To ask for ideas for gift when a baby arrives

[Needideas]

NC as timing is potentially outing.

Sister and BIL are expecting their first child in the next few weeks. We don't have children so can't base on experience.

Please could you give me ideas for things you'd have liked to have recieved when yours were born - up to about £100.

They've got the basics and I don't want to go for the obvious clothes or nappy cake etc- I'd really like something that you wouldn't obviously buy for yourself before/ at time of birth.

We were given a set of monthly stickers and a big 12 aperture photo frame, which encouraged us to have a monthly photoshoot session ( at home, not a professional shoot!) We now have a great record of how much DD changed over her first year.

www.boots.com/en/Cuddledry-Bathing-Apron-Oatmeal-and-White_1153103/

Best thing I was given was a set of 12 muslin cloths.

Also, something for mum to pamper herself with when she gets a chance. And something for dad to indulge himself in when he gets the chance. Those first few weeks/months are full on!

And that should leave plenty of change for other ideas from other posters :)

I'd go for a really nice blanket. I love blankets.

White company blankets
Lamaze toys
Colourful muslin cloths
Champagne
Posh Hand cream

These were my favourite presents (DS 3 months now)

Middle of the night kit - nose drops and snot sucker, dummies for those fuck it moments, snuffle baby menthol drops, digital themometer and baby nail clippers.

Nipple cream if you know she's planning to breast feed would be good, it's expensive for what it is. I also saw a funky little gadget the other day that you can clip onto anything to make it vibrate which can be soothing for the baby.

Exclusively for the parents - just eat vouchers.

We got some really useful things given as gifts for when baby was older as we had the essentials for straightaway.

We got a jumperoo and a high chair oh and the lifesaver baby swing
Also loved little milestone cards - my first smile first spoon feed etc these can be bought on amazon.

A sling! A Moby wrap is good for the early days but if you've got £100 to spend perhaps an Ergo or Manduca? I used mine all the time, and about to start again with DC2.

gin

I asked the same question a few weeks ago and was recommended these - I think they're lovely

tuppenceandcrumble.com/shop/star_wraps/buy-star-wraps_naturals/Baby-Star-Wraps-Naturals

Seconding a Cuddledry towel (or similar).
Love To Dream swaddle.
And every time you go, take food with you, and make sure it's in disposable containers.

uk.babyhaven.com/summer-infant-soothe-and-vibe-portable-soother.html?fee=16&fep=12150&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google+shopping+uk&gclid=CKXCpI6atswCFdIV0wodG_4Jaw Link for the vibrate thingy.

A sling is a nice idea, but I would err on the side of caution simply because I tried about three before finding one that suited both me and dd. It'd be a lovely gesture to find out about her nearest sling library and go along with her and the baby with the offer of buying her which version she gets on with though.

How about a nice box of essentials ie
Muslins (can never have enough)
Dummies (not essential but a good just in case thing)
These are amazing www.mothercare.com/Brush-Baby-Chewable-Toothbrush/605087,default,pd.html&loadMoreCurrentStatus=1&returnCgid=babycare_health_dentalcare&returnSrule=null&start=&returnScrollPos=737
Metanium nappy cream is great
Little bottle of vegetable oil which is recommended for baby dry skin on newborns
A swaddling blanket
Handcream (hands get so dry with washing them all the time after nappy changes etc)
Some lovely chocolates

Or you could take a risk and get them a sleepyhead which is about £99 but a life saver for sleeping!

Cook vouchers or similar. Really delicious meals that go from freezer to oven with minimal effort.
People got this for us and it was wonderful. Never underestimate the restorative power of hot food.

For the mum: YY to hand cream. A friend also got me a nice fleecy nightwear style hoodie which I used a lot when night feeding or lounging on the sofa feeding (there will be a lot of feeding going on).

For the baby: some of my favourite gifts were nice practical things like children's towels - you can use them for years. Some gorgeous things in Zara home (also blankets, soft furnishings etc)

Baby mat, gym or cot toy would be nice.

Nice blankets, muslins and towels are all good and it doesn't matter if you accidentally replicate other gifts.

I would have liked one of those in-ear digital thermometers - they are about £40.

We were given Ewan the Dream Sheep for DD, which was a lovely gift.

Ohhh I love those star blankets costa what a great idea!

Aden and Annais muslins and bibs, gorgeous, extra large and so useful! Burts Bees toiletries. restuarant vouchers for mum and dad (for later in yr when they can leave baby)!

Thanks for the replies so far- some great ideas although ghostys made me laugh!

Some of my friends arranged a roster among their group of friends to cook a bi-weekly dinner for the new friends. A drop and run, where the cook would literally come over and drop over a freshly cooked dinner.

You could maybe do that yourself, or find a home chef delivery to make their first weeks a little easier?

Best baby basket I got was full of fresh fruit and veg, dried fruit (constipation can be killer when establishing BF'ing, but also easy to dip your hand into and eat), peanut butter, crackers, fruit cakes, fruit juice, basically loads of healthy snacks you can eat one handed and are filling and restorative. Also good quality ready meals (Cook).

Also maybe takeaway vouchers? That would have been great!

Aden and Anais giant muslins - I've 4 of them and I still use even now that DS is 4. BF cover, buggy shade, sheet, blanket - endless uses. I always get new mothers them as a gift.

No clothes, we had loads. Much as I appreciated them, every time I unwrapped then I did ungraciously think 'yay, more things to wash'. (I know, I was very sleep deprived!). I liked when people got us Lamaze toys and things for the future like a set of books!

A sleepyhead would have been an amazing gift if you have £100 to spend. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00ACK676E/ref=mpssa111?qid=1462216464&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=sleepyhead&dpPl=1&dpID=31wnUkxk-kL&ref=plSrch