It’s the age old question. What do you buy an expecting mum who has everything? You know the one, the mama that’s already got kids, the mama that’s super organized and has everything pre purchased and sorted from baby clothes and a playmat to the booking for her kids wedding reception (!) It’s hard isn’t it? When the baby shower comes around or when bubs is born you’ve got no idea what to buy her!
Over the past 7 years either when I was expecting or after I had a new bubs, I received some pretty amazing gifts for both myself and for my baby. As a mum to two already I really wasn’t expecting anyone to buy me anything (seeming I fall into the category of the mamas described above!) but again, this time round, I have been showered with thoughtful pressies leaving me feeling ever so grateful!
So here is a list, from experience, of some different gift ideas to buy/do for the expecting mum who already has all the essentials sorted;
Washable Breast Pads
Most mums plan to breastfeed for at least the very start of their motherhood journey which means they’ll soon enough feel like a bit of a milking cow! Milk will be the topic of their conversations and that liquid gold will be leaking all over the place (especially if they are like me in the beginning and start leaking freakishly as soon as the baby starts to stir even if you’re nowhere near them!). There are some beautifully designed washable breast pads on the market, which are not only pretty, but also a must!
My faves: hotmilk & Milkmaid Mumma
Essentials Hamper
Most new mums think they have a bit of an idea of what they might need product wise, but when you’re faced with thousands of options at Baby Bunting or even just the supermarket it can be hard to know just what you will actually need. So, how about putting together a little package of some of the things you found you couldn’t live without when you had a newborn. Nipple cream and Hydrogel Breast Discs were absolute musts for me!!!
Laundry Hamper
Yep, sounds tedious and boring, but we all know the laundry soon becomes a mums most frequented room. Putting on, hanging out, folding and sorting washing is done so often, it’s performed with our eyes closed. So why not a little laundry essentials gift pack of things she will use daily? Chuck in some Nappy San, some more pegs, a soaking bucket and cotton nappies (great for chuck rags!).
Sleep Hamper
I’m obsessed with making sure my kids get the right amount of sleep. Like honestly, it’s an addiction for me to make sure they sleep the 12 hours at night and the recommended sleep during the day (I have been called The Sleep Nazi by many of my friends!!). So, recently I put together a little sleep pack as a gift for a friend. Everything in it was related to sleep such a the Save Our Sleep Book by Tizzie Hall (my Bible), a comforter, a bedtime story and a bunny rug and blanket. You could also pop in that hilarious book Go The F*** to Sleep by Adam Mansbach for a bit of a laugh!!
Lactation Cookies
I’d heard about lactation cookies when I had my girls but never actually tried them, until after I had Jacob! A school mum bought them for me as a gift this time round and I was rapt! I love that you have the best excuse to scoff yourself with a choc chip cookie, guilt free, because, hey, they are helping to produce milk! And the best part is, you don’t have to share them with anyone, they are all YOURS!!
My faves: Milk and cookies by Jewels
Essental Oils
I’m a massive fan of oils, whether it’s dabbing some on my neck to help me relax or popping some francinscence on the kids feet to help with a cough, there’s just something about those beautiful smells that I just adore!! And what mum with a newborn doesn’t need an aroma to help her relax and be calm in the first few weeks (ok, so for the next 18 years!!). Such a gorgeous little gift just for her.
My Fave: Doterra
(Pic @lisamareewoods)
Pamper Voucher
What I love most about a pamper gift for a new mum, especially a massage voucher, is that it is something just for the mum. A chance for her to escape the madness at home for an hour or so and indulge, get some relaxation time and connect the mind with the body again. When the new mama is ready, she can leave bubs at home with dad or grandparents and look after herself, even if just for one special, luxurious, hour. Even before bubs is born a voucher for a pedicure, massage, myotherapy or Osteo session is great for a sore heavily pregnant mama to be.
My Fave: Endota Spa
Services Home Care Worker
This is actually a very special gift idea for the mama who may not have too much support. In my case, my mother and sister live 3.5 hours away and my mother in law doesn’t drive and can’t physically help either. So, when it comes to someone popping in and purely just helping out around the house for an hour or so (guilt free) it’s kind of a non-existent thing for me. Yes, I have so many friends offering to lend a hand, but let’s be honest, they have their own kids and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with them running around tidying my house and cleaning my toilet! A fantastic gift for a Mum like me, who may not have support nearby, is a cleaner, or someone who could help fold the washing. How ace!
My Fave: SAI Home & Community Care
Infant Massage Course
We are big believers that there are so many benefits to infant massage. It’s a wonderful chance for mum and bub to bond and connect through touch and it provides many health benefits for baby from helping with wind and tummy pains to opening up the nasal passages. An infant massage gift voucher is a perfect gift for a new mum.
My fave: Suzanne Kelly – Love to learn infant massage
Homecooked Meals
I have to say without a doubt this was my favourite gift from friends, especially this time round while I tried to get used to juggling three kids and cook dinner while Hubby was at work. When Jacob was born my mind was just on feeding him, so I kind of forgot about feeding everyone else. Including myself! Hubby was such an amazing help but once he went back to work it was hard for him to put dinner on the table. Luckily I had a few beautiful busy beavers who dropped off many delicious meals and snacks for us in the first few weeks. It was honestly a God send when my brain was mush and I couldn’t cook anything but mush!!
Magazine Subscription
Who doesn’t love a mag? Trashy or not there’s something so exciting about receiving a magazine in the mail. Then the excitement continues when bubs is napping and you can sit down with a cuppa and enjoy a flick through. Practical Parenting is such a great relevant read for first time mums considering poo, milk, regression, leaps and understanding baby languages are your life but for those mums who want to escape all that for 15 minutes. For second or third time mums who by now need an escape from the ‘poo talk” why not buy them a trashy mag subscription like NW or something a little more dreamy such as Home Beautiful?
My Fave: Better Homes and Gardens
“Welcome Back Foods” Platter
Perhaps your friend is a lover of soft cheeses and for nine months has been gagging for some Camembert? Why not buy her a cute little cheese board, a cheese knife set and some blue vein once bubs is born. A little selection of cheeses, some deli meats and maybe some sushi (all the things the docs recommend we shouldn’t eat while preggars) is a lovely gift for her. A friend of mine knows the way to my heart is through food so she brought all of these things into the hospital for me after Jacob was born! That piece (or five pieces rather) of salami was heaven in my mouth! Just be sure to warn the greedy mama like me, not to eat too much cheese before she’s done her first poo since the birth… ouch 😬
And if after all that you’re are still stuck for ideas, you really can’t beat the simplicity of a beautiful hand cream, a bunch of flowers and an ear for listening. Just being there for your friend at such a special time in their lives is plenty enough.
Lisa xo