Baby Shower Gifts for New Moms
Lots of baby showers include a registry or two these days, just like weddings. If you weren’t invited or no shower is thrown for a new mom (and what a shame!), ask the new dad, partner, or close friend if there’s a registry set up for the baby and mom.
A few things nobody wanted much of: Baby clothes. It’s hard to resist Dad’s favorite baseball team or that cute little rock-and-roll baby shirt at Hot Topic. All babies wear clothes, right? But they go through clothes quickly. The average newborn will outgrow those newborn-size clothes within 3 months or less – one particularly big baby did it in 1 month, to his mom’s chagrin. But most moms reported having plenty of newborn clothes, particularly if it wasn’t their first baby. So don’t overdo it on baby clothes, or consider buying items a size or two larger so baby has something to grow into. Consider items like bibs and crib sheets, which won’t be outgrown for much longer. Pick neutrals which will go with anything, if you don’t know what color Dad painted the nursery.
Most parents also said they got plenty of commemorative items (“too many”, one dad sighed; “we didn’t need more things to dust”) and toys. If you really want to buy a toy, make sure it’s baby-safe; it’s a shame to see Teddy sit on a shelf because his button eyes are a choking hazard. Also, beware of large play items and things that may need to be assembled; assembly takes time, which new parents never have enough of – and large items may take up space they don’t have to spare, or which was intended for Mom’s new craft table rather than more baby stuff.
Most of the moms and dads I spoke to preferred to pick out their own stroller, crib, car seat, and similar items. As one lady said: “The stroller Mom got me was so big and heavy I could barely lift it, or fold it – next time, I took them all on test drives first.” If you want to get that item for them, and they don’t have a gift registry, make a fancy gift certificate saying you’d like to take them shopping at a store of their choice. Since these items can be expensive, they’re often very appreciated gifts. If the new baby is a second or third child, ask whether a larger stroller is needed for the older sibling, or for both together.
On to the presents moms and dads liked best:
Buy them dinner – at home. New moms and families don’t have time to cook, and keeping a baby fed is almost a full time job in itself. Go fancy and hire a personal chef to make heat-and-eat meals for the family for a week, or meals from FamilyChef or PlanetOrganics. Or send gift certificates to local delivery places – someplace like Waiters On Wheels or TakeOutTaxi offers a lot of variety.
Housework help. Hire a professional leaning service, or a housekeeper, for the first few weeks – or just go over and do their dishes yourself. Housework tends to slide when there’s a new baby, and babies make messes – and their older siblings may make even more.
Babysitting for siblings. Older brothers and sisters may be missing the spotlight as a new baby gets all the attention. Offer to take the toddler to the park or Gymboree – or watch the baby so Mom can spend some time with the older ones. If you can’t be there yourself, send a toy or book to the brother or sister, letting them know they’re still special. If it’s a gift that the baby isn’t old enough to play with, then they don’t have to share – some “big-kid” privileges go a long way.
Dinner was nice – how about dessert? A new mom has been watching her nutrition and intake for almost a year. Celebrate an end to her abstinence with a little splurge. Nursing moms may not want to hit the champagne too hard, but chocolate truffles, fancy imported cheese, fresh fruits, and coffees may help her celebrate. (Coffee and tea may help her keep up with the little one, as well.) New dads weren’t necessarily dieting, but they’ll be just as grateful for caffeinated treats during the interrupted sleep phase. One new dad was given a coffee subscription by his co-workers “to help you stay awake at work”.
Gift certificates to on-line food emporiums may help a busy mom keep up with her family’s needs. Many grocery stores, like Safeway and Vons, now deliver; Drugstore.com and Walgreens deliver drugstore necessities nationwide. Amazon, of course, has just about anything a new mom could want. Deliveries of organic fruits and veggies will help Mom and baby both get proper nutrition.
How about a massage? An in-home visit by a masseuse for Mom’s aching back, before or after the birth, will be well received. Massage oil or tools make a great way for Mom and Dad to re-connect during naptimes, and baby massage is a growing field.
And now for more solid presents:
A baby sling or front carrier. This lets Dad and friends help carry the little one, and takes a load off Mom’s back and frees up her hands to do other things, while still keeping baby close. They’re also a great sleep aid for fussy babies.
Nursing pillows. One new dad swore by his Boppy Pillow as the best baby gift they’d gotten. Breastfeeding or not, a nursing pillow is a great comfy way to prop baby up on a lap and feed from breast or bottle. Many nursing pillows also double as back rests for tired moms, or playtime supports for babies learning to sit up on their own.
Nursing shirts for nursing moms – they can be hard to find in the right sizes, let alone in a flattering color or cut. And any mom is likely to want a wardrobe update after a few months of maternity clothes!
Diaper bags aren’t just in pink gingham any more, and Dad may want one of his own. Check out the selection of hip diaper and changing bags at ebags.com or babycatalog.com and pick one for his and her personalities – back-friendly backpacks, hip messenger styles (with cell phone pockets), even designer label diaper bags.
A camera, if Mom or Dad doesn’t have a preferred model already. Preferably an easy point-and-shoot that can survive being dropped – kids and sensitive electronics don’t mix! A digital camera also eliminates the hassle of getting film developed, which means the baby pictures may make it to Grandma before Junior outgrows the shirt she sent. Disposable cameras are safe for older siblings; give them the task of taking pictures of the new baby. Photo editing software, gift certificates for film developing, or a photo scanner will also help manage all the pictures of the new addition to the family – you know all the relatives want copies. Alternatively, buy the family a portrait session with a local photographer – that way everybody’s in the picture.
Labor-saving kitchen devices, if there’s a cook in the family. If Mom doesn’t already have a food processor (make sure she has room for one on her counters), it’s a great way to make her own baby food. There are special baby food processors available, but many “adult” processors come with special attachments. A food mill, strainer, or ‘wand’ mixer may also come in handy. Remember that most babies won’t start eating “solid” foods until they’re several months old – but smoothies are healthy for a mom-on-the-go, too.
It may take a village to raise a child, but most of us are lucky if Grandma can visit for a few days. The best gift for any new mom, dad, or baby is your love and support.
