I've been scouring the net to try and find something for my dear friend who gave birth recently. All the hampers don't seem enough or just not right that i've looked at.
I've looked at Gap and other clothes items, again just don't seem right.

Any new mothers out there that can guide me as to what is a lovely gift to receive, what you'd like to get in the post? Do I send stuff for baby, mother or both?
I was looking at the hand print sets to go with something else?
It's their first child together and its a wee little boy.

Probable not a lot of use but I once collected together 14 smallish items that I knew the new Mother would like things like smellies, ear rings, magazines and sweets, wrapped all of them separately and put in one box with the instructions to take one a day, seemed to work well and I have done the same thing for those who have given birth or are poorly and it does seem to add some cheer. What surprises me is that the recipients seem to obey the one a day instruction.

Do not think that will help in your case but your post bought it to mind and it may help someone.

That sounds a really lovely idea Nova.
I'm not a recent mother (my son is almost 19 years old!), however, my Mum was the only person that bought some nice little bits for me as well as baby.  I really appreciated that at the time.

When I had my sons, I had a wonderful friend who put together a lovely present for us all each time.  She called it the new baby rescue kit.  She put in, muslin squares (mothercare) useful for everything including bibs, sick (my youngest now uses one as a cuddly lol).  Also a tube of Kamillosan, good for sore places if breastfeeding or nappy rash.  A couple of rattle type toys, a small photo album, a packet of paracetomol (lol), a half bottle of wine, some lovely lush shampoo and some moisturiser (you have to be careful with things like bubble bath after having given birth).  I also thing the hand print kit is lovely, that could even be made up yourself, a tiny tube of paint, a paint brush, some paper and a tiny frame.  Dont forget hubby too.

She also put in this poem:

Who cares about the washing and cooking,
Babies grow up whilst we're not looking,
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep,
I'm holding my baby and babies don't keep.

Nova that is an awesome idea, thank you.

I met this friend travelling years ago in OZ and we have remained firm friends ever since, though she is about 2-3hrs away from me. I'll put little things in that will remind her of our travels, something to help pamper herself and also a few little things for baby, including the print set :-)

>She also put in this poem:

That's lovely Alfieshmalfie - I'm rather hoping it applies to puppies too and means my occasional lapse in housecare is to be expected!!

Nova that is an awesome idea, thank you.


Happy to help, even did one for my Sister when her OH walked out and it seemed to help her as well, she said it was the only thing that got her up in the morning to see what my mind had dreamed up for that day, she got to the stage where she would miss a day so she could make it last longer.

If you do it I hope your friend enjoys.

Hi suejaw, IME babies get tons of stuff that they grow out of in 5 minutes flat, so a goodie bag for the mother is always a good bet. I put together some organic pamper stuff, scented candle, etc as a bathtime kit, because it's the only time you get away for me time...although when my first child was about 6 weeks old I remember leaving him in the middle of a kingsize mattress (on the floor I hasten to say) while I sneaked off to soak--I leapt out when I heard a bit of a thump from the bedroom and arrived dripping all over the carpet in time to see two tiny legs waving above the edge of the mattress--mortified wasn't the word for it.

I bought a recent family edition a sleep (sheep) pillow which are on sale everywhere at the mo. Apparently baby loves it. Babies seem to have so many clothes bought & given them and they grow out of them very quickly. I can never judge age/size and my friend's baby is already in the next size up than what she should be for her age.

I'm a new mum , my little girl is 10 weeks now, I really appreciated the clothing that was bought for my daughter.
To be honest I wouldn't use smelly pampering things for myself as I haven't had the time ( it's all spent with my baby ) even bathe her with me , so I can only have clear water.
The print sets are a good idea , I don't have one yet ( must buy one next time at the shops ) Also maybe a baby book would be a good idea to keep all the special events of baby growing up .

My daughter has a new baby boy, he is 6 weeks now and still in hospital as he was born with his bowels outside his tummy.She said the best gift she received was a bear that has pre recorded sounds of the  womb. She likes it so much she has one on order for a friend who is expecting in the new year.

So far I have got a lovely soft toy half price, some lovely baby powder Yankee candles and a card.

I have just ordered some GAP ugg type boots and a baby grow for 0-3 months(fingers crossed that will be fine). I'll add in a lovely blanket and hunt for some organic/baby bath stuff and some lovely choccy's.

I've had another look at the print kits, and they don't have very good reviews. So i'm reluctant to get one.
I was going to treat her to a spa session in a nearby spa hotel, but wasn't sure she'd actually make it there. Maybe when its her birthday I can treat her to that..:-)

Sue, is there anything she had to "give up" during pregnancy.  Without sounding incredibly pretentious, I craved champagne & Brie as soon as I'd given birth!  As you said, it might be a while before she gets the break for a Spa day!

I'm sure she'll appreciate the effort you have gone to, what a lovely friend you are.

> is there anything she had to "give up" during pregnancy.

Yeah the fags!!! :-D No I won't be buying her any tobacco.. I haven't actually spoken to her since her left the hospital.. I may send her mum a msg on fb to see if she has any ideas on current cravings..