What were the best gifts you received for yourself after birth?

[Turniptracker]

My friend will have just had her first child by her birthday and I'd like to get her some useful gifts that aren't all about the baby. She isn't into alcohol so I'm just wondering what the best gifts you could've received for yourself were after birth?

Cushty cushion and a big fluffy quality bath sheet for me and only me.

Luxury and comfort

Also the National Trust membership was absolutely amazing. It encouraged me to get out and about with the baby. Would have been lost without it

High end posh hand cream. Such a treat as it feels like you're constantly washing your hands with a newborn!

A friend gave me a voucher for figleaves (undies). My boobs went nuts when I was breastfeeding so it was nice to be able to get some nice undies once they calmed down a bit! 😂

Handcream is also good (washing hands after every nappy change they soon get red and sore).

My mum made me some flapjacks with various nuts and seeds in them which were supposed to help your breast milk come in (my milk took about a week to arrive). Not sure of exact recipe, but Google breastfeeding flapjacks and you'll probably find it.

A really good and easy to pack picnic blanket. Got so much use indoors and out,

Definitely food! A luxury hamper type thing, that had really good savory snack food we could graze on.

Here in the US people also organize 'meal trains'. When we had our baby it was an absolutely godsend. Friends take it in turn to arrive on your doorstep with a healthy and tasty meal, already prepared. The trick is that its understood they will hand over the grub without expecting to come in the house...

www.thekitchn.com/whats-a-meal-train-265095

Smelly cheese that I hadn't been able to eat in pregnancy.

However I really only wanted things for the baby at that stage. I wouldn't have really appreciated other people cooking for me to be honest, the meal train thing would fill me with horror!

After getting trapped under a sleeping baby for hours on end every day I bought myself a travel mug and a leak proof water bottle so I’d always have water and coffee to hand.

I'm thinking a little hamper of yummy but healthy foods, some warm, fleecy button front pjs, good hand cream and a thermal cup that won't spill on the baby (and cuddle vouchers so mum and dad can have an afternoon nap!)

I’d go with a cashmere cardigan or a kimono instead. After giving birth I sweated A LOT and was far too warm for a few weeks until my hormones had calmed down!

@DownWhichOfLate
Cashmere covered in milk and baby vomit would be hell for me. Keeping on top of the laundry was bad enough without having to look after something delicate! I wanted things that could be chucked in together and tumble dried in the newborn fog!

Soft, stretchy pyjama bottoms and vests from M&S.
A big, warm cardi from Zara.

But my absolute favourite by a mile was a McDonald’s from SIL I loved her more than my child at that moment!

I would avoid anything long like a full length dressing gown, I got rid of mine when I found I couldn't carry baby upstairs and lift the front of it at the same time and nearly tripped.

Ah! Yes - I suppose cashmere would be foolish

I was given a really lovely quality set of toiletries, L'Occitane, Molton Brown or something similar - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body cream, all in the same really gorgeous smelling fragrance. My first proper shower after the birth when I got home it was heavenly.