Ideas for birthing gifts. Lots of friends and my wife are having babies. What are some gift ideas for soon to be mothers?

I had a baby a year ago. An inexpensive thing to give new parents is a free night of babysitting. Once the baby is a month or so old, I just wanted to get out of the house with my husband.

Having friends who were willing to take the baby for an evening helped us relax and enjoy each other. It's unique and something new parents don't always think of asking for.

I went to a Baby Shower a couple of months ago. The mother to be did not have a lot of money, so we all put in for a what we called, a Mother to Be Hamper. We got a basket and decorated it with lace and bows and things life that to make it look lovely and then we filled it with all the things that a new mother would need to care for a newborn baby.

Things like nappies, baby lotion, pins, baby wipes, even a few little singlets, socks, a couple of body suits, even a tub of cream for sore breasts for breast feeding, we wanted to cater for every little need. We even put in a voucher for 12 months for a nappy service for her. This is a service that picks up your dirty things, takes them away to wash and then returns them again nice and clean.

Oh I almost forgot, there were some toys, and teething rings, and a other bits and pieces. She was absolutely over the moon with this hamper, and we could tell that she really meant it, so this was all the thanks that we needed, just to see the smile on her face. She has since has a beautiful baby girl, she called her Madison Louise, Louise was her late mother's name.

I think that it was so nice to name her after her late mother. She is very much like Michelle. I wish you and you wife all the very best and hope that everything goes well and your new arrival has a safe delivery into the world.

Have a lovely Christmas and God Bless to all of you Paul. Love from Beautybabe. Xx.

I always offer to treat friends to vouchers for a local restaurant so mother and father can spend some time together when they choose as it seems as soon as kids come along romance goes out the window. The i'll offer to babysit too if required.

Here in Brazil, every expectant mother who likes to make many disposable diapers are! They are useful and end up weighing in his pocket after the birth of the child. In addition, gift cards and clothes for baby seats for cars.

Food. There's no question about this. Give them some gift certificates to local restaurants that deliver.

Nobody will be in the mood or have the energy to cook. I like the babysitting idea too.

Soon to be mothers need a manual for the next few hectic years. I joke as a single mom of three Divas that no one prepares you for the hardship and the glory of raising children. The best gift other than antidepressants (lol, that's sarcasm) is a treat to a massage or help with babysitting in the future.

She will thank you esp if you offer to take the baby away so she can sleep.

If you want to get something for the mom-to-be (not for the baby) then I can suggest pregnancy beauty kits, healthy food, pregnancy workout DVDs or pregnancy pillow. If the gift is for a baby shower – well, there are so many creative and useful things like layette bouquets, shoe-socks, diaper cakes…I have written a hub about gifts for moms-to-be and another one about creative baby shower gifts, so you can check them if you want. Sometimes seeing a picture can really help you come up with your own ideas.

For my baby shower my Aunt made something really creative and it was my favorite gift that I recieved. What she did was created a 3 tier cakes but instead of using cake she used much needed baby items. For the base she used a large package of diapers she then taped a fairly med size box to that and wrapped a sheet and blanket around it and secured it with diaper pins, for the second tier she used a yet smaller box taped to the larger box and wrapped it with a couple burp cloths, a towel and cloth diapers (which are great for burp clothes) and secured them with another diaper pin, for the third tier she had another box smaller and again taped it to the second box around that box she wrapped it with was clothes of different colors.

She then took 1" ribbon and wrapped each tier and slid various items on the side of the cake an out fit rolled up nice and neat, some bibs, and bottles. For the top of the cake she curled colored ribbon secured that with safety pins and tied a rattle and some pacifiers on a few uncurled strands of ribbon. It was very creative and attractive.

I hope this idea helps as it is pretty unusual so you won't have to worry about getting the young lady a duplicate gift and I'm pretty sure she would love it as much as I loved mine. One more thing when you use the diapers for the base don't get newborn size get one size up as some babies never ever wear a newborn size.

Ideas...hmm.. new slippers and robe that match, a "glamour photoshoot", favorite teas and juices basket, coupons to make breakfast for the day, new photo album for the new family, find a diaper bag that doesn't look like a diaper bag, dinner out, favorite music, clean the house real good for a surprise, new sun glasses (and a little pair for the baby to match), perfume, lip gloss, a manicure and pedicure gift certificate... hope that helps..

Most people get more then enough baby things...(Clothing, bottles, toys, ect. )So I would say get something for the mom! Get a beautiful charm bracelet with baby charms, Or if you know the name they have picked, a name bracelet with the child's birthstone is always a favorite by mothers.

:).

These little glass beads with footprints are adorable. There is also a little sterling silver toy blockrockyrocketshop.com/footprints_animals.

If you're close with the soon-to-be mother (e.g. Wife, sister, daughter) and if your budget permits, you can give her an SLR camera. With her new camera, she can capture lots of wonderful memories of her motherhood. She will love it for sure.

Otherwise, you can give her gift certificates to spa, a nice blouse that will flatter her postpartum figure, or things for her baby.

The best "baby" gift I got was a beautiful, expensive, cotton nightie to wear after the baby was born. It wasn't a nursing nightgown, but I could still nurse. That was 15 years ago.

I still have it. But, perhaps a nightie isn't the best gift for a guy to give. Diapers are always great.

And, I always buy baby clothes for the future. No "NB to 3 mo" clothes. All the baby clothes I buy are at least 12-18 mo.

I've always thought a US savings bond would be great, too.

You can check out my hubs on "What to buy for a baby" and "What are the best toys for babies" to see some options! There are a lot of options out there. I didn't post a link here, because I don't know whether we are allowed to post links in the answers?

But you can find it through my profile page.

My friend gave me a box that she had filled with little items like Lavender Oil ( soothing when you add a few drops to your bath after the birth), wet wipes, rattles, a little teddy, a pregnancy book, bag of cotton wool and other things that baby or myself could use. It was really thoughtful and sweet of her.

There are two "essentials" when it comes to new babies. Diapers and Onesies. Onesies are the one piece t-shirts that snap below the diaper and babies go through them like mad.

Diapers are also big -- new babies go through diapers very quickly. You can also give a gift card to a local Wal-Mart or Target so the new mommie can go get something she needs.

Boudreax's Butt Paste and a homemade coupon for a dinner casserole that you'll drop off a couple of weeks after the baby is born.

A mom to be can always use a massage...they have tables just for pregnant women. Get some friends together, pool resources and get her a spa day, some baby sitting time or a basket full of a variety of gift cards...coffee, restaurant, pedicure...etc.

I just started a series of hubs on this very question, without having seen your question! I've worked as a nanny for a lot of years, so I've tried out tons of different baby products and I'm very opinionated about them! Here are the links to the first 3 in the series, if you're interested - I hope to have the last 2 in the series up by the end of the week!

hubpages.com/hub/Baby-Gifts-for-Any-Budg... that's helpful!

After having two kids already and about to have a 3rd... MEALS. Give me food, so I don't have to think about grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, and cleaning up afterwards. Nicest thing a friend could do for me after having a baby for sure!

I just actually wrote a hub about this before I even saw your question... hubpages.com/hub/Top-Ten-Gifts-to-Give-a-Ne So that's my top ten list of ideas if you are still wondering.

Although it is fun to buy cute gifts for a baby, it's nice to give practical gifts, too, such as diapers, onesies and pajamas. Another thoughtful idea is to give gifts to pamper the new mother ... bath oil, or gift certificates for a massage or manicure.

Try a baby cake at the shower. I wrote a hub on it, it is a cake made by a cake artist it looks insanely accurate, looks like a real baby almost. Tis very disturbing!

There's a trendy gift that is made up of socks or other baby clothes, but they are rolled up to look like flowers. Then they are assembled in a vase or basket like a flower arrangement. Or can put this arrangement together or buy it already assembled.

Diaper cakes! It's a fun way and pretty way to give someone a cake. We have about three expectant mothers in our office and we had a joint baby shower for them.

We made diaper cakes for each of them, with the diaper cake consisting of rubber toys, cubes, teething rings, and of course diapers.

Gift certificates for massages or pedicures make great universal gifts for moms. These can be redeemed either before the baby comes or during post-baby when most moms would love a little pick-me-up!

What about bunch of Diaper ... they will keep giving you thanks whenever your diaper will save their clothes ... lollzzz.

BlanketsClothing (socks, shirts, bibs)Diapers (especially newborn ones)BooksStuffed animals/toysBath accessories (baby shampoo, baby towels, diaper rash cream, powder)StrollersCar seatsBottlesTeething RingsWhen all else fails, give a gift card to a baby stores(Babies-R-Us, Gymboree).

Having 5 children, I would say DIAPERS! Always a need with new parents. Gift cards for formula if mom is not breatfeeding is a good idea too.

My favorite gifts were personalized. I got embroidered pillow cases w/my babies names on it that I absolutely adored! Also engraved photo books were loved.

Babies outgrew all the clothes and cute towels and things like that but this stuff I still have and treasure.

I've heard that getting a maid service for about 6 weeks after the birth is great gift. I know several women at work loved that, but I know some people can be leery of strangers in their house. So I'd say get a recommendation of a tried and true company.

Give her and yourself a gift of childbirth education, find a HypnoBirthing instructor close to your location, buy her a class of how to stay calm in labor, and a HypnoBirthing book with birthing affirmations in the back so she can prepare for a calm and enjoyable labor. And of course free daily pregnancy affirmations moms love:newyorkawareness.com/21PregnancyAffirmation.

Congrats by the way on the baby! Edible arrangments are always an option, sweet treats are yummy for the growing tummy! Another option could be a charm bracelet, you could get a charm for every year of the birthday of your baby.

I think its great when new mothers are given a push present. A great gift idea for soon to be mothers would be a charm bracelet. Make sure the charm bracelet has a charm that represents the child the mom has just given birth to.

It depends on how close you are to the person you're buying for. If you're good acquaintances, I would suggest a gift card to a baby store. Otherwise, try not to pick something the mother would want to choose herself.

Stay away from giving diapers or formula, even if you know which formula the baby will be using because it can change quickly. If you're crafty (or know someone crafty) a quilt is a nice gift. If she is your friend, then maybe you can give her something not baby related because that's all she'll be getting.

Get her something for herself. If she isn't breast-feeding and is allowed to do so, perhaps a bottle of wine or champagne since she hasn't had alcohol for nine months. Then there are always safe gifts like bibs or soft rattles.

What better gift than one they can use! These include a mixture of hats, socks, onesies, washcloths, and burpcloths! Each one is different.

I have them in girl, boy, and neutral.

Make gift certificates redeemable for 1 week of lawn service, cooking, grocery shopping, chaining the oil in the car or even a car wash. Get creative, no one has to go out a buy something. Just offer a helping hand with a smile!

:).

Diapers, wipes and other consumables run out quickly and make great ideas for new mommy gifts. You can even spruce up the presentation of these gifts in a nice basket. It is also good to find out if the new mommy is into green living and is planning to use real diapers.

Information can come in handy. I agree with several of these other answers like the gift of a night of babysitting, gift certificates and special treatments for Mom and Dad.

You could make a diaper cake,you can find the instructions on the internet it's also a rather fun project to put together.

I have 2 kids and whilst everyone wants to buy clothes and toys for new borns parents often end up with a huge amount of 0-3 month clothes. I think that nappies as one person said or even some clothes for 3-6 months or even 6-12 months. Shellyakins hit the nail on the head with a nights baby sitting.

I would happily take that over clothes/food/nappies/toys.

Diapers would be a very practical gift. She'll probably get plenty of clothes!

My father in law gave me a mother/child cameo necklace as after the birth of our first daughter. I think that it was ideal and very precious. That very same child would grow up 2 years later and break the chain and so now the cameo is safe and sound in a jewelry box somewhere.It was a great gift though because now I can pass it down to her at the birth of her first child.

Something selfish... bath stuff, treatments, a good book and bottle of wine, so they can lock the door and have an hour to themselves. The best thing anyone gave me was lasagne's for the freezer for use at a later date. When you haven't slept in hours, are zombie-like and starving there's nothing better than knowing you just have to shove something in the oven.

Love the baby sitting answer tho! I'd second that.

Anything practical, especially if it is something she will need or will make her life easier. If you want to spend a lot of money, get them a nappy/diaper service. Life is so much easier for a new mum if she doesn't have to wash nappies for a few weeks.

Another thing to get is baby wipes - they are incredibly useful and you can never have enough of them.

How about a copy of there birth certificate in case they grow up and want to be President.

Give a gift hamper of baby bath soap, powder, oil, soft towels, etc.

For expectant moms, I always give them personalized items, which will be useful for their babies like a custom embroidered baby blanket, towel, infant clothes etc.

I think the neatest gift I've seen was the one my dad gave to my mom when I was born it was a necklace and on it was a tiny mustard seed.

The best anti colic syrup on market, some coffee and a book on "How to stay awake for more hours than you body was designed to.

I would say a gift certificate for a pedicure - or a massage. I was a new mother last year and my friend took me to get a pedicure/massage - best gift EVER!

Goldfishes without a bowl :DMight not be that funny for the baby dough.

I would suggest gift those things which are useful to them. Its obvious that after baby they need to buy baby accessories and all. Why don't you gift them those accessories, that will be quite useful to them and they will keep remember you till the thing last ... lolllzz.

The baby will need lots of care. First, you should consider getting lots of clothes and diapers. Then, the most important would be a little bed made for babies.

There are those with a fence that you can raise and prevent baby from falling off the bed.

Comfy slip on shoes and a shoulder wrap that's lightweight, warm, and easily accessible.

Best gift for mothers to be would be convertabile maternity clothing, something that won't go wasted.

Books on how to have a not so difficult book, baby names book, and parenting books can be a good gift for expectant parents. I have some friends who are also on the family way and these can be helpful to them.

There are always the standard gifts of clothes, blankets, baby essentials, diapers/wipes, etc. I'm part of a moms group here and had the same thing going on this year, lots of new babies! So I decided I really wanted to start doing things that were just more personal in nature.As a mom of 5, I LOVED all the standard gifts, but I also loved all the personal, hand-made ones. One of the things we got with our 4th daughter (5th child), was a bib and burp cloth with her name monogrammed on them.

She has a unique name so it was very special. The lady who gave it to us did it herself at her sewing machine. It was very simple, her name and a flower, but absolutely perfect gift!

Anything monogrammed is great, imo, because it becomes a keepsake. One shower I went to recently I made a basket gift - I bought a simple square basket, not too big, just big enough to hold a few diapers, wipes and a change of clothes, I hot glued ribbon (depending on the gender) around the top of the basket. Inside I put diapers, wipes and a new outfit.

Despite having a wonderfully beautiful changing table, I often ended up changing our children somewhere else, like on a towel in the TV room because I was too tired to go ALL the way upstairs to their room to the changing table lol so this is a great gift, they can keep it in the room they use the most. Perhaps one of those travel changing pads in it too would be great. Glass etching it really popular and super easy.

A glass jar with a lid and the the child's name and "1st hair cut" etched on it would be sweet (or "baby teeth") something like that, that parents like to keep. All of these are actually very easy and cheap, and can be done in bulk so you can have them in the closet, ready to stick in a gift bag and go! :).

For the mom:* Spa gift certificate* Referral to a local babysitter with one evening paid for* Bath salts/lotions* Necklace or bracelet with family member names on it (search "family layer necklace" on etsy.com)* Prepared food delivery for a week For the baby:* Outfit for 12 or 18 months (parents get a lot of newborn clothes and they have too many and then run out when the child is older)* citruslane.com has a unique gift - you can get 3 months of age-appropriate items delivered to the parents.

Depends on your budget. No money? Offer babysitting, messagener services- like going to the store, bring a meal, do a load of laundry at your house -- something you hear the couple say about a new baby overwhelming them.

Have a little money? How about diapers, pay for the groceries on your errand, pay for take out at their favorite restaurant, pay for their dry cleaning - when you pick it up. Baby gifts just don't have to be about the baby.

If you help the new Mom and Dad it releaves some of the daunting responsibility of two eyes that look to them for their life.

I have two little girls and something my husband gave me was a day to be a woman (free pass to have a shopping day, girls night or whatever I wanted) without having to be a mommy. Another great thing is a spa day for either before baby gets here or after. (She'll need it either way).

I think you could do a baby gift of the usual and maybe a bottle of mom's favorite wine or champagne...she may need it after 9 long months! (only if you know she may enjoy a drink once in a while and if not nursing) Also, a gift certificate for her salon. She may like to have a new do or fresh make up after not feeling very 'pretty' for a while.

Diapers, diapers and diapers..also if they are registered somewhere.. anything off their registry is GREAT. If they are not breastfeeding, FORMULA is a great gift because it is suuuppper expensive.

I just gifted my best friend who's due next month a Johnson's Gift Set which includes baby shampoo, baby lotion etc.

Gift certificates to places like Super Suppers, restaurant deliveries and even grocery stores with hot bars. People who make dinner usually make nasty fat filled casseroles or things that give the baby gas if the mother is nursing.

I attended a baby shower yrs ago. There were diaper bags & such. I recall a special Play pen by Graco.

I don't recall everything, but I recall games & healthy snacks.

A pedicure and manicure or a massage will be most welcome for those expectant moms. Having had three children myself, I know that for me I would rather have something different than the normal diapers and outfits.

Babies are loveable and cute but they always need diapers, bottles,diaper wipes. These are things that even if someone already gave it to a soon tobe mother she still will be able to use as much as she gets. Also bibsbaby shampoobath basketect.

Don't know about anyone else but I could have done with spending less on nappies and bottles. As for the mother herself, anything that she can use to pamper herself...Maybe a day at the spa?

There are already some great ideas posted but just to add my 2 cents worth *ha ha* ... One of the best things that someone gave my sister when she had her baby was a booklet they had made it had things like a "coupon" for a free night of sitting, or help with light housework and other things that while they seem really mundane and simple get really complicated with a newborn! They also gave her a small diaper bag that had enough room for 2 bottles a few diapers and a small wipes container that was already full of those things as well as a soft toy to entertain the baby while she was out on short errands like picking up a few things from the store or what not.

Gift cards are always a hit since they can pick out the items they want or need.

The book, "Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother's Soul," has many inspiring stories for this time.

To be a mother is really nice thing in this world, but I hope the mother's life is still magic and energy as before, husband need to do something interesting to make your life attractive. Ideal for birthday gifts I think you can choose a sexy lingerie or funny lingerie for you and your wife. globalintimatewear.com/news/2009-09/infh... can visit it and add your own romantic idea into this gifts, it will be perfect and bring your marriage life more charming.

A day of pampering would be a great gift. When you are ready to give birth, it is difficult to bend down and paint those toenails. Try a pedicure, manicure, hair stylist, or even a facial.

If this is after the birth it still gives mom a break and helps her to feel better before loosing all the weight. If these don't appeal to you then try movie gift certificates or the standard dinner gift cards.

Coupons, diapers, clothes, a crib, a carseat, a stroller...just about any baby stuff that they don't already have. Just make sure someone else hasn't bought it first.

This is a no brainer, though redundant: diapers. The amount you go through is unbelievable. I used every kind given to me.

The best I received where the ones part of the diaper cake, for sheer creativity. As pretty as it was, I stalled using them for as long as I could, but about two weeks in the cake was dismantled, put in a diaper caddy, and devoured by my babies bottom. Overall, I would recommend Pampers Swadddlers Sensative.

They have a little strip that changes color when the baby wets him- or herself. Pampers are also much softer than the other brands.

If you have any idea to get the baby gifts at a reasonable price in UK. Please visit us at mummysonlinebabyshop.com.

A book about taking care of her baby. Babies doesn't come with a manual and books should be very helpful. =D.

Get something nice for the mum, to remind her that she's a woman still, as well as a mother. Plenty of people will be getting baby grows, nappies and tiny, tiny shoes. The woman has just had the battle of a lifetime.

Squeezing something that big out of a gap that small is not easy. If you think a baby is small, try getting a good look at what it came out of. Not so small now!

And after that day and a bit long struggle to get the baby out of the womb and into the open, the new parents have months of sleepless nights to look forward to. Of course everyone's in love with the baby. Reproduction is such a natural, normal thing.It's been repeated so many times over the years (I'd say, at least a hundred times..), but it's still amazing every time.

It's still miraculous. It seems crazy that a passionate encounter can result in an entirely separate being being made from two partners.It doesn't seem possible, when you forget that it's something that happens all the time. Four babies born every second, apparently.

The infant will be the centre of attention. And rightly so. It's a recently appeared miracle.

An incredible gift. But getting mum something for her won't detract from baby's glory. Get her perfume or something pretty.

Not too pretty, mind.My boyfriend got his friend's wife a bloody expensive bottle of perfume after she had her gorgeous daughter and the first time I met the tiny thing, I was so busy making sure she was ginger, like her mother's husband that I nearly forgot to coo. Better yet, get her a nice bottle of wine. The woman has been sober for the best part of a year....

I think when people have baby showers they totally forget about the mom and buy all gifts for the baby. I suggest gifts for the mother, a nice gown for the hospital, fashionable slippers and robe.

You could give them gift certificates to toys and clothing or you could buy that stuff for them yourself. Another idea would be a diaper cake; that certainly would come in handy! Congratulations and Good Luck!

Take it from somebody who knows full well. No woman on earth should have to go through having a baby without the book "Baby Love" by Robin Barker. She covers every aspect of a baby's first stressful year.

Diseases, innoculations, diet, feeding table, eating and breastfeeding problems, sleeping patterns, sanity tips.... Without that book I would have spent tons more money and tears than needed be. Every woman you buy that for, will kiss you, twice!

You could get some bottles some sleeping gowm tell me if it is a boy or girl later.

Check out my online boutique for great gift ideas for babies and expecting moms! JennyBeasBoutique.com.

U should buy a teddy bear or a play park from playschool.

Some nice body lotion along with matching bath essence and shower gel ...gift wrapped in a basket...it looks nice and is always needed ...if of course mum gets time to pamper herself once baby is here!

Gift baskets with essentials are always welcome. There is no such thing as too many baby wipes, diapers, and other essentials. Don't forget to tuck in all the coupons for money off on those essentials that you can round up.

Most parents gets lots of cute little outfits that are too soon outgrown but the necessities are often forgotten. Also tuck in a cheap, small gift or two for older siblings. They appreciate knowing you are thinking of them too not just the new baby and it can cut down on the sibling jealousy that the parents have to deal with.

Maybe a ''Proud to be Mother'' T-Shirt. Or you could wear a My baby is having a baby t-shirt. Aight aight, I love T-Shirts..

The best gift will be CASH. That is what they need for their families with newborn. Cash will help them in terms of all necessities for the baby.

By Patty Inglish, MS published 4 years ago.

I guess diapers are useful..nice clothes for the baby will also do.

A great gift would be to give a massage certificate they're usually good for a whole year with a note promising that whenever the mom/mom-to-be will need that massage, you will arrange babysitting for her.

This is the most beautiful moment for a woman. After a baby, there is some in world who call her mother. At this time, when a woman going to be a mother, they like to see beautiful babies.So according to me, you have to give posters of cute babies and few books about babies.

By doing this they will be capable of seeing the time and date of the baby shower party so they are not going to forget about this. And then yet another point, a lot of people want to get or make invitation cards which have pictures of the mother-to-be on them. Baby shower celebration parties at the moment are often thematic.

babyshowerinvitationsblog.com.

A perfect gift to give as a group or on your own is a gift certificate for postpartum doula services. Many new parents are not surrounded by extended family and friends, and miss out on having a large support network available to them after the baby arrives, ring an experienced person to provide non-judgemental support, to come in and assist with all aspects of newborn care, feeding and breastfeeding, housework, who can provide information, resources and referrals to families is possible through the services of a doula.

A warm big hug, little understanding, and little more contribution through the following night that coming after babys born, these are some priceless gift a father could give a mother. Also there are some gift for all new mother- A gift card from Babys R US, Target gift card would work well. Becoz, they have the best price for baby food and diaper.

Also a gift card from a spa would be very soothing...Along with A orkid would fullfil your thought.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.