Babyshower Gift Idea. What did you find out was the thing you most needed/wanted after the baby came?

Question

Hi,
My friend is pregnant and due in April. She has a gift registry with a few things she wants, but I feel like she is trying to be humble, so she has kept many things off the list.
I am hoping any parents can give me a GREAT gift idea, something that has become essential for you or the baby. Is there ANYTHING that you wished you would have thought of for the registry and ended up buying after the baby was born because it was neccesary? -OR- what is the best gift that you did receive?
Also, I KNOW the best GIFT is going to be donating some of my time to help her and the baby for a few weekends (we live long distance apart.) But I need something for the shower!!

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Oh my what did I need most..there is so much to list. I would say after I had my baby shower I was in need of diapers, a diaper genie, and bigger clothes size 3 to 6 months. Most of my family gave me newborn sized stuff and they grow so fast then you have to but clothes like every two months.

Answer 2

Well, not always the most expensive or biggest is the best gift or more necessary. After my fist child, I found out that what I used most was simple cotton wear, babies are messy and grow fast!
That's been the fist thing on my list for my other 2 pregnancies.

But if you want to give something that stands out, in my experience what I can tell you is very useful and usually out of gifts list: breast pumps, baby tubs (the ones from newborn to todd with thermometer), bottle warmers (for home and/or car), one of those baby swingers that later can be used as a chair, or nice bedding.

Or if you can afford it: a camera baby monitor, car seat (or a travel system: car seat + stroller). For those things, make sure she already doesn't have one already.

I do no recommend toys (the child will get lots as the time goes by), diapers bag (people like to give them but I think choosing a good one is personal, just like any women's purse), not baby bottles (as I mom , I have always liked to choose a brand/accessories by myself). Of course, that may change from mom to mom.

Good luck!

Answer 3

verytrue, diapers are great, but dont get newborn because they dont stay in them too long and if someone else gives newborn dipers, the baby might outgrow them. I also use PJs alot, so get PJs according to the months that the baby will be in the fall/winter time and maybe go up a size. you dont wanna get newborn PJs for a spring/summer baby. and you can never go wrong with gift cards. I also found that with all the baby stuff, it was nicve when i got a gift for me:) i recieved PJs. PS if you think she's being humble and you want to give her something big...a baby swing or bouncer is heaven sent when you need to put your new born down! Diapers and FORMULA cost a pretty petty now days. a good supply of formula will definetly come in handy. (25.7oz can similac...$23-$25)

Answer 4

One thing that I never seemed to have enough of was diapers...crazy but true...so as soon as I found out I was preg with my second and every preg thereafter I have bought a pack a week so I had plenty when the baby came...They are not cheap and itmight help her out alot...also found that most everyone will buy cute newborn outfits for gifts but not for later...when my first was 3 months I had to buy her a new wardrobe b/c everything I had was new size...

P.S. This is also a good idea for a men's baby shower..if she has a husband or boyfriend in the picture he can invite HIS friends over for a "diaper party"...set it up like a poker night or whatever he enjoys, price of "admission" for each invited male guest he has over is a pack of diapers...

Answer 5

Well for mine I got a travel system the stroller/car seat combo...those rock so I hope she gets one of those...lol. Also a good thing is a baby bouncer they make really nice ones and the lil ones love them. Some things you can never have enough of are diapers & wipes (of course) hooded towels, baby blankets, burp cloths, bibs, onsies. A few things I wished I had thought to ask for was a baby wipe warmer...on lil infants they sometimes get startled from the cold wipes ( i would hold the wipes in my hand 4 eva to make them warm...lol) A baby bottle warmer w/ ac adapter for the car is awesome too, even a thermoscan ear thermometer even though it can't be used for a few months it is an awesome investement. OH and my other favorite thing was the boppy...it can be used for nursing moms or even bottle fed babies. Can you tell I use to work at a baby store yet?? LOL!

Answer 6

I think the best possible thing that you could get her is all and anything consumable. Buy a cheap laundry basket, plastic trash can, or a diaperbag and fill it with:

DIAPERS

WIPES

FORMULA (if she is bottle feeding or supplementing, find out which brand she will use)

GALLONS OF NURSERY OR DISTILLED WATER (again if using formula for bottle feeding or supplementing)

DISPOSABLE DROP-INS FOR PLAYTEX BABY BOTTLES (if she is going to be using them)

BABY BATH AND BODY WASHES (I recommend Gerber Grins & Giggles bath wash in Milk and Honey or Sweet Pea (smells so good) and Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime Bath Soap)

LOTION (again I suggest Gerber Grins & Giggles in same scents and Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime lotion)

RICE CEREAL (not oatmeal cause this comes later due to the fact that they are more likely to have an allergy to oatmeal than rice)

JARS OF BABY FOOD (just fruits and vegetables and buy the lighter colored ones (like pears, applesauce, bananas, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes) due to chance of alergies again)

DREFT OR ALL BABY LAUNDRY DETERGENT


All of this will eventually add up in $$$ to be more expensive than the big stuff for her to buy since she has to buy this stuff over and over again as it runs out. She will appreciate it a lot when she brings the new addition home and doesn't have to run to the store for these items for a couple of months. Another plus to this is you don't have to worry about others duplicating your gift because the more she has of this stuff the better and most people forget about this need. I asked for all consumables at my shower and I'm relieved that I did. It's a huge help and lift on the wallet.

Answer 7

I received a lot of diapers. If you plan on buying clothes for baby buy bigger than newborn and 0-3 months. When my son was almost three months i had to buy him all new clothes because nothing from my baby shower would fit. There was outfits he was only able to wear once. Also it would be nice to buy something for her. She is at the end of her pregnancy and emotions are probably running high it would make her feel special too.

Answer 8

i dont know how u feel about shopping online but its really nice gerber has spoons a charm bracelet and others that u personilze with the babys name. if she has it all picked out, now this is just a cute/funny gift i seen when i went to a baby shower some one gave the dad an apron that said dad on it at the top but u could put mom it had pockets for the wipes, diapers, lotion, powder,goggles and a mouth cover lol i dont know where u could get it u could make ur own to.oh and get a book to put ur thoughts in instead of a card

Answer 9

Diapers are the most practical gift you can never get nough of. Most people opt for something else because diapers can be so plain... We all like to buy all the cute stuff

I recently went to a baby shower and one of the gifts was a 'diaper cake' It consisted of 12 or so diapers, stacked up to look like a cake.. It was decorated with ribbons, pacifiers, rattles, ect... On the inside were a few baby bottles, wash cloths and misc. baby things. it was a super fun gift with lots of personality an charm...

Check out ebay for diaper cakes for some ideas... Your can create them yourself...

Answer 10

Diapers! Any size! And most stores will let you exchange for a different size as long as the package is not opened. And Wipes! ALWAYS need wipes!
Onsies! Simple t-shirts they can throw on, spit on, wash, and wear again.
A vibrating rocker for babies. They sit low to the floor, usually have colorful toys attached, rock and vibrate. My kids all loved that more than the swing.
Then, you always need recieving blankets, bibs (with the plastic backing so the drool doesn't soak through and wet the babies clothes) socks, and shampoo's and lotions.