Are these silly ideas for a new mum present?

[nappyaddict]

A book - is she really going to have time to read it?

Bath oil - again is she going to have time to have a nice indulgent long soak in the bath. And will the chemicals and fragrances irritate down below?

Make Up

Vouchers for a meal out - might not be practical to take a baby and might not want to leave it for a long time especially when breastfeeding?

Footspa

These ones I think are definitely OK?

Cake and champage

Vouchers for a local takeaway that delivers

Lansinoh and breast pads

Voucher for a nursing bra

Also what about nice scented candles, good hand cream or vouchers for some new non-maternity clothes as well?

Agree that first ones might be a bit iffy.

Of the bottom ones I'd have LOVED the takeaway vouchers, what a fab idea.
Champagne and cake is great too.

The other two are v bf'ing focused. Just a thought that if the new Mum has trouble in that area for any reason then it might not be such a great idea to have the nursing bra hanging around iyswim

Lanisoh and breast pads would be nice as part of an 'essentials box' with other bits like nappies, wipes, sudocreme, calpol, choccies (for mum), muslins etc

I wouldn't like the make up as I don't wear it - but others might I know. However, what message are you sending?
Would LOVE a book and maybe a DVD boxset of something she likes.
Not sure about vouchers for a meal out, unless they last a couple of years, how about a lunch out instead?

foot spa - no, sorry (unless she has indicated she wants one in the past). I personally would love one, but can imagine in general you'd think "WTF??"

my best mate paid for a cleaner to come once a week for the first month as a surprise. Best Present Ever.

Ooh! Takeaway, bra (even if you're not bfing your boobs may change shape) and cake and champagne all sound lovely!

Also love the cleaner idea. I'm pg with my first and would love any of those. DVDs are also a fab idea. I've been stockpiling ones give to me at Christmas.

You can get "new mum" bubble bath. Best present I had after DS was a little hamper with a toy for DS, bubble bath, choc and little bottle of champagne for me. Saved the chocs and champers for an afternoon when I felt very down (bad PND) and really cheered me up.

Would have been a bit at cleaner - would have felt they were commenting on my house and standards!!

Cake(or chocs) and champagne defo
Take away vouchers fantastic idea
Cleaner would have been bliss
No book if they already have DCs, otherwise maybe something light that can be left and picked up quite easily
Hand cream also good - you wash your hands so often after cleaning nappies your hands get really dry (well, mind did anyway).
Someone bought me some body lotion which was a nice idea but 2 years later I still have 2/3rds left - I just don't have the time to use it
Dvds also good

oooh lots of smelly cheese if she likes that

Takeaway vouchers are inspired! I
Didn't get a single present for me so you sound lovely!

Yes yes to DVD boxsets. I happily spent many a night breastfeeding watching Frasier and Dawsons Creek

Cleaner and take away vouchers or fill her freezer with M&S ready meals

A new Mum I went to see recently was fed up of eating ready meals and processed stuff, being too tired to make anything from scratch, and told me she was craving proper home made dinners with loads of veg.

Why not cook her a nice casserole, hearty veg and chicken pie, Thai green curry, etc and take a different meal round for her each week?

Granted, not the most exciting or glam thing to take, but will be probably be much appreciated!

Best present we got was theatre tickets and baby sitting from friends, for 3 months after dd1 was born. First time out for us as new parents and at just the right time, too. Before then we didn't want to leave PFB.

I would have liked everything except the meal out which would have felt a bit stressful.

I recently gave a couple of new mums the "Happiest Baby On The Block" DVD and a swaddling blanket.

They were well-received and proved most helpful when dealing with those unsettled times...

I second the homemade meal. Could you give her a couple of hours of your time? To either do her chores (changing bedsheets is horrid yet essential when you've just had a baby!) or just have you there to hold the baby while she has a bath and puts some washing on?

A friend of mine did this for me. I couldn't tell you who gave me what when DS2 was born, but I never forget this!

A lovely cheeseboard would be a treat.

I second the homemade meal. Could you give her a couple of hours of your time? To either do her chores (changing bedsteads is horrid yet essential when you've just had a baby!) or just have you there to hold the baby while she has a bath and puts some washing on?

A friend of mine did this for me. I couldn't tell you who gave me what when DS2 was born, but I never forget this!

A lovely cheeseboard would be a treat.

The first ones are not such good ideas, but the others are great - especially the takeaway idea - genius. Instead of books how about a stack of magazines (much easier to dip in and out of) or even a magazine subscription (but NOT to a baby/parenting one - she'll need escapism!).

A big box of chocolates is always very welcome too - the sugar fix really helps at those low moments!

Booze, cheese, chores, and make the tea and wash up the cups when you visit. Practical help so much more useful than pampering IMO.

Best homecoming from hospital present was from my aunt - a packet of chocolate biscuits - lovely to grab with a cuppa when you simply have to eat something but have no time

I was thinking of the book for those boring nighttime feeds but is it difficult to read and feed at the same time?

Also did anyone get any of the above things and not really find them very good?

I read the Pillars of the Earth while bf DS. The only problem was it's such a tome of a book my wrist felt strained holding it open one-handed. I would have been better off watching DVDs!