25 people came to this baby shower for a young girl that was giving their well loved and appreciated co-worker her first grandchild.
They came for her more so than for me but everyone that came was more than generous with their gifts.
I did not register anywhere and we were not finding out the gender of the baby. I understand this can make it "difficult" for some people when it comes to buying a gift for the lucky couple but all we needed was diapers, wipes, baby blankets and a couple other things I hadn't thought of until I opened the gifts.
This post is in no way slandering or dissing all the women who were generous with their money and time and kindness towards a young soon-to-be mother who had no family or friends around to celebrate with.
This is simply an "instructional" guideline/ things to consider when shopping for that pregnant friend of yours. :)
The following is a list of good, safe things to get for the parents/baby:
The most helpful thing (in my opinion) was diapers. "You can never have too many diapers" could not be any more true of a statement. We had so many that we returned a lot and saved that money to buy bigger sizes later (due to lack of storage space at the house.)
But diapers are the BEST baby shower gift.
Baby wipes are the next best thing (for obvious reasons) In my opinion, the Walmart brand of wipes in bulk are not only the cheapest but thy work just as good as huggies and/or pampers or whatever other name brand. And the bulk pack lasts for months (and is under $20)
The next best thing that I received were gift cards. Also for obvious reasons such as being able to customize rather than get stuck with the wrong color or gender or whatever. You would also be surprised how great these are for mom-to-be's cravings and groceries or thank you cards or the little things for baby after his or her arrival.
The next best things are large items that mom and dad have been trying to think about how much they will have to go without in order to afford them. (Unless they already thought about it and have found these things in thrift stores... Which is an amazing idea if I do say so myself) but if someone wants to pay for brand new big items like the ones listed below then by all means... ;) just be sure to include a gift receipt or consult with the new parents as to whether they could use whatever you decide you want to get them.
Car seat
Stroller
Crib/basket/bassinet/pack n play (our baby slept in a basket because we didn't have room for a crib until later, now she sleeps in a pack n play)
Moby/sleepy wrap/ sling- for wearing baby. They are expensive but check to see if momma even wants to wear her baby or has a color preference etc.
Baby monitor-some parents done need one (believe it or not)
Baby thermometer- probably one of my better gifts but make sure they don't already have one. (If they don't but still don't sound like they want one... Get it for them, they will thank you later)
Bouncy seat/ swing- the controversy parents have about those things can be ridiculous but the bouncy seat was a life saver for me personally... Some parents may not have the room.
Breast pump- mom might want/need one. Find out what she is looking at. After all, she's the one using it.... Just gonna leave it at that.
Nursing pads- I didn't know I would need or even WANT these but they were MY best friend for the first 5-7 months.
Just be sure momma is planning to breast feed or simply include a gift receipt. Also keep in mind that this may be an awkward gift for a first time mom. :P (maybe give it to her later when there aren't a bunch of people around.)
The following is a list of things that if one MUST get these for new parents then they should include a gift receipt for exchanging or returning purposes.
Don't get offended if you come to find that your gift was the wrong color or pattern or not usable. Trust me, the money that a new parent can get from returning an unnecessary item is way more helpful than an unnecessary item they can't return:
Receiving blankets- some people think you CAN have too many of these but I liked mine. Unfortunately they are not all created equal and some of them were too small and some were wrong gender. :P
Swaddle wraps- receiving blankets worked just fine and I wasn't able to return $30 worth of these because I had no receipt and they were apparently out of season or something because NO ONE would take them back. :P
Bath items- i.e. baby tub, baby soap, baby powder, wash cloths, baby towels, baby lotion etc.
Mom and dad probably have a preference as to what they feel comfortable using on their baby. Some parents don't care if it's S.C. Johnson or Burt's Bees or "all organic, no human has touched it until you use it" stuff.
But there are the parents who may have a problem using non all natural bath products on their baby. This stuff is pretty inexpensive anyway but just the same if you feel compelled to provide the cleanliness for the parents to be's child, perhaps a gift card with a note as to what you are specifically giving it to them for. (Or a gift receipt with your gift.)
Clothes- *THIS IS IMPORTANT!*
Yes, it is true that baby clothes are a joy to look at and buy for any expecting mother no matter how well or little you know them BUT mom and dad to be don't need 31 newborn size onsies for their munchkin (gender specified or not) chances are they will not get to wear even half of them. Also babies vary in size when they are born and some babies never fit into newborn size clothes. 0-3 months is a safer size but still 31 is too many unless mommy isn't doing laundry for months at a time. (Which i suppose is possible.) 3-6 months; even that size, one can have too many. Besides, if everyone is buying clothes for baby, mom doesn't get to find the clothes SHE wants for her baby.
Just a courteous thing to do... Always include a gift receipt with clothes! And seriously, don't be offended if your item gets returned because baby had too many or because mommy needed the money for diapers or a bigger sized outfit or maybe even the outfit mommy wanted for her child.
Bottles and/or pacifiers- parents have opinions about these things. Some parents have a preference to a particular brand they would like too use. It may be a little thing but this would be a good place for a gift card insert. ;)
Burp rags- (cloth diapers worked best for us but some people may prefer something else)
The following is a list of "unnecessary" items that my husband and I preferred to get on our own because of parental preference.
Tummy time mat- my baby never even had a "tummy time" and I'm still not quite sure what the benefit is of a baby being cranky for an hour because he or she is uncomfortable but to each his own.
Toys- new parents have enough clutter to go through at the beginning of parenthood as it is. Baby isn't even ready for toys yet. And trust me when I say mom and dad would rather pick out the toys they will be annoyed with for the next 2-3 years. It's also more of a grandma and grandpa thing anyway.
Butt loads of diaper rash cream- (notice the pun) one tube will last forever...the end.
Baby medicines- I.e. fever reducer, vapor rub, teething jel, teething tablets etc.
Parents will want to pick this out themselves so they can read the labels and know what their options are.
The following is a list of My personal favorite things ever that helped ME after I had my baby:
A soft towel- after having sore cracked nipples, showering wasn't the bad part, it was trying to dry off with a regular bath towel. It was painful and made the shower pointless (almost) as far as feeling good afterwords.
Olive oil- this is perfect for using on baby's bottom when they are first born and have the tar poop that you literally have to scrub off their butt. It works as the non-stick agent that it is and also helped prevent diaper rash for my baby.
Not only that but olive oil works amazing for an all natural, safe nipple renewal salve. Simply amazing. I wish more nursing mothers knew.
A good chiropractor- for momma and baby. I had an amazing chiropractor throughout my pregnancy. She helped with morning sickness and an easy delivery and finally getting my body back into place after pushing a baby out of my body. Chiropractics is also great for baby to help with upset stomach, earaches, fevers, immune system etc. and baby just did a lot of work too.
Of course this compilement isn't complete by any means but the bottom line is this:
If you are getting a gift for a baby shower,
1. Consult with mamma about what she needs.
2. Take her word for it when she tells you "diapers and wipes."
3. If you are one of those people who MUST get something else suggest it to the new momma and then *include a gift receipt.*
4. Remember to include a gift receipt.
5. **see #4**
The End
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