Do you have a friend or family member that is about to become a mom again? Are you wondering what to get for her or the new baby? As a mom of two, I’ve compiled a list of some things that this mom probably doesn’t need/want for the arrival of her new addition.
*Note – this goes without saying but if the mom specifically asks for any of these things then ignore this. Her children may have a large age gap (mine were born 5 years apart but i still had most of the baby stuff), or she may be looking for specifics – always default to the parents!
Here are the 5 things I think you should avoid buying:
1. Blankets
I’m talking handmade, receiving, crib, fleece, character, etc. She likely has blankets in every closet, nook and cranny in her house. Unless agreed upon with the mom. Skip the blankets.
2. Baby socks and hats
Yes, these are adorable but one thing I learned between my first and my second was that baby socks weren’t nearly as necessary as i thought they were. Instead of putting my second in socks, he either had bare feet or wore footy pyjamas if e needed the warmth. No more fussing with trying to keep the socks on awkward baby feet and no more continuously losing them.
With hats, so many newborn and 0-3M outfits came with hats that they were all over my house. And truthfully most of them didn’t fit properly and were never worn.
3. Baby sized towels and wash cloths
Both of my children outgrew the baby sized towels so quickly, that they were barely used, and the tiny baby wash cloths always get lost in the wash. If your set on giving then towels or cloths, opt for full sized or even “big kid” hooded towels. My eldest (who is 6) was given a big kid hooded towel at his baby shower and still uses it to this day, it’s hanging in our bathroom.
4. Toys
Most households are already busting at the seams with toys, check with the mom before purchasing a bunch of toys for their upcoming baby. There may be specific things they are looking for to round out the toys in their house, or you could offer to pitch in for something larger that all of her kids could use.
5. Random room decor
It goes without saying that you should consult with the mom about potential room things if you really want to buy decor. Depending on how savvy the mom is on themes and colour schemes, your random purchase may not fit and potentially not get used. Best to wait until the child is older and you can buy things that fit their interests.
Here are 5 things to consider instead
1. Pitching in with others on a larger gift like double stroller or car seat
Going from a single stroller to a double can be a pricy purchase if the kids are close enough in age, so pitching in for the purchase of a pricier item like a double stroller or a car seat for the baby goes a long way. Offer to send a gift card for wherever she’s planning on purchasing the item. She will appreciate it, I promise.
2. Consumables
Diapers, wipes, lotion, soap, formula, anything that the baby will use up constantly, it will be a constant item to be purchased by the family. You can find out what brands they are using and buy extras (but remember, buy larger sizes of diapers because most babies are in newborn diapers for just a few weeks) or send over a gift card to wherever they normally shop.
3. Gift cards
The first year of a baby’s life is expensive! Lighten the budget of the family by gifting a gift card, it could be to a baby store, groceries, food delivery, Amazon – anything you can think of.
Don’t stress over the amount, whatever is in your budget is great for the family.
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4. Outerwear
If their kids are anything like mine, they hit seasonal clothing at different times, so my first was born in the fall sand my second was born in the winter, none of the seasonal clothes in those first two years matched up to the correct size for my second and we had to get all new. Talk to the family about what seasonal clothing they may be looking for and keep an eye out for those!
5. Help around the house
Whether it’s showing up to wash dishes, cook food, play with the older sibling(s) or even hiring a cleaning service, your friend/relative that is having this baby will be going through a major adjustment and may need some extra support around their house.
Until next time,
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