Present for friend who's just given birth

[Pootles2010]

Hoping can get some advice please! One of my closest friends has just given birth, planned c-section, i think we will visit tomorrow evening. Have a present for the baby, the big brother, now just need something for her!

I did think i might make some chocolate brownies because hospital food is awful, and she'll have to stay in a couple of days, is that an ok idea? Are you even allowed to take food in? I know our hosptial (York) don't allow flowers.

Oh I would have loved chocolate brownies to be brought to me! Any yummy food is always a winner post birth. Very thoughtful of you!

Nom. Brownies!! Brilliant idea

Or maybe some fancy shower gel? She'll be getting loads of presents for the baby, so it's always nice to get something specifically for her

I did mention this recently on another thread,and it seemed popular.I get friends a cleaner now as a pressie.You can organise one through an agency,I pay £26 for 3 hours,for good friends I get one session for 3 weeks.I would have loved that too...but didn't get it,Boo! But homemade brownies sound delicious too!

choc brownies sound fab. also i would have loved newspaper/magazines she is likely to be up at odd hours feeding and even in the day visiting hours may be such that she is alone for long periods,

and/or fresh fruit like those ready prepared boxes from m&s? healthy and yummy. smoothies?

A tube of Touch L'Eclat. Wish someone had bought me one, to disguise those loong looooong nights..

My friend bought me an m and s sandwich, among other things. I don't remember anything other than the sandwich.just what I needed.

Magazines, snacks & drinks. Also some hand cream.

Posh smellies - something she likes but wouldn't buy for herself due to cost. For me it would have to be Clarins....

Cook a meal that will last at least two nights and take it over. She'll love you forever.

Definitely second the cooked meal - but make sure it's something that can be eaten with one hand... something like shepherds pie perhaps. My DH 'spoiled' me with steak etc for the week after the birth and was then always cross that it got ruined as DS always wanted to feed at dinner time....!

agree cosmetics, ie tinted moisturiser, tan enhancer, pref clarins! or some nice hair stuff, ie Kerastese

I went to see a friend yesterday with her new baby.I had already given her a little romper for the baby and I brought round a book for the new big sister, some elderflower cordial as it is so refreshing when you are drinking gallons while feeding and some cocoa butter and oats bath melts. Make your skin feel amazing and also suitable for the dcs. I had also made a big cottage pie for the freezer.

champagne! for when she's home probably
Easily, how was the baby?? your gifts sound lovely

My fave presents were foodie ones (so brownies a winner) and some lovely Clarins body oil. i also got some great Origins eye cream which was so soothing when I was sleep deprived.

Arnica-based products good for healing, so a lovely Arnica cream or something?

spb he was scrummy

My lovely SIL brought me round a funky and brilliant changing bag, and inside were 2x Batiste dry shampoo, 2 x mini Rose wine, some Liz Earle face wipes, and a box of Guylian Seashells. Best 'baby' gift EVER!

Oh, and MIL bought us a cooked chicken. That went down v v well too (over 2 nights and in a sandwich!)

Thanks for all replies! Went to see her on Friday night at home, as she didn't feel up to guests at hosp, seemed pleased with browies! Had a lovely cuddle with baby, she's so beautiful. Am due myself in 3 weeks and now really can't wait.