Pregnancy Gift

I am all about something nice for the mom. I am especially in favor of a gift certificate for a maternity massage (yes, massage therapists do special training in this), or a nice piece of jewelry for the new-mom-to-be. It could be a mothering pendant (lots of these out there with a mom holding a baby, etc.) or just something to make her feel pretty and womanly.

a sling! BEST BEST BEST piece of baby gear I own. And there's so many to choose from, you can find one thats just her style. Also, at Mothering.com you can order a publication on babywearing in case she's not familiar.

H.

It's not one big item, but what my mother did was "mystery gift" me. Every day or so I'd get a small package in the mail with a little gift in it. She was able to talk to the people at the post office and get them to post mark them from different places, so it looked like they came from all over. It would be even better if you had friends in different places mail them, so she wouldn't know where they were coming from. It was really fun. She did bibs, diaper pins, small toys/teethers, board books, etc. I loved it.

Hi,
I was given a Bella band and a gift certificate to a maternity store when I found out I was pregnant . What a treat. My only gentle caution is to wait a bit closer to her second trimester for these (she most likely won't need them until then anyway), just in case! Another suggestion is a good pregnancy book. I got my friend a beautiful one with actual in utero pictures detailing every week of her pregnancy (again, I waited a few weeks...she had two previous miscarriages at around 8 weeks). What a lucky friend you have!

I have a 4 month old and I absolutely don't know what I would do without a Woombie! I got one when she was two months already and was mad at myself for not getting it earlier because she finally slept like a princess, it would have saved me a lot of sanity. It is a great gift, I wish I got it at my baby shower! It is only $24, it comes in several sizes, depending on your budget you can get her one or two of different sizes. At this moment my daughter is napping in it, without it her nap is about 15 minutes - with it about 1-2 hours.

Check out my review of it here: http://www.lunch.com/data/Woombie-###-###-####-Reviews-Mo...

When the same time came for my best friend I found her a great gift that she really liked, but may not be a hit with everyone. There's an online store (and they have a order magazine) named Magic Cabin and they have a silver chiming ball necklace that has an extra long cord so you can wear it down on your belly where the baby is and it comes with a matching tone silver rattle so the baby has a toy with a familiar tone that reminds them of their comfort in the womb.
This was a sweet gift that helped her to connect to her son long before he was born. When my time came, about a year later, she ordered one for me too and I enjoyed the early bonding too.

When I found out I was pregnant, I made myself a CD with beautiful songs about having babies and children: lullabies, daughter/son songs, etc. I listened to it all the time, and it really helped me to be in awe of all the changes that were taking place, and the wonderful little one "renting space" in my body. My kids are still soothed by many of the songs - I believe they have some sort of memory of them! If you don't have the time to make a compilation, I suggest: Return to Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins, Miracle by Celine Dion, and Songs from a Parent to a Child by Art Garfunkel.

I was at a mommy group yesterday and someone was ravening about getting a "nurse for a night" as a gift. She got to book whatever night was good for her. I thought it was a really cool idea!

Ohhhh how fun! Well, how about the link to this blog???

A baby book.
A frame perhaps with the words "Mommy's Little One" inscribed.
A scrapbook started with pics you have of mom when she was younger that she can continue.
A gift certificate for a pre-birth mani/pedi (my mother always said that if your feet are the first thing that baby is going to see in this world well then by God they should look good!!!)
Some humorous books about pregnancy (Girlfriends' Guide or the ones by Jenny McCarthy - she's hilarious)

Have fun!!!

Something that I received and loved (and have since sent to pregnant friends) was the book "The Baby Name Wizard," which is a really innovative approach to looking at potential names. I like it because it's fun and something for future mom and dad to share and interact with. I also like to send a copy of "Baby Bargains" later in the pregnancy.

I received nursing pjs as a shower gift and loved those too.

Another great idea is a gift certificate for a pregnancy massage or pre-natal yoga classes in her area.

Best,

D.

I am a fan of giving "Piggy" Banks - anything from a lamb to a turtle and a puppy. I like giving them because they are something that can be held onto for a long time, but it is not something that is too personal or imposing. I will even put a few bills ($5 or 10) and some change to get them started.

I love books. You can put a message on the inside cover, and she will always have and remember it. And it is a gift that can keep giving. Depending on you and your friend's taste, a book I love is "Everyday Blessings" by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Or parenting books or "mom" books, or, another great idea is a book of fairy tales that she can read together with her little one. We have a set of Japanese Children's Stories, from my husband's family, and I absolutely love them.

Best,
Kim

Find her a postpartum doula who will help her in the first few days/weeks after birth!

Something that is purely and solely for her. Not the baby... just something for her that celebrates your friendship.
Something that reminds her that she is valued as a woman and pampers her.

Someone did that for me and it is one gift that had an extra special meaning..

Of course..you could send something special for the baby, too...

My sister and I both love the snoodle pillow. It is about $50 from babies r us. It isn't glamorous but very useful and comfy especially starting around the 5th month. You could also send her an Edible Arrangement. The fruit in it is so good and so good for you. I love those things. A gift certificate to Motherhood maternity if there is one in her area is also very useful.

I think a great gift is a photo package with a professional photographer. She can use it for when the baby is born or for pregnancy pictures (belly pics are all the rage).

The gift card to a maternity store is a great idea! Also, maybe a gift subscription to a parents' magazine, like Parenting or Parents? That would be the gift that keeps on giving for at least a year! Have fun...

I didn't read through all of your responses, but a few. Sorry if this doubles on one that I did not read, but, I LOVED receiving a "diaper cake." It was great and I have begun to send them myself. You can google it and get lots of websites that will make and send anything that you can imagine. There are also sites that provide you with directions to make your own, if you so desire. I have found that when sending them over distances, I prefer to have a professional company make it because they already know how to most effectively get it to it's destination.

Have fun with this new little love!

I'd suggest WAHM made cloth diapers or a homemade gift. If you want to contact me I can help you brainstorm something a bit more specific :)

a gift certificate for a mani/pedi...something for her!

Hi,

My mom gave me a lightweight robe for my birthday when I was 9 months pregnant. I ended up wearing it everynight when I had to get up with my newborn (and who am I kidding, some days I didn't get out of my jammies and I wore it all day) It was great to have because it wasn't too heavy, but a nice layer to have when I was exposed during nursing. A pretty fabric would be nice, but make sure it is easy to wash.

One comment about a common gift, I would only give a pregnancy journal or something like that if you think she would use it. For me it probably would have been a source of guilt because I wouldn't have gotten to it. (mom of a 13 month old who hasn't started her real baby book)

good morning A.,

When my friends are having their first baby, I go and buy a small cosmetic bag and fill it with little personal things she can use while at the hospital. Such as: Brush, shampoo, conditioner, deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrush, chapstick or lipgloss, etc. I sometimes add a pair of slippers, a book or magazine and a throw away camera. Most frist time moms dont think of things they need, only going home clothes for her and the baby.

Congrats to your friend,
T.

A pregnancy journal. The one I received had a new entry to read every day about the baby's progress (great way to get Dad involved) and each week you could write a little something about how you were feeling, cravings, dr. appts., ultrasounds, etc. I'm looking forward to sharing it with my little one down the road.

How about giving the gift of good health? - for both mom and baby! I'm a big fan of a fabulous prenatal multi-vitamin that can be found at www.beckyzinn.com. It comes in an isotonic form so that it ensures superior delivery and rapid absorption. It's a great way for expectant moms to get the necessary vitamins and minerals that she and her baby need for a healthy pregnancy. Simply type "prenatal multi-vitamin" in the search bar and you'll find all the information that you need. I encourage expectant moms and women that are planning to become pregnant to make sure that they have proper nutritional support for a healthy pregnancy. Congratulations to your friend. Enjoy the new arrival!

I always give first-time moms a baby sling for the baby (check out www.eieiobabygear.com for great patterns and prices). The pajamas another mom mentioned are a great idea, too. If your friend is likely to nurse, maybe you could get her some nursing pajamas. Check out www.motherwear.com.

I would suggest something for the new Mom to be! A gift certificate to a spa, or maybe one for a pregnancy massage, or for a mani or pedi! Since she is your best friend I'm sure that more gifts for the baby will be purchased on a whim by you and sent to her, so I suggest treating the Mom....as soon as the baby is here all the focus will be on the little one, why not make your friend feel special during the beautiful time of her life!

Hello,

My neighbor who is a teacher gives a personalized baby cap ($12.50) and everyone loves them. Use the family name if they don't know the baby's gender or plan not to find out. http://www.mercadventures.com/bibs.htm#baby-caps-hats. Good luck!

i know you will get something neat for the baby.but youcouldalso get the mom to be a gift for herself pajamas. myfriendneverexpectedi wouldget somethingfor her as well and sheloves them. new moms tend to live in them as you may know. just an idea.

Mothering Magazine subscription and a sling! those are absolutely the two best gifts I received!