Ideas for what to buy for a newborn baby?

[Splitsunrise]

Hi everyone

I think I started a thread about this years ago but I can’t find it!

A friend of mine is having a baby in a week or so (or that’s when the due date is anyway!) and I’m trying to plan what gift I may buy. Obviously taking into account that I’m limited by companies that are delivering at the moment & I can’t drop off in person, and also the father is my ‘main’ friend rather than his wife so I wouldn’t get too personal a present for her!

Any ideas of great gifts you were given? I would be happy to spend £40/50. It could be a combination of something for the baby, and maybe something nice for my friend’s wife or both of them to make life easier. They have most of the big items & I don’t want to interfere by buying something they’ve already sorted, of course - so I guess it would be something “extra” they wouldn’t have already bought themselves.

I get the sense they are struggling a bit as they can’t see either of their families because of lockdown and they probably won’t for the foreseeable as they are terrified of their baby (when born) catching covid. Also some of their family are shielded anyway so won’t be travelling anyway it’s such a sad time which would usually be happy!

Thank you!

I think everyone buys clothes so I like to buy toys and books. My go to is a baby Einstein musical star and a couple of classics like hello zoo and maybe a “that’s not my” book. I have had really lovely feedback from people about those. Maybe a lighthearted book for the Mum. Like the unmumsy mum book? Plus some snacks for feeding or a thermal drinks cup?

What about one of those Portal things? I know it's not a gift for the baby but it would be nice for them to do proper video chats with family and friends if they're going to be shielding for a while, especially if they've already got the important things

Love Boo pamper kit loveboo.com/luxury-gifts/mummy-and-me-pamper-kit.html
Photo album/frame
Cot mobile
Ewan the Dream Sheep

Unmumsy mum type books
Food delivery eg hotel chocolate or nice coffee
Etsy gift- wooden teether, crinkle toys, lovely wooden rattle for baby when you know the name
O Ball (brilliant baby toy- so cheap and so good for motor skills)
Black and white book
Crinkle sensory book

Food from m&s if you live locally (can't check back on your post)

There are some beautiful baby gifts on etsy

Xx

Ewan the sheep, ollie the owl, night light (if they dont have these
Echo dot or echo- we play baby music and white noise through. Godsend x

For baby, I always appreciate a pretty blanket, grasping toy, soft books, sleepsuits in larger size, baby toiletries, chewy/teething toy, hanging toy for pram/car like the lamaze ones?
For the parents; chocolates, photo frame, memory book, keepsake with baby's name on (Christmas tree decoration, name sign for door, money box, art for nursery room).

Get a baby hamper. There are a number of really good 3rd party sellers doing this on Amazon

I gave birth 4 weeks ago and have been unable to have visitors. The best things I have been given are:
Large muslin swaddle
Tommee tippee nappy bin
Amazon voucher
John Lewis voucher (used to buy sling)
Photo art/poster with baby name, weight, d.o.b.
Prosecco and chocolate!

The best things we bought ourselves in your price range:
Moses basket
Wrap sling

A nice Muslin blanket or satin edged comforter from hullabaloo or Aden &Anais. Lovely things for babies. Don’t buy clothes, they will have a ton. MyHummies are amazing too, better than the sheep.

Not clothes or a teddy

My daughter is 2 weeks old and we've lost track of who got us which babygros. We already had loads to start with. Same with the 20 teddies we have that dont serve a purpose.

Books for baby are nice, vouchers for john lewis, chocolate for mum, frozen ready made meals from cook or a deliveroo/just eat takeaway voucher.

For baby I would go for a blanket and black and white book. Can have multiples of both and it wouldn’t matter. Or sleepsuits with zips are a nice luxury, just go 3-6 months or larger.

For parents something food related (chocolates/coffee) or thermal drink cup.

my colleague just has a create of 12 red wines delivered! best gift ever!!

These are such good ideas, thank you! I will definitely look on Etsy for something original and can support a small business too.

Message received about not buying clothes!

Starwrap and Sock-Ons.

One of those bath seats that has suction discs underneath and is at an angle so baby reclines. They have a head support.

Bababox.

A voucher for a personalized lullaby. Ideal for family who won’t get to see the baby for ages. www.auraskymusic.com/product/babblesong/#anglais

A book voucher msybe or greet children’s books

I've made the last few friends who have had babies one of these change caddies for downstairs- you can get the caddy from TK Maxx or Amazon, and the nappies, nappy cream, nappy bags and wipes when you're doing your supermarket shop. I also add a pack of muslins as well. Any time I go to visit said friends they're still in use and I feel quite smug

Someone got me a White Company candle as well as a gift for DD when she was born, that was a nice thought. I don't know whether they intended for us to burn it to rid the living room of the smell of baby poo once she went to bed, but that's what we used it for.

Meant to illustrate my post, sorry!

Thank you!

Sorry for ignorance, what are black and white books? I’ve googled and can see lots of them, just not sure what they are for!

FOOD!
If you're close enough to pop round with something homemade (ideally freezable) that would go down very well!
Otherwise Cook vouchers are a fab present.
Some snack/treat type things too.

Amazon or John Lewis vouchers would be appreciated (but not very personal, you might prefer to choose something)

Ollie the Owl or similar (something with a sensor so the white noise only plays when baby stirs, not constantly)
Newborn crib mobile (we had a lovely black and white one which we hung above the changing mat)
Small grippable teething toy or rattle
A soft sensory book eg Jungly Tails or similar
Dribble bibs with poppers (not velcro)
Bath toys without holes in them! eg a little set of buckets
Stacking cups

Generally no clothes but if you want to get a cute babygrow, the ones with zips are very handy.

And same for no teddies (we were given so many!) but if you must then a breathable one is a good idea.

Vouchers are always good! John Lewis is a good one to go for, or Amazon. I always needed muslin cloths too. Or you could go for a mixture of little things like a teething attachment for a dummy, nappies (can never have enough), clothes (3-6 or 6-9 months is always needed further on), touch and feel books, a 'baby on board' sign etc. For Mum, a home spa set, or a thermos mug so her tea doesnt go cold, or those unmumsy books to remind her she is normal.

Big present wise, those nappy bins are great (buy a few of the bag packs too), or a monitor if they dont have one (it was my lifesaver!).

Or you could do what a PP suggested and buy them LOTS of wine. That may be the best option if you are a realistic person.

Surely people will want to choose and buy their own monitor.