What to get friend who is suffering with the first few days of being a new mum

[futurity]

Not sure if this is the right section but here goes!

My best friend has just had her first baby and had a traumatic birth (45 hours labour, episiotomy, ventouse). From what I hear from her Mum (not spoken to friend myself yet) the hospital were crap during the birth(not allowing her to have pain relief etc) and also afterwards (not showing her how to change nappy etc) and she is struggling with feeding as her nipples have gone inverted. She is going through the first few days of hormone hell, worrying that she doesn't know what to do etc etc and my heart breaks for her as we all know what it is like.

I am not going to see her yet as I am not local but also I know she wanted space to sort herself out but I want to send her something ...not the normal bunch of flowers...something different for her... Looked at organised mum baby calender which I always had in mind but don't think that is wise if she is feeling fragile about motherhood.

So any ideas welcome really...i know nothing will make up for all she is going through..i just want to do something nice for her.

Boots definitely does pretty muslins. Tesco probably does.

i sent her a text earlier saying that it is all a mind fck in the first few days and she has replied "you are SOOOO right about mind fck - health visitor said he was chilly and now i am obsessed i am neglecting him. Its all so scary!"

I've just got back from shopping trip and done a box of goodies including lavender drops for the bath, general pamper stuff, small chocolate muffins (which I had to resist eating!), lindt chocs, trashy magazines..oh and a toy for the baby! All fitted into the box perfectly and have just been decorating the box with silly comments in our own humour that goes back 20 years!

Many thanks for all your help...wouldn't of known where to start!

update: she got the parcel today and sent me text saying "that is the best most thoughtful pressie I have EVER had...you are truely a good friend - group hug blub hormones blub"

I feel so smiley and happy that I have done that..what a good start to the weekend!

Ahhh thats nice
(goes warm and fuzzy)

Nice thread - well done futurity, it really is nicer giving than receiving sometimes isn't it.

YAY! You are a good friend I bet she won't forget your thoughtfulness

the thing i wanted more than stuff was visits. i needed people to come and see me, and take my colicy baby for an hour so i could have a bath, read a magazine, have a cup of coffee etc. even if you're far away if you can get in the car/on the train and go seee her that would be amazing. that hour you spend with your friend will mean more than the world, oh, and bring chocolate!