Could i get some suggestions for a useful things basket for a new mum

[SurlyCue]

Im putting together a little bundle of things to bring to my cousin when she has her baby. I have bought her a main gift but would like to bring some useful stuff to make those early days a bit easier on her and things i found useful when mine were babies.

So far i have
Nappies/wipes
Teething gel
Nappy cream
Flash cleaning wipes (not for baby! But just ease of cleaning spills and bathroom/kitchen in a rush)

I'm drawing a blank now as clearly i have deleted the baby fog time from my mind!

All suggestions welcome

[FloweryBoots]

Decent hand cream. My hands were wrecked with washing them after all the nappy changes.

Lansinoh if she's breast feeding?

Nice drinks bottle - I got really thirsty when breast feeding but also tended to nock drinks over when trying to find a comfortable position to feed in so used a sports top bottle A LOT.

Infacol? Handy to have in to try if you find you get a colicy one!

Chocolate/flap jack/biscuits

DVD/book to read for all the hours feeding (if it's her first, second and more times round all those hours feeding will be spent trying to entertain the older one(s)!).

[SurlyCue]

Ooh hand cream is a brilliant idea because i know she suffers from dry hands as it is. Is there one you would recommend?

Yes its a first baby so hopefully she'll get lots of time to cuddle on the sofa.

What DVD/books are good right now?

[RiojaHaze]

Breast and maternity pads - boring but practical!
Nice bubble bath, or oils to add to her bath for relaxation and healing.
Subscription to netflix rather than DVDs?

[TheOddity]

Gone girl was a really good book

Muslin squares, 'emergency' dummy (I didn't want mine to have one but in my desperation one night I went and bought one to try - got spat out!), infant calpol, infant nasal spray, thermal mug, Sophie the giraffe, a mumsnet book!

[SurlyCue]

Thank you this is a great list!

Is there a particular brand of maternity pads and breats pads that are good?

[happygojo]

There are these pad things on Amazon, called bath herbal pads or something, anyway you soak them in boiling water and then freeze/chill and then they can go on your foo foo. I bought some for my friend as part of a newborn survival kit and 9 months later she still thanks me regularly for those pads she used after her episiotomy!

[Jaffakake]

Johnsons breast pads are great.
Chocolate truffles - pink champagne ones.

[AliceInHinterland]

Lansinoh breast pads are the best!

[HolidayHunterTeam]

Bottle of wine and chocolate, for mummy, of course!

[SurlyCue]

Ooh happy brilliant suggestion! I could have done with those after my episiotomy! Shall have a look for them. Thanks.

[HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch]

I would say a magazine, or a book of short stories (along the lines of Marian Keyes under the duvet) rather than a novel. When I'd just had my DC, my attention span was short as I was so tired. It was hard to concentrate on a novel.

Dry shampoo.

[Bondy83]

Johnsons baby night time cream I swear by it. My 2 were covered in it after bath time every night and we're always settled content sleepers.

[tethersend]

Dry shampoo
Coffee
Eye drops

[FlappertyFlippers]

Some baby nail files, since their nails are so sharp and cutting them with scissors was too scary for me

[FlappertyFlippers]

metanium nappy rash cream

A pack of muslin squares

[ilikepie]

A nice portable dim night light if you can find one. And let me know if you do, mine have died after 4 years and I need them!

[SurlyCue]

Metanium!! Thats the one i couldnt remember. Its the yellow one? It was brilliant on both my babies.

[Piratesloveunderpants]

Oh yes, eye drops would have been appreciated. Lanisoh is the best product EVER!

What a lovely idea and friend.

[HollyAndIvyTime]

Gripe water, cotton wool, benpanthen nappy cream, bio oil or kamillosan stretch mark cream, chocolate!

[OhGood]

good dry hair shampoo! Bumble and Bumble ideally.

[RockCrushesLizard]

Definitely metanium - it's the best!

Also vanish sensitive liquid. I never had to throw away a vest, after daily breastfed baby poi-namis.

Also, tell her that vests can come down over the shoulders, they don't have to come over the head. A very useful tip I learned on here!

[slippermaiden]

Reusable breast pads? Can get on etsy. Beautiful materials and will last for any further children she has ??

[AliceInHinterland]

Baby massage oil too - Waitrose do a lovely vanilla coconut one.

[2LittleFishes]

Calpol, teething granules, Johnson bedtime bath, cotton pads, dribble bibs, gripe water, dummy clip, formula dispencer tub, Milton steriliser tablets, antibac handgel, metanium..??!