What would you put in a new parent's survival hamper?

[MagpieTree]

Friends of mine are expecting their first baby soon and I would like to put together a hamper for them. What would you include? Thinking useful things as well as treats.

I hugely appreciated COOK vouchers, a tin of homemade powerhouse cookies (like flapjack with fruit and seeds so act as a meal), and huge box of liqueur chocs.

If someone wasn't into bathing products and cosmetics before pregnancy, they probably won't appreciate them after, either. Especially as pregnancy and birth can make you even more sensitive to smells. I gave away all the moisturisers etc.

An emergency pack of a dummy, paracetamol liquid, snot sucker , thermometer would be good, but the suggestion of bedding upthread is excellent. Need to know what size bed etc so suggest a voucher with recommended use, nit the actual bedding.

There are some lovely hampers at mumsback.com, they also donate to PND charities so win-win. Some are based on food/booze you can't have while pregnant, some more self-care based.

My most memorable present not for the baby was a lovely homemade cake

Dry shampoo

Lovely idea. I did one for a friend recently which was a combination of stuff for them and baby. The components for her though were:

Good quality thermos mug with a lid and which stays cool to touch on outside.

Hand cream (washing hands a lot with my babies caused dermatitis and just general dryness)

Breast pads for leaky boobs as well as nipple cream

Some nice herbal tea.

If mum is planning on breastfeeding then lansinoh, multimam compresses, fenugreek capsules and flapjack. Lots and lots of flapjack, oats are good for milk production (plus it’s yummy).

A white noise machine!!

Plus l’occitaine 25% Shea hand cream, someone on here recommended it and it’s been invaluable, quite pricey but a lovely treat gift and last for ages.

We just recently had the same thing following the birth of our third cherub we found really useful
Swaddles
Ewan the sheep
Muslin cloths
Outfits
Body suits
Sleep suits

Parents
Order them a takeaway without them knowing it will go down a hit! 😁

Hand cream

You can't go wrong with a delivery of fresh brownies for when they arrive home. Gower Cottage are my go-to company (other suppliers are available....) 😁 Pure indulgence any time of the day or night (and for guests dropping in).

Cans of mixed G&T? 😉

For baby, I was asked for Sock-Ons by the mum-to-be who already had everything. They are brilliant!

I'm planning on doing a similar thing for my SIL & BIL and so far have on my list -
Just Eat voucher
Face mask
Sports bottle (she doesn't drink hot drinks)
A flask for him
Nipple creams
Lip balm
Peri bottle
Hand sanitiser
Ear plugs
Also planning on putting together a 'coupon' for an amount of time of their choosing for us to have the baby so they can have some time as a couple whenever they're ready

I went to a baby shower and made the dad to be a 'daddy survival kit', I put in some loose change in a little bag for the hospital carpark as most people don't carry change with them anymore. A red bull, some mints and snacks, a disposable camera for those first moments and i would also recommend putting in a giftcard for deliverro/ubereats and netflix for those nights in and they just want to order some dinner x