What is a good gift for a new mom?

Question

My sister is having a baby at any moment (she's due tomorrow) and I'm going to see her next week. What can I bring that'd be useful? Both for her and my new nephew? Nice pajamas? Nursing bras? A pint of ice cream? Flowers? I have no idea what women recovering from childbirth would appreciate. Help!

This is her first baby, and she is super nervous about it. She has a Boppy, and she's going to give breastfeeding a shot but will probably bottle-feed too, I'm not sure. My mother is actually there right now, so I'm worried that she's going to get annoyed with my mom and I milling around during what's supposed to be a bonding moment b/t my sister, her husband, and the baby. I like the diaper cake idea, just cuz it's goof y and useful at the same time, but I do want to get something nice for her as well.

Where can I find good, comfy pjs for her? Nice ones, not the cheap-y feeling stuff some maternity stores sell. And comfortable!

Answer 1

*** EEEK - I saw someone's answer. NO alcohol on the baby's umbilical cord. None. No way. Nuh-huh. It'll dry it out and irritate it, risking infection. It should just be kept clean, and if it looks infected, then ask the doc.


*** I saw your additional info - first, when you're both there, give her time on her own with the baby. Let her call the shots! Stay kinda back-ground if she's wanting bonding time, be a supporting player and let her shine as mom. Always ask before picking up the baby, that kind of thing. Also, ask her to let you know if she needs you to disappear for a while, go for a walk or something. About PJs, don't get them from a maternity store, they suck, and always shrink oddly. Maybe go to a nice department store -- are you in the US or Canada? I don't know the American stores well ... Macy's? My fave pair came from La Senza.

Well, you're bringing her one thing she'll appreciate - TIME!

Nice PJs are a good idea - if she's breastfeeding, the kind that button up the front, and give her a tank top for underneath. That way she can nurse comfortably and discretely whoever is there. The first few weeks I wanted to live in my PJs!

If you get there and she's not yet had the baby, bring bath stuff for her - I was taking three baths a day (one at 2 am, with a doze in the tub) the weeks before my son was born.

DVDs -- NOT long movies. I didn't have that kind of attention span for months. Is there a TV show she kinda likes but missed seasons of? Or that she loves and would want to watch again? We watched Lost.

Unscented soap and body lotion (scents can upset the baby, he knows what mom's supposed to smell like, and if mom's bbs don't smell right he might not be keen on sampling what they're offering)

There are neat bracelets you can get that help a new mom keep track of which side she's nursed from most recently, and what time/how long/that sort of thing.

A friend made a lovely quilt for my son, and I used it in a way I'm glad I thought of. It went on the floor, a 'safe' spot for him. It was his spot, no matter what room we were in, or even whether or not we were at home. We spent a lot of time travelling to visit family, and the quilt came with us. I think it helped to make him feel more comfortable. I know it's a little late in the game to make a quilt, but a nice blanket would do the trick, too.

Best things my family did for me was to give me their time. My aunt drove all over town getting groceries and supplies - I didn't have enough sleepers, didn't have bottles (handy later on despite breastfeeding ... does your sister have a pump? it's an essential), baked cookies, called my friends, etc. My mom got up at night with me when my son was hungry, and made tea, toast, sliced cheese, brought me water, made all the right sympathetic noises when I bawled my eyes out, made huge pots of soup and other meals which she froze so I'd have easy meals for weeks.

OH! Does she have a sling? If not, there's a great gift. I highly recommend (Hug) slings (google search them, they're available online I think, but maybe only in Canada), or Hotslings. Jellybean slings suck, and the wrap-style carriers brought me to tears more often than not (complicated origami and always was either too tight or too loose).

If she doesn't have them, a kazillion little baby washcloths. They're good for everything - as washcloths, spit-up wipers, spill wipers, leaky-boob wipers, kleenex substitutes, drool catchers, pee-shower-preventers (plop it on his boy-bits during changes), oops-I-ran-out-of-bum-wipes, and yes, peekaboo aids.

A big nalgene water bottle or nice pitcher for water, or something. Breastfeeding at first makes you DIE of thirst.

High-fibre snacks. Trust me on this. She might not even know she needs these... until it's too late.

Hope that helps! Congrats to your sister!

Answer 2

Comfy pjs are definitely a must! I was at Target yesterday, and they had wonderfully soft pajamas that looked like they could also double as just lounge pants, and these robes that were so soft, I almost bought one myself. Also, it may sound silly, but some hair ties, if she has long hair. I know when I came home, I was constantly searching for some, bc it was always easier to put my hair up. Maybe a pedicure kit, and offer to help her give herself one. It's nice to be pampered a bit.

As for other necessities, food is always good. You could cook a few simple meals that would freeze well and help her that way, or even just buy her a few things that would be easy to pop in a microwave, as there isn't much time to cook with a newborn around. Good thinking with the ice cream,too!

For baby, you might want to make sure she has a bottle of alcohol and some swabs for the umbilical cord...something I didn't think of for myself until we were already home, and had to send my dad for it. Diapers and wipes are always great, and maybe a humidifier for the nursery. It really helps baby since they're still getting used to breathing, and are prone to stuffy noses.

Congrats on being an aunt!

Answer 3

The best gift you can give her is your help. You can make a basket for her (that's what I did with for my friends, I have a 6 month old baby girl). The basket can include, diaper cream, diapers, wipes, nursing pads, breast bump (if you can afford it, there's one at walmart manual one for $25), pacifer, information pamphlets about newborns, onsies, sleepers, receiving blankets, baby mittens, baby shampoo/cream. I find all these little things make a difference. Yes, and cook for her if you can. When I brought my daughter home my wonderful mom lived with me for two weeks, all I did was eat, sleep and nursed my baby. She cooked, cleaned and went shopping for me when I needed diapers. My husband worked and he loved it when she was here too, hot and homemade food everynight. I didn't even have to leave the couch (except for bathroom breaks). Good luck. I am sure anything you do she would appreciate.

Answer 4

Well to be honest, when I had both of my children my aunts always made sure that I got something for me. Nice comfy pj's or a nice pair of sweats is good( you are not quite the same shape after birth). If she is nursing, nursing pads are the best!! you can never have enough. Every one always thinks of the baby, but it is so nice when some one remembers mom.

Answer 5

I reccommend a either a baby sling or a miracle blanket (swaddeling blanket you can order them online) I didn't get either until my little guy was almost too old to use them so I had to improvise but either would be a wonderful baby gift. Also a white noise machine might be nice for the babies nursury to help baby sleep. We use a hepa filter in our sons room as it has a loud windy sound that can be adjusted from high to low. Congratulations to the new mommy and the new aunty!

Answer 6

I'd go with a diaper cake! What new mother doesn't need diapers? You can also put in other little things, such as baby powder, clothes, etc. Pajamas or a comforting gift would be a good idea for the mother too. If you go to craftster.org and search diaper cake, you can see some wonderful examples.

Answer 7

Help is a biggie! Offer to bring meals and/or do some laundry.

Diapers are great, if she's using disposable.

Nursing bras are a matter of individual taste. She should probably pick her own out when she's ready to go out of the hosue, though a soft cup stretchy bra might do until then.

Boppy's are great. Some women don't like them, but many LOVE them.

Answer 8

diapers lol cant get enough of them!!.. ooh i would have loved a pint of ice cream when i was in hospital after having my son! juice and yummy fruit.. a nice body lotion.. something to make her feel 'pretty' etc flowers while nice tend to just get thrown away and also the pollen might not be too good for baby never know! practical items are always extremely appreciated and since its your sister if you called and asked i'm sure she'd be able to tell you! good luck and congrats on being an aunty for the first time or again :)

Answer 9

some help!! that would be the greatest gift ever with a new baby its exactly what she needs, you can help while mom is napping with the baby. is this her 1st? if not you can help with the other kids also. after about a month take her to a spa for a day it will Be great. but if you want to give a gift see what she really needs and get that for her, there is always something new moms needs. well have fun with the new niece or nephew and sis. tell her good luck from me also.

Answer 10

I had a baby 3 months ago and I would have loved to have someone cook and clean for me. I have my husband, but he has to work and when he did come home, I wanted him to spend time with me and his new baby. Offer to go to her house and be her personal whatever she needs person. Even just for a day. I'm sure she will love it. Also a little thing that surprised me, it seemed like I needed more help a week or two after coming home than I did a day or two after coming home.