What's been the best baby related present you've received?

[klove]

Help! One of my best friends has just given birth after a pretty traumatic labour, she's okay now but I need some advice on what to get her and her little boy. What's been the best present you've received after giving birth? Or do I just buy her something lovely? Any advice gratefully received.

[Browncoffee]

The Beverly Hills Bakery new baby baskets make fab presents, especially for a new mother who is likely to have people dropping in and out ....and would clearly not be in the mood to think about what to offer them for tea.

http://www.beverlyhillsbakery.com/london-basket_2

[Strawbs]

Food is always good, make up containers of say spaghetti Bol or chilli etc so she can heat them up in the microwave, we had friends do this fornthe firstnfew weeks and it was invaluable, Best presents we received were a nappy bin, play mat, nappies are always handy depending on what brand she prefers, mothercare vouchers (there is always something else to buy), clothes in 0-3, a really lovely warm pram blanket, a miracle blanket (swaddle).. Babygrows and vests never go astray as you go through loads.. Hope that helps.. X

[Fuschia]

A lovely cheese box with crackers

[sarvester]

Can I just second the beverley hills bakery new baby basket of muffins and cakes, that was by far my best present and I have bought it for others since.

[tomo]

Best gift I've had so far (baby arrived on Monday) is an Aden & Anais swaddle - basically an organic

muslin swaddle. Have used it lots so far. It's lovely and soft and could be used as breast feeding drape, impromptu blanket etc if she didn't want to use it as a swaddle. It's not necessarily something you'd buy yourself, so makes a good gift.

Homemade cake or biscuits is a good idea for visitors. Don't forget something lovely for mummy- neals yard mother's stuff is v nice and makes you feel a bit more human.

[Lakey]

Third for BH bakery - I got a tin and was yummy! My friend bought me one and I remember it was so well received - I still use the great tin.

[littlemoo]

I was going to write , bh bakery basket for mum, Aden and Anais muslin swaddle for baby so no new ideas here!

[Indiana]

I got a BH bakery basket too - by far the best present!

[The Nappy Lady]

I got a sheepskin park liner from my sister & loved it.

[BellendenBear]

The best present I got was a Flatout Bear. They're Australian and not cheap but so so lovely. Basically a flat sheepskin bear / pillow, really snuggly and soft to put next to baby's face. Baby 2 has loved snuggling into hers from being just a few weeks old and as long as she has it will sleep anywhere. Wish I'd had one for number 1!

[BellendenBear]

The best present I got was a Flatout Bear. They're Australian and not cheap but so so lovely. Basically a flat sheepskin bear / pillow, really snuggly and soft to put next to baby's face. Baby 2 has loved snuggling into hers from being just a few weeks old and as long as she has it will sleep anywhere. Wish I'd had one for number 1!

[Belle]

ooh flatout bear sounds amazing!

i always buy those bhb baskets for friends as we were sent two and they were the best present. For baby number 2 i bought myself 4 of the A&A swaddling cloths mentioned above (just regular ones though) and recently sent some to a friend and she raved about them, so think they make a good gift. Even if you don't end up swaddling they're great as light blankets/extra sheets/sheet protectors/pram shades when baby is sleeping...when browswing their website i notice they do a comforter which is basically a muslin with ribbon edge, which wd make a nice present too i think...

[Mrs Bigsy]

http://www.megrivers.co.uk/

a baby box from meg rivers cakes. and all our dinners cooked and delievered by a group of friends for two weeks after we came home - priceless.

[klove]

Thanks for everyone's advice... it sounds like the BH bakery basket is the way forward.

[Ellie78]

on the same track...

what's a good baby shower present?

Or does this warrant a separate discussion?

I don't want to spend loads of money (I don't have it) and she doesn't know the sex.....(though I prefer unisex baby clothes for the most part in any case)...

[little h]

oops I think we might have received an australian flat bear for our first son... I had no idea what it was, it was black and you couldn't see the eyes properly.... it looked really creepy and a bit like a teddy bear that had been run over. We always thought it was a bit of a weird present. Sorry.

Best presents for baby were a lovely personalised blanket from mr mole (I've since ordered for friends online). for mummy and daddy home made meals were very welcome... I also later was given a day at the sanctuary, which possibly was the best present I've ever had!

[Bellenden Belle]

I received a gorgeous gifts of customised cupcakes for my baby shower at work - they looked wonderful and tasted absolutely divine. The company's not based in East Dulwich but I've checked and they are happy to deliver this far:

http://www.cupcakeangelslondon.co.uk

[Strawbs]

A nappy bin - bloody brilliant and not expensive.. Order online from mothercare..

[Saffron]

Ellie78 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> on the same track...

>

> what's a good baby shower present?

>

> Or does this warrant a separate discussion?

>

> I don't want to spend loads of money (I don't have

> it) and she doesn't know the sex.....(though I

> prefer unisex baby clothes for the most part in

> any case)...

Although it's called a 'baby' shower, it's also about celebrating the mother-to-be. Consider giving a present for the mother herself at the baby shower. This could be something pregnancy/birth related, or just something nice for the lady herself... a pretty robe for the birth, nice organic skin cream, manicure voucher, etc. Then when the baby arrives, you can give a separate present to the baby.

Best baby-related gifts we received were the practical ones. Toddler toys are nice too (Baby will grow sooo quickly!)

[fapl]

Saw some boxes of 4 Aden & Anais swaddles in TK Maxx Lewisham for ?20, it said normal price for a box of 4 was ?40, I thought of this thread and thought if anybody needs to buy a baby gift...