Moms of Winter Babies-Gifts?

[jsmla]

Our first grandchild will be here in late January and I'm dying to start shopping!

So, new moms of winter babies, what items were most useful to you? I'd love to pick up cute things when I see them. I'm mainly interested in the small things-clothes, blankets, books, toys, etc and would love to hear what worked for you and your little one.

DS and DDIL live in Austin (Don't think they'll need a snowsuit.) and are having a girl but planning on going with gender neutral things.

Thanks!

 

[blana]

Books: anything by Sandra Boynton, but I especially love Snuggle Puppy. Also the Karma Wilson Bear books, starting with Bear Snores On.

 

[Hikergirl]

My winter baby will be 20 this winter but I do remember one thing I loved having for her was the halo sleep sack.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Flannel crib sheets
Sleep sacks (and heavier ones)
Fuzzy blankets
Fleece footed pjs (Carters is great)

Mine are all fall/winter babies.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

My first granddaughter was born this past February. My DD really liked to swaddle her in the swaddles they bought. Also she had a car seat cover that she used a lot.

GDD really likes her tag toy. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/112471503675?chn=ps&dispItem=1 It is something quiet she can hold in church.

 

[pookybean]

The infant car seat covers are amazing and so much easier than tossing a blanket over the infant carrier/car seat. They attach either with a velcro over the handles or elastic around the sides. I know you said they are in texas, but they make lighter ones too.

Any book by Nancy Tillman They are my favorite gift to give at baby showers now.

 

[jormom1030]

Sleep sacks

 

[NAB]

The t shirts with the snaps for under there clothes so they don't get an exposed back. Can never have enough of these. I think I had them all the way up until they were one.

Loved the flannel receiving blankest too , do they even have them anymore. They were used for everything, blanket for swaddling , burp pads , even for a quick spit up wipe...lol

 

[HulaHoopy]

cute winter hats

 

[Magpie]

A baby carrier, something like this...

We live in Ontario, Canada and it gets quite cold here. Mine were born at the end of November and in mid-February. It was amazingly convenient to be able to just strap the baby onto my front, and then put my big warm winter coat on over us both. Kept us both very warm!

 

[loves to dive]

It's been 37 years but my son was born in December. We live in Georgia so it doesn't get too cold but I loved the onesies with feet in them because the little devil wouldn't keep socks on. Also loved the towels with little hoods on them so when I took him out of the bath I cold cover him all the way off.

 

[RangerPooh]

My winter babies are were born in February and are now 12 and 7. We lived in a snowy environment when they were babies, and liked the carseat cover to protect against windchill when carrying them to/from car places. Ours slipped over the carseat and did not attach to the handles.

Footie pajamas are convenient. Especially if they are like mine and don't keep socks on.

Don't forget to think about sizes. If you stock up size 3-6 month winter clothes they might go unworn due to the climate where they live. However, don't be afraid to keep your eyes open for deals on clothes/accessories for the following year. Just because the baby is born in January doesn't meal that you can't watch those summer clearance sales now for next spring.

 

[gotomu212]

One suggestion on clothes-skip the 0-3 months sizes and buy them stuff for 6-12 months (summer clearance stuff now). Everyone buys parents the tiny clothes for shower gifts, plus you're so excited as a new parent you buy them too. The result is you have too many clothes to really wear in that short 2-3 months, but when 6 monthis rolls around you have a naked baby.

My sister in law got me several 6 month outfits that really got a workout, while I had 0-3 stuff that was donated with the tags still on.

 

[Realfoodfans]

Our DGD is a December baby - they were overloaded with soft toys so I might avoid them! A floor play nest where she could lie and see the items dangling above was well used as it kept any draughts away (the one they had then turned into a padded back rest for her when she began to sit up).
I've always been the book giver to her and my DGS - it is a bond we have of sharing stories and reading together (I particularly love classical children's literature myself). I also bought a cute book storage for the current favourites similar to one you'd find in the children's area of the library. I also made raggy blankets and a floor quilt for them.
You must be so excited!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I second (or third, or whatever...) books. My DS (a November baby) loved the Sandra Boyntons mentioned above, and also the Usborne Touchy-Feely ones. And I would get some music for little ones as well.

Does she have a baby book or journal already? Photo albums or frames are always useful too.

Big wicker baskets are also nice for keeping baby things in throughout the house. They blend in without making every room look a playroom, and you can carry them around to clean up.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I had a baby the last two winters (Dec '16 and Jan '17.)

I'd recommend: zip-up footed sleepers in sizes 3m and 6m, lots of socks size 3-12m, a shower cap style car seat cover that is specifically for cold weather (similar to one pictured above), Zutano booties, and simple long-sleeved onesie and pants outfits (Carter's.) I don't like hoods on infant clothing because I don't like them napping with that hood behind their necks. I'd also recommend fleece velcro swaddles--I liked the Summer Infant and Halo brands.

I'd avoid fuzzy blankets (not safe to put a blanket on a sleeping baby...so we have very few uses for all of our "cozy" blankets until they are older), baby carriers (I'm VERY particular about my carriers and would not want someone picking one out for me--and I really don't use them much in cold weather despite what a previous poster said), or baby journals/albums/frames (this then turned into a "chore" for me to complete--no thanks.) Oh, and no stuffed animals!!!

Board books are always nice, too.

 

[moniqueand2]

One suggestion on clothes-skip the 0-3 months sizes and buy them stuff for 6-12 months (summer clearance stuff now). Everyone buys parents the tiny clothes for shower gifts, plus you're so excited as a new parent you buy them too. The result is you have too many clothes to really wear in that short 2-3 months, but when 6 monthis rolls around you have a naked baby.

My sister in law got me several 6 month outfits that really got a workout, while I had 0-3 stuff that was donated with the tags still on.

Yup, I totally agree. One of the best aspects of having a winter baby is very soon the baby is big enough and parents are recovered enough to start spending time outside right when spring and summer arrive.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Go shopping for the out-of-season clothes that are on clearance, in the size that the small person will be then

 

[shoney]

I found no one bought clothes in 0 to 3 mo. I received over 100 outfits for my first born in 3 to 6 month size...so much so many went unworn by my first and second!
I would go with bath stuff....cozy towel wraps and nice smelling bath stuff and lotions. Cute bath toys for when they are a little older.
Simple toys like stacking rings are always good.
I know people love to buy for babies but they really don't need a lot. Save the cash for when they are toddlers!

 

[gotomu212]

Yup, I totally agree. One of the best aspects of having a winter baby is very soon the baby is big enough and parents are recovered enough to start spending time outside right when spring and summer arrive.

That's very glass is half full- I love it! I would say the flip side of that with my winter baby is I really felt trapped in the house for the first 3 months because we had a horrible winter and cold/flu season so everyone was like don't take the baby out if you can at all avoid it. (My poor summer baby was on a daily walk from 4 days on!)