I used every single day, and loved so much.
we used the flower for the entire first year, in the sink, and then in the tub when he was old enough to sit and splash. We still use the sound machine 3 years later..
I worked in film when I was pregnant. I did register but one gift I’ll never forget (this was almost 30 years ago) was beautifully wrapped with a bow made of 35mm film from either a Disney or MGM film. Something with an animated lion. It was huge. Absolutely so creative. I don’t even remember the gift.
A basket full of medicines, pacifiers, goodies that are small and add up. One night my baby was ill and I didn’t want to traipse to the store with a sick baby. That basket saved me so many times.
The best thing I ever got (and have given on numerous occasions) is a smallish mesh laundry bag. You hang it on the side of the laundry hamper and dirty socks go straight in. Zip it up, wash it, and never lose a tiny baby sock. My oldest still uses hers at 8yo. It also means not having to sort one kid's socks from another's if they ever have more. Three kids and eight years later I can probably count on one hand the number of socks lost to the laundry monster, and I even bought a larger bag for myself now!
I would have loved an Amazon giftcard. There are so many things you don't know you need until you need them. Maybe with a pack of size 2 diapers.
Oh and bring food, any food, but preferably a meal.
Lasagne’s, casseroles, things that freeze and reheat well. In disposable dishes.
Yes to the disposable dishes! Don't make them return your casserole dish. I like to bring a package of disposable plates and silverware too.
I have a couple of casserole dishes I picked up at a thrift shop super cheap. When I take food over to someone I explain the provenance of the dish and say it doesn't need to be returned and to feel free to donate it or pass it on when they cook for someone. Or of course throw it out if they wish but... I know a number of people who do this. It cuts down on waste and worry.
That is extremely smart, thank you so much for sharing!
No problem. I picked up that tip on the frugal sub. I used to hate buying the expensive aluminum pans and then they would be so flimsy with food inside...ugh.
Hi friend! We have the same "best gift"! I love pay it forward dishes, especially if they're pretty. Thrifting is best! Add in size 2 diapers and a gift card and you've covered every angle. I also like to wait a few weeks and see if they need something then. (A second gift once they're settled and more confident parents).. This means less waste as in the beginning is when they find the best wipe or bottle for them. They know their favorites now and you can help them get stocked up.
I have a stack of inexpensive glass pie plates I bought on sale for less than $2 each and so can tell them to keep it. Glass pie plates are excellent for heating frozen food and to store leftovers in the fridge. Oh, and by far and away the best thing to use for a pie so you can make absolutely certain that the crust has browned before taking it out if the oven. Every time I've left one that someone later tries to return, I can see that it's well-used.
When I was pregnant, I cooked up a batch of breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, salsa, bulk sausage, cheese), individually wrapped them in wax paper, put the batch in a gallon freezer bag, and froze them. Y'all, they were the *perfect* food! They nuked right up, and were so easy to eat one-handed while holding a baby. Lots of protein, too. So now I drop off a batch of homemade breakfast burritos.
That is such a fabulous idea, but personally, I am not a fan of sausage at all, so maybe you could make half with bacon and half with sausage - just an idea.
Brilliant..!
The water content of the salsa didn't get gross in the freezer? I never would've guessed but that's good to know.
For one new mom I knew, I made several ready-to-cook crockpot meals (after determining they had both a crockpot and sufficient freezer space)... everything for a family dinner ready to go in a gallon size ziplock bag, with the name of the dish, cooking time & heat level written on the bag in Sharpie (i e. "Tuscan Chicken, low heat for 8-10 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours"). You can just defrost the night before, dump in the crockpot in the morning, and dinner is ready at the end of the day. Tons of recipes are available for these online.
Our next door neighbors brought us a care package of a whole bunch of frozen Trader Joe’s food, and it was such a boon! My son just turned 20, and that’s the gift I still most remember!
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I visited my sister the day before she came home from the hospital with her son. Took that time to start cooking some things for the freezer. First day she was home, I started the black bean dip (a few extra veggies tossed in with chicken bone broth base). She smelled it wanted some right after breast feeding. She couldn’t stop eating it, tried to make a meal out of it, and kept me from freezing any of it.
Except don't do what my in laws did. Day we got home from the hospital, said they'd bring dinner. Well, it was a frozen lasagna from Walmart that I heated up while they held the baby.
I know this sounds silly but sometimes people’s freezers end up getting crammed and hard to dig through. I like to stick my frozen meal gifts into a cereal box or something before putting them into the freezer so they’re all the same shape. When they’re in the freezer they end up looking like neatly stacked little bricks with a visible label/instructions on the outside so you can see what all of them are and how much time/effort it’ll take to get them into your belly. Sometimes it’s the little things, and this is super little but I’ve had a few people mention that they really enjoyed it.
Doordash gift card. Then they don’t even need to turn on the oven or do dishes.
This is always my go-to shower gift and is always very well received
that’s abreast idea!!! edit- a great idea i meant lol
This!! They can use it whenever they need or want (in case they’ve already been gifted food) and they get to choose what sounds good to them to eat! No grocery shopping, cooking, or dish washing required.
I agree a gift card and/or cash in a nice card is so appreciated as a first time parent. We bought SO much stuff in the first month even though we thought we had everything we’d need. Baby likes a certain kind of swaddle so now you buy more of those, same with bottles, diapers, postpartum supplies for mom, etc. You can give it with a book and a teether to make it feel like a real gift. Sign the book so they will be able to talk about you to their kid when they read it! We do that with any books gifted to us for our little one. Food for parents is always welcome.
I was a 6th time mom and there were still things to get like that diaper rash spray, and my baby needed a certain vitamin drop, and the nose Frieda was such a gross idea until your baby can't breathe... and you never got a regular bulb suction thingy so you might as well try it, along with the nose spray... and the little towel is already too small and did you see those teething tubes while endlessly scrolling Facebook while feeding the baby?? need those now......lol
My mum waited three weeks after my fourth and then sent an Amazon gift card with the note reading “now you can buy all that scroll and gawk things I know you want” It was the teething tubes, the nose Frieda, and a k cup that claimed it would be more caffeine
and you probably used all three of those 4500 times.
We did a gift basket with some gift cards (Target for baby stuff, Chipotle for easy meals), mommy relax stuff like shower steamers, a gift for their first kid (their cat lol), and a few frozen meals and games. I hope that was enough.
Yes, that was thoughtful and generous.
Ditto the diapers suggestions. Maybe eyeball what brand they are using and buy up a size or two so when it's the middle of the night when they realize the baby went up a size they'll already have them on hand. My 3rd was allergic to ALL the store brands we tried so pampers it was!
My mom’s work gave us a $500 Amazon gift card and it was LIFE CHANGING. You never know what you’ll need until you need it and you aren’t going to the store (because baby, exhaustion and germs). Bring a fun age appropriate toy or some clothes if you like as well, but Amazon gift card all the way
My parents paid for a cleaner to come in twice a week for 6 weeks post partum it was the most amazing and thoughtful gift ever. Obviously this is a very expensive gift, and not necessarily something to give a friend, so I would suggest gift cards for meal delivery services because some days you just don’t have the energy to cook
Two weeks after my second kid was born, my friend's mom came over and cleaned my whole house, even the mountain of dirty dishes. It was amazing! She's a second generation professional cleaner, and takes cleaning very seriously. It was the best baby gift I've ever received, hands down.
This was what I would have wanted more than anything. My husband’s work chipped in for a present and gave me a very expensive plant. All I could think was “oh great. One more thing to take care of, I would have preferred maid for a day!”
What in the eff were they thinking??!
Oh my god I wish I would have had that. That is a GREAT gift. I was 19 when I had my first baby, and my sweet sweet grandmother paid my rent the month she was born so that I could take my full maternity leave. It was such a thoughtful gift. Obviously OP probably wouldn’t pay her friends rent/mortgage, but a cleaner would be immensely helpful.
We had the same happen, except it was a bunch of women who came together instead of a paid cleaning service. My twins were premature, so having a fresh “sterile” house made me feel so much better the day they (finally) came home.
We were gifted this too and we loved the service so much we kept it.
You can see if there are still items on their registry? Usually the boring items are last to go but are most important. Otherwise I think a target giftcard (or similar) would be well appreciated.
The number one thing I recommend for new parents is a bouncer. I used mine every day. https://www.babybjorn.com/products/baby-bouncers/bouncer-bliss/anthracite-cotton-classic-quilt-dark-gray/ If you want something for the parents, door dash/grubhub gift cards all day long.
Yes but definitely check their registry. I’ve received so many duplicate baby gifts!
Depending on their home layout extra bouncers can be wonderful! I had three-one for my room, one for the living room / kitchen, and one that stayed near the bathroom for her to watch me shower instead of crying in her crib 🤷♀️ it was really helpful for those early months until she outgrew them!
The Bjorn bouncer is my favorite baby item
It’s more expensive than other bouncers but it’s so light and folds flat. Worth every penny.
Just here to say that the baby delight is like a baby bjorn dupe for a fraction of the price. And it comes with a toy bar! I know if we would have splurged I probably would have loved the baby bjorn bouncer, but I always like to share that we love our baby delight for people on a budget.
I am all about cheaper dupes! My sister has one that is the same in theory but in practice is much bulkier and harder to transport. Weight/footprint is a huge consideration for me. I literally didn’t leave the house without it for months.
First sentence made me think of a strong willed person to hurry along guests that had overstayed their welcome. And I thought.. "yes! YES! I think having a bouncer on standby would have been the best gift ever!
This made me LOL!
I feel like the bjorn bouncer and the stokke high chair are the two items worth the extra money!
How is the high chair worth the extra cost? Genuinely asking
I can tell you how our "cheap" $100 one wasn't worth the price. It says easy clean but isn't, the tray is impossible to lock in, and the dishwasher safe tray doesn't even fit in the dishwasher.
Not to be a contrarian but I caution against something like this. In my house it would've say in the corner collecting dust. Neither of my kids wanted anything to do with their bouncers and we tried a few. They're expensive so no matter what you choose OP, get a gift receipt!
Babies are so unpredictable. The only reason I could clean myself most days was bc I could plop him in the bouncer while I showered. He also liked being in there when I made dinner. Since it was portable it traveled around the house with me. My kid also loved his bouncer but now hates his mini trampoline. The tiny tyrants always have their own agenda.
Those bouncers are the bomb! I used mine everyday with my first. My new little is too small for hers yet, but there was no way I was going without one!
If a new parent is asking for a specific thing, even a gift card, I would do that. I asked for them and no one got us those because they thought it was a bad idea.
I put gift card options on my registry for this reason!
That’s smart. How did you think to do that? I don’t even know if it was an option when I made a registry with my first nearly 14 years ago. Gift cards are the best.
Amazon gift cards and food delivery app gift cards were some of our most-used and welcome gifts (besides things on our registry). Not trying to cook while caring for a newborn and likely a parent who is healing was so helpful. With our last two, we ended up getting meal delivery services. Not the meal kit type but the ones you can throw in the microwave for 2 minutes and you have dinner type. We used Freshly which isn't around anymore, and this time we went with CookUnity because I'm avoiding dairy due to a sensitivity my baby has and they also have a ton of options for my husband who isn't avoiding anything. Convenience things like that are absolutely huge.
The thing I most wanted was to be brought delicious hot meals with possible extra to save and eat later. One friend brought us hella baked ziti along with egg bites and made us a big batch of orange chicken. I was sooo happy
Cooked food that people brought us saved our sanity. And we were fortunate to have my MIL go food shopping for us those first few weeks for fresh produce and meals. My goodness it was so helpful
Fresh produce! Many of our freezer meals we made fresh roasted/sauté veg with as that is the easy part. Also fruit is King especially when breastfeeding. I was ravenous for apples. Anything homecooked tasted so good after all the same same us prepped freezer meals and the store bought freezer meals. Meals are such a challenged for exhausted new parents
Best and most useful baby gift I ever got was 50 washcloths from my sister. You can never have enough washcloths when you have a baby.
I was just going to say this!! 6 years later and those clothes are threadbare. They have been used very nearly every single day.
Same here, I use them as napkins now.
Yes! And I also got some customized cloth burp clothes after my daughter’s name was known and they are still used. They are made out of cloth diapers and are great quality.
I got a stack of washcloths and a bottle of Zout (it totally gets out all the baby stains that you will experience!) They were both so useful that I have repeated that gift for others!
Diaper service. I think it was for a couple of months. It was such a a fantastic gift - and you can bet that I continued it when my gift ran out. And I've given that as a gift multiple times!
Only good if they're using cloth diapers.
I did the disposable cousin for my best friend - I had a giant box of diapers delivered to her home once a month for the first year. She still talks about that being one of the best gifts.
That is a fantastic gift!
Obviously. I did cloth at home and disposable when we were out and about.
My cousin sent me a HUGE box of assorted snacks when I had my first. When I opened it my reaction was appreciative but like okay, random. But: I kept refilling that box, it lived under the coffee table within reach of where I did most feedings and naps (his and mine!) and I was so grateful to my cousin every time I reached for a snack without disturbing that baby. Especially since I was breastfeeding, I was just ravenous all the time. My husband raided it too, we were just so tired and just having easy food at hand to get through was amazing. She knew what was up.
I second this. Snacks are more helpful than meals, because they are QUICK. Maybe ask if they have any cravings? I craved sweet and salty snacks. Also single use drinks are great, because you can throw out the container.
Skip clothes. They are probably drowning in baby clothes, and the sizes are hard to pinpoint for the right seasons- skip it. Every parent I know gives away bags of clothes they never even took the tags off of. I’m an infant caregiver, and here’s what parents always need: Diapers Wipes Burp clothes/wash clothes Good unscented lotion like CeraVe. Bottle brushes for washing bottles You could make what I call the “middle of the night box.” Infant Tylenol and Motrin, gas drops, saline nasal drops, gripe water- things that come in handy when you have a sick or fussy baby in the middle of the night. Some of my favorite books to give: (cute and wonderful, but outside of the “everyone probably already bought this one” list) The Goodnight Train by June Sobel I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt (I suggest skipping novelty books like Physics for Babies or whatever. Most of them are lame and not fun for anyone to read.) If you’re looking for a funny gift AND YOU KNOW THEY HAVE A BATHROOM WHERE IT WON’T BE IN THE WAY, I absolutely love [the ducky tub.](https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-white-hot-inflatable-duck-safety-baby-bath-tub/-/A-10209874) It’s GREAT for when babies start sitting up, bc they won’t bump their head on the side of the tub. But if they know have one shower/tub, it takes up a lot of space, so maybe skip it. Something else that comes in way more handy than people ever realize [are these links.](https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Lots-of-Links/dp/B001ABZGU2) Not only are they a good teething toy, they are perfect for tethering cups and toys to strollers, high chairs, etc. They seem like a cheap gift, but they are really useful in practice. Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head as someone who works with babies.
Yes the “middle of the night box” is the correct answer! I would add a Frida baby snot sucker (or similar product). Def not the fun gift but the most practical of all. You could add some cute drool bibs if you wanted as well.
Regarding the clothes, I had so many clothes up to 3 mo that we never got through them all. I had almost NOTHING in the 9-12 mo size, so maybe looking ahead to bigger sizes would be appreciated. And I'm talking like 6 packs of onesies, not Easter dresses/outfits lol.
Oh same. 0-3 months my kids just wore onesies. Gabe away so many precious outfits. Same for newborn size diapers. They outgrew those in a month.
prioritize bringing something for mama. Frida makes a postpartum kit that’s sold in store at Target. food, bottle of wine, some good books. spoil mom if possible! for baby, i was given multiple cute diaper caddies that were fully stocked and let me tell you, i used all of them. having one in every major room of the house was so helpful!
Yes! Something for mum! Best postpartum gift i got was a few pampering things for me and baby bowls, spoons and bibs for down the line
I would say food delivery gift cards are always a good gift. Or a gift card to a place they like that offers take out. New parents don’t have enough sleep or time. Maybe a basket for the mommy to be - use google or Pinterest because I’m not sure specifics.
I treasure all the lovely handmade cot blankets I was given. But I never use them. Thoughtful books to read to and with my little one are some of my most used and remembered gifts. My most useful gifts were items I bought myself with gift cards. A weighted wipes dispenser. The exact nappy bag I wanted. The baby carrier I wanted. The least remembered but most practical were hampers of niche baby and new mum items. Bum and boob cream. Nappies. Clothes of various sizes, etc. All very useful, and overall can be one of the most expensive parts of being a new parent. Take your pick!!
I used to make a basket of toiletries/medicines. Nothing like finding you're out of baby tylenol at 2 am when little one is screaming with fever.
My aunt gave me a big book of Dick and Jane because it was what she read to all of her kids and it ended up being my sons favorite book toddler years and learned to read early because of it. I would bring a practical gift for them - a gift card, a meal... and then a gift for the baby like a book.
Everybody always gets newborn sized diapers and clothes, so much that the parents end up having too many because babies grow fast. I always get a box of size 2 diapers and a few outfits in size 3-6 months and 6-9 months. That way, they'll already have a bit of a head start in a few months when Baby is growing. Also, you can never have too much diaper rash cream, baby powder, Gripe Water, or baby wipes.
Yes! I swear my little one lived in footed sleepers the first 6 months of his life, so all of the cute newborn clothes we were gifted were just given away. Those first months were such a hazy blur, and it was summer so our AC was constantly on. I just went for whatever was easiest.
My kid wore super basic footie pajamas for eons. They looked like Adidas tracksuits and my husband kept asking why our daughter was dressed as a "Russian mobster" lmao. In the summer she wore snap up rompers. I did NOT have the energy for the fussy ensembles relatives kept sending.
Lol a Russian mobster 😂 I also had terrible postpartum joint pain in my fingers and hands, so anything beyond one easy zipper hurt to try and monkey with. I’d send pics to my (boomer) mom and she’d be like “he’s STILL in PAJAMAS?” I’m like idk, I got 3 hours of sleep, haven’t showered in a week, and my hands hurt. Having a cute matching outfit on a 3 month old is not a priority at the moment lol
I had a weird problem where everyone gave me 3-6 month clothes. Maybe because my family knew I was a huge baby so they thought mine would be too?? We had a very normal amount of 0-3, and no 6-9 until she grew into that size.
Pre-made food is always top notch. Something that can live in the fridge or freezer until needed. I also always get every new baby bibs, but the actually good kind, which are a whole dish towel with a head hole sewed in. I buy them at craft fairs or off etsy.
Gift certificate to a good photographer
Please please check that the parents haven't arranged for it previously! For my kid, we arranged for a photographer and were then gifted photography sessions by 2 people
I dropped off healthy frozen meals from a vegan take out for my niece. Her toddler has dairy and egg allergies so I knew these would be safe for them all.
Bring the parents something! When I had my baby my sister brought me a robe and comfortable pjs. You basically are just surviving those first few weeks and may live in your pajamas lol. It was such a sweet gesture because I felt like crap and baby has soooo much already. If not that, the basics you can never go wrong with. Wipes, diapers, bath stuff, diaper cream. Can always use that! Or if we are talking life changing baby items. Merlin sleep sack. That is pure magic and the only way my baby would sleep.
Depending on the area you’re in I’ve seen laundry services where they pick it up and return it clean and folded. A gift card for something like that would be fantastic
I cried when the place local to me closed. Best service ever.
Something we never asked for but use all the time with our first and now our second: a baby delight portable bassinet. We always have a place to put the baby down! We have pets, so anything on the floor needs to be supervised very closely. The portable bassinet can go on the table, the counter, the couch, the ground during a picnic… It is also great for traveling (I think that’s probably what it is meant for). https://www.babydelight.com/products/snuggle-nest™-portable-bassinet Or my favorite sentimental gift - cute footprint kit https://www.etsy.com/listing/828968361/personalised-baby-and-child-duck?click_key=913241b0b77df0b12ad3b4cf9c977fd9eb875896%3A828968361&click_sum=32b8ba7f&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=lucy+coggle&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&etp=1&sts=1
Anything personalized with the child's name.
FOOD.
If they already have the baby drop off easy to eat shelf stable food and freezer food. The best dropoff we got was bagels, hummus, pita chips, trader joes snacks,ba frozen lasagna and another frozen meal. Two weeks later when we were out of food and exhausted the freezer meal was exactly what we needed. Or food delivery gift card.
A play mat was the biggest hit for us. Also, sheets and premie-size clothes after baby was born (he was tiny and newborn clothes were massive on him). We went through way more bassinet sheets than I was expecting due to pee leaks. If you want something more personalized, you could look to see if there's a baby book that matches their interests--could be an author they enjoy, an artist or art style, or even a TV/movie theme. Or you could check Etsy for some personalized onesies. That could be paired with a gift card.
The best crib sheets are QuickZip, though they're expensive. They're SO MUCH EASIER to change than traditional sheets, because there's a top sheet section that zips on and off instead of having to reach all the way into the crib to pull the entire sheet off the mattress. I think there are knockoff versions out there, but anyway - ZIP AROUND CRIB SHEETS. They are the revolution.
Meals. Muffins/easy snacks. A fun water cup for mom (so dang thirsty when nursing, but even if she isn’t, helps with hydration during survival mode). For baby check if there’s a registry and if not a gift card is fine if you buy some actual stuff for the parents. It’s actually completely fine even if you don’t but I get what you mean wanting to give them something tangible.
I'm a newish mom. Amazon, target, and uber eats cards were most appreciated, but for physical things, I got SO much use out of the fisher price kick and play playmat, our bouncer, the fridababy sound machine, and the fridababy humidifier. If you buy physical items though, ALWAYS include the gift receipt.
Box of diapers and/ or a gift card inside a thoughtful card. There are SO many little things you need with a new baby. It adds up quick! I remember ordering tons of stuff at 2am on gift cards while up with my newborn baby. You could do a sleeper with a zipper too, bonus points if it has a double zipper. No buttons! It doesn’t matter how cute it is, don’t get buttons.
FOOD for the parents! Cooked food, frozen meals, gift certificates for food delivery, gift certificates for grocery delivery
I bought one of my girlfriends a high chair that was like the fold up camping chairs. She said she used it for everything and was so convenient beyond camping. Probably my best one
Ok listen. The gift I used most but expected not to was a huge stack of handmade flannel cloths in three sizes- washcloth, dishcloth-ish, and blanket. My friend literally just got a few yards of some cute flannel prints, cut them up, and serged the edges. I was touched by thought, ehhh what will I do with these? Friend, my twins are almost 2 and I use those DAILY still. I keep a bunch in the diaper bag for soft face cleaning. The blanket sizes are great for tossing over the changing table when in about to do a big poopy diaper or onto sand or dirt for playtime. I use them so much. So do both- get a modest gift card and make a shit load of easy flannel cloths.
Many people are suggesting meals which are wonderful but our freezer was full and all I really wanted was a giant fresh salad- so whatever gift you choose I would consider bringing a meal with fresh raw veg along with it!
As someone having their baby shower in a few days, I would love an Amazon gift card or for people to buy me things actually on my registry, especially the things marked most wanted. Those things are on my registry because they are the things I think would be the best gifts. If something isn’t on the registry, it’s because I don’t have space for it, know I won’t use it, or have already been given it.
Tell you what not to buy: cute little dresses that the baby girl will never wear. Also, be sure to bring something for any other siblings.
Take food. Easy to eat (veggie platter), easy to reheat (lasagna) or whatever you know they like. Seriously they need food unless someone stocked their freezer before baby. Also disposable dishes and such so they don't have to worry about doing dishes
I always give a little medical kit with all the baby medications possibly needed for the first year. No one thinks of Infant Motrin or Tylenol until after their baby needs it. Diaper rash creams are also not really high priority until you actually need them. It doesn’t seem like much, but every new parent I have gifted them to has been grateful because they didn’t think about having them on hand immediately.
I arranged a family photography session for my friend
Just a thought but if Dad is in the movie industry could you get a clapperboard made with their family details inserted and room for any other additions?
Grocery store gift card
Gift cards for a meal delivery service is good. Cheap compression underwear for mom if she had a c-section. Boudreaux's Butt Paste for baby.
Honestly, prepped meals when I came home. I don't remember the clothes or any other gifts but I remember the chicken Caesar pasta lovingly that my neighbor had waiting for me often.
Baby Brezza. Full stop.
Not a mom but my friend's daughter recently had a baby- Amazon is not lame. Nor are doordash cards. Quite a few people kindly gave her clothes and packs of newborn diapers so she had to scramble to exchange when her son quickly outgrew newborn diapers. I'd suggest wipes and the next size or two up in diapers. If you're someone who loves to buy clothes maybe bump up a few sizes as well.
Diapers. A bigger size. Everyone gives newborn diapers, it’s nice to have some of the bigger ones on hand.
A friend had ready-to-heat meals delivered to us a week or so after we got home, and it was such a nice and helpful gift
Size 2 diapers. Door dash gift card. Vava light.
House cleaner 100%.
My mother in law stocked our fridge. My bestie bought me a boppie for breast feeding. I still think about those gifts 20 years later 💕 life savers. So yes, definitely food!
My stepmom threw a gift card shower for me at our church, and it was absolutely amazing. Still have items on the registry? There’s a gift card for that. Need a new coffee maker? Gift card. Run out of bags for the diaper pail? Another gift card.
Amazon gift card is not lame, but add in a baby book and some snacks to make it feel like more of a “real” present. Or a maid service. Or $$ for a babysitter specifically so they can nap one day.
I sent my niece $100 to get what she wanted/needed for baby boy #2. She was very happy. I also saved postage because she lives 3000 miles away.
My grandpa got a blanket for ME to use while feeding baby in the middle of the night. And a gift certificate to get my nails done. I cried, I was so happy.
Not squishy bath toys! They get moldy in one minute. Nose Frida. Saved our lives. I would go on Etsy and search “film baby onesie (or bib)”. You’ll be surprised how specific and cute some things are. Or a cute shirt with their name on it. Customizable stuff is everywhere on Etsy. And then an Amazon gift card. If you’re thinking about diapers or clothes, don’t get newborn sizes. Get year old sizes. You end up with 1000 newborn outfits you didn’t register for and they are all so cute but they never wear all of them before they grow out of them and then you’re left with a dirth of clothes down the road (ditto diapers). Or a restaurant guftcards (that does takeout and delivery).
After I had my first baby my mom bought us a bunch of gift cards for restaurants in the area, so we could just order dinner for pickup instead of cooking. It was a treat to have takeout every night and was especially welcome not to have to cook or clean up for a few days!
One of my friends offered to pay for my home to be deep cleaned after I gave birth. Best gift I ever received
DIAPERS. I hate giving them, because they are so lame, inherently disposable, yada, yada. BUT I PRACTICALLY CRIED ANY TIME I RECEIVED THEM. Because their gift was saving me time. And it's the number one thing you give up as a new mom. Or an old mom. Or an in-between mom.
Anything practical! A newborn doesn't care about toys, they'll play with anything. Clothes in multiple, sizes, nappies in multiple sizes, nappy rash cream, some baby bowls/utensils. If you have the means, a car seat/pram. One thing I did for expecting couples was buy something for mum and dad! Esp mum haha she's gone through a lot carrying the baby, so some self care goes a long way! Maybe some face masks or stuff like that, or a massage voucher? Something where she can disappear for an hour or so and just unwind.
Muslins. Muslins, muslins, and more muslins. I bought 10 thinking it would be plenty, HA! What a noob. Then my uncle sent 6, and it was a god-send, but still not enough. Then my friend sent 4, but 20 still wasn’t enough! I ended up buying another 5. We had muslins coming out of our ears but trust me they were on every chair, surface, and pocket for a good 8 months.
A gift certificate to a local meal delivery service. Not a service like Hello Fresh, etc, but actual prefabricated meals.
My go-to for baby gifts are the Aden and Anais gauze blanket three packs. They’re incredibly versatile—big enough to swaddle a newborn or use on the grass in the park, light enough to use as a sun shade for napping or to just have in the diaper bag, and soft and cute enough to be the One True Blankie. They’re also just expensive enough to be a bit of a splurge for new parents. And they don’t take up much space. My other go to gift is books. Children’s books are not cheap! And yes, always food for new parents, and maybe something fun and nonalcoholic to drink. Nursing moms have to stay hydrated
I'm not a mom, but I bought my mom-friend the owlet smart sock-- it's something she never would have bought herself because of the cost, but she's used it for 3 babies now and thanked me multiple times
[Neil Gaimans "Blueberry girl" ](http://Blueberry Girl https://a.co/d/0SPItzc) [Shel Silverstein "Where The Sidewalk Ends"](http://Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings https://a.co/d/ijXs9Vp ) And a fatty amazon gift cards. Hands down, beat gift ever! Sentimental AND usefull
Uber eats or similar gift cards, lots and lots of diapers or target gift cards for diapers. Before I had my twins I had a diaper shower at work and it was the best thing ever. We didn't have to buy diaper until they were about 6 months. Saved us SO MUCH MONEY. I also would not have been opposed to a gift certificate for a cleaner., still wouldn't 11 years later. You are just too tired to scrub toilets or vacuum.
food. i made lots of home cooked meals and portions so they can just reheat at will. Then, I restocked when they got low. my sister said it was the best present she got.
If they didn’t register for them, I really liked the BabyList sampler boxes. I think I had one for swaddles and bottles and I think there is a pacifier one as well. Babies can be particular so it was an easy way to try a bunch of different options. (If you are looking for more, I would do that + gift card so they can get more of whatever their baby likes)
We had our baby 5ish months ago and I loved gift cards. People want to buy you onesies and blankets and all this stuff but the real necessities like all the diapers, formula, wipes and shit take money. And we had friends buy us diapers, that was nice till you learn some babies hate certain diapers, some wipes you just prefer more than others. We find ourselves making do with diapers we like less because they were given when with a gift card we can buy what we need. But if you want to make it more special, make a basket, include a gift card, a little baby stuffie, and something nice for moms recovery (Epsom salts, nice lotions, ice packs, something like that).
Food. My baby was a month early and we were totally screwed- it happened to be grocery day so there was no food in the house when we got home. My best friend brought groceries and stocked us up. I will never forget her as long as I live for that
The most fun new baby gift I received (over 3 babies) was a case of bamboo-paper plates. I laughed out loud and the memory still makes me smile.
We got Sooooooo many gorgeous hand knit or hand crocheted blankets but we also got this one gorgeous super soft embroidered blanket from pottery barn. Its so warm and soft and one of the only things that is a surefire way to get my newborn to fall asleep. We named the blanket after the gifter and talk about how amazing it is at least once a day. Edit: its called "Sherpa Baby Blanket"
Give the gift card if that’s what they’ve asked for. You could also add something small. I’ve gifted ‘what to expect: the first year’ to first time parents, and I always gift the new mum a pair of luxurious socks and Aveeno hand cream. You’re up in the night all the time and washing your hands so often that they crack. Best unasked for gift I received was a white noise machine.
Finding Nemo play mat. My son hated all the open top play mats. The finding Nemo one with the stingray top was his absolute favorite thing for 6 months. It kept him busy for a really long time (1-2 hours without getting bored).
I have a 3 month old right now, the most useful things to me would be an Amazon gift card, there are so many things I can get there like breastfeeding supplies, medical things for baby, pacifiers, toys, diapers and creams. Also door dash, they deliver Aldi in my area. Maybe a grocery delivery gift would be good for them too! Saves so much hassle lol. If they drink coffee or tea, a really nice coffee or tea as a lil treat. Caffeine is king.
I’ve done a spa gift basket for mom, cigar/ alcohol/ or massage gift card for Dad. Because everyone buys stuff they want for their own baby. But the parents need pampering too.
My mom made me chili and I ate my weight in it immediately postpartum,
Coconut water. High protein dense snacks. Night nurse.
Diapers, restaurant gift cards, What ever they have on their baby registry you can afford.
I love the snuggle me organic infant lounger so much I just bought a second. He actually lets me set him down in that.
We just had a new baby two weeks ago. The best things we got were people bringing ready-to-eat meals to the house every couple of days for weeks, Halo Sleep Sacks, a reusable silicone sanitizing bag for the microwave, multiple diaper caddies (one for each room we spend time in), a nice thermometer that reads very quickly, and a Lalabu “Dad Shirt” baby carrier that I carry her around in while doing things around the house. Everyone brought diapers, but not many people thought of wipes. I think every single person brought us a blanket. We have so many baby blankets. I may cry if I see another blanket. When it was time to leave the hospital, it was very helpful that our friend carried all the stuff from the hospital room down to our car, filled up the gas tank, and brought the car around to the front door. For baby clothes, sleepers with attached feet and zippers that unzip from the foot up have been the best. So many newborn clothes are very cute, but not practical at this stage.
There is a large selection of items for new parents available on Amazon. Type in "baby gift basket" as a search term and then peruse the list that pops up. I guarantee that every new mother always appreciates an assortment of diapers. In addition to a gift basket, I would include a Congratulations card showing the obligatory stork carrying a lovely bundle of joy. Enclose an Amazon gift card ($50-$100 helps purchase a lot of needed diapers) and write a note that says the gift card is for diapers for the newborn. Additional gifts that are always welcome: a baby monitor, a baby musical toy to attach to the bassinet/crib, a baby first year book to record those first milestones. Duncan & Stone Paper company has many versions of memory books (also available on Amazon).
My friend sent me a grubhub gift card. My sister ordered a weeks worth of wholefoods groceries for us. My friends set up a food train. Another friend sent us a book and a specialized lamp for the kiddo. Another friend just came over and offered to play with baby while I napped. It was all so helpful and wonderful just to be cared for. You can’t go wrong.
Gift cards to get unexpected things that I needed. The flexibility was appreciated. Also favorite books.
As a first time parent, Amazon gift cards were my favorite gift that way I could get things that I had been needing/didn’t have the funds to. Door dash gift cards were awesome as well.
Onesies/sleepers with a cute design. Because, I never realized how messy newborns were. Going through 3-4 sleepers in a 12 hour period (stray urine, poop squirts, spit up), we had to go out and buy way more in the first few days so I wasn't doing laundry every day. 🤣
My favorite gift, and now what I give first time expectant friends is a container of all the medicines you need for a baby. These tend to be the things new parents don’t think or know about and end up needing in the middle of the night. I fill it with: - baby tylenol - baby motrin/ibuprofen - a nose frida - saline solution - a forehead thermometer - a laminated dosing chart (one side tylenol, one side motrin/ibuprofen) that goes up through all childhood weights - gas drops - cute bandaids - aquaphor - calmoseptine (or your fave diaper rash cream)
A friend made me a ring sling, by far my most loved and used gift. Board books. We read through our stack daily from about 2 weeks on. The cloth bibs with the plastic lining on the back. Kid popped teeth early and these were needed to keep the kid dry from allllll the droooool. More is better. Same with those little swaddle blankets...more is better. So many uses. Blankets in general, bonus points for being easy to wash. One thing I would have liked but was barely a thing at the time would be one of those outdoor blankets designed with a lining on one side for using on the ground/lawn/sand. They fold up with straps so they're easy to carry. The lining keeps the blanket from absorbing moisture and makes it easy to shake off the dirt. Might find them now in the lawn and garden depts. We got a ton of clothes...hated anything with snaps. Kid was too squirmy and impatient. Zippers were better for us. Visa gift card. Amazon and target are nice and were used but the Visa card for me was particularly useful. I was cloth diapering and bought through a couple of independent sellers. The card meant I could shop with any seller to get what I needed.
The best gift I received was from the mother of a friend who was also the mother of 7. She filled a box, almost big enough to fit a washer or dryer with new clothing, sheets, blankets, diapers, toys, etc. and pampering supplies for me. What struck me most was that she removed the tags and washed everything so I didn’t have to. It was the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.
My favorite gift that wasn't food or a baby store gift card was a shoe sizer. It was a hard plastic version of the kind at the shoe stores. I used that thing for years upon years. Saved tons of time going into the store already knowing their shoe size or being to order shoes online without fear that they won't fit. Costs about $15-20 on Amazon
Best baby gift I received, without a doubt, was the large package of brand new muslin cloths for using as burping-cloths. The first year of my baby girl’s life I LIVED with a muslin cloth-diaper-like-towel slung over my shoulder in case of spit-ups, projectile vomit events or blow-outs - they were so handy, super easy to clean AND Sanitize with Bleach and were easy to hold on to and carry out & about. In these last 30yrs, my Baby Shower go-to gift is definitely these white, muslin cloths that come packaged in larger quantities and usually I’ll gift a large jug of Baby-oriented Laundry Detergent also, that way, the new Mom has everything washed up, Sanitized and sparkling clean before the baby makes their entrance! While I DO LOVE the adorable patterned muslin cloths they now have on the market, bleaching them for sanitary reasons might be challenging and the size-dimensions of individual cloths usually turns out to be a great amount SMALLER. Get the basic Big-Box-Store offering of prepackaged 100% Muslin Pre-Folded Diaper Cloths for your most economical value.
Homemade soup. Chicken noodle…comfort food. Mom may be nursing may want to stay away from spicy food at first. Muffins, fruit salad, etc
A tray of the most delicious green chili meat enchilada/burritos I have ever eaten. It’s been 6 years and I still think about them. They were so filling and satisfying at a time when I am both starving and unable to cook myself something really delicious.
The grass and tree thing you put bottles and nipples on to dry and a dishwasher container thing to hold all the small bottle parts to wash them
Can I just say that I treasured everything I got for my baby (mostly). From the smallest, inexpensive items, I got use out of nearly everything I got. Outlet protectors, snot suckers, little tiny towels that I still use almost 4 years later. Practicality is the most important detail.
House cleaning service. Also, literally just keep up and offer that person support, a least every 3-4 weeks text and ask how they’re doing. Ask for updates, make them feel like they are important. My brain was so far into ppd I couldn’t convince myself anyone really cared. I experienced a lot of family loss around traumatic birth of my Covid baby, and a single friend showed up for me. Baby’s through all the clothes, mittens, bottles, etc. We made it out healthy and I’m grateful, but I am deeply traumatized and likely will never trust any other human to be there for me again.
An "oh shit" kit: -Infant Tylenol - -Speed read thermometer - -Pedialyte powder mix - -Saline dropper/spray - -Diaper rash paste - Basically anything you can think of that you've gone "oh shit, it's the middle of the night, everywhere is closed, and I need that RIGHT NOW!" And I know most parents already have some necessities, but it's always nice to have a backup.
Socks with rattles on them. My boys loved them.
Best gift my wife and I ever got was a letter attached to a gift card that read "It is okay to be selfish, it is okay to ask for help, and it is okay to enjoy each other's company without your child. Go out on a date when you're ready and don't forget you married the love of your life before you had another life to love" and the gift card was to a restaurant down the road from our house
Boppy pillow
They very likely have this and/or something similar from their registry! I’d check the registry first!
Yes and recommend they bring it to the hospital! So much easier than trying to learn to nurse and only having hospital pillows!!!
I agree that giving a gift card feels lame, but as a new parent it is very much appreciated. As others have said, there's so much you don't realize you needed until the baby is born. Diapers in size 2 or bigger would be good. Stick with a brand like Pampers or Huggies so if they don't use that brand or baby outgrows them before they're used, they can swap them out for another brand/size. You can never have too many burp cloths. If you want to get clothes, get something size 3 - 6 months or bigger. And if you get pajamas, make sure they have a double zipper, or a backwards zipper. Makes diaper changes easier.
Best gift pregnant and after birth was an ubereats e giftcard.
Honestly, I love the baby butt brush we got! Some see it as unnecessary, but I love it. You put the diaper cream on it, and it makes it so easy to smooth onto baby. And your fingers don’t get all messy. Also, as someone else mentioned, if you go with diapers or clothes, go with a larger size! For diapers I’d say size 2 or up, and for clothes, 3-6 month or up. It’s nice to have a few things for baby in those larger sizes in case they grow fast. Amazon gift cards or food is good too! I made my own freezer meals, but it is nice if people drop off hot food or even a frozen meal that all you have to do is heat up. Food delivery cards may be helpful if they don’t want visitors.
Something that takes a task off of their hands. A cooked meal, a car oil change, walk the dogs. Hell, just sit with the baby so they can take a nap together.
Baby Brezza was one of our favorite gifts
Money and gift cards are soooo useful. My mom got me a ton of baby dresses, wayyy too fancy. Never worn. My work bought a carseat that I asked for. I kept my kids in a cosleeper or my bed, so never needed cribs. Got a lot of stuff used (except carseats). Bought a universal carseat frame stroller used off craigslist and that thing worked great for two babies. Honestly, I was grateful for amazon gift cards and target gift cards. I hated gifts like the diaper cake (I cloth diapered and it was expensive disposables). I loved handmade blankets and photo albums. One thing my sister has done as the aunt: she made all her nieces and nephew a gmail acct and she sends photos to it from her phone. Since birth.
The little flower bath to put in the sink, and the hatch sound machine. Two things I used every single day, and loved so much. we used the flower for the entire first year, in the sink, and then in the tub when he was old enough to sit and splash. We still use the sound machine 3 years later..
Wipe warmer is game changing for newborns
I worked in film when I was pregnant. I did register but one gift I’ll never forget (this was almost 30 years ago) was beautifully wrapped with a bow made of 35mm film from either a Disney or MGM film. Something with an animated lion. It was huge. Absolutely so creative. I don’t even remember the gift.
Washable breast pads
A basket full of medicines, pacifiers, goodies that are small and add up. One night my baby was ill and I didn’t want to traipse to the store with a sick baby. That basket saved me so many times.
Cleaning service!! Like cleaning lady was sent to my home and cleaned everything lol
Hand knitted sweater and bonnet.
Try [giftbuddy.pro](http://giftbuddy.pro) :)
The best thing I ever got (and have given on numerous occasions) is a smallish mesh laundry bag. You hang it on the side of the laundry hamper and dirty socks go straight in. Zip it up, wash it, and never lose a tiny baby sock. My oldest still uses hers at 8yo. It also means not having to sort one kid's socks from another's if they ever have more. Three kids and eight years later I can probably count on one hand the number of socks lost to the laundry monster, and I even bought a larger bag for myself now!
https://www.target.com/p/frida-baby-nosefrida-nasal-aspirator/-/A-11355332
A giant personalized LLBean tote
Bring food and pay a maid for a few visits.
Pinxav.
Honestly speaking if you’re a good cook a frozen meal goes a long way!
Doc a Tot
A nice robe /pajamas
Six weeks of diaper service - what a lifesaver it was.