What is an ideal gift for a new mummy?

[mummyofgirls]

Not too expensive but thoughtful?

foot spa.

chocolate, crisps, buscuits, takeaway menus and tins of pop

washing up doing washing offer to watch baby while she has bath etc my sis got us a baby monitor loads things!

definitely agree with dd666 - I would have given anything for someone to just hold my DD so that I could have a shower/bath! If your friend is happy for you to - you could even take her baby out for a walk?
If not I was more delighted with presents for my DD rather than stuff for me!

hand cream - to counteract all the extra wasing of hands

Sister ahd a baby last week, we got her a baby massage kit (because she went to classes with her first- a bottle of massage oil, baby mozart CD and a hempresto nappymat as they're good for amssage), and she got a set of lush bath stuff, and her DH a Green and Blacks pack (as he is a choc addict)

there were a few extras from the boys as well but they were accessries like a baby utfit, soft towel etc.

How bout a little package with a couple of baby bits (bibs, hat, booties, shampoo, talc etc - not all, just an idea) and also maybe some choc or something indulgent for Mum too?

Nice grown-up non-alcoholic drink (assuming she's bf, otherwise I guess she can hit the wine!)

Nice nibbly things.

Something for soothing the undercarriage in the bath, if you can find such a thing.

I bought my friend these - you can use your own personal message.

Agree with pippo, really nice handcream, I love Clarins, but not the one with SPF

I agree with handcream. A couple of people gave me nice smellies after DS3 was born- bubble bath and stuff like that but, to be honest, I didn't use them as I never had time to have a bath in the first few weeks!

I can honestly say that especially first time round, the best thing was someone offering to take the baby out for a walk or just look after him for an hour while I went for a sleep or did actually get a bath.

And chocolate, cake, a few meals etc

offer take baby for an hour or two even in her house so she could go for a nap and lots of chocolate

Mummyofgirls, I have to agree with those who have said offers of babysitting, doing chores.

You could write it on a homemade card, say that you will look after the bub so she can have some time alone or out with her hubby/partner.

That would have been bliss if someone gave that to me!

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Unfortunately my friend and I are about 50 miles apart so when I visit I take lunch and something for the freezer and will definately remember to send he for a sleep or a bath while I mind the children. Hand cream sounds great too. Would love to hear more ideas!

bUMP!

If she is breastfeeding - anything from here: search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZlait-d-amour--making-breastfeeding-fashionable

infact, even if she is bottle feeding, I think the jingleboobs necklaces are nice - and at least the baby cannot snap them when it gets older as they're designed so the baby can play with them.

I was given a lovely night cream which had a bit of lavendar in it. I got addicted to the ritual and soothing smell of the cream at night. I never normally treated myself to that.
Definitely hand cream, or how about a little photo album ready for the first few rolls of film?
little package of all the things you weren't allowed to eat - blue cheese, pate, charcuterie etc??
if you really want to treat someone how about a massage/facial etc session - there are some that can be booked that come to your home.
a kit to take baby's footprint - some very nice ones out there.

The best present I got was a large box of individually wrapped muffins - Fabulous Bakin Boys I think. They do cupcakes as well

sorry just re-read the not too expensive bit... some of my suggestions are a bit blow-the-budget!! Mabybe I'm thinking what I'd like to be given!!!

A lovely thick soft cable polo neck jumper, very flattering to a post-pregnancy body and easy to hike up to breast feed.

Voucher for hairdressers and you can mind the baby for an hour while she has her hair done.

She will feel fantastic afterwards.

voucher for a massage when lo is big enough to be left for an hour.

A homemade, yummy healthy casserole or two for the freezer. A friend brought round various meals and that was my best gift. massages etc are fab but at end of day i an always go and get one myself when LO can be left but those homecooked meals just after LO born were just a godsend.

You know, people ALWAYS suggest "doing things" around the house for new mummies.

Now I am going to be the voice of dissent here. Because when I have just had a baby, I do not want ANYONE doing anything in my house. Especially my MIL, but generally. I don't especially want people cleaning, washing up, or anything, especially if I haven't known them for most of my life.

(am not so much saying this for the OP since she's clearly talking about a close friend-just more generally, thought it might be worth pointing out that some of us are prickly and grumpy)

The "What Mothers Do" book is good esp if she is at all lentilly.