When there is a new baby, everyone loves to buy adorable clothes. But what
often happens is that the mother ends up with 50 summer dresses in a 3-6 month
size for a baby born in January who will have outgrown them by the time summer
hits. After three girls, I still have presents I received for our oldest
daughter that were so beautiful, yet so impractical, they never made it out of
the closet! So, if you really want to be helpful and buy a gift that is useful
and will be used, here are some tips:
-
Buy a huge pack of size 1 diapers and jumbo
wipes. These will definitely get used, cost as much as an outfit, and are
needed! (Avoid newborn diapers as they are quickly outgrown and almost all
newborns can start in size 1 for 5-9 lbs. unless it is a preemie.)
-
In addition to diapers, mothers always need
burping cloths or onesies. One piece stretchies are also great, since this
is mainly what a baby wears for the first few months. Buy both thinner and
heavier ones so that the baby can be layered. And if you really want to be
practical, buy neutral colors such as yellow and green so they can be used
for a future baby as well.
-
If you can’t resist cute baby clothes, buy a
larger size so that the baby will have something to wear in 6 months or a
year. Always buy a size larger than the age of the baby, and think about the
seasons to make sure the clothing will be weather appropriate.
-
Gift certificates at a baby store are always a
great gift since then you know the mother will buy what she needs or wants.
-
Sometimes, better even than a gift for the baby
is a gift for the older brother or sister. The baby couldn’t care less about
a present, the older child or children are quite aware though, and often
jealous. A great game not only helps the child, but keeps him or her busy
which helps the mother.
-
And speaking of the mother, the best gifts are
the ones that really help her! Buy her some bath salts or a foot massage or
something for her to relax and enjoy!
-
Cook a meal for the family or order them a pizza
so that dinner doesn’t need to be a major worry. In many communities meals
are arranged for the family for a week after birth. If this is the case,
wait until the second or third week. By then she won’t have as much help and
will definitely appreciate it!
-
Hire a babysitter for the older kids or even
someone to help a few hours with the newborn so that mommy can sleep. Make
sure the sitter is infant qualified if helping with the baby and someone
reliable that the kids feel comfortable with.
-
Or if you are crafty, ask her husband for some
copies of pictures of the baby or take some yourself if you will be there.
Then create an album or frame the pictures so that they are ready to be
hung. Something like this is invaluable for a busy mom, who may never get
around to doing it herself (especially if it is not her first!)
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