To ask for advice on preparing a new mummy package for my friend

[EmperorPalpatitty]

Hi, I wasn't 100% sure where I should put this, but I thought I should ask in here because you are all the experts.

My friend is pregnant, and she's the first out of my close friends to be so. I want to put together a little gift hamper with some bits and bobs her and baby for when he or she arrives but I don't have anyone in my life I could ask.

Is there anything that you would have loved to receive as a new mummy?

(I feel terribly foolish for not knowing any of this yet when I'm a 28 year old woman, haha)

There's a type of product called a Nappy Cake that is what you're talking about. Come in various forms - you'll find millions on eBay / etsy / Facebook marketplace etc

Hand cream
Chocolate
Baby calpol
A coffee cup with a sealed lid so she can have a hot drink while feeding baby or just holding baby

Not sure on price ranges or how many things but here's just a few ideas

Baby -
A few Muslins/bibs
Pack of baby grows
Cute outfit
Health care kit ( comes with hairbrush and comb)
Baby electric nail file ( Amazon )
^ I got this and it's my most used item!
Bath products
Milestone cards for taking cute pictures

Mum -
Quick on the go snacks to just grab
Pamper night items she could use before having baby eg bath bombs, face masks
Chocolate
mum mug for tea or coffee

What a lovely idea, OP, your friend is lucky to have you.
Depends how much you want to spend but I was given some muslins from this company: www.adenandanais.co.uk/feeding-bath/feeding/baby-muslin-square and I loved them. Using one of them as I give Baby no. 2 her night feed now, so they do last! A rubber duck (or similar) bath thermometer would be useful and sweet.
As @Rainbowqueeen says you can’t really go wrong with hand cream and chocolate. I read absolutely loads while feeding my first baby, so if you know what kind of books she likes maybe a novel or similar.

I did one of these for a friend, maybe baby orientated:

Calpol
Muslins
Calpol plug in
Health care set
Metanium (yellow cream for nappy rash, a thing of gods)
The plastic links you can attach toys to the pram with
Outfit for baby
Waterwipes
Nipple cream/nice reusable pads
Space mask
Hand cream
£25 just eat voucher

We avoided nappies after experiencing problems with different brands with our own kids 😊

So I've got a three month old and just looking at some of these things on Amazon for myself!

Muslins (I have loads and think about buying more!)
Reusable cloth wipes (can be used for nappy changes or general washing)
A book eg Julia Donaldson
Small baby socks
A nice blanket

Cake / chocolate/ sweets (see Sweetzy)
Nice pyjamas
New mum's notebook
The New Mum's Notebook: Amy Ransom www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1786331160/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WX6S7BNXQKD0XDXQ4D4E?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Baby thermometer, pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers, some acid free paper and box for wrapping/preserving baby Momentos.

Lanisoh nipple cream- amazing stuff!!
My sil gave us a hue light that is dimable- I can turn it on low from phone- nice to be able to have some light without disturbing dh.
Nice snacks

The best gift we got was a Cook voucher! Meant we didn't have to worry about meals for the first few weeks (our baby was early so i hadnt got much batch cooking done in advance).

One of my friends gave me a box with various items - it included maternity pads and nipple pads. I liked that as I felt like what she was saying to me was ‘it’s ok to talk about this stuff’ ie the changes that happens to your body.

Another friend got us some fancy ready meals for the freezer which really were a godsend. The massive box of chocolates sent by another friend was also very much appreciated.

I use a thermal mug lots, I make tea in it for night feeds. So agree a thermal mug is a great idea.

I was only gifted a dozen terry towelling nappies from My late Mum, and MIL. and a few white babygro's from both. it was in the mid 1970's though. But was always getting little knitted clothes, as both mum. and mil were prolific knitters.

It sounds like she'll be due in the winter months?

Fluffy warm socks
Lidded coffee cup
Hand cream
Sachets if hot choc etc
Fleece throw

All for mum.

For baby
Socks and hat
Blanket
Sachets of calpol (easier to take out!)

And I always think a nice photo album or photo frame as it's the one thing I regretted not having to display those lovely first photos but felt too knackered for a trip out to buy such a thing the first few weeks!

The best give I received without a doubt was a Deliveroo voucher! So much other stuff I’d already bought or ended up with multiples gifted.

Don't go with the pp suggestion of a nappy cake. They are rubbish. Firstly an open pack of nappies are a nightmare to store. Secondly they are full of cheap stuff she probably won't even want. And thirdly she'll no doubt be given one by someone else or the stuff from it at least. Much better to just present the bits in a gift bag. You can also ask what she wants in regards to brands etc But honestly the best thing would be just eat vouchers, it was so appreciated by us. If you want to do a selection of bits too then focus on mum only, because honestly there's only so many baby toiletries etc a person needs and trust me you won't be the only person going to gift them. though if you do do one mcginns list is a good one. Perhaps a forehead thermometer too. But include a gift receipt so they can exchange it if they are given duplicates as you don't want it to go to waste

food/uber/deliveroo coffee vouchers. Frozen meals delivered to her house. Etc.
Those are things that matter and make a lifetime of a difference

Def not a nappy cake. Anything else clothes wise etc will be things she'll buy her self. (Plus how do you know her style) and I get it is more fun to buy "bits an bobs" but after just having had a baby you are exhausted and exhausted and even more exhausted. You don't want cute outfits or socks. You want coffees and people delivering you food. Trust me

Lansinoh nipple cream
Lots of snacks that are easy to eat with one hand
Lidded thermal mug
Water bottle with a sports cap you can pull open with your teeth so you can drink one-handed (the thirst when baby latches to feed is like nothing I’ve ever experienced)

Muslins
Dribble bibs
Weleda calendula nappy cream (great, and tends to be ok even if they’re using cloth nappies)

The best thing for us though was friends who left a home cooked meal on the doorstep ready to warm up, rang the bell, gave us a hug and went away.

Don't do a nappy cake.

I always get new mums some magazines to read as breastfeeding takes ages, plus nice biscuits.

The best things that someone bought or recommended for me/baby were Kamillosan chamomile ointment, Infacol and Nelson's Teetha, so when I bought this kind of thing for friends becoming new mums I always put in these three products.

My advice is to ask her what she needs. I currently have everything I need and a hamper of more baby stuff that I have to find room for would be more of an imposition at this stage.

I was gifted a food hamper from work when DD was born and I don't know who decides to put Percy Pigs in there (I don't usually eat gummy sweets or really any sweets) but I absolutely demolished them.

Personal I would focus on things for mum - baby will get a ton of stuff anyway. Favourite snacks should form the bull of it, and maybe chuck in something numerous too. I was given a book called "New Baby: An Owner's Manual" and it really brightened some tough days. Ditto for "Go the Fuck to Sleep".

All the cheese that you are advised not to eat in pregnancy 🙂

Muslins, blanket and teddy for the baby.
Face masks, prosecco, nail varnish chocolate for mum. I would of loved this gift!

Nice cordial.
Food vouchers.
Nice pjs with a button front for bf/skin to skin contact.
Hand cream

Calpol
Nice toy or book - goodnight moon, 10 little fingers, each peach pear plum.
Sockons
Tiny nail clippers

I wouldn’t give anything for mum to use for pampering. Hand cream, shower gel, nice hand soap, all fine, but masks or bubble bath take time that she may not have (eg if baby won’t be put down). They will just sit on the shelf and taunt her. Of course this isn’t everyone’s experience but I wouldn’t take the risk.

Lanisoh nipple cream
Metanium yellow nappy cream
Cotton wool pads
Water wipes
Some nice biscuits
Nice tea bags or coffee
A thermal coffee cup
A glass / metal water bottle with straw
Natracare maternity pads
Breast pads
A dark grey or black large bath towel