What to give a 16 week pregnant first time mum...

[alicet]

Hi there, I'd appreciate your collective wisdom!

My sister is 16 weeks pregnant and I'm looking to make her a gift bag of all the little things that make life more bearable while pregnant, in labour and in the first weeks with a new baby. So far the contents are:

Infacol
Lasinoh
muslins
washable breast pads
what to expect when breastfeeding and what if you can't - Claire Byams-Cook (book)
The happiest kid on the block dvd (how to settle your baby with 5 s's)
tens machine
bio oil to stop stretch marks
belly belt for those fat / pregnant early days
Ina May childbirth book
What to expect the first year book.

These are things that me and my friends have found invaluable. Any other suggestions? She lives in New Zealand so can't give her anything too heavy or big...

Hi - I'm 18 weeks pregnant at the moment and I think your list sounds great, and I'm sure your sister will be really touched at your thoughtfulness.

What might be nice is to put some stuff in that is a treat for her but is not really pregnancy/baby related as well. I've already been asked if I want baby things for Christmas presents and I have said no way - I want some things for me as come next March it'll all be about the baby and so I only have a few more months left of being allowed to be selfish!

A few things that might be nice:

• Some nice jewellery - I generally feel a bit podgy and unattractive at the moment, especially as maternity clothes don't seem to fit properly yet, but I've been finding that a nice necklace or earrings makes me feel a bit less unattractive. Accessorize is great for nice, cheap, cheerful stuff.
• A voucher for her local spa to have a pregnancy massage or manicure or facial as a treat for when she starts maternity leave
• Some DVDs or books for when she's on maternity leave and too tired to be out and about
• Magazine subscription so that she has something she can pick up and read when she has a spare 5 mins once the baby arrives, without having to devote a load of energy to it like she would with a novel.
• Davina pre-natal and post-natal exercise DVD. I'm really enjoying this.

Hope that helps!

sorry - I'd sawp Claire Byam-Cook for Bestfeeding

and cake. lots of cake.

yeah Bestfeeding is great!!

Arnica for healing the tissues, both for normal birth and for CS, so a win-win situation.

Lavendar, Clary Sage

Arrange for a copy of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering to be delivered. Dr Sarah Buckley was born and grew up in NZ before moving to Australia so she ia aware of the local system.

I'd also include a big bar of posh chocolate & a bottle of her favourite bubble bath / shower gel.

a gift voucher for a foot/back massage later in her prenancy. come 30+ weeks she will be wanting one.

If budget allows then a decent sling - I've found a Hug-a-Bub invaluable through the first 6 months.

Thanks ladies for your helpful suggestions! Much appreciated. Will certainly check out some of the things you have suggested.

When I was pg my neighbour knocked on my door one night and gave me two lovely sachets of lavendar - for the bath. I used one in the evening a few days later as it seemed to have been a long day, by this time I was 39 weeks, and I had a long soak and went to bed. I was actually in labour and gave birth 9 hours later.

So I recomend lavendar bath salts to ease those aches and pains

I was going to say baby sitting vouchers, but have just seen where she lives - it might be a bit of a trek for you!

If you can find her local beauty salon, a pamper session is always good.

What a great sister you are!