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

[SurlyCue]

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!

All suggestions welcome

I had a tomee tippee flask, it was dead handy for warming food and milk while we were out, also someone made me a beautiful baby basket and in amongst it was a small bottle of wine for me, beer for my hubby and a news paper from the day of birth. It was a lovely touch

I popped a vanish bar in my friends basket. Good for poo stains!

A flask for HER...one of my friends bought me a flask when my little one was a couple of weeks old - I actually got to drink warm tea sometimes, it was fabulous.

A flask? Or one of those insulated cups with lids - I then got one for my niece when she had a baby because it was truly a god-send.

The best present I got were HUGE knickers from my friend as I'd had a c section. Also tea tree oil to put in the bath.
Comfy pj's and slippers would have been a lovely gift. The baby gets SO many gifts, it's nice to remember the mum has just been through a massive life experience too and needs some tlc.
Also, not really a gift for a basket but a big lasagne or casserole that can be portioned up and frozen would be brilliant too!
Or a gift certificate for someone to come and do a few hours cleaning?

A really good travel mug to keep hot drinks hot and be able to drink them without spilling when holding baby. I've now got a fantastic contigo one that would have been fantastic when the dcs were tiny.

Sock ons and YY to hand cream. The only one that has any effect for me is the Norwegian formula one. Also extra Muslins are always useful, I never seemed to have enough!

Medicine-y type things like Calpol, teething gel/granuals, teething ring, bickie pegs, thermometer, nail clippers, snuffle babe, baby medicine wheel and the things you never have enough of like nappies, wipes, nappy bags etc. I like the look of the Gummee Glove (sp?) too, but haven't seen one in action :-)

What a nice idea, and a nice friend/family member you are. I wonder if my friends would be offended if I sent them the list .

I did one for my sil. I put arnica tablets in (found them really helpful after I had dd2) and I bought her some 'nice' muslin cloths had them on offer at tk maxx at they double up as a blanket/sunshade. Wish I had bought myself some when I had dd1!

A green or blue lightbulb to go in the bedside lamp for all the night feeds, nappy changes etc. I still have mine in 5 years later, nothing worse than a bright light in the middle of the night.

Sensor lights for hallways for when baby is in their own room - again so you don't have to switch lights on. (There's a theme here!)

One of the really large Muslins you can buy from the people that make cuski's. Can be used for swaddling, comforter, covers all sorts.

What a brilliant list. This is great. I never would have thought of some of these things. Like a travel mug or dim bulbs!

My DS is 4wks old and the things I've used a lot or thought were mega nice are:

• cakes, biscuits, fruit salads, chocolate, nice herbal tea, did I mention cake?
• lansinoh nipple cream and breast gel pads
• Aden & Anaïs big swaddling muslins
• drops of lavender oil for the tumbler dryer
• Cornflower extract blue eye drops and / or under eye patches like the Klorane ones (won me the comment "you look like you've just been to the spa" 24 hrs after giving birth - worth DS weight in gold)
• hazel witch non alcoholic solution (to soak pads in before putting in freezer, heaven)
• arnica massage oil
• calpol, infacol, bepanthen
• a nice lipstick
• hand cream
• cami or tank top (for BF with a normal top, you put that underneath and avoid flashing your belly)
• black and white baby contrasts book and Lamaze or Jellycat dangling toy (worked from 10 days old...)

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour hand cream is amazing
Aden and anais muslins/swaddles are so fab, expensive but definitely a lovely luxury
Coloured lip balm in a stick (makes you feel human)
A loaded coffee card for Costa/starbucks/closest coffee house or any spare coffee and cake vouchers for John Lewis
A nice rug to put over a chair during the night so much warmer.

Ooh one thing i remember is the awful stomach cramps after birth that lasted a few days. Is there anything i could pack to ease those? They made me really grumpy and no-one had warned me about them so i had nothing in the house to deal with them.

I second reusable breast pads, great for if you run out of the disposables. I used a mix with my first, but just buying washables for with my third.
I am also buying cheeky wipes as they are supposed to be kinder than disposable baby wipes.

Giant muslins - great for use as a blanket, breast feeding cover, stroller cover, bath towel etc.

babysitting voucher?
olive oil? that should be funny! but they say it is better than say baby oil

Lovely idea! I'm currently pregnant and would love to receive something like this, especially with a bottle of wine x

peppermint tea is good for cramps, though not too much, it can apparently interfere with milk production. Nettle tea is good for milk and energy levels.

Definitely sock-ons, they're amazing.

You can never have enough giant muslin cloths!

Lansinoh hot and cold therapy gel pad things! My DH has bought me a 'breast-feeding surivial kit' from the natural birthing company which is a selection of oils and some lovely soft flannels, haven't put it to use yet as I'm due in April, but it was really nicely packaged and I'm looking forward to giving it a go.

If she's breastfeeding maybe the ingredients and recipe for lactation cookies (or make them for her and put them in) I've heard great things about them!

I have not long had my baby and here are a few things that have been a god send...

Arnica tablets. Working wonders after an episiotomy
Maternity pads. I've used a lot. I prefer boots own.
Bibs. My chunk makes a mess feeding and ive used tons.
Dummies i have already lost one and i haven't even been out yet.
Nappy sacks. I have one pack for our bedroom one in the living room and another pack in the bathroom to dispose of my maternity pads.
Pro plus!
I agree with others that a night light/bulb is a good idea, as are the baby nail files. Im also currently watching crap tv with some wireless headphones so i dont wake dp up!

and a nice note pad or organiser. I could write shopping lists before I forget what i actually need, we also write down when and how much the baby feeds. It gets confusing when the midwife wants to know and you don't even know what day it is!!

Hope that helps, your friend will love it

Soap and Glory Hand Food is amazing, and Sanctuary Sleep-in-a-box. I made a similar basket when my niece was born and also included bits for both mum and baby. A cute jar of pink smiley buttons from Thorntons went well with the pink theme.