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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get them a thermometer as a new baby gift?

143 replies

TheBabyAteMyBrain · 06/11/2019 08:34

Mutual friends of me and dh are due their first baby in Dec, they have a large family and friend circle and the child will be the first grandchild, so they will be inundated with cute outfits, blankets, toys, gifts for mum.

Speaking with dh last night I said it would be a good idea to get them a Braun Thermoscan thermometer as a new baby gift as it's been a life saver for us and our two dc. Dh thinks it's a boring gift and we should do the usual personalised blanket or cute outfits. I think it's practical and will be used straight away from first vaccinations and is one of the things people tend to forget to buy when preparing for a first baby.

So, AIBU? Would you have appreciated a thermometer or should I get the usual bits for a new baby?

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 06/11/2019 08:35

Pretty boring present. Maybe they already have one?

PrettyShiningPeople · 06/11/2019 08:37

I appreciate practical & useful gifts, so I think it’s a good present

bluebury · 06/11/2019 08:38

I would have appreciated it if I didn't already own one (which I did).

I get the whole wanting to buy something useful though, we had waaaaay more baby grows and blankets than we'd ever need.

Decent muslins, Amazon or John Lewis vouchers, and meals were the most appreciated/useful gifts for us.

BertrandRussell · 06/11/2019 08:39

I honestly don’t understand why people with children in normal health need a thermometer, so I think it’s a boring present.

Talcott2007 · 06/11/2019 08:42

I have put together a bit of an emergency bag as gifts for baby showers since having DD - bottle of calpol, baby scissors, thermometer, ambisol liquid, snot sucker etc - basically everything that I found really useful in the 1st year (that inevitable realised I needed at 3am in the middle of a crisis!) Plus DD favourite board book. Without fail every parent has contacted me later to say - OMG this was brilliant and actually useful.

TheGoogleMum · 06/11/2019 08:43

If I didn't already have a thermometer I would be happy to receive a useful gift. We bought a cheap thermometer and regret it a bit. We also have a bath thermometer which is useful for bath water temperature. The only downside to practical gifts is if they already have one they probably won't need 2

bluebury · 06/11/2019 08:43

@BertrandRussell

Thing is you don't know when the 'normal health' child isn't going to be well.

If you have a sick child at 1am in the morning and call 111 for advice the first thing they'll ask you is their temperature.

I've used mine once, and it was what told me medical attention was needed rather than just TLC at home.

AmIThough · 06/11/2019 08:44

I've not yet used a thermometer for 6 month old DD, but the idea behind it is nice, to get something useful.

Don't buy blankets. I have about a million.

Get the things that's are forgotten, like baby bath towels.

Talcott2007 · 06/11/2019 08:44

And the thing with these items is that having 2 is also really useful so in some ways it does matter if they already have one! - one for the bathroom cabinet and one for the changing bag etc. One to hand easily

AntiHop · 06/11/2019 08:44

I would have been happy to receive that gift.

HopefullyAnonymous · 06/11/2019 08:45

I have never used a thermometer with either of my kids who are now 11 and 7. Would have been a completely pointless gift for me. I don’t see why you would need one.

AmIThough · 06/11/2019 08:45

Oh or there is a tommee tippee set that includes nail scissors, thermometer, hairbrush etc. I got one of those for like £12 and it's great.

BertrandRussell · 06/11/2019 08:45

Sorry- when I said children in normal health, I meant children without additional health issues.

Iwantacookie · 06/11/2019 08:45

I always do a little gift bag with thermometer, baby nail clippers etc with a cuddly toy on top.

Kaykay06 · 06/11/2019 08:47

Paeds nurse, I have one of those and we use them on the ward so handy. Mine was fairly expensive so a gift of one would’ve been welcome tbh. I don’t use it much now but did when they were little

MaggieFS · 06/11/2019 08:47

I think it depends when you are going to give it to them as a thermometer was on every list of essential items to buy I saw, so they may have one. But in principle I think it's a great idea. Other non-standard things I was given or would have appreciated being given were:
Morrck car seat blanket
Snuggl Bundle baby lifter
Nice muslins, not just a bog standard bulk pack from Tesco like Bambino Mio

Waiting4Sprogo · 06/11/2019 08:49

They might already have one BUT your idea of a practical gift is so much more appealing than another ‘cute’ item that they will have an excess of already. I was always that person who bought my friends a bunch of congratulatory flowers (as well as cute bits for the baby) and it wasn’t until I had my first that I realised how impractical a bunch of flowers are when you’ve just had a baby. I know it’s a lovely gesture but it’s still not v.helpful. I was given 5 bouquets, then I went into hospital, was in there for 5 days, came home with tiny newborn and c-section aftercare to do and the last thing I wanted to do was keep a sodding bunch of flowers looking fresh. In future, I’m getting my friends nappies, muslin cloths, wipes, nipple cream (or formula) and a travel mug. They aren’t keepsakes but my god they are bloody good gifts!

LtJudyHopps · 06/11/2019 08:50

People always seem to buy newborn size clothing as gifts so I always try and buy 3-6 months so they’re more likely to get use out of them. I think it’s a practical gift and is fine, you’re thinking of them rather than yourself getting to pick out a cute set.

Babdoc · 06/11/2019 08:51

Why don’t you simply ask the couple if they’ve already got one or would like one? It would be silly to duplicate, and they might suggest something they’d rather have.

OneTwoThreeDoeRayMe · 06/11/2019 08:51

I used one barely a couple of time, I think.

If you're going to go down that route, I really don't think it can just be a thermometer - it needs to be more along the lines @Talcott2007 has suggested.

MaggieFS · 06/11/2019 08:51

Just remembered another one - another one I don't have as it seems a bit pricey but would have loved someone to have bought for me - a Clevamama Apron Baby Bath Towel with a hood

20viona · 06/11/2019 08:52

I think it's a pretty good idea but I would get them a bath thermometer as they can be used obviously in the water and for room temperature which is helpful.

Daffodil2018 · 06/11/2019 08:53

Thermometers are like toilet plungers in that you rarely need them, but when you do, you need them right away! We certainly didn't have one the first time we needed it.

I think it's a very useful present and no one else is likely to give them one. Go for it!

MrsToothyBitch · 06/11/2019 08:54

I'd love that, nice bit of kit I wouldn't necessarily think to buy, makes a nice change to the usual toys etc which loads of people get, saves me money and isn't a taste risk the way a lot of clothes, blankets etc are.

Buddyelf · 06/11/2019 08:58

We received one when I had my first DD over 8 years ago. Best thing we ever got, takes the temp in seconds. I have to say I can't understand how someone thinks a thermometer is boring or pointless. What do you do when your child is sick? Just guess what it is??