To be absolutely stupid with excitement?!

[Thisnamechanger]

I come from a tiny family. The last baby in our family was me, 31 years ago.

Today is SILs due date. My wonderful DM died shortly after their wedding in 2016 and this feels like the first good thing to happen to our family since.

Help me out MN! I'm child free and I'm not sure I've ever ever held a baby on my life but I'm STUPIDLY excited about becoming and Auntie!!

Have text SIL and DBro and said I totally understand they may want days or weeks alone with DNorN before inviting visitors but that I've kept the diary clear for potential visits in January.

AM. so. EXCITED.

What shall I bring baby? And more importantly SIL?? Any idea for a nice present for a new Mum??

Arrrrrggghhhh!

Yay!!! How exciting

DBro is v.v.v. aprehensive and worried which I totally understand. Rather him than me. Poor SIL, she's so uncomfortable. Baby keeps kicking her organs.

....aaaaaaarrrrrrghhhh 😁😁😁😁

What a lovely post. Congratulations on nearly becoming an auntie, ask mum for advice on how to hold baby etc. That helps her feel in control. Ask your brother what gift for mum 💐

You sound lovely! What’s your budget for the present?

Aw that's lovely. So tough losing your mum so this should be a good boost to the family. When baby arrives make sure to ask sil when it suits to visit - your brother might say call tomorrow while sil may have 100 stitches and bleeding nipples and not feel like seeing anyone! Let them know you are available to help - offer to do a a bit of housework, watch the baby while sil rests, do food shopping, cook a dinner - whatever you can manage.
Ask if they need a specific item - baby monitors, bouncy chair, for example. If they have all their bits bought already buy clothes - think of the season when choosing the age/size of clothes. For mum you could get a voucher for a massage, hairdresser, nail salon and offer to mind baby when she avails of it.

Hope baby arrives soon - you'll be a great auntie.

My go to present for babies is a tuppence and crumble star blanket. They are super cute but really really useful too.
It's so nice that you are excited!!!
Babies are ace

Blanket for the baby
Hand cream and chocolate for the parents

I made a first aid basket up with things like this for the baby:-

Calpol
Baby bonjela
Teething granules
Nail scissors
Sudocrem
Cotton wool
Vaseline
Muslin cloths
Bath toys

For mum:-

Nipple cream...can't remember name of it think camillosan or something like that
Hand cream
Dry shampoo
Nice shower gel, body lotion

Also if you're buying an outfit, lots of people get newborn or 0-3 so get 3-6 months

ask mum for advice on how to hold baby etc. That helps her feel in control

What a sensitive thought; good idea!

Budget? I don't know. I always horrifically overspend on other people as I've no kids of my own. £150 - £200 maybe?? I bought them a nice Polaroid camera for Christmas as I thought they could take some snaps of baby and put them on the fridge a d I got a lovely little Jersey with sheep on and bunny from the white company for the baby shower.

Something practical maybe?? Is it muslin wraps people always say they run out of?

I am an Auntie three times over a dit is as awesome as you think it will be and probably even more!!!

yay for you!!!!

This is so lovely. Your excitement is jumping off the screen

Food/baked goods always seem to go down well. Something freezable maybe?
Or if you want to treat your sil why not some nice smellies for the bath.

When my sister had hers I always told her I was there for whatever she needed. Whether that was baby cuddles so she could have a hot shower or a quick tidy over of the kitchen/put the dinner on while she fed the baby.

Congrats and I hope you enjoy getting to meet your niece or nephew!

YY ask your brother for present ideas but ask your SIL for when is ok to visit.

Free to do:-
Visit and help with housework, laundry, cooking and let SIL sit and hold the baby. So many visitors sit holding the baby themselves while the new parents run around.
Make food for them and drop it round. Possibly do not stay, just leave the food.

Costing money:-
Jojo maman Bebe gift vouchers. It is such a brilliant company and they do stuff for new mums and new babies and offer brilliant advice and easy postal delivery.
A subscription to Cook frozen meals. Worth its weight in gold and they do vouchers for new parents.

The best present I was ‘given’ when I had my twins, was when a friend came round, completely ignored the baby, made me and my husband lunch and then cleaned my bathroom!
Maybe take round some meals for their freezer or a voucher for a spring clean or for a post natal massage when SIL is ready?

For mum you could get a voucher for a massage, hairdresser, nail salon and offer to mind baby when she avails of it.

Yes! I thought this! Was racking my brains for something just for her given she's the one who'll be doing all the hard work on the day!

OMG I remember when I was that excited before my niece was born! You will be am ace auntie :) babies need: love, love and love from aunties. When they get a bit bigger they will need you to play with them. They need time and attention more than they need things.
Congrats! How exciting :)

what a lucky baby OP xx

I always get:

Mum: hair mask, face mask, big bar of chocolate and a mini bottle of prosecco for when they want a bath alone

Dad: Bottle of V nice craft beer

Baby: Sophie La Giraffe

Big bro or sis: selection of magazines. It means whoever else is there can play stickers with them

How wonderful for you and your family! My advise is to do all you can for your SIL. Honestly, a newborn doesn't need anything except their mother, but your SIL might really need some support. Ask her what she needs and offer to help with housework, cooking, etc. What an exciting time! You are going to be head over heels for this baby!

Aw your too cute!

A little snuggly for baby might be cute. Jellycat ones are very soft.

Just show up with lunch & snacks. Make tea & wash the bits up after. Maybe put away some washing etc.... If you want to bring them a gift maybe a voucher or cash in a card with a note saying its specifically for a nice take away!

One of the nicest things my cousin did for me was to bring a lunch with her when she came to visit to see the baby. It was so nice, she brought a pie that she warmed up in my oven and a cake for after. And she offered to hold the baby and let me eat first. So she got lots of cuddles and I got a lovely hassle free lunch and some good company.

Congratulations op, this is a very nice thread to read.

I second those that say do things round the house. My MIL cuddled the baby for ten mins then did all my washing up. Then ran me a bath and held the baby whilst I wallowed. It was bliss.

Oh oh oh this is a great idea, thank you! I could make her a "care package"! Lots of nice smelly things, bath stuff, small prosecco bottle, chocs, new PJs etc?? Os that a crap idea?

Xpost. Fab, in that case I’d suggest JoJo vouchers, the Cook new parent voucher pack and some money in envelopes earmarked for takeaways.

If you want to buy something for the baby Jellycat do the most gorgeous toys.

Love all PPs suggestions too.

You could always keep some money back (or spend it now) for when they can get out and about a bit more and yes, voucher for spa, haircut, meal out for both of them although this may not be yet!

Definitely make / freeze food. You can get foil trays from many places, ideal for bunging in the oven to reheat. Lasagne, shepherd’s pie - a whole meal in one. Perfect.

I also echo the idea of making the new parents lunch, or sitting with a sleeping babe while mum has a shower.

Don’t wear strong perfumes / scents when you visit. I hated it when my newborn smelt like someone else’s perfume.

Best post of the day.
New babies tend to get lots of presents so it's always worth asking what they haven't already get. If they're not sure perhaps - nice pram blanket, muslin cloths, books, berts bees mum/baby toiletries, soft baby towels, storage that's easy to carry ie