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Original poster

Really boring thread...

52 replies

WaterSheep · 15/09/2019 19:26

When you had a baby what was the one item you most appreciated?

No budget, but the couple i'm buying for have all the large items. So i'm looking for items that may have slipped through the net.

So if you could recommend I buy one item, what would it be?

OP posts:
HarryHarry · 15/09/2019 19:47

I have a few but your friends might already have them..

Apart from the obvious things that I use every day (changing backpack, changing mat, insulated bottle bag, etc) I found these things invaluable:

  • a winter weather cover for my baby carrier. A friend also has a jacket extender to allow her to carry her baby under her coat.
  • a winter weather cover for the infant car seat, so baby can be carried to and from the car without putting on/taking off lots of layers of clothing.
  • a Diaper Genie. (Not sure if that’s what it’s called in the UK, haven’t lived there since having children).
undercoverhero74 · 15/09/2019 19:47

Gro bags!!! I underestimated how many I would need. It's surprising how often you have to wash them lol

feelingsicknow · 15/09/2019 19:47

Grobags are great but ours didn't need/use/want one until he was 6 months and by then the heavier tog was no use.

Consider the season if buying bits like that x

NerrSnerr · 15/09/2019 19:49

I loved the big muslins you can get. I can't remember the brand but some of the designs are Disney, I got some lovely jungle book ones. I still use them a few years later for different things.

WhiteWineAndMagnums · 15/09/2019 19:50

Could you get something for them as parents rather than the baby? Like a subscription to something like Gusto or Simply Cook? To make their lives easier for the intense first few months.

Stravapalava · 15/09/2019 19:51

Comfort blanket - something like this direct.asda.com/george/baby/bibs-accessories/pink-bunny-polka-dot-snuggler/GEM664217,default,pd.html?cgid=D5M10G1C1

Also, ASDA liquid talc was brilliant for mine. So much easier than normal talc. It goes on as a liquid and magically changes to talc on their skin.

Ifyousayso2019 · 15/09/2019 19:52

I am pregnant and in all honesty if someone asked me, I would just ask for a Mothercare voucher. Anything I think I need, I will have already bought, but a voucher can be redeemed as and when I discover a need for something.

Another thing I would appreciate (we haven't done it ourselves yet as seems premature to book it) is a voucher for a newborn photoshoot. That would be such a thoughtful present.

Original poster
WaterSheep · 15/09/2019 19:53

Like a subscription to something like Gusto or Simply Cook?

It's an option, although do they really help? The boxes look like quite a lot of faff. I could definitely batch cook some meals for them.

OP posts:
Original poster
WaterSheep · 15/09/2019 19:54

Ifyousayso2019

A photo shoot sounds like a nice idea, as photos will last a lifetime. Smile

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 15/09/2019 19:58

AA and AAA batteries. Seriously!
You get through millions of the bloody things. Only stop being useful once the children get their own tablets.

KondoKonvert · 15/09/2019 19:59

A Tuppence and Crumble star fleece. Fabulous things!

shinynewapple · 15/09/2019 20:02

I would have hated a subscription to box meals you have to cook up new recipes with. A subscription to Just Eat or some nice ready meals may be.

Regarding the Lamb Skin please make sure your friends aren't veggie / vegan!!

I think I would have liked an automatic rocker seat and what I really appreciated was practical support, if somebody put the hoover round , washed up or did the ironing whilst I was feeding the baby.

Tractorgirlz · 15/09/2019 20:18

I’d say an Ollie the Owl white noise teddy. My favourite thing for DS!

Amiable · 15/09/2019 20:29

Lamb skin. Can be used to sleep on, play on, used as buggy liner, easy to carry around, so DD would literally sleep anywhere as long as she had the lambskin, and she still uses it at the age of 13 as her bedside rug!

7Worfs · 15/09/2019 20:31

Sorry to derail slightly, but @Amiable any washing tips for the lambskin? I haven’t washed ours yet and don’t want to lose fluffyness

Amiable · 15/09/2019 20:32

Otherwise, another thing I have done for pregnant friends is a basket filled with all the useful things - wet wipes, cotton wool, sudacrem, cotton buds, infacol, calpol etc. You can make it as fancy as you like, to fit any budget. May not be glamorous, but is ALWAYS appreciated!

Amiable · 15/09/2019 20:35

@7Worfs not sure if I'm supposed to, but I just stick it in the washing machine! I leave it to dry naturally - it does take a while to dry though.

Nc1737383 · 15/09/2019 20:39

Baby Einstein do a musical star which is about a tenner. It plays music and lights up. It’s my LOs favourite thing and it comes everywhere with us. I think every new mum needs one! (The music isn’t that annoying either)

Nc1737383 · 15/09/2019 20:39

Oh and I meant to say, he also likes his Ollie the Owl so another vote for that

BettyButtercup · 15/09/2019 20:43

A white noise machine, big muslins and sleeping bags.

IWouldLikeToKnow · 15/09/2019 20:45

Muslins are great. Can never have enough. I had some really cheap Primark ones that I used for feeding and they were great. Also had some more expensive Aden and Anais ones. They have some lovely designs. Can be used for swaddling, for blankets, breast feeding covers if needed. Lots of uses.

RomaineCalm · 15/09/2019 20:49

I am pregnant and in all honesty if someone asked me, I would just ask for a Mothercare voucher. Anything I think I need, I will have already bought, but a voucher can be redeemed as and when I discover a need for something.

I kind of agree with this. If gift vouchers aren't an option though I would buy nicer versions of some of the usual baby things - e.g. large, coloured/patterned muslins, some baby-gros in bigger sizes, Neal's Yard baby toiletries...

Alternatively buy things for the future - plate/cup set, toddler cutlery, set of Disney DVDs, classic books.

We also received a voucher to have hand/foot prints done which was appreciated.

BringMeThatHorizon · 15/09/2019 20:50

A friend came over and cooked me a lovely fresh meal and gave us a load of COOK meals for the freezer. Easily one of the best gifts we got.

Also a small organiser to hang on the pram handle, just big enough for a phone, purse, muslin, snacks, headphones etc. Basically the things you need but don't want to stash in the big changing bag under the pram.

Another well used one was a fleecy pram suit from The White Company, we loved it so much we bought the size up.

WineIsMyCarb · 15/09/2019 20:53

Mirror to put over the back seat headrest so you can see your DC's face if they are in a rear-facing car seat and you are driving.

Sparadrap · 15/09/2019 20:56

A super soft hooded towel from John Lewis.
A decent in the ear thermometer.
Hide &Seek/Postman Bear/Rabbits Nap flap books by Julia Donaldson. Both mine loved these and my 4 year old still asks for them sometimes.
Sleep sheep white noise thing.
Bamboo muslins - so soft and useful.
Swimming things like a little jacket with floats for when they are a little bit older.

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