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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you would have loved someone to buy you after having a baby.

79 replies

mrswhiskerson · 15/06/2011 17:57

My best friend is ready tomgive birth any
minute and since she has everything for the baby I want to put a big survival box together for her with loads of treats and anything you can think you would have loved someone to get you after you had your baby.

I don't have the biggest budget btw.

OP posts:
yosammitysam · 15/06/2011 19:45

Ooh, one other idea: I found salt baths helped me heal brilliantly (didn't do them after ds1 but did with others and made huge difference) so you could make up a jar of sea salt, and lavender with a little scoop? And maybe give her a body lotion like cocoa butter (to help ease stretch marks!) to use afterwards as it can be a bit drying. That wouldn't blow the budget either. I used saxa but maybe wouldn't be such a lovely gift!

sprinkles77 · 15/06/2011 19:48

I had too much cake and not enough proper food. So I put on nearly as much weight after having the baby as I did during my pregnancy. I made my brother and SIL lots of meals in foil containers (a couple of dozen dinners, chilli, fish pie, cottage pie, casserole etc). It sounds like a lot of work, but it wasn't really, just made massive vats of things and divided into portions. There was enough choice for them not to have bolognese every night! Vouchers were lovely. Pampering sounded nice but TBH I didn't want anyone to touch me, but some people would like a massage or something that could be done at home. Practical help is a godsend, if she'll let you deal with some laundry, load or empty a dishwasher, unpack her online grocery shop, vacuuming etc do it. My parents often came with a prepared meal for us, then sent us to bed while they tidied up and looked after the baby (easier for us as FF).

paddypoopants · 15/06/2011 19:54

An eye mask thingy to block out light when I tried to sleep during the day- and to block out the light of the stupid temperature egg thing which turned my bedroom into a disco at night.

FDTLuckyMumma · 15/06/2011 20:47

Tea tree oil for bathing her bits.
Lansinoh for sore nips.
Infacol.
Drop off a hot meal one evening complete with wine or beer. So nice for someone to put meal in front of you.
Gorgeous cute knitted teddy from Cath kidston (£6 ish) perfect for small hands.

LabMonkey · 15/06/2011 21:18

My DD is 6 weeks and we have received many many lovely gifts including some really amazing handmade ones from friends and meals. The best gift from anyone was my best friend who lives a 400 miles away saying that I could call him at any time of day or night to talk even if it was just to cry down the phone. I never did but knowing that there was a completely non-judgemental shoulder to cry on was the best thing I could be given.

AandK · 15/06/2011 21:22

A new supportive boyfriend Grin

PaigeTurner · 15/06/2011 21:22

yy to decent hand cream - six months on my hands are like a croc handbag.

LadyOfTheCuntryManor · 15/06/2011 21:24

Fresh fruit, nipple cream, infacol (new mum's don't hear about that until 3am when it's too late to do anything) and a nice new fleecy dressing gown that isn't covered in birthing juice (home birth style).

D0G · 15/06/2011 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleMissFlustered · 15/06/2011 21:36

While I was still in hospital my then sister in law came and declared war on my kitchen. It was terrorised into submission:o

A random tesco delivery of goodies. You can get stuff delivered to anywhere, so long as you know they are in. Impersonal if you live round the corne, but if you are miles and miles away it can be a blessing.

WidowWadman · 15/06/2011 21:38

Best present I got this time round was a lovely home made cottage pie. Thoughtful and yummy

SmilingHappyBeaver · 15/06/2011 21:41

A new Fanjo

ginbob · 15/06/2011 21:43

not being funny but I would have loved a massive bottle of champagne with a ribbon on it - for me, not for the baby like all the other gifts! After 9 months of desert, nice to be allowed a little congratulatory treat...

skybluepearl · 15/06/2011 22:53

a cleaner for the first 6 months - cleaning three hours once a week.

DontCallMePeanut · 15/06/2011 22:56

If she's breastfeeding, removable breasts. Means everyone else can have a go, and gives her a rest Grin

And cabbage leaves... Lots of cabbage leaves

I do like the favours and cooked dinners ideas, though :)

pinkmagic1 · 15/06/2011 22:58

A bottle of Baileys and a Chinese takeaway!

virginiasmonalogue · 15/06/2011 23:13

Pot of canendula cream to slap on her pads. Heaven!

shezzle · 15/06/2011 23:21

Dry Shampoo to add to a little basket of toiletries. I know that may seem a bit dull but honestly it was my saviour at times when unexpected visitors dropped by and I looked hideous because I was loving being with my baby so much I couldn't put her down to wash my hair heh heh. Am not vain but you know that feeling when your hair has gone a day too long without a wash. Also Boots No 7 do this lovely radiance face stuff I have recently discovered, as looked a bit tired and I suffered from hyperpigmentation on my skin after having second baby and needed something to brighten my skin, it is fab to put on either on it's own or under makeup, am completely addicted to it and it smells lovely too.I think after having a baby the small things that save time and help you look and feel better go a very long way when you have so little time for yourself. Maybe a couple of funny parenting biographies not manuals- I read quite a few whilst breastfeeding and had a chuckle,also good for any worries and decent advice not strict rules, who needs that when they have just had a baby? The Fishfinger Years is hilarious as is the one by Mel Gedroyc-from here to Maternity I think it's called not sure if spelt right! Your friend is very luckyto have you, what a lovely idea to do for someone :)

LithaR · 15/06/2011 23:42

Having had an emergency c-section i found it hard to get out of bed and would have loved some nice facial wipes just to feel less yucky.

BagofHolly · 15/06/2011 23:53

Sorry to bs the voice of dissent, but you can keep your toiletries, eye masks, little lavender do dahs etc. What I really REALLY appreciated was a very good bottle of wine. I sipped at it - half a glass here and there and it was bloody lovely to have a treat that was for ME, Holly, and not baby related.

MrsBonkers · 16/06/2011 01:37

Disposable cutlery and plates.
Cereal bars to munch through night feeds.
Cans of coke, fantastic, 7 up etc.. To keep in the fridge so you Can grab a drink at the same time as baby bottles at night or for guests and not have to wash up a glass.
Cake.
Basket for living room with newborn nappies, nappy sacks, wipes so she doesn't have to move far from the sofa to change nappies.
Find out where her local children's centre is or under 1's group and offer to go with her to her first session - can be very daunting getting out on your own at first

BingBongSong · 16/06/2011 01:55

When my friend had her 1st baby I bought her a bottle of Bombay Sapphire. With her 2nd, I bought her £50 worth of vouchers for Cook! www.cookfood.net. They sell frozen ready meals, either through their shops or online. Really tasty. My friend loved both presents!

LolaRennt · 16/06/2011 02:03

ASDA do a little one person sized casserols dishes for a bout a pound or two.

Buy a few of them make some cottage pie or lasagnes they fit right in your freezer and she can relax and have some nice meals.

Kiwiinkits · 16/06/2011 05:52

You know what I loved after giving birth? Chocolate milk! I loved having cartons of chocolate milk in the fridge that I could open and drink with one hand while holding DD in the middle of the night. Solves both the midnight munchies and the need for chocolate all at once.
Otherwise, yup, homecooked meals are nice.

SittingBull · 16/06/2011 06:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.