Question for new moms....shower gift

[tchrrx]

I am on my way to buy a baby gift for my cousin. I would like to do a basket full of medicines, ointments, etc that she'll be needing. I think I'll put in a thermometer, but other than that, I'm lost. What do you recommend? (Include the brand, if you don't mind!)

 

[2cutekidz]

I like to get a diaper bag and all the essentials that go in it. I like to get:

- Balmex: creamy.
- Diapers (not in newborn size, most babies aren't in those very long)
- travel container of wipes
- travel size baby powder
- travel size lotion
- pacifier (s)
- teething toy
- burp cloths
- bib
- bottles
- toy links
- small stuffed toy
- onesies
- sleeper (again not in newborn size)

I put everything in the diaper bag and put a bow ontop. Usually everything will fit in with no problem. If someone has already gotten the bag that the mom-to-be has registered for, I'll get a 2nd bag for her. Either one that a dad will be happy to carry (lots of new moms register for things that no man is willing to carry) or a smaller bag.

 

[jessica52877]

My gifts are pretty similar. I do a diaper cake with package of diapers, toy, outfit and then bottle, pacifier, brush, comb, spoon, fork, wipes and lotion, soap, shampoo. I can usually fit a full size on (and is cheaper with coupons) otherwise a travel size.

My idea is that it might not be the exact type spoons they use, but great for a diaper bag. I hated putting all my stuff I loved in diaper bags. I also found it nice to have something different to try in a pinch (like a pacifier) as some kids only like certain types/varieties which may not be what the parents purchased.

 

[Desnik]

The list above is great and I would add:
Mylicon drops!(for gas relief)
If she is having a boy Pee Pee TeePee's(these have been a big hit when I got them for baby showers)
http://www.creativekidstuff.com/peepeeteepee.html
Nail clippers/filers
no scratch mittens
stain stick
outlet covers
My mind is blank and I can't think of anything else now, sorry!

 

[Nanu57v]

I second the diapers, but think newborns are fine. My DD was 8lb 10 ounces and in newborn diapers for 2 months. I always get swaddlers in either NB or size 1.

Things we found most useful: Medicine syringe, baby nail clippers, thermometer, wipes, lotion, shampoo, soap, bibs. HTH!


BTW, baby powder is no longer recommended for use as it can contribute to asthma if inhaled. I'd also skip the pacifiers as we have tons that were unused since DD wouldn't take one...Ditto with bottles. We had a brand we used for EBM (AVENT) plus I nursed mainly so all the other brands were unused. We also never used any diaper creme. DD never really had diaper rash, and we used the tube we got from the hospital the whole time she was in diapers. I think if it were me though, I'd still buy it for someone.

 

[MiniGirl]

Cloth diapers and changing table mats are 2 things I used a lot, but did not receive as a gift. I used the cloth diapers (both the thick and the thin ones) for everything. They are great even for someone planning on using disposables, and I loved the changing table mats. They are waterproof and saved me so much time. If these got dirty during a change, I could throw them in the wash with out having to wash the entire changing table cover.

 

[Amirah95]

I'm coming in on this late but...

I'm with everyone else who said onsies, receiving blankets, regular blankets (thin and fleece), a ton of bibs , burp cloths and the sleepy onsies with the feet. I currently wish I had gotten more of each. I had to go out four days after my DD was born to stock up.

I also received too many boxes of newborn diapers and my DD grew out of them. Had to give them away. Buy sizes larger than NB and size 1 if you decide to.

 

[Nanu57v]

Apparently my DD has a tiny butt and a huge everything else.

 

[2cutekidz]

I second the diapers, but think newborns are fine. My DD was 8lb 10 ounces and in newborn diapers for 2 months. I always get swaddlers in either NB or size 1.

Things we found most useful: Medicine syringe, baby nail clippers, thermometer, wipes, lotion, shampoo, soap, bibs. HTH!


BTW, baby powder is no longer recommended for use as it can contribute to asthma if inhaled. I'd also skip the pacifiers as we have tons that were unused since DD wouldn't take one...Ditto with bottles. We had a brand we used for EBM (AVENT) plus I nursed mainly so all the other brands were unused. We also never used any diaper creme. DD never really had diaper rash, and we used the tube we got from the hospital the whole time she was in diapers. I think if it were me though, I'd still buy it for someone.

I didn't use alot of the stuff I posted either, but still consider most of the things must haves. I love the newborn diapers too, but people tend to get this size only for showers. Baby powder is good for things other than diapering. The main thing I use it for is to get sand off of kids!! Cornstarch works good too. The new mom won't know until the baby gets here, so I still recommend pacifiers. They are a love them or hate them item.

 

[kitsch4]

How about some baby shampoo and lotion. A cute idea is to wrap the items in cloth diapers instead of wrapping paper and secure it with diaper pins. The cloth diapers make great burp cloths, and when the kids are older they make great dusting cloths!

 

[tchrrx]

OK. I am back from shopping. I bought a baby memory book b/c DCousin was telling my mom that she needed one. I also got a temporal scanner thermometer, some baby gas relief drops, medicine syringe, butt paste, and baby pain reliever.

 

[Nanu57v]

I've heard a lot of good stuff about the butt paste! Good pick!

 

[TJA]

I don't think this has been mentioned and it's not necessarily for a newborn but I would've loved to receive this and save it for when my baby was eating baby food and that is a baby bjorn bib. This was one of my best discoveries and I wish I would've had it sooner.

http://www.target.com/Baby-Bjorn-BA...=UTF8&index=target&rh=k:baby bjorn bib&page=1

 

[Disney 'Ohana]

Diapers & diapers & diapers.

Man it was nice not having to buy diapers for the first year.

 

[mickeylove2]

The above lists are excellent, I have done many diaper cakes with these suggestions, so I will tell you that one thing I DIDN'T get, but bought myself, but now I get for every mother to be who is planning to nurse, is a nursing bib. I've always gotten many heartfelt thank yous and never once has it been a duplicate gift, and it can be used for a very long time, so it is well wort the $10-15!

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Mylecon gas drops, gripe water, and a Miracle blanket (or 3, LOL!).

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

AQUAPHOR AQUAPHOR AQUAPHOR!!!

The plain old Aquaphor ointment. You can usually find it in the baby aisle or in the aisle with lotions. I have 4 kids and this stuff is one thing we ALWAYS have on hand.

DS13 and DD4 do that lip licking thing in the winter and get chapped all around their lips (picture Ronald McDonald mouths). I put Aquaphor on it before bed and they end up with only a slight pink tinge by morning.

DD15 had a dry area on her hands from the dry air here in the winter. She used every lotion we had. Put Aquaphor on and it was gone within a day.

We use it for diaper rashes, too, and when DS3's skin gets irritated from the diaper rubbing or his skin rubbing together. Takes the redness away with one application.

My pediatrician recommended it for DS13's chapped lips about 8 years ago. I love the stuff. When DH and I had DD4 (my older kids are his step kids), he kept buying Desitin for her for diaper rash and said that was better. She had a pretty harsh rash one day (which I think was worse from the darn Desitin). I put Aquaphor on it. Next day, it was gone! Now he swears by the stuff.

We use it for chapped lips, chapped cheeks, dry hands...you name it. Any skin irritation, we slap it on. I had a melanoma removed off my leg and I use it on the scar, too, where the skin gets dry.

 

[doulacandice]

For me, if I were to ever have another shower I would want things like a gift cert to a spa, or an offer to cook x amount of dinners for me after the baby comes, or even x amount of hours around the house to help after the baby arrives..

Since a lot of people don't think that way, I would probably get her a gift cert to a place like motherhood so she can get a good fitting nursing bra or a sling.. Those baby Bjorns aren't worth a flip. Moms need those good slings like a ring sling, mei tai or pouch.. www.hotslings.com is a great place.

 

[doulacandice]

And now I just reread and you said you wanted things for a gift basket. LMAO

Burt bee's things are nice, the lavender J&J lotions/massage oil are AWESOME. Also balmex worked wonders for me! No other diaper rash cream would work!! Mylcon gas drops are good to have in case too!

 

[MSSANDRA]

My favorite two items are a pack of cloth diapers and a pack of the open bottom gowns. These are so nice when you have an infant and are changing diapers freqently. Another item i discovered with DB is an Bumbo. He really enjoyed his.
I also really like the butt paste. it clears better than anything i ever used.