So, you're pregnant with your first baby, you've pretty much got all the essentials, what would you like people to buy for you?

[KittensWithWeapons]

My sister is pregnant with her first baby, who's due to put in an appearance over the coming weeks. We're all really excited, and I so want to buy stuff for them. But without over stepping any boundaries. I've bought a couple of wee babygros, but I know they will be swamped with baby clothes from lovely relatives and friends.

I was going to make up a hamper of things like lansinoh, breast pads, water spray for using in the boiling hot hospital etc, but she's well stocked on all of that.

Mum has bought them a travel cot for when they come to visit.

So, when you were pregnant, what would you have liked, gift wise?

[FlyingCat]

With your generous budget, does she have a glider chair (or other really comfy chair for nursery/ night feeds?)
Or a bedside cot?
Also second a sleepyhead or Cook! Frozen meals delivery.
Finally a supply of really good chocolates for helping get through night wakings if she won't kill you for putting temptation in her path

[icklekid]

Could you fill the freezer with nice ready meals from m&s or cook? Would make first few weeks much easier if didn't have to worry about cooking!

I love our ewan sheep- ds who is 2 still cuddles his so just bought one for baby 2! Didn't have one for ds but would love a snuggle head as only heard good things about them. Have just bought a grosnug as is sleeping bag designed for newborn that you can have arms in (like snuggle) or our like normal bag. Genius idea!

I got a lovely basket of mum things- dry shampoo, lovely body moisturiser, bubble bath, candles, a pretty necklace, chocolate etc which really cheered me up.

[smellsofelderberries]

For family we usually do an Ocado order with ready meals we'll know they'll like, that can be frozen too so they can put them away for later use. Also things like prepared fruit, bake at home bread rolls and pots of soup, prepared salads etc, and some nice wine/champagne (in mini bottles if possible as if she's BFing she still won't be able to drink much). I also throw in lots of snacky bits for breastfeeding Mums for when they need some energy mid-feed- nice biscuits (or bake some lactation biscuits to take round!) nuts, those mini bars of Black & Greens chocolate, a nice big drink bottle she can have nearby. They'll really appreciate not having to think about feeding themselves for a while!

[Pootles2010]

My friend got me a little travel toiletries bag, filled with travel-sized really lovely toiletries - bubble bath, shower gel, shampoo, deodrant etc - was really lovely to have in hospital bag.

[PotteringAlong]

m.johnlewis.com/aden-anais-muslin-cloths-pack-of-3-jungle-jam/p/611902?sku=232332799&kpid=232332799&s_kenid=be8df53f-7dc5-47d2-822c-500d310874d3&s_kwcid=403x403732&tmad=c&tmcampid=73

A friend gave me these with dc1 - they've done 3 children and are still going strong. I would never have got them myself as couldn't justify the cost but they've been awesome.

[PotteringAlong]

www.notonthehighstreet.com/tuppenceandcrumble/product/fleece-baby-star-wrap?force_locale=en-GB&gclid=CjwKEAjwn7e8BRCUqZiP_vnrtBkSJAC_lp4HVns1jrnF_9OUmoLnre4Ok5rIkfgF6Uo3hejGf-HrxhoCdEbw_wcB&dclid=CMPryZO8_80CFSOi7QodPl4OZw

Also, love a star suit!

[Onenerfwarfrombreakdown]

Second the idea of the best/most moisturising hand wash and hand cream you can find, it's a real treat when you're up to the elbows in new born runny poo tsunami

[orangebird69]

The Evelyn and Crab tree Rose hand therapy set is lovely.

[KittensWithWeapons]

Brilliant ideas, thank you all. Bedside cot is an excellent idea. So some lovely hand wash and hand cream, and once the baby arrives, plenty of prepped food, tubs of pre-cut fruit and vegetables, chocolate, maybe a few multi-packs of 500ml bottles of water to be stashed in the fridge/by the bed/beside the sofa. I've also got a recipe for BFing biscuits, so I could make those. Although BIL is a fantastic baker so he may have that covered. Oh and a few snipes of Champagne .

Will hold off on doing all the shopping now, and wait and get some bits a few months down the line. That's really good thinking. They'll be swamped with gifts for the newborn stage,so it would definitely be good to get them things for when he's a bit older.

Love the idea of booking a class too, I know sis and BIL definitely want to do swimming classes with him so will look in to that.

Some nice toiletries for the new Mama. She does like a bit of luxury so they'd be well received .

Sorry, I've probably not mentioned all the suggestions because there are so many and they're all brilliant. I really appreciate them all.

I'm in the slightly unusual position of having been pregnant several times but never having had a baby (multiple MCs) so I've done the reading up on what might be needed, but have no experience of what's actually useful. So I'm simultaneously knowledgeable and clueless .

[Jubaloo442]

It's really lovely that you're taking such care to get them things they'll need and appreciate :)

[Hufflepuffin]

You sound like such a wonderful sister. What a lucky baby!

[hollinhurst84]

I got my friend a blanket from mamas and papas that had a zip too. So it acted like a sleeping bag, patchwork blanket, play mat. She said it was her most used thing
The other thing I have given is a "get out of jail free card" which basically entitles them to ring me and say come and take the baby for an hour and they can nap/bath etc

[KittensWithWeapons]

Ah, thanks Jubaloo and Huffle. How lovely of you both to say that . He is a lucky baby, he's already got Grandparents and Aunties and Uncles queuing up to mind him, and cuddle him, and love him. My sister and BIL are amazing, I just want to do anything I can to help them.

hollin, I ^love* the idea of a 'get out of jail free' card. I'll be only too happy to be on hand to help out when needed. Even if it's just holding the baby for an hour while sister has a nap / shower or bath. Excellent idea, thank you!

[hollinhurst84]

I figured even relatives can be too shy to ask for help and I said look, if it's short notice or whatever or you can't cope, ring and invoke it

[AudreyBradshaw]

Wet/dry bags. I'm told these are brilliant to have in the nappy bag in case of a poo/sick explosion outside of home. You can stick dirty babygrow etc in and poo won't get everywhere. They can go in the washing machine so easy to clean. Amazon have loads.

[Hufflepuffin]

Just remembered my in laws gave me £100 jojo maman Bebe vouchers, it was sooo nice having a bit of cash to splash during maternity leave, I spent it all on odds and sods that I wouldn't have been able to justify otherwise. Cracking present (wild have to be for a shop that's in walking distance of her house though)

[icklekid]

Ohh just remembered one of my nct friends had an incredible playmat with lights and sounds like this

www.mamasandpapas.com/product-magic-stargaze-stripe-playmat-/759482710/type-i/

Or
www.elc.co.uk/Lamaze-Curve-Space-Symphony-Motion-Gym/144877,default,pd.html
Might be suitable?