Gift for New Mom

Updated on February 23, 2010
M.W. asks from Anderson, IN
23 answers

My cousin and his 18yr old GF are expecing their first child in a couple weeks. I really want to get something useful, but supposedly they have everything the need from their shower. I know that I thought the same thing as a first time parent and was really shocked when the baby came and there was other stuff I needed. Mostly I didn't know about medicines, but they have those already from the aunt. Can you please give me suggestions of items a first time mom wouldn't think of? I am sending a gift, so I don't really want to give diapers.

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So What Happened?

Well, I'm not going to be able to make the trip to see the baby when it is born. I already have some 12mo clothes and bath towel & washcloths to take them when I do go up. For now I decided to order some books and have them sent directly there. The mom is an avid reader, and even dad is interested in baby & parenting books. I got "What a difference a Daddy makes" and "First time Mom" both are by my favorite parenting & relationship author Dr. Kevin Leman.

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J.H.

answers from Lima on

BebePapoose.com!! Awesome, Trendy Baby Carriers. They make the most unique gift & are great for fashionable moms on the go =)

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J.W.

answers from Columbus on

Everyone always thinks of what the baby needs, but the parents also could use something as well. A gift card that will cover a dinner, that has carry out. It is nice to not have to cook periodically, but with a newborn going out is hard. And for the baby, knit sleep layettes that have elastic at the bottom. They are great for sleeping because there is easy access to the diaper in the middle of the night. Also some basics that are for several months down the road. The baby never stops needing something.

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D.R.

answers from Cleveland on

What I thought was great was my aunt bought us dinner the night we got home from the hospital and then gave us gift certificates for restaurants so I didn't have to cook. To me, that was the best!

1 mom found this helpful
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H.A.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I was in her shoes . . . 19 and prego. How about a gift-
certificate for a pedicure. I will never forget when I received
that gift. Also one of my favorite gifts was the name of my
baby spelled out in letters (a wall decoration). Another idea
Is the rods to hang up two rows (upper and lower) of clothes for
baby's closet.

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D.F.

answers from Cleveland on

Diapers and baby wipes. You can never have enough of those! And they are so expensive. Also, new moms usually don't think of baby spoons and bowls for when they start to eat cereal and baby food. Oh, and a bottle of Dreft would be nice idea too. I hope this helps.

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M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

I never knew how useful humidifers were for babies with colds. I did not really care for my vicks brand, but I purchased a froggy looking one from target for my sister and she has raved about it.

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A.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

One, I would double check their registry, its probably still posted. See if there are any unmet requests. Next, get a sense of what you would like to spend. Here are some ideas of things I got later that I had no idea I would need: robeez shoes, pricey but cute and nice 'cause they stay on infant feet so well (generic or used are just as nice), socks that stay on!, Baby Einstein movies (my son started interest in those at about 3 mo. It was a life saver for me!), teething tablets (made by Hyland's - you can find them at Wal-Mart or Walgreens) or Gripe Water (its for a gassy belly and found it to work better than gas drops- again, found at Wal-Mart or Walgreens). Or maybe just get some eating utensils for when the kiddo is older - snack traps, sippy cups, bowls. Good luck!

A. V.

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C.D.

answers from Canton on

As silly as this sounds--socks!
We got tons of clothes but really hardly any diapers or wipes so I guess it depends on your perspective. I would have been glad to get them!

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R.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Don't mean to be a damper, but I always feel here is your reality check when you are a young mom. My guess would be that what they really do need is diapers and wipes. All the other stuff is great, but if you don't have diapers for your baby, nothing else matters. Now is the time that you learn to prioritize. Fun, cute clothes for the baby are great, as well as the latest gadget, but if you don't have much money, and being young, I am assuming they don't, you need the basics. Yeah, not as much fun as a cute gift, but so much more necessary. You could give them a gift certificate for a bag of diapers a month for the next year, or something, that way it would always be the right size they needed. OR if they are using cloth, then a diaper service.
Just my 2 cents worth.
R.

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C.R.

answers from Columbus on

Here are a few ideas:
--If nursing, lansinoh cream
--If formula, the small container that has 4 sections to measure out formula. Great to keep in diaper bag or to leave with others while watching the baby.
--Sleeveless sleep sacks (Halo). Once I stopped swaddling, I used this every night until my kids were out of the crib. They come in sizes but my thought is that you can always put a bigger one of them, it is just longer for awhile.
--Stroller hooks. You can buy a pack of 2 at Babies R Us that hook on to the handle of the stroller to hang shopping bags, etc.
--Basic toys (~6 months) - Stacking cups (bath or elsewhere), rings on post

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

A bottle of All Free and Clear laundry detergent, a package of cloth diapers for spit up, alcohol wipes for the belly button, baby sunblock, bath towels/wash cloths, waterproof mattress pad, baby swing or papasan seat (i LOVED ours)....

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N.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Long sleeved Bumkins bibs! They are the best at keeping baby neat during messy feedings. You can get short sleeved ones too (called junior bibs). I personally can only find the long sleeved ones online.

"Baby 411" book. I like it so mich better than "What to Expect" as it is arranged by topics and has lots of very useful medical info, great when you have a non-emergency question and it is after office hours at you pediatrician.

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

I didn't know about it and no one gave me one at my shower, but I wish I had had a Miracle Blanket with my first. I love it so much with my second!

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S.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

What about a baby record book, or a gift certificate for photography.
Or a book on child-rearing, or a bookstore gift certificate.

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A.A.

answers from Columbus on

I will just throw out lsome of random ideas, not that these all go together:

- Books! More useful when the child is older but the parents can read to the baby even when he/she's an infant
- Munchkin sterlizing bags (even if they are not going to bottle feed, you can do pacifiers in here)
- Pacifiers
- Breast pads and Lansinoh cream
- Baby sling
- Diaper organizer
(JJ Cole makes beautiful ones that hold powders and creams, diapers and wipes. I really wanted one but they are a bit pricey, so I think this kind of thing makes the perfect gift - something you wouldn't splurge and get for yourself)

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C.S.

answers from Columbus on

a sling or moby wrap maybe?

gift cards to local restaurants that deliver or do carry out so they don't have to cook

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

If you're thinking Practical:
Paci's
Bottle washers
Dishwasher Bottle Rack
Gripe Water
Teething tablets
Baby Lotion
Baby Bath
Fingernail Clippers

Non Practical
Photo gift certificate
everyone everywhere has JC Penney that takes decent photos for a reasonable price or you could certainly research another option (depending on your budget). Who doesn't love photos of their little bug?!?!

Best of luck to your cousin!
C.

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M.D.

answers from San Francisco on

I always send bigger size clothes, since you get so many newborn things. Another thing that i like to give the baby safe feeder (also for an older baby). You put food in the mesh bag and the baby holds it and feeds himself.

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A.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

I make these fleece blankets called "taggies". They are fleece blankets that have ribbons on each side for the baby to hold on to, or even put in their mouths. The ribbons are different textures for the baby to feel. The ones that I make are 18 inch squares with 7 ribbons on each side. I charge $20.00. Just something different. If you are interested, please send me an e-mail and I can get one to you. Thanks and have a great day!

A.
____@____.com

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Great ideas so far! I'll add mine:

The little duck that tells whether or not the bath water is too hot and some other tub toys

I second the idea about BOOKS. You can't be too rich, too thin or have too many books. Goodnight Moon, Love You Forever, anything by Eric Carle

A really good diaper bag. I didn't appreciate this until someone gave me a diaper bag that was a backpack. Practical for me (it had a fold out changing pad) and manly enough for dh to carry

Have fun shopping!

D.S.

answers from Columbus on

Give them a gift card to a place like Target, they have everything they may need. Tell them you hope its put away and used for the baby as need arise, since they will always need dipers, wipes, bath stuff, diaper trash bags, feeding supplies and food, ect.

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

The book called THE TWELVE GIFTS OF BIRTH! PHENOMINAL!!!

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F.X.

answers from Orlando on

The best thing I EVER got were gift certificates. I know you want to "get" them something, but why not just a gift certificate to a BabysRUs if they have one close to them, or Target. Then they will have the extra money to buy the things they didn't know they needed until the baby came, or buy a second of something they love (like we loved the diaper genie and went out and bought a second one for a different room in the house)

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