To ask what the best new baby gift you have ever received was?

[DesperateDansCowPie]

Going to a baby shower and need inspiration for a gift.

I am so indecisive at the moment!

Mine was actually a gift for a 6 month old. It was like a puzzle - you'd put the right animal in the right place and it made the animal noise! I remember looking at it a bit blankly when I got it (I was a complete novice when it came to babies) but my dd loved that toy when she got a little older and played with it for months! All my other gifts were things like babygros and little clothes. They were lovely but I still remember that toy 15 years later!

I loved the Fisher Price Hippo musical nightlight:
www.amazon.co.uk/Fisher-Price-Projection-Soother-New-born-Projector/dp/B06XHQMRH6?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
My DD is 5 and she still has it on her bed, for the soothing light and music. I can't tell you how many nights it helped us all drift off to sleep when she was little. They come in pink or blue.

A just eat voucher.

Aden and anis huge muslin squares.

A nappy caddy filled with bits needed for the first year, calpol, ibuprofen, bum cream, teething powders, baby olbas, nose frida etc.

Nice quality plain white or slightly patterned sleepsuits.

Ewan the dream sheep! He’s now like a dearly loved family member. Apparently Aldi have their own version in store this week as well.

Do you know if it's a boy or a girl? My lovely friend bought my daughter a charm bracelet and has given her a charm for it for every birthday. Obviously it's quite an expensive gift if it's just for an acquaintance but the idea is you give it to her on her 16th, 18th or 21st.

Lots of good quality muslins in bright colours - m and s were good
Something for the mum
Toys/clothes for older babies about 6 months (make sure right season)

Hand knitted cardis and blankets, but that's personal taste - I kept DC in baby gros and little cardis for several months but some people choose to go into little outfits fairly quickly.

We got a lot of use out of a pack of aden + anais swaddle sized muslins like these :www.adenandanais.co.uk/deco-cotton-muslin-swaddles-2-pack-aswc20013
They're huge, perfect for swaddle as newborn, a lighter blanket in warmer months or for car seat, an extra layer to protect crib /moses basket/ pram bassinet if baby is a bit sickly. DD is 4 now and uses them as blankets for her dollies!

Next plain white 7 pack vests (www.next.co.uk/g862128s9/615805#615805) were boring but I've used them ever since - great quality, wash brilliant and fit well.

Was bought a Sophie le Girafe teething toy for DS (DC#1) and he loved it, bought one for DD (DC#2) and she didn't bother with it...

Post birth (not necessarily good for baby shower) we really appreciated SIL bringing round 2 can dine for £10 type ready meals and a bundle of magazines! Recently I've seen people buying justeat and Gusto vouchers which have been similarly appreciated!

I ended up with 4 white noise/lullaby/lamp type animals all from different people and my baby liked none of them. I also ended up with lots of clothes that weren't my taste and most went in yhr charity bag.

I'd suggest something that your sure will be used.
Is it a suprise shower? Could you ask the mum to be what she'd like, she might have made a list.

My first thought was the 7 neighbours who got a rota together and delivered meals for the first week we had our baby (including dessert and/or wine!!)

Otherwise reusable wipes are fab, and it's hard to have too many!

Just eat voucher and some teething rings for the baby.

Loving all these ideas. Particularly like the idea of anything that will help mum and dad get some sleep!

@Beseigedbykillersquirrels It's a little boy. Lovely idea for a charm bracelet. I'm storing that one for future babies

Meals from COOK. Absolutely amazing for the first week or so when the last thing you want to do is cook.

Useful inexpensive things: A usb chargeable touch nightlight for nightfeeds, collection of essentials like lanisol, snufflebabe, nappy cream, a hooded towel, weaning stuff like silicon bibs and bowls

Oh and reusable wipes like cheeky wipes are a good useful gift

Toss up between the meal vouchers and a pair of trainers (for me). Meal vouchers were an obvious hit but the trainers were special because none of my old shoes fit.

Sleepsuits with zips rather than buttons, and nightgowns. Makes for easier nappy changes particularly when baby is sleeping or during the night

A Kari-me sling. Might not be for your friend but I LOVED it, used it for 2 babies for at least 6 months per kid.

I got a spa day voucher with 12 months to use and a lovely hamper of chocolates, some gorgeous face & body creams, a scented candle & some bath salts. From different friends!
Aden & Anais muslins are fabulous.
My DSis and BIL got us a newborn photography session. That was so good as I wouldn’t of booked it so quickly and we now have beautiful photos forever.

One of my friends has one of these and swears it's the best present she got - she can have her phone and coffee close to hand while pushing her pram!

https://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/skip-hop-stroller-organiser-black-d9406.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-JzskILrIAU-1xD0Conrkw5TH3m8BFeMkhRpg8SJEgnKnAWKJ8JUWIaAhCAEALw_wcB

Books;
Dear Zoo
Peepo
Each Peach Pear Plum

Muslins.Sophie la giraffe

A baby bath support is fab, I used one so much as it supports the spine and allows the adult to have both hands free, making bath time more relaxing. This one looks really good,

www.babyandchildstore.com/shop/bathing-changing/okbaby-jelly-folding-bath-support-seat-white/

A bouquet of roses from my mother in law's garden.
For the duration of my hospital stay I could smell them all of the time. 😊

Braun electric thermometer, it still gets so much use

A friend got me a Deliveroo gift card which was a godsend.

BIG muslins, not the little ones.

Really pretty but comfy and washable pjs for me.

Zip up onsies are the absolute best, you can dress baby with one hand. If I could have anything it would be those as my number one.