To ask you for the Best mummy to be gifts?

[ToffeePennie]

A very close friend is pregnant. I didn’t get a single gift when I was pregnant and only had a few bits for the baby when mine were born.
I want to make this friend feel very extra special and I would love to get her a really special gift, not just for the baby, but for her too. Practical stuff, fun stuff, everything really. I was going to put it all in a hamper for her.
I have already offered her a snowsuit and a sling.

I received a box containing Lansinoh nipple cream, 3 brands of nappy rash cream, a baby thermometer, room thermometer, Calpol, nappy wipes, paracetamol, ibuprofen, Muslins, cereal bars, luxury shower gel and bubble bath, from my sister in law. It was a really thoughtful gift and the stuff lasted ages - still using a lot of it now nearly 2 years later

Most people don't like giving gifts when pregnant, just in case something goes awfully wrong at the end.

A hamper is a great idea though. For baby, I'd just get a small selection if vests or rompers, maybe in a size up. Mine were born quite big, and quickly got into 3-6 months. They probably have loads in the tiny sizes. Muslin cloths, because there's just never enough. Same for baby socks. A book for when they're older, something classic like The Hungry Caterpillar or The Places You Will Go.

For her, do you know her well enough know if she plans to try breastfeeding? A soft nighty that opens at the front would be very used in that regard. A dvd boxset for those long days and night? Something easy to watch that can be dipped in and out of. I'd avoid bath stuff for the moment, lovely and relaxing after a baby, until you get thrush! Maybe a nice cushion, something to rest her baby holding arm on when feeding or holding?

I recommend a really nice shower oil. My friend bought me the L'Occitane Almond one and it made my 2 minute showers feel like luxury.

Baby scan photo frame
Organic Pregnancy Aromatherapy Candle from Loula and Deer
Pukka Motherhood herbal tea

A good idea could be a small selection of books that you liked reading/being read as a child with a nice message inside?

My sister bought me shed loads of breakfast bars so I could munch them whilst my dd was cluster feeding and a magazine subscription so I could keep myself entertained. She also made a load of meals that I could shove in my freezer which got us through the early days. My mum bought me some lovely bath stuff which I really appreciated and some cosy, soft but pretty pyjamas that went above my c section scar.

Boots maternity pads. They’re the best ones.

Cook vouchers.

Most people don't like giving gifts when pregnant, just in case something goes awfully wrong at the end.

That wasn't my experience. I received a lot of gifts, even though I specifically said we didn't need anything.

Also in the event that something did go terribly wrong, it would not be made any worse by the presence of a few baby items from caring friends and family. I've heard people who suffered losses say that these gifts were a comfort to them as it meant something that their baby was acknowledged.

A travel mug so i had a chance at a warm (if not hot) drink occasion

If you have a big budget, a pregnancy massage voucher would be amazing. Otherwise maybe some nice pregnancy toiletries.

A friend of mine put together a box. Baby stuff, a toy, some sleep suits and muslin cloths. But I distinctly remember she put in a small bottle of white, a book, a bath bomb and loads of energy bars. For me. Made me feel so good.

Always gift my Mumma-to-be friends a pair of pjs and a box of “travel size” toiletries for their hospital bag. ♥️

Don't forget to put in a cooling eye mask, some good hand cream and maybe something novelty like those self stiring mugs.

Thank you all!
It is very unlikely we will see each other until baby is here (due sometime October) so it’s a sort of gift once baby is earth side.
I don’t have a massive budget and we no longer live near each other so I don’t know where I would get a pregnancy massage voucher from, but I could probably include a free foot massage voucher (as that’s part of my job!) and offer a couple of days babysitting when she is stuck, when baby is older (I know I would kill for someone to take mine occasionally at 3 and 6) the ideas of a travel mug is fab, as well as PJs and snacks. Going to be looking into nice nursing PJs. (She’s one of my oldest friends, only myself and another friend have had babies and mine are oldest - she’s only ever seen us nursing so I’m pretty sure that’s the route she will go down)

I did one for my friend and her DH for her baby shower. I bought bubble baths and bath bombs, boxes of pregnancy breakfast bars (with extra nutrients or something or other), hand and body creams, face masks, vouchers so they could get themselves new clothes. I also went to a sweet shop and asked them to do me a bag of pink and a bag of blue sweets because my friend didn't find out what she was having. It looked really effective.

I have a 6 week old baby and one of the things I’ve used the most is a drinks cup with enclosed lid and straw. I don’t drink hot drinks/tea/coffee etc. But have been so thirsty with breastfeeding, so I go through several large cupfuls of water or squash. Plus the lid and straw means I don’t have to worry about tipping it up when sipping and spilling on baby’s head, and can even just put it next to me on the sofa easily in reach, which I couldn’t do with a normal drinking glass.

A nice warm dressing gown for those middle of night feeds or blanket for her to have when she is spending lots of time on the sofa feeding. Defo echo a really good travel mug type thing, contingo is a good brand and has an auto lock spill thing. I think also accessories to make life easier. I got a pushchair purse carrier thing that velcos onto the pushchair to put a few bits if your in town rather than in main changing bag. And a clip on cupholder to the pushchair to put the drink into it when you need both hands to push.

I sent some COOK vouchers to a friend who has just had her second (they’re basically fancy ready meals). I remember really struggling to find the time and energy to make a proper meal in the first few weeks so just thought it would be nice to take one thing off the to do list.

Don't get Cook vouchers unless you're spending enough to make the free delivery worthwhile (and they have a very big freezer). DD is 6.5 months and we have yet to get in the car to go to the nearest shop and spend ours - it's just become something that lingers on the to-do list! Snacks or homemade food (if you know what she'd like) or something like a Deliveroo voucher, if such a thing exists, would be great however. Alongside nice pjs/loungewear, a nice candle, bath stuff etc. Fluffy bedsocks or a nice throw? Basically assume she will be spending the first month on the sofa in pyjamas and work from there!

My sister put a little care package together for after the baby arrived and it was so lovely.
It had: socks, hot chocolate (I don’t like coffee or tea), a travel bottle with straw (for rehydrating while BF), dry shampoo, massage oil for my stomach, face cream, some baby books, chocolate and some oils you roll onto your pulse points to sleep better.
Hope any of that helps. The dry shampoo for me personally was a lifesaver.

Don’t get a baby scan photo frame they are so tacky. cowshed pregnancy range is lovely.