One of your closest friends is having a baby soon, and you’re invited to the baby shower. Another party, another baffling process of thinking about what to get as a gift—with the added pressure of commemorating your best friend’s entry into motherhood with this present.
Instead of window shopping until the heavens present you with the perfect gift, get something that’s practical, thoughtful, and with intention. Look for something both the new mommy and her baby can appreciate. Those kinds of gifts are remembered and appreciated a hundred times more.
If you don’t have the best track record as a gift-giver or if you’re just out of ideas, this is your chance to redeem yourself. Give the best gift for the baby shower with these ideas.
A Baby Wrap or Carrier
It’s hard to juggle housework, errands, and a career on top of taking care of a little human being. The responsibilities that come with a newborn are a handful of tasks on their own. It’s hard to get things done right away.
A baby wrap allows mothers to be close to their babies even if they’re doing other tasks around the house. This enables moms to multitask. They’re able to go about their day and check off some to-dos on their list without having to be away from the baby. Whenever the baby cries for attention, moms can address their needs immediately.
In an interview with Ann Bigelow, professor and researcher of developmental psychology, she shares that frequent skin-to-skin contact helps reduce stress levels of both mother and child. Mothers reported being less likely to develop depression and were sensitive to the baby’s cues. But also by doing so, babies can recognize their mother early on, and this facilitates the bond between mother and child.
Baby Wipes and Diapers
Help new moms get a start on their must-have checklist.
Mothers are in constant demand for baby diapers. They’re among the first few things new parents stock up on. On average, there are 6 to 10 diaper changes in a day for the first few months of life. That’s a lot of diaper changes (and money).
Another item on that checklist is baby wipes. They’re the go-to, convenient clean-up essential in every baby bag. It’s useful for every setting and every mess up.
Baby wipes and diapers are a staple for every parent. Having some spare ones makes a difference, especially at 3 a.m. when they’re scrambling to pull them out from the drawers. Giving new moms these essentials can save them a trip to the store. It’s a thoughtful yet practical gift that every new mom can easily appreciate.
Gift Cards
Who doesn’t love a gift card?
Having a newborn is a huge budget adjustment, and saving every penny can make a difference. A gift card is a great gift to help with that.
It’s best if it’s not just ANY gift card. You have to think about how this can be useful for women entering motherhood. You can give them a couple of gift card ideas for the grocery store, for a spa, or even for a maid service. This gift will surely ease the burden off their shoulders.
Baby Utensils
The baby might not need it now, but it will be useful months later when they start eating soft foods.
By then, the baby will be using utensils daily, so it’s important to choose durable and baby-friendly ones. If you’re thinking about getting plastic-based utensils, be sure to do your research. It’s best to steer away from plastic types that contain BPA and other harmful chemicals usually found in plastic. Go for better sustainable alternatives, such as baby-friendly bamboo utensils.
Towels
Babies are messy. With all the burping, spitting, and drooling, laundry is bound to pile up. But that’s normal and expected.
Aside from having wipes, towels are useful for clean-up, too. The best part is they’re washable and reusable, so it’s worth the buck. The most practical ones are absorbent and soft to the touch, especially for the baby’s skin.
Give Them Something That They’ll Appreciate
Entering motherhood is a monumental time in any woman’s life. Commemorating it with a practical yet thoughtful gift is something any mother would appreciate.
There are so many gifts you can give at a baby shower. Maybe you’re going to end up buying one of the items on the list. It may even open new ideas. Whatever gift you end up buying, always remember that the best gifts are those that come from the heart.