Best bit of kit for under £100

[brizzlewizzle]

My brother and his wife are having a baby! My kids are teenagers, so think I am out of touch with baby kit.

If I wanted to spend £100, what would be the best bit of baby kit I could buy them? Ideally something first time parents would not have thought of...

Thank you!

Things around that price mark that have recently helped me;

Baby carrier
Tommee tippee perfect prep machine and steriliser
Sleepyhead
Vouchers for any of the baby shops always come in handy too xx

I wouldn’t buy any kit for the baby stage, personally. Certainly not until the baby is here and your DB has a fair idea what would be helpful. All the newborn paraphernalia is so hit and miss depending on wether the baby actually likes the sling/swing seat/bouncer/sleeping nest etc. Would be such a shame if a generous gift of £100 went to waste, especially as so much stuff can be picked up in great condition, second hand, for a fraction of the price. If it’s a gift for when the baby is tiny id go John Lewis vouchers or something similar. As PP says, they are always useful.

Can you ask them what they want/need? So much depends on lifestyle and how they want to parent. And a lot of baby stuff isn't strictly necessary. TBH when I had mine, I didn't want 'stuff' I just wanted someone to hold the baby so I could have a break!

£100 of cook/gousto vouchers or a nice hamper of lovely food and drink.

Shop Vouchers are probably best - I wouldn't use something like a sleepyhead because of the safety risk, and a perfect prep wouldn't be a good present if BF so it's very personal.

Thank you. I have asked previously and I don't think they know what they want - agree it may be better to wait. I was thinking of some sort of seat (we had a baby Bjorn bouncer chair, I think!) - what is the best option that's around at the mo? Think a similar bouncy chair to the one we had is around £180, so a bit over budget. We also had a Bumbo - are they still popular?

£100 worth of dummies. DC always managed to lose their's. Or nappies and wipes.

It’s so personal! It terms of bouncy chairs the baby bjorn bouncer I would still say is one of the nicest around - but they’re quite pricey! I picked one up second hand for £40 in good condition but understand you may not want to do that as it’s a present. I never even used the bouncer because my parents bought me a electric baby swing and it has been AMAZING. Lots of price points starting at about £50 on Amazon. The Bumbo’s are still around and very popular with some parents but they aren’t recommended now because they strengthen the wrong muscles and can hinder rather than help sitting. I agree with others that it’s tricky because every baby is different and you may buy a swing and they might hate it!!

In terms of what would be most appreciated maybe vouchers for a cleaning service? My doula came to me and did some postpartum massages in my home which were incredible and she did vouchers for them which would be such a lovely present. As others said cook/Gousto vouchers would be brilliant too. Equally depending on how things go a voucher for a lactation consultant/birth afterthoughts service with a doula/a few hours of doula support/package with a sleep consultant may all be game changers. I think the best gift is anything that helps you claw back some time postpartum! You could wait and see what they need at the time then do some vouchers and a little present for baby? The white company do beautiful hydrocotton baby towels which are my go to baby gift.

Thank you! Very useful

Yes to the baby Bjorn (although like PP I picked one up second hand as so expensive!)
It is hard to say as everything's so personal, something my friend found useful I never used. A white noise machine/star wrap/plush play mat with hanging toys/swing chair were all very useful to me although not £100 worth each. Just eat vouchers?

I’d seriously get them a £100 Amazon voucher. Ideal for those extra purchases of things that you didn’t think you needed until the baby arrives (hello Sleepyhead/Rockit/MyHummy/Snoozeshade 😂)

The AngelCare soft touch baby bath. I had one for dd and it is AMAZING.

It’s so lovely and cradles them, and because it’s silicone it’s never freezing or hard. And you get two hands and newborns are horribly slippery when wet!

Then with the change get cute clothes in age 6-12 months because everyone buys cute tiny baby clothes and my favourite thing was having new stuff for Dd as she grew.

Baby carrier
Swing chair
Amazon voucher so they can pick stuff up when they need something
Baby swim classes
National trust membership if there is nice ones nearby that they can do cheap days out if money is a bit tighter on maternity leave.

@AliceW89

I wouldn’t buy any kit for the baby stage, personally. Certainly not until the baby is here and your DB has a fair idea what would be helpful. All the newborn paraphernalia is so hit and miss depending on wether the baby actually likes the sling/swing seat/bouncer/sleeping nest etc. Would be such a shame if a generous gift of £100 went to waste, especially as so much stuff can be picked up in great condition, second hand, for a fraction of the price. If it’s a gift for when the baby is tiny id go John Lewis vouchers or something similar. As PP says, they are always useful.

I completely agree. My first ended up ff and perfect prep was great and she was fine in the pushchair. My second was ebf and was always in the sling. It all depends on how their parenting choices (no way I would use sleepyhead) and what the baby likes.

Most parents carefully research the things they want.

I would have love you to make and deliver me dinner.

@AliceW89

I wouldn’t buy any kit for the baby stage, personally. Certainly not until the baby is here and your DB has a fair idea what would be helpful. All the newborn paraphernalia is so hit and miss depending on wether the baby actually likes the sling/swing seat/bouncer/sleeping nest etc. Would be such a shame if a generous gift of £100 went to waste, especially as so much stuff can be picked up in great condition, second hand, for a fraction of the price. If it’s a gift for when the baby is tiny id go John Lewis vouchers or something similar. As PP says, they are always useful.

Another vote for this. Either buy after baby is here or gift voucher for Amazon/John Lewis so they can pick themselves once they have decided.

Having had 2 children, I can safely say my lifesavers for one child were not used anywhere nearly as much when the next one came along