Recommendations etc for a novice Auntie!

[lololove]

Hello all! I am about to become an auntie which I can't wait for... but I have zero baby/pregnancy experience. (toddlers and older - absolutely fine... but they don't come out that old sadly haha!) I know not to crowd them as sadly things don't always work out the way you want them to however much you wish they would .

Is there anything that you recommend as a gift pre-baby and also post for the parents as well as babies? (i don't just want to buy generic 'aww that's nice!' stuff that's put in a box or on a shelf and forgotten about - I'd like things that can be used. Is there something that you wish your family had gotten or done for you?

Thank you!

I've always done keepsakes unless I've been asked for something specific.

Maybe some nice bubble bath and hand cream for the mum to be and biscuits/chocolate. Something to treat herself. Maybe some snacks for dad to be and nice coffee (If he drinks coffee) and for baby a nice blanket and small soft toy. Congrats on becoming an auntie. Maybe a homemade voucher on some baby sitting if they need catch up on sleep for a couple of hours, or help to make cups of tea or a meal. Sometimes the best thing is help to make dinner or with washing as so many people like to visit and just cuddle baby when parents could also use some help around the house so they can get into a routine and concentrate on being new parents. Obviously just ideas as you will know them best and when it would be appropriate

One thing I did was really focus on your sister or brother during that time. Lots of people will be around to coo over the baby and gps can get very baby focused. Keep remembering to say how great it is to see them (not just baby) is fab they look (even if they’re sleep deprived and covered in sick) and what a fantastic job they’re doing.

Metanium, the stuff in the yellow tube. A nappy rash cream that will come in very handy at some point.

I bought them a "baby book" (you know, the "first smiled on X day" sort) that I thought they would really like - checked they didn't have one already. And made up a few meals to go in the freezer.
Congrats on being an auntie, it's a lovely thing! I would say try not to have too many expectations - until very recently my 2 year old niece cried and hid when she saw me! I don't take it personally

🤣🤣 I get the feeling that might end up happening with me too

Thank you all! I've already got a baby milestone set of cards and a jokey expectant dad's book. Also bought a pregnancy journal too so she can record things she'd like to.

It's. Incredible news that's been a long time in the making, they've been together around 20 years in total right from school and its just.... Wow! Keeping everything crossed. Thank you all!

I have 6 nephews and neices. The one thing I always do with friends of family with new babies is take a full meal (like a roasted chicken, salad, bread etc) and tell them to relax while I prepare dinner, then hold the baby while they sit and eat a meal undisturbed. My friend did this for me, we pass it on.

For my brother he just had his 4th child. They don't need any clothes, toys etc, so I paid for a hamper of ready made meals to be delivered. My brother says they are great.

Or spend a day cooking the food you know they like, get some food prep containers and fill their freezer. They'll love you for it.

I would suggest also your sister/sister i n law writes a list of things that she needs to do post baby, and wehn people come to visit and ask if there is anything they can do, suggest they chose something off the list :) For example, ironing, hanging the washing out, cleaning the bathroom or just giving them time to have an uninterrupted shower. Much better than a baby gro!

Enjoy, being an auntie is fab ;)

www.chefonboard.com/new-mum-gifts