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Original poster

Could i get some suggestions for a useful things basket for a new mum

46 replies

SurlyCue · 12/02/2015 19:26

Im putting together a little bundle of things to bring to my cousin when she has her baby. I have bought her a main gift but would like to bring some useful stuff to make those early days a bit easier on her and things i found useful when mine were babies.

So far i have
Nappies/wipes
Teething gel
Nappy cream
Flash cleaning wipes (not for baby! But just ease of cleaning spills and bathroom/kitchen in a rush)

I'm drawing a blank now as clearly i have deleted the baby fog time from my mind! Grin

All suggestions welcome Smile

OP posts:
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FloweryBoots · 12/02/2015 19:54

Decent hand cream. My hands were wrecked with washing them after all the nappy changes.

Lansinoh if she's breast feeding?

Nice drinks bottle - I got really thirsty when breast feeding but also tended to nock drinks over when trying to find a comfortable position to feed in so used a sports top bottle A LOT.

Infacol? Handy to have in to try if you find you get a colicy one!

Chocolate/flap jack/biscuits

DVD/book to read for all the hours feeding (if it's her first, second and more times round all those hours feeding will be spent trying to entertain the older one(s)!).

Original poster
SurlyCue · 12/02/2015 20:00

Ooh hand cream is a brilliant idea because i know she suffers from dry hands as it is. Is there one you would recommend?

Yes its a first baby so hopefully she'll get lots of time to cuddle on the sofa.

What DVD/books are good right now?

OP posts:
RiojaHaze · 12/02/2015 20:02

Breast and maternity pads - boring but practical!
Nice bubble bath, or oils to add to her bath for relaxation and healing.
Subscription to netflix rather than DVDs?

TheOddity · 12/02/2015 20:06

Gone girl was a really good book

Muslin squares, 'emergency' dummy (I didn't want mine to have one but in my desperation one night I went and bought one to try - got spat out!), infant calpol, infant nasal spray, thermal mug, Sophie the giraffe, a mumsnet book!

Unicornofdoom · 12/02/2015 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SurlyCue · 12/02/2015 20:11

Thank you this is a great list!

Is there a particular brand of maternity pads and breats pads that are good?

OP posts:
happygojo · 12/02/2015 20:12

There are these pad things on Amazon, called bath herbal pads or something, anyway you soak them in boiling water and then freeze/chill and then they can go on your foo foo. I bought some for my friend as part of a newborn survival kit and 9 months later she still thanks me regularly for those pads she used after her episiotomy!

Jaffakake · 12/02/2015 20:13

Johnsons breast pads are great.
Chocolate truffles - pink champagne ones.

AliceInHinterland · 12/02/2015 20:13

Lansinoh breast pads are the best!

HolidayHunterTeam · 12/02/2015 20:13

Bottle of wine and chocolate, for mummy, of course!

Original poster
SurlyCue · 12/02/2015 20:15

Ooh happy brilliant suggestion! I could have done with those after my episiotomy! Shall have a look for them. Thanks.

OP posts:
HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch · 12/02/2015 20:15

I would say a magazine, or a book of short stories (along the lines of Marian Keyes under the duvet) rather than a novel. When I'd just had my DC, my attention span was short as I was so tired. It was hard to concentrate on a novel.

Dry shampoo.

Bondy83 · 12/02/2015 20:16

Johnsons baby night time cream I swear by it. My 2 were covered in it after bath time every night and we're always settled content sleepers.

tethersend · 12/02/2015 20:16

Dry shampoo
Coffee
Eye drops

FlappertyFlippers · 12/02/2015 20:17

Some baby nail files, since their nails are so sharp and cutting them with scissors was too scary for me

FlappertyFlippers · 12/02/2015 20:18

metanium nappy rash cream

A pack of muslin squares

ilikepie · 12/02/2015 20:18

A nice portable dim night light if you can find one. And let me know if you do, mine have died after 4 years and I need them!

Original poster
SurlyCue · 12/02/2015 20:19

Metanium!! Thats the one i couldnt remember. Its the yellow one? It was brilliant on both my babies.

OP posts:
Piratesloveunderpants · 12/02/2015 20:20

Oh yes, eye drops would have been appreciated. Lanisoh is the best product EVER!

What a lovely idea and friend.

HollyAndIvyTime · 12/02/2015 20:25

Gripe water, cotton wool, benpanthen nappy cream, bio oil or kamillosan stretch mark cream, chocolate!

OhGood · 12/02/2015 20:26

good dry hair shampoo! Bumble and Bumble ideally.

RockCrushesLizard · 12/02/2015 20:30

Definitely metanium - it's the best!

Also vanish sensitive liquid. I never had to throw away a vest, after daily breastfed baby poi-namis.

Also, tell her that vests can come down over the shoulders, they don't have to come over the head. A very useful tip I learned on here!

slippermaiden · 12/02/2015 20:30

Reusable breast pads? Can get on etsy. Beautiful materials and will last for any further children she has ??

AliceInHinterland · 12/02/2015 20:33

Baby massage oil too - Waitrose do a lovely vanilla coconut one.

2LittleFishes · 12/02/2015 20:38

Calpol, teething granules, Johnson bedtime bath, cotton pads, dribble bibs, gripe water, dummy clip, formula dispencer tub, Milton steriliser tablets, antibac handgel, metanium..??!