Something to bring to new mom and baby?

[SarahandPaul]

I brought my sister a bottle of mint foot lotion and some softie socks. I helped her to take her first shower after the c-sectio and while her DH hung out with the baby, I gave her a foot massage! She loved it especially since so many people came to see the baby and she was feeling a bit left out.

 

[sbsteel]

Having just had a baby six months ago, I can tell you one of the absolute best things we got was an envelope full of gift cards to restaurants that had curbside take out or delivered. It was overwhelming to bring our baby home (we had no family staying with us or even helping us out), so those gift cards were a lifesaver. IIRC, we got Chili's, Ruby Tuesday's, Applebee's, Olive Garden, Outback, and local Chinese and pizza places that delivered. I didn't have to worry about cooking and my husband didn't have to worry about starving, lol.

 

[msmama]

I would not take anything to the hospital except maybe some carryout food or a snack of her choosing. People don't realize that the more stuff visitors bring, the more stuff the parents have to cart home when the mom and baby are discharged. Take a gift to the house, not the hospital!

REALLY agree with this!

Fill her freezer/fridge/pantry with lots of easy to eat foods. A hot meal was the best gift for me after my son was born.

 

[Bren's Mom]

The only thing I remember of everything brought to me in the hospital was a decaf LARGE Dunkin Donuts coffee...honestly can't even recall who brought it but I sure do love 'em! So bring her favorite but safe for nursing snack if you can.

Once home, though, my most remembered and best loved gifts were the cleaning service that my mom had sent that came while I was in the hospital. And that my MIL called up after a couple of weeks and said 'I'm treating you to a mani/pedi, what time do you want me to be there to babysit?'. OH my, do I ever love her. I needed a break. (Note: Not that she hadn't been calling every couple days and seeing the baby already, I don't mean that.)

The most loved gifts I got for my son were a handmade knitted blanket from my neighbor, and a giant fleece double layer hand tied blanket from my dh's aunt that ds and I used almost daily though the winter for snuggling on the couch for nursing sessions. Oh, and the personalized bib and burp cloth my sister had made for ds's baptism.

 

[Ladyw/theTramp]

I love the idea of giving one of those little wooden plaques to the baby on the day that it's born that says...

"This is the first day of the rest of your life"
It makes me smile

You could even write a little note to the baby in a sharpie on the back of the plaque with the date on it!

 

[woodkins]

My SIL actually just gave birth to my niece this morning & I am bringing her a personalized baby wipes case for the nursery with a matching travel wipes case for her diaper bag. I sell tons of these on my website as shower and new baby gifts. They are super useful and really pretty as I paint them to match the nursery bedding and diaper bags.

They are my most requested baby gift that I sell by far.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I don't know if you could find it this time of the year, but I got a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament in the hospital when DS1 was born.

 

[mothermouse]

go to a craft store like joanne fabrics- get a picture frame with some stickers spell out the babies name( there are alot of stickers you could get really creative) then the mother could put babies sonogram picture in it or babies hospital pic in it. i did this it came out really cute. ask a worker at the craft store to help you find the right aisle. congrats on being a new auntie

 

[wide awake]

The food...gift cards, dinners in the freezer, cookies...whatever. If she isn't nursing...I would have LOVED a case of the ready to go 4 oz bottles of formula for nighttime feedings. A gift certificate for house cleaning. And for baby and mom...one or more really nice children's books for mom to read aloud from day one. Suggestions...Mother Goose, Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Goodnight, The Runaway Bunny...

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I echo the food ideas. I remember my sister and brother in law bringing food into us with my first born. It was so nice. We sat around talking and eating together in the room.

But the dinners brought by afterwards are lifesavers. So nice not to have to get dinner ready. I have also had friends who had breakfasts delivered along with dinners. Things like homemade cinnamon rolls.

As far as clothes gifts I always loved the people who bought bigger sizes. SO fun to pull out a size 2T that is brand new two years later.

 

[tinker&belle]

Strongly agree with the giftcard idea. It is very overwhelming with the first baby and that would be a lifesaver.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I honestly loved getting any kind of flowers. Didn't get that hardly at all and it just made my day when someone brought me some.

Some basic necessity would also be much welcomed (diapers, pack of onesies, wipes--whatever...no need to go all out as you already got her something).

Very thoughtful of you and an early congratulations.

 

[lady_bug_888]

For the hospital: Flowers for mom (no one got me flowers except DH and I sort of told him he had to do that before I went into labour!!), Love you forever by Robert Munsch (book...one I read to DD before taking her home). Also would be appreciated: snuggly blankets, burp cloths, bibs, GC (or savings bond if you can afford it!)...etc.

The thing I would have appreciated most was some homecooked/freezer meals. I ended up having a C-section and then I had complications afterwards and I could not cook for about 3 months! It sucked and I got tired of eating DH's cooking (anything you can buy already made, or from a can or box!). I would have given anything for some s+s meatballs or chicken stir fry or ham. DH actually paid to have someone make me a homemade dinner for Mother's day...best gift he ever gave me!!!

Also, making sandwiches wrapped individually or making a healthy 'snack basket' with fruit, veggies, nuts, cheeses etc...would be great as you are pretty much always feeding the baby at first and sort of eat with one hand while you are busy with the baby.

Congrats on becoming an aunt!!!

 

[stitchlovestink]

When my DH's sister was having her first baby, our DDs were thrilled to be getting a new cousin. There hadn't been a baby on his side of the family since our youngest DD. Luckily, there was a Build-a-bear in the mall near the hospital where the baby was born. So we left a couple of hours early and my girls went to BaB and made a teddy specifically for their new cousin. They made one together, but the teddy had two hearts inside (one from each of my girls). We bought a small set of the new baby accessories for 'teddy' to sport and the coolest thing was that they matched the bear's Birth certificate to their cousin's info. I found a coupon to help with cost and we picked a cute white bear that was fairly reasonably priced. I do think that my SiL was appreciative since it was so personalized. Our Dniece still has it and it going on 7 now. I know my girls enjoyed the experience of making it for their cousin too.

Good Luck with whatever it is you decide to do. I'm sure you'll come up with a great idea! But I do think the offer of a meal via gift certficate or bringing a pre-made one is excellent! I have yet to see any new mom turn down the offer of food!

 

[sksjasams]

This is an abolutely beautiful book and would be a very special gift:

http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Gifts-...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297706849&sr=1-1

Congrats on becoming an auntie!

 

[AmandaNied]

The best gift I got was when we were finally home. My sister-in-law came up, made dinner and cleaned up. It was the best gift ever!

 

[Miz Diz]

I do embroidery and my most requested items are personalized baby blankets with the baby's first and middle name and birthdate. Also personalized bibs and burpcloths.