I try my best to buy what is on the registry to see what the mama-to-be needs and/or wants. She will get a ton of presents but the last thing she'll want are a bunch of things she'll never use, like 5 pink blankets when she doesn't even like pink. If you want to buy her something that's not on her registry, it's best to give a gift receipt. Here are a few gift ideas that will be useful and last longer than 2 months (hopefully)...
1. Honest wipes & Pampers Swaddlers | 2. Olivia and the Fairy Princess, I Love You Through and Through, On The Night You Were Born, Olivia's ABC | 3. Innovo Thermometer | 4. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets | 5. OXO Wipes Dispenser | 6. Lucy Darling closet divider set | 7. Sophie | 8. myBaby Soundspa | 9. Crane Ultrasonic humidifier | 10. Aden + Anais burpy bibs
1. Diapers and wipes - Whether the mama-to-be will be using disposable or cloth diapers and wipes, she will need these the most. Now that I'm experiencing the newborn phase again, we're going through diapers pretty fast. Giving the mama-to-be a collection of diapers in different sizes will help her wallet for hopefully more than 3 months. Wipes are always a necessity and are lifesavers when the little one starts eating solids.... it's constantly a messy situation. Honest and Babyganics wipes are my 2 favorites and less toxic than other brands.
2. Books - I love giving books as a gift, reading is one of the best activities parents can do with their baby. It helps with their development and I truly believe that it has helped our 2-year-old with her verbal skills. *If there's a board book version, get the board book! Babies can be destructive creatures and will have a phase in their life of wanting to tear everything, especially pages in a book.
3. Innovo forehead and ear thermometer - If the mama-to-be doesn't have a thermometer, she'll need definitely one.
4. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets - Wrap those babies like cute little burritos! I believe in emulating the womb as much as possible when babies are first born to help them transition into the "tough" life of being a baby. The 4 S's are key in calming a baby - swinging (movement), swaddling, shhhh-ing (white noise) and sucking. For more on the 4 S's, you can read the Happiest Baby on the Block book or Google it. Once their done with the swaddling phase or get strong enough to maneuver out of it, these blankets are so soft and durable, mamas can use them as light summer blankets or save it for the next baby.
5. Oxo wipes dispenser - Seriously, those flimsy Huggies containers are useless!
6. Lucy Darling closet hangers - It helps keep the closet organized and Lucy Darling designs are too cute! I love their new board books too.
7. Sophie the Giraffe - Everyone loves Sophie! no need to explain this one.
8. Sound machine (white noise) - I received one as a gift and didn't realize how much I needed it until I got it. With baby #2, our sound machine is currently on non-stop. It helps emulate the noise the baby heard while in the womb. It also helps during nap time when the neighbor's dog decides to bark for no apparent reason or the gardeners outside are mowing the lawn. Combine a swaddled baby, some white noise plus a little swaying action and you've got a peaceful baby sleeping. For how long? Ummm not sure, but it might be the mama's most relaxing 20 minutes ever!
9. Humidifier - Babies and toddlers will have their sick days and when he/she is congested or coughing, the humidifier will help keep the air moist.
10. Aden + Anais burpy bibs - The first few months, newborns are constantly spitting up and when they starting eating solids, food is everywhere! These burpy bibs are the best of both worlds, which means more bang for your buck!
Now for the BIG gift ideas!
These are the items that most people don't give, unless they can afford it, but are really what the mama-to-be needs. I suggest organizing a group of friends together and pitching in to buy a big gift item. It is much better than individually giving her 10 newborn outfits that might not even get worn. If you're hosting the baby shower, you can also put in the invitation that you're collecting money to buy the mama-to-be a big gift (i.e. crib, stroller, car seat, etc.). You can have everyone who pitched in sign a big card so the mama knows who contributed towards the gift. These are my current favorites, but make sure you check to see what the mama-to-be registered for.
1. Ergobaby | 2. Medela pump | 3. Graco Pack 'n Play | 4. Fisher-Price Kick 'n Play Piano Gym | 5. 2015 Upperbaby Vista or Cruz stroller | 6. Inglesina Fast Table Chair | 7. Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper | 8. Maxi Cosi Pria 70 | 9. Pacapod Madison diaper bag
1. Ergobaby four position 360 baby carrier - There's a reason you see a lot of mamas with this carrier. I currently have 3 baby carriers and this is the most comfortable to wear. I think the ring sling and wraps are great for newborns.
2. Medela pump in style advanced breast pump - I believe most mamas intend on breastfeeding their babies, but I would ask her first what she plans on doing. If she does plan on breastfeeding, then this is a necessity.
3. Graco Pack 'n Play Yard Snuggle Suite LX - This is great to have for the 1st year. During the newborn phase, they have a place to sleep/nap and change diapers. Their poops tend to be a lot more watery, which means more accidents so the changing area is great because you can just wipe it clean. No need to throw the changing cover in the wash. The napper also detaches and becomes a bouncer. As they get older, you can throw in a bunch of toys and let them have some quiet fun.
4. Fisher-Price Kick n' Play Piano Gym - My 1st child loved this play mat and my 2nd baby currently enjoys kicking the piano keys for a nice minute or two.
5. 2015 Uppababy Vista - I recommend the 2015 Uppababy Vista stroller and not the earlier models because they updated the rumble seats for the 2015 stroller. My other recommendation is the City Select by Baby Jogger. They're actually tied as my current favorites. The Uppababy looks a little prettier but the price tag is not so pretty compared to the City Select. These 2 brands and the Britax are the most popular among mamas. Now if the mama-to-be doesn't plan on having a baby #2 then there are other strollers on the market.
6. Inglesina Fast Table High Chair - This is better than the Phil & Teds version because of the way it clamps. It can be used at home to save space or at a restaurant.
7. Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play sleeper - This one has raving reviews but any sleeper is good to give as a gift.
8. Maxi Cosi Pria 70 with tiny fit- Babies grow up pretty fast and before you know it, they're in convertible car seats. I love that this car seat can be used when you take your baby home from the hospital. I also love that the material is soft and breathable! I hate the Britax car seats because the material makes both of my kids sweat. Their backs are soaking wet on hot days. Make sure to give the one that the mama-to-be registered for.
9. Pacapod diaper bags - I wish I had known about these bags when I was 1st pregnant because i hate digging through a big bag to find things. These stylish bags are the answer for mamas who like things to have its own storage compartment. I love the organized "pods" that hold your diapers and snacks/milk.
*Last but not least, the best gift are gift cards because who doesn't love gift cards!
Hello Kitty baby shower invites
There was a miscommunication between my mom, the papa-to-be's mom, and the parents-to-be. Originally my mom asked me to create Hello Kitty themed baby shower invites but later learned, after I had created the invitations, that I didn't need to. So.... I have Hello Kitty baby shower invites if you know anyone who wants to use them for their baby shower. You can email me the info and I can send you a file of the design you like.
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