AIBU for asking you for ideas for a baby

[Helpwanted21]

Hi,

Let me preface this with saying I do not have children myself. I have a friend who is pregnant with their first child and whilst I have agreed to get them a present that they love but couldn't afford themselves I wanted to do more. The friend is currently stressed out about money and how they will afford a child. I would like to alivate this somewhat I have decided I would love to make them a big hamper (I know you can buy hampers but often they are over priced and don't contain enough stuff) so what I am asking here is for ideas of things I can buy to put in this hamper......It can be anything that would be useful for a new parent and thinks that would be used day to day but are added costs that would help. I want this to be useful for the first year of life and am thinking about stuff like nappies and bibs all the small things that soon add up....so please put everything you found useful with your children in that first year that I can include in this hamper!

Thanks in advance :)

Have a look at the contents of the Finnish baby box. I think Scotland are doing this now also.

Finnishbabybox.com.

Id also put in a voucher for something like M&S or Boots as whatever you put in she will need more, and more and more, the expenditure is ongoing and there will be forever bits she will need as they grow. Having a voucher so she can get what she needs rather than what looks nice at the time/baby stage will be a good feel of a safety net for her. Like, no point buying expensive booties she will never use if you see what I mean, loads of good ideas here but prioritise the essentials (theres loads here I never had) and small inexpensive treats but a bigger voucher for the inevitable ongoing essentials.

Braun ear thermometer definitely

She will probably get newborn, 0-3 month baby clothes from everyone else - so clothes in larger sizes. It can be overwhelming the first few months trying to put a baby in all of the clothes that friends and family have bought - when they sleep loads, and they hardly get any wear.

A baby carrier would also be handy

Just some ideas - nappies, vests, hats, muslins, a sports bottle you can drink from with one hand, a 0-6 month baby sleeping bag in the appropriate weight for the season, a pramsuit in the right size for the season, a set of Cheeky Wipes (will save her money on wipes going forward), a nightlight, a changing mat.

A couple of magazines perhaps one parenting one and one for her.

Infocol, cradle cap shampoo, Bonjela.

Some luxury biscuits for mum.

My SIL saved a newspaper from the day my DD was born and I am so grateful to have it to show her one day!

I know this sounds counter productive but have you asked her what would be best? I’ve a 5 month old and wasn’t in the best place financially when we had her (still aren’t lol!). But well meaning friends and family all bought the same stuff that’s been recommended here and a lot of it isn’t used, however things I’ve desperately needed I’ve had to scour free sites for or scrimp for.

Muslins, literally everyone bought me these, have no room for any more and rarely use them.
Bibs, cheap as chips in primark etc and I’m overflowing with them.
Got loads of lotions and potions which is fine as they don’t go off but got gifted them by everyone.
Dummies, bottles etc are quite personal depending on brands etc.

An in ear thermometer is a good purchase, alongside a cheap under arm one.

A stretchy sling for newborn days would be great.

Sleeping bags would have been excellent.

Just eat / deliveroo vouchers would have saved my life in the first few weeks. Or a hamper of easily cookable food.

As scully said a voucher would be amazing for that “safety net” I’ve had plenty of “oh shit I need this” moments and had to budget / spend boots points etc in a panicked moment.

Oh and you sound like a lovely friend for thinking of her. She will treasure the fact you’ve gone through the effort to help her more than anything x

Thinking of boring things that are pricey for the first year...
Calpol
Nurofen
If she's breastfeeding then anything related to that - milk storage bags/ lanisoh/ breast pads
Cot sheets and mattress protector
Baby sleeping bag
Baby spoons, sippy cups,
Winter warm hat and summer sun hat

Ear thermometer
Baby paracetamol and syringes
Sudocrem
Muslin cloths
Bag hanger thing for buggy
Vaseline
Face/wash cloths
Snacks and sweets
Travel mug
Stretchy sling
Large drink bottle for mum
Bluetooth earbuds

Really ask her! as some of the things people are suggesting are just plain daft especially for someone who is worried about being able to afford the baby

Brilliant suggestions on here and I'm sure I'm just repeating but previously I have popped in:
Calpol
Neurofen
Saline nose drops (especially if winter baby!)
Infacol
A bath thermometer
Soft flannel and hooded towel
Vaseline
Sudocreme
Muslins (big ones!)
A dummy (orthodontic)
Coconut oil
Cotton wool pads
A beaker and first bowl/cutlery set
Various size plain vests (or outfit for 3 months plus as people tend to buy tiny things)
Teething rings
Some jingly or sensory toys

For mum definately hand creme, dry shampoo, nipple cream if breastfeeding, some high energy snacks (nuts, dried fruit packets etc that can be left within reach when stuck feeding a baby!), a thermos, a buggy clip for the pram (keeps bags on)...

Muslims
Baby blankets
Swaddle blankets
Baby bath
Sling
Nappies
Vests
Sleepsuits/Babygros
Hat
Cardigan
Hooded towels
Lansinoh cream
Vests and t-shirts for layering for breastfeeding
PJ's

Things that make stuff easier during the newborn sleepless phase

• Good quality lidded hot drink mug - Klean Kanteen are my favourite. Same re water bottle - I sweat so much after giving birth and had a raging thirst every time.
• Bath thermometer
• Forehead thermometer - digital
• Plenty of nappies and wipes
• Metanium - hands down the best
• A soft newborn sling - like Close Caboo but doesn’t need to that expensive - leaves hands free for other things like eating!
• Didn’t exist when I had a newborn, but Deliveroo vouchers if they operate in her area.
• Muslins. By the box load.
• Plain white sleepsuits and vests - newborns puke a lot.

Nappy rash cream
Weaning book
Teething toy
Room temperature thermometer

Metatanium nappy rash cream is a must

If you're getting nappies, aldis nappies are good as they're unscented! My mum bought my baby a pack of pampers but they unfortunately caused a rash within 2 hours of putting one on. Also water wipes are a bit pricy but so great for newborns with the frequent changes
And flapjacks might be nice (if your friend likes them), they're filling and easy to eat stuck under a baby and you can get an array of different flavours

A good thermometer
A sling! We got the boots own brand £30 one , life changer
An electric pump, if she's planning to bf and the baby is going into childcare. Pointless if not!
A breastfeeding cushion
A thermos bottle with a straw
Hooded towels
A long phone charging cable
Calpol
Cheeky wipes

If I had to buy anything again as a new mum, they would be the above.

How kind

Teething supplies (teething toys, gel or granules)
Calpol
Muslins
Wipes
Nappies
Nappy cream
Some nice bits for mum - lavender oil for a bath, great for soon after birth too to soon your nether regions
Chocolate for mum
Baby bath supplies (a nice hooded towel, shampoo - not johnsons, childs farm is much less perfumed and kinder to sensitive skin)
Milestone cards
A couple of baby toys and books

Oh and a sling for sure

A swaddle bag! I used the ergobaby one, I was pretty crappy at swaddling so having one with Velcro made it easy for my LO to feel nice and snug, swaddling really helps them nap longer.

A good digital thermometer

Weleda Baby Calendula Nappy Cream, it’s the best I’ve tried!

Waterwipes, they still are my favourite wet wipes.

A thick sleeping bag for the baby.

@yellowleaves123

Oh and a sling for sure

Yes! I had a scarf too. Baby carrying in the first three months really allows you some freedom!

I'd go for a range of medicine/toiletrie bits which add up, metanium cream is a must, breathe easy spray, baby Vicks, baby toothbrush and toothpaste.

Just eat vouchers I found so useful

Never had enough vests or babygrows all various sizes.

Braun ear thermometer, plus extra lens/filter cap thingies to go on the end
Metanium cream
Infacol
Grobags (1 lighter weight and 1 warmer)
Muslins- never too many!
Baby weaning set-plates, spoons etc
Annabel Karmel type weaning recipe book
Vitamin drops
Snufflebabe
Saline drops
Hooded towels
Calpol sachets for out and about
Childs Farm toiletries
Baby safe nail clippers, brush, comb etc set.
Weleda moisturiser for baby
Bath book/toy
Cotton wool pads
Water wipes
Tummy time playmat
Sophie the giraffe (or similar)
Lamaze toys that clip onto the stroller e.g Freddie Firefly
Angelcare nappy holder and spare refills - saved us a gazillion trips to and from the outside bin. Totally unnecessary but did make life easier!
Baby socks and sockons or moccasins type slipper socks - look at Jo Jo Maman Bebe (?)
Decent change bag (not vital but nice to have rather than digging out an old bag or relying on a Boots freebie )
Bath thermometer
Gro egg room thermometer

I hope the family appreciate you, this is a really generous thing to do.