Things people should have given you post-birth...

[Norfolkinhope]

One of my friends is having a baby imminently and we're putting a "baby box" together. Any suggestions for things people really wanted just after they'd given birth?

Kamillosan
Chocolate
Trashy magazines
Novels
Babysitting offers
Really nice soap and bubble bath etc.
Wine.

Cleaner - or voucher for same.

For in hospital..

Earplugs and an eye mask
Maternity pads, breast pads, new pants
Chocolate
Magazines
PJs
Dried fruit snacks for iron levels and energy

For back at home
NO FLOWERS (I got given so many and don't mean to sound ungrateful but I just didn't have time to be finding vases, arranging flowers and then cleaning up after they had wilted etc)
Frozen meals
Support telephone numbers and website addresses
Handcream
Handwash

A really nice pair of pj's that you'd be happy to answer the door in for the first few days when you forget to dress.

those insulated non-spill mugs (think you can get them from starbucks, but sure they are available from other places too) so you have half a chance of finishing your coffee before it gets cold.

a nice big gift box to fill with first socks, first sleep suit etc.

a big fleece throw - great for snuggling under and doesn't matter if it gets baby sick on it.

definitely sushi.

flip flops to wear in the hospital showers. i came out with a baby and a verrucca...

so glad someone agrees with the sushi, madame p.

A dishwasher shd be given by law by the govt to every new family.

Otherwise:
champagne
sushi/smoked salmon cut up into bite size pieces
fruit - peeled/cut up if necessary
trashy magazines
a portable radio with earpiece
flask of tea

Meals that aren't just basic but " treaty", we had people turn up with 3 courses for us plus a bottle of very nice wine. And they just dropped it off and left. Unbeatable.

Audiobooks for breastfeeding - I never could quite balance baby and book.

'V' shaped pillow.
As someone else said - a big fat spliff, bottle of wine, gooey smelly chesses.
Massage vouchers.

IT's a lovely idea to let Mum a present - it's all for thebaby.

No2 is due soon - I hope soemone I know s reading this. I have everything I ned for the baby!

home made lasagne - good for iron!

fruit cake - good for iron!

trashy magazine

sparkling wine

something gorgeous from white company for baby that you would never buy for yourself

meals on wheels

an offer to do cleaning

an offer to push your baby round town for 2 hrs so you could get proper sleep

Agree with no flowers, my apartment looked like kew gardens and they began to stink after a while...

In terms of things like offering to do the washing/ironing etc I'd say don't just offer, but do...if you go to visit find something to do while you're there, fold some laundry, or whatever. I think lots of people offer help but new mums don't always want to accept the offers for fear of being seen as not able to cope.

The best thing I got given was a large packet of multicoloured muslins and a huge big homemade apple pie. Great for that absolutely ravenous sensation you get in those early days when you are tired, and breastfeeding.

FIL brought a huge box of blueberries to labour ward - one of my strangest memories sat up all night eating fat juicy blueberries whilst baby fed.

Also bottled water - could smell the chlorine in the hospital jug.

moist toilet tissues and cake

Oooh, I wish someone had gotten me some lansinoh cream and a simply written book on bfing!

Obviously those two only any use if your friend is bfing of course, so I could have also done with:

Help around the house - not offered, just given. Especially stuff like the washing up!

Convenience meals, ping and dings and pizzas, that sort of thing

Few pairs of jogging bottoms in a size larger than my usual size, until my belly shrunk back down

A nice comfy dressing gown and a pair of slippers

Whilst in hospital - a decent cup of coffee as their stuff was horrible!

HTH - and yes, no flowers, and if you do buy baby stuff, why not buy newborn size? Everyone else thinks they're being clever by getting the next size up, and I found I didn't have enough in newborn!

Freezer food, including cakes & biscuits.
A cleaner (or voucher)
If she has a dog find her a dog walker on a daily basis for a short while (to explain, DH worked abroad when DS was born, he made it to the UK for 10 days but then I was left holding the baby & walking the dog. I managed both but a dog walker once per day really helped alay my worries about the dog getting enough exercise

someone gave me pomegranate juice and it was the best thing ever!
good quality chocolates always a winner too

Can I add some money for a doula to the list!!

20 min visits with a text before to see if anything is wanted-and say things like oh, you are doing great and what a happy baby he/she is. no advice unless directly asked. No stories of how they do things. No staring at you whilst you clumsily change baby clothes/ nappies as you will feel like crap mother. (this includes mils!)

home made cottage pie etc that can be eaten with a fork when bf and is kind of ok when cold....

lots of fruit salad for raids on fridge during 10 seconds baby is asleep

lansinoh cream & handcream, lots of mags

A rubber ring, glycerine suppositories, cabbage, sleeping pills and a cleaner.

lansinoh (dp had to ask in boots ofr it 2 days after i had dd bless him)

a dummy..... bollocks to all that 'nipple confusion' crap, dd wanted to suck 24/7 and i was bleeding. the nurse sent me across to get one in the end!

munchables... chocs, cakes and biscuits as you don't get to eat proper meals

someone gave me the MN book and it was fabulous reading while bf-ing

blankets and babygros, i had no concept of how much a baby could puke and shit and how little i'd want to deal with the washing!

offers to pace the floor witht the baby while i slept

neurofen, coz mastitis strikes at 3am every time when dp ain't going to the chemists for anyone!

offers to go to the shops

Rennie