What to get for a friend who has just had a baby!

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Friend had her baby three weeks ago and I'm going round soon so need to get her a gift for the baby. I'm completely useless on this front as are our other friends.

She's a very non-fluffy, efficient type (on a great wage) so I'm sure she has all the good quality essentials covered...so what would be a great gift?! One that she is perhaps not so likely to have (she doesn't run in mummy circles so I doubt she's become an authority on these things - which, hopefully, means greater scope to get her something she doesn't already have).

All guidance gratefully received. HELP!

She will have everything she does and doesn’t need by now so I would get a gift for her, flowers or edibles and perhaps a keepsake book for when the infant is older.

Thanks @Shapiro. I like that idea.

My go to gift for baby pressies is the extra large, 120x120 Aden and Anais muslins. They're beautiful, so soft and so big so great for years and years, I usually get them from John Lewis but they have them on offer on amazon quite often, like these ones which are only £25 instead of the usual £45.

I'm planning on getting a box of 'upmarket' ready meals delivered to my friend once she has her baby. She has everything for baby, so I thought it might help out her and her husband to have some nice meals ready and waiting. I'm thinking ones from Cook or Mindful Chef.

Badedas chestnut bubble bath and shower gel is great for post natal soreness.

Because I washed my hands so much when I was a new mum that I now always buy a really good quality hand wash and hand cream for new mums.

We got Cook when DD was born, agree those big muslins are amazing!

Our go to gift for new parents is either -

• Ewan the Sheep (saved our sanity with DD!)
• Sophie the giraffe. Was the first toy DD liked and excellent for chewing

If she’s breastfeeding a lovely travelling mug so her tea doesn’t get cold!
Actually regardless of how she’s feeding it will be very useful

Baby will get loads of gifts, loads of clothes and toys that they won’t even use for ages. Get something for her to enjoy by herself or with her partner. Don’t get flowers. We got several bunches when DD was born and it was just another thing to look after (find a vase, cut the ends of the flowers, put fresh water, change the water/top up the water, then throw away the flowers and wash up the vase after). The gifts I loved were snacks for us to eat (biscuits and chocolates) and a deliveroo voucher. If there is a Cook near you, you can grab a voucher for their ready meals.

Also
Jellycat baby toys are lovely and safe too
A nice throw or blanket to have round her shoulders or legs if she’s up in the night a lot with the baby she probably will be

Dark comfy loungewear or a nice dressing gown?
Some fizz
Luxury bathing products

Lots of those chewy toys and the like can end up being a health hazard as mould collects in them.

Similar friends we just sent a cake delivery. They will get a loaf cake sent on subscription once a month for the next 6 months.

Bath stuff for both her and the baby. Lasts bloody ages(as baby doesn’t need it for a while yet) and saves a lot of money.
A voucher for babysitting( if you’re up for it)
The offer of holding the baby whilst she goes and has a shower

Cook vouchers all the way. Or a home massage

Really nice food - looking after a baby is exhausting and having something easy to eat is a godsend. Cook ready meals, Homeslice ready to cook pizzas, a tray of brownies or just a homemade meal with bread and salad is an awesome gift.

Maybe a bit controversial but why not get her those ready made meals from Marks and Spencer? Like the big lasagne or curries u can freeze or chill? As an expectant mum Id love that so practical.

Or if you want to get more baby related muslin clothes, water wipes, comfy jammies for the new mum. Baby blankets. Baby hats.

Everyone saying food/ready meals etc has brilliant ideas. I'm currently pregnant with my 3rd and this would be ideal, it's 1 less thing for your friend to have to think about.
The best presents I've had for my 1st 2 babies is nappies/wipes practical things like that
I'm really grateful for any gifts but you do end up with lots of clothes and stuffed animals.

Starsnug! I get one for all my pregnant friends after someone got one for me with DD and we used it all the time.

https://www.tuppenceandcrumble.com/starbabyy_wraps

Agree with a travel mug for keeping drinks hot while feeding the baby. Contigo is great as it's non-spill, so baby can't knock it all over themselves while flailing arms around during a feed.

Books are a great present, but make sure they are the kind that an adult can read aloud over and over again without wanting to poke their own eyes out. A lot of the older classics are good - Janet and Allen Ahlberg, Dear Zoo, Very Hungry Caterpillar etc. We got a lovely gift set with the VH Caterpillar plus a caterpillar rattle that vibrated and buzzed when you pulled a string on its tail.

Good quality chocolate or cake always appreciated as a present unless she is the type to be trying to diet then baby weight off from the very start.

We were given a couple of beautiful baby mobiles that DC loved lying and watching as babies. There is a Scandinavian brand called Flensted who do lovely minimalist ones, or you can get the black and white Montessori-style ones.

Nice comfy lounge wear
Voucher for her favourite takeaway.
Basket of treats, nice shower gel, body cream, chocolates etc

Oh you lot are legends!

Right, so a friend and I will join up to get her some bits for her (including champagne) and bits for the baby (maybe a muslin and a Ewan the Sheep).

I think it's a bit late for the food idea but that's a great one to bank for the future!

Thank you so much!