NWR* best gift for new mom

Lowell14

HI ladies

I was wondering if I could get some feedback. I made a list of what I would like to get my friend who's a new mom. I wanted to get things for her specifically. The baby has received many wonderful gifts so I'm only getting a few items for baby. These are what I was thinking for mom:

Comfy socks
Cucumber eye refresher
Lip balm
Face towelettes
Mascara
Evian face spray
Hair ties
Magazines
Chocolate

Anything else to consider adding to take away?thanks in advance

JoanE2012

Home cooked meal she could freeze and reheat or gift cert to her favorite delivery place.  The new moms (and dads) I've known seem to appreciate that as they try and get settled into a routine.

Lowell14

It will have to be takeaway - I'm a terrible cook

mysticl

Gift certificate to someplace that does take out 

Her favorite snacks (chocolate is awesome but sometimes you want something more substantial)

Her favorite body wash.  

Personally I'd leave the mascara off, there's nothing wrong with it but if it's something she wears she already has it.

Do you live in the same area?  If so offering to do a load of laundry or dishes would be awesome or just sitting with the baby while she showers.  I cannot tell you how much showering in peace meant to me in the early days.  

doeydo

Bubble bath

Nail Polish

Candles

Loofah and/or Body brush

Body lotions

Bath pillow

Bathtub tray/caddy (it's like a little shelf that you can set a book or something on while you are having a bath)

Lowell14

Oh! Loving these suggestions! Mascara removal dually noted

Had thought of nail polish but had second thoughts...but, it's back in the list!

What would be a better alternative for the chocolate?

theartistformerlyknownas

doeydo said:

Bubble bath

Nail Polish

Candles

Loofah and/or Body brush

Body lotions

Bath pillow

Bathtub tray/caddy (it's like a little shelf that you can set a book or something on while you are having a bath)

Honestly, no new mom I know has the time or desire to take a bubble bath. A shower by yourself is a luxury with a little one.

I ditto the food/gc for food suggestion, and the help with laundry. Substantial snack she can eat when baby won't leave both hands free to eat much else.

misshart00

I would keep the chocolate but add something salty like chex mix.

Also maybe a cute water bottle with a straw (especially if she's breast feeding).

And yes, yes, yes on a certificate for a load of laundry or dishes or just snuggling the baby while she showers and naps.

doeydo

Well, I was just thinking that I would sure appreciate some "time off" to myself.  So, if she got any, she could relax and unwind.  But, whatever.  

Senecaf

I don't think bath stuff is a bad idea. Maybe stay away from perfumey stuff though.

Carry out food gift cards would be awesome.

Nerflix subscription. Or If she has a Kindle or iPad gift cards for that. With a newborn you kind of get stuck on the couch with a boob out a lot and having a good book to read or movie to watch is a good way to pass time.

Wine

If you are close and comfortable babysitting an offer to give her a n evening out would be nice.

I think anything that let's her be an individual for a little while is always appreciated.

debbeau

I agree with the meals or take out gift card. My DH and I thought we would never eat a real meal again after DD was born.

mysticl

doeydo said:

Well, I was just thinking that I would sure appreciate some "time off" to myself.  So, if she got any, she could relax and unwind.  But, whatever.  

It is appreciated.  It just doesn't happen.  Also, if mom had a c-section she can't get the tub for a while and if she's breast feeding she's not supposed to use any soaps or lotions on her breasts.  Plus you bleed for like 6 weeks and I personally wouldn't want to bathe in that.  

mysticl

Senecaf said:

I don't think bath stuff is a bad idea. Maybe stay away from perfumey stuff though. Carry out food gift cards would be awesome. Nerflix subscription. Or If she has a Kindle or iPad gift cards for that. With a newborn you kind of get stuck on the couch with a boob out a lot and having a good book to read or movie to watch is a good way to pass time. Wine If you are close and comfortable babysitting an offer to give her a n evening out would be nice. I think anything that let's her be an individual for a little while is always appreciated.

I credit Netflix on the Nook and a comfy glider with keeping us breastfeeding for 21 months.  

wandajune6

My sister cried with happiness when she sent an Edible Arrangement after her daughter was born. She was given a bunch of freezer meals, etc. but between that and the takeout, she missed fruit.

I love all of the other ideas!

mysticl

wandajune6 said:

My sister cried with happiness when she sent an Edible Arrangement after her daughter was born. She was given a bunch of freezer meals, etc. but between that and the takeout, she missed fruit.

I love all of the other ideas!

That is an awesome one.

PrincessOfHavoc

SIL worshipped me because I came over every Tuesday and took care of Minion while she took a decent shower, then she'd make sure Minion was ok to go out while I tossed laundry in the washer, Minion and I hung out for laundry at first, then ran quick errands while SIL napped. Then finish laundry and hung out with them. She was thrilled with the chance for a nice shower alone. I just liked claiming dibs on the baby

Lowell14

mysticl said:

doeydo said:

Well, I was just thinking that I would sure appreciate some "time off" to myself.  So, if she got any, she could relax and unwind.  But, whatever.  

It is appreciated.  It just doesn't happen.  Also, if mom had a c-section she can't get the tub for a while and if she's breast feeding she's not supposed to use any soaps or lotions on her breasts.  Plus you bleed for like 6 weeks and I personally wouldn't want to bathe in that.  




She did have w c-section so good to know about what she can and cant do for a while. I did find a new mom relaxation kit which contains -
Bath soak
Body butter
Stretch Mark oil
Leg and foot cooling oil
Eye mask

I figure the bath soak can be used later on but the other items may be useful...

sarahufl

mysticl said:

wandajune6 said:

My sister cried with happiness when she sent an Edible Arrangement after her daughter was born. She was given a bunch of freezer meals, etc. but between that and the takeout, she missed fruit.

I love all of the other ideas!

That is an awesome one.

FWIW- wait till they get home for this one. My sister got one in the hospital and couldn't eat it and it ended up going bad from sitting out for too long. If you send it to their house once they are home, it is easier to take apart and save if they can't eat it all right away. Great idea, though.

Also from my sister (I am not a mom, so I am going off her stories!!) She said she loved having visitors, but all they wanted to do was sit and hold her daughter. She said her favorite friends were the ones who came not only to snuggle, but also offered to do chores or pick up groceries- basically something helpful!

theartistformerlyknownas

sarahufl said:

mysticl said:

wandajune6 said:

My sister cried with happiness when she sent an Edible Arrangement after her daughter was born. She was given a bunch of freezer meals, etc. but between that and the takeout, she missed fruit.

I love all of the other ideas!

That is an awesome one.

FWIW- wait till they get home for this one. My sister got one in the hospital and couldn't eat it and it ended up going bad from sitting out for too long. If you send it to their house once they are home, it is easier to take apart and save if they can't eat it all right away. Great idea, though.

Also from my sister (I am not a mom, so I am going off her stories!!) She said she loved having visitors, but all they wanted to do was sit and hold her daughter. She said her favorite friends were the ones who came not only to snuggle, but also offered to do chores or pick up groceries- basically something helpful!

My BFF has said the same thing. Her MIL stayed with her for several weeks, but wasn't helpful at all. The only thing she offered to do was hold the baby (even worded as "let me take him so you can go do some laundry")... friend felt like "I want to hold my own baby and bond with him; if you want to help, I need YOU to go throw the laundry in and make me a sandwich." She didn't need "away time" from the baby, just needed help with everything else so she could concentrate on tending to him.

If your friend had a C-section, she shouldn't be lifting anything heavier than the baby or going up and down stairs. So keep that in mind with what you offer to help with!

monkeysip

lolo883 said:

sarahufl said:

mysticl said:

wandajune6 said:

My sister cried with happiness when she sent an Edible Arrangement after her daughter was born. She was given a bunch of freezer meals, etc. but between that and the takeout, she missed fruit.

I love all of the other ideas!

That is an awesome one.

FWIW- wait till they get home for this one. My sister got one in the hospital and couldn't eat it and it ended up going bad from sitting out for too long. If you send it to their house once they are home, it is easier to take apart and save if they can't eat it all right away. Great idea, though.

Also from my sister (I am not a mom, so I am going off her stories!!) She said she loved having visitors, but all they wanted to do was sit and hold her daughter. She said her favorite friends were the ones who came not only to snuggle, but also offered to do chores or pick up groceries- basically something helpful!

My BFF has said the same thing. Her MIL stayed with her for several weeks, but wasn't helpful at all. The only thing she offered to do was hold the baby (even worded as "let me take him so you can go do some laundry")... friend felt like "I want to hold my own baby and bond with him; if you want to help, I need YOU to go throw the laundry in and make me a sandwich." She didn't need "away time" from the baby, just needed help with everything else so she could concentrate on tending to him.

If your friend had a C-section, she shouldn't be lifting anything heavier than the baby or going up and down stairs. So keep that in mind with what you offer to help with!

I'm due in 6 days and this is exactly what I'm afraid of from my family members.  

These all sound like great ideas to me although I'm not *quite* a new mom yet

Food, help, and maybe a few pampering items.  

Simply Fated

When my friends had their kids, they mostly appreciated clean socks, food, help applying nail polish... and help holding the baby while the polish dried lol.

hanckypanky

I have 2 kids. Trust me, all a new mom wants is time and sleep. Give her food she doesn't have to prepare and is easy cleanup (throw away containers), or go over and help clean so she feels less guilty napping with the baby.

kimberly0315

Is she breastfeeding?  If so, lansinoh lanolin for her nipples and some cooling gel pads for her nips. They were a life saver.  

I also really appreciated food.  Whether it be take aways or home cooked.  And it's great if you help with the house.  Don't ask what she needs done because she probably won't want to say.  Just do some laundry, dishes and tidy up.  I felt very guilty asking for help.  But loved when someone just did it!

If her partner is back at work, tell her you'll watch little one while she has a long shower.  If she likes to dry her hair make sure she does this too.  If she's comfortable, tell her to go nap while you're there and you will wake her if baby needs her.

This might sound silly, but those were the best "gifts" people brought me.

If you want to get her a gift, give her a few starbucks vouchers or to some resturant close by.