Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

New baby survival kit

56 replies

Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:20

My friends have had their first baby and I want to make a little “recovery kit” for them both but I’m a little stuck - wondered if anybody had any ideas?

It’s a little bit of a joke gift so doesn’t have to be deadly serious items!

So far I have:

Ear plugs (this is a joke, I obviously know they can’t really stick earplugs in when caring for a new born lol)
Red bull
Prozac
Miniature wines for mum
Giant dummy for dad
Tired eye products

OP posts:
GoshHashana · 08/07/2020 08:23

I'm sorry but that's ridiculous. Where are you going to get Prozac? Having a baby is a lovely positive thing. Your ideas are weirdly snarky and negative. I don't think they'll be appreciated.

californiasealion · 08/07/2020 08:24

Yes I wouldn’t find that funny although some little gifts like books or magazines, chocolates or sweets, depending on if they are a close friend maybe some big comfy knickers or something? If you want to be light hearted but still useful?

PotteringAlong · 08/07/2020 08:26

Prozac?! It’s not funny to gift people prescription drugs, it’s illegal.

Give them wine, give them chocolate, give them a baby gro.

Do not give them prescription medications that don’t belong to them.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
theproblemwitheyes · 08/07/2020 08:27

That's a pretty bitchy gift list tbh, i don't think you can count on sleep deprived, hormonal, overwhelmed new parents to find it funny.

Maybe try thinking of helpful or pleasant gifts instead?

Teacaketotty · 08/07/2020 08:29

Agreed with PP - medication and tired eye cream? Is that a joke?!

I don’t think many new parents would appreciate such a useless gift. There’s a different between being lightheaded and just plain stupid! Don’t give new parents junk or useless gifts when there’s actually useful things you could give like a takeaway/food voucher, chocolate, nice coffee or a gift for the baby!

FrugiFan · 08/07/2020 08:29

Tbh I would probably take out the ear plugs and prozac as they seem quite negative and wont be used anyway.
Late night snacks might be good like protein bars.
Lots of chocolate!
A thermos mug to keep coffee hot

Teacaketotty · 08/07/2020 08:30

*lighthearted

Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:33

Oh my god.

I didn’t mean Prozac!!!! Fucking hell.

I meant proplus 🤦🏻‍♀️

And I’m sorry if you don’t find it funny, I know my friends and I know they would, as I would have from them, it’s just a nod at being tired in the first few weeks. Jesus Christ.

I have already gotten them a serious/useful gift.

Dad owns a recovery company....hence the kit...

OP posts:
vinoelle · 08/07/2020 08:34

ah OP - i get what you're trying to do - i did similar for a friends hen do with a 'recovery kit' - paracetamol eye mask etc - but i think you probably don't realise having a baby is completely different and this probably isn't a good idea. You seem like a nice friend trying to put effort in, but perhaps are a little young or not at this stage of life yet.

just get them some nice chocolates/flowers and a card, if you don't want to buy a baby grow or similar xx

Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:35

@vinoelle I do have children of my own....

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:36

And I’m in my 30s, what a sweeping judgement

OP posts:
Teacaketotty · 08/07/2020 08:36

Even still it reminds me of those naff “new parent survival kits” - you know your friends so know if they would like it, personally I wouldn’t have appreciated it or would I buy it for a friend.

BikeRunSki · 08/07/2020 08:36

OP, just give them some decent ready made meals from Cook, M&S or Waitrose. Maybe also wine, chocolate, posh biscuits, good teabags, decent coffee.

Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:38

As I stated. I know they would find it funny. I wish I hadn’t asked. Can’t believe so many people would be offended if I’m honest perhaps we’re all weird and have a bizarre sense of humours

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 08/07/2020 08:39

Chocolate! (So my dd said.)
But one of the best things you can take is a really nice home-made meal e.g. lasagne, that only needs shoving in the oven to heat up.
Or any really nice, ready to eat food.

Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:39

@Teacaketotty it’s supposed to be naff!!!! I’ve akreaud bought them a serious gift 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
PrayingandHoping · 08/07/2020 08:41

Tbh the few "funny"'gifts I was given were either thrown in the bin or put in the charity box pile.

It's a time when people are excited about their new baby and parenting. Not interested in someone poking fun at the down sides to come!

Bumbers · 08/07/2020 08:44

I'm pregnant and would find it funny! Can put some nicer / useful bits in as well, but the items listed it would make me smile (as long as pro plus not prozac ;-) ) .

Mumdiva99 · 08/07/2020 08:44

My friend gave me similar....small bottles of wine because its all you can cope with, she got a miracle all in one beauty cream....i can't remember exactly what it was but something that claimed to do 100 different things.
Chocolate....you have to include chocolate....
Cereal bars ( or energy style eating things)
Pot noodles.

I would laugh.

Teacaketotty · 08/07/2020 08:45

If your so set they would like it and don’t want others opinions why even ask then?

I mean a giant dummy for dad? Come on 🤷‍♀️

PrayingandHoping · 08/07/2020 08:46

Chocolate and the wine and face creams etc wouldn't be a joke gift....? They are just nice gifts....

SecondStarFromTheRight · 08/07/2020 08:49

I think as long as you're sure that you have that type of friendship, and you get a real gift as well, this is fine. Just because you have a baby you don't have to lose your sense of humour.
As for things to add, how about coffee and dry shampoo.

Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:50

Bloody hell I didn’t ask for anybody’s “opinions”

I asked for suggestions for a light hearted joke gift (obviously some of them will be useful and some of them will probably end up being photographed in some ridiculous manner and then thrown in the bin.

@Teacaketotty do you REALLY believe that there isn’t a person out there who would be amused at a giant dummy for their whingy man child? I know he will like it.

Like I said, I truly wish I hadn’t asked, although I’m greatful not everyone in my life is so serious 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechangex10000 · 08/07/2020 08:51

@SecondStarFromTheRight dry shampoo is a good idea - THANK YOU for at least getting it 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Have added decent coffee too.

OP posts:
tractorvancar · 08/07/2020 08:53

If your friend is having a tough time, a 'joke' like this might make her feel like shit.

Try not to give them things they won't use even if it's amusing, its hard enough to keep on top of your house in those early days without being given things that aren't useful.

YY to tired eye products, red bull, wine. Don't really know what to say about Prozac other than just no. Other things like chocolate, magazines, some nice coffee, fudge or biscuits.

Things which were helpful for me were: Milton sterilising wipes, I didn't know they existed and they were helpful once we started getting out.
Black and white books for newborns.
A hot and cold pack, the type for injuries.
A baby book.