Present ideas for a newborn baby

[TheSmallAssassin]

It's so long since my kids were born and since anyone I knew had a baby, I am so out of touch with what a nice present would be now! In the past I've bought a sleeping bag or a book, or a cute sleepsuit. What would you buy friends who had recently had their first baby? We're not super close, but they are a lovely couple who we know through a hobby and we work with one of them too, so I would like to buy a little something, maybe about £25?

Maybe some clothes but in size 3-6 months. They'll probably get given a lot of 0-3 month stuff, and it's nice to give one thing for the baby to grow in to.

How about several of the books that you enjoyed reading to your babies when they were young? I think it's so lovely when people do this. In our family "Ten Little Fingers" has always been a great favourite.

Another idea is a book and a matching soft toy e.g. a Winnie the Pooh, Paddington, Peter Rabbit, Spot the dog or Elmer book with the appropriate soft toy. Or a 'That's not my' book with a matching soft toy (I think you can buy some gift sets like this)

The youngest children in our family have loved Jellycat soft toys . . . the rabbit has been the most popular. They are so soft and cuddly

Another lovely gift which a little one in our family received was a puzzle of their name . . . the letters were the puzzle pieces.

Hope you have fun choosing something OP

Soft toys are lovely but we received many of them. I'd recommend some lovely children's books for them to enjoy when baby is an older or clothes in 0-3 months size or 3-6 months.

DD's uncle got her a coin from the Mint which was lovely.

That’s a great idea!

A baby nail file. An electric one.

Not cute, but a real timesaver.

A black and white crinkle book, this one is very good: www.amazon.co.uk/Babys-Very-First-Cloth-Book/dp/1529023351

A sleeping bag in the next size up always welcome or board books.

Definitely not a cuddly toy. We are growing in them and more keep arriving 🙈 it's very kind of people but I feel like we can't get rid of them as they're gifts

I liked a personalised teething ring. Got loads of use and was the first thing I ever had with his name on, made him seem real 😂

Clothes can be so hit and miss. I got a few bits in a larger size I then forgot I’d stored till he’d outgrown them. We ended up half drowning in soft toys too. Lovely but you can only use so many.

we have litterally just come back from my daughters baby shower and her gifts included; practical like baby shampoo, baby wipes, nappies, little outfits, soft toys, there were a few little cases filled with nappies etc, there were a few little bears... one guest has even named a star after the baby.. i guess it depends on your budget but im fairly confident most new mums would prefer some advice from those that have been round the block a bit it that makes sense

I'd go books or sleeping bags, things you can't really have too many of.

Avoid clothes (apart from maybe plain, simple sleep suits) and soft toys, things you can have too many of.

Cheeky Wipes! Best thing I was given. We didn't use them as wet wipes, which is what they are designed for, but they have had so many uses! Mopping up wee on the changing mat, mopping up small spills, little spit ups. They make perfect flannels and hankies (so soft for sore noses). Daughter is 2 and we still use them daily for all sorts of things. They wash and dry so well, they still feel like new. The bamboo ones are the softest. Practical gifts were my most treasured with a newborn.

Little people big dreams do collections of baby board books

Please don’t get a Jellycat rabbit (my 2yr was given 14 as a newborn).
You sound lovely.

I just had a baby 8 weeks ago and I was most grateful for practical, consumable stuff - nappies, wipes, soap etc. We got A LOT of clothes in 0-3 including 5 very impractical little jackets! So I’d go for 3-6 or even 6-9 if you’d like to gift clothes. Agree to no soft toys, we have way too many. Ditto comforters/lovies. Can never have too many books or muslins. Surprisingly didn’t get many toys appropriate for newborns!

I prefer to get boxes of wipes, nappies in bigger sizes and things like bibs, muslim squares and formula (if the baby is formula fed). I find that most parents have a LOT of clothes and toys already. Mine are toddlers but I still have a stack of wipes and nappies in the house as it makes my life much easier

I bought a cutlery set with the name engraved. It wasn't expensive. I know won't be used till they are over a year but a nice keepsake.

Buy and stock a nappy caddy! They are worth their weight in gold and it will get used!

Are you absolutely sold on buying them a gift? Because I know it seems less personal but I think vouchers are great. Maybe somewhere like M and S, so they can either get some clothes for the baby OR some nice quality ready meals for themself once the baby is born.....

If you do prefer a gift, I would say some nice books, like others suggested, or a nice photo frame/album for newborn pics?

Sophie set? Ds still loves his and teeth have been in for a while now. Looks nice as a gift too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/sophie-la-giraffe-sophisticated-teether-set/p3311005?sppc=2dxxmixedfashionnBAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gadsource=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt-D-qqichQMVnZ1QBh1sXA8QEAQYBCABEgIqWPDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Have a look at the cellular blankets from The white company they are so soft.

A Clark's voucher for baby's first shoes when the time comes

I have a 9 month old. I would agree with others saying sleeping bags - the decent ones feel like a real treat - my faves are the Tommee Tippee ones. Cheeky Wipes or Little Gubbins wipes also great.

Other ideas -
Bibado bibs
Bath toys
Stacking cup toys - simple so so well used
A set of nursery storage baskets in neutral colours
Books with finger puppets in them - my little one still loves these
Any toys with mirrors on them suitable for newborns

I don't have children, but asked the same question a few weeks ago. The replies I got included:

• Matchstick monkey for when they are teething. Various shapes/animals and packs available https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079T4HRXR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B079T4HRXR&pd_rd_w=0b5OC&content-id=amzn1.sym.67430c1d-696a-45e1-be6b-972213775cc6&pf_rd_p=67430c1d-696a-45e1-be6b-972213775cc6&pf_rd_r=D65P94FEWZ2HZWWD36TA&pd_rd_wg=yWotU&pd_rd_r=e036e3c5-3cba-4d74-9662-e8183cfba626&s=baby&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy&th=1
• Tuppence and crumble wrap https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tuppence-Crumble-Star-Baby-Medium/dp/B00IAVM4DC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=10NAU411001VF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZTmQXGvEgYhYJ8lb8gX24ZB6hV6enYjzyzS6AawwzYOdd1OjOebKQQn_CpooxwlM7i0yG8FaRaLS6Gux-ldStIRPVdl-tbbx-IlELOkgHcgOpepv3D1cuaMehbZAMeRtg7a11aPy5Fuo4je0dnWy4th8wdgIZmbxXLitbHQg2FxG50d8gNE_otudg9yP56ADeoqMOcMFbTaa-TUCurRXKpDVJEzh77af4j8IP3UZU7vAa28gWYYl7lVLTuNk9pFIxM1NNrVzxwzdUsZrtKulEBY7cVtKtwzjc9ZxAztgYww.15awH52hF-6hf7e9xIcTz-0P6qmQClJU5F3tvwttbXQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=star+blanket&qid=1711835853&s=baby&sprefix=star%2Cbaby%2C80&sr=1-6
• A string of pram toys or soft book for when younger, another suggestion was a pop-up/finger puppet type book for when older.

nappies in size 2 or 3 3-6 and 6-9 clothes. everyone buys newborn stuff and baby can't possibly wear it all before outgrowing.

A tuppence and crumble star wrap!!