To ask what items would've been hand (but not essential) for a new baby?

[Koalaing]

My DS is due her first baby this month. I don't have children and don't know a lot about babies.

She's got all of the essentials, but I'd like to make her up a hamper of things that aren't essential but would make her life easier.

I've bought her two of those perfect prep machines because she mentioned she'd like one, and thought another would make it easier for her not to have to traipse up and downstairs at night, but I'd like to get her some extra little things too.

AIBU to ask what you found really handy but maybe wouldn't have bought yourself when you first had a baby? Or things you didn't realise would be as useful as they were?

Title was meant to say handy!

Before my first I didn't realise how useful muslins are, on my second there are muslins in all sizes all over the house.

I'd do a little medicine box. Calpol and ibuprofen obviously, decent in ear thermometer, calpol plug in plus refills, vapour rub, cotton balls.

Vouchers for takeaways. Groupon for a deep clean of the house. Vast quantities of biscuits. Insulated travel mug to stop tea getting cold. Headphone splitter so you can watch stuff with your other half while feeding in bed.
Expensive baby bath products such as Weleda. Really good for sensitive skin. Otherwise they don’t need much.

A really really good thermometer that doesn’t bother the baby — you’d probably have to read reviews to find it but it would save some stress.

I love the medicine box idea because most of the time the first time you realise you need this stuff is when it’s too late and you don’t have it and need to go and get it when baby is unwell and you’re a stressed out first time mum! So yea, do that!

This made me smile! What a lovely sister you are! I would have loved chocolate and maybe some nice handcream. I washed mine so many times i had horrible dry skin

A big pot of Vanish stain remover
Bath thermometer
Muslins
Teether(s)/ teething granules
Infacol
Vitamin drops
Sudocrem
Wipes
A big bar of chocolate (not for baby obvs, but what hamper for a new mum would be complete without one?!)

Those little sock-on things that stop them pulling their socks off, they're fab!

Nice socks for mum! A friend bought me some and I thought it was a bit odd but every baby class I’ve been to is shoes off for hygiene reasons and having nice socks to wear when you’re tired etc is lovely. Travel coffee mug has come in useful for pram walks/car journeys when getting the baby to sleep.
Stuff for the baby- clip on baby toys, particularly black and white ones for the early weeks and more colourful sensory ones for when they’re a couple of months (Lamaze do a huge range). We had a Tiny Love Clip on play arch that was great as it clipped onto the pram/bouncer etc and my baby played with it in different ways as he grew ...anything that distracts them for 10minutes is great!

I was also going to say: muslins. Lots of them. Including the huge ones.

Wow what a lovely gift you have already bought her, you sound like a wonderful, kind and thoughtful sister! My friend bought me a bag of things I would need for hospital that I had barely thought about; dry shampoo, face wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush, tissues, deodrant, etc and it was my favourite present and I now do the same for other friends! Obviously she already owns a toothbrush/hairbrush but it means not having to worry about packing/un packing certain items and she is ready to just pick the bag up and head off.

I was given boxes of nappies in the first 3 sizes and it honestly made my life so much easier. Weleda nappy cream and water wipes are game changers, ds is 2 and has never had nappy rash. Snacks. Non bio washing powder or tablets because let's face it, a lot of washing is done with a newborn.

I second the little first aid box as well, we were always having to go to our not very well stocked local chemist for things! Snuffle babe, calpol etc

Oh, and hand cream.
And a buggy organiser (little pouch that goes on the handle of the pram that holds your drink, keys, purse etc)

I found a Microwave sterilizer (Tomee tipee do a good one) worth it’s weight in gold. I agree with the nappy / wipes / nappy bag selection. Will she breastfeed? If so the Haakaa breast milk collector (you can get it or the Lanisoh brand from Aldi and Amazon) and the Lanisoh nipple cream is great.

A nice blanket for her and baby to snuggle up under. Lots of people buy the baby blankets but a nice blanket that mum can have around her while cuddling the baby on the couch etc would be fab. Comfy and good cover up for skin on skin in the early weeks for bonding

I'm a FTM and reading about the travel mug idea is going to be a game changer for me (child is now 8 months but still!). Sad I hadn't thought of this or read something earlier, but no more cold half drunk brews for me, and much safer when breastfeeding!

I have a 9 week old and buy a lot of food from COOK...

Other things not yet mentioned...
Gripe water
Sterimar nasal spray (might just be my little one but couldn't be without it!)
Nail file / clippers for baby as they scratch your chest badly otherwise!
Microwave sterilising bags are a godsend

A packet of swim nappies?

Get her a Bodum travel mug. They keep a cuppa hot for HOURS. My DP takes them to work. Sometimes he forgets and leaves it in the car, and at the end of the day his tea is still drinkable.

I didn't have a hot cuppa for weeks on end when my babies were born.

Oh, and a snot sucker (gross, but very handy when a baby has a blocked up nose!)

Digital ear thermometer
Bath water thermometer
Lidded thermos cup so her tea can be stay warm but no risk of accidental spills on baby
Glow in the dark dummies (mam range are excellent)
Nice new hair clips for tying back her hair
One of those u shaped pillows to help raise baby up a bit for feeding comfortably.
Those small nightlights that can plug into a socket - they give enough light to check in baby without waking them up!

Oh and an additional clothes horse airer will definitely come in handy!

Gro Egg room thermometer
The nose sucky thing (aspirator?)
Another vote for the insulated travel mug!!
A white noise type toy they're fab
Nappies
A selection of different hot chocolates
A foot print/handprint ink kit

Btw you sound like a lovely sister OP!!